Thursday, August 31, 2006

Two in one day.

I know most people (including myself) don't post twice in one day, much less twice within an hour. But this post is simply to update you on Kristine and the baby, so it should be short.

Kristine's appointment was yesterday, and she received good news and not-so-good, but can be improved news. The good news: the baby is growing as it should and is healthy. The heartbeat is strong, as we heard through the doctor's thing-a-majig. The not-so-good new: Kristine lost weight again, this time two lbs., since our last visit. The doc informed her that he wants her to ever be eating or drinking something, even if nothing sounds appealing. As long as she keeps some food down, the baby will get the nutrition it needs and the mommy will still have what she needs to live on. Hopefully, she will get past the sickness within the next week. In fact, tomorrow marks the end of the first trimester.

That's it for now. As always, stay tuned.

The blessing of in-laws.

People are always hearing or telling about the annoying or frustrating things they have to put up with concerning their in-laws. "My wife's parents do this", or "my brother-in-law did that" always seem to end in how one wishes his or her in-laws would change, or be different. It's become a stereotype. In-law jokes are always a popular thing when looking for a good laugh. Why is that? Shouldn't someone cherish the in-laws he has? After all, you are the one who chose them by marrying their child. All that to introduce this: I love my in-laws, and it's quite obvious that they return the love.

This past weekend (and Monday), my in-laws came to visit us. More specifically, Kristine. After hearing about her ER visit, her family decided it was time for a much needed visit, simply to encourage and support us through this bittersweet time of our pregnancy. Kristine has been sick of late, and Friday, August 25, I rushed her to the emergency room by order of her OB-GYN's nurse. While there, they hooked her to an IV to get some fluid in her because she was dehydrated. After spending a little more than four hours there, they released her, but not before informing us that she had a UTI-- urinary tract infection. She was given a work release until Tuesday, August 29. Enter in-laws.

Saturday morning, without any warning whatsoever, Kristine's mom called saying they were on their way. She and Kristine's dad and brother were making an impromptu trip to see us. I started cleaning as much as I could without raising any questions. They called once they arrived, and I redirected them to a neighbor's apt. where we were hanging out. They walked through the doorway and, out of shock and surprise, Kristine was speechless. She was ecstatic to see them.

They stayed the entire weekend, helping around the house with chores and such. Dishes were done, laundry was getting caught up, rooms were getting rearranged. Her parents were generous enough to purchase a baby furniture set for Kristine's birthday, which contained a changing table, a bed, and a dresser. It didn't end there. Her mom, brother, and I started moving things in the guest room to make it the baby room. As we were doing so, her dad put the furniture together. The room looks amazing, as does the furniture. What a blessing!

Every person has his or her pet peeves, as well as his or her own annoying habits. But we get past it. Why does it stick when it's our in-laws? Who knows? But one thing's for sure about my in-laws. They're one of God's blessings to me. Thanks Mike, Shawn, and David. I love you all.

Stay tuned.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Back to school, back to school....

Well, school officially started Tuesday. I was not extremely thrilled to go back, but hopefully I'll get back in the groove of things pretty quick. Kristine is still in nauseau mode, and we have another appointment on Wednesday (Aug. 30). Hopefully it will be good news again. I also hope she'll be feeling much better next week. Well, that's all I've got. I actually need to get on to some school work. Stay tuned.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Three lbs. down, many more to go.

Kristine registered a three lbs. gain at the doctors office on Wednesday after a twelve lbs. loss at our previous appointment. The doctor was thrilled. Therefore, much to our joy, Kristine will not be going into the hospital. The doc did say he wanted to continue monitering her weight, so instead of one month visits we will have twice a month visits. She seems to be doing better lately, without the vomiting and less nausea. There will be a picture added on the website under "photopictures" and "baby pics". Oh, and as far as the gaining weight, I think we can manage. Till next time, stay tuned.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

"It's only a day away."

Not even that, now. At 10:10 a.m. tomorrow, Kristine and I will be waiting for the doctor to call us into a small, almost claustrophobic room. And I'm a bit nervous. Kristine hasn't really gained much weight (if any), but I don't think she's lost any either. I'm just really anxious to see what the doc has to say. Hopefully he'll have good news. Continue to keep us in your prayers, and by us I really mean Kristine and the baby. That's it. Shorter than usual, I know. But you know what to do....stay tuned.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Dear Mr. Dave Gregg,

To better understand this entry, check the comments in "Baby Got Back".

I am sorry for neglecting to make a link to your website. I will immediately correct the situation. Anyone who cares to visit my website (jkwoodring.com) will be able to find a link to your website in the "links" section. As far as for Kristine, she seems to be showing improvement. She's kept food down much better recently and has also been eating more lately than she's been able to eat in about two weeks. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Please continue to do so, and stay updated with news on the baby and us by staying tuned.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Baby Got Back...

...and front, feet, face, etc. Here's the latest pic of "Baby" Woodring.

Also, we got to hear the heartbeat. It was amazing. As you can see, the baby is starting to look more baby-ish instead of blobish. The downside to our visit to the doctor today was that Kristine lost 12 lbs. since her last visit. The doc wasn't too pleased with that, telling us that Kristine needed to be eating as much as she can possibly keep down and not to worry about nutrition, but that the baby needs calories. We go back in a week and, if there is no improvement, she may have to be admitted into the hospital, so pray for her. She did get some medicine to help control the nausea, so we're hoping that will work. As far as the baby is concerned, it's healthy, which apparently is the main reason Kristine is so sick. That's it for now. Again, keep us in your prayers and, as always, stay tuned.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Something to blog about: A tribute.

I have absolutely nothing to blog about that I haven't already blogged before. Kristine is still getting sick due to growing a baby, I'm still jobless, and school has yet to start. However, because of my frustration with the lack of updated material on blogs and having to read the same thing over and over until the blog author decides to write again a month and a half later, I feel obligated to write. I wouldn't want to be one of those people I get annoyed with due to that. Anywho, one thing I can say (or write) is Kristine FINALLY got a checkup on her eyes, acquiring some new contacts and expecting a new pair of glasses by next week. Apart from that, nothing new. Our neighbors are our neighbors, our friends and family are doing well (as far as we know), and God is just as good as He's always been and always will be. With all about nothing said, I continue on to write a tribute. Here goes nothin'....

I met her on August 17th in 2001. Oddly, I didn't say a word to her the whole day. I constantly tried getting close to her, but never knew what I would've said if I had gotten the chance to talk to her. It was awkward that entire evening.

The following day was a fresh start. However, I again couldn't seem to say anything to break the ice. What was wrong! I never had had this much trouble talking to someone, much less a girl! Since I couldn't seem to do or say anything, Kristine did the work. "Can I draw a cloud on you?" What kinda question is that? A flirty one. I didn't get it. We all piled on a couple of vans to head to a concert and, as I got on the van, she climbed on and sat next to me. It was a marvelous ride. We talked and continued to get to know each other the whole time. As we arrived at the massive outdoor concert, we received our tickets and, subconciously brushing her hand on the way to our seating area, walked and talked with Kristine the whole way. I remember little about the concert, but a lot about the company. The two of us spent the whole time talking and contemplating about the idea of a relationship. The biggest obstacle was the two and a half hour difference between us. We decided before the night was over to give it a shot, leaving it in God's hands and doing our best to make it work.

We continued to date and, two years later, I moved in with Kristine's gandparents as a caretaker for them as well as a potential youth director for Hebron Regular Baptist Church. I never became the youth director, but I did become the teenage class sunday school teacher. Being closer to her made it much easier on our relationship, and we got to better know each other's habits and pet peeves. A little less than a year later, we were wedded. July 17, 2004 was a wonderful milestone in my life. I never want to forget it. We headed off for Arkansas, which would later become our state of residence.

Two years later, we're still residing in Arkansas where I'm attending seminary. Our marriage is strong, God-centered. Our relationship grows, bringing us closer every day. She is, as I found out five years ago, the love of my life. She always will be. I know she's nothing less than a gift from God. Speaking of which, God has decided to give us another gift, one that Kristine is graciously accepting, along with all that comes with it. Yes, it has been trying, but the outcome will be absolutely amazing. Come early to mid March, I may be writing another tribute. But for now, I say four very important and sincere words to my greatest friend:

I love you, Kristine.

Stay tuned.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Where to start. . .

Much has happened in my life since you've last read. Kristine has remained in morning sickness misery, I attended National Camp 2 at Bogg Springs, and now I am trying hard not to stress too much over trying to find a job while also preparing for school to start. A lot was and is happening to say the least. Therefore, let me fill you in.

As I said, Kristine is still not to her cheery ole self quite yet, but hopefully that will soon change. She was prescribed some medicine that, for what it cost, was well worth getting. It was a blessing for her to have, especially since I was at teen camp for the week. This miracle drug worked almost instantly, relieving her of her nauseating pain for a while. However, she only has about three tablets left, and she really wants to wean herself off of it so she can go on living without having to worry about taking a pill every day just to feel better. I try my best to be there for her and do what I can, but sometimes it doesn't seem to be enough. I hate seeing her so miserable, and I can't wait for this part of the pregnancy to end. I'm anxious to see her GAIN weight instead of lose it. She'll be adorable with a bubble-belly! Please pray for her.

As far as camp, the biggest letdown was the absence of my closest companion. Aside from that, camp was an absolute blast, as well as a big success. More than thirteen people were saved, which means thirteen more people get to know what Jesus is all about and will someday meet Him. That is better than frawesome! The theme for the week was embrace, and the idea was for people to embrace Christ, let Him embrace you, and find out what satisfaction really is. We are to embrace Him as the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other way. There is no other truth(s). There is no other life. Jesus is it. I think the message was clear. I definitely needed the time away from the reality of the world to focus more on the reality of Him. Needless to say, I had a blast. According to the students I had for the week, so did they. Pray that the week lives on, and pray for our new found siblings in Christ.

Now, about a job. I HAVE to get a job, and one that pays better than what I've got right now. I've been offered a position to help out with maintenance around the seminary and apartments, but I don't know yet what all it inquires. Nor do I know for how long it will last or how many hours a week I'll be getting. I also have job security at the school where I previously worked, but the hours aren't enough, and quite frankly, neither is the pay (at least not for someone with a wife and expecting a kid). The search is on, but I hate job hunting. I would really love to do what God has given me a desire to do. Anyone who reads this that is looking for or knows someone who is looking for a youth pastor in Arkansas within 20 miles of Little Rock for at least the next two years, please leave a comment, or email me at jwwoodring@hotmail.com, or call me. I would absolutely love to get my feet a bit wetter. I yearn to do this. The longer I go, the more I yearn. God has given me this desire, this call. If you can do nothing else, though, pray for me in my search for a job.

School is about three weeks away. I'm trying not to stress about it, but summer has gone so quickly this year that I kinda dread going back. I'm sure I'll enjoy it, though I've been told many times by many people that the third year is the year of hand cramps, dead trees, and a lot of staring at computer screens while letters and words appear. However, education is important to me, whether I act like it or not. I am ready to move on, though. At least to get deeper into my ministry, even if I don't leave Arkansas. So, as I've finished each topic, pray for me as I enter school this year.

I guess I could have better titled this "Prayer Requests" or something. I do strongly believe in prayer. Talking to God is important to me. Without conversation with Him, what kind of relationship would we have with Him? Anywho, also keep Kristine's family and my family in prayer. They love us and support us, and I want to be able to show that same support, even if it is in simply praying for them. Oh, and when I say family, I do mean David Story and Josh and Erin Allen too. Well, I guess that's it. I figured this would be a long one. Thanks for your patience. And as always, stay tuned.