Seasons of Grace: October 2012

Mid terms have officially started!! Hallelujah!! I know, how can I be happy for my husband stressing out over huge tests?? What kind of wife am I?!?! Well, here's how I look at it.

We have made it to midterms.

WHICH MEANS!!

This term is half way over.

WHICH MEANS!!

We are that much closer to being home. :)

As you can tell, I am anxiously counting down the moments till I get to see family and friends back home again. It's been a bit tough watching several of my friends here already being able to go home for a visit. On top of that, people are talking about their Christmas plans and when they are leaving the island. I, on the other hand, do not get to get home for Christmas. This fact hit me rather had sometime back. I really like Christmas. It's probably my favorite holiday. I love Thanksgiving just as much but when I was in school, Thanksgiving was not a convenient holiday to just drive home for. Therefore, Christmas was the big holiday to look forward to. Of course growing up, I always looked forward to Christmas. What other holiday gets its own catchy songs to go along with it????? :)

The other big reason why I love Christmas so much is because of my Gra'mas REAL homemade egg nog. :) Yes ladies and gentlemen, REAL. Not that weird store bought kind that's better as coffee creamer than an actual drink. The real stuff with actual nog in it. My Gra'ma has her mothers recipe and ever since I can remember, egg nog was served after the dishes were cleaned up and before the presents were opened.

To make this long explanation longer, I am very sad to realize that I will be missing out on these things. I am praying that Christmas will come to us here this year. Airline tickets are rather pricey because December is the start of tourist season so my family is having trouble finding affordable tickets. I know our biggest Christmas present will arrive before we know it. ;) The little bug is moving all over the place these days. My stomach will spas out which is really funny to watch. I'm interested to see the imprint of a foot or hand or elbow. Now, THAT will be pretty exciting!! We are continuing to prepare, through the Bradley Method, for birth here in Grenada. I am very thankful my friend Natalia is going to be our doula AND she's offered to take pictures at the hospital!! She'll be able to capture some very precious moments. :)

With each new day, I feel I am getting bigger and hotter. That is, hotter temperature wise. There is a necessity to be in the water at least an hour every day. If I'm not there, I am seeking out AC on campus or a friends place. To say I live in my bathing suit is probably an understatement. There's just no getting comfortable here when you are 7+ months pregnant. However, I feel I have been very blessed with a rather easy pregnancy. Watching myself put on weight and the hotness of Grenada has been the most challenging parts. We are both praying that baby decides to come AFTER Matthew has finished his finals in December.

Matthew has been a great support through everything. Although he doesn't always know what to say or do, he knows how to love on me and make me feel special. I am very proud of all of his hard work lately. Last Monday was the start of their midterms with a nutrition exam. Then this whole week they are taking the rest. He already got his scores back for the two he has taken and all I can say is he did very well. :) He is holding on to his A/B average. Honestly, I was rather worried for a couple weeks. Although I was glad he took time to hang out with me, he was skipping several of his classes. However, after seeing where he is standing, I'm not too worried. The only thing I told him was that I was planning on being here for three years ONLY. Anything after that, he was on his own. Harsh, I know, but that's the "unwritten contract" I agreed to. ;) He has done so well and I truly couldn't be prouder. Every day he studies for at least two hours once he gets home. Sometimes longer. This week, studying has been longer to prepare for midterms.

Our way of Caribbean living seems to be falling into a pretty routine schedule. Matt gets up with Nutmeg. Hangs out with her while I sleep. Then he heads to school and I'm left to figure out my day!! Depending on the day, I'm doing several things. I've been sick the past week and haven't felt up to going to my yoga and Pilates classes. Hopefully that will begin to change soon. :) Praying for complete healing!!!

Here are a few pictures. Because of I've been sick, I haven't done much lately so they are mostly just Nutmeg. :) As you can tell, she has certainly grown a lot!! Her black fir has come in much more now.