A much needed update

I'm alive... baby is good... still counseling... busy, busy, busy and yet feel like I'm getting nothing done!!

I'm alive and actually feeling pretty good! I'm not sleeping quite as well at night as I'm adjusting to sleeping on my side instead of my back, so I have tired days, but for the most part, my energy level is back to normal! I haven't felt nausious in a good two weeks, although do still gag about once a day, either from brushing my teeth, or seeing/smelling something nasty. Also, my waist is expanding which leaves my clothes tight and my back a little sore, but I see those as a good sign!

Baby Strotz is 17 weeks (technically 15, but I am 17 weeks along!), somewhere between 4-1/2 and 6 inches (depending on what book you read), and in the beginning of a HUGE growth spirt (so I've been warned). He/she's not kicking hard enough for me to feel yet, but should be gaining the strength to start getting my attention in the next few weeks. And I'm excited for THAT! Also, the countdown is on... 20 days until we find out who's in there! If I knew how to do a poll, I would, but since I don't, humor me and leave a comment of who YOU think is in there! If you want some tips... Rich's dad did the pencil trick and KNOWS it's a boy... I have a crazy feeling it's a girl... so let me know, what do you think?!?!

I haven't given a counseling update in far too long... so you might be surprised to know that I'm HALF way through the supervised counseling portion of the certification process! I'm super excited to be done with that, and also freaked to try and do it on my own! I value the wisdom and support of my supervisor SO much. He has been such a blessing to the process! I will also be honest and ask that you pray for me in this area. I have enough practice under my belt that I know what my weaknesses are, but feel the only way to overcome them is by practice, which means very slowly. I've also realized that counseling is a great way to exhale, but not a good source for inhaling!!! (Sorry if you don't go to my church and have no idea what that means!) I really need to focus on making sure I'm spending enough time with God on my own, so that I'm pumped up enough to be able to exhale His Word to my counselees.

And like I noted above, I've been busy, busy, busy, but feel like nothing is getting done!! Please don't come over to my house unless you're prepared to see something similar to a war zone, or you're coming to lend a helping hand! I think I'm "nesting", so I notice everything that I want done... like every single droor/closet/cupboard gone through and organized, and yet I haven't had any time to do it! So frustrating!! I think I'm going to have to start scheduling these cleaning days in my calendar so I will start feeling like things are being accomplished!