Curve balls

So, sometimes things aren't all sunshine and smiles...   although I think we have had way more sunny days...   it's the cloudy days that really test our strength.  I don't usually blog about the tough stuff.  Mostly because I'd rather forget about it or just try and focus on the positive going on with us.  And now it's time to purge and get honest.   

The past year has thrown us some curve balls.  A few of those curve balls ended up being blessings in disguise and others have just been character builders. 

Character Builder:                                                     
my (step) dad's health and heartbreaking disease
Blessing:
my (step) dad and I became really close and I learned the kind of support I need from the people around me to get through each day understanding his disease.  This is constantly on my heart and it has been a life changer in our family. 

Character Builder:
my FIL had a serious surgery that ended up completely fine in the end....   but it really was hard on my hubby.  he was scared for his dad.
Blessing:
my hubby and his dad truly make an effort every few days to see/talk to each other.  they have made the most of their father/son weekly golf games and we try to have dinner with as much as possible. 

Character Builder:
we had to re-evaluate some relationships with family/friendships because of some unacceptable behavior and an event that occurred in our home by trusted friends without our knowledge. 
Blessing: 
it's been truly one of the hardest things to distance ourselves from some people but due to childhood I just can not condone certain things in my life or dysfunction.  don't get me wrong..we all have our weaknesses and area's to work on...but for the family we are making, we never want our little girl to feel or experience certain situations.  we also started attending bible study during this time and the Lord put some amazingly supportive couples in our lives at the exact moment we needed it.  they have been there through my "dad"/family struggles, health problems, new pregnancy, along with many other praises.

Character Builder:
seeing an acupuncturist, specialist, and "charting" religiously to get this baby here.  I'm sure some of you know the consuming stress this can bring.
Blessing:
baby H will be here in March...   AHHH...    that's right around the corner!

Character Builder:
Failing my glucose tests and being diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  whew...I had so much anxiety and frustration when I found out about this.  we had to cancel our "babymoon" to Puerto Vallarta to manage my levels and learn the ropes of GD. 
Blessing:
i feel like a pro...we have learned so much about this disease (and no......  it's NOT due to what I was/wasn't eating during this pregnancy or if someone was gaining too much weight.)  we were uneducated about the disease at one time too.  but I am so thankful that we have the technology to discover these issues early and manage them.  it just goes to show how much greater this baby is than any of the petty little drama or minuscule "1st world problems" that we all (including me) complain about.  perspective is such a great motivator.  i am so blessed by the support we have had during this process.  it's not easy to test my blood at the same exact 4 times a day, count every carbohydrate and balance it with the rest of the daily numbers, eat the exact amount of calories given to me each day, eating between certain time windows, and charting it all out........   but it's also not the end of the world.  it has to be done....  and I'm going to do it with a cheery (most of the time) face.  but I do need support and help from others at times to manage it all.   anything for this little girl...    in the long run I only have several more weeks of this ... for a lifetime of miracles with our baby girl.  totally worth it.  It's hard to complain when I know people have to deal with this every day for their whole life and my disease will go away the second I deliver.

Each of these events would probably be more manageable when dealing with them one at a time...these were all on our "plate" at the same time and it was so overwhelming for me.  I am truly blessed to have my husband.  He is so rational when I might be overreacting or stressed....  he really has lead us to where we are now...he wanted us to re-evaluate what was most important to our life path.  Thank you Lord....   you knew exactly what I needed.