Late Nights

 4 a.m. Muffin Baking

It's 4 a.m., and I'm sitting here on the sofa cuddled in hubby's sweatshirt, having just pulled blueberry muffins out of the oven since I can't seem to sleep.  Part of that has to do with our ridiculous schedule which is usually a night schedule but includes 3 days a month of normal day hours, and this would be one of those "normal" days.  Mr. Glass works full time and is also in school full time, pursuing an Executive MBA.  He amazes me continually!!  In an effort to support him, I am determined to keep the exact hours he does, to be there at the door no matter what time he gets home, to crawl in bed next to him, and to see him off every "morning." Technically, I should be in bed now but my poor pregnant body is confused and certainly doesn't adapt to rapid schedule switching as quickly as my pre-baby state.  Sometimes he isn't even home from work at 4 a.m., and we have pretty much one day to switch between a work night and a class day when they roll around.  On class Saturdays he gets up at 6am, goes to class until 5pm, and then heads straight into work, where he doesn't get off until 6am.  Again, he amazes me.  Thank goodness those 3 days of classes are only once a month!!!  He's been encouraging me to just sleep whenever I can, but I know how much it means to him that I'm up when he's up.

The other reason I can't sleep is that growing little boy in my tummy!  He's been wreaking havoc on my back and ribs, making it utterly impossible for me to find a comfortable position.  The past few nights the only way to take the edge off the discomfort enough to doze off has been to sleep in a semi-reclined sitting up position.  Dexter, our oldest (terminally ill) cat and the only one, due to his illness, with an all-access pass into the bedroom which we keep closed off to the other cats, has been so sweet to me at night.  He sleeps up on my chest in my arms with his head tucked under my chin.  When I get up in the middle of the night, as all pregnant women are prone to do, he goes out of the bedroom with me, sits and waits in the hall until I'm headed back to the bedroom, and snuggles himself in next to me as soon as I get settled.  Without fail.   He's pulled me back from the verge of tears many uncomfortable nights, and it is a true blessing from God that he is still around for me during this time given his kidney failure.  I'm (only) 27 weeks and have resigned myself to this discomfort through the end, but I must confess I'm nervous as to how much worse it could possibly get.

As for why I'm on here right now, it is to say thank you.  Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with a husband who works so hard for our family, navigates such a stressful schedule without complaining, somehow manages to find time to always be there for me, and trusts in You through all the garbage he endures at work.   Thank you for his job, as much as I struggle with why You are allowing him to suffer there, because You provide us with shelter and money for bills through this job, we have insurance, and because I firmly believe You are preparing Mr. Glass for something greater through these experiences.  Thank you for making the path to and through school clear, and for the opportunities You have waiting for Mr. Glass on the other side of school.  Thank you also, Lord, for Dexter.  It is abundantly clear to me that Your hand is extending his life, and I am grateful every day that You have allowed him to be there for me during my pregnancy.  And thank you, Lord, for giving me the opportunity to sacrifice my body and own personal comfort for this little life who is kicking me in all sorts of places.  Thank you for the pain in my back and my ribs because I know it is part of how You have perfectly designed my body to adjust and accommodate my son.   Thank you for the swift now-uncomfortable kicks he's been busy performing, because I know he is growing and healthy and strong. 

Thank you, Father, for all of these uncomfortable blessings.