One month to go!

I saw this shot in a magazine and wanted to recreate it with my belly... it doesn't seem as magical as I remembered, but it's still kind of cool.
This week is #35 for us, and I'm starting to feel the "weight" of being pregnant. School is hectic and I'm getting tired, so I'll be ok if she decided to come a little early...
We had the shower this weekend from girls at church and I loved it. It was so encouraging and prayerful. It makes me realize how dependent I'll be on God and his grace to endure whatever comes into our new lives. I felt like I couldn't be more surrounded by other mothers.

party cupcake

We went to a birthday party this afternoon, but left before the cake was served (and right after the life-sized Elmo made an appearance) so we stopped by Lowe's Foods and Barak bought me this! Yes, it was as good as it looks and he let me have it all to myself. I didn't have to share :)

Other fabulous things Barak has done for me recently:
- started "French Toast Friday"...self explanatory!
- asked me how my day was and also gave me great conversation about his
- made me the best lunch today - baked potato with ground chicken, taco sauce, melted cheese, and sour cream
- showed/faked excitement when our stroller/car seat came in the mail and brought it upstairs for me
- let me spend 2 hours online catching up with Flash Forward on Hulu just so I could spend another hour watching the April 29 episode in real time
- got me a Kashi frozen pizza for dinner
- walked around the neighborhood with me three times this week
- went with me happily to the previously mentioned birthday party - a party where he knew no one... it was my teaching partner's daughter's 1st birthday
- watered our flowers
- told me he loves me a million times

Basically, he's the best. My pregnancy has been great, partly because I haven't been sick or seem to have any of the annoying typical side effects, and partly (mostly) because he's been awesome and sensitive, and over the top with his affection.

Here it is...

... the post you've all been waiting for. I seem to have a small fan base, all of whom keep asking for me to post something new on this here blog. I was browsing this afternoon since it's Spring Break and I have a lot of free time, and re-found my blog. It's been 8 or 9 months since I've posted!
So,

I had my first baby shower Saturday and I loved it. Delane had great snacks and tons of people came. I forget how big that family is until they all get together and it's overwhelming how many people are there, and then you realize it's only half of them... They're all so loving and funny and great to be around. I really wish that my used-to-be immediate family could be friends with them. You guys would love them.
This picture was taken before the shower started (it's on facebook). After the shower, we had so much stuff, we could barely stuff it into our rental car.

And... I can't WAIT for mom to get here on Friday! It's been way too long since we've seen each other.

Free things are always fun for me. It doesn't matter if it's coffee at a drugstore or lotion samples in the mall - I love them. I think one major reason I love them is because of their size. Free stuff usually comes in "cute" size. For instance, McDonald's had a promotion Monday giving away free mochas. This was the best free stuff I had gotten in a long time because I didn't even KNOW about it until I got there.
Barak and I are hardly frequents of McD's (not going out to eat much makes us picky when we do), but we were wanting a place to sit and read while my car had some routine work done. We were a little tired of the usual spots, so when we saw the golden arches, we were eerily drawn in. Barak grabbed a seat while I went up to order a regular coffee with splenda. However, instead of the sweet girl behind the counter asking, "Is that all?" I get a chipper, "Would you like a free mocha with that?"
Would I?!
I gave her an enthusiastic, "Of course!" and she then gave me a CHOICE. I could choose between iced or hot, whipped cream or no, and syrup on top! There's no need for me to tell you my answer to all of the above.
The best part was, it was cute-size. Why don't they (all eating establishments) have free-sample-size available on a regular basis? Presentation was everything... It came to me in a clear cup, a little smaller than a kid's frosty at Wendy's. I could see other hot ones being delivered out the drive-through in the same sized insulated version.
Eyes wide, I made my way back to the table, and told Barak all about it. He was definitly happy I was happy, but didn't share in the excitement. I assume boys don't understand or appreciate the same cute stuff I think most girls do.
Barak read his Dostoyevsky and I read my Austin and my free, cute-sized mocha joined us through our delightful McCafe experience.

Moral of the story: Barak is the most amazing man ever for taking me to McDonald's AND getting my car what it needs to keep me safe :)

the economy

It's what everyone is talking about. Everyone is affected by it. I have friends in the medical and education field who are telling me they may not have jobs next year because of it. Doctors, nurses, and teachers - the fundamental positions in our society...

I have this theory that the state of our country wouldn't be in this mess if we as individual people had followed a simple "rule" to begin with. My Dad instilled it into us growing up, and my husband (Barak the Great) has reiterated and enforced it in our home.

Don't spend money you don't have and give wisely what you do have.

Doing everything possible to stay out of debt (from an individual or company) gives you freedom to do the things you want to do and should do.
This has been lived out in how many pairs of shoes I buy (this number changes, depending who you talk to - Barak seems to think 3 is plenty, I know 20 is conservative.) only half of my collection is shown below...

to what car we drive. If you don't know or can't tell from the picture, we have a 92 Camery with faded hood and roof. Let's just say it's a good thing Barak knows his way around a car engine.

All so we can give to organizations worth supporting and individuals in need - Not so we can just be cheap and frugel for frugel's sake.

I was a little scared when I received the letter from my school district stating that I cannot be guaranteed, at this point, a job next year. My job in limbo was frightening, but only for about 3 seconds.

Who has brought me this far? Has Gaston County Schools provided me my life, food, and shelter? Our God has always been my provider and is faithful to continue! It's easy to forget, though I'm not sure why. I let emotional people lead me into irrational emotional states.

This hope has given me the ability to stay positive (another saying in the Cutrer household) no matter my situation and circumstances. I can play with my puppy and laugh with my husband.

No aching of dread has stoped me from enjoying our God through this uncertain time. He remains constant and my Portion.

nothing new

Since I only have one week left with students, my life kind of feels like it's going into coast - for a little bit, anyway.
So, I don't have huge ideas to share or ground breaking events shattering my existence.

mediocre happenings in the West household:
Barak and I are getting our puppy this Sunday. The picture is an updated one from the first post. We decided to call it Charlie. It has a little mustache like Charlie Chaplain. We might even call it Chuck when it gets older. Isn't he adorable? Yes, we think so, too.

Last weekend Barak and I joined a few other MC friends to celebrate Erica's marriage... again. She was married in December in Nicaragua, and now held her family's American ceremony in Virginia. It was beautiful. We even saw some old friends like Jimmy (as in gourd) and his wife and Byron and his family. I posted a picture of Byron dancing with one of his beautiful daughters. Dancing - wow, THAT hasn't happened in a long time for me. Warming up to some Jackson 5 and keepin it real with Love Shack brought back some crazy college memories of Leah showing us the "bomb" dance. I think I even pulled out some "ketchup" a time or two.