{5 months} 01.31

My little one is now 5 months old!! I cannot believe it. Does time really fly by THAT FAST?! Whew. I feel the need to become a "soaker" so all I do is absorb the surroundings about me. 

Ellie is now rolling over quite frequently these days. She started doing this more regularly almost 3 weeks ago. Ellie actually gets to places. Example: Yesterday Ellie got super quiet while Daniel and I ate lunch together. Daniel went and checked on her and she had rolled off her pallet, gotten a piece of paper and then rolled back over onto the pallet to then continue snacking on her beloved paper. Needless to say she was not thrilled when that was taken away from her.
About that same time she has started recognizing her own name and responds whenever we call her. 
She has developed a particular interest in her fingers now and loves to look at them as she intertwines her fingers together. So precious.

Ellie is getting better about sitting up. 

She notices when Daniel or I leave the room. And now lifts her little chubby hands up whenever she wants us to get her and has a little cry of desperation that goes along with that too. 

Her most prized trick lately is when she props herself up on her elbow to look around. :o) 

Ellie remains the most cheerful baby I have ever known (and I am not just saying that ;o). 
I am so grateful for her life.

Does time seem to run by you like it does for me?

Catch ups

At this point I have to admit, I am afraid to play "catch ups" in this post. I last blogged what? 5 months ago? I am getting real good at consistently updating. Bear with me as I do a brief summary of what time has been soaked up.

I was in good spirits even though August 25th came and went. I honestly did not expect baby Brantley to arrive yet (and was really grateful since my head midwife was out of town that weekend!). In brief, after nearly 64 hours of labor (who knew marathon labors existed right?!) I finally held my baby on 08.31 at 7:04 pm. What a sight she was since is a beauty!! Weighing 7 lbs 12 oz., 20 in" long, and her head measured 14.5" round. Our midwife Kelli noted during the newborn exam, "She has awesome muscle tone!"  Believe me, this little girl would after all the kicking, water aerobics, and belly flips she did inside me. 
We named her Emmanuelle Jo. 
We loved the name meaning "God is with us" and Jo is after 2 of her great grandmothers. We nicknamed her 'Ellie' which fits her like a glove.

09.23 came and went.
Daniel and I celebrated our 1st anniversary with our 3 week old baby at Uno's since he had never had deep dish pizza before (note booths are not deep enough to hold a crying baby-annoying). I think we stopped for coffee afterwards-I can't remember. 

10 held celebrations and tears for us.

I have now turned to an aged 24 and Daniel the great 25! Half way to 50!! One simple way decided to "go big" was give him a bag with 25 items in it. He really enjoyed the creativity and thought I put into it. The same week we did both our birthday bash we received a package telling us that Daniel finally got accepted (after trying for 3 years) into the Nursing program... In Alabama. 
A huge answer to prayer, but not one without tears as I knew this meant moving my family away "from home" once again. Hey. At least this time we have internet, cell phones with good connections (unlike before in my beloved jungles). We hope and pray God will bring us back to the FW area when the 18 months is up.

11.21-11.24 involved a really meaningful time with my special family.

My family has simple traditions. Not very many, but just enough to remember our family does this and that. Since my siblings got married my parents decided to try and plan a family vacation with all of us in place of Christmas gifts in 2012 (3 days after we returned from our honeymoon in WA). 
We ALL loved it so much my parents have decided to do this every year if everyone is able. I love new traditions. We traveled to a farm house in Glen Rose. It rained nearly the whole time, but that didn't stop the laughter, joy, new memories, and love we shared together. This year was bittersweet. With our time together shortening each day before we leave...
(hopes of next year being on the beaches in AL!!)

12 Daniel and I packed, loaded, moved, and packed some more.

12.13-12-22 involved a small family of 3 with a very tall brother in law of mine traveling overseas to see a dear person we love. 

Ellie and Nate's 1st time to fly. Ever. Daniel's 2nd time to fly. Ever. And can I just say this was the 1st time to fly internationally married with a 3 month old. Whole new ballgame since being single. 1 checked bag, 1 carry-on bag, and 3 personal bags. Hey. If there's no more room in the overhead compartment it's not my fault. Dad B was nervous about our travels with infant, but Ellie is a traveling champ (as you'll read more later). After all, she IS a Brantley baby. =) We drove nearly everyday to different parts of Israel. We saw Jerusalem, Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Galilee, Akko, Caesura, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and modern cities. The history there is astounding. Of course my favorite part was seeing my father in law. The visits and time we had together we're really sweet. He is coming back to the States in April. Can. Not. Wait.

12.23 we did a whirlwind of Christmas celebrations.

The Helms for brunch/afternoon and the Whitings for dinner/evening. I sure do love our family gatherings. I can never get enough of it. I'm really grateful Daniel feels the same way.

12.24 my small family loaded up again (but this time with Marmee and Poppee) to Newton, KS. Daniel and I felt it was important for us to make this trip. With the Nursing program being 18 months we knew our 2014 Christmas would be Texas and will most likely be 2 years before we are able to make another trip to KS. Everyone got to meet, love on and spoil Ellie with kisses and cuddles! 

12.29-12-31 was spent making a maddash of throwing, packing, and cramming everything away. Sigh. I DO NOT CARE TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS AGAIN. At least for the time being. It was  bittersweet to say goodbye to Apt. B who held some fond and not so fond memories. But through it all, it will be missed. Glad I will get to drive by it when going to CBC.

01.01.2014

My faucet leaked big time as my small family loaded up once more to put the miles and distance between here and there. 
I really dread crying. Since moving to AL God has blessed us with a church already and really at work. I am continually having to preach truth to myself and pray that God will change me. I long to have an attitude much like Ruth did when she left everything behind. 

01.30 Ellie is growing and changing so much. 

It is hard for me to watch sometimes because it is passing by so fast. I hate that our families are not here to watch it themselves. FaceTime helps some, but it is still not the same when you watch your dad hold her your baby to sleep and get Ellie to giggle. Or your mom listen to Ellie sing and share happy stories and sad stories. Or my father in law share memories of his own children doing the same thing Ellie is doing too. I miss those moments. . .

But God.

But God is still faithful. But God still knows exactly what He is doing today. But God still does what is the very best for me. But God still provides for our needs.

But God.

I have to remind myself in those tiny moments when time seems overwhelming and no one is near - But God.

KATONDA YE NNYO BULUNGI!!!

This is late in coming, but due to some uploading problems I am now finally getting around to it. Three weeks ago yesterday my gracious "mama" (as lugandans call their mother) took me on a day trip all the way down to Montgomery crossing a beautiful part of Texas I've never seen before and would absolutely enjoy going back to see again! Remember how I went to stay in Uganda for six months? The Hurley family I stayed with to help serve and minister to were in Montgomery for a week and how could I not go see them??! They aren't an ocean apart, but just a few hours away! I definitely didn't think it'd be wise to make the trip by myself, so my mom offered to make the trip with me. We had a lovely time together catching up, laughing, making new memories, sharing old memories, and enjoying our time. The kids all remembered me, except maybe Emmitt (he says he remembers me, but he was only two at the time). Emmitt was the one I'd have from 8 in the morning til he went down for his nap after lunch. We'd spend much of our time walking around the village, chasing Elisa's chickens, drawing in the dirt with sticks, read books, eat snacks. All in all just spending some one on one time with him. Since he is the youngest, often times I feel this is hard to do when life is so busy and it is important to include those little ones! I often find myself wondering how Emmitt is doing and how he is growing up. since he is no longer a little two year old. Shannon and Danielle were in Dallas meeting up with a church who was interested in supporting SOS Ministries and weren't flying in til that evening so we missed seeing them. But the kids! My goodness, they have all grown up! Little Emmitt is talking and telling stories. He is no longer the shy little boy he use to be. Evan still has that spunk in him! And Ethan is growing and growing. Sure to soon catch Elisa one of these days! Elisa and Emma have matured a lot and have become quite beautiful young ladies seeking to honor and serve our great God. I missed them so much and in no time at all we were back to the good ol' days of being together again. I also had the great privilege of meeting Danielle's mom and saw the great example she has set for Danielle in being such a wonderful and giving hostess. I had heard so many sweet stories of her and what an honor to finally meet her! God is so good! I am so grateful God worked out all the details to allow me to travel down and see my second family already having been a year and a half (which at the time I wasn't engaged, married, or having a baby!). So much change in little time!

My driver!

So much change!!! 

My buddies

Friends

Oh how I have missed this smiling face!

What a lovely time

Some of my favorite ladies

So on a side note, I am now 38 weeks and three days... Not that Daniel and I aren't counting down these days. =) Baby and I are doing great. Everything is looking and measuring good. We are so grateful! Projects are getting wrapped up and the awesome pack 'n' play arrived yesterday (it's a sign right?) so hopefully the next blog will be on baby stuff shortly. It's hard being patient at times (in some ways, I feel like I've forgotten what its like to [not] be pregnant. oh the preggo brain...) wanting to finally meet this little one, but I know it'll all go by in a flash and then - twenty years will have gone by. So we take one day at a time. Trying to be faithful today is all I can do. 

Sisters!
Mukama Yebazibwe!

Preparing

Summer has officially hit. We hit the upper 90's now and so travelling from A/C to hot car from store to store leaves me a sweating puddle. Nedda bulungi. Daniel and I decided to stay where we are right now on a month to month lease since we love the location, how low rent is which allows us to save, and to give it a shot. It's about 800 sq. feet, one bedroom, one bath etc. Space is kinda tight for us so Daniel and I have been super busy going through boxes and moving things into storage that we don't use right now in order to make more room for Baby Brantley. =) That has allowed me to unbox several things like the children's books I've collected over time from babysitting and such. The few items of clothes that we have are hanging up in the closet or put in the dresser. The nesting phase has seriously begun and I've been working hard to start and complete some projects to get them up and put away! It's been really fun to do projects again. I'll post pictures soon! 

Baby is at 31 weeks and as time draws nearer everything seems to become more and more real. We're going to have a baby. Real soon. Daniel and I continue to discuss baby names and meanings. I think we've somewhat have that narrowed down. But, I don't have my heart set on it yet because I know one of us just might change our minds again. Choosing your baby's names are completely different than naming your dog or bird. It's intimidating at times. We have like two months left and even if we pick names out for both sexes, well at the birth we might change our mind again. Who knows??! Baby is moving a lot these days. Less kicking and more moving-I suspect space is getting somewhat tight and limited in there. =)

Shopping trip!

As busy as we are lately (and that will continue for the next several weeks with family coming in town, baby shower, more rearranging and organizing, and shopping and, and, and...) Daniel has treated his wife out on a shopping trip to get a few more clothing items (amazing how quickly you outgrow things!) two weeks ago, bought me cheery flowers and this past Friday we went to the movie theater (we like "never" go to the movie theater, this is a big deal! =) and watched "Man of Steel", grabbed supper out at Don Pablo's, and shopped around and got the baby some sleepers and Daniel a pair of cool running shoes. He graciously helps out doing laundry, washing dirty dishes, cooking meals, and whatever else. He takes such great care and interest in providing for me and meeting my needs. So grateful to have Daniel as my number one supporter through this journey! Couldn't do this without his sweet love, encouragement, and listening ear. 

Joyful flowers!

Happy grins!

Pecan tree we HAD growing til Hammy came back!

We hit the ground running yesterday at the start of the week going to church, eating at Pei Wei with family (Caleb, Hope, and Winston!), crash at home for 40 minutes, off again to our birthing class in Hurst, and then to our Flock group. Daniel is out hauling hay today. Meanwhile I'm doing laundry, made ham quiche for breakfast, and will be taking off for the chiropractor, library, grocery shopping, and midwife appointment soon. I'll be dwelling on this encouraging verse today as I run around: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. -Psalm 73:26. Happy Monday!

The Triples

This is coming in a bit late, but a week ago Saturday Jon and Emily Manning invited Kathryn and Layton, and Daniel to go rock climbing with them in Grapevine at Summit. They had a Groupon that needed to be used up-so why not? 

The Hinkle couple tackling the course

Sorry for the spots. Blah.

Emily trying her hand at rock climbin

The Hinkle couple again... =)

 Well, I receive a text from my mama (who was in NC at the time) asking what our Saturday afternoon agenda was and I told her we were out rock climbing. Her response? "You aren't right??!" Mine: "Yes. In a skirt." =) No rock climbing at 29 weeks. So I took pictures instead. I forgot to take a group picture. Dang it. So these will have to do. =( 

This was a hard one, but he made it to the top! Go Daniel!!! 

Daniel did great! 

It was fun. Thank you Jr. Mannings! Afterwards we all ate out together at Cheddar's. Yum. We definitely agreed to do it again sometime soon. We enjoyed the friendship, fellowship, and working out. 

Hope y'all have a great week. Daniel and I had a crazy, crazy weekend. It's going to last for about 8 more weeks. With our birthing class in Hurst for 12ish weeks on Sunday afternoon, it really makes our Sunday short. Or rather long depending on how you look at it. Too many hours of sitting in one day. Baby Brantley or mama don't like that too much. But that just means visiting Rachel (a great chiropractor!) on Mondays to get adjusted after I go swimming. =) Happy Monday!

Lists

 /lɪst/

Noun: Desire; inclination: "I have little list to write".

* wash dishes in kitchen * pack up one box * check e-mail * laundry * walk * 

update blog * finish Shutterfly project * trim nails * finish painting toes  

* organize fridge * write a letter * cut flowers * read Jeremiah three * drink 

three liters of water * cut and freeze mangoes/strawberries * 

One of my favorite flowers!*

I often attempt writing down lists for several reasons.

1.) Being pregnant seems to leave me on a blank slate lately and I forget what all I want to accomplish that day.

2.) I need little goals that keep me going.

3.) To cross off each thing on the list.

4.) To see what areas I need to put more effort in.

5.) And also, to get stuff done.

Does this always work? Unfortunately, the honest answer to that question is: No.

I'm sure by now, my sweet hubby is tired of seeing my random lists laying around the apartment [unfinished]. I know I am. Some days I only get two things marked off. Other days I get the whole list done. How come? 

Inconsistent

/ˌinkənˈsistənt/

Adjective: Not staying the same throughout.

Lately, it seems that God is gently reminding me through my pregnant, human self that I am [inconsistent].  Hm. That would also seem to imply that I am incompatible, conflicting, and contradictory at times too. See God is [none] of those things. 

Lamentations 3:22 & 23

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

See? What a nugget of truth that is? This promise has led me to praise and worship God for who He is and for what He isn't. Unlike everything, everyone, or every place God is [unchanging]. God will not disappoint me in my time of need. There have been times when I have placed my hope in a person or place or thing only to end up being disappointed. Sometimes hurt. Praise God that He isn't like that. Rejoice in the small blessings and the big ones. 

My season is changing. I'm currently 27.5 weeks along with Baby Brantley. Daniel and I are researching places to move, I am off for the next few months from serving in the nursery room at church, I've already been married for eight months, growing what seems like everyday, and on and on it could go. There's a lot of unknowns. I try not to be daunted by facing the unknowns because I know in a short while, when the time comes I'll know exactly how everything played out and then, it will only be history from then on. 

Count your blessings. Enjoy today's moments. Cherish those around you. The seasons change too swiftly to try holding on too tightly. Make the most with what you have. Don't get caught up in the "must get done" list that you end up missing what's around you. Remember the story of Martha and Mary? Soak up the time you have. 

Mweraba

The pictures really don't do them justice!

*Sorry for the random flowers, but wanted to share a little bit of summer with y'all. =)

thoughts on now

Where do I begin? I haven't done anything to keep the blog going because I simply worked and coached when I returned back to the States from village life and didn't feel the need, the importance to post about such things. In short, I needed time to readjust living back home again. I loved my village life there. I loved the people and the ministry opportunities I was given. I was given the village name Nazziwa (it has no meaning, but I chose that for me to become the meaning). I wept a lot before I left Kubamitwe. I could not imagine what leaving it behind would look like. I cried a ton more when I got to Fort Worth. It was hard. I hurt. A lot of healing God had to do. I started the blogging world when I was preparing to leave for Uganda in 2010. Sad to say as I begun updating the blog again last week, I lost all my previous posts. All of them. I bawled. I managed to copy about 7 of the posts and perhaps I'll re-post them someday, but not now. Bittersweet. I changed my current location on here from Luweero to Fort Worth. It's little things like that that bring a flood of tears and waves of emotions. "To Africa and Beyond" will stay. I couldn't start all over with a new blog. That's where this has all started and now it will continue on with the life after village living. 

A lot has changed since my last entry. I have traveled approximately 70,272 miles since 2009 - the girl who use to content herself with the idea of staying in Texas. Bogus. After 6 months of being away from home and my boyfriend, I came back, started working, coaching Jr. Varsity volleyball (with my sister) for a home school program PT Warriors. What a very exciting year learning things together as a team. We traveled to Springfield, MO to play in a National tournament (the girls first tournament ever!!!) and got 2nd place! Least to say Kathryn and I were thrilled/proud of these girls and the opportunity we had to coach them. 

Daniel and I's relationship continued to grow. Someday, I'll have to go into detail about how we knew each other from childhood, but no way on earth would we ever end up... Well, married like we are now. =) On April 16th, of 2012 my sweet boyfriend sat me on a tree, told me (for the first time - even though I knew this way before with the twinkle in his eyes) that he loved me and also asked me to marry him! I said yes! Which was followed with a lot of "wows" as well. We had a ball being engaged together and walking through new things hand in hand. Our engagement was 5 months long and [I] was the one who ended up being impatient at waiting and always asking, "Tomorrow? Let's just do it tomorrow." On September 23rd, (yah, that hot 90 degree day) we joined together as husband and wife. Three weddings in my family in less than 2 years. Crazy good. Seven months of married life has been wonderful. I love having Daniel around and doing things together with my bestest friend and most of all being his lady. I love being a Brantley!

Since then Daniel and I have been quite the travelers. Now that Little B is coming it has helped us slow down and soak our time up. We are preparing for a family of 3. I can hardly believe we're nearly there. August 25th (although only 5% of babies actually arrive on their due date). I love seeing Daniel's sweet smile whenever he talks about Little B. The birthing classes begun last night (for 10 weeks!) and it was a blast! We laughed and learned together with 5 other couples which was fun. More on that later.

Sorry for the long post, but thanks for bearing with me. I knew this would be the hard one to write. Try to recap over the previous couple of years - too much. Til next time,  Mweraba