Update: One year later...

I can hardly believe it's been over a year since I wrote a post. I re-read my last blog and it said, "This may be my last blog until Jubilee decides to come..." I didn't think that it would be 14 months later. Sorry. Well, let me back pedal and catch you up to speed :) 

In the early morning hours of June 4, 2012, my water broke thus sending me into labor 4 weeks early. At 3:31 P.M, almost 13 hours later, our little Jubilee Eliana was born! It was such an exciting moment. Because she was early, I felt as though I wasn't as prepared emotionally. Obvious joy and thankfulness, and a purpose I can't describe with words. I cried only tears of joy, as there wasn't much pain due to an epidural---modern medicine is something to marvel!  ;)---  She came so fast, only 30 minutes of pushing! I had my mom, my sister, and DJ to help me through labor. He was a champ, not even flinching when it came time to cut the umbilical cord! I believe that fatherhood came naturally to him. I watched that night as he transformed from a man into a father. He held her so delicately yet protectively as he sang to her and whispered into her tiny, little ears how much he loved her. It was beautiful! A Kingdom transaction happened that day. A deposit onto earth, if you will. "This child we have prayed for and God answered our prayer" (1 Sam.)  We weren't just responsible for ourselves anymore, God had given us this beautiful little gift. Even though bed rest was hard at times, it was so worth it in that moment!

Now flash forward! Jubilee is busy, busy, busy! I am loving being home with her! She keeps me on my toes, for sure! She is very hesitant to walk by herself, but loves to hold fingers and will go all day. We are working on stacking blocks and practice sitting in her little wooden chair from Nana and Popsie's house. She is starting to form words out of all her babbling, mostly Da-da, Ma-ma, Nen Nen (Aunt Jenny), Jo-Jo (Grandma Joan), meow, roar, and panting like a dog, to name a few :) Everyday she learns something new! We are also working on getting our bottom molars (teeth #'s 11 and 12!)! It seems they came in so fast, but not without times of whining/crying and much snuggling to be had. We just returned from our yearly girls trip to Clear Lake. This was Jubilee's first time camping and swimming in the lake. She is a little fish, even trying to go in face first! She doesn't like to play in the sand a whole lot, being dirty is not really her thing! There wasn't much relaxing trying to keep up with her, but it was a fun experience! We are so blessed to have her in our lives and thank God every day for giving her to us! 

DJ is busy as always! He and his best friend, Tony, have started a painting business called S & R Painting and Staining. They are enjoying it very much and have expanded their clientele very quickly. Their goal is to run the business until the Lord brings them into what they hope to be the next phase, life coaching. This is something DJ has wanted to do for awhile and now the Lord is starting to open doors and almost daily shows him something pertaining to this passion of his! He continues to volunteer at Wind and Fire Ministries with several different programs, including the Safe Lane within Client Services (formerly known as CRTEC- Center to Restore Trafficked and Exploited Children), fund raising for the TIP-ID National Training Center building, and teaching internship classes starting in September. He has many other exciting things stirring in the pot! I have just loved watching him grow and change over the last 6 years and I'm eager to see what the Lord has next for him!

Like I said before, I am staying home with Jubilee and loving it!! Truly an amazing opportunity! We like to stay busy whether it be at home or out with others! We like to spend time playing with cousins or friends at parks and splash pads. It seems like there is always something to do! Other than being a Mommy, I participate in as much as possible with WFM. My favorite this summer has been helping with the CSA program picking vegetables in the high tunnel. I have loved learning new ways to grow and the many different varieties of vegetables. I am looking forward to expanding my horizons this fall by canning and teaching myself how to freeze, dehydrate, and juice the harvest that comes in! I'm thankful for a chance to pursue my creativity in a business with my sister in law, Danielle, as well. Combined with my love for administrating and social networking and her craftiness with a sewing machine, we formed Lily Bean: Restoring Old to New. We are looking forward to expanding from restored sweater mittens to many other crafty projects as time sees fit! Our goal is to take some product to some craft shows this fall!  I also have some other adventures ahead and will share as they come about! 

Thank you for sticking around and sorry again for the length of time it took to get back on here! I have really missed sharing! Blessings to each of you!

The Steens- DJ, Nicole, & Jubilee

Remembering the beginning...

  With the beginning of June soon to come, I quickly realize that means July 1 is one month away, only 35 days until we meet our daughter! It seems like just yesterday that we were in Israel finding out we were pregnant! I was sitting on our room's balcony, feeling so full of life, wanting to scream it at the top of my lungs! DJ and I chose to keep it between us for the first week we were there and it was something I'll never forget. Being able to look DJ in the eye and he'd have that twinkle, that only we knew why it was there. Knowing there was life growing inside of me that God chose to allow with His very perfect timing and knowing how very significant it was that we find out in Israel. 

  After deciding to let the others in on the big secret, I had those that wanted to pray and bless the pregnancy. I'll never forget the day that the group gathered around us on top of Mount Carmel and prayed for our little one. Words such as "warrior"and "double portion"  came over and over again. And the Lord spoke to me. He said," This is my pregnancy! Trust me!" Since that day, I've had peace with every part of this pregnancy. Even now, I look down at my belly and I can't help but smile...it's been 8 months of ups and downs, but we put our trust in Him, knowing that He would guard and protect our precious gift. And now as we face the 35 wk mark, I am undone with blessing, joy, and peace. God is good and He truly gives us the desires of our hearts!
                        *     *     *     *     *

  Now we are in preparation mode, acquiring last minute necessities, packing hospital bags and the baby bag, and working on relaxation and breathing methods (more me, than DJ). I've always been the type to feel more comfortable in a situation having already experienced something similar to it. This will be mostly all new to me. Therefore I'm doing what I can to prepare, hoping I remember when I'm actually in labor! :) Depending on when she decides to come, this may be my last blog until after she is here! I'll post on Facebook best I can! Thank you for your continued prayers! Blessings!!

Stir Crazy!

  The time is drawing near for this little one to come...8 weeks to go! I can hardly believe how soon we'll be holding her and doing all the things a new Mommy and Daddy get to do! Although it seems to have gone somewhat quickly, I'm in awe that I've been able to make it 3 months on bed rest! Today I am definitely feeling STIR CRAZY! It's a beautiful day outside and having company come and then watch them leave was hard. Being able to just go grocery shopping or go on a walk or a road trip with DJ...the simple things that I once took for granted. I am so longing to be able to do simple things again! I have been so thankful for a schedule that would allow me to be on bed rest and a husband to be here to help me through. I have had some moments of stillness that I enjoyed, but today...I AM STIR CRAZY! 

  I think what I have learned is to not hold emotions in, but communicate with DJ as much as possible what I'm feeling. Even if I feel it might sound sillier outside my head, just getting it out really helps. I've also learned that it's okay to cry. Sad, happy, mad, irritated, nervous, etc. With all these extra hormones, it's bound to happen. I've appreciated DJ letting it be okay and offering up his shoulder to cry on. Don't get me wrong, we laugh and plan and dream. There are many, many good days. Not being able to lead a "normal" life and sometimes being alone during the day catch up to you.

  If I could offer advice to anyone on bed rest, it would be to fully rely on your husband! Make him part of your day and make an effort to have conversation not having technology in the background. I think it's so important to open up and reveal those things that seem to get pent up so easily.

I would also say that keeping date night is so important! It may not be much, but putting a movie on and eating something a little nicer or out of the ordinary really breaks up times and meals that have become routine. 

All in all, I must go all the way back to the beginning of this pregnancy and remember what God told me in Israel. He said," This is my (God) pregnancy. Trust in me." So...here starts my 8 week countdown to July 1!!

They say it tastes like orange sunkist pop...

DUNT DUNT DUUUUUUN! The week of the glucose test has finally arrived!! I haven't been looking forward to the test, but I am pretty excited we are at 28 weeks! I don't know if people who have gone through it really think it tastes like flat orange pop, but we shall see! I think I've been pretty determined to not have gestational diabetes, so I've watched my sugar intake. But when you crave something sweet, you have to eat it!! :) 

In all my magazines and books, they've announced the final decent of the pregnancy: THIRD TRIMESTER! For the past two trimesters, I have coasted on good reports and ultrasound pictures showing me glimpses of my baby girl. And now, all of a sudden, we are almost done! Exciting, but a bundle of nerves. Watching and paying total attention to how I feel with every braxton hicks contraction that passes. I've registered with the hospital, made my hospital/baby bag list of things to pack, and have learned a little bit about how to breathe during labor. Because we've chosen to have baby showers after Baby Steen is born, I think it feels like her arrival should be later. But we only have 12 weeks left!!!

We are all moved over from our house and DJ continues to finish little projects there to be ready to show it to potential buyers! When all is said and done, we are glad we moved. BUT transition is difficult, especially when I don't do particularly well with changes. Momma just wants to NEST here people! :) :)

Thank you to everyone who has visited and sent cards and goodie bags! It has really made this time pass by a little more quickly than I anticipated! When Baby gets here, watch out, cuz we'll be knocking on your door! No laying around for this Momma!! :) 

BLESSINGS!!!