Meet Ethan James!

He's waving to you with his eyes open

You can see his eyes, nose, and mouth pretty well. And his feet are in his face.

We found out we’re having a boy! Jay “almost” cried he was so happy to have an heir for the Strodes.

Ethan – is a name that we’ve both liked for years.
James – is his father’s father’s name and who Jay (James) is named after.
And we feel like it's a name that can be a jock, a nerd, a businessman... whatever he wants to be.
As I was going to Blogger, I saw this article and thought it was interesting.
Does Your Name Determine Your Destiny

We haven’t really thought seriously about the nursery or anything but I’m going to guess blue J

I’ll post options later that you can help me choose from.

By the way, this has been awesome to experience. I can honestly say that here was some… hesitation in me, especially when people asked if I was excited. But now I can say without a doubt that yes, I am excited! A recent mother from church something wrote on my Facebook wall that really helped me with my focus… “Kleinwood (our congregation) must need to breed new elders with all these boys coming.” It really helped me to re-focus. Yes, I have no clue how to take care of a baby and yes, I have no clue on how to raise a son, but I do know that I want to raise a gentleman that has a true love for the Lord. And that, my friends, is what I’m going to focus on! (I’ll probably need to go back and re-read this often!)

My Ideal Spring Day

My Ideal Spring Day by Emily Strode featuring stud earrings

If... -I wore shorts -Had money -wore tall wedges

The Adjustment Bureau

My husband and I went on a date Saturday night and saw The Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon (my other husband) and Emily Blunt. Now I'm obviously not a professional movie critic, but I loved this movie. Jay said I didn't stop smiling the first 20 minutes of the movie because I loved the chemistry so much. Going into it, I didn't know what to expect -

FBFF - Fashion Beauty Friend Friday

1. Do you think there is an incompatibility between feminism and a love for fashion?
When I see a woman with a fantastic pencil skirt, blouse, and killer heels… I see a strong, confident woman. I also don’t see fashion as something frilly and silly. For instance, I don’t think girls who are obsessed with [trying to think of something that wouldn’t offend too many people] Hello Kitty and miniskirts aren’t into fashion. Fashion is Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabana, Dior - something that exudes power and strength. Men who love fashion aren’t considered feminists, are they?

2. There is more to each of us than a love for fashion, how do you incorporate every aspect of yourself into your blog?
Although I’ve yet to do a “fashion” post, and although my blog is relatively new, I think my true personality shines through in the topics I chose to write about. I don’t like to cook, so I’m going to pretend I went to this wonderful cooking class at Central Market.

3. With the fashion industry still being a male-dominated profession, how do you think it would differ if women played a larger role?
Maybe there would be less sex appeal? I love men’s designs. My favorite is Ralph Lauren. And the only women designers I can think of are too weird for me – Stella McCartney i.e. I’ll probably be purchasing some Heidi Klum maternity clothes soon, but other than that, I think I prefer men designers.

4. How is your self-image and the way you carry yourself informed by your beliefs?
Informed? Unfortunately, I don’t think my beliefs match the way I carry myself or my self-image. I believe God has made us individuals for a reason. I know something of the things I think he has “plagued” me with are probably for my benefit. But I forget this often. It’s more of something I remind myself of when I get down, not something that keeps me up.

5. Do you think clothing/makeup/hair helps communicate the truth about yourself or are those things superfluous add-ons?
I am an avid watcher of What Not to Wear and this is their biggest message. It takes a lot beyond first impression to change your opinion of someone. In the workplace (not my workplace because it’s very casual), if I see a sloppy dresser, I see a sloppy worker. Is this always the case? No. Especially with men. If I see someone on the street wearing “super cool” clothes, I’ll think they must have a “super cool” personality! Or whatever the case may be. Do I think I reflect my true self? Most of the time – classic, reliable, and not full of a lot surprises.... oh, and sleepy!

Dreams

I finally had a good baby dream last night/this morning!

Our baby was beautiful! Only a few days old, but had a head full of dark hair and big lips (like I did) and just gorgeous! And Jay carried it around in the front pocket of his sweatshirt. It was either swaddled or in Jay’s little “pouch” so I didn’t know if it was a boy or girl. But it made me feel better… Until I remembered I was watching TV last night and a Gerber commercial came on and I said I hope my baby is pretty enough to be a Gerber baby… so it looked very similar to this...

but a real baby… not drawn.

After that I had a dream that we had a cat (thank you, PW and Ethereal) that carried dead RATS into our house. And in the same dream (‘cause dreams are weird like that), I dreamt that we had a Bengal Tiger in the house. I called my mom into the bathroom as I was petting it and keeping it calm. She said, “Relax, I know what to do.” So she takes the tiger by the collar and shoves it through a vent in the wall. A minute later white Snow Tiger cubs try to come from out of the vent. They were precious but we obviously had enough cats in the house!

No, we don’t have cats but we do have two dogs. One of which shredded a stuffed toy and fluff is everywhere (hence the dead rats). The other one looked as if I had photoshopped it’s head onto the tiger’s body. And I’m assuming the cute little cubs trying to break through were because I’m pregnant?? Who knows, but I’m glad it was all a dream! Especially the rats part… I’d love to have a tiger!!

19 weeks

It's kinda embarrassing showing your bare belly and your messy house in the background but I figure since only 4 people look at my blog and hundreds of people look at my Facebook I'd post it on here.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Jonathan

Several months ago, back during the Chilean mine rescue actually, my family and I started an e-mail chain. We’re a close family in certain aspects, but we don’t talk on the phone to each other a lot, but we all have e-mail. We got this e-mail from my brother: (background on my brother: Jonathan is a doctor and Captain in the Air Force finishing up his residency at the Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS.)

I wanted to share with y'all one of the greatest compliments I've ever received. A patient of mine that I've had since I got here in July 2008 died this last week in our emergency room. She was 88. This is a quote from her obituary:

"Special 'thank yous' to USAF chaplain Werner his prayers and words of comfort, Keesler Medical Center for 45 years of providing health care for my mother; and to her favorite primary care physician, Jonathan L. Henderson (The Big Man from Texas), who in addition to being a highly-skilled professional, was kind, compassionate and attentive toward her; always treating her with the dignity and respect our senior members from the greatest generation so deserve."

My very poignant husband rights back:

That's really cool Jonathan.  I had a customer tell me I looked pregnant on Monday.

…still cracks me up. But I am very proud of my brother, I’m glad he’s serving our country and our sick.

Influence of a Servant

I'm leading bible study tonight... here's my outline. It's loosely taken from Charles Swindoll's book Improving Your Serve.

Matthew 5:13-16

·         Implies personal responsibility

Salt of the Earth

            “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is them good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

·         Who is He talking to?

o   Jews, multitude

·         What historical significance does salt have?

o   Leviticus 2:13 (flavor to God’s table)

·         In relation to us:

o   Mark 9:49-50

o   What does salt do?

§  Preserve

§  Heal

§  Creates thrist

§  Adds flavor

o   Special characteristics?

§  Loses its distinctiveness

§  Shaken or sprinkled

o   How are we to preserve?

§  1 Tim 4

§  1 Peter 5:8

§  Matt 7:15

§  Mark 16:15-16

o   Create thirst?

§  John 4

o   Add Flavor?

§  Colossians 4:6

o   Heal?

§  Luke 4:14-19 & Acts 28:27

·         If we lose out flavor?

o   Jesus says we’re good for nothing

Light of the World

            “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

·         Where does our light come from?

o   Psalm 27:1

o   Prv 13:9 – joy

o   Ps 119:105

o   John 1:4-5

o   2 Corinthians 4:6

o   Revelation 21:23

o   Imagine luminaries

·         In relation to us:

o   What does light do?

§  Dispels darkness

·         1 John 1:5

§  Gives direction

·         1 Peter 2:9

·         Ephesians 5:8

§  Attracts attention

·         1 John 1:7

§  Cannot be hidden

·         Isaiah 58:8

·         Unbiased – Prv 29:13

o   “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine…”

Note to Self...

Don't ever leave the most important bag for dinner at the grocery store when you and the husband are starving....only causes severe crankiness and Taco Bell purchases.

Garage Sale

I forgot to take pictures of our garage sale on Saturday but we had a great one! At least I think so... I was able to get rid of our old couches, clean out closets, and make room in our garage. I had a great time spending the day with Lindsay (tartlemondrop) and our friends/her brother & sister in law despite the frigid (50°) temperatures.

Thanks for all of your help!