God is good!

Here we are at little E's due date, post-graduation, and post-family. And E still hasn't decided to leave the safety of her mommy's belly, so I'm still very large. But that's not the point of this post - God has answered so many prayers this week and I have to share.

First, graduation was a total success. All of the factions came together and were civil to each other. My dad was no problem, and he even looked like he wanted to be there. We didn't get to spend a whole lot of time together, and I think he was sad that he didn't get to meet his granddaughter, but overall it was OK. He ended up sitting in the one seat at graduation I didn't want him to have - the one right next to my mother's mother, his former mother-in-law. But even they (who haven't seen each other in years, probably since my wedding seven years ago) got along just fine. My grandma made one slight dig, but if he noticed he brushed it off with grace. Praise God - I was so worried about that. The cookout was a smashing success. Friends, family, and even Ruthless's parents came over, and everyone mixed wonderfully and even seemed to enjoy each other's company!! Thanks be to GOD!

We had a great time with everyone who came. There was a lot of running around, but we did get to spend time with each "faction" individually, which was really nice. And I somehow found a random store of energy to get me through all of that. I was able to chauffeur, tour guide, etc. for eight members of my family with minimal naps, the only side effect being ridiculously swollen feet (I had to wear flip-flops with my tent of a graduation gown). But hey - I made it.

Second, I am so thankful for the peace God has provided. Here I sit, on June 9, the day I was sure I'd be holding my little girl and kissing her sweet face, and I am still puffy and swollen, with a huge belly and killer heartburn, awkward and a bit uncomfortable. And still having Braxton-Hicks contractions like crazy, but none of the real ones. But I am totally, completely OK with that. As of last Tuesday I was not progressing at all (hadn't moved in 2 weeks). But it's fine with me. I can honestly say that I really do want her here at God's appointed time, even if that's another week and a half away. It seems like forever, but I'm feeling really good and in the last few days I've been graciously granted an oversize helping of peace with this pregnancy. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited to meet my baby - I dream about her every night, and wonder every few hours if today's the day, but the point is, I know it's fine if today is not the day. I know I'll meet her soon enough, and I'm just trying to enjoy the last few moments of feeling her move inside me, and having energy, and being a family of two.

So, thanks for your prayers. It means a lot to me to know that I have friends out there looking out for my spiritual well-being, and caring so much for me and little E. One of the things that makes me most excited about having this little girl is introducing her to her "family." I guess now the prayer request is for a healthy baby, and easy (or at least relatively uneventful) labor and delivery when the time comes!