Wednesday's Walk ~ My 2nd Baby Story

Once upon a time not so long ago, well 7 years to be exact, our second beautiful baby girl was born. John and I were totally excited about expanding our little family of three to four. I was ready to have this bundle of joy and could barely wait for the day of her arrival.

She decided that she loved my tummy too much and a week after my due date the doctor said it was time. On a early Monday morning we headed to the hospital this time however we had a visitor with us...my sister. She was graduating from college when my first child was born and missed the whole thing. So to make it up to her for my bad planning we invited her to experience the whole event...and she was excited (maybe just maybe more than me). We even let her cut the cord. ( I won't mention the pictures from her wallet that she taped up for me for a focal point during contractions....I mean come on I didn't know half of them!)




This delivery started out very similar. I was induced, I wouldn't dialate for forever and eventually the anesthesiologist was on his way. Suddenly, something very strange happened that was not a part of my plan. I felt the urge to go to the bathroom. I told the nurse I had to go. She said I couldn't the anesthesiologist was out in the hall getting my much wanted drugs ready. But, I REALLY had to go, so I told her again. She said no again...big meanie nurse. Then I told her sorry but it is just coming out anyway. LOL (Don't laugh too hard) Well, then the nurse said, "I am going to check you!" "What??? Check me ew I just peed the bed!", I thought to myself. Here is the unfortunate part...it was actually my baby's head crowning...I didn't pee the bed.




Now you may be thinking I am crazy...and you might be on to something; but I need to clarify a few things first. My first baby I had a glorious epidural ...I couldn't feel anything down there. I didn't know what it felt like for a baby to actually come out of me...hence the confusion. LOL Now the unfortunate part was that I was completely unprepared to have a natural birth. I asked the nurse if the anesthesiologist was still coming to give me my drugs. She then began to tell me that he was not and that my OBGYN was on the way. WHAT!!!! NO!!!! WAIT!!!! I started to cry. Then the mean nurse said, "Are you going to get yourself together?!" I very angrily said, "YES!"



Five minutes later my daughter was born and I was still alive. LOL



I always wondered how I was going to love a second baby. I thought that my first had all the love I could give....but you know what my heart just got bigger as soon as she was laid in my arms. I had the same amount of love for her as her sister. She was born two days before my birthday and we celebrated both of our births in the hospital...I am afraid it is a birthday I will never forget!



Now our family was even more wonderful. I loved every minute of my new baby girl. She loved to be held. She was so good and perfect. She sucked her thumb; it was one of my favorite things about her when she was a baby. It was just too cute. I thank God for everyday He allows me to be in her life.




She is beautiful, brilliant, content, just, a great helper, to the point, peaceful and a leader. She simply amazes me with her mind and thoughts. Her grasp of life astounds me at times. She is a mama's girl, she always has been. You can find her snuggled up to me in the church pew every Sunday. I cherish every moment with her. She is our "Booo"!

God is gonna use this girl!

This girl has spirit & passion and I love her so much. Every day she helps me....

Jenilee at The Goodwin Family is hosting Wednesday's Walk.

31 Virtues for Our Kids ~ Self-Discipline

Self-Discipline


Over the next few months we will be praying for 31 Virtues for our Kids maybe even for ourselves too!


Proverbs 1:3 (New Living Translation)
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.







To be honest this one I am not that excited to write about; probably because it is the one I struggle with the most. Trust me, I am not the most disciplined person on the plant. I can not stand anything that screams schedule or structure. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate when others excel in these areas and make my life easier(as I write that it seems so selfish, ugh). But when it comes to my life I would much rather "fly by the seat of my pants". I love being spontaneous. I love doing what I feel like doing when I want to do it.


BUT, life does not work like that all the time. To grow in a relationship with God does not work that way either. Growing in God is slow and steady with a commitment to follow Him everyday. That commitment means seeking, praying, reading and learning on a consistent basis. This covenant relationship with God Almighty requires discipline. To be honest, the very sound of that sometimes makes me groan....hey I am human.

I think my son will love order and structure. He lines up his cars in all sorts of interesting ways. He hates it when I turn one the wrong way or mess up his pattern. He gets all mad and starts having a 2 year old fit. I want him to learn to have a disciplined life in Christ as he grows. I want him to remember to not let the "discipline" to be the focus the focus must always be God. We must always be flexible in allowing God to change things up a bit.

Throughout my life I have learned the great value of discipline. There are huge benefits that do help you be successful in what you are doing. When you have worked at something, put thought into it and put care in to your life you will do what is right, just and fair. You are less likely to hurt others by plans not thought through.

Bottom line, a life that is disciplined is a life fully surrendered to God. I have a lot of surrendering to go; but, I know that there are great rewards for me as I do. Lord, help me be disciplined and be a good example to my children!

*"Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair."



*by Bob Hostetler, it is excerpted from Pray! magazine issue #4, 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids

31 Virtues for Our Kids ~ Passion For God

Passion for God



Over the next few months we will be praying for 31 Virtues for our Kids maybe even for ourselves too!



Psalm 63:8 (New International Version)
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.



I want my children to have passion in their life. I want the passion to be an extravagant love for God. I don't want them to live this life half-heartedly. Too many people live in this world with very little passion, very little hope.



Many times my kids have clung to me when they were nervous or scared. I would have to pry them off of me finger by finger, arm by arm, and then leg by leg. They were desperate for mommy to rescue them from the poke at the doctors, the cold pool water or the scary spider. They would cling to me like their life depended on it.



I like the word picture of "cling". I think the psalmist David truly understood that we need to cling to our God. Hold tight to Him, His promises, His word, His great love to live this life. We need His grace that pays our enormous debt. We need His strength that surpasses our abilities. His love that is wider than any ocean.



God knows that our strength is limited. As we cling to Him, then "His right hand upholds us". The strong hand of our Lord enables us to continue to cling to Him. He doesn't leave us alone. He doesn't leave us hanging on for dear life. I love the picture of Him holding us as we cling, we are supported by Him. How cool is that. It is like the big bear hugs I give my kids.





*"Lord, please instill in my children a soul that 'followeth hard after thee', one that clings passionately to you."




*by Bob Hostetler, it is excerpted from Pray! magazine issue #4, 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids

31 Virtues for Our Kids ~ Willingness & Ability to Work

Willingness & Ability to Work



Over the next few months we will be praying for 31 Virtues for our Kids maybe even for ourselves too!


Colossians 3:23 (New International Version)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,



Work, work, work....Yuck! I don't think any of us honestly like to do work. I can usually think of a hundred other things I would rather be doing like hanging out with friends, playing with the kids, napping, reading a good book, or being crafty. But there is something to be said of a person who is able, willing to work and has a good attitude. Nothing bugs me more than when my kids whine and cry while the clean up their room.



In this world, we have to work. We have to have jobs to earn money. We have to wash clothes, wash dishes, take baths and cook or we would stink and not have anything to eat or eat on. Now we could do all these jobs have heartedly with a nasty attitude and life for ourselves and those around us will be miserable. Or we can do our best and "whistle while we work" and be what God has called us to be...servants. When we have a right attitude, work hard, and do our best then we glorify God. I want to glorify Him! I want my kids to glorify Him!



I think Snow White was on to something...

Just whistle while you work

And cheerfully together we can tidy up the place

So hum a merry tune

It won't take long when there's a song to help you set the pace

And as you sweep the room

Imagine that the broom is someone that you love

And soon you'll find you're dancing to the tune

When hearts are high the time will fly so whistle while you work

Just whistle while you work

Put on that grin and start right in to whistle loud and long

Just hum a merry tune

Just do your best and take a rest and sing yourself a song

When there's too much to do

Don't let it bother you, forget your troubles,

Try to be just like a cheerful chick-a-dee

And whistle while you work

Come on get smart, tune up and start

To whistle while you work

*"Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."



*by Bob Hostetler, it is excerpted from Pray! magazine issue #4, 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids

Freeing the Fat Friday ~ When Life Get's In The Way!

It has been nearly two months since I last posted on this topic. All I can say is that my life went in a direction ( I knew it was coming) that I was completely unprepared for regarding my relationship with food and eating healthy. I don't want to make excuses, I could tell you all the reasons why it went bad....but I won't! I will say this, that if you know big things are coming into your life that will take your time & energy you need to make a plan for how you are going to remain healthy during it. This is where I failed; but, I learned from it... that is for sure.

Now don't think that I forgot everything and ate at McDonald's everyday. No, I kept in mind things that I have learned about eating healthy; but I was not as careful or as deliberate in my food planning. I have found that these two key factors are very important to making a food change. So needless to say there has not been a huge change in my weight...which I understand and am not beating myself up about it.

Results of my Doctors visit...

Now I did go to my doctor and I surprisingly had a good report and I even lost a little weight. I could kinda tell; because my clothes are fitting better, thank goodness. My cholesterol could be better but it wasn't in a range that she was concerned about. My blood pressure was good. I just need to loose the weight and exercise. I shared with her that I discovered over the past 2 months that it wasn't how much I was eating; it was what I was eating. I actually left feeling pretty good!

I also decided that I will not share weight loss or gain numbers here...it is not the point. Sure it is a goal but I don't want it to be about numbers, I want this to be a God thing. I want to be surrendered to Him in everything. I never want this to be about my own vanity or praise. However, during my journey I may feel that God may allow me to share numbers later...we will see.

Goals for the up coming week...

• Go back to the 1,200 calorie diet
• Use my sparkspeople.com account to help
• Use my walking videos for exercise

I will write next week to let you know how all is going. Ready to get back on this journey to good health and feeling good!

Wednesday's Walk ~ My 1st Baby Story

10 years ago I was completely terrified and excited all at the same time. Terrified because I did not have any idea what it would be like to have a baby; yet excited because I was having a baby! It is very interesting experiencing such different emotions all at the same time and then throw some confused hormones into the mix to complicate it even more.








I had an overall good pregnancy, except for some high blood pressure and acid reflux issues. I was induced a week early because of the high blood pressure. Let's just say pitocin is from Satan himself and I would have to have it for my next to births as well : (. But just as pitocin is a tool of the Devil and epidural is gift from God to women. Too think I thought I was one of those women who could tough it out....hahahahahahahahahaha...boy I was wrong.

I was in the middle of contractions and I finally got to the place where I could have an epidural, thank goodness. There is a piece of paper that you and your spouse have to sign in order to receive this blessing. The document states that you will not hold the hospital responsible to any negative side effects of this procedure...like nerve damage...blah, blah, blah...death. No big deal to me because there comes a point in my birthing experiences where I think death would be a welcomed relief...hey, I am just saying it like it is. I signed the paper without reading it, I was a desperate woman. Then my wonderful hubby....well he thought it would be best to read the entire stinking, fine print document. I was leaning over the bed, nurses' ready, an anesthesiologist ready to inject, me glaring at my hubby and all of us wondering what in the world he was doing.



I would like to remember the next part like this...."Honey, please sign the paper! I am in a lot of pain and it would be really nice of you if you could speed things along. Thank you honey, I love you" But my dear, wonderful hubby always reminds of how it really went down. He says it went more like this.... in more like a demon voice I yelled at him, "Just sign it!!!!!" He did!



And as a choir of angels singing and birds chirping filled the room and the epidural kicked in...the rest was a breeze. I am not kidding, all child birth should be like that....pain free. I truly believe that is the way God intended it to be. An hour later on a beautiful April day, my beautiful daughter was born and our lives were never the same again.






I remember trying to hang on to every moment. I wanted to burn it into my mind, never to be forgotten. I never knew I could love like that. I finally could begin to understand what a parent truly feels for their children. It was just a glimpse of how much my heavenly Father loved me.







She is growing up into a beautiful young lady. She keeps getting taller. I look at her and I wish I could hang on to her forever. John and I are truly blessed. She is so smart, adventurous, fearless, creative, witty and funny. She is more than I could ever have hoped for. I am million times more of a person because of her in my life. I will hang on to every minute that God allows me to have and yet I am so excited about what God is going to do with her life....it will be, no doubt, simply amazing!

I love her to the moon and back!

She helps me everyday to...

Jenilee at The Goodwin Family is hosting Wednesday's Walk.

Fall Outings ~ Apple Orchard

There is nothing I love more then spending great moments with my kids. Today was one of those wonderful moments. I went with my daughter on her field trip to the apple orchard here in Gladwin. If you have not been there you really should take the trip. The cider is yummy and the doughnuts divine.

Every inch of that place fills your heart and tummy with the warm feelings of fall. Fall just happens to be my favorite season. I love everything about fall: the changing leaves, warm cider to drink, the cool brisk weather, the smell of cinnamon and apples, the sounds of football games lastly warm hoodies and mittens. It doesn't get much better than that in northern Michigan.

So naturally this field trip was right up my ally. I loved it...probably more than my daughter and son. It was a really nice time. The kids seemed to have a great time as well! Hayrides, apple picking, doughnuts, cider, riding on the bus and getting out of school...what kid would not love it

Here is a picture of my daughter's 2nd grade class! They were all so excited.

My son loved the hayride too! Check out the fall colors in the back. I love fall!

She was having so much fun with her friends.

He was ready to eat the apples off the ground...yuck!
Not the one she was looking for.
She found the perfect apple and the biggest one of the whole class.

Yummy apples! This one is a Cortland.

Washing the apples!

Learning how to grade apples...A apples they sell as is. C apples get used for cider. E apples get pitched or sold for animal feed.

Here they are watching the apples being ground up and pressed for cider. I learned today that there is more vitamin C in cider than orange juice. I also learned the difference between pasteurized and unpasteurized. Pasteurized is heated to a certain temperature to kill bacteria and enzymes. Also if you let cider sit it will turn into vinegar. Cider is really only good for 15 days...so the tiny bit left in the back of my refrigerator is probably now vinegar. LOL
He pretty much munched on that apple the whole time....hilarious. Not so hilarious when a bee landed on it and he went to pick it off with his fingers....I hate bees (no offense Haynes family)!

Had to grab a picture of him in the pumpkins... love it!

Cortland, Golden Delicious & Macintosh.....just to name a few of the 30 different kinds they had.

Oh and lets not forget warm cinnamon sugar donuts washed down with sweet apple cider to end a perfect field trip!

Fun field trips help us....