Thursday, March 26, 2009

And... 2 links for you.

My sweet Louisville Mary (since I have a Coleman Mary, I have to specify) wrote some terrific posts on motherhood. I really enjoyed reading these even before I knew I was pregnant. There is something about her writing that strikes me as genuine and refreshing. She also encourages mothers to remember their frailty, "You are going to fail." This is good. It puts you in a spot where you are ready to depend upon God and give him all the glory.
So, any mothers or future mothers, take a few minutes to read (or even print) Mary's 8 posts on Motherhood. Go here!

Also... check out the latest from Kstan with my friends Aaron, Charity and their almost-adopted son, Sam! They have written some great posts lately, and the pictures are wonderful. Feel free to leave an encouraging comment... even strangers can be such a huge blessing in this LOOOOOONG road they have been on.
Go here!

Just Want To Post :)

Howdy again,
My kids are taking tests, and I am sneezing my head off, which doesn't make grading sound too lovely. I'm itching to go eat lunch, since a sweet parent brought me a special lunch from a nearby restaurant. I can taste it now!

Some of you have asked questions about my pregnancy either on facebook or on the blog. I'm sorry I haven't really been much of a blogger... I feel like I used to blog better, but now I only post random posts at random times. Maybe one day, I can find a more focused purpose for the blog again, and I don't want it to be TOTALLY baby. :)

Here's the scoop on life at the Butts' these days:
-I am going to hit the 8 week mark tomorrow. (I need to fix the counter on the side.) It changes each Friday, which gives me yet another reason (weekend, occasional jeans day, date night, etc) to believe that Friday is a wonderful day.
-No morning sickness yet. I keep hearing people say, "I didn't get sick until week 8" or "My vomiting started on week 10" so I don't know if I'm in the clear yet. I'm grateful though. I did decide that if I start getting queasy, I'm going to wear tennis shoes to work, so I can run to the bathroom, which is way down the hall.
-My symptoms: FATIGUE, weird and vivid dreams, some heartburn, and... all of the others ones, I wouldn't share in such a public way. :)
-A few ways pregnancy has changed my routine - I take a nap almost every day after school. I try to walk about 3-4 times a week (bought new tennis shoes to inspire me), we decided it was a great time to work on being even more healthy, I work really hard at getting enough calcium (I heard the baby takes, so to speak, yours from your teeth and bones if you don't get enough. This freaked me out.) I'm kind of anal about my calcium intake as a result. :)
-Dustin had a big possiblity of a ministry job out-of-state. We were very much looking forward to it, but God clearly closed the door. However, as He has taught me over and over in trials, God intened it for good and He does all things well. We are shifting directions as a result, and we would appreciate your prayers for wisdom and direction. We are in awe of how God is guiding and providing.
-Dustin graduates in May. That's not far away at all. We are incredibly excited about it! I'm so proud of him, too.
-This is my last year of teaching. As long as we can afford it, and we're willing to live super-tight if that's what it takes, we are hoping I can stay home for quite some time. It is somewhat bittersweet, but mostly sweet at this point. Hey, give me a break, it is March, and I have 15 boys. :) But, I have enjoyed this teaching season, and I've definitely learned a lot through it.
-I'm leading a small women's group through the book, Pleasing People, by Lou Priolo. It's been a really encouraging study, and the gals I meet with are so transparent, encouraging and our times together are refreshing.
-Dustin's taken up running again.
-4 minutes until lunch!
-I've decided that I love to make and eat Asian Chicken Salad... easy and healthy! Use Asian Dressing of some sort, greens of some kind, chow mein noodles, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds and chopped, cooked chicken. It's delicious!
-The weather is getting really pretty, which means our allergies are kicking in. But, I am so glad I don't have to wear my recess coat each day.
-My first doctor appointment is April 8.
-When I told Dustin about being pregnant, it was the most anticlimactic event ever. I just interrupted him as he was deeply focused on a huge paper with something really profound like, "Um... I think I'm pregnant" but I finally bought him the sweet Willow Tree New Dad. That is how I always hoped I would tell him (wrapping it up and giving it as a surprise). Life's not like the movies, I guess!
-Dustin is teaching "Little Peanut" a verse already - Children Obey! What a great Dad! :)
-Next week is Spring Break! WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'm not setting my alarm clock all week.
Love ya'll. Hope you're a little more updated.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Going Public =)

Hey folks,
We're going to have a baby! Baby Butts (we actually call him/her "Little Peanut" at this point... it just stuck for some reason) will be entering the world around November 9, Lord willing! Baby's about the size of a blueberry and is already so loved. Mom's gotta go work, so this has to be a short post. Dustin and I would appreciate your prayers, welcome your advice and definitely receive any name suggestions you think sound good with the last name Butts. :) We are so grateful to God for this little gift and for all God taught us in the waiting. He is worthy of all trust and praise!

Friday, March 20, 2009

We Love Our Nephews!

This is from Christmas... Uncle Dustin is holding Ethan, and Aunt Jamie is holding Henry!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Clayton Update


Please keep praying for Aaron and Charity in Kstan as they pick up their son! Go here to check out the latest! The pic is of me with sweet Charity!

And sorry the blog has been sparse. It's been busy lately, but I will catch you up before too long. :) It's the last week of the grading period, which always makes for a full week. And, I have fun company coming in town this weekend... my sweet mother-in-law. She and Dustin are trading places, as he's headed to TX to see the State B-ball Tourney with his dad, a long-standing tradition. Then, Dad Butts and Dustin will join us gals on Monday for a few days together. We are thankful for our family!

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Brooklyn Grace Bebee!!

So, this is the sweetest little girl, sweet Brooklyn Grace Bebee! She is the new daughter of our friends, Ryan and Sarah. I've got to hang out with her 2 times, and we are already good friends. :) She's so tiny and sweet. I was amazed to think of how all of her little finger nails could fit into one of mine with room to spare. She smiles and coos, and so do the happy parents! :) We love you, Brooklyn.
I stole the picture from Sarah's blog, so I'd better link up so you can check out more! I fell in love with this picture when I was checking your blog today, Sarah! (Bella's looking good too though!)

Monday, March 02, 2009

The Ministry Of Adoption

We have several friends who have adopted, will adopt or are in the process of adopting. I have recently heard the phrase, "the ministry of adoption" which really struck me. We are blessed to know these families. I am really close with my dear friends' adopted son, my buddy Max (although we haven't hung out in awhile) from the Ukraine. And now, other dear friends of ours are on their last steps of adopting after a long and refining process of waiting and trusting. Charity has been one of my best friends since 9th grade, and I have loved watching her and her husband grow in the Lord as they have gone through the blessings and trials of this adoption. Please join in prayer for them as they travel overseas to adopt and meet their baby, Lord willing, and follow their story. And maybe you could leave them an encouraging comment! They have given me permission to post a link to their blog here... I strongly encourage you to look back at their archives. It is encouraging how the Lord has been their strength and hope each step of the way... God loves the fatherless.
We love you, Claytons. We're still praying!

Click here: Thoughts From The Journey