Reason Why I Love My Husband #453

  This month in our 4-year-old class at Providence Kids our memory verse has been Matthew 12:34: "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." This past Sunday being our second week with this verse, we were really trying to find ways to make the verse 'click' for the kids. Have you ever tried to explain the word "overflow" to a four-year-old? My sweet husband blew me away with the example he shared with our 4's class. (And I did get his permission to share this.)

  Last week was a rough week for the Franklin household. I was freaking out about our upcoming move and the lack of packing that had yet occurred (and becoming increasingly frustrated by the amount of contractions I was having and their slight increase in strength) and David was tired from working two jobs and sacrificially sleeping on the couch so that I didn't have to deal with his snoring. He was cranky; I was fragile and weepy.

   So David starts trying to explain overflow and how the heart affects the mouth during snack time. This is what he says (I'm tearing up again already):

  "Overflow of the heart" means that what is in your heart comes spilling out. And this verse is saying that what is in your heart will come out your mouth in your words. Have you guys ever had that happen? Like, when your heart isn't good, bad things come out of your mouth? 

  See, this week my heart wasn't in a very good place. My heart was pretty bad. And I said some things to Miss Emily that made her cry. The bad in my heart came out of my mouth and hurt Miss Emily. And when I saw her crying, I realized that my heart was not good and it needed to change - because I don't want to make Miss Emily cry. I love my wife, and when I saw that my heart had made me say words that had hurt her, I realized that my heart needed to change - because what is in my heart will come out in my words.

  Now, I'm honestly not sure if that connected completely with our class full of four-year-old's. I'm pretty sure I saw what might have been comprehension dawn on a few faces - but then, my vision was a little cloudy trying to keep back more tears. My husband's ability to not only admit to me that he was wrong, but his decision to be vulnerable and open and willing to use his mistakes to teach 7 preschoolers absolutely awed me. It has made me thank God for reminding me that even in the tough times He is sovereign and loving. And it once again made my heart overflow with gratitude for the man with whom I am partnered for life and who will be raising up our children. 

Philippians 1:3-4

  First of all, thank you to all the sweet friends who have checked on me in the last week and a half. The text messages, phone calls and conversations asking how Sammy and I are doing have been such a sweet reminder that we are so well cared for.

  We had another bi-weekly appointment today and things look unchanged, which is good-ish news. Sam is very low (already a -2 instead of the normal -4 at this point in a pregnancy) but my cervix is still closed, and since we're "getting so close" to when he can safely come, my midwife doesn't think it's the time to take drastic measures (meds). I have been using a Progesterone cream twice a day on top of all my other natural supplements, and that seems to have helped a little. I think.
  I did end up going back to work last week and it has been unfortunately difficult. My first week back I was supposed to work only about 14 hours and ended up working 28. By Thursday (and continuing until Sunday) I was having contractions 4.5 minutes apart for 30 minutes* at least once a day. Ooph. Needless to say I was extremely tired and more weepy than usual - even for the pregnancy! This week has been a little easier, thankfully, but sticking to my guns about working fewer hours is hard - especially for someone who wants to not be a burden and has a difficult time saying 'no.' I appreciate prayers that I would stand my ground and not work more hours next week, even though my help is needed, and that my boss would be accommodating and understanding.
  The plan right now is to work 20ish hours a week through the last week of August, and then begin staying at home.

  On the home front, we have signed a lease on a new apartment. While we were hoping to be able to move into a house soon and wanted to be much closer to our families, we finally realized we were trying to rush God's timing and have adjusted (mostly) accordingly. We will be going from our tiny one-bedroom to a two-bedroom that is double the size, literally just feet away from our current home. We are moving into a complex on the other side of ours, owned by the same company; you can see our new building from our current one! Bonus: we are moving from the third floor to the first! A HUGE blessing since we know the stairs have been making my pregnancy much harder. We will start moving in August 19th. While packing in my current condition is overwhelming (as is unpacking, for that matter), I have begun already packing a couple boxes a day to try to ease the process. Not gonna lie. I'm quite proud of the eight boxes I've packed in the last week.

  In fun news, Sammy is doing very well. His heart rate is consistently in the 150's-160's (yes, I had the doctor double-check to make sure he's a he when we went in for the sono two weeks ago), but my midwife assures me this is because he is such an active little boy. I had fun last night putting David's hand on my belly where Sammy was going nuts kicking for about fifteen minutes. David couldn't believe how much he moved and how strong he is! It was wild. I've decided Sam must want to be the next Lance Armstrong...minus the health issues and controversy. He "bicycles" with his little feet and ever-stronger legs at least once a day. I don't think I have any ribs left in place.
  Fun, too, is watching Sam start moving whenever his Daddy reads to us at night. He can be still for quite a while and then as soon as David starts talking, our little Bean perks up and seems to try to hear him. It is amazing and may or may not make the weepy pregnant lady cry on occasion.

  We, again, cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and encouragement. It's hard to believe that we're only just about to get to the really hard parts. Your love has made this journey easier and definitely more special. It has been overwhelming to me to find out how many people are checking in on us and following my updates online. Now, before I start crying again, I'm gonna end this one. We love you!

David, Em, Sam

*For those who don't know, contractions 4-5 minutes apart (depending on your provider and the time of day) for an hour is "real" labor.