I'm a Redneck Woman

So, as I've written before, I've been doing some yoga in the last little bit of my pregnancy. It's really good for strengthening and toning muscles and stretching me out. The only problem is that I've grown out of all of my tank tops that I wear to exercise in. I can still wear B's t-shirts, but they are bulky in the arms and get in the way for yoga. So, yesterday, I find myself at Wal-Mart, shamelessly scouring the plus size department for a tank top when I notice a sign over a small rack that says, "maternity." Great. Who knew the evil empire had maternity clothes? But why shouldn't they? Surely they carry a nice, plain tank top. Oh no, plain is way to much to ask. I had my choice between a grey, "Does this shirt make me look fat?" cartoon character tank, a black version with Betty Boop on it, and a white one with fake air-brushed butterflys and the word "Love" emblazoned on it. Which one did I go with? The butterflies of course. I don't know if I feel like Mariah Carey with it on or Gretchen Wilson, but B laughed at me when he got home yesterday. He called me his little red-neck woman. But it does the job for yoga, and that's what I got it for. Although I don't know if I can put it in a drawer, I'm afraid my other clothes may shun it. Ha.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Here's a Christmas song that I'm guessing you know for you to ponder over the next couple of days. It has taken me by surprise this season. Jesus veiled His glory in flesh and came for us. We are reconciled to God the Father by this mysterious gift.

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

By: Charles Wesley, italic emphasis: mine

Life in Boxes

It doesn't feel like that long since we were unpacking our belongings into the townhouse in Virginia. For some reason it took very little time in hindsight. Now, as we unpack the same house nearly nine months later, it feels like it's taking FOREVER. I have my theories about this. Number one, I wasn't seven months pregnant last time and had not only more energy, but the ability to bend at the waist, which is something I've really been missing lately. Two, we actually own this house and plan to stay here for at least 3 years, so that provides motivation to put more thought into where our stuff "lives." Last, but by no means least, the people we bought our house from were quite possibly the dustiest people alive. It's not just that they didn't bother to dust before they moved out, they may not have dusted for the last several years. So, everything, I mean everything-shelves, cabinets, walls, is having to be dusted and de-cat haired before we permanently place our things where they belong.

This move has been very smooth so far, other than the massive amounts of dust and cat hair the previous owners left behind. We had a carrier move, which means that the Marine Corps paid a moving company pack all our stuff up and move it, and, let me just say, I don't think I could go back to moving myself. Also, the moving truck just happened to show up on the same morning as our closing on the house, which we've been told is no small miracle.

Oh, and we love our new town. It's amazing. The weather is warmer, the people are warmer, and the pace of life is certainly more laid back. The sidewalks may roll up at sunset, but we have found a local coffee shop on the water that is our new home away from home. And at least it's open until 10pm.

Overheard

Grace: Micah, your toenails are so long. You need to cut them or bite them or something!

On the Road Again

Our little family is moving again! On Monday morning, movers showed up to our house in Virginia, packed it up in boxes, and left it for some other guys who showed up on Tuesday and put it all on a truck. So far, best move ever in my book. Not only do we get to escape the frigid Northern Virginia temperatures, I have yet to lift a box. (Which is good because I'm not sure that the belly would allow me to lift little more than a shoe box.) We close on our first house on Monday, which makes us homeless for a few days, but fortunately, our destination is only a few hours from our hometown, so we are "home" for the weekend.

Actually, B is down in PI for his first day of real Marine Corps fleet work while the cats, Paco, and I are at "home." I am really enjoying watching Rumor torture my mom's dog, Todo. I make no apologies for my firm belief that cats are far superior to dogs. That's neither here nor there, but it's all I have to report now. I'm sure there will be a lot more soon!

More Favorite Things

Since my last post on my favorite things, I've done a lot of thinking about those things and others that I love. And, in an effort to help you decide on Christmas gifts (if you're like me and still trying to decide what to get your mother for Christmas), I decided to post a few more. Here they are in no particular order:

1. Prenatal Yoga - I told you, this is one of my new exercises. It's a video that I got at Target and it's so relaxing, but I feel like it's strengthening me and helping me become more flexible at the same time. I'm still trying to do some cardio as well in the form of brisk walking and using the elliptical machine, but I have already learned some yoga stretches that are helping me feel less cramped in my own body.
   
2. Oregon Chai - If you haven't had this, you MUST try it! I'm serious, this is not just one of my favs, it is B's as well. You mix one part chai, one part milk, microwave, and enjoy. It is the perfect cold afternoon pick-me-up, and it tastes very appropriate for this particular season of the year. I have found the mix (it's a liquid in a box on the shelf) in several grocery stores (in what B calls the "hippy section") and Target.
3. My Hobo wallet - It is currently in need of repair due to extreme use, but this little accessory is worth every penny. It holds all of my credit cards, money, IDs, and still has enough room for the other random stuff I keep in my wallet (library cards, business cards, Chik-Fil-A coupons, etc.). When we go out for a fancy dinner, I can put my cell phone and key inside and, voila, instant clutch! My favorite feature is the magnetic snap that holds the two sides together with the ID card slots. It makes finding my military ID much easier when driving onto a base.
4. ID Bare Minerals blush - I bought my particular little pot-o-blush almost two years ago and use it every day. This is the first blush I've ever worn, and I seriously get compliments on it all the time. My particular shade is rose radiant, but there are lots to choose from depending on your skin tone. I really like that it does not look or feel heavy since I'm not a big make-up girl, but it gives this Snow White some realistic looking color.
5. Til We Have Faces - This is C. S. Lewis' take on the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche and it's hands down my favorite book. I am currently reading it for the third time and it just gets better. My brain works better in allegory than in straight-forwardness, and this story is chock full when seen through Mr. Lewis' eyes. I could write a whole post or even blog about this book, so I'll stop now, I'll just say, read it.
   
6. Have I mentioned that I love feeling my little girl move inside me? Well, I do and I can't write or talk about her enough. I just can't wait to meet her. I fell asleep last night thinking about her and I've never even seen her face. This is not something that I can give you a link to, but rest assured, you will see pictures come March.
   

That's all for now. Again, if you have any favorites or anything to add to mine, let me know. Merry December 2nd.