Weeks 1-16 & The Fall Season

Today, I am 16 (almost 17) weeks pregnant! Everyone told me that when you get into your 2nd trimester - everything gets better. I reluctantly listened because my first trimester was rather tough. I had "morning sickness" (who the heck named it that? It's not morning, it's "all day sickness") for all of weeks 6 through 13. (That was actually how we finally discovered that we were pregnant - I went home from work sick, feeling strange). It was hard to get up and get ready for work in the beginning, hard to say "I'm good, how are you?", hard to cook anything (I don't think I did cook in my 1st trimester, we just ordered out a lot ... thank you Baby!) and hard to feel rested. It was rough, but now it's over! Now, I feel like I'm back - back to my old self and it feels great!!! (And just in time for the holidays :) )

The whole food craving thing hasn't really kicked in for me. During my first trimester, I wanted anything with cheese (and I'm not normally a cheese eater) and I also craved a lot of fruit. Now, I feel like I'm just back to normal besides eating more snacks. I hope I do get a craving of some kind, so I can tell this baby (like all of our mothers tell us), "With you, I couldn't get enough of _____!" O, well - we do have 23 weeks to go, we'll see what weird things I might crave later.

On a seperate note - I love it when there is a change of season! Last night, Artie and I got out our fall decorations. We put things around the house that symbol the fall season (pumpkins, mums, things about giving thanks for "Thanksgiving") and bought pumpkins for the front porch. I love it when it feels like we're moving into the holiday season. I don't think I noticed it as much when I was single, but when I got married and nestled a home and now have a baby on the way - it's just so sweet as you sense Christmas, family together time, celebration, and cool nights ahead (even though it will be awhile before there are cool nights!). Artie and I have lots of little things we do to make the holiday season sweet and it is such a tender time in people's hearts - we always wind up speaking to people about Christ because it's a celebration of the birth of the Savior of the world ~ Jesus, and it's fun to remind each other of that.

Speaking of that - I just love my neighborhood! Christmas always seems to bring our neighborhood together more (we have parties together and bake for each other and give each other small gifts). When Artie and I went to Chicago last week for a conference, we came home and our neighbors had brought our newspapers up to the front porch - and we hadn't even asked them to. We also have neighbors call out "hello's" and "how's that baby doing so far?" over their fences. This morning, I was reading in Matthew where Jesus calls us (or commands us) to be the salt of the earth. In other words, we as children of God are to bring the flavor of God or taste of His character to the circles that we live in. That includes our neighborhoods. My heart was burdened for those I live among that need the tenderness, forgiveness, mercy and love of God. How do I do that? God lifted my burden by saying, "Salt is a common seasoning, Lela ... I'm not requiring you to be extra ordinary, just common! Common salt." I'm like everyone else ... I have messes to clean up, I have relationships to restore, I have crabby days ... but I have hope, peace, joy, love... And this holiday season, I hope to bring the flavor of God to a world that is hurt, hopeless and without peace - and thank goodness He just requires us to be common folks, just plain ol table salt ... because that's all I have to offer.

"You are the salt of the earth..."

Matthew 5:13

Here's some photos of our trip to Chicago just for fun ...

My Cup Runneth Over, Much

So, we're in a season right now of just pure JOY! The blessings of God are over flowing into our lives so much right now that my heart is just speechless but full of praise to God. There are so many things that Artie and I have been praying about together since we got married. And we're watching God open up the floodgates of His provision in granting those requests. We're just so humbled by it.

What am I referring to, you ask? Big things...

A baby! Yes, we're pregnant! Isn't it just every woman's dream? What a journey of faith! We are so thankful to Jesus for giving us this special blessing of a child on the way. My heart is so full for this little person already: prayers, dreams, visions, excitements, worries, fears, and everything in between. Our families are so excited. My mother and sister call me almost everyday to see how I'm doing (so sweet, love y'all!). Artie's mom sent us flowers when we told her we were pregnant (this will be her first grandchild). Our church family is such a blessing too. On Wednesday nights, the Pastors challenge us to a specific people group to pray for in small groups before our service starts. Last night JJ asked us to pray for expecting parents, parents and grandparents. In our circle of six, there were prayers offered to God for Artie and I's little one by our brothers and sisters in Christ. (It was actually quite funny, Scott Avriett prayed for strength for our up and coming late night feedings - we all giggled, but I said AMEN!) I have also had friends offer me their materinity clothes. O - it just humbles me and brings tears to my eyes of the beautiful support and love of the Body of Christ! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Artie - a liscensed minister of the Gospel of Christ! Artie was liscensed last night in the Wednesday night service. At the first steps of God bringing to fruition the call on Artie's life and my life and our life together - is just so amazing! As I was driving to the service, I caught a view of the sky. There was a cloud covering over South Tampa and God brought a memory to my heart. May 20th, 2000 ~ "OneDay" ~ a powerful conference where I heard God's call to ministry for my life. Having no idea how or when or even what it was going to be ... He had spoken a destination into my young believing heart. And here I am, at my Gilgal (an Israelite camp on their journey to the Promised Land), full circle ... a cloud covering reminding me of the verses that were read from the platform at OneDay...

"There is no One like our God,

who rides on the heavens to help you

and on the clouds in His majesty"

&

"He makes the clouds His chariot"

He was hovering over us yesterday as He fulfilled His promise. Hallelujah!

Those are just two of a very long list (and yes I have made a list). Pastor Todd challenged Artie and I to start a "Blessings Journal" to record all that God is doing. He told us when we have times of doubt or trouble to go back and read our journal as a family and remember what God has done for us. Great advice! And advice taken!

I plan on posting throughout our pregnancy. The baby is due on March 17th and we get to find out what we're having sometime in November. So, keep checking in for updates and pictures (I have my first belly picture I'll post) and keep us in your prayers.

"The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His Name!"

Luke 1:49

June and July

Wow! What happened to me? I used to write for my blog and keep up with things?!

I guess we've been busy. We're wrapping up with Artie being in school ... the end is in sight!!!
He will be done in mid-August and we can't wait!! We'll have Tuesday nights together again. I am so happy for him to have the free brain time when he gets home from work and on the weekends. He has worked so hard and been so faithful to his call. Once again, his life challenges mine and I adore him.

It's hot!!! I thought I loved gardening until summer settled in - everything dies in this Florida heat! We lost most of our flowers to the heat. I've learned to plant what's native to Florida so that it can withstand the heat. Like our Crepe Myrtles and our Bouganvilla (sp?) are doing great! There's a lesson in that I think.

We went on a VERY fun vacation in July. We drove up to North Carolina and passed through Georgia on our way. We had a good time. NC was a blast! We stayed at my mother's cottage that has lots of fun things to do on the property (hike, gardens, places to eat, hammocks, canoeing, etc.). We got to see alot of my family and Artie's. It was amazing to get out of the concrete city and see the sky, the earth, the trees, the mountains, the rivers and waterfalls ... it just does something to my soul to connect with the Lord in His creation. I left with a real sense of peace in God's provision. He provides for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field, why would He not that much more provide for His children?! I think just being still was one of the best parts. I really enjoyed the restful, quiet place that NC is. We hope to go every summer. I'll post some pictures. I took a TON of course!

My oldest sister turned 28 and my youngest brother turned 17! It's been an exciting month, we've had lots of fun get togethers. I went to see my neice and nephew for Maggie's birthday. What fun! Children just lighten up life, don't they? Zoe is so adorable. She's piecing together her sentences and Matt - well, he's trying to talk. He'll look right at you and coo away thinking you're having a conversation. Adorable! I'll see if I can upload the video of it.

My best friend Robyn is haveing her first child in October. She's really showing now. It's quite sweet. We also had some friends at church deliver their first baby. Tis the season, I suppose. What a blessed season too ... for children are a gift from God.

Thanks for baring with me in my absense. I promise to do better!

Photos to come soon...

Corrisponding Pictures

I hoped I would have time this week ... and vuala! Something got cancelled tonight - so here I am. Artie's on a run and I decided to blog ... so this is my idea of working out :)


Matt's Baby Shower




One of many sweet gifts that were given




Cedar Key Crew: Carrie, Artie, Lela, Dixie, Casey, Joseph, Jan, Jean, Jennifer


I just love that Artie's mom has sisters ... what is life without them?! (Artie's grandmother had two sisters too, weird!?)




This picture didn't come out clear, but this is the house that Artie's grandmother grew up in.




Our Cedar Key weekend was in celebration of Great Aunt Dixie's 90th Birthday!



Robyn & I on Good Friday



Baby Matt was born!


Aunt Charlotte with Matt


Look at what a BEAUTIFUL baby boy!


I have to end with this HILARIOUS picture! We took Zoe out to give mom & dad a nap time and she went up to the manican and held her hand, then looked up at her and said, "Shoes?" That's right Zoe, where are her shoes?! So funny!

More to come ... Artie and I were extremely blessed with a get away weekend to the beach. I will be posting more soon. Thanks for sticking with me!

In a Nut Shell

As promised, I am hoping to catch you up on the events of the McCall family. I think since so much time has passed, I would like to simply offer you a bullet point item list. Then I can get down to the good stuff ... the photos!

• Jobson Shower - In celebration of our coming nephew we had a party. It was a gorgeous day with lots of friends, family, cute baby boy items and a lot of fun!
• Cedar Key Trip - (Yes, Ida Marie - your connections to Artie continue, his grandmother's side of the family is all from Cedar Key and was a part of the Island's discovery and development). We spent a day in Cedar Key learning the history of the Island and the history of our family. Artie's mother's mother (catch that?) - or Lillian White Lankford - and her two sisters grew up on the Island. Due to Lillian's passing in the early 90's we were celebrating her sister, Dixie, as she turned 90 years old. We had a wonderful visit with Artie's family as we dug into the past and must have flipped through 1,000 pictures. I really enjoyed learning more about Artie's family heritage.
• "Believing God" - the girls and I finished our 4th semester of Bible study. We had a strong finish and we all know that we are marked for life from this one. (I'm sure I will come back and write more about this bullet point ... Wow!)
• Spring Fling - our annual church picnic that is a total blast ... I MISSED IT! I was so incredibly sick! So disappointing! Charlotte and I annually race up the rock wall climb and this year was the first time we hadn't done it (for 6 years in a row we did).
• Easter Weekend - What a special time! Artie and I joined with close friends to celebrate Jesus through observing the Passover and remember all that Jesus came to do. We had such a sweet time of remembrance! Then we had the choir's presentation of the Sacrifice which was awesome! Then Easter Sunday, was full, wonderful and glorious day.
• Aprill 11, 2007 (a Wednesday) - Matt Jobson (our nephew) was born! I drove over for a couple of hours to meet him. Then we (Artie, me, & Charlotte) went back that Saturday to spend some time helping out and getting to know our newest little guy.
• Charlotte lived with us for the past couple of months and is still moving out, little by little. We had a lot of fun being together again under the same roof. But, I will admit ... it's GREAT having the house back to just me and Artie again!

There is yet more going on now than I am able to write about, but I know I will find the time to soon.

Pictures coming soon...

Our New Nephew

Just a quick post ... more to come later. Artie and I are an Aunt and Uncle - yet again!

Matthew Pacini Jobson was born to my sister Maggie and her husband Jeremy yesterday (and to big sister Zoe), April 11, 2007 weighing 8 lb 14 oz. Mommy & Baby are doing great!

Praise You Lord, for this new little life - we pray You bless him and give Him Jesus!

Spring Updates: House

Okay, I am lousey in the 'blog' department. My apologies for my faithful readers out there. Last time I posted was on February 4th and now it is March 19th. Lousey, I say, lousey! I have no excuse because there has plenty to write about. I'll attempt to catch you up on the McCall family events (with more to come, I promise).

Seeing how I don't have children to fill with my blog site, I will tell you about the one I am nurturing, growing and pouring myself into :) ...

My House:
Artie and I have officially began to focus our attention on our yard. We haven't done a thing up until this point. I believe the last freeze is behind us, so I took the plunge (or should I say PAID the price - yard stuff ain't cheap!) and began the art and task of landscaping. I am a southern classic, a girl who loves flowers and vine-like plants. So, that was my goal. Get some color in this yard. We tackled our planting and such towards the end of February. As I finished my last potted plant and Artie plopped down after blowing the dirt off the yard, he told me that he was shocked I hadn't taken a single picture all weekend. So, yes - I totally forgot to take before and after pictures ... sorry. I'll dig into the photos of when we bought the house (though the people that used to live here had the time to stand in the yard with a hose and water the lawn, apparently I don't because most of the grass is dead now). I love the colors and also the birds and butterflies that they have drawn. For my birthday we added some outdoor seating (lounge chairs ... I love to lounge) in the back. You'll have to come visit to see! When we come home from work, we just sit in the yard and enjoy the beautiful weather that Florida is famous for this time of year.

Another house project ... we got rid of the Pelican window!!!! That hidious stained-glass. Everytime I drove up into my driveway, I always felt like I was pulling into the wrong house. But - Artie to the rescue, and presto, the bird is burried (literally - we sandwiched the window between a beautiful, custom made china rack made by Artie and painted stucco on the outside). It's fabulous! I love my dining room, more and more.

On that note - we got new dining room chairs. See, it gets even better because I didn't pay a single penny for them. I was talking with this lady that owns an antique store that I go to quite a bit and she offered to do a swap with me and call it even. So, I gave her my six hand-me-down chairs and she gave me her six that match my dining room table almost perfectly! It was a wonderful thing to come home from an antique store with six new dining room chairs and your husband say, "How much were they, Honey?" and I get to say, "Nothin'!" We were so excited. I plan to recover the seats with a colorful fabric - one day.

Artie and I LOVE the work of our hands.

I have been doing some thinking about that statement lately. Especially when I sit outside and enjoy the product of my aching back, dirty hands, and slimmed monthly budget. There is something about the product that your own hard work produces. My Bible study that I'm doing took me to the place that my heart was trying to go when the author reminded us of who God is. He is Creator God, Unique, Powerful, Imaginative, Intellegent, and One Marvolous Craftsman. He created us (create in the original language means "to make something from nothing"). And the secret to our amazing beings ... we are made by Him, in His image = a reflection of who He is. We are not like God, only simply made in His image. See, I didn't create anything I've done to this house/yard/whatever. I only formed them (form in the original language means "to shape, mold, change something from something"). I am creative, but only with what I was already given. Put that perspective on this verse: "Create in me, a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 Even our very hearts, clean before Him - are created by Him. He is a magnificent God, a glorious Creator, a powerful Savior, and one amazing Gardner (see John 15).

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made..."

~Romans 1:20~

"He {Jesus} is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

~Colossians 1:15~

(More to come ... my 24th birthday, our 2nd Anniversary, Maggie's baby shower, McCall family in town...)