With What Measure ye Mete...

I have to forewarn you that I am 36 weeks today (entering week 37 tomorrow, which means full term), and even though I am not truly bothered by what I'm about to write about, it may come off as such since I am uncomfortable and impatient about...well everything right now.

In general, people who are clearly pregnant get pleasant reactions from others in public...the smiles, the tummy rubs, the questions about when they're due, unwanted advice, etc.  I received my fair share of that being pregnant with Beckett.  I have received some reactions like that this time around, but not many.  You may or may not be shocked to hear that when I venture out to the grocery store, mall, what have you, the general looks I get are ones of disgust and judgement.  I ignore them because I know that the people staring are completely wrong in their assumption (which is even more apparent when our family of three go out all together).  It is clear from the abundance of expressions I get that everyone who sees us assumes that Jeremy and I are teen parents of a two-year old and one on the way, and people do not like it!

I even have one example of an onlooker who began asking my mom questions about us when we were out eating at The Money Pit over Thanksgiving weekend.  This lady (sitting by the soda fountain) saw our family all come in and order together, smiled politely at Jeremy and Beckett as they got their drink, and then proceeded to question my mom as she got her drink.

Lady:  Is that your daughter over there?
Mom:  Yeah, all four of the girls are mine...the oldest three are all married.
Lady:  And that one is expecting?
Mom:  Yes, she's 8 months.
Lady:  Oh wow!  And that little one is theirs too?!
Mom:  Yes, he's 2 and 1/2.
Lady:  Um, how old are they? (referring to Jeremy and I with a rather concerned tone of voice)
Mom:  They are both 26, and she graduated from college before she had her first.
Lady:  Oh goodness!  I thought they were 17!

And there you have it...proof that people think we are ridiculous teenagers that belong on 'sixteen and pregnant'.  After the countless stares I got at walmart yesterday (shopping alone even), I had to share these experiences with you.  I'm glad these people are wrong and their looks don't bother me, but how sad that they would make such horrible faces at someone and be so judgmental.  The end.

Company Party

At 34 weeks pregnant, you can only imagine why I was less than thrilled to go to Jeremy's company party at a club downtown for the second year in a row.  It was a little better than last year because of the food, me knowing some of his co-workers better than before, and the photo booth.  At a meeting the day before, everyone was told that they were expected to stay from 6pm on into the night as the club opened for normal business hours, but Jeremy was given the "ok" for us to leave early since I'm with child.  Haha.  Good thing too, because I was super tired of standing by 9:30 when we left.

 

12 days of Christmas

Here is a cool history about this song that I was sent in an email from my grandma.  I like things that bring the gospel back into Christmas and help us forget about the commercialism and materialism that many focus on at this time of year.


From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds are the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping are the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.