So, I am officially 29 weeks pregnant this week. I am in my last trimester & definitely feeling it. You mom's know EXACTLY what I mean when I say I can FEEL that I'm in my 3rd trimester.
This entire pregnancy has been SUCH a journey for me. I truly felt so overwhelmed with four children & the morning I saw that positive pregnancy test was such a shock. My husband said "I knew it!", but I felt so concerned. Just because this is our 5th child does not mean we just go about pregnancy & childbirth like it's no big deal. In fact, as we've grown as a family, we've also grown in our respect for bringing a child into the world. This is not just a baby. This is not just another tax deduction. This is a life that God has blessed us with. He trusts us to care for & train this child... and that starts in the womb... at conception!
God has been teaching me something at every stage. My first trimester was a time that I really learned what a family is all about. It's about sacrifice. We don't just worry about ourselves- we can't! A family survives and grows stronger as we lean on each other & care for one another... in (morning) sickness and in health! I also really learned about my own children during this trimester. I learned so much about what they need from me as their mom.
My second trimester I learned about my own limits. As I was transitioning from 1st to 2nd trimester, I began to see how when I did too much, it affected not only the baby, but my other kids. I can't be the best mom possible if my back is out all the time & I'm working all these part time jobs that take me away from them when they need me most. What do they need at this point in their lives? That is what I am here to provide!
And at last, I come to my current stage... the beloved 3rd trimester. With every ache and pain in my body, I feel one outside myself. I feel stretching of finances as my belly stretches daily. I feel aching to have my husband home more often, as my lower back aches each night. I can sense the changes coming for our family. We are entering a new place together. Going from 3 to 4 kids was big, but this change from 4 to 5 is HUGE!
God has a plan. I know he does. Every ache and pain will be worth it. Every stretch we're going through will have a wonderful end result. We just have to hang in there. We have to be patient... even though... it's really hard! :)
