Seven | Food (day 31)

Well, here we are. Our last day of our first month of Seven. Our perceptives on food have definitely been altered! In the past few days Casey and I have talked through some of the changes we've noticed in ourselves over the past month. I wish I could say they were more drastic and that we'd never again take what we have for granted, or complain, or waste another bite of food. I'm sure all that will not be the case. But what we have noticed is how thankful we've felt for the food that we have... I've been so happy and grateful that those seven foods can combine to make some incredibly tasty items. There's something so refreshing about not having every option available to us. It really makes you grateful! I don't know for sure, but I suspect that I will be less likely to stress over every meal being just perfect and having all the right ingredients. I've become pretty dang resourceful over the past month and I hope that continues.. using what we have and making something delicious out of it. That should help a lot with keeping food from going to waste as well.

But honestly, what I've noticed more than anything is how far my heart is from where it ought to be. I've been irritable and grouchy with my family and friends, impatient with my children, and I've really come to the end of myself in "fixing" those problems. Daily, I have to beg Jesus to work in my heart and change me... to help me get through the day loving those around me. I'm constantly at war with myself, fighting against my self-centered and prideful heart...really hating what I see in myself. Most days I feel pretty overwhelmed in this spiritual battle. Most mornings I find myself failing at loving my family before breakfast is even on the table. But as I continue to fail over and over throughout the day, He reminds me that He's there. He knew I'd be this way. He's not surprised by my sin and He's not finished with me yet. And best of all, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor 5:21) Oh, what happy news that is to me!

It's funny thinking of today being our last day in this limited diet. It's pretty awesome timing, if you ask me, because yesterday and today are the first days I've been nauseous in this pregnancy (which, by the way, is still kind of a secret, I guess. I know that makes very little sense since I am publicly writing about it. I don't plan on many people reading this, so I figure what the heck, I may as well speak freely on here. It helps me. But I'm not ready to annouce it to everyone, say, on facebook just yet)... and I'm getting to the point where it's sometimes hard to think of something that sounds tasty to eat. And I'm pretty sure that if and when this turns into regular old pregnancy nausea, black beans and spinach would start getting old in a hurry. As far as little baby goes, my HCG numbers came back looking great last week and I'm scheduled for ultrasounds both this Friday and next. Even if everything is normal this time around, we probably won't be able to get a heartbeat until next Friday, when I'll be almost 7 weeks.

Which brings me to the next topic: Seven Month Two! I've gotten all my little articles of clothing ready, and each are stretchy and cozy to make room for some possible growth and, if nothing else, some nausea and that feeling of not wanting anything pressing on the tummy. I had a hard time deciding whether to include a swimsuit, but ultimately decided it wasn't worth wasting an item. And most of the time at the pool I sit on the steps playing with Bennett anyway, so I'll just wear a top and shorts. Here's what I chose:

-my Redeemer softball t-shirt from a few years ago (very cozy and loose)
-a stretchy black pair of workout shorts that are oh so comfy
-a red v-neck slub cotton t-shirt that can be casual or slightly dressy
-a stretchy black skirt from Target
-a navy blue slub cotton elbow length sleeve cotton tshirt.. also could be kinda dressy
-a pair of (don't laugh) maternity jeans that are a size smaller than I'd normally wear, so they fit like regular jeans right now except are cozy in the waist
-a long, loose racerback workout top

Another hard choice was the shoes. We had to pick two pairs. Obviously I had to choose running shoes (don't worry though, I'm not running for at least another month or two), and I was torn between red sandals and reef flip flops. I chose the sandals and I hope it proves to be the right choice! I just wanted a way to have a slightly dressy outfit, and they match my red shirt so perfectly.. I couldn't resist :)

And now, a picture to sum up our first month. I bought this 3-liter jug of olive oil at Sam's towards the end of week 1. Not sure how we managed to guzzle the whole bottle, but we did. I hope it's as good for you as they say!