Making Your Home a Haven: Week 1 Challenge

I am very excited to start the 'Make Your Home A Haven' challenge. I have been getting so stressed with all the cleaning and organizing and cleaning again... Sometimes I feel like our house will never be our home as there is always something to do. Along with tackling a small area at a time I have joined this blog challenge hoping to set the homey tone in our house as well.

Week 1: Lighting candles is nothing new in our house. In fact, if I don't have a candle lit Mark usually lights one. We have one special candle that we usually favor... On our honeymoon in Hocking Hills, Ohio we went into this little shop and they had lantern candle warmers. While it was more than we would usually pay we decided to splurge as it was our honeymoon. I am so thankful that we did because we use it constantly. And, two years later, we are still using the same Marshmallow candle that we bought that day as well. The living room seems to be the hub of our home so our lantern is placed in the corner right by the front door. It is my prayer when I see the candle glowing that our home is not just a home to us but to our baby that we are expecting in April. I pray that while we still have so much to do, finish the kitchen, finish the basement, and plan a nursery from start to finish, that we can do it together and with a joyful heart.

18 Weeks

I'm 18 weeks today and so excited... I took my first 'preggy' pic because a few ladies at church told me I looked just adorable. I have to admit... I am liking all the maternity clothes my friends Sarah, Jessie, and Mari gave me. 

How far along? 18 weeks... the time is really flying by because I have been so busy. I can't believe I am almost half way there!

Movement? Well, I think... not really sure because I don't know what I'm looking for. I haven't felt a kick or a jab but it does feel like things, like my organs, are being bumped around. Really looking forward to that first kick though!

Maternity Clothes? Like I said, I am really enjoying the new wardrobe I have from my friends. Its like going shopping in my closet every day. And my mom bought be some new jeans! Still loving my old sweats though... gotta be comfy!

Best Moment of the Week? Last week I got to wear my cute mommy-baby skeleton shirt for Halloween... everyone loved it and it made me look forward to dressing the little one up next year.

Worst Moment of the Week? Still getting sick every now and then...

Sleep? I'm definitely losing sleep... I have a hard time falling asleep then when I finally do it is usually time for a potty trip... ugh! Luckily I can still sneak in a nap midday!

Cravings? Still craving fruit... apples and oranges

Miss Anything? Diet Coke. Diet Coke. Diet Coke. {One of the youth from our youth group promised me a case of Diet Coke after I have the baby... I. Cannot. Wait.}

Looking Forward? I have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming 2 weeks... This weekend Mark and I are going on a BABYmoon to Berlin, Ohio (Amish Country) and I am so excited. We are going to spend the weekend shopping and eating :) And next week is my doctor's appointment. I am so excited to see my baby again... its been 10 weeks since the last ultrasound. I am eager to see how big he or she has gotten. And, speaking of he or she... hopefully we can find out!

Operation Christmas Child

Today I had the privilege of going Christmas shopping for two very special children. Two children who otherwise would not receive anything for Christmas. Two children who don't get to make Christmas lists or circle the toys they want in the ads. Two children who are as grateful for the bar of soap and toothbrush I bought as they are for the toys I placed in their box as well. Mark couldn't shop with me so I got to buy for a little girl and little boy. I had so much fun picking the exact toys that I thought they would like. It is my prayer that through this gift they can come to know the gift of God... the true meaning of Christmas!

99 Reasons...

While browsing Pinterest today I found this great pin with an equally great challenge. The pin was titled "99 Things You Might be Thankful For About Your Husband". The challenge was to tell you husband one reason why you are thankful for him each day of November. Now Mark is great at always telling me why he loves me, appreciates me, and things he likes about me. In fact, I would say he does it at least once a day if not more... he is always bringing a smile to my face. But this got me thinking that maybe I don't tell him how thankful I am enough. So... challenge accepted. Will you join me?

Happy Halloween

17 weeks

Happy Halloween from Mark, Carrie, and Baby Wimbish!