It's March 1st. It's officially the month of my due date for baby Hartzog! Granted it's at the very end (March 29) but I was so giddy this morning thinking about how we could and hopefully will have our little boy in our arms sometime this month!!
It's such a great anticipation.
He could come tomorrow, in 2 weeks, on my birthday, a week late - we just don't know!
All we know is that we are both ready to welcome him into this world. I've heard the joy of holding him for the first time is unexplainable and I can't wait for that moment. When I think about it, I start smiling and even start tearing up. I can't wait to be a mommy to our little guy.
And we are so looking forward to introducing you to little W.G.H.
If you want a good laugh, check out my hubby's blog post today...
http://ho2theworld.blogspot.com/2012/03/things-i-dont-want-to-hear-this-month.html
:)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Hiccups
I really feel like I JUST blogged the other day and looking at it now, it's been over 2 weeks! I knew February was going to be a crazy month but still can't believe it's halfway over now.
Let's see, what's been going on...
Coaching soccer 2 times a week. I'm trying to limit myself to 2 days if possible. I'm pretty stubborn but I know I need the rest so it's working pretty well so far. We are actually getting great numbers at practice although some days it's a completely different group of guys then the day before :-/ But all things considered, it's going pretty well...we're having fun and the weather has been beautiful for the most part. There are 2 guys who don't speak a lick of English so that's been pretty humorous. I just get the other guys to translate for me. Yesterday I learned the Spanish word for pass..."passela" (sp?) What's hilarious is hearing me say it as I have the most American sounding spanish accent ever.
My work held a baby shower for me and my co-worker, Beth. I love my company, American Cancer Society, and am so blessed by my co-workers here. Here are a few pics from the shower...
We took a CPR class to learn infant CPR but so glad I now know adult CPR as well. Hoping to never have to use it of course, but very glad we know it now. Hogan actually asked me last night if I remembered what we learned...eek...gonna have to review the handouts every now and then to make sure I remember but it was a little foggy already last night!
We found a pediatrician. We are just going to use a practice that is actually located at St. Vincent's (where I'm delivering). This is a HUGE check-mark on the "to-do" list.
I had my 33rd week checkup last week and will start going weekly beginning next week!
I received my 2nd baby shower last weekend from some great friends in Madison (my home-town). That was such a blessing. I'll post those pictures in another blog post soon!
And last, but certainly not least, I felt hiccups from our baby boy the other night! It was so stinkin neat and honestly I didn't realize that is what they were until my co-workers suggested that's what it probably was since it was such a rhythmic beat in my tummy. Carrying this child is just so cool!
Let's see, what's been going on...
Coaching soccer 2 times a week. I'm trying to limit myself to 2 days if possible. I'm pretty stubborn but I know I need the rest so it's working pretty well so far. We are actually getting great numbers at practice although some days it's a completely different group of guys then the day before :-/ But all things considered, it's going pretty well...we're having fun and the weather has been beautiful for the most part. There are 2 guys who don't speak a lick of English so that's been pretty humorous. I just get the other guys to translate for me. Yesterday I learned the Spanish word for pass..."passela" (sp?) What's hilarious is hearing me say it as I have the most American sounding spanish accent ever.
My work held a baby shower for me and my co-worker, Beth. I love my company, American Cancer Society, and am so blessed by my co-workers here. Here are a few pics from the shower...
My sweet co-workers who hosted the shower for us!
Me (at 32 weeks) and Beth (at 29 weeks).
I love this picture because I was so excited about receiving our first thing of wipes and diapers.
Hogan knows I work with a bunch of women and was such a trooper. The few guys I do work with just sent a present to the party so Hogan was the only man there :)
We took a CPR class to learn infant CPR but so glad I now know adult CPR as well. Hoping to never have to use it of course, but very glad we know it now. Hogan actually asked me last night if I remembered what we learned...eek...gonna have to review the handouts every now and then to make sure I remember but it was a little foggy already last night!
We found a pediatrician. We are just going to use a practice that is actually located at St. Vincent's (where I'm delivering). This is a HUGE check-mark on the "to-do" list.
I had my 33rd week checkup last week and will start going weekly beginning next week!
I received my 2nd baby shower last weekend from some great friends in Madison (my home-town). That was such a blessing. I'll post those pictures in another blog post soon!
And last, but certainly not least, I felt hiccups from our baby boy the other night! It was so stinkin neat and honestly I didn't realize that is what they were until my co-workers suggested that's what it probably was since it was such a rhythmic beat in my tummy. Carrying this child is just so cool!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Here we go Woodlawn
So it's been a bit of a rollarcoaster ride these last several months dealing with Woodlawn soccer. While I don't think of myself as an over the top planner and actually love to live day to day trusting in the Lord's plan, there is still a bit of planning that needs to take place in life....and it was not happening with soccer this year.
This will be my 3rd year coaching the Woodlawn soccer team and we've made great progress over the past two years so I thought we'd continue building on that progress this year. As it got deeper into the fall, I was far behind my planning that I had done in the previous year due to circumstances beyond my control...
A new principal at Woodlawn.
My teacher contact retired.
No one from the school was responding to my messages.
I think I let it go for a while seeing that I really couldn't do anything else about the situation. But then it got to January and if season was going to happen this year, it needed to start happening! I finally was in contact with the Athletic Director at the school and things seemed to be looking up. Alex and I were scheduling games with other schools and patiently waiting until we had the go ahead from Woodlawn to start the season. The principal though still had not hired an official coach for the team yet and that was a vital part to the season. This was still the case as of only a week ago and honestly I gave up. I just was tired. Tired of praying about it. Tired of worrying about it. I really didn't think "ministry" was supposed to be this hard. I didn't know if the doors were being shut by God or the enemy. I was sad, not that I would not be involved, but that the guys wouldn't have a season.
My wonderful husband told me to just be still in the Lord. To let Him handle things. So I waited a week. I waited but like I said, I also had given up so it's probably not that hard to wait when you've given up. I sent a message to the AD this past Friday because I needed confirmation that the season would not be happening so I could cancel the games we had scheduled. And to my surprise...they had hired a coach and we could start practicing! I'm so thankful that the Lord works even when we've given up.
So we had our first practice yesterday! It was so good to be out there, to see some of the guys from last year. It rejuvenated me. I always forget how much I love it until I get back out there. I have no idea what the season will look like. I have no idea how long I'll be able to be out there for. I'm praying that we won't hit any obstacles we can't overcome. I'm preparing myself for a different kind of season. My main goal is not to get caught up in logistics and perfect practices and winning, but to produce real fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, etc...and to have some fun!
This will be my 3rd year coaching the Woodlawn soccer team and we've made great progress over the past two years so I thought we'd continue building on that progress this year. As it got deeper into the fall, I was far behind my planning that I had done in the previous year due to circumstances beyond my control...
A new principal at Woodlawn.
My teacher contact retired.
No one from the school was responding to my messages.
I think I let it go for a while seeing that I really couldn't do anything else about the situation. But then it got to January and if season was going to happen this year, it needed to start happening! I finally was in contact with the Athletic Director at the school and things seemed to be looking up. Alex and I were scheduling games with other schools and patiently waiting until we had the go ahead from Woodlawn to start the season. The principal though still had not hired an official coach for the team yet and that was a vital part to the season. This was still the case as of only a week ago and honestly I gave up. I just was tired. Tired of praying about it. Tired of worrying about it. I really didn't think "ministry" was supposed to be this hard. I didn't know if the doors were being shut by God or the enemy. I was sad, not that I would not be involved, but that the guys wouldn't have a season.
My wonderful husband told me to just be still in the Lord. To let Him handle things. So I waited a week. I waited but like I said, I also had given up so it's probably not that hard to wait when you've given up. I sent a message to the AD this past Friday because I needed confirmation that the season would not be happening so I could cancel the games we had scheduled. And to my surprise...they had hired a coach and we could start practicing! I'm so thankful that the Lord works even when we've given up.
So we had our first practice yesterday! It was so good to be out there, to see some of the guys from last year. It rejuvenated me. I always forget how much I love it until I get back out there. I have no idea what the season will look like. I have no idea how long I'll be able to be out there for. I'm praying that we won't hit any obstacles we can't overcome. I'm preparing myself for a different kind of season. My main goal is not to get caught up in logistics and perfect practices and winning, but to produce real fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, etc...and to have some fun!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
My Growing Belly
I've been horrible at blogging lately. Life has been so busy and this week, I feel like I've finally been able to catch my breath.
I'm at 31 weeks in my pregnancy which I can and can't believe. In one way, it feels like I've been pregnant forever (since we found out way back in July) but then in another way, I can't believe I'm only 9 weeks away (possibly sooner, hopefully not much later) from holding our little baby in my arms. I'm being completely honest when I say I am SO excited to give birth to him. Through all the negative stories I hear about labor and delivery, God has given me grace to ignore them all and simply look forward with excitement to the day when it happens - I have no fear whatsoever thanks to Him.
At the beginning of my pregnancy, we thought it'd be fun to take pictures in the same outfit as the weeks went by to really be able to see the change in my belly and body. I'm sure this is just a "first time mom" thing but pregnancy is such a miracle and I just want to try to document everything I can related to it this first time I'm experiencing it. That said, I've slacked a little bit on the pictures but here are some from the last few months...
I'm at 31 weeks in my pregnancy which I can and can't believe. In one way, it feels like I've been pregnant forever (since we found out way back in July) but then in another way, I can't believe I'm only 9 weeks away (possibly sooner, hopefully not much later) from holding our little baby in my arms. I'm being completely honest when I say I am SO excited to give birth to him. Through all the negative stories I hear about labor and delivery, God has given me grace to ignore them all and simply look forward with excitement to the day when it happens - I have no fear whatsoever thanks to Him.
At the beginning of my pregnancy, we thought it'd be fun to take pictures in the same outfit as the weeks went by to really be able to see the change in my belly and body. I'm sure this is just a "first time mom" thing but pregnancy is such a miracle and I just want to try to document everything I can related to it this first time I'm experiencing it. That said, I've slacked a little bit on the pictures but here are some from the last few months...
21 weeks pregnant
25 weeks pregnant
31 weeks pregnant
So I probably don't have to say it, but I definitely feel pregnant now!!
A few more weeks to go :)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
A Wii Little Blessing
Hogan and I have a lot on our plate right now. A lot to do. A lot to get ready for. We are trying to find a car and sell mine to make room for baby. I'm trying to help plan a season for Woodlawn soccer that I'm not even sure is going to happen right now. And if it does, I'm going to help coach as much as I can. We have to find a physician before the baby comes. We are praying that we get into a daycare in time for me to not have to take too much time off work. We have labor classes coming up to go to. We have to change my phone plan and thus, buy a new phone so that I can get better service at our townhome. In the back of our minds, with all this other financial stuff, is saving enough money to hopefully put a down payment on a home this next year. And on top of all of this, my work is definitely not slowing down.
From reading all that, you might assume I'm overwhelmed. I don't think I am. I know all of this has to happen but I also know who is in control. Honestly though, it's still pretty easy to feel some anxiousness. I know anxiousness and I pray it off constantly and turn my eyes and heart to the Lord but it's a continual thing lately.
But He assured me of something today...Hogan called me and told me that his boss gave him his son's Wii and a ton of games. His boss bought his son a new video system and it turns out they didn't want to keep more than one system in the house and so he offered it to Hogan. The beauty of this blessing is that over the past few weeks, we've been talking about purchasing a Wii. We thought it'd be something fun for us to do together and a good video game system for our child as well when he's old enough - basically something fun and interactive we can all do together inside. We know that the Wii isn't much money these days but it's still another expense so we hadn't purchased it yet. Hogan's boss had no idea we wanted one and were thinking about getting one. But I have a good feeling that God did. And through this blessing, he assured me that He has it taken care of. He is in control. He cares about the little things. And if He cares about the little things, he most definitely is going to take care of us in the big things.
From reading all that, you might assume I'm overwhelmed. I don't think I am. I know all of this has to happen but I also know who is in control. Honestly though, it's still pretty easy to feel some anxiousness. I know anxiousness and I pray it off constantly and turn my eyes and heart to the Lord but it's a continual thing lately.
But He assured me of something today...Hogan called me and told me that his boss gave him his son's Wii and a ton of games. His boss bought his son a new video system and it turns out they didn't want to keep more than one system in the house and so he offered it to Hogan. The beauty of this blessing is that over the past few weeks, we've been talking about purchasing a Wii. We thought it'd be something fun for us to do together and a good video game system for our child as well when he's old enough - basically something fun and interactive we can all do together inside. We know that the Wii isn't much money these days but it's still another expense so we hadn't purchased it yet. Hogan's boss had no idea we wanted one and were thinking about getting one. But I have a good feeling that God did. And through this blessing, he assured me that He has it taken care of. He is in control. He cares about the little things. And if He cares about the little things, he most definitely is going to take care of us in the big things.
Luke 12:27-31
“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Living a "Fruitful" Life
I read a blog post the other day that really spoke to me so I wanted to share. It was short and sweet but a great reminder.
Here's the link...
http://www.equipandempower.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/14/known_by_fruit?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChristineCaine+%28Christine+Caine+%28blog%29%29
To sum it up though, what is important to God is that we produce "fruit" and what's key is us knowing what "fruit" is. It's not our accomplishments or our talents or our gifts...it's the 9 fruits of the spirit...
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self control.
I don't know about you but I think I get this wrong sometimes. I start thinking that my "works" are my fruit. What am I doing in ministry right now? How do I get more involved to touch more lives? Why am I not seeing results like other people?
That's not it at all. Am I producing those 9 things listed above in my life? And am I producing ALL of them..even the hard ones like patience (road rage comes to mind) and self control (over-indulgence in food seems familiar lately)? The beautiful thing is (and possibly frustrating at the same time), is that I can't TRY to produce this. The Holy Spirit produces this in me as I draw closer to Jesus. If I'm not producing these fruits, I reach out to Jesus more. I ask for more of Him in me. I don't try to put the pressure on myself to go and produce this fruit. It's not about works at all. It's not about me.
So this season as I find myself yelling at other drivers on the road and worrying about if I got someone the right gift, I'm subsequently getting closer to Jesus. I'm finding more time to spend in His word and talking to Him. Because I want to produce this fruit. I know this is what really matters. And I know I can't do it in my own strength.
And if I don't get the chance to blog again before Sunday, Merry Christmas friends!!
Here's the link...
http://www.equipandempower.org/blog/index.php/2011/12/14/known_by_fruit?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChristineCaine+%28Christine+Caine+%28blog%29%29
To sum it up though, what is important to God is that we produce "fruit" and what's key is us knowing what "fruit" is. It's not our accomplishments or our talents or our gifts...it's the 9 fruits of the spirit...
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self control.
I don't know about you but I think I get this wrong sometimes. I start thinking that my "works" are my fruit. What am I doing in ministry right now? How do I get more involved to touch more lives? Why am I not seeing results like other people?
That's not it at all. Am I producing those 9 things listed above in my life? And am I producing ALL of them..even the hard ones like patience (road rage comes to mind) and self control (over-indulgence in food seems familiar lately)? The beautiful thing is (and possibly frustrating at the same time), is that I can't TRY to produce this. The Holy Spirit produces this in me as I draw closer to Jesus. If I'm not producing these fruits, I reach out to Jesus more. I ask for more of Him in me. I don't try to put the pressure on myself to go and produce this fruit. It's not about works at all. It's not about me.
So this season as I find myself yelling at other drivers on the road and worrying about if I got someone the right gift, I'm subsequently getting closer to Jesus. I'm finding more time to spend in His word and talking to Him. Because I want to produce this fruit. I know this is what really matters. And I know I can't do it in my own strength.
And if I don't get the chance to blog again before Sunday, Merry Christmas friends!!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
I Love Being Pregnant
I love being pregnant.
There are the little things...
I love not having to suck in my stomach or fit into my "skinny jeans."
I love maternity pants and really wish I could get away wearing them even when I'm not pregnant.
I love feeling him move inside me every day.
I love that I'm getting a ton of sleep - at least 8 hours every night.
And then there is the big thing...
I love this precious gift from God. I love that I get to carry His creation inside of me. I love the miracle that conception and pregnancy and labor is and I give Him all the glory for it. There is no way this could happen without His control over every little detail of it. I'm constantly in awe of Him and this gift he has blessed us with. I don't take it for granted for a second.
I know people experience some miserable things during pregnancy. Fortunately things have been fantastic for me since day one, but even if they take a turn, I'm committed to not letting that overshadow the miracle that is going on inside me. I'm so grateful for this pregnancy and this precious baby that is growing inside me.
I'm believing that things don't have to go downhill in the 3rd trimester. I'm believing that labor doesn't have to be painful. I'm believing that pain and sickness aren't associated to pregnancy and labor. I'm believing to not fear labor. My God tells me that he doesn't give us a spirit of fear. He tells me that by his Son's stripes, I am healed. He tells me that I live under a new covenant because of what Jesus did for us.
I think so much "worldly" perspectives and advice has creeped into this miracle. People love to tell you how painful labor is. They love to tell you that your life is over once you have kids. I really have to tune this stuff out. None of that is from the Lord. Why don't we talk more about what a blessing it is?! The verse that comes to my mind is Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." I can't stop people from telling me their stories, but I can believe differently. I'm believing for greater things, for greater experiences. It's scary to write it down and to say it because what if it is painful and I do experience sickness or whatever...but that's faith...believing in the unseen.
There are the little things...
I love not having to suck in my stomach or fit into my "skinny jeans."
I love maternity pants and really wish I could get away wearing them even when I'm not pregnant.
I love feeling him move inside me every day.
I love that I'm getting a ton of sleep - at least 8 hours every night.
And then there is the big thing...
I love this precious gift from God. I love that I get to carry His creation inside of me. I love the miracle that conception and pregnancy and labor is and I give Him all the glory for it. There is no way this could happen without His control over every little detail of it. I'm constantly in awe of Him and this gift he has blessed us with. I don't take it for granted for a second.
I know people experience some miserable things during pregnancy. Fortunately things have been fantastic for me since day one, but even if they take a turn, I'm committed to not letting that overshadow the miracle that is going on inside me. I'm so grateful for this pregnancy and this precious baby that is growing inside me.
Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
I'm believing that things don't have to go downhill in the 3rd trimester. I'm believing that labor doesn't have to be painful. I'm believing that pain and sickness aren't associated to pregnancy and labor. I'm believing to not fear labor. My God tells me that he doesn't give us a spirit of fear. He tells me that by his Son's stripes, I am healed. He tells me that I live under a new covenant because of what Jesus did for us.
I think so much "worldly" perspectives and advice has creeped into this miracle. People love to tell you how painful labor is. They love to tell you that your life is over once you have kids. I really have to tune this stuff out. None of that is from the Lord. Why don't we talk more about what a blessing it is?! The verse that comes to my mind is Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." I can't stop people from telling me their stories, but I can believe differently. I'm believing for greater things, for greater experiences. It's scary to write it down and to say it because what if it is painful and I do experience sickness or whatever...but that's faith...believing in the unseen.
I am so grateful to Jesus for this gift inside of me.
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