Optimist

Yesterday we'd planned a swimming play date. But I got a call from my friend, suggesting we wait until a different day. It was already uncomfortably hot and sunny, and I didn't mind changing plans. We decided to meet at Chick-Fil-A instead, where we could all have lunch and the kids could have fun in the indoor play area.

The problem was...I'd already told Zoodle about the swimming plans. I want him to learn that sometimes plans change, and that's okay. So I gently broke the news to him.

Of course, it doesn't matter how "gently" you break bad news to a four-year-old. He cried, and threw a little fit, and needed to be cuddled. "I don't want to go to Chick-Fil-A!" he told me. "I want to go swimming!"

Eventually, he calmed down, and realized that he did still want to spend time with his friends. We got in the car so we could meet them.

On the way there, he said, "I'm glad we're going to Chick-Fil-A! That's more fun than swimming!"

What an attitude change! I told him how proud I was of him, that he was choosing a good attitude even after he'd been disappointed.

I consider myself an optimist. But I don't expect everything to always go my way. To me, optimism isn't about expecting to never be disappointed. That's just not realistic.

Optimism is about choosing to make the best of situations, even the tough ones. As an optimist, I want to have the attitude, "Good will come out of this, even if it's hard right now."

And that's what Zoodle chose to do. He realized he could enjoy his day, even if he wasn't doing the activity he originally preferred. And with that mindset, of course he had a blast at the restaurant.

I hope optimism is a trait both of my kids have naturally...and if they don't, I hope they choose to cultivate it. Optimism makes life a lot more fun.

Celebrations!

Ann and I are approaching the end of this special pregnancy. (Last week, Ann wrote a great update on how things are going for us. You can read it here.) We have about six weeks until the due date...or, as many have more-accurately called it, the "guess date!"

We are making a conscious effort to really celebrate at the end of the pregnancy. We're celebrating the baby, but we're also celebrating this whole process. It's beautiful and exciting!

So I think it's time for a recap on some of the ways we have been celebrating lately.

Photo Contest
If you "Like" C. Beth Blog on Facebook, you may have seen that Ann and I entered a belly photo contest, sponsored by a local spa that specializes in serving pregnant women. Our friend Kim took this photo, and Ann edited it.

I really love the photo! And...we found out a week ago that we won! We got a fantastic prize package, as follows:

• Monday, Ann and I will head to the spa for a 3D/4D ultrasound. Hopefully we can see what this little baby's face looks like! I'll then get a massage and a pedicure. Funny side note--early in the pregnancy I had an aversion to people touching my feet. Thankfully I've gotten over that and am looking forward to a relaxing time of pampering!
• Ann will also pick up some wonderful prizes on Monday...a really nice baby swing, a Moby wrap (to "wear" the baby), a diaper bag, and a really great gift certificate for a local newborn photographer. 
• Lastly, we'll get some free ice cream gift certificates for a local ice cream shop! Mmm.... Sharing a pregnancy is pretty great, but there's also something very special about sharing ice cream!

The contest was really exciting! We were really blessed by all the people who wanted to help us win, by voting and sharing with their friends. We feel so supported in this process. It's really wonderful to have so many people rooting for us. I don't just mean in the contest; I mean in this whole experience of sharing a pregnancy. Thank you if you were involved in helping us win such a cool prize package!

Relay For Life

Last month I posted about Relay For Life, which Ann and I decided to be involved in for the second year. It's a wonderful fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. This year we knew it would be extra-special. Not only was Ann there again as a cancer survivor, but this year we were a visual reminder to people that cancer doesn't have to win! Even when cancer took Ann's ability to be pregnant, it didn't take her ability to have children. (I have an image in my head of punching Cancer in the face.... Take that, Cancer!)

The relay last night was great. We didn't stay all night this year--in fact, we didn't even stay until 10 p.m.! I value my sleep these days! It was inspirational to hear the speakers and to see so many survivors. I was so honored to join Ann as she walked with many others for a "Survivor Lap"!

 

 For a better picture of the shirts we were wearing, keep reading!


Thank you to those of you who donated to help me reach my fundraising goal!

Ann wrote a blog post about the Relay. She has a great perspective on it, AND better photos than I have. You can check out her post here.

Baby Shower

Ann approached me a few months ago, letting me know she was hoping we could have a joint baby shower. I was so happy she wanted to include me! It turned out some friends from church were already talking about planning something. Our friends Marie and April really went all out, planning a very special time of encouragement, gifts, prayer, and fun; and we had an awesome baby shower this morning.

We wore the same shirts we'd worn to the Relay. A friend graciously donated her design services to us, and the shirts turned out so cute! I'm excited to find other times for us to wear them together before the pregnancy is over! Ann's says, "My Bun, Her Oven." Mine says, "Her Bun, My Oven."

 

Click to see a larger photo.

The baby shower had great food, including an ice cream sundae bar. Ann and I both love ice cream (and maybe the baby does too?)

 

 

It's hard to describe what an atmosphere of love the shower was for us. It was just wonderful.

I like this simple picture of Ann and me at the shower. A couple of happy mamas...

 

Ann got baby gear/supplies that she needed, and I got blessed with this super-awesome gift card bouquet! Starbucks, Amazon, Michaels, Target, Whole Foods, a movie theatre chain, and a "use-it-anywhere" Visa gift card...woo hoo!





It's been an exciting week! Ann and I plan to continue to find ways to celebrate and to enjoy this pregnancy, as it comes to a close. We're so blessed to have people around us who want to celebrate with us. Thank you for being part of that "group of supporters."

We know that God has orchestrated this awesome experience...the friendship between Ann and me, and the creation of this child. We want you to share in His love as you hear about this ongoing miracle.