Honeydew Come Soon, Please!

I finished up week 36 yesterday and today I am officially FULL TERM! 

Looking back each week has quickly come and gone, yet looking ahead the days and weeks seem to take longer as we anticipate meeting our little honeydew.

She seems a bit too comfortable in her little home, but that is not the case for me. Restless legs and sleepless nights are becoming more of an occurrence as of late. It is funny how God prepares you for those sleepless nights once the baby arrives.

I'm feeling rather plump these days and I am looking forward to exercising again. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened lately the last several weeks because I've been nearly bedridden due to a torn/pulled ligament in my rib that wasn't healing. I made a few trips to the physical therapist this week and yesterday was the first day I could stand more than five minutes without intense pain- a pain that's lasted since the beginning of December. A huge answer to prayer.

Impatience is setting in for both Ryan and I. We are anxious to meet our Fifille!

 ("little girl" in French; pronounced: Fee-Fee...since some of you were wondering)

Ryan keeps making deals with her, telling her if she comes soon he'll buy her pink nail polish. We will see how it goes I guess. She's already got him wrapped around her finger.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine having a baby in another country; particularly in a country I couldn't speak the language. There have been a lot of "unknowns" in this process, but God continues to calm my anxious heart as He answers prayers and provides for our needs in countless ways. In this final trimester, He has replaced my biggest fears and is continually producing a heart overflowing with thankfulness. This may never have been part of my plan or expectation, but I must say God's plan is WAY better than my own. I wouldn't change this experience for anything!

Round 2: Paris

After a failed attempt to see my friend Natalia in France last year, I finally got the chance to visit her last week in her territory. She has been able to visit and explore nearly each place we've lived in Europe and my turn to come visit on her turf was long overdue. Conveniently, we are now living in the same country which makes a short trip very doable. She and her family live about an hour outside of Paris in St. Quentin.

Living that close to Paris, it's impossible to pass up a couple of relaxing days in this memorable city. So, thus we did. We took our time and wandered the city, soaking up the Parisian lifestyle. We stopped at this charming English bookstore only to find that it was closed. But it led us to another just around the corner. It was literally filled with stacks of books leaving hardly enough room to maneuver.

  

We also had the opportunity to spend some time at the Palace of Versailles. I have faint memories of visiting this place as a child but much was forgotten. I was thankful for the chance to return now that my appreciation for history and traveling is greater than when I was a child. 

This place is extravagant and full of ornate and beautiful detail.

After spending some time in Paris, we headed back to Lavar and Natalia's hometown and enjoyed a few relaxing days that involved a bit of shopping :)

 Natalia's two handsome little boys! They are quite the little charmers!