Has Anyone Seen My Toes?

Curses on Eve! I'm daring to wonder what pregnancy would have been like before that greedy woman ate the forbidden fruit! My God has a sense of humor I believe, and when he vowed to make childbirth difficult, I think he also meant the carrying of the babe.
One must either laugh or cry, so I am choosing to laugh!
Have you seen my toes? I think they are painted purple, although John likened them to gumdrops! It's been awhile since last I located them, but when I did my breathing was immediately interupted in the effort! My poor husband is dealing with my new condition of snoring, and he also has the enviable job of rolling me off my back when in the midst of my sleep my breathing becomes ragged...no small feat I assure you. I have been blessed with those squeezable cheeks all of my life, but it is quite comical to note that each cheek would require two hands to properly squeeze them! I had always thought I wanted a larger chest, but cleavage to the collarbone is not all it's cracked up to be! From the back I look like a box...I had a waistline once, didn't I? The sheer horror on people's faces when they realize we have 8 weeks to go is enough to send me into a fit of tears. To combat this malady, my best friend painted my belly like an Easter Egg. This was quite humorous...until the paint started cracking! Who in the world knew that one little tiny being could so alter my being even right down to my toes!
Surely it's worth it Lord I ask, even as I know the answer...And then I feel my sweet little girl move within me and all is right in my world!

The Joys of John

During this winter's snow and ice storm, one of our sheds at the farm collapsed. This week John and the others began taking off the roof so repairs could begin. My husband was in Heaven when the task required the rental of a man lift. He delights in working with equipment! Sweet man that he is, he determined that I needed to see how this thing operated. He showed me all of the operations the man lift can perform, and patiently answered my questions. I soon found that his true motive for showing me this contraption was so that he could take me for a ride on it! We climbed into the basket and up, up, up, up we went. Now I am not normally afraid of heights, but this happened to be the day we had wind gusts of 15-20 miles an hour! I was a bit squeamish, and could envision the headlines that would appear should I plummet to the ground! John just put his arm around me and pointed out the beauty of seeing Davidson land from above. My fears eased, and I was instantly filled with a sense of pride for my husband and his family. We are so blessed! True romance is more than flowers and candles, it's found in thought filled gestures like rides in a man lift...

My Baby Bump

Our dear friend Stephanie Willis allowed my baby bump to be her muse, and I think the pictures turned out beautifully! These are just a few of our favorites! I'll try to add more soon!

Dear Abigail Grace,

Well Little One, I don't think that I can call you that anymore. With more than 2 months to go in Mommy's belly you already weigh 3lbs! Mommy and Daddy now know what your sweet face looks like. We were blessed to know that you are still healthy, and relieved to know that you are indeed cute (I would have loved you anyway!)! Nana says it looks as though you have the Mattingly nose, so look out for fingers that will pinch it! You are quite the little contortionist with both feet up by your face. Mommy has a picture of you sucking on your toes! Mommy and Daddy were quite shocked when you gave us the bird. Daddy says he's sure you don't yet know what that means, but in the future that kind of behavior might result in a spanking! How we love you, our sweet baby girl. All her life, all Mommy wanted was a little boppli, andGod has answered her prayers with you! You are our greatest gift. I cannot wait to meet you. Grow Strong and Healthy...

Mommy Loves You...

The Joys of John

Godly men are greatly lacking in our society so finding one is no small feat. Add to that the challenge of finding a godly man that you actually like, and you might as well be trying to find the proverbial needle in a haystack. I happen to be one of the few lucky women who has snatched up such a rare specimen, and in light of that I believe he deserves all the praise I can give him. The Joys of John will be my way of expressing my deepest gratitude for my wonderful husband. I hope that if your husband is worthy of such an honor you will too give credit where credit is do! In a world that holds the values of marriage so carelessly, it is encouraging to see those that despite it all are strong and enduring...

For as long as I have known John I have been asking for a chocolate lab puppy. He has always promised me that when the time was right I could have one. Nearly 3 years later still no puppy, but fate intervened! Through the grapevine I found out that an aquaintance had chocolate lab puppies that they were giving away...as in free. I managed to snag one of those little sweeties with the somewhat reserved approval of John. Boone is a joyful addition to our little family, but I didn't quite think through the reprecussions of having a puppy and being 7 months pregnant. Oops! John, who had considered this, has jumped in and helped me with Boone despite his misgivings. For several nights now he has joined me in Boone's many nightly bathroom breaks because I'm too scared to take him out in the dark by myself. John's selfless acts of love never cease to amaze me.

Yesterday John's mom and I were both given the first Easter Lillies of Spring...what a wonderful man he is!

Waffle Night with the Davidson's

Yesterday evening after feeding the cows, John and I decided to make Belgian waffles for supper. Yum! While beating eggs whites, we decided to call his family to see if they'd like to join us. Suddenly we went from dinner for 2 to supper for 6! I wish we would have had a camera to film John and I scrambling around the kitchen mixing waffle batter, frying hashbrowns, cooking bacon, making tea, and setting the table. It was a frenzy of activity for sure! we accomplished all of this within about 30 minutes time and managed to look somewhat put together by the time everyone arrived. It was a good time of spontaneous fellowship. John and I were exhausted by the time everyone went home, but it was well worthwhile! I'm so blessed to have a husband who will jump in and get his hands dirty in the kitchen, who loves his family so much, and who is appreciative of the little things. I think I'll start a series of blogs called Bragging on John because that seems to be how all of my blogs turn out anyway!

Spring is in the Air...

Spring on the Farm...I love it...I was meant for this life...

The first few signs of Spring are so subtle...unnoticeable really, if one's not looking. It seems as though (being the geek that I am) I have always been aware of the romanticism that can be found in our unpredictable Indiana weather. I pounce on the few mild days that begin popping up in the midst of winter's end. When the unmistakable scent on Spring arrives, I'm hard pressed to be content with Winter any longer.

Life on a farm has increased my appreciation for all things simple. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a farmer's wife...the wife of a man whose hands are never quite clean. I found my prince at OCU, and was ecstatic to learn that this intelligent, deep-thinking man was also a farmer. I remember the first time John brought me to meet his parents and to see his home...I knew that first time that I wanted this man and this life for my own. John took such pride in showing me the shop and the farm, the cows and the horses. I fell in love with this place nearly as quickly as I fell in love with him.

Oh yes, back to Spring! There's just something different about Spring on the farm. As I admitted earlier I have always been revitalized by the changing of seasons, but this, this is something I wish everyone could experience. You can see Spring coming weeks before it actually arrives. The Davidson men begin cleaning and greasing up equipment in preparation for planting time. Fields get ripped and disked. And the smell of dirt! Ah, who would have thought such a smell could bring such gladness into my heart, but alas it does! It is the beginning of long days. My sister-in-law and I jump in the tractors to bring cheer to our husbands who have been sitting in them for 12 hours or more. I don't think I will be able to fit into my little nook in the back of the tractor this year, and it saddens me more than one would think. Cows. My favorite part of farm life! Spring brings sweet little baby calves and the opening of the other pasture. The cows move like clockwork from one end of the pasture to another. Literally in single file, they follow the same path day in and day out. One can find the cows at a particular place in the pasture at a particular hour...no matter what. I like the dependable nature of cows. Spring means long horsback rides. I'm looking forward to this so much that my hands fairly itch to hold the reins. There are few things more romantic than horseback riding at sunset with Prince Charming...and he truly is just that. I have drifted in my thoughts again, forgive me...

Do not let all of my romanticism fool you, it's not an easy life, but it is the most rewarding one that I can imagine. There is a peace and a simplicity here that are hard to find these days, and I think they come from seeing God's creation in it's glory. The coming on Spring fills me with anticipation of all the things I have mentioned...this is my Heaven on Earth.

I hope that wherever you are, in your own piece of Heaven on Earth, that God reaches down and blesses you with the joy of Spring!

What I Do or Who I Am?

For over a year now my faith has been in a state of stagnancy. Every effort that I have made to alter my lackadaisical attitude has proven to be fruitless.



It occurred to me the other day (long-term blonde moment) that I have been going through the dreaded wilderness period.



With this realization came the obvious awareness of my Lord saying, "Listen to me, Daughter!"



My reply, "Okay Lord, I'm listening...still listening...could you speak a little louder please?"



"Why do you love me?"



I have to admit this stumped me a bit...what answer did He want?

"I love you because you first loved me. You saw worth in me when all I saw was a lost cause."



"Daughter, why do you worship me?"



Ummm..."Because that's what I'm supposed to do if I love you..."



Silence...



So I had to wonder if my answer was wrong...and obviously He wasn't going to make it easy on me. I began taking a hard inward look at myself, and I soon had my answer.



I loved the Lord, I always have...okay that wasn't the issue. I do all the right things (or at least attempt to), so what was the problem?



"Daughter,Why Do You Worship Me?"



Now I know what the silence was all about. For years I have lived what I thought was a godly lifestyle, and it was...but there's more. The Lord was no longer content with me doing what I ought to do only because I ought to do it...



God wants me to live a life of worship because that's who I am, not what I do. A strong discontentment rose within me when I realized this. I don't want to act like a virtuous woman...I want to be one!



Goodbye lackadaisical attitude, and Hello desire! This is my mission. I will strive to take the love of my Father down into the marrow of my bones. I will ooze love because I cannot stop it. I will worship the Lord because that's Who I am, not What I Do. To start this journey, I have begun a daily devotional by Donna Paltrow called "Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be: A Study of Proverbs 31." It's transforming my heart.



If the Lord is tugging at your heart in the same manner I encourage you to succumb to His call...it is good for your soul.



No Eye Has Seen, No Ear Has Heard...

Dear Abigail Grace,

Young Lady, your daddy now believes that HE is your favorite!  Mommy is quite hurt by the fact the you only have to hear Daddy's voice and hours of stillness abruptly end in delightful dancing. Daddy gloats about this, and Mommy is beginning to think you just might be a Daddy's girl already.  The other morning you and Daddy had a date.  Mommy was sound asleep, but at 3 a.m. you must have felt the need for time alone with Daddy. He put his hand on Mommy's belly, and was delighted to feel you kicking and flipping about. How happy you made him! He adored spending time with his little girl...especially without Mommy! This little "date" and your new trick of dancing when he speaks has eased Daddy's jealousy that Mommy gets to be with you all the time. I do not think a little girl has ever been loved as much as we love you. Nana says Mommy glows, but I think she only says this to make Mommy feel better about her big belly!  All went well at our last check up.  It won't be long now before we get to see our little boppli!  Remember little Abigail, that Daddy may have the pretty voice, but Mommy has the warm belly! Grow Strong and Healthy...

Mommy Loves You...

Dear Abigail Grace,

Can you even begin to phathom, my sweet boppli, what a blessing it is to know you, to feel you move, to see you grow? You move so much now, and each week those little kicks and punches become stronger. You put on quite a show for cousin Brandi and her ultrasound machine yesterday! You danced and swayed, stretched and curled up. You have quite big feet too, I must say! Cousin Brandi says you are a tad on the big side. (Can you imagine?! Mommy is only 4'10"!) You must take after Daddy! How glad I am that you are indeed strong and healthy! Already you bring so much happiness to my life. Each day Daddy and I begin to know you more and more. We know that you are a little stinker, laying still when Daddy wants to feel you kick! We know you have Rainey blood in you already as hyper as you seem to be. We know you love worship music, and quiet times when Mommy and Daddy whisper about you. We know your name, and we pray about the young lady you will one day become. Remember Abigail, that your name means "her father's joy." Always strive, dear one, to bring joy to your Father's heart and to your Daddy's as well. God loves you. He has a plan for you. Psalm 139 says that He knows your innermost parts, and all of your words before you even speak them. He knows YOU. Follow Him, sweet boppli, all the days of your life...Grow Strong and Healthy.

Mommy Loves You...

There's No Place Like Home

A New Year, A New Home, & A New Life

2009 holds much promise for the Davidson family!

A New Home:
John and I will finally move into our new home this week. Many of you know that this has been a long, exciting, frustrating, and somewhat agonizng processs for us, but the wait has certainly been worth it. Over a year ago we were able to buy a 3 acre piece of land in the midst of Davidson country. This was our dream spot, and the Lord has allowed us to build our home in a location that is truly a sanctuary for us both. (To understand the charm of our little corner of the world you must come and visit us!) Our land overlooks a beautiful hilly pasture, and behind the house is a deep ravine that opens up tp a gorgeous view (including Davidson Cemetery). We are surrounded on three sides by trees and woods, and I can just envision the fun our little ones will have growing up in this setting. John daydreams of building a zip line that will propel our children down the gully, but as of now I am nixing this idea! God truly had his hand upon us in the choosing and building of a home that is just right for us. (I will try to post pictures soon!) John's parents have been gracious enough to let us live in their basement since our wedding, but the time has come to leave the nest (particularly since our first child is due in 4 months!) We pray that this home will not only be a place of peace for us, but for all who walk through it's doors (You all are welcome anytime).

A New Life:
Abigail Grace Davidson...how I love the sound of that name! Our little girl is making her presence in Mommy's belly known! She's an active little lady, which I attribute to the Rainey blood flowing through her veins! (For those of you fortunate enough know a Rainey, you are very aware of this hyper-active tendency) I have been blessed with a smooth pregnancy thusfar, minus my incident of falling down the stairs right before Christmas! (Abigail seemed to love this little adventure, while I had many bumps and bruises to show for my mishap) John cannot wait for our little boppli to arrive! He's ready to play, to take her hunting, and all the other things Daddy's do with their little girls. God has blessed me with the most wonderful husband, and Abigail could not have a better Daddy. John has been anxiously awaiting the time when he too could feel Abbi's kicks, and finally the day has arrived! We cannot wait to meet our little girl face-to-face! May 30 is our anticipated due date, but we are hoping she'll come a little sooner as that's Aunt Meme's (my sister Mary's) graduation day. We are anxious to be a family of three, and to begin the adventures of parenting. God has blessed John and I far beyond measure!

At the beginning of this new year, this new month, this new day, and this new hour, I am so excited to see what plans our Lord has in store for us!

Dear Boppli,

Well Abigail Grace. you and I had a close call last week! Mommy, despite 13 years of dance classes, managed to fall down 15 stairs! My first thought when I landed at the bottom was "Please Lord, let my baby girl be okay!" and you were. Mommy was bruised and battered all over, but you my sweet little boppli were kicking to the beat of the band. Grandma says you must have liked your first tumbling lesson. How broken my heart would have been to lose my sweet daughter, but the Lord was looking out for both you and I that day. As I always say, grow strong and healthy my beloved boppli!

Mommy Loves You

Dear Boppli,

For so long now Daddy and I have waited to know you, our precious little one, and when that day finally arrives you prove to be stubborn! Do you know my sweet boppli, how frustrating it is to only be 80% sure that you are a girl? Not once did you give the poor nurse a good glimpse! You are already proving that your Rainey blood is flowing proudly through your veins my little stinker. Abigail Grace, Daddy and I love to say your name. He had a dream about you the night before the ultrasound...he dreamt that you were a girl. He dreamt about when we brought you home for the first time, about your first haircut, and your first day at school. We wonder if the Lord was giving us just a small glimpse into your life. We daydream about all of the things we will do with you, all the things we will teach you. Daddy wants to take you hunting with him, and Mommy wants to teach you to tumble and to dance. We want to take you to see the mountains, and we want to help you show a pig at the fair. So many wonderful and exciting experiences lie ahead of us. You are growing bigger and stronger by the day. Your kicks are no longer just little flutters, but neither are they strong enough for Daddy to feel. Keep growing my dear Abigail...We can't wait to meet you.

Mommy Loves You

Dear Boppli,

Soon, very soon, Mommy and Daddy will know whether you are a little boy or girl. We're so anxious to know and to call you by name. Mommy has begun to feel your moving and tumbling around...like little butterflies in her belly. During praise time at church yesterday, you moved and Daddy was thrilled to know that already you are worshipping the Lord along with us. SO much growing you are doing! You have little fingernails and toenails. Your little eyelids are formed, and you respond to light. How could anyone believe you are anything but a precious life?! Psalm 139 says that the Lord "knew you before He knit you together in your mother's womb." Even now the God knows and loves every figment of your being...just like Mommy and Daddy. You are such a part of me, my little one, and to feel you brings such joy to my heart. We are so grateful for you. Grow strong and healthy, my sweet boppli.

Mommy Loves You

Dear Boppli,

Mommy got to see you again on Wednesday, and my how you have grown! During the ultrasound you were quite the little wiggley worm...a gymnast like your mommy maybe? The nurse could hardly get you to hold still long enough to hear your heartbeat. Keep moving little one, soon Mommy will feel your tumbling around! You cannot imagine the joy that will flow over me the first time I feel you move. You are such a blessing already, my boppli. Much is going on in our little corner of the world. Uncle Joe married Aunt Brittany, and in Mommy's belly you witnessed the whole thing. This week we finished up harvest, saw our first snow flurries, and had a grain bin fire! Our home is nearly finished, and soon Mommy and Daddy will move in and wait for you to join us. God has blessed us beyond measure my little one! Grow Strong and Healthy...

Mommy Loves You...

Dear Boppli,

Well my precious little one we have reached a milestone. You and I have been a couple for 3 months now. Mommy has survived the dreaded first trimester. Daddy and I have begun reading to you each night. Mamaw found us a big box of Daddy's books from when he was a boppli himself. Mommy's tummy is beginning to to stick out, and your daddy loves to lay his head on it so that he can be near you. Soon we will know if you are a little boy or girl...Daddy is so excited. He wishes you could come out and play right now! Mommy loves having you grow within her. Each week Daddy and I look to see how you are changing and growing. We have been praying about your name and have finally decided on two (for now). William Brian Davidson if you are a boy. William is your daddy's favorite name, and he wants to call you Will. Brian comes from my daddy, and you will be honored to have that name especially once you know him. If you are a little girl, we will call you Abigail Grace Davidson. Abigail means "her father's joy" and truly you will be that my sweet one. By our Lord's grace you have come to be in our lives and so Grace it is. Your last name is very special to both your daddy and I. What an honor it was for mommy to take Daddy's last name on her wedding day. It is a name to be proud of, little one, always bring honor to it. We are so eager to meet you, to know you...already we are in love with you. Grow Strong and Healthy...

Mommy Loves You...

Refined By Fire

A deep and contemplative mood has come over me.
Reality struck me on the way home today...
John and I are bringing a precious new life into a skewed and demented world.

I want my little one to love the Lord.
I want him to be unscathed by the ugliness that pervades humanity.
I want him to see the world through God's perspective.
I want him to know wrong is wrong and right is right.
I want my Boppli to watch his mommy and daddy fall to their knees each night.
I want him to know that life is all about loving others.
I want him to value the simple things in life like the putter of a tractor and moo of a cow.
I want him to give up his wants so that he might fulfill someone's needs.
I want my little one to have his Father's heart.

And then I realize...
I want these things for myself too.
I pray for a refining of my spirit.

May I, in all that I am, reflect all of the qualities I want my little one to have.

Dear Boppli,

You had your first picture taken the other day! Daddy and Mommy both got tears in our eyes when we saw you for the first time. For most of my life I have dreamed of the day when I would first see my little one, and it was more wonderful than I could have imagined. It is amazing to see that you are only 2 centimeters long, yet you are nearly fully formed! Daddy has stared at your pictures everyday since...He loves you so. We both do. We daydream about all of the things we will teach you and of the wonderful adventures we will have together. We are trying to pick out a name for you too! Daddy loves William Brian if you are a boy, and Mommy likes the name Sawyer Nicholas. Olivia Jean and Abigail Grace are the girl names we have chosen if you happen to be a girl. Each name has a special meaning that Mommy and Daddy will explain to you someday. We cannot wait to meet you, our beloved little Boppli.

Grow Strong and Healthy...

Mommy Loves You

6 Things You Don't know About Me

Oh Dear...

1. I'm Obsessive Compulsive. Even numbers bother me. I do things in intervals of 3. I can't sleep if the closet door isn't completely shut. Things HAVE to be arranged in a certain order. You get the idea.

2. I can drive and operate the Davidson Farms Backhoe!

3. I sucked my thumb until an embarassing age (12).

4. I rub my earlobe, or my husband's, to fall asleep.

5. If I could do anything in the world, I would be an international Christian journalist.

6. I'm taller than Chelsa by and inch and a half!

*Bonus* I can shoot a shotgun!