Meet the Marshalls

Wednesday, 8 August 2012

First Time Mom

This past weekend, Wes and I visited my grandparents cottage up north.
My grandma, being a retired nurse, has been such a blessing in providing many books and things to read. One of the books she had bought for me was First-Time Mom by Dr. Kevin Leman.

<>

Now if anybody has ever read a pregnancy book, they aren't the most.. how do you say... thrilling reads.
This book however had me reading the whole thing throughout the weekend (yes, it's only a bit over 200 pages but it's still saying something!)

He talks about many topics on a real level and uses his personal stories to go along with much of what he is saying.

For those first-time mom's out there, this is defiantely a good read worth the time!

Tuesday, 7 August 2012

Gender Reveal Ideas

So as many of you know, Wes and I will be finding out the gender of our baby soon. We haven't decided if we would like to know before everybody else or do a gender reveal party. If we however decide on the party, here are some ideas we have come across that are cute:

Balloons-in-a-Box

For many people who have a pinterest account, I'm sure you have seen the "Ballon-in-a-Box" idea done in many different ways. Basically you ask the ultrasound technician to put the results in an envelope and then bring it to the store and ask the clerk to fill up a box with pink or blue balloons (depending on the sex). When the party day comes, the box is opened revealing boy or girl:)

Confetti

For this, a big black balloon is filled with confetti (again, blue or pink) and then popped in front of friends and family

Team Pink Vs. Team Blue

Have friends and family dress in pink or blue- depending on which "team" they are on

Open a Gift

Pick out two baby outfits and have the cashier pack up the one that is the outfit you will need- later at a party open this gift in front of others

Cake/Baked Goods

A friend of mine did this recently - a very cute idea- Have a baker do a cake (or cookies etc) with a blue or pink filling, and bit/cut the cake at a party

Pinata

Fill a pinata with blue or pink candies and have guests/parents-to-be open the pinata

This have been the ones I can find- any other ideas out there? What do you think of the whole Gender Reveal Party Idea?

Testimony Tuesday- Meet Jenn

[So it's already Tuesday again, can you believe it? This week, I have a testimony from another friend from camp. I have known Jenn for many years as we both councilled one camp and we often were in the same cabin as well. It has been a pleasure seeing Jenn mature into the woman she is today. Meet Jenn:)]

When I was younger I would go to camp every summer. That's where I met some wonderful women, including Bre. My first year at camp was Explorer week at Joy Bible Camp. I remember one of the speakers talking to us near the end of the week about how much God loves us, and how he loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us. Back in our cabin, I couldn't sleep, so I woke my counsellors up and asked them what the speaker meant. It was that night that I accepted that I am a sinner and need salvation and forgiveness. I was 7.

As I got older I started making more decisions myself and relying less and less on God, including decisions on who I dated. I put myself in a lot of compromising positions, including one where I was almost raped by a boy I thought loved me and who claimed he was a christian. When I was 17 years old I realized what I was doing, and at my last year of camp I rededicated my life to Christ and was baptized for a second time (the first time I was 8 and it was at Bethany Gospel Chapel, the church I attended at the time). Afterwards I dated a boy I thought was the right one for me. We were both christians, and I even went so far as to think that he loved me for me. It wasn't until I spent one week at his place and camped out in his front yard with his sisters that I realized how wrong I was. I woke up to him making out with me, which completely freaked me out. I ended up breaking up with him shortly afterwards.

Jenn and her husband Bryan

God helped me realize a few months later that I was doing all the decision making again, so I prayed for God to bring into my life the man that He wanted me to be with. Until that man came around I made a commitment to date God. 6 Months later I met Bryan. Our dads knew each other from previous work-related situations, and when his son was baptized at the church I was going to/still go to (West 5th Bible Chapel), I definitely took notice of him. He was shy, laid back, and CUTE! We started talking at church functions, including a family BBQ of a friend of ours. After a few months we started dating (officially). I knew a few weeks into our relationship that God had chosen this man for me, and that He had chosen a wonderful, caring, respectful man for me to spend my life with. On our 1 year anniversary, Bryan took me down to Long Island New York where his grandparents live and asked for my hand in marriage on the beach. Because he knew that New York is my favorite place, and that I love the beach. He is such a godly man, and I am the luckiest woman in the world.

I trusted God and it paid off. We are preparing to celebrate 2 wonderful years of marriage together in a few weeks, and looking forward to expanding our family by one in the next little while, just waiting on God's timing. In the 15 years that I've been a Christian, I've never felt closer to God than when I read my Bible with my husband before we go to bed, knowing that this marriage is a match made in Heaven, crafted by God's own hands, and that we have no fear that we'll come up against something we can't handle. God will be with us every day of our marriage. The good days and the bad days, and the days that we just can't wait to end. My advice to anyone who is still reading is to trust God and leave all the consequences to Him. He knows what He's doing, and He can see our pasts, presents and futures in the same glance. Nothing throws God off guard, and we can take that to the bank.

[Thank you so much for the few testimonies we have recieved up until now. I plan to continue to put a testimony up from now until the end of the summer (unless we get many more in which case I will go on into the fall)-- If you would like your testimony featured one week, please email breezy_218@hotmail.com and I would love to get you set up with a place to share your story!]

Thursday, 2 August 2012

Week 15 Update

So I found this weekly update on pregnancy- a few questions for each week- It looked fun and like an interesting way to keep track of the pregnancy so here I go- welcome to week 15!

How far along? 15 weeks

Maternity clothes? Not yet... though if you thought I wore alot of dresses before... you have no idea

Exercising: Trying my best- but unfortunately due to the late work shifts it's been hard to get out- this weekend though Wes and I are heading up north to my grandparents cottage- should be a time for lots of walks and swimming!

Stretch marks? Bleh. yes.

Sleep: Getting harder... I tend to sleep with a pillow holding up one leg and on my side, though I move around all night to get comfortable

Best moment this week: Seeing Baby Marshall for the first time!

Have you told family and friends: Yes (hence the blog..) for those who know me and Wes, we don't keep secrets long- in fact I got my birthday present already (yes a month early- a video camera for the new baby and for African Lion Safari and our cottage weekend:) ) ... so yes... we didn't hold out on telling people.

Miss Anything? Meh.. I didn't drink much before... so no change there.-- I'm going to miss cliff jumping at the cottage but better safe than sorry!

Movement: I have had a few times when I thought I felt something... it's just hard to tell if it's just my stomache rumbling or the baby as of now though

Food cravings: Not yet... is that weird?

Anything making you queasy or sick: It's weird but when I cough, changing garbage-- nothing foodwise though that I have found yet

Have you started to show yet: I say yes.. others think I just am snacking too much lately... the worst.

Gender prediction: I'm thinking girl, not sure why but just because (though a boy would be wonderful as well!)

Labor Signs: I hope not!

Belly Button in or out? In... I didn't realize this could change?

Wedding rings on or off? On, but definitely getting tighter!

Happy or Moody most of the time: I say happy, after work when I'm tired though..not as happy... sorry Wes...

Looking forward to: The cottage! I love weekends away with Wes, and we didn't get a chance to go last year so it will be nice to have a weekend away before I start to get really big (though I am looking forward to showing as well... I'm not a big fan of this middle stage)

Not loving: The hot weather... don't get me wrong I love summer, just keeping it under 25 is perfect!