My husband sent me this video in a Facebook message the other day and just said... "I love you." It made me cry.

So blessed and thankful that this is our life right now. :)

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Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 30 weeks, 2 days Size of baby: size of a cabbage, weighing almost 3lbs now! Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 20lbs. Definitely doing better on the weight gain this time around. Not really sure what I'm doing differently (in fact, I felt like I went to the gym and worked out more while pregnant with Micah) but I'm thankful. I still have a couple months to go though... Maternity Clothes: Yes, yes, yes! Some things I love: maternity leggings, jeans and tank tops (didn't even know they made them, but SO comfy! and great to wear under tops to help cover up the "area" that keeps growing and growing and... you get my drift?) I still wear some non-maternity stuff in bigger sizes, but it definitely fits awkwardly. Gender: GIRL! Still can't believe I'm having a girl sometimes... :) Movement: Sweet little Hannah Leigh is taking up quite a bit of space. I can definitely tell she is growing. If I push in certain areas I can feel her feet and limbs! It's amazing (and freaks Josh out!)  She has had the hiccups a lot lately too, just like her brother. ;) Sleep: I am waking up more in the middle of the night, not to pee, but to roll over. I am super paranoid about sleeping on my back, because of what I've read about the blood flow being cut off to the baby. And last night I think I woke up three times laying FLAT on my back and immediately turned over. Oh, how this belly is getting heavier to shift around! Haha. Cravings: Nothing yet! I know I said I had a sweet tooth, but that seems to have passed (or could have just been attributed to all the Thanksgiving/Christmas goodies lying around!) Symptoms: Big belly. ;) Best Moment this week: Getting to hear Micah say "Hannah" and give my baby belly a hug! So sweet. :)

//previous updates on baby Hannah: 27 weeks21 weeks 18 weeks14 weeks

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I gotta be honest... 30 weeks is a strange place to be in pregnancy. It feels like a huge milestone, like you're almost to the finish line because you've reached the "thirties" and people now begin to comment on how "HUGE" you're getting (gotta love it!) But then you look at the calendar and see you still have 2.5 more months or 10 weeks or 70 days to go. However you count it, all of it sounds longer than you FEEL you have left. At least that's the case for me.

I remember with Micah that this is when time started to slow down. Although time has been going so fast this pregnancy, slow will probably feel more normal. We still have lots to do to prepare for her arrival. It could be the case of the second child, but I feel like I was so stressed about having everything perfect and ready for Micah - then he came, and we held him almost 20 hours of the day and he didn't even sleep in his nice, decorated nursery until he was about 2 months old (and that was only for naps!) I learned diapers, wipes, clothes and blankets are the necessities for a newborn.

I may be more laid-back this time, but I'm still as excited as if it were my first! Because, this is my first girl. Despite knowing she probably won't sleep in it for a couple months, I have been working on her nursery. And decorating cute and frilly for a little girl has been fun! I am going with a yellow & white theme. I will be sure to take pictures and post them as soon as it is done (you could be waiting til March for that post!)

More than anything, I am ready to see how life will change with two children. I feel like I am just now getting a good routine going with Micah. But isn't that the beauty of life? Never getting comfortable. Always depending on the Lord for our strength. I feel so blessed to be where I am right now in this moment - a mom to an active 16 month old and 30 weeks pregnant with our baby girl.

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We started a small group last night. Five couples, just getting to know each other and hoping to develop a sense of community that encourages spiritual growth in our families and personal lives. I am excited, because doing life with people outside of the church building is something Josh and I feel passionate about. Because, that's when you truly get to know people.

I've been thinking a lot lately about what it takes to develop true friendships. Especially because I think as we get older, we tend to get a bit more cynical about relationships in general. We've been hurt, we've been betrayed, we've seen friends come and go in our lives... and sometimes it's easy for us to think that all of it is too much work. Family becomes all we need. Because family never leaves. 

But, what if there was a way to make friends who become like family?

I think the answer could be hidden in our imperfections.

We all have them. Yet some of us do a better job than others at disguising them. And you know, I think that's where the problem lies. Because honestly, who feels comfortable around someone who never seems to miss a beat and is always on their "A-game?"

I know I don't.

If you were to come stay at my house for a week, you would learn that I frequently leave dirty dishes in the sink. For days even. You would learn that Cheerios are a part of our bedroom decor, and I probably should throw away the half-eaten banana from my nightstand. You would also learn a lot about my sharp-tongue when I feel anxious or stressed. I'm far from a model housewife.

But you know what? The people who love me the most, know me the best. And none of the above would surprise them.

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My husband has seen every part of my character, good and bad, and still looks me in the eyes and tells me he loves me with all of his heart. The friends who have stayed at our house for several days at a time (even one lived with us for an entire summer) are the brothers and sisters in Christ who pray for us, encourage us and treat us like family.

I find it ironic that the people we spend a lot of time trying to impress, usually never end up being our dearest and best. 

And it makes sense. Because it's ex-haust-ing always having to make sure you say and do the right thing.

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So here's my encouragement for you... don't. Don't try to say and do the right thing all. the. time.

Instead... - Say something stupid and then apologize for coming across wrong. - Forget a friend's birthday and then make it up to them by celebrating a few days late. - Invite someone over for dinner and don't be afraid to make a frozen pizza.

Because in my family, that's how we love.

It's not picture-perfect, and it's not always easy. But it's real. And it's genuine.

And those are the qualities that turn friends into family.