I was going to come back to blogging with a bang. I wanted to share how God has worked in our family, how He has provided, some huge lessons we've learned. Something life-changing.
But when I tried to type yesterday, the keyboard and the website weren't working together. I gave it a valiant effort, but gave up thinking that God must not have wanted me to share right that moment. I don't know - sometimes my thoughts and words don't match up the way I think they do, and I come cross wrongly. Who knows.
So, I will wait on those "big" blog posts. Maybe next time. Instead, I have a classic Julia story. If you know her at all, you will surely be able to picture her saying this!
This morning, Julia brought me her little pink Bible, as she often does. "Read me John 19:26," she said.
Well, okay. I don't even know if there is a John 19:26. I took the Bible and said I would look for it.
For future reference ... the book of John has 21 chapters, and there are 42 verses in chapter 19 alone. I proceeded to read a bit about Jesus on the cross.
I got to verse 30. "Jesus tasted the vinegar. Then He said, 'It is finished.' He bowed His head and died."
Oh, dear, I thought, here we go. Julia has a fascination with death lately, which has generated some great discussions on salvation, but I wasn't sure I was up for that at an early hour this morning.
She looked at me. "Hmm," she said, shrugging her shoulders, "I guess He ate too much."
Yep. Classic Julia. Theology to follow ... another day.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Friday, November 22, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Samuel's Allergies According to our New Doctor
I've shared before about our ongoing struggles with Samuel and his allergies. Last week, we went to meet our new allergist now that we've moved, and we weren't really sure what to expect.
Even though it is always good to get a second opinion on things, sometimes it's hard to know who is right!
We like our new allergist (who happened to be the asthma/allergy doctor David's sister had when she was young). He is very kind and clearly knowledgeable on things, but between doctor to doctor, everyone just does things a little differently.
Since Samuel tested positive for 13 of his 18 "scratch" tests two years ago, the doctor thought it would be good to re-evaluate and do many of those same tests again. I think it's safe to say the news wasn't "good" or "bad", but basically confirmed a lot of things we already knew.
Peanuts still registered positive, though Samuel has yet to show any sign of a direct reaction to eating peanuts. It seems weird, but we're not taking any chances.
I had pinpointed the pesto reaction he had a few weeks ago not to pine nuts but to cashews, and sure enough, that was his most violent reaction when we tested him.
Dogs, grasses, and trees no longer registered as severe reactions, if at all, but dust mites were right up there with cashews.
Samuel is not old enough or severe enough right now to be classified as having asthma. We will likely test for that at some point in the future but for now are supposed to use the words, "bronchiolitis" and "rhinitis" (which I guess are fancy terms indicating that he sometimes has trouble breathing and something to do with his nose??).
The conclusion from the doctor was that Samuel is a "highly allergic child" who may grow out of some but will likely develop new allergies as he grows older. That means we'll always carry epi pens, inhalers, Benadryl, and prednisone with us and must monitor him carefully for a reaction.
But then again, we know two things. First, God not only already knows our allergy struggles, but He created Samuel to be this way. We will continue to trust that He has a plan for us all through it. And second, Samuel just gets older and more aware of his situation with each day. It is comforting to know that he is finally able to vocalize an oncoming attack and he keeps track of his backpack that contains all his rescue meds.
We are thankful to have a doctor in the area and for modern medicine!
Even though it is always good to get a second opinion on things, sometimes it's hard to know who is right!
We like our new allergist (who happened to be the asthma/allergy doctor David's sister had when she was young). He is very kind and clearly knowledgeable on things, but between doctor to doctor, everyone just does things a little differently.
Since Samuel tested positive for 13 of his 18 "scratch" tests two years ago, the doctor thought it would be good to re-evaluate and do many of those same tests again. I think it's safe to say the news wasn't "good" or "bad", but basically confirmed a lot of things we already knew.
Peanuts still registered positive, though Samuel has yet to show any sign of a direct reaction to eating peanuts. It seems weird, but we're not taking any chances.
I had pinpointed the pesto reaction he had a few weeks ago not to pine nuts but to cashews, and sure enough, that was his most violent reaction when we tested him.
Dogs, grasses, and trees no longer registered as severe reactions, if at all, but dust mites were right up there with cashews.
Samuel is not old enough or severe enough right now to be classified as having asthma. We will likely test for that at some point in the future but for now are supposed to use the words, "bronchiolitis" and "rhinitis" (which I guess are fancy terms indicating that he sometimes has trouble breathing and something to do with his nose??).
The conclusion from the doctor was that Samuel is a "highly allergic child" who may grow out of some but will likely develop new allergies as he grows older. That means we'll always carry epi pens, inhalers, Benadryl, and prednisone with us and must monitor him carefully for a reaction.
But then again, we know two things. First, God not only already knows our allergy struggles, but He created Samuel to be this way. We will continue to trust that He has a plan for us all through it. And second, Samuel just gets older and more aware of his situation with each day. It is comforting to know that he is finally able to vocalize an oncoming attack and he keeps track of his backpack that contains all his rescue meds.
We are thankful to have a doctor in the area and for modern medicine!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
My (unwanted) Self Appointed Award
I'm (finally) back! We got a new computer so I can finally use all my fingers to type - it's a lot easier than trying to write anything from the Kindle Fire.
I'm super excited to start blogging again, but for now, I just have an announcement.
I've officially earned the not-so-prestigious award of Bad Mom of the Month.
I totally wasn't thinking while preparing lunch today. I know Samuel's peanut allergy means we have to be wary of all nuts, because he's susceptible to developing allergies to them as well.
But I still decided to serve pesto.
Even when Samuel told me his tongue was hurting, I made him eat his lunch, and after that when he said his tummy hurt, I thought he might have had a slight reaction to the pine nuts. But that was it.
Three hours later, after dragging him to the store and back (we left early because I thought he was going to throw up from an upset stomach), I finally put my thinking cap back on and checked under his clothes.
I should have caught on much sooner. But I didn't.
He was covered from his feet all the way up to his neck and behind his ears in hives. Poor, sweet boy.
Bad Mom of the Month it is.
I'm bribing him with ice cream and tv during naptime and really hoping the Benadryl kicks in soon so the hives go away. I'm so thankful that this time his asthmatic symptoms didn't follow his itchies!
I'm super excited to start blogging again, but for now, I just have an announcement.
I've officially earned the not-so-prestigious award of Bad Mom of the Month.
I totally wasn't thinking while preparing lunch today. I know Samuel's peanut allergy means we have to be wary of all nuts, because he's susceptible to developing allergies to them as well.
But I still decided to serve pesto.
Even when Samuel told me his tongue was hurting, I made him eat his lunch, and after that when he said his tummy hurt, I thought he might have had a slight reaction to the pine nuts. But that was it.
Three hours later, after dragging him to the store and back (we left early because I thought he was going to throw up from an upset stomach), I finally put my thinking cap back on and checked under his clothes.
I should have caught on much sooner. But I didn't.
He was covered from his feet all the way up to his neck and behind his ears in hives. Poor, sweet boy.
Bad Mom of the Month it is.
I'm bribing him with ice cream and tv during naptime and really hoping the Benadryl kicks in soon so the hives go away. I'm so thankful that this time his asthmatic symptoms didn't follow his itchies!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
A Crafty Post
A few days ago I entered that final two weeks of pregnancy that always keeps me guessing which pain is an indication that the "big event" will happen. I have to say, some days I feel like this baby will arrive any second and other days are filled with panic that I'm not ready.
We've been spending lots of our time lately packing, getting all our Christmas shopping done, and preparing to move. Some days I haven't honestly had much time even to think about going into labor!
But I'm feeling really ready today.
Here's a picture of my sister-in-law and myself that was taken on Thanksgiving Day. "Best" arrived about 12 hours after the picture . . . now we're waiting on "Friends".
I admit, I've been watching my fair share of Christmas movies to pass some of the time before Baby arrives, but I wanted to share something else that kept me busy for a few days.
Here is a very rare craft - Julia's Christmas present!
I started with this "blah" set of Rubbermaid drawers that have been bouncing around our house for way too long. I believe they're about $20 or so new from the store. Then I went to Hobby Lobby and found three coordinating patterns of fabric that also happen to coordinate with a striped fabric I had already purchased for another Julia project. (that one has yet to be done)
I had an almost-full bottle of Mod Podge as well as brushes, so that didn't cost anything either. The only other supplies I needed were scissors, a tape measure, a straight edge ruler, and a pencil.
I continued this for all three drawers, and finally for the top.
All I had to do then was let it dry, which took about 24 hours. I'm pretty excited about these. I hope Julia is, too! Maybe this winter I'll get around to another craft???
Monday, November 19, 2012
Am I Really Thankful?
This morning I woke up before the kids, which hasn't happened for me in over a week (and I do much better when I don't wake up to them yelling for me to come get them up!). I was so glad to have time to drink coffee and do my Bible study for a few minutes. Along with my Bible study, most days I also try to list 5 things for which I'm thankful.
But today when I sat down, I literally thought to myself, "I just don't feel thankful today." I don't know why. I just didn't. But then I took a look around at my cute little home, with my husband curled up in his blanket with his Bible, and picked up my coffee. What is there that I don't have to be thankful for?
It's the week of Thanksgiving, for heaven's sake! I asked God to make me thankful. And He did. So in the tradition of many of my facebook friends who are listing one thing each day, here is my list of 30 things all in one day!
I AM THANKFUL:
1. For the incredible, perfect timing of God in each moment of every day - because it's certainly not what I would plan but it always works out for the best.
2. That we sold our house before the baby comes, so I don't have to worry about keeping it clean afterward.
3. That after we're moved out of our house, I get to take a "break" by living between my in-laws' and my parents' for a while, rather than having to worry about setting up a new house while getting used to the baby.
4. For my husband, who is sweet and sensitive, yet very much a man. He loves me, he loves our children, and he is daily growing to be more like Christ as he leads our home.
5. For my beautiful children, who teach me more than I ever thought each day. They are completely opposite of each other, yet equally lovable.
6. For my third child, who should be here in less than a month (I HOPE!!). She is healthy and strong, and reminds me of that at least every few minutes. (kick . . . turn . . . hiccup . . . kick)
7. That God brought us to Williamsburg when He did so that we could learn and grow as a family and as Christians for the past 5 years.
8. For the two Bible studies I've been in - Ladies Bible study each Wednesday and Young Marrieds Bible study every third weekend. What an encouragement each has been to me!
9. Plain and simple . . . for coffee of all sorts, at any time of the day but especially in the mornings.
10. That this is the week of Thanksgiving, which means 4 days with David home, a wonderful feast with the Larsons on Thursday, Christmas decorating at home on Friday, and goodie making day on Saturday!
11. To have my 3-year-old sitting in the office with me "reading" silently because his sister is still asleep. So precious.
12. That my #1 craving during pregnancy has been ice and not ice cream!
13. That so far, we have had gorgeous weather this fall. What a beautiful season to enjoy with my family!
14. For my two best friends from college, Sarah and Heidi, who are always there for me.
15. For my washing machine - a gift from dear friends at church that makes it much more enjoyable to do laundry during the week.
16. For God's Word and the promises He gives in it.
17. That I live in a modern day where we have electricity, running water, etc. because I'm kind of wimpy and doubt that I'd survive well without lights or a bathroom inside.
18. That David is the "nerd" of the family and is willing to crunch numbers each month so we actually have a budget.
19. For my church family, who just keeps blessing us even though they know we will not be here much longer. No one has said "good riddance" or anything; they keep on loving us!
20. That no matter what happens - who is president, where I am physically, what may be going on in the world - I can trust that nothing happens outside of God's knowledge. He has a perfect ultimate plan for each of us and He definitely wins in the end!
21. That both of my kids are at an age where they say really, really funny things. I'll be even more thankful when I remember to write them down!
22. That after I have the baby I get to be in the hospital for a couple of days. I know some people don't like it but, really? I quite enjoy sitting in that hospital bed where they bring me food and take the baby when I'm tired.
23. For meat. Yup, I said meat. Some friends gave us a bunch of burgers, roasts, and chickens, and I am very thankful for each bite.
24. For pens and notebooks. I am that crazy one that loves to write anything and everything, and make tons of lists. I'm glad to have something that makes it happen.
25. That no matter what my physical blessings - and I've listed many - my spiritual blessings are far more and far greater.
26. For evenings spent lately with David, a cup of hot tea, and great conversation.
27. For my crockpot and my bread machine. They certainly make life a lot easier!
28. For our SUV that God arranged for us to buy with cash. It has been a huge blessing in our lives to be able to give rides, haul some things, etc. We always wanted one but never thought we'd be able to afford one!
29. For personal ministry meetings we've been able to have with our pastor.
30. As I finish my list, I'll end with the most important. I am so thankful that God sent His Son Jesus to be born as a man, to live as a human, and to give the ultimate sacrifice so that we might each be saved from our sins. I am thankful that this sacrifice was a gift I only needed to accept, and that Jesus is alive today! I sure can't wait to see Him face to face someday!
But today when I sat down, I literally thought to myself, "I just don't feel thankful today." I don't know why. I just didn't. But then I took a look around at my cute little home, with my husband curled up in his blanket with his Bible, and picked up my coffee. What is there that I don't have to be thankful for?
It's the week of Thanksgiving, for heaven's sake! I asked God to make me thankful. And He did. So in the tradition of many of my facebook friends who are listing one thing each day, here is my list of 30 things all in one day!
I AM THANKFUL:
1. For the incredible, perfect timing of God in each moment of every day - because it's certainly not what I would plan but it always works out for the best.
2. That we sold our house before the baby comes, so I don't have to worry about keeping it clean afterward.
3. That after we're moved out of our house, I get to take a "break" by living between my in-laws' and my parents' for a while, rather than having to worry about setting up a new house while getting used to the baby.
4. For my husband, who is sweet and sensitive, yet very much a man. He loves me, he loves our children, and he is daily growing to be more like Christ as he leads our home.
5. For my beautiful children, who teach me more than I ever thought each day. They are completely opposite of each other, yet equally lovable.
6. For my third child, who should be here in less than a month (I HOPE!!). She is healthy and strong, and reminds me of that at least every few minutes. (kick . . . turn . . . hiccup . . . kick)
7. That God brought us to Williamsburg when He did so that we could learn and grow as a family and as Christians for the past 5 years.
8. For the two Bible studies I've been in - Ladies Bible study each Wednesday and Young Marrieds Bible study every third weekend. What an encouragement each has been to me!
9. Plain and simple . . . for coffee of all sorts, at any time of the day but especially in the mornings.
10. That this is the week of Thanksgiving, which means 4 days with David home, a wonderful feast with the Larsons on Thursday, Christmas decorating at home on Friday, and goodie making day on Saturday!
11. To have my 3-year-old sitting in the office with me "reading" silently because his sister is still asleep. So precious.
12. That my #1 craving during pregnancy has been ice and not ice cream!
13. That so far, we have had gorgeous weather this fall. What a beautiful season to enjoy with my family!
14. For my two best friends from college, Sarah and Heidi, who are always there for me.
15. For my washing machine - a gift from dear friends at church that makes it much more enjoyable to do laundry during the week.
16. For God's Word and the promises He gives in it.
17. That I live in a modern day where we have electricity, running water, etc. because I'm kind of wimpy and doubt that I'd survive well without lights or a bathroom inside.
18. That David is the "nerd" of the family and is willing to crunch numbers each month so we actually have a budget.
19. For my church family, who just keeps blessing us even though they know we will not be here much longer. No one has said "good riddance" or anything; they keep on loving us!
20. That no matter what happens - who is president, where I am physically, what may be going on in the world - I can trust that nothing happens outside of God's knowledge. He has a perfect ultimate plan for each of us and He definitely wins in the end!
21. That both of my kids are at an age where they say really, really funny things. I'll be even more thankful when I remember to write them down!
22. That after I have the baby I get to be in the hospital for a couple of days. I know some people don't like it but, really? I quite enjoy sitting in that hospital bed where they bring me food and take the baby when I'm tired.
23. For meat. Yup, I said meat. Some friends gave us a bunch of burgers, roasts, and chickens, and I am very thankful for each bite.
24. For pens and notebooks. I am that crazy one that loves to write anything and everything, and make tons of lists. I'm glad to have something that makes it happen.
25. That no matter what my physical blessings - and I've listed many - my spiritual blessings are far more and far greater.
26. For evenings spent lately with David, a cup of hot tea, and great conversation.
27. For my crockpot and my bread machine. They certainly make life a lot easier!
28. For our SUV that God arranged for us to buy with cash. It has been a huge blessing in our lives to be able to give rides, haul some things, etc. We always wanted one but never thought we'd be able to afford one!
29. For personal ministry meetings we've been able to have with our pastor.
30. As I finish my list, I'll end with the most important. I am so thankful that God sent His Son Jesus to be born as a man, to live as a human, and to give the ultimate sacrifice so that we might each be saved from our sins. I am thankful that this sacrifice was a gift I only needed to accept, and that Jesus is alive today! I sure can't wait to see Him face to face someday!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Blessed :-)
I had a really rough start to the morning. I couldn't get out of bed. I woke up tired.
Tried to reschedule a dentist appointment and they told me they were going to charge me more than double what I paid to actually go to the appointment.
I had planned to get groceries and was ready to walk out the door when I found out the dentist rescheduling was not an option.
I called a friend to ask her to babysit and could barely get out the words because I was crying so hard.
And so it went.
I called David (crying once again, of course . . . that's how I roll these days). He told me exactly what I didn't want to hear: "It's not that big of a deal. God is good. You are blessed."
Are you kidding me?? I wanted to wallow in self-pity all day!
Then I prayed and asked God to help me see things in perspective.
I got a really good night of sleep last night. I only woke up tired because, well, it's Monday.
I was forced to go to the dentist instead of rescheduling all the time. I hadn't been there in three years. My teeth are sparkly again, and I don't have to worry about going again now for awhile.
It's okay that we didn't get groceries today. We're going to eat supper with friends tonight anyway, so I don't have to scrounge around to find something to feed my family.
My friend was gracious and told me she'd be over to babysit. She even came half an hour early so we got time to chat, and she gave me a couple of much-needed hugs. She told me it was okay that I called crying, and even thanked me for trusting her enough to cry to her. After she left, I realized, she'd folded my laundry.
What's more . . . since I didn't grocery shop today, my house is clean. My kitchen is shiny and the living room is vacuumed. The kids have clean sheets on their beds. I finally arranged the pumpkins on our front steps to display instead of keeping them in a heap inside. I had time to talk to my mom, to do my Bible study, and to visit with David - and the kids are still sleeping.
It is a beautiful fall day today. I am truly blessed.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Tried to reschedule a dentist appointment and they told me they were going to charge me more than double what I paid to actually go to the appointment.
I had planned to get groceries and was ready to walk out the door when I found out the dentist rescheduling was not an option.
I called a friend to ask her to babysit and could barely get out the words because I was crying so hard.
And so it went.
I called David (crying once again, of course . . . that's how I roll these days). He told me exactly what I didn't want to hear: "It's not that big of a deal. God is good. You are blessed."
Are you kidding me?? I wanted to wallow in self-pity all day!
Then I prayed and asked God to help me see things in perspective.
I got a really good night of sleep last night. I only woke up tired because, well, it's Monday.
I was forced to go to the dentist instead of rescheduling all the time. I hadn't been there in three years. My teeth are sparkly again, and I don't have to worry about going again now for awhile.
It's okay that we didn't get groceries today. We're going to eat supper with friends tonight anyway, so I don't have to scrounge around to find something to feed my family.
My friend was gracious and told me she'd be over to babysit. She even came half an hour early so we got time to chat, and she gave me a couple of much-needed hugs. She told me it was okay that I called crying, and even thanked me for trusting her enough to cry to her. After she left, I realized, she'd folded my laundry.
What's more . . . since I didn't grocery shop today, my house is clean. My kitchen is shiny and the living room is vacuumed. The kids have clean sheets on their beds. I finally arranged the pumpkins on our front steps to display instead of keeping them in a heap inside. I had time to talk to my mom, to do my Bible study, and to visit with David - and the kids are still sleeping.
It is a beautiful fall day today. I am truly blessed.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Monday, October 1, 2012
See ya later, facebook!
I wish I had been more faithful in this blog. Maybe someday I will be. But obviously the past couple of months have not been the time for it.
Things could not have been crazier around here! We've been so busy chasing around 2 toddlers. David spent a little over a month doing chores for a friend which meant he was gone about 14 hours a day, and we spent a lot of time out on the farm with him enjoying the land and the animals. We have an exchange student from Serbia living with us who's been here since August. We are starting to prepare for the addition of our baby in about 2 months or so.
I thought I had it all under control; that I was able to be super mom. But last week, I found out I'm not. Not even close. All of the sudden, all the busyness of life came crashing down around me. In addition to the things I already listed, David and I are suddenly facing several pretty big decisions regarding our future. And my small, futile mind could not handle it.
On Thursday I started feeling really overwhelmed, but I thought I could still live with it and get by. David called a friend to help out for a couple of hours so I could spend time with him, without the kids, and I really enjoyed riding in the semi while he delivered beans to a local co-op. I thought maybe things would be okay.
By Friday, though, it was too much. That was when I realized (and I'm so thankful that I did) that I'm not the super mom I thought I was. I needed some time off. I am incredibly grateful to so many - first of all, that God prompted me and gave me the grace and humility to be able to make a phone call to David I never thought I'd have to make. Then, to my sweet husband David, who made several arrangements throughout the day on Friday so that I could have a weekend off. I was so relieved that no one laughed, or made any rude remarks, but just said, "I understand", and took the children for the weekend.
I spent all of Saturday relaxing and reading the promises of God through Scripture, and praying that He would make my mind clear and my paths straight. David suggested I meditate on Psalm 86, which was a huge blessing.
I was greatly encouraged by Psalm 86:4-5 which says, "Make glad the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You."
I was convicted that it is not my job to try and figure out my future path, or to worry about all the things around me, but rather that I need to focus on each step. God has promised to be a "lamp unto my feet", which to me is very clear . . . He's not planning to light the whole way, but He will always shine a lamp bright enough that I can see the very next step I must take, each and every moment of every day.
Here is where I come to the explanation of my title. After much prayer and reflection on the past couple of months, and after talking to David, I have decided that I am going to take a break from facebook.
On Saturday night at our Bible study, I heard a great definition of worry; the speaker said that worry is "assuming a responsibility that God never intended for me to assume". And that's a lot of what I've been doing.
Oh, I do so enjoy and appreciate keeping up with so many college friends and people from my hometown via facebook. And I care so very much about each one. But I've noticed that a lot of days, things will start off great and I'll get a lot done . . . until I sit down to look at facebook. I become consumed with others' lives, and before I know it, I've been scrolling through profiles for an hour or two while my children beg me to play with them or while they just watch tv.
My hope is that by taking a break, I will really be able to focus on the things that God has placed before me, such as my children, taking care of my home, and enjoying His creation. I really want to be able to get things done organizationally, spend more time reading my Bible, take my kids for walks more or to the park, and even taking naps in the last few weeks of this pregnancy.
To all of my friends with whom I communicate often via facebook, please don't think I don't care if you don't hear from me for awhile! If you would like to share something, I would appreciate a phone call, a text, or an e-mail (though I'm hoping to limit e-mail use as well; I will still probably check at least a few times per week).
My goal is to be able to use facebook responsibly beginning in November. Until then, starting tomorrow morning, I'm saying, "See ya later, facebook!"
Things could not have been crazier around here! We've been so busy chasing around 2 toddlers. David spent a little over a month doing chores for a friend which meant he was gone about 14 hours a day, and we spent a lot of time out on the farm with him enjoying the land and the animals. We have an exchange student from Serbia living with us who's been here since August. We are starting to prepare for the addition of our baby in about 2 months or so.
I thought I had it all under control; that I was able to be super mom. But last week, I found out I'm not. Not even close. All of the sudden, all the busyness of life came crashing down around me. In addition to the things I already listed, David and I are suddenly facing several pretty big decisions regarding our future. And my small, futile mind could not handle it.
On Thursday I started feeling really overwhelmed, but I thought I could still live with it and get by. David called a friend to help out for a couple of hours so I could spend time with him, without the kids, and I really enjoyed riding in the semi while he delivered beans to a local co-op. I thought maybe things would be okay.
By Friday, though, it was too much. That was when I realized (and I'm so thankful that I did) that I'm not the super mom I thought I was. I needed some time off. I am incredibly grateful to so many - first of all, that God prompted me and gave me the grace and humility to be able to make a phone call to David I never thought I'd have to make. Then, to my sweet husband David, who made several arrangements throughout the day on Friday so that I could have a weekend off. I was so relieved that no one laughed, or made any rude remarks, but just said, "I understand", and took the children for the weekend.
I spent all of Saturday relaxing and reading the promises of God through Scripture, and praying that He would make my mind clear and my paths straight. David suggested I meditate on Psalm 86, which was a huge blessing.
I was greatly encouraged by Psalm 86:4-5 which says, "Make glad the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You."
I was convicted that it is not my job to try and figure out my future path, or to worry about all the things around me, but rather that I need to focus on each step. God has promised to be a "lamp unto my feet", which to me is very clear . . . He's not planning to light the whole way, but He will always shine a lamp bright enough that I can see the very next step I must take, each and every moment of every day.
Here is where I come to the explanation of my title. After much prayer and reflection on the past couple of months, and after talking to David, I have decided that I am going to take a break from facebook.
On Saturday night at our Bible study, I heard a great definition of worry; the speaker said that worry is "assuming a responsibility that God never intended for me to assume". And that's a lot of what I've been doing.
Oh, I do so enjoy and appreciate keeping up with so many college friends and people from my hometown via facebook. And I care so very much about each one. But I've noticed that a lot of days, things will start off great and I'll get a lot done . . . until I sit down to look at facebook. I become consumed with others' lives, and before I know it, I've been scrolling through profiles for an hour or two while my children beg me to play with them or while they just watch tv.
My hope is that by taking a break, I will really be able to focus on the things that God has placed before me, such as my children, taking care of my home, and enjoying His creation. I really want to be able to get things done organizationally, spend more time reading my Bible, take my kids for walks more or to the park, and even taking naps in the last few weeks of this pregnancy.
To all of my friends with whom I communicate often via facebook, please don't think I don't care if you don't hear from me for awhile! If you would like to share something, I would appreciate a phone call, a text, or an e-mail (though I'm hoping to limit e-mail use as well; I will still probably check at least a few times per week).
My goal is to be able to use facebook responsibly beginning in November. Until then, starting tomorrow morning, I'm saying, "See ya later, facebook!"
Friday, July 20, 2012
A "Blessings" Update
I've been spending a lot of time weeding my garden and pricing things for my upcoming garage sale lately, which has given me quite a bit of time to think. I've been overwhelmed by how many things I have to be nothing but grateful for!
The number one "blessing", of course, is my salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is astounding to me how God would love me so much that He would condemn His only son to a cross, to suffer in my place for the punishment that I deserve! If I had only this promise - that I have been saved from my selfish sin - I would have everything. I would need no more. And yet, because God loves me so much, He chooses to give me tangible, earthly things as well. So when I list these blessings, please keep in mind to whom it is that I am grateful.
James 1:17 - "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."
Family
1. My wonderful husband David, who loves and cherishes me far beyond what I had ever hoped for. Just this past weekend, he saw that I was down and he arranged for me to go out with several girlfriends for a night without children, just to enjoy conversation and food. David works hard to provide for us all and is a great dad, a godly example, and a good friend to many.
2. Samuel, my sweet little boy who calls himself "Mommy's 'nugglebug". I am forever being showered with kisses and hugs, which I never turn down! Samuel is learning to be courteous to others because he tends to be shy in public. He's doing a great job answering when adults ask him questions, opening doors for others, and helping me to clear the table after we eat. Samuel seems to have my personality but is all boy to the core, following his daddy everywhere and always telling us he has "lots of work to do."
I am so happy to report that Samuel has not had an asthma-type attack in a few months now - we will be seeing our allergist to check on his progress from the past year very soon. We have also been working with a dermatologist who understands us and we feel is on our side, and his eczema is almost completely under control at this point!
3. Julia, our little princess with a big personality. She's opposite of her brother and doesn't know a stranger! Julia has her own ideas about everything, and keeps us laughing with all of her antics. I love to watch her with her baby dolls as she takes care of them, feeding them bottles, changing diapers, and rocking them to sleep. Julia is 100% proof to me that God has created boys to be boys and girls to be girls! She is all about her clothes and hair, keeping her nails trimmed and painted, princesses, babies, etc. Julia is a Mommy's girl . . . and I am okay with that! She is also what I would call the "picture of health", which is huge for us after we've struggled with Samuel's health for the past year.
4. Baby L3 has been growing as well - I am now feeling lots of kicks and wiggles, and we're looking forward to having an ultrasound on August 6th! As I had mentioned previously, I felt far more sick with this pregnancy than with the other two. It did last about 2 weeks longer than the others, but I am now feeling great! We are so looking forward to Christmas season this year, with a new niece and our own new baby coming in just a few short months! Here is a picture of Baby a few days ago, at 18 weeks.
5. My parents and in-laws. What blessings they are in our lives! All four are awesome at the grandparent thing, and our kids beg to see them all the time, which we try to do as often as possible! We got to take a vacation with the Larsons in June, and are really looking forward to going with my parents on a trip to Dubuqe in a few days. I am grateful to have both my mom and my mother-in-law, as they are always up for a nice chat, meeting to shop, or coming to help out with the kids. Along with this part I also must include my awesome sister, as well as the 3 sisters and 4 brothers that I have been given as a bonus for marrying into the Larson family! They're all great aunts and uncles, and are always there for us as friends and helpers when we need them!
Friends
1. What a neat group of friends we have at Harvest, our church! We are so thankful to have people we know we can count on of all ages to get together just for fun, or for serious conversation. We have everything from a young marrieds Bible study, to friends our parents' age to act as surrogate "grandparents" when we need them, to friends our grandparents' age with whom we can just enjoy a great visit!
2. David and I both keep in touch with a few of our college friends. We get together often with David's best friend Rick, and are thrilled that he and his wife are expecting their first baby in February! Though I don't see my college girlfriends as often, when I do, we can always just pick up where we left off. I recently got to spend a whole week visiting with them - Sarah, who lives just an hour from me, came to visit one day. The next day, the kids and I went to Illinois to see Heidi, who returned on the 6th of July from two years in Peru. Then we drove down to St. Louis to see Becky and Joe, dear friends of ours who just had their second baby. How wonderful to have friends we've known for years and who know who we are and who we used to be, and they still love us.
3. I recently received forgiveness from an old friend that could only have been given through the grace of God. I am so grateful that He restores relationships, and am so humbled by His working in my life as well as friends' so that we can live for God and be at peace with each other!
4. David and I both have co-workers (mine are former, from pre-SAHM days) with whom we enjoy spending time. It is so nice to have friends from all walks of life, and we both enjoy all the opportunities we can get to see them.
Finances
1. God's provision of jobs for both of us when we needed them. Though it was miserable on our family life, we felt that God provided a second job for David at McDonald's last year that we used to get out of the "hole" we'd been in since shortly after our wedding. When that job was too much, He provided a job for me with just enough to help us get ahead and earn some savings. Both of these jobs were brief, as they should have been, but during that time we discovered how much we needed each other and for our family to be whole!
2. Shortly after we quit doing everything but David's full-time job, God provided for us in so many different ways, that it more than made up for that extra income we had been receiving! God sure does work in mysterious ways.
3. Though I cannot yet share many details (I don't know them all, to be honest!), our great God has provided once again for something that David and I most definitely did not bring upon ourselves. I can just say that David has been asked to help out an older gentleman in our church for a while this fall. He will be doing one of his favorite things while earning extra income, and I believe there will be other perks to go along. More information to come on this one . . . let's just say we are in awe and we are thrilled!
I think this will do for my listings as of now, though the great things God has done just keep on rolling into my head! Something that I did last fall was to keep a daily "thankful" journal, where I wrote five things each morning that I had to be grateful for. I would love to start that up again - I truly saw a difference in my attitude when focusing on the good rather than the bad!
The number one "blessing", of course, is my salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is astounding to me how God would love me so much that He would condemn His only son to a cross, to suffer in my place for the punishment that I deserve! If I had only this promise - that I have been saved from my selfish sin - I would have everything. I would need no more. And yet, because God loves me so much, He chooses to give me tangible, earthly things as well. So when I list these blessings, please keep in mind to whom it is that I am grateful.
James 1:17 - "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."
Family
1. My wonderful husband David, who loves and cherishes me far beyond what I had ever hoped for. Just this past weekend, he saw that I was down and he arranged for me to go out with several girlfriends for a night without children, just to enjoy conversation and food. David works hard to provide for us all and is a great dad, a godly example, and a good friend to many.
2. Samuel, my sweet little boy who calls himself "Mommy's 'nugglebug". I am forever being showered with kisses and hugs, which I never turn down! Samuel is learning to be courteous to others because he tends to be shy in public. He's doing a great job answering when adults ask him questions, opening doors for others, and helping me to clear the table after we eat. Samuel seems to have my personality but is all boy to the core, following his daddy everywhere and always telling us he has "lots of work to do."
I am so happy to report that Samuel has not had an asthma-type attack in a few months now - we will be seeing our allergist to check on his progress from the past year very soon. We have also been working with a dermatologist who understands us and we feel is on our side, and his eczema is almost completely under control at this point!
Friends
1. What a neat group of friends we have at Harvest, our church! We are so thankful to have people we know we can count on of all ages to get together just for fun, or for serious conversation. We have everything from a young marrieds Bible study, to friends our parents' age to act as surrogate "grandparents" when we need them, to friends our grandparents' age with whom we can just enjoy a great visit!
2. David and I both keep in touch with a few of our college friends. We get together often with David's best friend Rick, and are thrilled that he and his wife are expecting their first baby in February! Though I don't see my college girlfriends as often, when I do, we can always just pick up where we left off. I recently got to spend a whole week visiting with them - Sarah, who lives just an hour from me, came to visit one day. The next day, the kids and I went to Illinois to see Heidi, who returned on the 6th of July from two years in Peru. Then we drove down to St. Louis to see Becky and Joe, dear friends of ours who just had their second baby. How wonderful to have friends we've known for years and who know who we are and who we used to be, and they still love us.
3. I recently received forgiveness from an old friend that could only have been given through the grace of God. I am so grateful that He restores relationships, and am so humbled by His working in my life as well as friends' so that we can live for God and be at peace with each other!
4. David and I both have co-workers (mine are former, from pre-SAHM days) with whom we enjoy spending time. It is so nice to have friends from all walks of life, and we both enjoy all the opportunities we can get to see them.
Finances
1. God's provision of jobs for both of us when we needed them. Though it was miserable on our family life, we felt that God provided a second job for David at McDonald's last year that we used to get out of the "hole" we'd been in since shortly after our wedding. When that job was too much, He provided a job for me with just enough to help us get ahead and earn some savings. Both of these jobs were brief, as they should have been, but during that time we discovered how much we needed each other and for our family to be whole!
2. Shortly after we quit doing everything but David's full-time job, God provided for us in so many different ways, that it more than made up for that extra income we had been receiving! God sure does work in mysterious ways.
3. Though I cannot yet share many details (I don't know them all, to be honest!), our great God has provided once again for something that David and I most definitely did not bring upon ourselves. I can just say that David has been asked to help out an older gentleman in our church for a while this fall. He will be doing one of his favorite things while earning extra income, and I believe there will be other perks to go along. More information to come on this one . . . let's just say we are in awe and we are thrilled!
I think this will do for my listings as of now, though the great things God has done just keep on rolling into my head! Something that I did last fall was to keep a daily "thankful" journal, where I wrote five things each morning that I had to be grateful for. I would love to start that up again - I truly saw a difference in my attitude when focusing on the good rather than the bad!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Love Overflowing and a Heavy Heart
Though I am healthy, as are my husband and children, and as I write, we are happily preparing our home to hold yet another family member, my heart is heavy.
There is a family I know of who just 2 weeks ago was in a similar situation as our family, happily preparing for the birth of a new baby. I don't know all the details of their life. I don't even personally know the family. I do recognize them as having attended the same college as David and I did at some point. A mutual college friend of ours recently posted pictures that she had taken of this family, the Halls. I looked through the photos and thought, "what a beautiful family!" as four small children gathered around their daddy and quite-pregnant mommy.
Then, early this week, I saw another facebook posting regarding the Hall family. They took their youngest, Taylor, in for a routine 18-month check at the doctor. The doctor found some sort of mass and sent them on to find out what was going on. What they originally thought was a non-cancerous mass on the liver turned out to be a cancerous, growing tumor in Taylor's abdomen, very near her spine.
The family, of course, is shocked. How could this all happen in just the course of maybe a week? I think of the Hall family often and pray for them, and cry many, many tears for them. The mom, Julie, is due with their 5th baby in about 6 weeks.
I know this family is questioning how this could happen so quickly, but I also know their foundation is in Jesus Christ. While they are sincerely suffering, they trust an all-knowing God. What a testimony.
My children are downstairs right now, running like crazy around their dad. They are healthy. They are rambunctious. And lately, I've gotten terribly annoyed with them. But hearing a story such as the Halls' makes me take a step back and sincerely thank God for every moment that I have to hold the babies He has given to me, and even to chase them around and clean up their messes.
Won't you take time today to do the same? Will you thank God that He has given you this day to love your child or another family member that you often take for granted? And will you join with me in prayer for the Hall family - Randy, Julie, little Taylor, her 3 older siblings, and this baby on the way?
If you are interested in following prayer updates for this family, click here to follow them on facebook.
There is a family I know of who just 2 weeks ago was in a similar situation as our family, happily preparing for the birth of a new baby. I don't know all the details of their life. I don't even personally know the family. I do recognize them as having attended the same college as David and I did at some point. A mutual college friend of ours recently posted pictures that she had taken of this family, the Halls. I looked through the photos and thought, "what a beautiful family!" as four small children gathered around their daddy and quite-pregnant mommy.
Then, early this week, I saw another facebook posting regarding the Hall family. They took their youngest, Taylor, in for a routine 18-month check at the doctor. The doctor found some sort of mass and sent them on to find out what was going on. What they originally thought was a non-cancerous mass on the liver turned out to be a cancerous, growing tumor in Taylor's abdomen, very near her spine.
The family, of course, is shocked. How could this all happen in just the course of maybe a week? I think of the Hall family often and pray for them, and cry many, many tears for them. The mom, Julie, is due with their 5th baby in about 6 weeks.
I know this family is questioning how this could happen so quickly, but I also know their foundation is in Jesus Christ. While they are sincerely suffering, they trust an all-knowing God. What a testimony.
My children are downstairs right now, running like crazy around their dad. They are healthy. They are rambunctious. And lately, I've gotten terribly annoyed with them. But hearing a story such as the Halls' makes me take a step back and sincerely thank God for every moment that I have to hold the babies He has given to me, and even to chase them around and clean up their messes.
Won't you take time today to do the same? Will you thank God that He has given you this day to love your child or another family member that you often take for granted? And will you join with me in prayer for the Hall family - Randy, Julie, little Taylor, her 3 older siblings, and this baby on the way?
If you are interested in following prayer updates for this family, click here to follow them on facebook.
Friday, June 22, 2012
My Baby Girl Turns 2!!
We're home! I am just now logging on to the internet for the first time since late Friday night, and (this is a real shocker) I haven't even checked facebook yet! I know once I get on that and Pinterest, all of my time will be spent "catching up". So I figured I'd better post this first.
Yesterday, my baby Julia turned two. When I got old enough to have a three-year-old, a two-year-old, and a baby on the way, I have no idea! Last I checked I was living on my own in an apartment, barely out of college, and dating the neighbor boy. (Yes, that neighbor boy was David . . . the only person I ever dated!)
Since I shared Samuel's birth story, I thought I'd go ahead and do so for Julia, too. For whatever reason (I imagine it has to do with him being my first), I have to think a little harder to remember all the details of Julia's birth than I did for Samuel's!
I was due on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010. It had been a rough couple of years, having gotten married and gone through several trials, then having Samuel, and unexpectedly finding out we would be having another baby when Samuel was only 6 months old.
On Saturday evening, the 19th, I started having fairly regular and sometimes intense contractions. David and I were both quite nervous about the whole labor process, since I was only in the hospital for little over an hour before delivering Samuel. We live 45 minutes from the hospital, so we were not willing to take any chances with this baby! We decided around 9:00 that night that we should go in and see if I could be admitted since we were pretty sure it was the beginning of labor.
One thing I remember being very sad about was that my main OB was still on vacation. She would not be back until Monday, and since I just adore her, and she had also delivered Samuel, I was really wanting her to be the one to deliver Julia as well. I was very thankful, though, to find that my second choice was on call for Saturday night into early Sunday.
When we got to the hospital around 10:30, my contractions were 10-15 minutes apart and I was dilated to 4 cm. They put monitors on me and let me lay in a waiting area and chew on ice. I know the ice seems to be a very small part of this story . . . but ice is one of my favorite things during pregnancy. Especially the incredibly crunchy crushed ice they have in the delivery area.
I was monitored all night, and though our nurse insisted David and I get some sleep, we were both uncomfortable and just ready to have a baby. We stayed awake watching old TV shows and visiting, and all the while, my contractions seemed to be slowing. By 4:00 a.m. they were 30-40 minutes apart, and I had not dilated any further. The on-call doctor said she could come in and break my water to try and speed up labor, or that we could go ahead and leave and come back when the contractions were closer again. She said, though, that we should not go home since I was definitely in beginning labor and we live so far away.
What in the world do you do at 4 in the morning on a Sunday, though?? Walk around Wal-Mart. We actually kind of enjoyed ourselves, picking out a little outfit for David to get after I delivered, if the baby happened to be a girl. At 5 we went to IHOP where we wasted about another hour eating stuffed French toast. Finally, around 7:00 when we had walked around the mall with the older people for an hour and realized we truly had exhausted all of our options, we decided we would go home.
We called Labor and Delivery and told them our decision. I was scheduled to be induced the next day, Monday, by my regular OB, Dr. Wenzel.
We picked up Samuel from our friends' house Sunday morning and then went home and took turns sleeping on and off all day. Monday morning we called in at 6:30 as we had been instructed, assuming that we would be able to leave shortly thereafter and have our baby. Since Dr. Wenzel had been on vacation, she had scheduled about 10 inductions for that Monday the 21st. They told me that not only did they have a full induction schedule, but several ladies were in labor and all of their beds were full. I would have to wait to call until 10:30. How disappointing.
Between that time, my contractions started picking up again. They went from 40 minutes, to 30, to 20 . . . I called in at 10:30. "We're still really full. We'll call you when we're ready - probably in an hour or so," they told me. Great.
I had a really terrible stomachache in addition to the contractions, and all I could stand to eat was ice cream, so that was what I ate all morning. I have to say, David and I did really enjoy every moment with Samuel that day. We knew it would be his last day as an only child, so we played with him and read to him.
By 1:00, my contractions were 10-15 minutes apart, and I knew I was going to be having the baby soon. We had not yet received a phone call from the hospital, so I called in and told them what was going on. I was surprised at their non-chalance. They told me to take a bath, and take my time, and to come within the next 2 hours. Maybe they would have a bed ready.
It was actually pretty nice (aside from the whole labor/contraction/pain thing). Instead of going to emergency, since we were technically being induced, we parked in the regular parking lot and took our time getting up to labor and delivery. My parents met us in the lobby, where they had been waiting since 7:00 that morning. They didn't want to miss the birth. We were able to hand Samuel over to them, and go straight back to be admitted.
By the time I was admitted, it was around 3:30. My contractions were less than 5 minutes apart and I was dilated to 6 cm. I don't remember a whole lot from that time - it really seemed to fly by. I do remember asking David repeatedly to tickle my arm, and then yelling at hime to stop touching me. I felt kind of bad about that . . .
Julia Lucile was born at 6:24 p.m. on Monday the 21st - exactly 14 months, 14 days after her big brother. She was a "mommy's girl" from the beginning, crying if anyone else was holding her but me. That was wearing on me, and I have to admit that it took a few months of getting used to.
Once again, God answered our prayers and I did not have an epidural, we made it to the hospital, and my own doctor was there to deliver. We are so thankful for how the events took place as we brought Julia into the world that day.
Here she is this morning, two years later, sporting her new big girl backpack that we gave her to replace her diaper bag. Julia is independent and has an opinion on everything. She loves the color pink, babies, purses, having her hair and nails done, and doing things she's told not to do. Seriously, who couldn't love this girl?? Happy 2nd birthday, Sweet Baby Julia!!
Yesterday, my baby Julia turned two. When I got old enough to have a three-year-old, a two-year-old, and a baby on the way, I have no idea! Last I checked I was living on my own in an apartment, barely out of college, and dating the neighbor boy. (Yes, that neighbor boy was David . . . the only person I ever dated!)
Since I shared Samuel's birth story, I thought I'd go ahead and do so for Julia, too. For whatever reason (I imagine it has to do with him being my first), I have to think a little harder to remember all the details of Julia's birth than I did for Samuel's!
I was due on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010. It had been a rough couple of years, having gotten married and gone through several trials, then having Samuel, and unexpectedly finding out we would be having another baby when Samuel was only 6 months old.
On Saturday evening, the 19th, I started having fairly regular and sometimes intense contractions. David and I were both quite nervous about the whole labor process, since I was only in the hospital for little over an hour before delivering Samuel. We live 45 minutes from the hospital, so we were not willing to take any chances with this baby! We decided around 9:00 that night that we should go in and see if I could be admitted since we were pretty sure it was the beginning of labor.
One thing I remember being very sad about was that my main OB was still on vacation. She would not be back until Monday, and since I just adore her, and she had also delivered Samuel, I was really wanting her to be the one to deliver Julia as well. I was very thankful, though, to find that my second choice was on call for Saturday night into early Sunday.
When we got to the hospital around 10:30, my contractions were 10-15 minutes apart and I was dilated to 4 cm. They put monitors on me and let me lay in a waiting area and chew on ice. I know the ice seems to be a very small part of this story . . . but ice is one of my favorite things during pregnancy. Especially the incredibly crunchy crushed ice they have in the delivery area.
I was monitored all night, and though our nurse insisted David and I get some sleep, we were both uncomfortable and just ready to have a baby. We stayed awake watching old TV shows and visiting, and all the while, my contractions seemed to be slowing. By 4:00 a.m. they were 30-40 minutes apart, and I had not dilated any further. The on-call doctor said she could come in and break my water to try and speed up labor, or that we could go ahead and leave and come back when the contractions were closer again. She said, though, that we should not go home since I was definitely in beginning labor and we live so far away.
What in the world do you do at 4 in the morning on a Sunday, though?? Walk around Wal-Mart. We actually kind of enjoyed ourselves, picking out a little outfit for David to get after I delivered, if the baby happened to be a girl. At 5 we went to IHOP where we wasted about another hour eating stuffed French toast. Finally, around 7:00 when we had walked around the mall with the older people for an hour and realized we truly had exhausted all of our options, we decided we would go home.
We called Labor and Delivery and told them our decision. I was scheduled to be induced the next day, Monday, by my regular OB, Dr. Wenzel.
We picked up Samuel from our friends' house Sunday morning and then went home and took turns sleeping on and off all day. Monday morning we called in at 6:30 as we had been instructed, assuming that we would be able to leave shortly thereafter and have our baby. Since Dr. Wenzel had been on vacation, she had scheduled about 10 inductions for that Monday the 21st. They told me that not only did they have a full induction schedule, but several ladies were in labor and all of their beds were full. I would have to wait to call until 10:30. How disappointing.
Between that time, my contractions started picking up again. They went from 40 minutes, to 30, to 20 . . . I called in at 10:30. "We're still really full. We'll call you when we're ready - probably in an hour or so," they told me. Great.
I had a really terrible stomachache in addition to the contractions, and all I could stand to eat was ice cream, so that was what I ate all morning. I have to say, David and I did really enjoy every moment with Samuel that day. We knew it would be his last day as an only child, so we played with him and read to him.
By 1:00, my contractions were 10-15 minutes apart, and I knew I was going to be having the baby soon. We had not yet received a phone call from the hospital, so I called in and told them what was going on. I was surprised at their non-chalance. They told me to take a bath, and take my time, and to come within the next 2 hours. Maybe they would have a bed ready.
It was actually pretty nice (aside from the whole labor/contraction/pain thing). Instead of going to emergency, since we were technically being induced, we parked in the regular parking lot and took our time getting up to labor and delivery. My parents met us in the lobby, where they had been waiting since 7:00 that morning. They didn't want to miss the birth. We were able to hand Samuel over to them, and go straight back to be admitted.
By the time I was admitted, it was around 3:30. My contractions were less than 5 minutes apart and I was dilated to 6 cm. I don't remember a whole lot from that time - it really seemed to fly by. I do remember asking David repeatedly to tickle my arm, and then yelling at hime to stop touching me. I felt kind of bad about that . . .
Julia Lucile was born at 6:24 p.m. on Monday the 21st - exactly 14 months, 14 days after her big brother. She was a "mommy's girl" from the beginning, crying if anyone else was holding her but me. That was wearing on me, and I have to admit that it took a few months of getting used to.
Once again, God answered our prayers and I did not have an epidural, we made it to the hospital, and my own doctor was there to deliver. We are so thankful for how the events took place as we brought Julia into the world that day.
Monday, May 14, 2012
A Savory Pie and Other News
Obviously, I have not posted in a couple of weeks. So here's the deal. Shortly after my last post, the whole "morning sickness" thing really got a hold of me, and I haven't even climbed the steps to the office more than maybe twice since then. I had all these awesome recipes I'd been working on, with pictures and directions and everything . . . and suddenly, even the mention of most of them makes me start to gag. My apologies for being unable to share them at this time.
Here's one that I just can't get enough of, though. I have no problem making it and thinking and writing about it! Behold, the Tomato Cheese Pie.
My grandma used to make one similar to this when I was growing up. I ran across a recipe in an old cookbook the other day and couldn't seem to get the memory of it out of my head, so I had to make it!
Here's the recipe:
1 pie crust
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 c. grated mozzarella cheese
1 c. ricotta cheese
Parmesan cheese
3-4 ripe tomatoes, peeled and sliced thin
salt and pepper
Line a pan with pie crust. Prick with fork, bake 10 min. at 425. Combine cheddar, mozzarella, ricotta, and onion. Spoon into slightly cooled pie crust. Topping: arrange tomatoes in a tightly overlapping circular pattern over the filling. Sprinkle with basil, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Bake 350 for 20-30 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.
This is utterly delicious. I wasn't sure how David would react but I didn't mention the ricotta, and he said he loved the pie! I'm usually big on making quiche, so the family assumed it was a fancy version of that. This is so easy to make - but you might want to do two because it goes fast.
In other news, we had our first OB appointment today. It is always a relief to have that done and know that everything is okay. In my case, I need that confirmation that I am indeed pregnant and I don't have some weird disease that makes me nauseated and turns the test positive (yes, I am crazy. I realize this).
We even got a few pictures, which I may post at a later date. I am waiting to make sure our family gets a first peek.
We let the kids sleep late, then went to church, ordered a pizza for lunch, and watched movies all afternoon. aaahhhh, happy Mother's Day to me!!
Hopefully that catches me up for a bit and I will be able to blog much more frequently from here on out!
My grandma used to make one similar to this when I was growing up. I ran across a recipe in an old cookbook the other day and couldn't seem to get the memory of it out of my head, so I had to make it!
Here's the recipe:
1 pie crust
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 c. grated mozzarella cheese
1 c. ricotta cheese
2 T. chopped onion
1 tsp. crumbled basil (I like more than that)Parmesan cheese
3-4 ripe tomatoes, peeled and sliced thin
salt and pepper
Line a pan with pie crust. Prick with fork, bake 10 min. at 425. Combine cheddar, mozzarella, ricotta, and onion. Spoon into slightly cooled pie crust. Topping: arrange tomatoes in a tightly overlapping circular pattern over the filling. Sprinkle with basil, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Bake 350 for 20-30 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.
This is utterly delicious. I wasn't sure how David would react but I didn't mention the ricotta, and he said he loved the pie! I'm usually big on making quiche, so the family assumed it was a fancy version of that. This is so easy to make - but you might want to do two because it goes fast.
In other news, we had our first OB appointment today. It is always a relief to have that done and know that everything is okay. In my case, I need that confirmation that I am indeed pregnant and I don't have some weird disease that makes me nauseated and turns the test positive (yes, I am crazy. I realize this).
We even got a few pictures, which I may post at a later date. I am waiting to make sure our family gets a first peek.
Yesterday we had a fabulous day for Mother's Day! We had been running nonstop all week leading up to Sunday. David worked overtime and the kids and I visited family, ran errands, and attended graduations which meant very little rest for any of us.
When I woke up yesterday morning, this is what I found:
I was so excited I screamed. And I don't scream. So far the past three days I have been feeling much better, so hopefully I will be able to use them all in the next week and have some great new recipes I can share!
Hopefully that catches me up for a bit and I will be able to blog much more frequently from here on out!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
ch-ch-ch-changes!
We are experiencing several changes at our house right now. For one, yesterday we started the process of refinancing. That's some fun stuff, let me tell you! Actually, I am very thankful for a husband who is willing to figure all of that out and get the ball rolling. I wouldn't get past the "thinking about it" stage! Can you believe, though, by refinancing, we will be paying less per month for 15 years than we are right now for 30?? That's crazy! I'd like to keep all that extra money, thank you!
David has also been working really hard to get the outside of our home looking decent. We decided after 5 years of being here, we should probably repaint the windows, mulch the landscaping, trim the bushes, etc. He's doing a great job!
Here's another change: my children are learning to be more self-sufficient. Not necessarily because they want to, but because lately if they want something, they either have to be very patient or to get it themselves. I simply have been too sick. With "morning sickness", that is :-)
A bit of a story goes with this one.
David's brother Jeff and his wife Courtney, along with David and myself, came up with this awesome plan. We would hold off on any babies for about a year, so that we could take a trip to Florida next April and Courtney and I would be pregnant at the time. We were pretty excited about it.
But God started placing all these "circumstances" in my path as He showed me that my plan (as usual) is not His. I kept on hearing radio program after radio program that talked about babies. Sanctity of life. Women who wanted to be pregnant and couldn't do so. And the list goes on. It seemed like everytime I turned on my radio for at least a month's time, another of these programs would be on.
I was really struggling with this, wondering if it wasn't all part of God's plan for me to hear those programs. Finally, at the end of March, I was really down about it and David could tell. I finally explained to him what was going on, and he said he'd been having the same conviction that maybe our "baby plan" wasn't perfect. We decided to see how God would work.
I got sick about a week later.
I must have already been pregnant! With Samuel, we were so new at everything - married less than a year when we found out we were expecting him. With Julia, I was so full of resentment that I couldn't enjoy my pregnancy or even her as a baby for way too long. With this one, I have peace.
Here's the funny part. The day after we got a positive test, Jeff and Courtney called. They had the same story as us - becoming convicted about their plan and then getting pregnant right away after deciding to surrender to God's best for them! We didn't tell them for 2 more weeks - that was pure torture! I wanted to share with Courtney so badly my excitement for both of us, but we wanted to wait until we could tell them in person. It was worth the wait! And to think, we were both a bit nervous that the other would be upset for ruining the "plan"!
So here's the official announcement. Baby #3 is due on or around December 11th, just about a week after my sister-in-law is due. We couldn't be happier!
Which brings me to another change . . . adding a bedroom so we have a place for Baby to sleep! I'm sure there will be plenty more posts on that subject!
David has also been working really hard to get the outside of our home looking decent. We decided after 5 years of being here, we should probably repaint the windows, mulch the landscaping, trim the bushes, etc. He's doing a great job!
Here's another change: my children are learning to be more self-sufficient. Not necessarily because they want to, but because lately if they want something, they either have to be very patient or to get it themselves. I simply have been too sick. With "morning sickness", that is :-)
 |
| Sweet baby Julia helping her sick mommy with cleaning |
A bit of a story goes with this one.
David's brother Jeff and his wife Courtney, along with David and myself, came up with this awesome plan. We would hold off on any babies for about a year, so that we could take a trip to Florida next April and Courtney and I would be pregnant at the time. We were pretty excited about it.
But God started placing all these "circumstances" in my path as He showed me that my plan (as usual) is not His. I kept on hearing radio program after radio program that talked about babies. Sanctity of life. Women who wanted to be pregnant and couldn't do so. And the list goes on. It seemed like everytime I turned on my radio for at least a month's time, another of these programs would be on.
I was really struggling with this, wondering if it wasn't all part of God's plan for me to hear those programs. Finally, at the end of March, I was really down about it and David could tell. I finally explained to him what was going on, and he said he'd been having the same conviction that maybe our "baby plan" wasn't perfect. We decided to see how God would work.
I got sick about a week later.
I must have already been pregnant! With Samuel, we were so new at everything - married less than a year when we found out we were expecting him. With Julia, I was so full of resentment that I couldn't enjoy my pregnancy or even her as a baby for way too long. With this one, I have peace.
Here's the funny part. The day after we got a positive test, Jeff and Courtney called. They had the same story as us - becoming convicted about their plan and then getting pregnant right away after deciding to surrender to God's best for them! We didn't tell them for 2 more weeks - that was pure torture! I wanted to share with Courtney so badly my excitement for both of us, but we wanted to wait until we could tell them in person. It was worth the wait! And to think, we were both a bit nervous that the other would be upset for ruining the "plan"!
So here's the official announcement. Baby #3 is due on or around December 11th, just about a week after my sister-in-law is due. We couldn't be happier!
Which brings me to another change . . . adding a bedroom so we have a place for Baby to sleep! I'm sure there will be plenty more posts on that subject!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Samuel
I know it has been quite some time since I have posted. You see, I have this post in my head that I've been working on for weeks now. I just haven't found the time to write it yet. And now that I have a few minutes to do so, David has the book from which I wanted to quote!
It's okay, though. There will be another day for that. Today is the day before Samuel's 3rd birthday, so I thought I'd take the time to reflect upon that day three years ago when we welcomed our first baby into the world and our life.
I wasn't due until April 10th, 2009, and everyone always says you go late with the first baby. I had no reason to think that the 7th would be the day. I got up and went to work at Star Drug as usual, working a 6-hour day as I had been doing since the end of March. But that day, I knew something was different; I just wasn't sure what that was. Looking back, I do remember the feeling that the baby was going to fall out every time I walked! (Possibly gross part alert here!!) I lost my mucus plug right before lunch, but I asked the girls in the pharmacy and they said that could happen up to two weeks before the baby was born.
I drove over to David's work as I often did over my lunch hour and asked him to get into the car. "Something is happening." I told him. I still didn't believe that it was actually labor, though. He insisted that I call Labor and Delivery and ask them what to do. I don't like doing that kind of thing, and to be honest, I was embarrassed to call and just tell someone that "something was different but I don't know what"! He told them what had happened and the nurse assured him that it could still be a week or two before the baby came. Then she asked to talk to me and told me that I should probably go home and relax.
I certainly wasn't going to waste a good day, though! I think I was in the restroom more than I worked that afternoon - I thought that I was constipated. I have talked to many moms since then who have thought the same thing during labor. I finished working at 2:30, and my friend Amanda had asked me to stay at her house during her kids' naptime, so I went ahead and did that. Thankfully the kids stayed asleep - I would not have been a very good babysitter if they'd needed anything! I laid on the couch for a couple of hours and watched "The Cosby Show" until Amanda's husband Trent came home. I felt terrible by then, and couldn't wait to get home to my bed; unfortunately my demeanor showed that and it appeared as though I just wanted to get away from Trent :-)
At home, I made supper as usual, and then headed for the bed. David was very insistent that we go to the hospital, but I was not about to make a fool of myself and be sent home. After all, I had an OB appointment the next day! We ended up calling the hospital a couple of more times, and both times the nurse said no, she didn't think it was labor, and that I should stay at home. Finally, at about 9:30 the night of the 7th, David coaxed me into the car telling me that we would go to the hospital, get a stool softener, and come home. I reluctantly went along . . . and by the time we got to the hospital, my "constipation pains" were 2 minutes apart.
We found out why the nurse had been so quick to tell me to stay home. She was a very unpleasant lady who clearly did not want to be there. Not only was she just plain unfriendly, she put the band on my tummy and told me that she couldn't find the baby's heartbeat. FYI, that is not something that you tell a mom who's ready to give birth! I told her that she had put the monitor on the wrong side and that I could see the baby's head on the other side. She didn't believe me until David came into the room and told her the same thing, and sure enough, there it was. We were so thankful to learn that she was at the end of her shift and that she was leaving a few minutes later.
Since I had been convinced that I wasn't in labor, I would not allow David to call either of our parents until we were in the hospital. It was 10:15 when we got there, and I was dilated to 6 cm. Dr. Wenzel, who I absolutely adore, just "happened" to be on call that night - thank you, God!! It was one of my main concerns that she would be the one to deliver the baby. At the point where they decided to move me into the delivery room, she was already on her way to deliver another baby of a mom who was on her third child and "goes fast", according to the staff.
They broke my water and the contractions came so strongly, I changed my mind about the whole "natural" birth thing without an epidural, and I begged for one. But it was too late. I was dilated to a 9 and thing were progressing very quickly. Dr. Wenzel flew into the room just as I was pushing, and Samuel was born at 11:35 that night - quite some time before the lady in the next room, for whom Dr. Wenzel had actually come. I was in shock. After all, hadn't I just come in as an obligation to my husband?!
I am in awe as I look back on the experience of our first baby's birth. God showed Himself in control and mighty. All of my fears, all of the unknowns that come with a first baby, were taken care of. As I already mentioned, my own doctor was able to deliver (in fact, she has delivered both of my babies!). I didn't have to have an epidural, as I had so often prayed I wouldn't have to do. I didn't have to go through hours at the hospital or be sent home.
I can't believe it has been three years since Samuel was born - the memories are so clear, as if it only happened last week. I am so thankful for the beautiful son that God has given us. For his great sense of humor, for his tender heart, for his love of learning. I'm thankful that he wants to be just like his daddy, and I pray that he is.
And most of all, I pray that he comes to know Jesus as his Savior at an early age. I never fully understood the love of a parent for a child - the love that God had even as He sent His only Son to die in place of my sins and yours - until I had Samuel. What a gift He gave us!
Happy Easter as we celebrate Christ's resurrection, and Happy 3rd Birthday to my sweet son!
It's okay, though. There will be another day for that. Today is the day before Samuel's 3rd birthday, so I thought I'd take the time to reflect upon that day three years ago when we welcomed our first baby into the world and our life.
I wasn't due until April 10th, 2009, and everyone always says you go late with the first baby. I had no reason to think that the 7th would be the day. I got up and went to work at Star Drug as usual, working a 6-hour day as I had been doing since the end of March. But that day, I knew something was different; I just wasn't sure what that was. Looking back, I do remember the feeling that the baby was going to fall out every time I walked! (Possibly gross part alert here!!) I lost my mucus plug right before lunch, but I asked the girls in the pharmacy and they said that could happen up to two weeks before the baby was born.
I drove over to David's work as I often did over my lunch hour and asked him to get into the car. "Something is happening." I told him. I still didn't believe that it was actually labor, though. He insisted that I call Labor and Delivery and ask them what to do. I don't like doing that kind of thing, and to be honest, I was embarrassed to call and just tell someone that "something was different but I don't know what"! He told them what had happened and the nurse assured him that it could still be a week or two before the baby came. Then she asked to talk to me and told me that I should probably go home and relax.
I certainly wasn't going to waste a good day, though! I think I was in the restroom more than I worked that afternoon - I thought that I was constipated. I have talked to many moms since then who have thought the same thing during labor. I finished working at 2:30, and my friend Amanda had asked me to stay at her house during her kids' naptime, so I went ahead and did that. Thankfully the kids stayed asleep - I would not have been a very good babysitter if they'd needed anything! I laid on the couch for a couple of hours and watched "The Cosby Show" until Amanda's husband Trent came home. I felt terrible by then, and couldn't wait to get home to my bed; unfortunately my demeanor showed that and it appeared as though I just wanted to get away from Trent :-)
At home, I made supper as usual, and then headed for the bed. David was very insistent that we go to the hospital, but I was not about to make a fool of myself and be sent home. After all, I had an OB appointment the next day! We ended up calling the hospital a couple of more times, and both times the nurse said no, she didn't think it was labor, and that I should stay at home. Finally, at about 9:30 the night of the 7th, David coaxed me into the car telling me that we would go to the hospital, get a stool softener, and come home. I reluctantly went along . . . and by the time we got to the hospital, my "constipation pains" were 2 minutes apart.
We found out why the nurse had been so quick to tell me to stay home. She was a very unpleasant lady who clearly did not want to be there. Not only was she just plain unfriendly, she put the band on my tummy and told me that she couldn't find the baby's heartbeat. FYI, that is not something that you tell a mom who's ready to give birth! I told her that she had put the monitor on the wrong side and that I could see the baby's head on the other side. She didn't believe me until David came into the room and told her the same thing, and sure enough, there it was. We were so thankful to learn that she was at the end of her shift and that she was leaving a few minutes later.
Since I had been convinced that I wasn't in labor, I would not allow David to call either of our parents until we were in the hospital. It was 10:15 when we got there, and I was dilated to 6 cm. Dr. Wenzel, who I absolutely adore, just "happened" to be on call that night - thank you, God!! It was one of my main concerns that she would be the one to deliver the baby. At the point where they decided to move me into the delivery room, she was already on her way to deliver another baby of a mom who was on her third child and "goes fast", according to the staff.
They broke my water and the contractions came so strongly, I changed my mind about the whole "natural" birth thing without an epidural, and I begged for one. But it was too late. I was dilated to a 9 and thing were progressing very quickly. Dr. Wenzel flew into the room just as I was pushing, and Samuel was born at 11:35 that night - quite some time before the lady in the next room, for whom Dr. Wenzel had actually come. I was in shock. After all, hadn't I just come in as an obligation to my husband?!
I am in awe as I look back on the experience of our first baby's birth. God showed Himself in control and mighty. All of my fears, all of the unknowns that come with a first baby, were taken care of. As I already mentioned, my own doctor was able to deliver (in fact, she has delivered both of my babies!). I didn't have to have an epidural, as I had so often prayed I wouldn't have to do. I didn't have to go through hours at the hospital or be sent home.
I can't believe it has been three years since Samuel was born - the memories are so clear, as if it only happened last week. I am so thankful for the beautiful son that God has given us. For his great sense of humor, for his tender heart, for his love of learning. I'm thankful that he wants to be just like his daddy, and I pray that he is.
And most of all, I pray that he comes to know Jesus as his Savior at an early age. I never fully understood the love of a parent for a child - the love that God had even as He sent His only Son to die in place of my sins and yours - until I had Samuel. What a gift He gave us!
Happy Easter as we celebrate Christ's resurrection, and Happy 3rd Birthday to my sweet son!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Debt vs. Family
I put in a two-week notice at my evening job last night. It was bittersweet telling my supervisor that I would be leaving, knowing that it will leave a gap that they will have to fill, but today I am filled with joy as I watch my children and know that after next Thursday, we can finally be a "normal" family (and normal may be relative!).
Since having children, we really have not been what I would call "normal" because we've been on such a mission to earn income. Now, I have to say, we have no high hopes of becoming rich by any means . . . we just made a few un-wise decisions early in our marriage that we had to live with and learn from for the past few years. As I mentioned in a previous post, we are committed to getting out of debt, which means paying off all of our student loans. After that our only debt will be the mortgage, and we can live with that!
So why would I quit my job? Normal to us would be where Daddy goes to work, and when he comes home, the family is together - eating, conversing, working on a project - just together.
After making our "bad" decisions (though we've come to realize they were necessary and God used them to teach us to follow Him better), we spent several years playing catch-up. We had more bills than income, and were constantly trying to fill those gaps. So David started a demolition business. I started selling Discovery Toys. David got a job at McDonald's. I got jobs at the mall and as a janitor at a local manufacturing plant.
None of these were bad things to do. There is no problem with starting a business or selling something out of your home, but we didn't have the capital to be able to make them turn a profit. There is no problem with getting a second job, but we let those jobs take time from our family. When David was at McDonald's, he was working about 16-20 hours a day, leaving me at home alone with the kids. While I've been working, David and I meet at the door and he comes in while I'm going out. Our only time at home together is Wednesdays and weekends. We're usually busy on Fridays and Saturdays, so we've started using time that we would usually attend church to stay at home and have that family time we've been missing.
We started talking about it and questioning how we could possibly get out of debt, and one of us working a second job seemed like the only way. Then we met with our CPA to do our taxes. She is an awesome, godly lady who is familiar with what we are trying to do and has also been through Financial Peace University. She worked with us and helped us to find a way David can prevent the govenment from taking so much out of his paycheck (yes, it's totally legal!). And that amount is equal to what I have been making the past few months at my job!
We doubted, we didn't trust that God would take care of our desire and honor our commitment to be debt-free. Yet, He still provided a way when we didn't expect it! How awesome! And so, last night my job began to end. I have 5 more nights of working, and I am so looking forward not only to having evenings at home being a mommy to my children and a wife to my husband, but to going back to church for more than just the morning service.
I am so thankful for a God who does care about us, who wants us to follow Him and to train our children to do the same. He provided for us in spite of our best efforts to do so ourselves.
Eph. 3:20-21 has long been one of my favorite passages: "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever"!!
Since having children, we really have not been what I would call "normal" because we've been on such a mission to earn income. Now, I have to say, we have no high hopes of becoming rich by any means . . . we just made a few un-wise decisions early in our marriage that we had to live with and learn from for the past few years. As I mentioned in a previous post, we are committed to getting out of debt, which means paying off all of our student loans. After that our only debt will be the mortgage, and we can live with that!
So why would I quit my job? Normal to us would be where Daddy goes to work, and when he comes home, the family is together - eating, conversing, working on a project - just together.
After making our "bad" decisions (though we've come to realize they were necessary and God used them to teach us to follow Him better), we spent several years playing catch-up. We had more bills than income, and were constantly trying to fill those gaps. So David started a demolition business. I started selling Discovery Toys. David got a job at McDonald's. I got jobs at the mall and as a janitor at a local manufacturing plant.
None of these were bad things to do. There is no problem with starting a business or selling something out of your home, but we didn't have the capital to be able to make them turn a profit. There is no problem with getting a second job, but we let those jobs take time from our family. When David was at McDonald's, he was working about 16-20 hours a day, leaving me at home alone with the kids. While I've been working, David and I meet at the door and he comes in while I'm going out. Our only time at home together is Wednesdays and weekends. We're usually busy on Fridays and Saturdays, so we've started using time that we would usually attend church to stay at home and have that family time we've been missing.
We started talking about it and questioning how we could possibly get out of debt, and one of us working a second job seemed like the only way. Then we met with our CPA to do our taxes. She is an awesome, godly lady who is familiar with what we are trying to do and has also been through Financial Peace University. She worked with us and helped us to find a way David can prevent the govenment from taking so much out of his paycheck (yes, it's totally legal!). And that amount is equal to what I have been making the past few months at my job!
We doubted, we didn't trust that God would take care of our desire and honor our commitment to be debt-free. Yet, He still provided a way when we didn't expect it! How awesome! And so, last night my job began to end. I have 5 more nights of working, and I am so looking forward not only to having evenings at home being a mommy to my children and a wife to my husband, but to going back to church for more than just the morning service.
I am so thankful for a God who does care about us, who wants us to follow Him and to train our children to do the same. He provided for us in spite of our best efforts to do so ourselves.
Eph. 3:20-21 has long been one of my favorite passages: "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever"!!
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