Fireman Dad by Betsy St. Amant

I was fortunate enough to have the chance to read an advance copy of a book by a Christian writer that I happen to know from childhood…It was AWESOME! I can't believe I know this girl--she's fabulous. I  really enjoy reading Christian books and one of my favorite authors is Karen Kingsbury. I happen to think that Betsy St. Amant is every bit as good of a writer and able to paint an incredible story with her words.  I can't wait to read more of her work! Here is my review/summary that I posted on Barnes and Noble's website.  I hope you get a chance to read it too.
Betsy St. Amant paints the story of love-hungry, conflicted, and hurting Marissa Hawthorne. Marissa is a mother of a young son, widow of a fire-fighting husband, and daughter of the Fire Chief.  She has plenty of experience with the difficulties and hardship involved in a life revolving around fighting fires and she has promised herself that she will not allow her young son to experience any more of that type of pain. Unfortunately for Marissa, her plan becomes more difficult when handsome Jacob Greene offers to help change her flat tire.  When Marissa discovers that Jacob is a fire-fighter, she gives him the cold shoulder. Jacob doesn't want to take no for an answer, until he finds out that Marissa's father is his boss, and the last guy who talked about her in the firehouse got transferred out of state.  The attraction they feel toward each other is undeniable, but will Jacob risk it all to try and win Marissa's affection?  Will Marissa allow Jacob to get close to her with her young, impressionable son in the mix? The writing makes you feel the conflict of each character, and the desperation of wanting the love story to have a happy ending. I appreciated a story of love that didn't have any raunchy love scenes, but instead showed characters with good values and learning lessons about the definition of real love. I read this book in two days, couldn't put it down.  I look forward to reading more by St. Amant and would recommend this book, as well as her others, to adults and teens without fear.

Let them eat cake!!

Thanks to all for the prayers…I passed the glucose test and I can eat as I please…Everything was great including my iron and hemoglobin levels so that means I have actually been doing pretty well with my diet. Weight gain is good still and I am feeling good. The sole exception is a terrible bout of heartburn/indigestion and an internal beating from Eli's kicking last night after eating an especially rich meal at a restaurant. But I am good again this morning!

I noticed something this week---(I love being pregnant) People are really nice to pregnant women.  They open doors, say HI to you, offer to help you carry things, smile and ask about your baby and how you feel.  It's nice---I really want to meet and hold Eli but I love being pregnant-I love this tummy and I actually and starting to feel less bloated and more cute in my little preggo clothes.  I got some new stuff to wear to work and I am really enjoying myself.

Third Trimester

I am so happy and relieved to say that I have made it to the BIG 3….third trimester. It feels good. We are in the double digits of days left until due date!  I suddenly feel huge and baby Eli is kicking up a storm now.
Last week I had another doctor's appointment and my stomach is measuring just right, my weight gain is right on ( I was pretty close with my guess-a total of 14 lbs.) and that little heart is beating away. He kicked the doppler probe several times while she tried to check it…just really swimming around in there! One piece of bad news is that I failed my initial glucose screening so I have to go back this week for round 2--the three hour tour (set to Gilligan's Island theme song tune).  It is not going to be a fun time but I just plan on going and relaxing, reading, and making the most of it.  I really don't want to find out that I have it because it will mean I am high risk and might have to deliver early, not to mention diet restrictions and what it means for me later in life (a higher chance of having type II DM) and what goes along with that.  If you think about it say a little prayer for us on Friday, that's when I think I will be able to retake it, and our results.