Home Sweet Home

1,000 Gifts in 2012

2012-01-18T07:37:00.002-06:00

This year I am taking the challenge to foster a heart of gratitude by naming 1,000 gifts in 2012. Read more about the challenge here. I want to make new habits this year.

A habit of not complaining, but the habit of giving thanks; the habit of not worrying, but a habit worshipping. The habit of repeatedly giving God praise that our lives might become a prayer. Small is always the leverage of large. It’s one moment after the other, the small moments that turn a life. It’s the small actions that can change a life.

It’s habits that can imprison you and it’s habits that can free you and when thanks to God becomes a habit, so joy in God becomes your life.

I know I can't do this alone. I need the Father's grace-- I need it every minute of every day. Help me Father!

I may not be able to share all 1,000 gifts with all of you, but I thought I would try to share as time allows. Let us encourage one another to consider the many gifts the Lord bestows on us each day.

12. A roof over my head, worn-out slippers, coffee.

13. A suckling baby, "mommy, mommy", praise music.

14. Jonah's birth, the way he saved my marriage before it started, how he cared for the Linc.

15. My wedding ring, my timing, a delicious meal.

16. Judah's squeal when a friend opened the door, Jonah smiling and laughing at the sight of MarMar, Nathan chasing Judah and Logan around the kitchen.

17. Judah washing his face with a tissue he dipped in the toilet, open conversations with friends, my husbands embrace.

18. He will never leave me, His grace IS POWER, He gently leads those with young.

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17

Washed by the Water

2012-01-15T06:25:00.006-06:00

On November 27th, just one day after La'Markus' 17th birthday, he chose to be baptized. Hallelujah! The Lord alone draws the lost. We know that La'Markus is in His hands. It's easy to get overwhelmed with all that we want to teach and give to him, but we are reminded that God didn't start to care for him when he came into our home. The word says that God knew him when he was in his mothers womb (Jeremiah 1:5). Despite all that he has been through, our God has always and will always be there for him (Hebrews 13:5). We continue to pray that La'Markus will draw nearer to the Him. Please continue to pray with us.

"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

Hebrews 10:19-25

A Picture Story: 6 Months

2011-12-07T14:46:00.012-06:00

Six months have passed since I last wrote. If I had limitless time, I could write a book (okay at least a short story) on all that God is teaching me and all God has been doing in our little family. But time is a precious and today there are diapers to change, clothes to wash, and souls to train. God has shown me that in this season, these three boys and my husband are my ministry. There are days when it is hard to see just how valuable this season truly is, but God is always faithful to remind me of His purpose. He is gentle and loving on the days when I'm sleepy and the to do list is long and the children are needy. He rejuvenates me on days like today when we spend the morning playing and the children take an extra long nap. He reminds me over and over again that HE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!

Peace: Jonah Alan's Birth Story

2011-06-29T09:36:00.060-05:00

*This is the birth story of our second born Jonah Alan. It wanted to write my chiildrens' birth stories not only so that I could share our experience with family and friends, but also so that I would have a detailed account of these amazing days! It is my hope that myself and others will look back on this day and know that we serve a powerful, gracious, and loving Father.

Jonah Alan arrived on May 20, 2011 at 7:15pm. He weighed 7.15 and was 20.5 inches long.

It's funny how you think you have some idea of when your child will enter the world. For weeks I felt certain that Jonah would come any night. I was convinced that I would go to sleep one night (after about 36 weeks) and wake up in labor. I made sure that all of our bags were packed before going to bed. I would usually wake up around 1am with Braxton Hicks contractions and wonder if this could be the night. This birth taught be that only God knows the number of our days! I was exactly 4 days past my estimated due date when Jonah was born.

May 20th was a special day for us because that morning we attended our niece's kindergarten graduation. I was so thankful to be able to attend this special occasion with the rest of the family. Nathan's sister and I were certain that I wouldn't see Tess graduate because I would be at home with Jonah. God had other plans. We all watched proudly as Tess walked across the stage and then we enjoyed a meal together. After lunch, I went to see my OB. He checked me and determined that I was 5cm dilated and 85% effaced. (I had been progressively dilating since 36 weeks and was 4cm on Monday). Progressively dilating prior to birth was an answered prayer.

That afternoon, I played outside with Judah, Nate, and MarMar. It seemed like I might be having some contractions, but they were very mild so I figured they would go away like they had many times before. At about 4:00 pm Nate and MarMar went for a run and Judah and I walked behind them. As I walked, it seemed like the contractions were continuing, but they were painless so I kept walking. About 15 minutes into the walk, I stopped to chat with a neighbor and realized the contractions may be coming consistently. I told my neighbor this could be the day and decided to walk home. Nate and MarMar met me at the house and I told Nate that I might be going into labor. We all stood outside and timed MarMar while he did sprints in front of the house. As he sprinted, I noticed once again that it seemed like the contractions were coming consistently. I told Nate that I was pretty sure I was in labor, but I was probably in the early stages of labor because the contractions were not strong. At about 4:30 pm, I called a friend to ask her if she could come watch Judah if I went into labor. After I talked to her, I decided that we should go inside and try to time my contractions. Timing my contractions was rather difficult because Judah was wanting attention. We timed a total of 2 contractions and realized they were only about 4 minutes apart. I knew I was definitely in labor now and told Nathan we should start to get our things ready. I called my friend back at 4:45 pm and told her that I was for sure in labor and asked her to come as soon as she could to help care for Judah while I labored at home. She said she couldn't be there for about 45 minutes. At that time, I knew my contractions were close together, but I was certain that I wasn't that far into my labor because my contractions felt strong but they were not painful.

I called my doula and she told me that I seemed very calm, but she felt that Jonah could come fast. I told her I wanted to get in the tub. She advised that I get in the tub but not stay at home longer than an hour because my contractions seemed pretty close together and I was 5 cm dilated earlier that day. We had only timed a couple more contractions because we were busy making necessary phone calls and caring for Judah. Thankfully Nate's mother came over to help us with Judah around 5:00 pm. I laid on the birthing ball and prayed for wisdom and peace while Nathan prepared the bathtub and helped me time contractions. The contractions were coming about 3 to 4 minutes apart, but I was so calm and wasn't in pain so I went ahead and got in the bathtub. I was so excited to get in the tub because I enjoyed intimate time with the Lord while I was laboring in the tub with Judah. After only 5 minutes in the tub, Nathan started feeling like we really needed to go to the hospital. I wasn't sure, but I finally felt a very strong contraction that told me we needed to go to the hospital. I prayed that we would know when to go to the hospital and He answered. When I got out of the tub, I realized that I may be farther into the labor process than I thought because I needed Nate to help me get dressed. I started to have a great sense of urgency for getting to the hospital, but God continued to give me peace. As we were driving, we tried to time the contractions and realized they were coming 1-2 minutes apart. I was clearly in transition, but I continued to thank God for progressing my labor and prayed that He would keep us at peace. Nathan continued to reassure me of God's peace and told me over and over again that this is all for a purpose and we would meet Jonah soon. His peace wafted over me when I would feel a strong contraction. I told myself with each contraction that it was simply my body tightening in order for us to meet Jonah. As we approached the off ramp for the interstate, we found ourselves in a major traffic jam. Without hesitation, Nathan jumped the curb and drove our van straight up the raised median and into the emergency lane. We both laughed when he jumped the curb, but inside I think we knew this move was made out of necessity.

We arrived at the hospital at around 6:15pm. A nurse started to ask me the usual admittance questions, but she quickly realized that the baby was going to come quick because I had to pause her at least three times within the first two questions. The nurses seemed a little nervous as they quickly showed us to our room (it was the same room I delivered Judah in!). My contractions were coming one after the other and they were strong, but I was still not in any pain and I felt very calm. I was tempted to start to fear because all the labor preparations were happening so fast, but God's peace prevailed. A tenderhearted nurse came in the room and introduced herself. She explained that she had laryngitis and couldn't talk loudly, but she was not contagious. I laughed and later told her that I had prayed for a peaceful nurse, but I didn't know that would mean she would be so sick that her voice had to stay calm. Her calm presence and supportive spirit was an answer to prayer! She checked me and told me I was 9cm dilated and my bag of water was bulging. I was elated! I thanked God over and over again for such a quick labor (another answer to prayer). I knew he was in total control of my labor! My doula arrived about twenty minutes later. She came at the perfect time because my contractions were getting stronger and the busyness in the room was making it difficult to focus. Jeanne immediately took my hand and started encouraging and praying for me. There was total peace in the room. We talked and even laughed in between contractions. My labor was progressing so quickly that there wasn't any time for using "labor tools". I sat up in bed and when a contraction came, I cried out to Jesus as I leaned into Jeanne. I breathed and moaned through each contraction. At one point, I even flapped my lips (I have a video of this and it is pretty funny). I remember looking at Nathan as I labored and noticing how excited and joyful he was to see me enjoying labor. He prayed for me and reassured me that we were going to meet Jonah very soon. About five minutes before I felt the urge to push, my sister-in-law, Natalie, walked in the door. I was thrilled that she made it in time! She joined right in and encouraged me. I knew that I was getting close to pushing and I was getting concerned that my water hadn't broke. I was just certain that my water needed to break in order for me to push. At one point, I looked at Jeanne on the verge of fear and asked her if something was wrong because my water hadn't broken. She smiled and told me that it was wonderful that my water hadn't broken. She said that it probably wasn't going to break until I started to push and then Jonah would slide right out. Natalie heard us and reminded me that there was no room for fear because God had overcome all of my fears. That was exactly what I needed to hear. I cried out to God for total peace and begged Him to bring Jonah quickly. He answered.

The nurse checked me one last time and I was 10cm. I started to feel the urge to push which excited me because I knew Jonah was going to come quick. I asked the nurses to get the doctor and calmly told Jeanne I was ready to push. Looking back on the calmness of my voice at this time gives me chills. The Lord was clearly in control! Pushing was the most exhausting part of my labor, but I would not describe it as painful. After pushing through a couple of contractions, I started to feel very tired and discouraged, but everyone encouraged and prayed for me and with the next push I felt my strength return. This strong push broke my water (another answered prayer). I asked God over and over again to bring Jonah quickly. I kept saying I can't wait to meet him and bring him quick. After just 15 minutes of pushing, Jonah Alan entered the world. They immediately laid him on my chest. I thanked and praised God for such an amazing gift. I cried and laughed as I looked at his full head of hair. The excitement, joy, and peace in the room was overwhelming. God was with us.

Jonah's birth was a complete reminder that God hears and answers prayers. I asked for Him to deliver me from fear and he answered! He is a merciful, faithful, and loving God. My healer and deliverer. I give him glory and honor for such an amazing birth and for this precious blessing.

" your name and your renown are the desire of our hearts." Isaiah 26:8

Waiting...

2011-04-22T14:10:00.023-05:00

It's been a LONG time since I last posted. It is always hard to write an "update" post after months of not writing. I can't even begin to summarize our past three months, so I don't think I will even attempt it. We have been so blessed during these past three months. God has been so faithful to provide for each of our needs. He is continuing to teach Nathan and I how to love and care for MarMar and Judah, and also how to better love one another. We are constantly reminded of how much we need God to give us wisdom and provide us with the strength to live in this world!

Judah is 16 months now and always on the go! He started walking at about 14 months and now he is running. He is more playful and joyful that ever! Much of this is a result of his finally being healed of his reflux! HALLELUJAH! At around 12 months, we starting taking Judah to a chiropractor and after a little over a month, he was completely off of his medication and was showing almost no signs of reflux. Now, we can feed him anything and he shows no signs of reflux. We praise God that he no longer is suffering from this disease. Thank you all for all of your prayers. They have truly been answered. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to know that he is no longer in pain! We are fully enjoying caring for our healthy and vibrant little boy!

La'Markus only has a few more weeks of school. He has worked so incredibly hard on his studies this year. While most kids are enjoying sports and other extracurricular activities, he is doing hours of homework every night without complaint.He still tells us that he loves school and will do whatever it takes to continue to go. He is receiving private tutoring in reading and spelling three times a week at school. He has made so much progress in such a short amount of time! We've had so many wonderful teaching opportunities during these past three months. These times of teaching and growing have brought us all closer together. We know that God is drawing him and we continue to pray that he will truly come to know the Father.

Jonah is due in about 3 weeks, but it feels as though he could come any day. We are so grateful that both Jonah and I continue to be in good health. God has blessed me with such an enjoyable pregnancy! I am glad to say once again that I really love pregnancy. I started this pregnancy battling a lot of fear surrounding birth and afterbirth, but I am thankful to say that God has delivered me! He has taught and is teaching me so much about receiving his perfect peace. His grace is so overwhelming! Our family continues to pray daily for Jonah's arrival. We are so excited to meet him. We wait in anticipation for what God is going to do during this time! Please continue to pray for us!

Jonah

2011-01-22T08:00:00.003-06:00

We found out that we are indeed having another baby BOY (Nathan and I both knew it was a boy)! We were in no rush to find out what we were having or to name this baby, but both have come rather quickly. The other weekend, we were eating dinner with my in-laws and they suggested we start talking about names. Lots of names were mentioned, but one name was a favorite amongst the family- Jonah. We went home that day thinking that Jonah would be a great name for our second baby, but we were not ready to officially name him. The next morning, we received this email from Nathan's dad. If you don't know his father, you should know that he doesn't say much so when he speaks, we listen.

It's a sign. I just went back into my office. On my desk was a little notebook of my mom's Bible notes that she made on all the different books on the bible and topics she studied. There it was. The little book was opened to a page and guess what the title was? "Jonah" lesson 1 of her notes. That should settle it.

Nicky

Nathan read the email out loud to me and we both agreed that Jonah should be the name of our second baby.

Most people agree that Jonah means peace. A name meaning peace is so fitting for this child because it is my prayer that God will cast out all fear and bring us peace with the arrival of our second baby only 16 months after our first. We feel that God is asking us to trust Him to provide for us as He blesses us with these gifts. Despite our love for children, sometimes having two children under 2 seems just plain scary. At other times, I am so excited to see how God will provide. I am constantly reminded that my purpose on earth is not simply to fulfill my plans or ensure my comfort, but to serve the Lord my God. If this means having two children under 2 and a teenager, then Lord supply me with all I need to mother these children and be the wife you have called me to be. You are worthy!

Please pray for us to fully trust God as we wait for baby Jonah to arrive!

Happy 1st Birthday Judah Benjamin

2011-01-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

One year of life has gone by so incredibly fast. It seems like just a few months ago that we were bringing our sweet baby home. I don't think I have enough time to adequately describe his first year of life. Judah has brought so much excitement and joy into our lives. We had no idea how much God would teach us through this precious babe. This first year has been full of so many challenges. These challenges have brought our family to the feet of Jesus over and over again. I have cried out to my Father in pain and also in joy. I have stayed in a state of desperation for Him. I've needed Him to provide us with strength and guidance for everything from how to deal with reflux to how to parent Judah in the night. God has been faithful to provide for us in every way! I once heard that the best thing you can do as a parent is to stay on your knees. I know this to be true now! True struggle has only occurred when I stopped coming to my Father and decided that I could some how care for Judah on my own. Every other trying time has been filled with a joy that ONLY comes from the Lord. Despite almost 6 months of caring for a sick crying baby, the Lord gave Nathan and I so much peace and joy. Our marriage was not only protected from harm, we can actually remember being able to laugh and enjoy time together even on the roughest of nights. I can also think of so many times during this year that I looked at Judah and my eyes just filled up with tears as I thanked God for such a perfect gift. I say all of this to give testament to the goodness of Our Father. He is a loving and faithful God!

11-12 Months

- He weighs 22lbs and just started wearing some 18 MO clothes.

- He loves to point, especially at lights. He can easily be entertained by taking turns pointing at fans, lights, and lamps. He is now pointing at people, food, and many other objects. He points at an object and then we tell him what it is called.

- He spent a lot of time in the arms of daddy and the rest of the family while mommy recovered from her surgery. Two weeks of not being able to pick him up seemed like a month, but Judah handled the sharp change really well. He seems to enjoy being held by our other family members more now than ever.

- He can walk while holding onto someone's hand, but he doesn't like to go too far. Grandma was the first one to get him to do this.

- On New Year's Eve, he decided it was time to walk using his walker. I almost gave it back to our friends because I didn't think he would ever use it.

- He loves to surprise us! As with the walker, he will not do something for a month and then one day decide that he loves it. He is famous for doing this with food. He will deny a food for weeks and then suddenly gobble it up like it is his favorite dish.

- When he wakes up in the morning, he makes a soft "pa-pa" sound over and over again. It is so cute!

- He loves to talk! He will make every 2 letter sound he knows for several minutes.

- He tries to mimic the sounds we make. I love when he tries to flap his lips like a horse!

- If he gets really upset, he will hold his breath and pass out. NO JOKE! He will start by crying and then begin to hold his breath (not on purpose of course) and sometimes he can't catch his breath which causes him to pass out. I freaked out the first time he did this, but after a talk with our pediatrician, we were confident he had a breath holding spell. Google it- it's a real thing babies do at around Judah's age. Now when Judah starts to get this upset, I hold him and blow in his face to prevent it from happening.

- He likes to people watch. He is so good when I take him to stores because he just stares at all the people.

- He makes this cute gurgling sound when he gets excited.

- He prefers to be in a standing position and walks along walls and furniture to get where he wants to go. He still isn't sure about taking any unsupported steps.

- He still loves being physically close to us and we love to be close to him!

Recovering

2010-12-22T09:09:00.000-06:00

As most of you know, almost two weeks ago, I had an emergency appendectomy and was hospitalized for 4 days. I wanted to fill you all in on what occurred and let you know that all is well in our home!

I woke up on that Friday morning and stepped out of bed only to discover that I could not move. This was extremely unexpected considering I've had very minimal pain and sickness during this pregnancy. I was having excruciating pain on the right side of my lower abdomen and could not walk. After seeing my OB that morning, I was sent to the hospital immediately. The pain was absolutely excruciating! I was evaluated by 3 different doctors and they decided to do emergency surgery to remove my appendix. They said that if my appendix ruptured, it would kill the baby immediately and place my life in danger. We prayed and felt it could be my appendix and agreed that they should go forward with the surgery. I was nervous about being under anesthesia and the stress the surgery would put on the baby, but I continued to have peace. They removed my appendix around 5pm on Friday. I woke up from surgery in even more pain! At that point, they realized that there was something else causing me pain besides my appendix.

I literally could not walk for 2 days. I laid in a hospital bed in one position absolutely afraid to move because the pain was so intense. Finally on Saturday at 4:30am, I woke up and told Nathan I had to move because the pain was unbearable. I stood up for the first time on Saturday morning, but wasn't able to truly walk until Sunday. I walked to the restroom a few times Sunday and walked the halls Sunday night and Monday morning to prove that I could go home. I was released on Monday. I was so thankful to go home! Being away from Judah was the hardest part of all of this!!!

I was in so much pain for about 5 days, but the pain lessened each day. The doctors think that my appendix may have been infected, but that I also had a degenerative fibroid on my uterus that was causing excruciating pain and bleeding. Both have been extremely painful, but the doctors have assured us that neither will not seriously hurt me or the baby. At this point, they say that I will heal from the surgery and return to a very normal pregnancy and birth. The baby's heartbeat is strong and I feel sweet movement daily! I am so thankful that both baby and I are in good health! It may take me some time to fully recover, but knowing that so many other things could have been behind this pain makes me extremely grateful!

We are so thankful for all of our family and friends who have helped us during this time. My husband's bosses even flew my mother in the Sunday after the surgery to help us care for Judah. The doctors have asked me not to pick-up Judah for 2 weeks so I have needed a lot of help while Nathan is working. We have been blessed to be served by the body of Christ! I love to serve, but being served is always a struggle for me. I believe God used this time to show me the joy of being served! Thank you to everyone who has prayed for and cared for us during this time! God has been faithful to provide for us in every way! There have been nights when I wanted to look forward in fear, but God has drawn me nearer and asked me to once again trust in Him. The Lord is good, His mercies are new every morning!

We look forward to spending Christmas (and Judah's birthday) with family and friends. This time of year brings forth so many wonderful memories! I can remember being in labor with Judah on Christmas morning and thinking of Mary birthing Our Savior. Christ became even more real to me as I pictured Mary crying out to God as she brought forth His Son into the world. She birthed a living breathing babe much like the one I held in my arms after hours of labor. It's not that I didn't know these things, but birthing a child on this special day made it all so real to me!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. I pray it is a time that your entire family will reflect on Our Lord!

Almost Free Nursing Cover

2010-11-13T16:55:00.003-06:00

I heard about this great deal and I just had to share it with you all! Uddercovers.com is offering a free nursing cover (you have to pay $9.95 for shipping) with the coupon code cousin2. I just ordered "jones". Isn't it lovely?

* I did not receive any money from uddercovers.com for sharing this deal :). I just like to share a good deal!

Tired

2010-11-10T07:00:00.005-06:00

Are you tired? Do you sometimes feel like being a wife and a mother is a thankless and exhausting job? There are times when I just want to scream, "but what about ME!" There are mornings when I feel so tired from Judah's frequent night wakings and the last thing I want to do is get up and cook for my family. I stand in the kitchen knowing that I have the choice to throw a pity party or ask God to give me the strength to serve my family on this day.

When we have these feelings, the world tells us that we just need to get some rest or have a little more "me time". Well, I would like to share a different message. One that I believe Jesus taught us oh so well! Check out this article that is chalked full of TRUTH!

" just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

" Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Family and Frist Trimester Updates

2010-11-08T07:00:00.001-06:00

Family News
Nate turned the 31 on October 27th! He loves to tell everyone that your 30's are the prime of your life! I suspect he will say this for years to come :).

I gave Nate and MarMar tickets to a Titans game for their birthdays. The Titans won the game and the guys loved every bit of it! The gift was a big hit.

MarMar is still working hard on his school work. He spends several hours a night doing homework, but he tells us all the time that all the hard work is worth it. He comes home every day and tells us how much he loves going to school. He loves to play and make us all laugh. He adds so much fun and excitement to our home!

Pregnancy Update
I am currently 14 weeks and loving it! I am so thankful to say that I've had minimal sickness during my first trimester. I've had mild nausea and pain, but nothing that deserves true complaint. I was very tired during the early weeks of pregnancy, but I feel like I am getting my energy back! Nathan and I had a horrible stomach bug the other week that left us so weak that we could hardly care for Judah (who was also sick with the bug the day before we got it). Thankfully, Granna came to our rescue! As I laid in bed sick at night, I thanked God for sparing me from horrible first trimester sickness that so many experience. I know that God will tenderly care for me and my family as I carry His child regardless of my physical comfort, but I thank him for my health today! I pray that I never minimize the gift of carrying a child in my womb. It is truly amazing!

"We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands."
Psalm 78:4-7

9 and 10 Months

2010-11-04T06:45:00.000-05:00

9 and 10

* He has FOUR new top teeth!
* He reaches for us when we come towards him and loves to stand at our legs.
* He can stand up for a few seconds by himself! One day MarMar came home and told us Judah could stand up on his own. We both laughed because we didn't really think he could do it, but they put our chuckles to shame!
* He can walk along the couch, window, and chair (he still holds on very carefully). He loves to stand up at the low windows and look outside.
* He loves to talk and make noise! He mostly says mama, dada, baba, and screams when he gets excited or upset.

* He has so much fun "working out" with MarMar and daddy. He loves to do anything they are doing. If one of them goes somewhere he follows them and begs to go.Daddy teaching MarMar and Judah

Working out with the guys

* He is eating table food (his eating is still pretty inconsistent, but we are working it out). He really likes bread, chunks of banana (he didn't like pureed bananas but he loves to gnaw on a big banana), apple slices, cantaloupe, carrots, and green beans.
* He enjoys looking at and then tearing apart magazines and books. He plays so rough!
* He loves to shake objects and talk to them. His "conversations can get intense". He loves it when we get him interested in an object and then make him come and get it. He will crawl across us daddy over and over again trying to get his glasses.
* He learned how to throw things. Throwing balls and blocks get him lots of laughs, but we are trying to teach him not to throw his food.
* He is currently having a reflux flare, but overall his reflux has been controlled. Teething, sickness, and new foods still can cause him to be in pain for weeks. Please pray for healing!
* He is very determined!!! His body is strong and he doesn't let much stop him.
* He found out (he may not fully understand) that he is going to be a big brother in May!
* Judah is such a fun little boy. He brings so much joy to our lives!

I wish I had more pictures to share with you all but we haven't taken many pictures these past couple of months! I will try to take more this month!

Cloth Diapers: What Works for Us

2010-10-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

When I was pregnant with Judah, I started to consider using cloth diapers. I felt a bit lost when I started to look at all of the options. It wasn't until I met a woman who actually cloth diapered that I felt confident enough to purchase my diapers. I was so thankful to talk to a real live cloth diapering mama! So, if you are considering cloth diapers, know that there is a real mama out there that is cloth diapering and loving it! There are a lot of great cloth diapering products out there, but here are the products that have worked for us...

Diapers
FuzziBunz One Size Diapers
* These diapers do not provide for a slim fit, but if you aren't concerned about your baby looking slim on the bottom half, they save you a lot money because they grow with your baby. We purchased 16 diapers. As long as you wash daily, 16 should be plenty. We ordered our diapers from here, but I would get them from whoever is cheapest. Just watch for sales!
-As I mentioned before, I DO NOT recommend buying used diapers unless you can verify that they have been used and washed properly.

Wipes
Mother of Eden Wipes
I have a total of about 20 wipes, but the Fuzzibunz wipes are my favorite. In the beginning, I just used cut up receiving blankets. They work just fine, but I would suggest sewing the edges or they will fray in the wash.
* Even if you choose not to cloth diaper, using cloth wipes is super easy and will save on waste and cash!

Wipes Warmer
Price Lionheart Warmer (Price Lionheart makes a great warmer, but their wipes are terrible!!!)
* It is important to place new wipes in your wipes warmer each day or they will get stinky! I usually wet the warmer pad and add new damp wipes each morning. It takes me less than a minute to refill my wipes!

Wipes Solution Recipe
I just make this solution and put it in a spray bottle. Before I use the wipes, I spray the wipe with the solution. This solution should last at least 3 weeks!

2 Tbsp. Natural Baby Wash
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 Cups of Water*
4 Drops of Tee Tree Oil
* Add the water first, then the other ingredients.

Accessories
I bought a trash can with a lid and this pail liner http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Planet-Wise-Diaper-Pail-Liner-PVC-FREE-Cloth-/380185316352?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item97571009dc but I've ended up just using a plastic laundry basket. The first is better, but you need to purchase two liners (so you have a liner in the pail while you wash) to do the pail and they are pricey.

Diaper Rash Protection
You cannot use any diaper creams with cloth diapers, but I have found that coconut oil and Balmex Diaper Rash Powder effectively prevent diaper rash. If you need to make a paste so the powder stays on a particular area of the bum, you can always mix a little bit of coconut oil with the powder to create a paste.
* Fuzzibunz diapers are famous for keeping baby rash free. Thankfully, Judah has been rash free so far!

Washing Diapers and Wipes
All #2 diapers should be shaken off and sprayed off (no soaking is required). Pee diapers do not require any rinsing or soaking. They sell sprayers for the toilet, but you can also rinse them in the sink.
* They are cheapest on Ebay. Make sure you purchase one with metal attachments!

Use Charlie's soap! I do 1 cold rinse cycle, 1 hot wash cycle (using one scoop of charlies), and another cold rinse (if you have hard water, I suggest using Calgon) . I line dry everything to save energy (I use a small drying rack because clotheslines are not allowed in our subdivision), but you can dry the inserts in the dryer as long as you don't use any dryer sheets in your dryer. An added benefit to line drying the diapers is that the sun acts as both an antibacterial and stain remover! I use Grapefruit Seed Extract to disinfect the diapers about every 2 weeks. I add 4 drops of GSE to the hot wash cycle and add an extra cold rinse.

These diapers are super easy to clean and let me just say that I HAVE NEVER HAD A SINGLE STAIN ON ANY OF MY DIAPERS! Cleaning the diapers takes me less than 10 minutes a day. All you have to do is add diaper duties to your daily routine (like brushing your teeth).

More Questions
If you are having trouble deciding if you want to cloth diaper, I recommend the following articles. This article will tell you the benefits of cloth diapering. This article will tell you everything you need to know about cloth diapering. This second article will show you the financial benefits of using cloth diapers. If you are married to a big numbers guy, he will love the second article!

Two, Three, Four, Five

2010-10-10T15:36:00.002-05:00

It all started when two became one on September 26, 2008.

On December 25, 2009, God gave us an amazing Christmas gift, our first son.

In August of 2010, we discovered that our dear friend LaMarkus needed a place to stay during the week, so we opened our home and became the "Godparents" of an awesome 15 year old boy.

In September of 2010, we found out that we are expecting another sweet gift in May.

This is the story of how we went from a family of two to a family of five! We thank the Lord for entrusting us with these children! We are so unfit, but His grace is MORE THAN ENOUGH! We wait in anticipation for all He is going to do in us through these precious gifts!

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them..." Psalm 127: 3-5

2 Wonderful Years

2010-09-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

Today is our 2 year wedding anniversary! Praise the Lord for the MANY ways that he has changed and molded us over the past two years. He has been so good and faithful to us. He is patiently teaching us His ways, which doesn't always mean that our life is "easy", but it does mean that our life is always good. The blessings that have been poured out on me as a result of God's faithfulness in our marriage is simply overwhelming! Each day, month, and year brings something new!

Nathan, I love you more and more each day. It is so awesome to see how God is molding and changing you. As I always say, in your very nature, you build me up! You are my Mr. Steady and I can't thank you enough for the ways you have held me over these years. Whether we are covered in spit-up and sleep deprived or dressed up on a nice dinner date, we know how to have fun! Thank you for making me laugh and smile every day. Thank you for standing firm in your convictions and working hard to provide for our family. Thank you for always seeing my role as a homemaker as valuable and worthy of sacrifice. Thank you for your constant support, grace, leading, and love. Being your wife is truly a gift!

I had to include this photo because it shows Nathan's nature. Nathan spent over 9 hours encouraging, holding, and praying for me as I birthed our son. He was so tender and caring the entire time. Here is Nathan holding, kissing, and speaking sweetly to me after Judah's birth. That is my husband- strong encourager, faithful supporter, tender lover, and loyal friend.

8 Months

2010-08-25T14:28:00.018-05:00

8 Months

* He can crawl across a room so fast! When we put him on the floor, he is on his hands and knees in a flash. He also wakes up and immediately goes into crawling position. He loves to MOVE!

* He enjoys playing by himself a lot more than he used to because his increased mobility allows him to explore everything around him. He is very curious!

* He loves to play hide and go seek with his daddy. He doesn't exactly crawl to find Nathan, but he can easily hear his voice and turn to where he hears him. Once he spots him, he giggles! It's so much fun to watch!

* He pulls up on everything! This new skill has resulted in a lot of new bumps and bruises. I am trying to teach him that some things are not safe to pull up on, but he is having a hard time grasping stability!

* He seems to enjoy going on walks/runs more than in the past! I wouldn't say that he loves his stroller now, but he is at least enjoying 20-45 minutes of walking/jogging on a fairly regular basis (and mommy is loving it too!).

* He is eating a few finger foods (all quickly dissolving). We are pretty sure he likes being able to eat on his own more than he likes the taste of these foods! We are still trying new foods with caution and are avoiding all acidic foods! We are so thankful that his reflux has remained stable (a few flares here and there, but nothing major) for yet another month! We continue to pray that Judah will be healed of his reflux as he grows older.

* He has his two bottom front teeth!

* He loves to splash around in water. When he takes a bath in the sink, he splashes about half of the water out of the bath. He really enjoys going to the pool, but any small tub of water makes him laugh!

* He only likes to be read to if he can see the readers face! It's so much fun to sit him on the floor and make silly faces as I read to him. He definitely likes to look at my face more than he likes to look at the book!

* He was able to spend some quality time with his Grandma, Unlcle Trinity, Aunt Carley, nephew Kolton, and niece Kadence earlier this month! They drove all the way from Nebraska to spend time with us. We played lots of games, went swimming, and even went for a short hike on the mountain. He had so much fun with all of them! *GRANDMA- we need your pictures from the trip!

* He is such a gift! I am so thankful to be able to spend my days caring for him and helping his daddy.

* Nate took all of the photos of Judah in the gray linen suit. He even used his tripod to get a few family pics! He is so talented!

All Things Baby: Might I Recommend

2010-08-24T08:00:00.005-05:00

When I was pregnant with Judah, I loved when other moms gave me recommendations and tips! Now that I am a mom, I want to be sure to pass on what has worked for our family! I realize that everyone has a preference when it comes to raising babes, but these are some products that I have really enjoyed so far.

Many of these recommended products are far from "necessities". If you are trying to get ready for baby and you don't have a large budget, do not fret! Many women have raised babies with little to no equipment or special products. I read a great article on baby essentials here. If you are wondering how to balance all the baby "must-haves", I suggest you read this article! My advice is to shop wisely and know that you do not have to purchase every baby product/toy you see at the store! Chances are, your baby will be just fine without them!

* I've included links for these products, but I am in no way suggesting that you should purchase the products from these links. I simply included the links so that you could see the products.

Baby Carrier
I have loved wearing my baby! He enjoys the comfort of being close to me and I enjoy being able to use my hands! The Moby Wrap has given me the freedom to go anywhere! It is easy to put on and can be worn all day. I have worn Judah in it for up to 4 hours without any back pain. It is by far my favorite baby carrier (and I have used 5 different styles of carriers).
* I've seen used moby wraps on Ebay. Just make sure they come from a smoke and pet free environment.

Bumbo Seat
We take this seat EVERYWHERE! It is pricey, but I have seen several on craigslist!
* Buy used!

Boppy Pillow
I wouldn't buy one of these brand new, but I loved sitting on this after I gave birth. It's sold as a nursing pillow, but I quickly discovered that I liked it for my bottom more than I liked it for nursing.
* Buy used or ask a friend if you can borrow hers.

Fuzzi Bunz Cloth Diapers and Wipes
I am working on another post that provides all of the details on our cloth diapers, but let me just say that they are SUPER EASY! Don't count these out until you get more information!
* I do not suggest buying used diapers unless you can verify that they have been used and WASHED properly!

Simple Clothing
I like sleepers with zippers, onsies, and lots of cotton clothing. For the most part, I like to dress Judah in comfy clothes that are easy to take on and off! Before you purchase something for your baby (especially your 0-6 month old), think about how practical it will be to take it on and off several times for diaper changes! Then, think of how difficult it will be to keep it clean! Also, If you plan to wash frequently, you don't need a large quantity of clothing. If you have enough clothes to rotate through the wash, you have plenty!
* Thrift stores and Consignment sales are a great place to find lightly used clothing, but I highly recommend washing all used clothing with soap and a cup of vinegar!

Changing Station
Instead of purchasing a changing table, we simply purchased an inexpensive changing pad and placed it on a dresser. A changing table would be nice, but this works just as well and grows with your baby.

Teether
This Born Free teether is really simple, but babies love it! It was recommended by a friend of mine and I would highly recommend it to you all!

Coconut Oil
I use coconut oil to prevent diaper rash, clear up baby eczema, and to keep Judah's skin nice and baby soft! A jar of this oil goes a long way!

Homeopathic Meds
Teething Tablets
I was skeptical at first, but they actually work great!

Natural Antibacterial/Anti-fungal
I recommend tee tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, and/or colloidal silver (I use the Sovereign Silver brand). These can be used to treat the whole family! I have used them to treat everything from breast infections to an ear infection. Do a little research and you find that these products can be used for almost ANYTHING!
* Amazon.com has great prices on these products!

Charlie's Soap
Charlie's is an all natural soap that is gentle enough for baby skin, but also tough enough to clean most stains. I buy Charlie's by the gallon bucket. One tablespoon is enough to clean a large load of laundry so it goes a long way. It also safe on cloth diapers!

7 Months

2010-07-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

7 Months

He is so close to crawling, but still hasn't coordinated his hands and feet yet. He gets up on his hands and knees and pushes himself to get where he wants to go. He can move across an entire room!

He loves to hear his own voice. He is making a lot of new sounds here lately!
He has so much fun playing on the floor with a few toys. Now that he can sit up really well, he is enjoying lots of floor time.

He likes eating sweet potatoes and squash. We are trying new solid foods with caution!
He is such a smiley boy! It is getting easier and easier to make him smile.

He can sit in a highchair now.
He is still showing signs of teething, but I still don't see any teeth. ***UPDATE: I just felt his first tooth tonight (07/26)!
He took his first airplane ride to Nebraska to see my family. He did great in the airplane. We may have a future traveler on our hands!

He helped surprise his grandma on her 50th birthday! She didn't know we were coming to Nebraska so it was a big surprise she she arrived at her surprise party and we were all there!

He laughs when we play silly games with him! His laugh is one of the sweetest sounds! When I hear it, I can't help but thank God for giving him to us.

He loves to be around other kids! He was so happy playing with all of his cousins in Nebraska. We miss them so much!

He had so much fun hanging out with his Uncle Trinity in Nebraska. Judah loved looking at all of his deer!

He went on his first work trip with daddy to Atlanta, GA. He got to meet several of Nathan's clients and and all of them thought he looked just like Nathan (I agree!).

Judah's health has been great this month! Praise God for a baby who enjoys eating again!!!

Completing Him Challenge: My Husband Rocks

2010-07-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

I am still making this challenge a priority, but I have fallen behind on telling you all about it.

Two weeks ago the Marriage challenge was: Admire Your Husband. If you are a blogger write a post all about your husband and what you admire in him and then show it to him! He will smile!

I struggled writing this post because I felt like I couldn't write a "quick post" that adequately explains how much I admire my husband. I quickly realized that nothing I could write could adequately praise my husband. Showing him love and admiration is something I need to do daily!!! One little blog post just isn't enough. In an effort to manage my time, I am just going to share with you 10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY HUSBAND.

1- He prays for me and and Judah daily! He loves God and wants us to love Him too!

2- He is a hands-on daddy! He gets so much joy from playing with and caring for Judah. He will comfort Judah in the wee hours of the morning and still wake up happy! He is always telling me how much fun he has with me and Judah. I am so thankful that he feels this way.

3- He works hard so that I can be a stay at home mom. He values me being a homemaker! He has a passion for raising children and is willing to "sacrifice" some of the things we thought we wanted in life!

4- He can have fun anywhere! He has just as much fun at home as he does on a beach vacation.

5- He is honest and loyal!

6- He strives to let me know how much he loves and appreciates me. The other day, a package arrived on the door step with my name on it. I was shocked to see my name (Nathan buys and sells stuff on ebay on the side so I am used to getting packages daily, but they always have his name on them) so I opened it quickly. Inside was a heart shaped necklace and a letter thanking me for taking care of him and Judah. He had ordered the necklace and had it shipped to our house so that I would get the package during the day while I was caring for Judah!

7- He is a great financial manager. Nathan is so smart when it comes to buying and selling on ebay, investing, budgeting, and finding deals on everything (He is known as a deal finder!)! He always impresses me with his latest deal!

8- He enjoys spending time with the kids from LVM! He loves to wrestle with them or teach them something practical. Whether the kids are cutting grass or swimming with him, they are having fun!

9- He loves his family! It is so awesome to hear him talk about his granddaddy being a "real man" and the tenderness of his grandmother. He admires each one of his family members.

10- In his very nature, he encourages me daily! He comes home happy and chooses not to worry. He is a steady man! He is not easily angered and is quick to forgive! He shows me the kind of love God spoke of in 1 Corinthians 13:3-5.

Update: 6 Months

2010-06-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

6 Months

Judah is growing and changing every day! Here are some new changes...

He loves solid food, especially sweet potatoes! We have decided that Judah was more than ready for solids. He acts so excited when you feed him anything with a spoon!

He loves taking a bath in the sink. I am so glad he can still fit in the sink! A sink bath is so easy. I know he is about to outgrow it, but for now it is just the right size.

He thinks he is a big boy. He isn't crawling yet, but he can move! He is so strong and uses all of his muscles to get where he wants to go. He can push himself from one end of the bed to the other and will easily jump out of our arms if we are not careful!

He loves to stand. For the most part, he is much happier when he is upright! He loves to walk around in his exersaucer.

He is very close to sitting up! He still topples over without a little support, but he is going to be sitting up on his own very soon.

He jumped from less than the 3rd percentile in weight to the 50th percentile in about a month and a half! We went back to the Ped GI this week and he was so impressed with Judah's growth. He told us to continue Judah's reflux treatment because it was obviously working! Judah is still a big dream feeder and struggles with his reflux, but he has come a long way! At this time, the Dr.'s are suggesting that we just continue to try to control the reflux and wait on any of the invasive procedures that they were previously suggesting. Praise God!

His grandmother, grand-daddy, and uncle Tim moved to town! They are only a couple of blocks away so Judah will be able to spend lots of time with them. We are so thankful that they will be able to watch Judah grow!

Completing Him Challenge: Pray for Him

2010-06-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

This week the "completing him challenge" is to pray for your husband daily. Ask your husband each morning for any specific prayer request he has for the day. Print out the list below and pray through it daily!

1. His Wife -that's a good place to start right? lol!

2. His Work

3. His Finances

4. His Sexuality

5. His Affections

6. His Temptations

7. His Mind

8. His Fears

9. His Purpose

10. His Choices

11. His Health

12. His Protection

13. His Trials

14. His Integrity

15. His Reputation

16. His Priorities

17. His Relationships

18. His Fatherhood

19. His Past

20. His Attitude

21. His Marriage

22. His Emotions

23. His Walk

24. His Talk

25. His Repentance

26. His Deliverance

27. His Obedience

28. His Self-Image

29. His Faith

30. His Future

I know that God wants us to bring all of our requests before Him! Praying for Nathan is one of the most important things that I can do for him, so it needs to be a priority to me! I hope this serves as a reminder to pray for him daily.

Please join me this week by devoting to praying for your husband daily!

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
James 5:16

Completing Him Challenge: Our Wedding Day

2010-06-27T05:00:00.000-05:00

This week the Completing Him Challenge is to remember the day you entered your sacred vows. Post pictures from that day and share your story.

Nathan and I were married on a gorgeous September day in front of our closest family and friends. We stood barefoot in a historic church with no bathroom or A/C and vowed to stay together "until death do us part". I would love to tell you all of the details of this unforgettable day, but time does not allow. However, I would like to share with you all a couple of moments from our wedding day that I pray I will never forget!

The joy that I felt when I looked at my groom as I walked down the aisle. I shed tears of joy as I thanked God for allowing me to marry this man! I remember how clearly I felt God's grace that day. I knew that I was undeserving of the many gifts in my life, but understood that Christ gave them to me freely. I pray that I will always see Nathan as a gift!

The gusto with which I said the final line of my vows, "I promise to do you good and not harm all the days of my life." I knew that was a big promise that I would have to depend on God in order to keep! During the tough times, I am often reminded of these very words. I know that doing Nathan "good" is a choice that I often fail to do, but I pray that I will never stop asking God to give me the strength to do Nathan good all the days of his life! I know that when I love my husband as God commands, it is sweet worship to Him!

The commitment we made to live a life of servanthood to God! We washed each others feet to symbolize our desire to serve one another and those around us! I pray we do not forget this commitment to willingly serve one another!

Some of my favorite pictures from our special day...

Completing Him Challenge

2010-06-19T06:00:00.003-05:00

This summer I plan to join some fellow bloggers in the "completing him challenge" hosted by women living well ! I may not be able to post something every week, but I will try! This week's challenge is to post pictures from your dating days. Think about one thing you used to do or have as a couple that you have lost in the shuffle of life. How can you regain it?

I am so thankful that Nathan and I still enjoy spending time together! I really enjoyed dating Nate, but I love being married to him even more! One thing I know I can do to rekindle some fun is to simply smile at Nathan more often! Sometimes the daily grind can cause me to forget to express the joy that I have inside. I am going to try to remember to really smile at my husband this week!

Here are some pictures from our dating days...

Where do I start?

2010-06-11T11:06:00.021-05:00

I'd like to give you all a great update post, but I truly don't even know where to start. I intended to continue to use my blog as a way to keep my family and friends updated on our life with sweet Judah, but the truth is life hasn't allowed much time to do things like blog. Partly because life with Judah has been full of the unexpected, but also partly because I decided that it wasn't a big priority. That being said, I also want you all to know that I really enjoy blogging and think it is a great way to share photos, give family and friends updates, and encourage other women to pursue God. I just think that during THIS SEASON, my blogging is going to be very inconsistent. Normally, I am not a big fan of inconsistency, but I think this kind of inconsistency is not only okay, it is what is best.

Now onto the LONG update...

We can hardly believe that our sweet Judah is almost 6 months old! These sweet babes grow up so fast! We try to cherish these moments because we know he is going to be a big boy before we know it.

My mom and her best-friend Deb visited us over memorial weekend. We absolutely loved having them! It was such a fun and relaxing visit. My mom's visits are never long enough. We miss her so much!

Judah's first day at the pool with mommy and daddy. He likes to be in the water as long as he is being held :)!

Judah started sitting in his bumbo at about 4 months. We use this little seat a lot!

5 months old

Smiling on Easter! Granna got him this cute little bunny.

About 3 months old. We waited awhile to see his smile, but now he is one smiley little boy!

3 and 1/2 months.

About 2 months.

* Judah loves to be held. Since birth, we have held him or wore him (we love baby-carriers) most of the time! He isn't a big fan of the car seat, stroller, swing, or anything that doesn't have a heartbeat.

*In the past 2 months, he has started to enjoy playing in his exersaucer and laying on his playmat, but he still loves to be in our arms.

* He started to eat a bit of brown rice cereal twice a day at around 5 months. He tries to grab the spoon and push the cereal into his mouth. It is so cute!

*He is so curious about the world around him. He wants to get his hands on anything within his reach. It is such much fun to watch him explore!

* He rolled over about 2 weeks ago! He still gets his arm caught a lot, but he definitely knows how to roll over.

* He has been a drool king since about 4 months, but we still don't see any teeth!

*He really enjoys the great outdoors. He loves to go outside to watch daddy work or shoot hoops with the kids. He also likes it when we put his exersaucer on the porch so he can play outside.
If he is having a bad night, we just pace with him outside and he usually calms down.

* He loves to be rocked or walked to sleep by his daddy. Nathan has the touch when it comes to putting Judah to sleep!

* Judah was diagnosed with Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease last month. Judah has always been a high-need baby that some would call colicky (since birth, he would cry/scream for hours at a time on a regular basis) so until he started refusing to eat (this lasted for almost 3 weeks), we didn't know that something was seriously wrong with our sweet baby. I wasn't aware that reflux could cause him to literally starve himself, but I learned that GERD is a severe form of reflux that can affect every aspect of an infant's life including poor eating and poor growth. Thankfully, we have found a treatment that seems to be helping Judah. We are still battling his reflux daily, but we are on the path to recovery! I hope to write more about GERD and how we have dealt with all of the ups and downs of this disease in a later post. If you would like to learn more about GERD and the latest treatment for reflux (I thank God that we were led to this information!!!), please check out the links below.

http://marci-kids.com/index.html
http://www.refluxrebels.com/
http://refluxsolutions.com/

After seeing your child suffer for what seems like an eternity, it brings you such joy to see them awake with a smile. Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus!

God is teaching us so much through sweet Judah. Please continue to pray for us as we learn!

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle...

2010-01-29T09:16:00.015-06:00

THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE...

Is consumed with caring for her sweet boy, husband, and home. She can't do it without wisdom, strength, and encouragement from the Father! She is desperate for Him.

Couldn't have imagined the challenges and joys she has experienced in just a couple short months. She doesn't have much time to sit back and reflect, but when she does, she is overwhelmed with gratitude for God's faithfulness.

Is grateful for a loving and supportive husband who makes it possible for her to be the one who comforts her sweet babe all day long. She thanks God that he gave her a man that has a passion for family!

Knows she is extremely blessed to have a husband who is constantly encouraging her spiritually, emotionally, and physically as she cares for his child. She knows it is a gift to have a husband who will help her in the wee hours of the night and still wake up in the morning with a smile on his face.

Is taken back by friends and family who have graciously served her through infections, sleepless nights, and postpartum emotions. She cries as she realizes that her mother still desires to love and care for her just like she cares for her new baby.

Doesn't know how to put into words how "motherhood" has rocked her world! It requires constant prayer. It requires her to lay down more and more of herself. It has brought her weaknesses into the light and has left her begging for a passion to serve. It has brought her so much joy. It is PRICELESS!

Watches her sweet boy as he grows and changes each and every day! She can't believe how quickly he is changing. She knows that right now he is a crying baby full of demands, but she asks God for the strength to enjoy each moment because she also knows he won't be like this for long.
Doesn't have much time to write on this blog because these guys keep her pretty busy :)!

Blessings on the hand of women! Angels guard its strength and grace, In the palace, cottage, hovel, Oh, no matter where the place; Would that never storms assailed it, Rainbows ever gently curled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Infancy's the tender fountain, Power may with beauty flow, Mother's first to guide the streamlets, From them souls unresting grow— Grow on for the good or evil, Sunshine streamed or evil hurled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Woman, how divine your mission Here upon our natal sod! Keep, oh, keep the young heart open Always to the breath of God! All true trophies of the ages Are from mother-love impearled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. Blessings on the hand of women! Fathers, sons, and daughters cry, And the sacred song is mingled With the worship in the sky— Mingles where no tempest darkens, Rainbows evermore are hurled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world.

By William Ross Wallace

Our Perfect Christmas Gift

2010-01-02T11:32:00.025-06:00

*This is the birth story of Judah Benjamin. I decided to write this story not only so that I could share it with family and friends, but also so that I would have a detailed account of this amazing day! It is long, but if you are interested, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

Judah Benjamin arrived at 12:24pm on Christmas Day after over 9 hours of labor. He weighed 6.9 lbs and was 18 inches long. He was the PERFECT Christmas gift from God. This is a Christmas we will never forget. Here is how it all happened...

Christmas Eve looked like a normal night for us. We joined my in-laws for some soup and then came home to play a quick game of Payday. I had a short period of braxton-hicks contractions (I had them nightly for almost two weeks prior to his arrival), but we went to bed as usual assuming that this was not the night (we joked about him being a Christmas baby but we didn't really think he would come on Christmas).

I woke up at 2:00am with obvious contractions. Again, this didn't alarm me right away because I'd woken up with braxton-hicks many nights. I got up and tried to sway from side to side to make them go away. Then, I tried to lay back down like I had done many nights before. As soon as I laid down, the contractions seemed to intensify. It was at this moment that I knew I could be in labor. I let Nathan know that I was having some intense contractions, but I told him to stay in bed because I knew that if I was in labor, he was going to need the rest. I went into our living room and tried several different positions to ease the contractions, but nothing seemed to work. I decided I should try to time the contractions. Funny thing was that despite all of our birth preparations, I couldn't seem to find a watch with a second hand, so I had to wake Nathan to help me search for a watch with a second hand. Thankfully, we found an old watch tucked away in a drawer. I told Nathan to lay back down and I went in the living room to try to distract myself by watching some tv as I timed contractions. After about 30 minutes of timing the contractions, I realized that they were 6-7 minutes apart and lasted about a minute. At this point, I was pretty sure that I was in labor, so I woke Nathan to let him know. He got up and took over timing the contractions. After timing the contractions for another 30 minutes, we confirmed that I was indeed in labor. My contractions were consistently 6-7 minutes apart and were intensifying despite my walking, swaying, and changing positions.

It was around 3:30am when we decided to call our doula to seek her advice. After talking with us and listening to my breathing through a contraction, she suggested I get in the bath. I had planned on using the tub during early labor so I was excited to get in the warm water. My tub time was the absolute sweetest time. I listened to worship music, prayed, meditated on the word, laughed with Nathan, and shed many tears of joy. Nathan and I even exchanged Christmas gifts in between contractions. We laughed as we ripped through the wrapping paper, knowing that we only had 5 minutes until another painful contraction. After over two hours in the tub (and lots of hot water refills) and over an hour of consistent 1 minute contractions 4-5 minutes apart, Nathan told me that I had to get out of the tub. Needless to say, I did not want to get out of the tub. The contractions were of course painful, but I was enjoying the tub time so much that I didn't want it to end. I wept as Nathan helped me out of the tub. My tears were a mixture of excitement and a grieving of my time at home ending.

As soon as I got out of the tub the contractions seemed to intensify and I felt very lightheaded. After a few minutes and some motivational speaking from my dear husband, I finally got dressed and we were on our way to the hospital. When we arrived at the hospital around 6:30am, a nurse showed us to our room. I tried to make a little joke with the nurse about working on Christmas, but she was not in the mood. I prayed that she would have a more tender heart towards me even though it was indeed Christmas. My friends and I had been praying that I would have a nurse that was not only tolerant but supportive of natural birth. After my short interaction with this nurse, I was a little concerned that this was not going to be the case. That was until the nurse entered the room and let us know that another nurse would be taking over for the day shift. The other nurse walked in with the biggest smile on her face. She looked at Nathan and I and said, "Isn't it so special to be having a Christmas baby". She then said that she had both of her children naturally, so it was definitely possible to give birth naturally. I looked at Nathan with a smile on my face and thanked God for his faithfulness. He gave us the absolute BEST nursing staff, which made all the difference.

My awesome doula arrived shortly after our arrival. Despite it being Christmas morning, she came ready to joyfully and humbly serve me (she is truly heaven sent). She put both Nathan and I at ease as she discussed the progression of my labor and comfort positions. The nurse checked me and discovered I was 4.5 cm's and 90% effaced (I was almost 4 cm's and 80% effaced on Monday). My contractions were coming quicker and intensifying, so I knew my labor was progressing. At this point, I was still in the mood for small talk and seemed to be managing my contractions with rhythmic breathing. My doula had me try a couple different positions to keep my labor progressing. Eventually, I got on the birthing ball, which seemed to really get things going.

At around 9:00 am, I got up to use the restroom and my water broke. This was another answer to prayer! I had prayed that my water would break naturally so that I wouldn't have to decide whether to have the nurse break my water. Once my water broke, the nurse checked me and discovered I was at 6 cm's. Almost immediately, my contractions became VERY INTENSE. The intensity really caught me off guard. My rhythmic breathing techniques were no longer working. The contractions were coming quick and lasting longer. I was in the heat of labor and it was TOUGH (this is not a strong enough word). My doula informed me that this was probably the last opportunity to get an epidural. She let me know that it was completely my choice and supported me either way. I looked at Nathan and my sister-in-law with tears in my eyes and said, "It is really hard." They both looked at me and reassured me that it was my choice and they supported me in my decision. Some of me really wanted to the epidural, but I just wasn't ready to let go of my natural birth experience. My doula could sense this and told me that we would try another position and then I could make a decision. Thankfully, my labor progressed so quickly that I couldn't even think of asking for an epidural. I was in the heat of labor and all of my energy was focused on survival (that's right, I said survival).

One hour after my water broke, the nurse checked me and discovered I was at 9 cm's. I had went from a 6 to a 9 in an hour! AMAZING! At this point, I was in complete surrender and desperation mode. I could do NOTHING except call on the name of Jesus! I can honestly say that anger was not an emotion I experienced, only desperation. I was desperate for comfort from the Father! I was desperate for my baby to come out so that I could look at his precious face! The next two hours were the most painful hours of my life (I am not exaggerating), but as I look back on this time, it was also such a special time for those of us in the room. My husband held me tightly and prayed that God would give me strength. My doula called on the name of Jesus and assured me that God was in the room. My sister-in-law humbly served and encouraged me. I begged God in a way that I have never begged him before! We were all SO desperate for God's power! We all knew he was the only one who could comfort me.

After finding out I was at a 9, the nurses started insisting that Judah was face down (OP). We are not sure if he was truly OP, but one thing was for sure, he was stuck. I was already feeling like I wanted to push at this point, but the nurses told me that I couldn't push until I was at a 10. This was NOT what I wanted to hear. Finally after a few short minutes, a nurse technician with a lot of experience in natural birth walked in the room determined to help me get Judah out! Her country voice demanded that I must get on my hands and knees and rock back and forth in order to get this baby out. My first response was, "I can't", but I could tell she meant business and before I knew it, I was on my hands and knees trying to push Judah out. It was completely exhausting and while God didn't take away my pain, he certainly gave me the strength to continue because I know that at this point, my flesh had nothing left. After pushing for 2 hours, our sweet Judah Benjamin came into this world. They placed his small body on my chest and I felt IMMEDIATE RELIEF! As if in an automatic response, my hands fell to my sides in an upward position as I praised God for this precious gift! All I could say was "thank you God, thank you God!"

On Christmas Day of 2009, I found out what sacrifice truly means! I discovered what it means to be truly desperate for God. I experienced a sweetness with my husband that I have never felt before. I now look at him with a deeper level of respect and love. I also experienced what I've heard so many talk about, the immediate love of a mother for her child.

Now at home, I am learning that I am truly weak! Apart from God, I can't do this motherhood thing, but thankfully God is faithful! Our love for His precious gift is unmeasurable! Please continue to pray!

Goodbye Graduate School

2009-12-12T13:56:00.015-06:00

On Friday, a chapter of my life officially ended. After 7 years of higher education, I said goodbye to formal education! Throughout the last year, there have been many times when I didn't want to complete this lengthy master's degree (especially once I realized my passion for the home), but with Nathan and my family's encouragement, I pressed on. Thankfully, I was able to complete all of my requirements (not only course work, but also over 900 hours of internship/clinicals, which by God's grace I was able to do in the perfect setting- Lincoln Village Ministry) just in time. With only 3 (or so) weeks until precious Judah's birth (proof that God's timing is so much greater than mine), I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. While I do not have any immediate plans to "use" this degree, I feel at complete peace knowing that my calling to be a wife and mother is so much greater than any of my previous career dreams.

When I started my master's degree, I promised my mom that I would participate in the graduation ceremony regardless of what season of life I was in when I graduated. I had no idea that this meant I would be sitting through a 3 hour ceremony at 37 weeks pregnant, but never-the-less I kept my promise :). I can't thank my mom enough for the many ways that she supported me throughout these 7 years of higher education! I know she was extremely excited that I finished!

I cannot end this chapter without expressing my extreme gratitude for all of the support that Nathan has given me to complete this program despite our decision for me to become a stay-at-home mom. He has never once complained of the time and money that it has cost us. Instead, he faithfully encouraged me to finish what I started and also reassured me of the value of being his wife and the future mother of his children. THANK YOU JESUS!

Goodbye graduate school, hello motherhood!

A Continual Dripping of Rain or A Crown

2009-12-07T08:00:00.000-06:00

BUT

"A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.." Proverbs 12:4

A study of Proverbs reveals several verses regarding the extreme difficulty and harmfulness of living with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. Initially, we may read these verses and think, "I am not a quarrelsome wife", but a closer look probably reveals moments, days, and maybe even weeks when quarreling attacked our homes. Thankfully, God also tells us of the value of the virtuous woman to her Husband and then gives us further instruction on how to be a "virtuous" woman.

Check out this great post on being a crown to your husband.

I pray that God will show me His ways and give me the strength to be a virtuous woman, instead of nagging wife.

Pregnancy Update: Judah's Nursery (35 Weeks)

2009-11-28T08:37:00.014-06:00

Introducing Judah's "vintage" nursery...

35 Weeks

I already love to rock him. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite seats in the house. It is such a gift to be able to sit quietly and feel him move! His little clothes are so sweet.There are lots of thrift store, DIY items, and precious gifts in Judah's room. I love to tell everyone how his room came together because I decided in the beginning that I wasn't going to spend a lot of time and money decorating his nursery. Family and friends helped me with several DIY projects (sewing crib bedding, painting old furniture, etc.) that not only saved us money, but also attached special memories to his room. I also received so many precious gifts (many of which were homemade) from family and friends. Plus, family and friends lent/gave us several different items (a crib, glider, dresser, clothing, toys, etc).
We are so thankful for such giving family and friends!

With the recent onset of braxton hicks contractions, it feels like Judah could arrive at any time. We are so excited to hold our precious baby boy!!! I know that these next 5 (or so) weeks will not be free of aches, pains, and emotion, but I continue to pray that God will fuel my passion for the ministry of motherhood! I know He is doing a great work in me (there is lots of work to be done) as He continues to form Judah in my womb. He is faithful, He is faithful, He is faithful!

Pregnancy (30-32 Weeks) and Other Updates

2009-11-14T09:00:00.000-06:00

32 Weeks

30 Weeks (keep reading and my attire will make sense)

3rd Trimester Changes

Back Pain

Well, up until now I've had a pretty smooth pregnancy but for the past week and a half, I have been struggling with some pretty intense back pack. I went on a hike with the Linc children last Wednesday afternoon that was supposed to be 30 minutes, but turned into an hour hike uphill. Needless to say, it must have been too much for my body because I woke up Wednesday night in excruciating pain. I thought it was pain caused from an old stress fracture, but by Friday it had moved to the right side of my back. After almost 3 sleepless nights, I finally called the Dr. and they said it sounded like my Sciatic nerve had become inflamed which causes both constant sharp pain and these horrible sharp shooting pains as the baby moves on the nerve. When the sharp shooting pains would come, they would literally send me to my knees. I had some rough days and nights to say the least. I went and saw a massage therapist and have been taking it VERY easy this week and thankfully it appears to be healing. I am still trying to take it easy and limit the amount of time I am sitting, but my back feels like it is healing. My pregnancy has been so easy thus far, so I was a little taken back by this pain, but I have tried to stay positive (knowing that it could truly be so much worse) and continue to pray that my back will be completely healed :).

A Full Belly
Now that I am in my third trimester, I have learned that overeating (even in the least bit) will result in stomach cramps and difficulty breathing. I have found that eating small frequent meals is the best way to prevent both heartburn and stomach discomfort. Within the last few weeks, I have felt like there isn't much room for food in my big belly.

Lots of Motion
Another fun new change is Judah's big movements and kicks. His movements, jabs, and kicks used to feel like little flutters in my belly, but now I feel sharp distinct kicks and I see him moving all over in my belly! It is incredible! Nate and I love feeling him move and trying to guess which body part we feel or see :). We are so thankful he is healthy and active!

Preparation for Birth
While I have in essence been preparing for labor and delivery for months, I have recently been spending more time trying to mentally and physically prepare myself for birth. This past week, we decided to hire a doula and will begin classes with her in the next couple of weeks. For now, I am reading a lot of good materials and praying about overcoming my fears associated with giving birth (I have a few ;).

While I have certainly experienced some new challenges this trimester, I am still really enjoying carrying this sweet baby! Only 7 (or so) weeks to go!

In other news...

A couple weeks ago, we had a costume party to celebrate Nathan's 30th birthday (It is hard to believe that Nate is 30! Time flies when your having fun.)! A couple of white table covers and some cheap leaves were the key to our perfect costume! We are suckers for a costume party. So far, we've celebrated Christmas and two 30th birthday parties in silly attire. There is something fun about adding a silly dress code to a get together with friends. We had a great time!

This past weekend, we took several of the children to a family fun day hosted by our dear friend's church. They had lots of fun games and activities for both the children and adults. As always, we all really enjoy spending time with this awesome group of people!

Prayer

2009-11-10T07:57:00.000-06:00

God is continuously showing me that all he wants is for me to come and fall at his feet in prayer.
I am His daughter, He is my father. He promises that if I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me. How desperately I need Him! I am thankful that He has shown me that there is nothing sweeter than being in His presence, fully depending on Him. I am thankful He sent his Son so that I could be in this place with Him. I am learning to sit at His feet in the good times and the tough times. My mistakes want to keep me from His feet, but he won't let me forget that He came for me, a sinner. His grace continues to overwhelm me. His Spirit lives inside me! I bring Him many praises and requests. Even when I don't know what to say, the Spirit intercedes for me. He always answers, but He doesn't always give me the answers I am wanting, when I am wanting them. Waiting on Him is tough, but when He answers, He blows me away. I asked Him to allow me to truly love Him and know His love. He is answering! My need for Him is great, each and every day!

The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel is a wonderful depiction of God's desire for us to come to him in prayer. I encourage you all to read it this week! There is so much to be said of this account, but what caught me was that, ^"10She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly." She was greatly distressed and instead of running to her husband or friends for comfort and answers, she cried out the Lord and asked him to have mercy on her. There are lots of examples throughout the Word that show us God's great desire for conversation with and dependence on him (including Jesus Himself).

As I seek His Word, he teaches me.

"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,and since we have a great priest over the house of God,let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider howto stimulate one another to love and good deeds not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

Hebrews 10:19-25

My Mother's Visit and Baby Shower Fun

2009-10-27T07:50:00.013-05:00

It was so wonderful to have my mom visit for 5 days this week! We spent a great deal of time talking about what matters most, our faith and family. We celebrated Nate's 30th Birthday with his family, watched some great movies (Has anyone seen "The Ultimate Gift"?), spent time with family, browsed some shops, served a couple of our dear friends, and enjoyed each others sweet company. She also helped me complete several nursery projects. I can't wait to show you the progress we made. Thanks to my mom, I now have all of the furniture painted and in place. It was sad to see her go, but as always I am very thankful she was able to visit.

On Sunday, my church family hosted an awesome baby shower in my honor. It was a very special night for me and I was so thankful my mom could be there with us. Everything was so beautifully put together. They even kept a vintage theme to match Judah's nursery. Good friends are truly a blessing. Here are a few pictures from the occasion.

My beautiful mother.

We can hardly believe that I am already 30 weeks. Only 10 (or so) weeks to go!

A couple of the sweet hostesses.

Sweet shower decor.

This is the awesome quilt my mother had made for Judah. It perfectly matches his bumper and crib skirt.

My sweet friends made this delicious cake.

I was so happy that our Aunt Denise and her daughter-in-law Erin came to the shower.

My sister-in-laws made me this fabulous sign for Judah's nursery. What a great surprise!

Precious Judah Benjamin in the Womb

2009-10-10T10:07:00.008-05:00

Isn't ultrasound technology incredible? I will never forget our first ultrasound of Judah. I remember coming home that day and writing in his baby journal that I felt like we had met for the first time. It was breathtaking to see and hear his little heart beat. The love inside of me for our growing child was overwhelming!
Yesterday, we were able to take a detailed look at our Creator's work. There is nothing like seeing the face of your child. Even though it is semi-distorted, it wells up such strong emotions inside of you. We both left the ultrasound appointment just thanking God for Judah! I feel so blessed to carry this precious child. As I think about how much love Nathan and I already have for this child, I can't help but then think how much more our Father loves him! I pray more than anything else that Judah will come to know how vast his Father's love is for him. I know God has big plans for him.

"For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

I just came across this song by Kari Jobe and I had to share it with you all. His love is overwhelming!!!

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19

Pregnancy Update: 23-26

2009-10-02T08:00:00.003-05:00

23 Weeks

25 Weeks

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant and am fully enjoying my pregnancy!

*It seems as though my belly doubled in size from week 22 to week 24. It might have been all of the tasty cruise food I ate during week 23 ;).

*I am definitely noticeably pregnant at this point and have experienced an increase in comments and questions about my pregnancy from complete strangers.

* Bending over has become more of a challenge (I am sure that as I get bigger, this will become even more difficult), but I am still able to walk hills (I am definitely moving slower) and lift light weights. I am thankful that I am still able to enjoy light exercise.

* I have days where I notice that I am very hungry, but other days my hunger level seems about normal. I just try to eat according to my hunger.

Time seems to be passing so quickly. It is so exciting to think that baby Judah will be joining our family in just 14 short weeks! We continue to pray that God will fully equip us for parenthood.

One Fabulous Year of Marriage

2009-09-26T16:00:00.009-05:00

It was one year ago today that Nathan and I stood before our family, friends, and most importantly God to promise to love one another in the way that God commands. It was an amazing day that I believe I will never forget! Throughout our first year of marriage, it has been evident that we are two imperfect people, but as we continue to seek God for guidance and strength to love one another as He commands, His grace abounds and we continue to fully enjoy our marriage! If someone would have asked me a year ago where we would would be now, I doubt that my answer would have even come close to describing where we are in our relationship with one another and with God today. The more that we seek His purpose for our lives and seek to fulfill the marital roles He has laid before us, the more we are blessed with His grace and mercy.

It has been an honor to be Nathans help meet. I am so thankful for his daily love, support, patience, grace, and guidance. As I have said before, in his very nature, he builds me up. This year has been greater than I could have ever imagined and I am eager to see what our future holds.

I had to include a few of my favorite memories from our wedding day...

A quick picture before our celebration dinner.

Works for Me Wednesday: Asking Myself Tough Questions

2009-09-23T08:45:00.012-05:00

Sometimes growth requires that I ask myself tough questions. Asking tough questions works for me!There have been so many times in my life when I have discovered God's Truth and I was left with tough questions.

Questions like...

Am I willing to die to self (my desires, recognition, plans, etc.) and live for His purpose?
Am I willing to live according to his word even if it is completely contrary to what society sees as normal?
Are worldly concerns (money, pride, acceptance, etc.) keeping me from doing what I know God is calling me to do?
Do I trust that God will work through my husband if I step out of the way, pray for him, and let him lead me?
Do I believe that my role as a wife and mother is a high calling, worthy of my time and energy?
Does it matter to me if those around me know Jesus as their personal savior?
Do I love God more than anything else?

I continue to ask myself these tough questions (and many others- I think I could fill a whole page with "tough" questions) over and over again. Some of them I must ask myself daily, while others I have answered and simply struggle to live out. I like to ask these tough questions because they require me to search my heart, search scripture, determine what I believe, and take action.

A few weekends ago, I had the opportunity to listen to a series of messages on biblical womanhood by Voddie Baucham. God's call to women is truly amazing! I am always baffled as I study His call for me as a wife and mother. I encourage you all to take the time to listen to this series. It is both challenging and encouraging. The question below comes from this series. I am continuing to learn the beauty of biblical femininity and I think this is a great practical question that we can ask ourselves on a regular basis.

"To what aspect of my person am I drawing attention by the way I act and dress and does it bring honor to God?"

Learning...

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

"...but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." 1 Peter 3: 4

"For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing." 2 Corinthians 2:13

"Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear." 1 Peter 3: 3-6

Recipe Share: Cresent Roll Chicken Pockets

2009-09-17T15:58:00.009-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We had a busy but fun-filled weekend. On Friday night we discovered our new favorite "date night" activity. We went to a local coffee shop and played Yahtzee while we sipped on some delicious coffee. Playing games with your love makes for an excellent night :). On Saturday, I went to a children's consignment sale with a good friend and found some great buys to include a "used once" Snuggi (a back-pack like holder for children) for $10. Saturday night, some dear friends helped me sew Judah's crib skirt and bumper. It took us from around 7pm to 2:30am, but it looks awesome! I am so thankful that they helped me with this project because it was a bit more difficult than I thought it was going to be.

I had to show you all this cute picture of the boys on the way to church. I love how children lighten the mood. How can you not smile and thank God when the laughter of children fills your home because your husband is chasing them around the house like a mad man or when these precious boys are sitting in your backseat counting to 200 in perfect harmony? They bring us so much joy!
And now the recipe....

My sister-in-law introduced me to these tasty chicken pockets! The recipe is very simple and the chicken mixture can be made in advance and refrigerated until you are ready to bake these delicious pockets.

CRESCENT ROLL CHICKEN POCKETS

6 oz. cream cheese, softened

4 T. milk

2 T. butter, softened

4 cups cooked diced chicken

2 T. minced onion

1/2 tsp. salt

dash of black pepper

2 cans (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

Optional- Italian Bread Crumbs

* I use low-fat cream cheese and crescent rolls and it still tastes great!

Preparation -
Mix the softened cream cheese, milk, and softened butter together and beat until smooth. Add the cooked diced chicken, finely chopped celery, minced onion, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then set aside. Separate each can of the crescent dough into 4 rectangles. (Do not separate it into 8 triangles as directed on the can for dinner rolls. Press the extra perforations together to seal.) Spoon about one half cup of the cream cheese/chicken mixture on to the center of each piece of dough. Fold the dough in half over the chicken. Pinch the edges of the dough together to seal. Place the filled pockets on an ungreased cookie sheet. Brush the top of the dough with the melted butter. *Optional- sprinkle with italian breadcrumbs. Bake in a preheated oven at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. This recipe makes 8 chicken pockets.

Enjoy cooking for your loved ones this week!

Early Anniversary Cruise

2009-09-13T17:45:00.000-05:00

Nathan and I just returned from our Early Anniversary Cruise! We spent 5 wonderful days on a Carnival cruise that traveled to Cozumel and Calica. It was such a fun and relaxing trip. We are so thankful that we were able to go on this awesome cruise. Here are a few picture highlights from our trip. Enjoy!

I was able to enjoy a couple good books during the trip. I can't wait to tell you all about them. Have any of you all read "Family Driven Faith"? GREAT READ!

Our first stop was in Cozumel, Mexico. We spent most of the day browsing the shops. We didn't buy a single thing, but we had fun checking out the sites.
While in Cozumel, the shops would do almost anything to get you to enter. This particular shop offered pictures with a giant snake. I ran from the scary thing, but Nathan had to hold it ;).
Our next stop was Calica, Mexico. We took a one hour bus ride to the Mayan Ruins at Tulum. It was absolutely beautiful! The ruins actually backed up to the Caribbean, so we were able to enjoy the ruins and the refreshing water. The tour guide warned us that it was hot in Tulum and he was absolutely right. We were both soaking wet after hiking up and down the hills of the ruins. I had Nathan take plenty of pictures of me hiking so that I had proof that I enjoyed the Mayan Ruins at almost 24 weeks!

On the "formal" dinner night, I wore my wedding day necklace to celebrate our anniversary. We will celebrate one fabulous year in just a couple weeks!!!

I had to show you all this picture of Nathan on stage at one of the large entertainment events. Nathan was quite a ship stud. He was called onto the stage to play this cheesy game on our first night and was picked out of the audience to dance on another night (just for the record, he didn't volunteer on either night)! He also won several ship medals for his awesome ping-pong skills and charm. I was one proud wife.

His Name...

2009-09-03T08:44:00.001-05:00

And his name will be....

Judah Benjamin

The hold up was certainly on the selection of his middle name. After much thought and consideration, we decided to give Judah Nathans granddaddy's middle name, Benjamin. There is something so special about giving your child a family name. We both admire granddaddy and we hope that Judah will know how special it is to carry on this family name.

Doctor's Visit Update...

We had a doctors appointment this past Thursday. During the ultrasound, they took lots of measurements and looked at all of Judah's organs. They said that he appears to be growing normally and all of his organs are working properly, including his heart which sounded awesome. We are both very thankful for this GREAT NEWS! They also confirmed once again that Judah is definitely a boy. We couldn't seem to get a good picture of his face, but he was constantly showing us that he is indeed a boy!

Nursery Sneak Peak...

As I mentioned previously, I plan to have a vintage theme in Judah's nursery. Vintage seems to fit perfect for us because we enjoy finding old things at thrift/antique stores and in our parent's attics, and we love a good deal. So, here's the plan thus far...

Furniture: We are using our nephew's crib (thank you, thank you). I purchased a tall vintage looking bookshelf from a thrift store last week. The bookshelf will probably be painted and distressed. Nathan's parents gave us their old glider (it is in great condition, thank you!). The only furniture item we still need to purchase is a dresser. I plan to find a used long dresser that is a good height to place a changing pad on. The dresser will be painted and distressed as well. Colors TBD (I am thinking red, baby blue, white with brown glaze, black, etc.)

Bedding: I plan to make Judah's bedding (I am only making the crib skirt and bumper). I was able to get some great deals at our local fabric store and I ordered two other fabrics online (ebay and fabric.com).

Here is the vintage fabric that will be patch-worked in with a red ticking tripe, two shades of blue cotton (baby blue and a brighter blue), and white chenille to create the bumper. The crib skirt will most likely be the red ticking stripe. You can see the red ticking stripe and blue fabrics in the picture below.

Other decor: We have simply been collecting vintage or vintage looking items from different antique, thrift, and discount stores. In fact, we started collecting these items before we even knew I was pregnant. Nathan's mom also gave us some of Nathan's old nursery decor which will work perfectly in baby Judah's vintage style nursery (apparently 30 year old items look vintage). Needless to say, I haven't spent much at all and I feel like I have several great items.

Here are all of the small decor items we have collected thus far (minus the cute little outfit I received as a gift). I am proud to say that I got the globe for free! Long story, but I love a free item.

Nathan's mother cross-stitched this for Nathan when he was a baby. Isn't this poem adorable!

I painted this with some friends last week. Painting parties with friends are so much fun! I love this verse. I can't wait to explain it to Judah. Even before you were formed in my womb, God knew you and he has big plans for you!

Works for Me Wednesday: TP Snob No More

2009-09-02T08:20:00.003-05:00

My name is Stephanie and I am a recovering Toilet Paper (TP) snob. I have always been the thrifty type (okay, I am cheap), but I have never been willing to sacrifice my TP quality to save a penny. For years, I have purchased either Charmin or Quilted Northern. When I thought of cheap TP, I visualized trying to wipe with a rough piece of paper that you could virtually see through (I know, a little too visual) . So, I continued in my TP snob ways and refused to even consider purchasing one of the much cheaper off-brands.

Well, a few weeks ago, I decided to take a risk by at least checking out cheaper TP options. Frankly, I was sick of paying $14 to $17 for TP (gasp), so I carefully looked at the off-brand toilet paper in the store and tried to convince myself that it looked just as soft and thick as my usual Charmin which costs almost double. After carefully considering what I was risking (the visuals were hard to overcome), I took the plunge and purchased a 12 pack of the Great Value (Walmart brand) Ultra Strong Bathroom Tissue for only $6.45.

I am happy to report that I have not been disappointed with my purchase. So far, I haven't noticed a significant difference in the quality between my trusty Charmin and my new GV brand TP. I am kicking myself for not trying one of these off brands sooner! Now, I would caution you all not to purchase the cheapest TP at the grocery store. All off-brand TP's are not created equal. If I would have continued to go down the aisle, I could have found TP for even cheaper, but I don't think it would be worth my savings. So, for now, I will plan to continue to purchase the GV Ultra Strong Bathroom Tissue until a cheaper brand proves itself to me. If you are TP snob, I encourage you to break the chains by trying this brand of TP or another similar off-brand. It works for me!
* I do not receive any compensation for recomening this brand or anything else on my blog. I am just sharing what works for me.

Enjoy being thrifty for your family this week :)!

Church Retreat and a Birthday Celebration

2009-08-25T08:48:00.010-05:00

This past weekend, we attended our "Fantastic Families" church retreat at a local kid's camp. We stayed in cabins and enjoyed a fun weekend with our church family. It was such a refreshing time. The themes (whether official or unofficial) were staying under our "coverings" and also true worship.

I really enjoyed the message given on Friday that discussed how we all have our coverings and we must make an effort to stay under them. As a wife, I have the privilege of being "covered" not only by Christ, but also by my husband. He acts as my covering in so many ways as he protects me from outside influences that are not healthy for me (or our family). I feel blessed to be in a relationship where I can trust my God-given covering. Sometimes it isn't easy to hear things like, "you probably better not take that on, you are already very busy", but I am so glad that I (and our future children) have his protection, guidance, and encouragement. Needless to say, the weekend was very encouraging and we are really glad that we decided to go. Nate took hundreds of pictures of the kids at the retreat, so it was really hard to select just a few.

When we returned from camp, my in-laws hosted my family birthday dinner (a bit late, but it was great). We ate fish tacos (one of my favorites) and Nat made me this awesome Swiss cake roll birthday cake. What can I say, I have some awesome in-laws!

Birthday Pictures/ Pregnancy Update

2009-08-14T09:36:00.000-05:00

I had a fabulous birthday! Nathan treated me not only to dinner out, but also breakfast. After dinner, we went to Barnes and Nobles to browse books, which I always enjoy. It was a very fun and relaxing day, just the way I like it! I am so thankful that Nathan always makes me feels special on my birthday. I am truly blessed to have him as my husband.

As you can tell, we have a camera again! Actually, we have two great cameras now thanks to my deal finder, Nathan. He gave me a great Canon point and shoot camera for my birthday (thank you, thank you) and he purchased an almost professional grade Canon for nice photos. As I mentioned before, he has been doing a lot of reading about cameras and photography so he was eager to test out the new cameras. Hopefully by the time our baby comes, he will be a real professional :).

Almost 20 weeks!

Recent Pregnancy Changes:
- I can feel him moving almost every day now! I usually notice him moving when I am sitting still. Monday was the first time I actually felt him move (aside from "popcorn" movement). I was sitting in my favorite chair reading about glorious motherhood and all the sudden he started doing some flips. It was awesome! Since then, I have felt him move every day!!!

- For the most part, I am experiencing little to no sickness. I have the occasional stomach ache or tired feet, but other than that I am feeling really good right now. PRAISE GOD! I am really trying to work on his nursery and other household tasks while I feel good because I know that as I get bigger these tasks will seem more daunting.

- I am still exercising, but I can no longer run. I can walk up five giant hills and feel completely fine, but as soon as I start bouncing up and down, I feel like I HAVE TO find the nearest restroom (Can anyone relate?). I mourned the loss of running at first, but now I am just thankful that I can still enjoy walking and lifting weights.

- I remember reading in one of my baby books that at 18 weeks maternity clothes would be a must and at 20 weeks strangers would probably start suspecting that you were pregnant. Well, I would have to say that this is pretty close to true for me. While several of my tops and dresses still fit, maternity or stretch bottoms are a must for comfort! Most of my friends and acquaintances still say that I am pretty small, but I definitely look pregnant.

Works for Me Wednesday: Cotton Skirts

2009-08-12T07:00:00.002-05:00

What is comfortable, cotton, feminine, and cute? A cotton fold-over skirt from Old Navy. Okay ladies, I know that I am growing by the minute so of course a cotton skirt works for me, but these cute skirts are not just for us pregnant ladies. I have seen them on many different sizes and shapes and they are very flattering. I am not normally one to give fashion advice, but I like them so much that I had to share them with you all. The best part of this lovely clothing item is that it has a small price! At only $15 each, they are very affordable! So, if you are in need of a cute and yet comfortable summer (I may be wearing these in the fall with some leggings or boots) wardrobe item, check out these feminine skirts from Old Navy (just for the record, I think Target carries them as well).

*Here I am modeling the black fold-over skirt. Cheesy, I know.

Speaking of feminine clothing items, I've recently read some great posts on the value of femininity. I don't know about you all, but I feel the most beautiful when I feel feminine. There is something special about looking and feeling like a woman. This can come from wearing a playful skirt, caring for the children, or cooking a great meal for my husband. I still have a lot to learn about biblical femininity, but I am certainly learning a lot and am feeling as though biblical femininity has always been written on my heart, I just haven't always embraced it.

I came across this awesome definition of femininity and I thought I would share it with you all. Enjoy!

"True femininity comes from within... a peace that passes understanding, joy abundantly, a light in our eyes, a smile on our lips, kindness on our tongue... it is embracing who God made us to be... confident yet humble, strong yet full of gentleness. She'll be serving those around her, pouring out her life with joy, she'll be on her knees in the presence of her King, she'll be speaking life to those around her bringing them encouragement, hands ready to help, feet ready to go... all done whether in the heart of her home or on the other side of the world serving the least. You can have someone dressed modest and feminine full of worldly beauty and yet missing the the core of femininity, the core of who she was created to be, and you will find an empty woman, empty of life. It all starts from within, yet I think you will see it expressed in every aspect of her life. You will also find women that are not full of natural beauty but somehow they become the most beautiful woman you have seen all because she knows who she is and why she was created, full of joy and gentleness... full of life... a truly beautiful woman." Carrie

Created To Be His Help Meet:

2009-08-11T21:12:00.002-05:00

I have mentioned "Created To Be His Help Meet" several times in previous posts, so I thought I would try to tell you all a bit more about this fabulous book. I am thankful that a friend took the chance to share this book with me. I believe that it introduced me to scripture that changed my marriage before it even started. The book is controversial to say the least, so I know that it must not have been easy for her to pass it on to me not knowing if I would agree or disagree with the content. I am sure she felt the same way I feel when I suggest it to a friend- hesitant. I am not hesitant because I don't believe in the content, but because the writer doesn't scurry around the tough areas-she charges them head on. Some have described her as harsh, but I would describe her as brutally honest. As with any book, I don't agree with every single word, but I do agree with almost every word! I kept an open heart towards the book and simply studied with her. Actually, I continue to study with her. I have read the book in it's entirety two times, and continue to go back to the book on a regular basis for encouragement. I contemplated posting about this book many times and today I finally decided to share it with you all because I do not want to keep the joy that Nathan and I have felt as a result of this book from anyone. It is no doubt challenging material (I must be reminded of these scriptures DAILY), but it is a valuable read!

Instead of trying to summarize this book, I will just share bits and pieces of the actual text. The statements below are all found in "Created To Be His Help Meet".

The Author, Debbie Perl, wrights this book as she follows the command found in this passage-"The aged women likewise, ....; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed" (Titus 2:3-5).

God gave Adam the most precious gift a man will ever receive- a woman. "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Gen. 2:18). If you are a wife, you were created to fill a need, and in that capacity you are a "good thing", a helper suited to the needs of a man. This is how God created you and it is your purpose for existing. You are, by nature, equipped in every way to be your man's helper. God gave Eve to Adam to be his helper, not his partner. She was designed to serve, not to be served, to assist, not to veto his decisions.

Each day is a decision, each hour a challenge, and each response starts you toward either the quicksand of divorce or the solid ground of being blessed "heirs together of the grace of life."

The tool of your warfare is your loving, kind, delightful, radiant, adoring self. Earn every smile and shared moment.

If you have a reason to be hurt or discouraged and yet you sing with thanksgiving, this is a true sacrifice of worship to God. "And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing" (Psalm 107:22).

You might be one of the women who often complains about her family's lowly financial state and how she must "do without" because "her husband cannot support the family decently." This downcast, unthankful attitude is a dishonor to God and an attack upon your husbands ego.

Discontentment is not the product of circumstances; it is the state of the soul. "All of the days are afflicted with evil: but he that is of a merry hart hath a continual feast" (Prov. 15:15).

Every day, I remember to view myself as the woman God gave this man. I could be annoyed at doing (fill in the blank) for my husband and family, or I could find joy in doing it for him. You serve Christ by serving your husband, regardless of whether he deserves it or not.

You were not given to your husband to be his conscience!

The very heart of reverence is extreme appreciation and profound thankfulness that this man, just as he is, has chosen to love me, just as I am.

A wise woman doesn't ever allow herself to be a liability, but strives to always be an asset to the marriage, she looks for ways to make, save, and use money wisely. Her husband knows he is a richer man because she is his wife. She never expects anyone to serve her, and is therefore never disappointed. She is ready to help, always the giver. (Proverbs 31)

My husband does not loose any dignity by being in subjection to Christ, nor do I lose any dignity by being in subjection to my husband. And, just as my husband finds security and meaning in submission to his head, so I become the person God created me to be in submitting to my head- my husband. (Eph. 5: 22-24)

God's rules are not there to put you in bondage, but to help you make a man want to cherish, protect, and love you.

It's a Boy!

2009-08-06T09:19:00.004-05:00

We are so excited to announce that we are going to have a little BOY!!!

Last Friday was my last day at the University (YES) so now I am staying busy preparing for the Linc and the arrival of our baby boy. We have some important and not so important (but FUN) decisions to make in the coming weeks so I thought I would share some of my random thoughts with you all as I try to sort through my "baby decisions".

- I am still not 100% sure if I want to get an epidural. I have read MANY articles on this important subject, but I am still not completely convinced either way. Although, after listening to my friend Dasha's birth story (she had a 100% natural birth), I am definitely convinced that natural birth is a BIG commitment.

- I am trying to decide if I want to use disposable or cloth diapers. I have read some great articles on the benefits and ease of cloth diapers, but I am still not sure if I want to take the plunge. I feel that cloth diapers are better for the environment and allow the child to better sense when they are wet, but I am still basically trying to decide if I think I will be able to "handle" the extra work (laundry, etc.) that I will experience if I cloth diaper.

- Along the same lines, I have been reading about elimination communication and am contemplating giving it a try. Do you all think I have completely lost it??? I assure you I have not... I just really like look at alternatives to traditional thinking.

- Now that I know I am having a boy, I have been searching for fun things like crib bedding and nursery decor. I do not have a clear vision at this point, but I know that I want the room to be vintage inspired. I'm wanting to use vintage toys, fabrics, etc. This being said, I am thinking that I am going to have to make the bedding and several other decor items.

- We have thrown out MANY names and only one has stuck thus far. Nathan and I both like it, but we are not quite ready to announce it. His middle name on the other hand has been a bit more challenging. Let's just say we've had a lot of laughs over names :).

In other news...

- We hosted an 80's themed 30th birthday party for a close friend and it was a blast! Who knew that dressing up and listening to 80's music could be so much fun?
- Nate and I have decided to go on a 5-day cruise for our anniversary (a few weeks early)!!! We leave in just a few short weeks, so we are anxiously awaiting some quality R/R time together.

- Nate has recently started to pressure wash our entire fence. He has been working so hard night after night and he still isn't even close to halfway done. I am so thankful he takes such good care of things like our fence because cleaning that fence would have never crossed my mind :).

- We are currently without a camera, but hopefully we will purchase one soon so that I can share more exciting update pictures with you all (I assure you my belly is growing).

- I ordered a new book titled Passionate Housewives: Desperate for God and I am really excited to read it. I know that I need to start to prepare myself for becoming a stay at home wife and mother and I have heard this is a great book for soon-to-be housewives. I will let you all know if it is a good read.

Chicago, Nebraska, Home Sweet Home

2009-07-28T08:27:00.001-05:00

It feels like we have been on the road quite a bit lately, so I thought I would give you all a short update. Two weeks ago, I was able to join Nathan on a last minute work trip to Chicago. We stayed in a beautiful hotel in Chicago from Wednesday until Sunday. We had a great time! Nathan had to work almost every day, but I fully enjoyed being able to travel with him. I spent my days browsing the shops, reading, and walking/jogging along the "river walk". At night, Nathan and I were able to do see the sights and eat at some tasty restaurants with friends. It was a great last minute vacation and I am so glad that I was able to tag along.
Last week, we visited my family in Nebraska. We simply spent quality time with my family, which is exactly what I needed. I think this is the first time that Nathan actually got to experience small town Nebraska. My mom even arranged for us to pick sweet corn from the fields on Sunday morning. It was great! During out trip, we ate meals with family, spent lots of time with my nieces and nephews (I miss them SO SO much), golfed with my mom and brother, visited my brothers land, spent a day at my brothers place on the lake (we played hours of badminton), ate lots of fresh sweet corn, visited my aunts house, and enjoyed long conversations with my mom. It was really good to see everyone. I usually don't realize just how much I miss them all until I am on the plane back to Huntsville. It isn't easy living so far away from the ones I love, but we make it work :). I need to get pictures of our trip from my mom (hint-hint) so that I can share them with you all.

This is my last week of work at the University, so it is a very busy one to say the least. Starting on Monday, I will be working at The Linc "semi" full-time, which is very exciting! I absolutely love being a part of this ministry. Once the baby arrives, I plan to be a stay-at-home wife and mother, so I am thankful that I will be able to spend a lot of time at the Linc before the baby arrives.

A Simple Meal Idea: Grilled Quesadillas

2009-07-13T20:30:00.002-05:00

Over the past couple of weeks, I have discovered the joy of quick and healthy meals. As I begin to think about ways that I can prepare for keeping my home after the birth of our child, I have started to make a list of those things that I might begin to do in order to make this coming stage easier on us. One of the biggest areas of planning is of course, meal planning. I recently started trying some QUICK and EASY recipes, as well as some recipes that I will be able to freeze prior to giving birth. Last week, I re-discovered a super quick meal that we really enjoy and I thought some of you might appreciate to be introduced or reminded of this simple meal. It requires very few ingredients and only takes about 15 minutes to prepare from start to finish!

George Foreman Grill Quesadillas:

Ingredients

Tortillas

Shredded Cheese

Cubed Chicken or Beef

Fajita Seasoning

Optional Ingredients (For simplicity, feel free to use the bare minimum ingredients, meat and cheese.)

Cooked Peppers and Onions

Light Sour Cream

Shredded Lettuce

Salsa

Cook meat in skillet. Once meat is fully cooked, add fajita seasoning and let simmer for 3 minutes. Heat grill (or a large skillet). Spray tortillas with non-fat cooking spray (butter or olive oil). Place tortilla on grill. Add cheese, cooked meat, peppers, and onions. Top with another tortilla. Close grill and heat until cheese is melted. Cut into slices and serve with lettuce, sour cream, and salsa.

Enjoy cooking for your loved ones this week :)!

A Picture Update- Parenting Practice, Baby Truett, and My Growing Belly

2009-07-04T10:06:00.014-05:00

We have been pretty busy here lately. God really followed through with my latest prayer request. I have been praying a lot that God would prepare my heart for the level of servant hood that I am about to experience as a mother. I am praying that he will give me a heart that will truly be fulfilled in serving my family and training children. I wasn't exactly sure how he was going to prepare me, but apparently He had something great in mind. He sent 3 young children to stay with us for awhile, so let's just say He is working on me! We have cared for the children in the past, but this visit has taken on a new meaning for us. We are learning a lot and enjoying every day that we have with them. I plan to write some of the things that I learn during their stay, but those will need to come at a later time (when I have more time to write). For now, I hope you enjoy some pictures from their stay.

Ready to go swimming.Riding scooters.

We have coloring/academic workbook time every night. They are learning so much.

Playing dress-up.

T looks so sad in this picture, but there is a funny story behind it. Nathan told him that he had to hurry up and eat his carrots or he couldn't go fishing, so T shoved 3 carrots in his mouth and proceeded to try to chew them all at the same time. It was so funny. Needless to say, he got to go fishing :).
Fishing with Pop.
Fishing with Ty.

We went to see their brother Kishawn (Kee-Kee) perform in a play put on by Fantasy Playhouse and Lincoln Village Ministries. It was really cute.

This morning, Nate had the kids help him put together a shelf for our laundry room. They love to help with any projects we can give them. While the projects usually take a bit longer, they are way more fun!Putting the finishing touches on the shelf. Thanks to my wonderful husband and two great kids, I have an ugly utility shelf sitting in my laundry room now and I love it!

Our good friends Justin and Cani welcomed their first baby into the world on Thursday. Here he is with his proud daddy. Praise God for this healthy baby! Isn't he just adorable?

Last but definitely not least is a picture of my growing belly. I think that this shirt shows off my small bump quite nicely! I have been feeling great here lately! I haven't experienced any morning or night sickness in a few weeks and I feel like I am getting my energy back, so I am really enjoying being pregnant at this point. They plan to check to the sex of the baby at our next appointment, so we are very excited for our next visit. I will keep you all posted!!!

Party of 3

2009-06-22T09:46:00.001-05:00

Nathan and I are excited to announce that we will soon be a party of 3! We are expecting our first child! I can't even come close to describing how excited we are to meet our first addition to our family. We are praying daily that God will prepare us to become the type of parents that he has called us to be. Pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting are uncharted waters to say the least, but we trust that God is going to fully equip us! We both love and enjoy children to the fullest and we are eager to raise this child.

So far, my pregnancy is going very well! I am around 13 weeks and am said to be due on January 2nd. I battled with a few weeks of sickness, but I am feeling much better now. We have visited our doctor 3 times thus far and we received good news with each visit. For now, Nathan and I are reading a lot of helpful books, asking for lots of advice from trusted friends, and praying. I am sure I will be posting about the things I am learning and needing advice on in the near future. We have a lot of decisions to make regarding birthing and parenting, so I figured I better start doing my research :).

Please pray for us as we take this amazing journey!

These are our latest ultrasound pictures. Our child looked like a peanut during our first ultrasound, so we were shocked when we were able to see his/her profile, body, hands, and feet. He or she was also doing flips and kicking those tiny (and I do mean tiny) feet. It was so awesome! Isn't it incredible that us ladies have the honor of carrying these precious babies. Aside from all of the pregnancy and birthing woes (I have yet to experience so many of these), it really is astounding that our bodies were made to provide the perfect environment for a child to grow and then be born into this world.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." (Psalm 127:3)

Works for me Wednesday- A Good Challenge

2009-06-16T15:08:00.007-05:00

I really enjoy a good challenge! Whether it is training for a race or working on a weakness, I like to feel as though I am constantly improving. It is very easy to become complacent and comfortable (VERY EASY), so taking on a good challenge in order to keep growing works for me! This week, I came across an awesome challenge hosted by generationcedar.com called the 30-day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives.

I think it is important for us ladies to take the time to encourage one another to love and serve our husbands. We have a high calling from the King to be "help meets" to our husbands and this is not always an easy position. Much like the many other areas of our lives, it is easy for us to stop "working on" our marriages. It is always helpful for me to be challenged by other women to continue to love Nathan in the way that God intended. This week, if you are a wife, I encourage you to take the 30-day challenge for wives. If you are not a wife, I encourage you to challenge one of your weaknesses with biblical truth and daily practice for 30 days. It works for me!

"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:13)

Update...Summer Program Begins, Baby Celebration Dinner for Friends, and Fun with the Kids

2009-06-15T11:31:00.021-05:00

I hope you all had a refreshing weekend. We had a great weekend with friends and the children. I have been trying to get better about taking pictures, so that I can share them with you all and this week, I actually remembered to take a few! So, enjoy a short update with some new pictures :)!

Natalie and I started our summer program at the Linc! We are so excited to be able to offer a summer program on Tuesdays and Thursdays for six children that desperately need the services. We wish we could serve all 20 of them this summer, but in order to plan for next year, we had to be reasonable with what we could handle in these short 8 (now 7) weeks.

During the summer months, we will spend the first half of the day doing recreational activities (like swimming, going to movies, etc.) and the second half of the day doing art, groups, and individual tutoring time. We are also working on one character trait/moral each week. This week we are working on not complaining and our bible verse is Phil. 2:14. I am really enjoying these weekly lessons because not only do they challenge the children, they also challenge me!

On Saturday, Geoff and Melinda hosted a baby celebration dinner for our dear friends Cani and Justin. They are expecting their first baby in a matter of weeks. We had a lot of fun celebrating with them! We can't wait to meet their precious baby boy! P.S. The sweet baby boy they are holding is our good friend April's baby Silas. Isn't he handsome?

Nathan spent most of the night holding baby Arden. He is so good with children :). She sat in his lap like a big girl as we all chatted. It is hard to believe that she is already 7 months. She is going to be walking before we know it.

On Sunday, we planned to go swimming, but due to the rain, we decided to take the boys to play basketball. They had a blast!

Summer Cleaning Schedule

2009-06-08T14:14:00.011-05:00

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! We really enjoyed our fun friend-filled weekend. We were able to play cards and eat with friends, and spend some time at the pool with the children. Hanging out at the pool with the children is so much fun. The look of delight on their faces as Nate chases them around the pool is just priceless. Isn't summer the best?

As I discussed in my previous post, marathon cleaning sessions do not work for me, so I have formulated a new summer cleaning schedule to help me keep my home clean and peaceful during the busy months of summer. I know that I will need to be flexible and may need to adjust the schedule, but I think this is a good starting point. In August, I plan to formulate a new schedule for the fall that will work with our fall schedule. If you have not yet done so, I encourage you to take the time this week to create a cleaning schedule that works for you!

For those of you that have children, this schedule could easily help you determine their daily chores. If you have children that are able to help, I encourage you to formulate a detailed chore chart from this schedule as well. Throughout my childhood, my mother always left us a list of chores to complete each day. The rule was that we had to finish our chores before we could go outside and spend time with our friends. I am sure it was a funny sight to see 4 children running through the house trying to get our chores done as quickly as possible so we could go have some "fun". We were not going to waste our day cleaning, so that chore list was done pretty quickly :). Just a thought.

Steps to Creating a Cleaning Schedule
#1- Make a list of the tasks you would like to complete each week.
#2- Make a list of those tasks that you complete throughout the week as you go about your business (ex. we load the dishwasher and wash any non dishwasher safe items after each meal).
#3- Make a list of tasks you would like to complete for each day of the week.

#4- Print your schedule and hang it in a visible place to serve as a reminder.

Weekly Tasks
Grocery Shopping
Food preparation

Dusting

Floors (hard woods/ carpets)

Bathrooms

Laundry(wash/dry, fold/put-away clothes)

Kitchen counter tops/tables

Dishes (load dishwasher/hand wash, unload dishwasher)

Trash

Making the bed
General clean-up

Complete Daily

Kitchen Counter tops/ tables
Load dishwasher/ hand wash

Trash

Making the bed
General clean-up

-Weekly Schedule-

Monday

Put away laundry

Tuesday
Floors

Wednesday

Wash/Dry Laundry
Dusting

Thursday

Put away laundry

Bathrooms

Friday
OFF

Saturday

Grocery Store (am)

Food Preparation for the week (am)

Sunday
Wash/Dry Laundry

Unload dishwasher

It is also a good idea to formulate a schedule for any deep cleaning ( cleaning windows, walls, fridge, etc.). I plan to formulate a monthly cleaning schedule for these items. This schedule will include those deep cleaning tasks I would like to complete during each month. I will try to post this schedule on a later date.

Enjoy cleaning your home this week :)!

Does Not Work for Me Wednesday- Marathon Cleaning Sessions

2009-06-03T11:40:00.005-05:00

For the past 8 months, I have been blessed to have most of the day Friday to handle our household needs (grocery shopping, oil changes, etc.) and cleaning. Now that my schedule is changing for the summer, I will no longer have a day during the week to take care of our home. I must admit that even prior to the schedule change, marathon cleaning was not working for me. I would spend hours cleaning, which would leave me feeling accomplished, but also exhausted. While I think it is important for us to share things that work for us, I think it is just as important to identify those things that do not work for us so that we can seek advice and find new and improved ways to manage our homes!

A good friend of mine shared with me that she has a cleaning schedule that allows her to stay on top of her cleaning throughout the week. So, my goal this week is to come up with a personalized cleaning plan (including laundry, floors, dusting, etc.) that will work for me.

If you have found that your current cleaning schedule or lack thereof is not working for you, I encourage you to join me in formulating a schedule that WORKS FOR YOU! I plan to post my schedule in the future, so if you join me and would like to share your plan, do not hesitate to do so.

We have the great honor of being keepers of our home, so it is important that we learn how to do this in the most effective and efficient way possible. I am eager to hear tips and suggestions from you all, so feel free to send me an email or leave me a comment with your cleaning schedule tips and/or plans.

Learning...
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 15:15-17)

This is a picture from our mini get-away in Nashville over Memorial day weekend. It was such a relaxing time for us. I can't say that we did much, but that was truly the best part. We were excited to just "get-away" for awhile and simply enjoy enjoy each other.

Recipe Share- Cheesy Mostaccioli

2009-05-26T12:58:00.006-05:00

I hope you all had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend! Nathan and I fully enjoyed our long weekend. We were even able to take a short get-away trip to Nashville for a couple of days to spend some quality time together. It was very refreshing! I am so thankful we are able to do things like that! I will post a few pictures of our short trip soon.

For now, I want to share one of my favorite recipes with you all. My mother used to make this dish for us when we were growing up. This year, she purchased me a stone bowl for my birthday so that I could make this dish for my family. This dish can feed at least 8 people, if not more (I've fed at least 10 with it), which makes it a great dish to make for others. While I would suggest using a stone bowl, it isn't required.

Cheesy Mostaccioli (Pampered Chef Style)

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package mostaccioli pasta, uncooked
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (11 ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1-1 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (I use more like 4 cups of cheese)

Directions
1- Prepare the pasta according to the package directions; rinse and drain.
2- In a non-stick skillet, cook and stir the beef over medium-high heat until meat is browned; drain.
3- Add in spaghetti sauce, soup, pepper, and Italian seasoning; stir to combine.
4- In a large bowl, mix together the pasta, sauce, and 2 cups cheese.
5- Transfer mixture to a greased 4-quart baking dish.
6- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese over the top.
7- Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until heated through.
8- To freeze: Complete recipe through step 6. Seal with foil or place in a zip top bag. Freeze.
9- To serve: Thaw in fridge overnight. Bake as directed.

Enjoy cooking for your loved ones this week!

Works for me Wednesday- Microwave Cleaning Made Easy

2009-05-20T10:37:00.001-05:00

As some of you may have detected, I took a short break from the blogging world due to a need to focus on other things for awhile. I assure you that Nathan and I are alive and well! Hopefully, I will take the time to write an update about the excitement in our lives in the near future, but for now, I am going to share with you all a simple cleaning tip that "works for me".

For the most part, I really enjoy cleaning our home. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment I feel as I look at our clean home. I have even found that I am able to relax and find more peace when our home is in order. While I can "let the house go" for a few days (I don't recommend this), it usually starts to get to me by the weekend. That being said, I also have certain cleaning tasks that are more of a "chore" for me. I don't desire to look at cleaning anything as a "chore", so I have recently tried to discover ways to make these daunting tasks more easy and enjoyable.

I don't know about you all, but our microwave can get just plain gross. A couple times of leaving something in for too long or forgetting to cover a dish and food is fully baked on to every part of the interior. I used to spend way too much time scrubbing the inside of our microwave, but now I do a little prep work before I attempt to wipe away the old food.

Microwave Cleaning Prep Work:

- Fill a microwavable safe bowl with about 4 coups of water.

- Place a few lemon slices in the bowl.

- Microwave the lemon water until it is boiling.

- Leave the boiling lemon water in the microwave for a few minutes.

- Remove the mixture and easily wipe the "un-stuck" food off the walls of the microwave.

Just a simple cleaning tip that "works for me"! Hope you all have a great week!

Happy cleaning :)!

Learning...

Titus 2

Good Reads...

Check out this awesome series called "Homeaking, It's a Real Job". It has been very encouraging to me and I thought some of you ladies would enjoy it!

If you are up for a challenge, check out this post on being a Jezebel!

Prayer Request and Recipe Share (Oreo Bon-Bon's)

2009-05-07T13:30:00.006-05:00

PRAYER REQUEST:

Please pray for my sister-in-law Natalie. On Wednesday, she broke her ankle on both sides while playing with the children at an inflatable play ground of sorts (odd, I know). Today, she is having outpatient surgery on her ankle. While it is an outpatient surgery, anesthesia is always frightening, so please pray for her peace and safety.Pray that she has a quick recovery and is able to return to her busy schedule of caring for the children and keeping the rest of us in line.

I had to include my favorite picture of us. We took this picture on our awesome ski trip in Breckenridge in Febuary of 2008. Don't we look like we are in a band?

RECIPE SHARE:

I made these tasty little treats for bible study on Wednesday and I thought you all might enjoy the recipe. They are easy to make (warning: do not attempt to make them at 6am before going to work) and they require very few ingredients. Plus, everyone seemed to like them!

Ingredients:

1 bag of oreo cookies (I saved 10 cookies from the package for another use)
2 blocks of 80z. cream cheese (I used light cream cheese)
1 to 1.5 packages of vanilla almond bark

Directions:

Use a hard spatula to whip cream cheese until smooth (I wouldn't use a mixer because you don't want it to be too mushy). Crush oreos with your hands (I also used a metal spoon) until finely crushed. Mix crushed oreos with cream cheese. Use a tablespoon to create bite-sized balls of this mixture. Set the balls on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for 20 minutes (or refrigerate for an hour). Melt almond bark according to the package. Dip the balls into the almond bark and let them dry on wax paper. Keep refrigerated until served.

Enjoy serving your loved ones this weekend :)!

Works for Me Wednesday- Watching Less TV

2009-05-06T21:02:00.002-05:00

Before I even start to discuss this sensitive subject, I would like to remind you all that my reason for writing these posts is not to say that my way of thinking or living is superior, but merely to tell you "what works for me". I feel that women (my posts are generally not written for men) are often encouraged by other women simply sharing their lives with them. We are all in different stages of life and have different perspectives. That being said, I will continue to write about the ways I continue to simplify my life in hopes that it will encourage someone :).

Watching less TV "works for me"! For over a year, Nathan and I have significantly cut back on the amount of tv we watch. I would like to share with you the ways we cut back on tv and the benefits we received by doing so.

Benefits to Watching Less TV:

*More productive. I have found that I can get a bit lazy when I turn on the tv. If I choose not to turn the tv on and instead listen to music, I feel free to work about the house as I sing and dance (silly, I know).

* More Quality Time. If Nathan and I are sitting in front of the tv, we aren't exactly engaging each other in conversation that leads to interaction and laughter.

* Less exposure to false beliefs. I realize that not every show on tv is negative, but I think it is safe to say tha the majority of tv shows are not uplifting. Most do not encourage me to be a better wife or human being. The commercials alone can leave me feeling like I need to head to the closest restaurant or shopping mall. I am weak, so the less I am exposed to negative shows and materialistic commercials, the easier it is for me to follow TRUTH.

* Better relaxation time. I used to think that watching tv was very relaxing, but now I know that there are other activities (journaling, praying, taking a hot bath, sitting outside on a nice day, reading, etc) that put me in a far deeper state of relaxation. Due to the negative nature of tv, I have found that tv can actually make me anxious, ungrateful, or self conscious.

Ways to limit TV watching:

#1- Watch less tv by replacing tv watching with other productive or relaxing activities. Find alternate activities that you enjoy as much as or more than tv. Nathan and I found that there are many things that we enjoy more than sitting and watching tv.

#2- Cut the cable. When you don't watch much tv, the need for cable reduces significantly because it doesn't seem "worth it" to pay the money for cable when you rarely watch it. If you really enjoy the latest shows, this can be a difficult thing to do. If you are a TV lover, start with #1. If you are successful at watching less tv, #2 should become less difficult.

Try it:

* Limit TV watching to a certain time of day or certain day of the week.

* Evaluate the programs you watch and determine if you feel they are good for you and your family.

* Evaluate if your TV watching effects your productivity. If you feel it makes you less productive, make a plan to keep the tv off in order to get things done.

* Make a list of other activities (productive, interactive, relaxing, etc.) that you could do instead of watching tv.

Learning...

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10-11

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13

Moving Mountains

2009-05-03T16:58:00.010-05:00

I found out this week that they are planning on placing me at Lincoln Village Ministries (with the children) to complete my 600 hours! Countless prayers have been answered, ours and so many others (thanks to all of you who prayed)!!! I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it is that the professor would even consider placing me in a non-hospital setting. I am unable to describe how thankful I am to be able to spend 600 hours with these children that I love! I was so discouraged last week after a long meeting with my professor. I started to feel like maybe God was closing a door and I wasn't sure what my next move was supposed to be, but God worked it out...He has my back. He moves mountains and for that I am VERY GRATEFUL!

They still have to sign an articulation agreement with the University, so please pray that the necessary paperwork is signed in a timely manner (the professor is concerned about the paperwork being completed in time).

I am so glad that we will continue to have days like these this summer. There are a long list of reasons why we love the kids, but the way they turn us into complete kids ourselves is certainly found somewhere on that list.

It was a rainy day on Sunday but we didn't let that stop us from having fun with our boys. We played a mad game of kick ball in the rain. We gave all the boys a pair of Nate's ball shorts and told them it was "ok" to get wet and muddy. The load of very dirty laundry I had to tackle following the game was well worth the amount of fun we had on this rainy day. I almost forgot how much fun it is play in the rain :).

Works for Me Wednesday- Morning Routine

2009-04-29T10:43:00.000-05:00

Keeping a morning routine "works for me". While I do not follow my exact routine each and every morning (flexibility and prioritizing is also important), I do my best to follow it "most" mornings (usually Monday through Friday). The more closely I follow my morning routine, the better start I have to my day. It has taken me some time to figure out what routine works best for me, but now I am at a point where I really enjoy my routine. I realize that as with most routines, it will change over the months and years, but I think it is important to continue to have a routine so that we get our (and our family's) days off to the right start.

This morning routine is what works for me at this time in my life.

Elements of my morning routine:

- First to Rise. At this time in my life, I do not having to get up at 5am to do this, but I realize this could and probably will change. I think it is important for me to be the first one up so that I can take time for myself and be ready to serve my family when they wake. In order to be the first one to rise, it is very important for me to go to bed on time. The later I stay up, the harder it is to start my day right.

- Physical Exercise. Exercise fights stress and keeps my body healthy. I currently do not have a gym membership, so my main forms of exercise are running, walking, lifting weights, and exercise videos. Nate usually joins me a few times a week, which makes it even better. I try to be reasonable as to the length of my work-outs. Usually, 25-40 minutes works best for me.

- Prepare breakfast for my Family. I prepare the same simple breakfast and COFFEE (a must have) almost every morning. Once a month or so, I will buy something special like OJ or bagels instead of toast. I don't try to change the whole breakfast, I just switch out one element of the breakfast. I also try to do something different for breakfast on Saturdays.

-Plan for dinner. I check my menu plan and if I didn't prep a part of our planned meal the night before, I prep some of it in the morning.

- Clean-up any dishes from the night before and breakfast. Do a "quick" (like 5 minute) sweep of the house before I leave to make sure the house is semi-presentable (I don't try to clean my entire house, I just try to make it look tidy). Once or twice a week, this includes placing a load of laundry in the washer or dryer.

- Self Care. Shower, brush my teeth, do my hair, etc.

- Time of prayer!!!!!!!

Getting up on time is key (which is usually the hardest part)! I try to get up on time so that I have plenty of time to carry out my morning routine. If the routine is rushed, it is harder to be joyful and follow my routine. I try to keep this in mind when I am tempted to hit the snooze button :).

Start a morning routine:

If you do not currently have a morning routine, I encourage you to start trying to create a routine that works for you!

#1- Decide what elements you would like to have in your routine.

#2- Decide what time you will need to wake-up in order to joyfully carry out your routine.

#3- Make a time schedule (mine has a good 10 minute flex in it) for all of the elements. If you have children, this will include working around their needs and schedules, which will require more flex time.

#4- Practice carrying out your routine and make adjustments until it works for you.

Learning...

"She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens." (Prov. 31: 15)

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might... " (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

We serve a MIRACULOUS GOD! He is moving mountains...

Updates....

We just returned from a long weekend trip in Orlando, Florida where both Nathan and I were able to be a part of the wedding of two of our close friends! It was great being able to witness and celebrate their marriage with them. I will have to share pictures with you all soon. Their wedding was gorgeous. We continue to pray for Steve and Sarah's marriage.

Updates: Encouraging Breakfasts, Gymnastics, Fun with Friends, and Enjoying the Great Outdoors

2009-04-14T16:49:00.024-05:00

We have enjoyed so many great days since my last updates! Since I waited so long to give you all an update, I will simply try to give you all a few highlights from the past couple of weeks. I know I am going to leave some things out.

*I hope you all had a fabulous Easter (I know this is a bit late)! Last Friday, our church held an awesome Good Friday service. The music was rockin' (seriously) and the message was bold! It was such a special night for us and our church family to reflect on the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. I don't think that I will ever fully grasp the love that God's has for me. He gave his one and only Son to die on a cross for ME! It is truly unmeasurable and incomprehensible!

* We spent Easter with Nathan's family and the children. Nate's parents were kind enough to let us all join them for a wonderful lunch. It was a beautiful day outside so we enjoyed a fun game of wiffle ball before lunch. Earlier in the week, we (at the Linc) died Easter eggs, had an Easter egg hunt, and reflected on the meaning of Easter with the children. I was surprised to find out that many of our children do not celebrate Easter every year (unlike Christmas, which most of them celebrate yearly).

* Nathan and I continue to eat breakfast with some of our dear friends who are dedicated to the Lincoln Village Ministry on Sunday's before church. We take turns cooking for one another on Sunday mornings. I must tell you that we all make a mean breakfast! It is an awesome time of encouragement and it allows us to be refreshed before we go back into battle on Monday. Please continue to pray for the staff and volunteers who are part of Lincoln Village Ministries! This is a picture of us all eating at Natalie and Brent's house.

* We only have 3 more weeks at The Linc. We can hardly believe that this school year is almost over. The kids have made SO much progress (academically, behaviorally, and emotionally)! We have been blessed tremendously by the presence of these children in our lives. I am so thankful that they have so many people who continue to show them the love of Christ. Please continue to pray for the children!

* We are not sure how I will be spending my summer at this point, but we know there are going to be some changes. I hope to be able to spend it with the children, but as I have mentioned before, I need to complete 600 internship hours this summer (to complete my speciality for my Master's), so if they don't allow me to complete the hours with Lincoln Village Ministries, I will not be able to be with them over the summer. I am waiting to hear back from my internship professor regarding her decision. Pray about that as well!!!

* Two of our boys competed in a gymnastics competition this Saturday to compete for a place at Nationals. Jeremiah will for sure be attending Nationals, while Derrick will need to travel to another competition to try to earn his place. It was so much fun watching them tumble. Several people from our church came out to support them, which made them feel very special. We were very proud of the patience and discipline that they showed at the competition. The video below is of Jeremiah tumbling.

* In the past couple of weeks, we have been able to share meals and play games with some of our friends. It is so nice to be able to get together with people who truly love and encourage you. We are so thankful for our great group of friends who continue to share their lives with us. A few of our close friends have sweet babies and a couple of our friends are expecting. Spending time with these babies and the mothers to be is a true joy for me!

* Nathan and I have really been enjoying the nice weather. A couple weeks ago, we planted some new flowers in the front of our house and freshened up our back porch. We both enjoy spending time outside when it is nice, so we have been running, spending time in the yard, and eating dinner outside more. This is such a great time of year!

What's better than eating homemade wheat pizza for dinner? Eating homemade pizza outside on a nice day with my dear husband!

Nate purchased these nice utility shelves for the garage (courtesy of slickdeals.net). An organized garage rocks!

So many things to be thankful for...so many reasons to pray...so many areas in need of trust...so many reasons to trust!

Have a fabulous week!

Works for me Wednesday- Beautifying Our Home On the Cheap

2009-04-14T15:50:00.035-05:00

***I am not going crazy, I realize it is not Wednesday, but I did not get a chance to post this on Wednesday. I hope you all enjoy it, even if it is a couple of days late :).

This week, I decided that I would share some of my favorite "cheap" ways to beautify the home! I think it is important for our homes to be a haven for our families. While the physical appearance of our homes is a small part of creating a haven, beautifying the home can certainly help! This being said, I think it is even better when we can beautify our homes without spending a lot of money. I am not a professional decorator (not even close), but these cheap decor ideas "work for me"!

I used a few simple black frames that used to hang in my kitchen and simply placed scrapbook paper in them to add color to one of our walls. Tip: If you don't have any frames lying around, check discount or thrift stores and be willing to paint them.

Another great "decor" idea is to display old books. I bought a bunch of old books from a thrift store (they were 25 cents a piece) and I have them displayed all over the house. I use them to add height to other pieces or to take up space. I think that almost every lamp in my house is sitting on some old books :). Tips: Look for fun colors and fun titles! Tie a big bow around a few books for a more feminine look. Cover books that you currently have with fun scrapbook paper.

We picked up this mirror on the side of the road several months ago! The steps I took to create this simple "antique" looking mirror: #1- Rub the entire surface with sandpaper, #2-Clean the surface (some people suggest using alcohol), #3- Tape the inside of the mirror (I used painters tape), #4- Paint your base coat (I used some paint we had left over from painting our house), #5- Use sandpaper to scratch sporadically (the original color of the item will show through, so if you do not want this color to show through, you should account for painting it with a base coat and then another coat of paint, then your base coat with show through), #6- Paint all over with acrylic pearlizing paint (97 cents at hobby lobby). Tip: Think of ways you can spruce up old items you have in your home or find at a thrift store with a little bit of elbow grease and paint. If you are looking at an old item, think about how much it would cost you in order to make the piece something you would enjoy in your home.

One of the best tips I received from a dear friend is to look at the items you have in your kitchen cabinets that are not being used and find a way to use them in a different way and in a different place. I found this footed dish in my cabinet that I rarely use and decided to place it in one of our bathrooms. I simply looked around the house for some "bathroom" items to place inside the dish. Once I found a few items that I thought would look cute, I decided to "modify" a few of them to better suite the room. I covered the lotion bottle with a small piece of thick scrapbook paper and tied a string around it. I used another sheet of scrapbook paper to cover a small soap I picked up from our last hotel stay. Lastly, I tied a cute ribbon around a simple cream candle. Tip: Use what you have, but be willing to modify it!

I know I have posted about these plates in the past, but I thought they were another great example of using kitchen items in a new way. These are old platters (I purchased them for a couple of dollars at a local thrift store) that I painted and hung on the wall. The steps I took to create them: #1- Spray paint the platters with your base color (I used a teal color), #2- Let the base coat dry, #3- Use an old rag to rub acrylic paint (I used espresso brown) sporadically on the plates, #3- Rub a different color of acrylic paint (I used antique gold) sporadically on the plates, #4- hang with inexpensive (I got these from Michael's for a few dollars) plate hangers.

Other ways I aspire to make my home a haven:

#1- By being thankful and content. Smiling often and finding ways to "have fun"!

#2- By not only working diligently in my home, but carrying out tasks with a joyful heart! I try to sing, dance, and/or talk to God while I work. Jesus understands, he was a servant himself.

#3- By trying to lay down my critical spirit and giving grace to all those who enter- namely my dear husband. I also try to remember to give myself grace when my homemaking plans get off track or when I am feeling tired.

#4- By maintaining order and warding off procrastination! If I put something off, the task only becomes more burdensome. This includes sticking to a schedule and using my time wisely.

#5- By keeping a heart that is always willing to serve. Laying down my self-entitlements daily.

I always try to remember that I can have a beautifully decorated home with everything neat and orderly, but if I'm frazzled and frustrated, my home is not a peaceful place.

Learning...
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." (Prov. 23:7)

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Cor. 13:4-7)

If you are interested in learning more about making your home a haven, check out this blog for an entire series on the important subject.

UPDATE ON US, COMING SOON! I need to download some more pictures to share with you all :)!

Works for me Wednesday- Simplify

2009-04-08T13:18:00.003-05:00

Simplicity is truly grand! The more I learn about how to do more with less, the more empowered I am to escape from a society that is so MONEY driven. I am thankful for the ladies that continue to share their simple way of life with me. I have always enjoyed saving money (some would say that I am, well, cheap)-- it isn't uncommon for Nathan or I to smile from ear to ear as we tell each other (or anyone else that will listen) about our latest money saving deal, but living a simple life isn't just about being cheap. A simple life opens the doors to multiple blessings, not just financial. Truth is, I probably don't even truly grasp the idea of "a simple life", but I am willing to learn and to share with others the bits and pieces that I have learned. I want to pass these simple tips onto others because these seemingly small bits of information have spurred me to dig into the word to find truth and have brought myself and Nathan true joy! What can I say, I'm the kind of lady that does cartwheels over finding out that a box of 50 cent baking soda can unclog a drain like that of an expensive and harsh container of Drano. I'm the kind of lady that feels warm inside when I type the word lady to describe myself...ha ha ha. It's the simple things in life that "work for me".

Ten ways I simplified (many are a work in progress):
1- No cable tv and cutting back on tv watching (stay with me-- I should have put this one last, I know it is a touchy subject ;). We all have our vices, this is harder for some than it is for others. I rarely miss it.

2- Eating out less.

3- Significantly cut back on recreational shopping (including online browsing). Remember, "If you don't look, you won't buy".

4- Stop reading magazines (and watching programs) that encourage women to focus on possessions and beauty. For me, this included all of the lovely advertisements that come my way via mail and email. I've decided that I need to hear and see "the voice of truth" more often! I'm weak and sometimes it's easier for me to eliminate the things that cause me to struggle.

5- Meal planning and cooking simple meals. I learned from my mother that a good meal doesn't have to be extravagant. While it is sometimes fun to cook large or "fancy" meals at times, the majority of the time I try to keep it easy.

6- Going to bed early and getting up early. If I go to bed early, then it is not as difficult for me to get up early and get my day off to the right start!

7- Using less paper products (paper towels, napkins, paper plates, paper cups, zip lock bags, trash bags, etc.). It helps the environment and saves us money! There are alternatives to using these products "most" of the time. My in-laws pick on me (in a sweet way) for using my plastic walmart bags as trash bags, but it's worth it to me.

8- Letting go of "having" to wear the latest trends. This is a tough one, but I am learning to develop a classic style. The less I shop, the easier this is for me.

9- Buying used items or items that can be reused, shopping the clearance section, and using what I have. This pertains to household items, decor, food, clothing, etc.

10- Finding (sometimes you have to search for it) joy in the simple everyday occurrences. Expecting less of myself and less of others! This has a lot to do with me laying down my self-entitlements.

* I could name at least 10 more, but I think I will stop here.

I plan to try to explain the benefits of each of these ten items in the next couple of weeks. They truly have made a difference in our lives (some more than others, of course) and I would like to share them in more detail with you all, so if you are interested, check back for details on how to SIMPLIFY. It works for me!

Ten Simple Pleasures-
1- Lighting a good smelling candle or boiling a few citrus peels! If I've had a rough day, a soothing scent and a few deep breaths in my nose and out my mouth can set me straight.
2- A nice hot bath.

3- Keeping a prayer journal. Writing is very powerful for me because I need constant reminders. When thoughts are in writing, it is hard to deny what you once felt, learned, and saw resolved.
4- Serving left overs! A nice break that decreases waste.
5- Playing a board game or cards with my love and/or the kids- turning the tv and computers OFF!
6- Listening to calming worship or chill music.
7- Using what I have, but in a new way. This could be the use of a picture frame in a new location, making a gift or a new decor piece from items found in my home, or wearing an old top in a new way.

8- Having friends over for dinner or maybe just a brownie. Phone conversations with dear friends or family from afar.
9- Reading and writing!!!

10- Walking, running, or working outside on a nice day. Feeling the breeze on a sunny day rocks!

Learning...
"...That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed" (Titus 2:4-5).

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).

Family Fun

2009-04-07T11:07:00.028-05:00

This weekend, we had the pleasure of having my mother, "grandmother", and my God-Son (a total surprise) stay with us from Thursday to Monday. Most of my family lives all the way in Nebraska, so it is a real treat when we are able to spend time with each other. They drove over 15 hours (in horrible storms I might add) in order to spend this time with us, so we tried to enjoy every minute. I am SO thankful that we had this time with them.

Most of you know that my mother and I have a special relationship. She is a very strong woman. She supports my independence, but is always there when I need advice and encouragement. She is a prayer warrior and faith-driven encourager. I appreciate who she is and the constant support she provides Nathan and I. It's hard not to wish that she lived closer. I miss her so much.

These videos are of the boys playing together on Friday. Nathan is the one providing the commentary on the video...he is so funny. He was so great this weekend! He spent a lot of time with D and the boys so that us ladies could do "girl" stuff. The boys went fishing, played tons of kickball, rode bikes/scooters, and made a ramp for them to do "tricks" on for hours. Thanks for allowing us this time Nathan! You are a gem.

I used to take care of Dillon (D) when he was just a baby. He was my little buddy, I took him everywhere. He is 11 now and looks like he is going to out grow me very soon. I am proud of D. He is doing great in school and is a very respectful little man. He lives in California now, but begged to travel with my mother to see me during his spring break.

After kick-ball, we played putt-putt with Nathan's nephew, Ty. Grandma and I had fun watching the boys and mom duke it out.

Whenever we play kick ball, instead of using the gate and walking around to get a "long ball", Nathan just throws one of the boys over the fence :). Classy!

After dinner, we played a competitive game of kick-ball. A real family affair :).

On Saturday, we invited Nathan's family over for a small feast.

My biological grandparents passed away when I was young, so Grandma Dorothy has been acting as my grandma for years. She is such an example to me of a Godly wife and a mother. For years, I watched her joyfully serve Grandpa Elmer and her family. I then watched as she lost her husband (they married when she was only 16) and instead of falling into a pit of depression (as I am sure would have been easy), she stood strong on God's promises and looked to God for comfort. I know that I can always go to her for Godly advice on home keeping, parenting, and being a wife. I am thankful for her presence in my life.

P.S. Cooking with my mother and grandmother is fabulous! I felt like I could feed an army with them by my side.

Works for me Wednesday- Helping with Yard Work

2009-03-30T10:33:00.021-05:00

Recently, the joy of great weather has also brought back the joy of yard work! Originally, I thought that yard work would be Nate's "responsibility". I figured that because I do most of the cooking and cleaning, he could take care of the outside without my assistance (sounds like a self-entitlement!). Besides, I wasn't "good at" all of that outdoor stuff and I certainly didn't enjoy it. Well, I must tell you that I have since found that helping with yard work "works for me".

I am always really thankful when Nathan (my sister-in-laws, friends, the kids, etc.) helps me with a task that is "my responsibility". Things usually take less time and are more enjoyable when you have a helper, even if the helper isn't doing much. Even the small things like handing me the bread out of the fridge, bringing something in from the car, placing a dish in the oven, or carrying a heavy something to a new location really make things a lot easier for me. Mostly because it makes me feel like I'm not having to do it all on my own.

So, I decided that Nate might like a little "helper" when he is doing yard work (which he actually enjoys doing, for the most part). I put this into practice late in the "yard working" season last year and I assure you that it truly worked for me. My helping can range from me mowing the entire yard to simply making myself available to bring him the tools he needs as he works. I will often assist him by cleaning up branches and weeds after he trims bushes, pulls weeds, etc. I will also often ask him what he needs to get done in the yard and then volunteer to do the tasks that I know I can do (like pulling weeds or watering the plants). Other times, I work inside while he works outside, but I make it a point to check on him periodically to see if he needs help or a cold glass of water ( I realize that depending on your busy schedule (work, school, small children), this may be all you can commit to do and that is okay!). My goal is to make myself available to assist him with yard work. My ability to help him in the yard may change with different seasons of our lives, but I want to have a heart that is always willing to help! Again, it is all about my heart.

Benefits:
1) It is another opportunity to spend time with our spouses (and children) during the sunny months. I know we plan to have our "Linc kids" join us in our yard work adventures from time to time. We see it as another way we can teach them to work together and have fun while doing it. I have found that I can actually enjoy yard work when I have the right attitude and look at it as "family time".
2) Everyone loves to have a little bit of help sometimes. Your husband will cherish his willing helper. Even if you aren't able to mow the entire lawn, he will be glad that you have a heart that is willing to help where you can.
3) Yard work is a great workout. Seriously...whew!
4) We are called to be "help meets". This is just another way we can find joy in fulfilling our great command!

So, next time your man's out there working hard, think about how you can help. This will be different for us all, but as long as we have a heart that is willing to help, we will always find opportunities to do so. It works for me!

P.S. My mom and "grandmother" are coming to visit this weekend!!! They are driving over 14 hours to spend 4 days with me and Nathan. They will be here tomorrow and I can't wait! I miss them so much and am very thankful that I will be able to spend this time with them.

Recipe Share- Whole Wheat Pizza

2009-03-30T09:52:00.009-05:00

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a refreshing weekend. Nate and I had a great weekend! On Saturday, we spent time together beautifying our yard. We trimmed bushes, pulled weeds, and even planted a nice rose bush and several flowers in our front beds. Let the joy of yard work begin! On Sunday, we had a great time roller skating with the kids. Needless to say, my skating skills could really use some work. The kids were passing me left and right :). I think the best part of my weekend by far was simply spending time with Nathan. No TV, no Internet, just good conversation. We have so much to be thankful for and so much to learn. We both love to just sit and reminisce about how far God has brought us. He truly is an awesome God!

I thought I would share another one of my favorite simple (from scratch--or as close to scratch as I know) recipes with you all today! This pizza crust might look a bit more complex than most of my recipes, but I assure you it is very simple and delicious! Plus, making the crust from scratch is less expensive than buying the pre-made wheat crust they sell in the store. Just a side note, I usually plan to make fajitas on the same week that I make this pizza so that I can use the left over peppers, onions, and mushrooms for the fajitas.

WHOLE WHEAT PIZZA

INGREDIENTS
1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
1 cup warm water (115 degrees F)
1 pkg. Hodgson Mill Active Dry Yeast
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups naturally white flour
Toppings: pizza sauce, turkey peperoni, ground turkey, cheese, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and pineapple.

DIRECTIONS
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Allow to rest 5 minutes.

Stir in whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, olive oil, and 1 cup unbleached white flour.

Knead in remaining unbleached white flour by hand; about 5 minutes (the dough will be smooth and elastic).

Spray a medium-sized bowl with no-stick cooking spray. Place pizza dough in bowl and turn to coat thoroughly. Cover and allow to rise in a warm, draft free place 15 minutes (I use this time to prep my veggies and turkey meat).

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray one 14-inch pizza pan or two 10-inch pizza pans with no-stick cooking spray. Stretch pizza crust to fit pan and flute outer edges of pizza dough to hold fillings. Top as desired. I usually add pizza sauce, 2% cheese, turkey peperoni (and sometimes ground turkey meat), green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and pineapple. Bake until cheese is melted and crust is browned (usually around 10-12 minutes).

ENJOY COOKING FOR YOUR LOVED ONES THIS WEEK!

Works for Me Wednesday- Cooking on Vacation

2009-03-24T13:36:00.001-05:00

"Gasp....NO...not on my vacation!" Well, Meal planning on vacation "works for me". I know I have lost a few of you already, but stick with me on this one. You might find out that it works for you as well. This past week, Nathan and I had the privilege of taking a vacation to Kentucky. The vacation was very inexpensive for us to say the least (mostly because our lodging was free of charge), but also because we didn't plan to eat out every meal. I assure you that there are many benefits to meal planning, even on vacation! Now, I realize that you are not able to cook meals on every vacation and it is fun to eat "local" food in new places (we planned for that as well). As always, I am not talking about always and never, I am talking about a balance. I encourage you to look at the possibility of meal planning (whether it is 2 or most of your meals) for your future vacations, it works for me!

Benefits:
#1- It saves you and your family money. Eating out almost always cost more than making a simple meal. Notice I said simple. If you plan to make something elaborate, you may want to assess the cost. I have found that some things are more cost effective to eat out. If you spend less money on your vacations, you will be able to take MORE vacations in the future. The way I look at it, you get more bang for your buck. It works better for me to cook on several vacations than to eat out on one vacation :).
#2- Your family will learn to enjoy your cooking, regardless of location. They will continue to crave your home-cooking instead of someone else's good cooking.
#3- You learn to enjoy cooking meals away from home. For me, it is all about the heart in which you do it with. If I'm excited to save my family money and cook them healthy and simple meals away from home, then it seems like less of a chore.

Why we don't want to:
I can only speak for myself on this topic, but for me, it has a lot to do with self-entitlement. This week, I read a fellow blogger's post on self-entitlement( http://likeawarmcupofcoffee.blogspot.com/) and I was reminded that "what I think I deserve" is at the root of most of my discontent and prideful moments.

* In her words, self-entitlement is the attitude that lurks just under my skin, ready to emerge whenever I’ve worked hard and think I deserve some sort of a pay-back. Also, when I imagine that people are deliberately disregarding my time or work. Also, when I self-righteously call myself a “servant”, but expect to be treated like a “queen”. I would add that it is the long list of things that I believe I deserve- whether that is a break from serving others, a night out, or to be treated better or to be appreciated more by a certain person. It is the little voice inside our heads that tells us that we have RIGHTS!

* I agree with her when she says that I am entitled to 2 stunning rights:
1- To love the Lord our God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
2- To love my neighbor as myself- which includes our family. (Of course, these basically open a glorious storeroom of rights to me: the rights to serve others, love others, and to enjoy peace, kindness, and gladness to my heart’s content.)

Beyond that, though, I have no self-entitlements. None. I am not entitled to sulk, complain, demand, destroy, or resent. GULP... dropping my self-entitlements is going to be an ongoing process.

For me, this means that if cooking on vacation will benefit my family, then I will do it willingly, knowing that it is just one of the many ways that I can be of service to them. If I am tired and feel that I deserve to be served and taken care of and yet I continue to serve my family, then I am thankful that God is giving me the strength to do so because I know I can't do it on my own merit.

The more self-entitlement I allow myself to feel, the less joyful I am about being a servant. I suppose much like anything else I want to change, it will take practice to end these self serving thoughts.

Practice with me this week:
#1- Write down your most common self-entitlement beliefs and make a plan to combat them.
#2- Commit to do one task each day that goes against one of your most common self-entitlement beliefs.
#3- Continue to ask for transformation of the heart. I don't know about you but I can't will myself into dropping my self-entitlements (or anything for that matter).

Learning...
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Phil. 2:3)

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:16)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

Our Trip To Kentucky

2009-03-23T07:50:00.000-05:00

This past week, we spent 5 days on Lake Herrington in Kentucky. One of Nathan's clients blessed us by letting us stay in their beautiful cabin free of charge. It was such a glorious trip for both of us. As we were driving home (it's about a 5 hour drive) we were discussing how vacations (were you actually travel away from home) are not necessities, so the fact that we have enjoyed many vacations in the past and continue to enjoy trips is a true blessing. Not to mention the fact that many people are not able to take trips due to a lack of vacation time and/or financial means. We are very thankful were were able to take this relaxing trip! We both enjoy traveling and hope to continue to travel in the future (hopefully to Iceland to see our dear friends ;). I decided to share some of our trip with you all by providing you with pictures.
If you look from the bottom to the top, it seems to make more sense.

We were surprised to learn that the Shaker village also has TONS of hiking trails. We weren't able to enjoy them during this trip, but we hope to visit the village again and do some serious hiking.
We decided to enjoy our one night of eating out in this small "restaurant" at the Shaker village. They serve vegetables grown in their large garden and food that the Shakers used to eat. It was very good!
I think this school bench is so cool. Maybe our dear friend Brent will help us make one some day.

This was one of their main living quarters. It was massive, but practical.
All of their rooms were lined in pegs. Everything was hung on these pegs and everything always stayed in it's place. Those pegs were right up my alley.

The last place we visited was by far my favorite, the Shaker Village. The Shakers were very mislead in their beliefs about Christ. The more I learned about what they believed, the more I grieved for them. I enjoyed their large living quarters, beautifully crafted furniture, work ethic, and emphasis on practicality.

This picture makes me laugh because I'm sitting in this fancy great room in a comfy sweat suit.

We heard about this historic inn from a friend and decided to have a look here as well. It was beautiful.

The man at the antique shop suggested we visit this refurbished drug store. They had tons of antiques displayed and the ice cream was delicious.

These are our random finds. We bought several old books. My favorite one is Little Women. The children's table was only $15. I can't wait to see what I can do with it. I may keep it for future use or give it as a gift. The coke boxes were $5, which we thought was cool. I am picturing them hung on the wall with old baseballs and other stuff displayed in them.

We did not plan on antique shopping during this trip (or doing anything outside the cabin for that matter), but this little place was a diamond in the ruff. Thousands of antique books and other items.

I really like this picture of Nathan in front of this beautiful canoe hanging over their fireplace.

Every morning we played bingo on this antique bingo set. We really think we should start having bingo night at our house.

Nathan on the other hand takes a more "active" approach to fishing. He didn't sit down the whole time.

We went fishing a couple of days, but the fish just weren't biting. It was a bit chilly this day so I decided to bundle up and wait for a fish to bite. After about 20 minutes of just sitting, I got out a book and read aloud to Nathan, which made fishing all the more fun.

This is my favorite spot in their cabin.

I like it when we are able to drive to our vacation spot because it allows us to pack additional items. I brought a lot of books and several food items (we even took a cooler on this trip) to complete our menu for the week. If there is a kitchen where we vacation, I am usually cooking most nights. I will be writing more about that and self-entitlement tomorrow!