I haven't blogged in a few months, but how my husband loves our daughter just keeps coming to mind. I want to write down these things so I can remember...insert "pregnancy brain." Also, I thought it'd be good to write some things down so that when she's a teen & parents are not cool anymore, maybe she can look back at how he loved/loves her.
I am not sure where to begin, but from the beginning of their relationship, that is. It started a little over 3 years ago when she was in his 4 y.o. old Sunday school class. She knew him as "Mr. Sweet" then & she thought it was so cool that he had the same last name as her! She always liked to be around him & was so sad when he visited his family for 3 weeks that year. She didn't know that's where he was. She thought he'd moved away & she was thinking of everyone who might have his phone #. She wanted me to call everyone to find out his # so that we could ask him where he had gone.
And so it begins.....he came back to KY in the New Year & she was so excited. It wasn't too long after that our relationship began.....
We talked to her lots about our relationship & how we were hoping to get married. We told her then that once we were married, she didn't have to call him Mr. Sweet anymore. We asked her what she thought she may want to call him & it was always "Mr....this, or Mr....that." But about 2 weeks before we married, she decided to call him "Daddy."
Since then, so much has happened, but I think one of the greatest things is how God united us w/ Daddy. HE really has blossomed their relationship & grown them both. It's really cool to see. Does this mean that it's all been easy?? Please, don't hear me saying that things are always perfect. It just isn't possible on this side of heaven. I just see how they interact with one another. ....how he lovingly comes along side and teaches her, disciplines her, takes her on dates to Skyline (her fave), how he gets just as excited w/ her when she accomplishes something, and how he is being grown by raising a little girl. In return, she responds to his teaching (sometimes w/ resistance...little sinner, ha!), respects him, still loves him after the discipline, and gets so excited to tell him when she does accomplish something (probably because of the anticipated reaction that he will have), likes to go to work w/ him on side plumbing jobs (& even wants to wear similar attire w/ tools & all)....and she lets everyone know that HER DADDY is a plumber if they need help. I also love how he prays for her & teaches her how to do this. I love how he teaches her about dressing modestly & her response to it also. After all, I'm a woman & I don't see things the same as a man. Like Pastor Pete said, "He knows what's 'hot'." (as a man) I love that my hubby can take this lead & show her what is ok & what's not. Women really just don't see things the same! And I don't want boys/men looking at our little lady that way.
Now we're into a new school year & he does her daily bible lessons w/ her. So cute to see them snuggle up, read the Word & pray together.
Yes, I just gloated on my husband. I think he's pretty cool! Most of all, I love that he loves the Lord & I know that without this, it'd be impossible for him to be so good at stepping into his daddy role. So when he messes up, he does apologize to her & asks for forgivesness. Not only that, but she reciprocates, thanks to his teaching!! Love them both!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Kid Stuff & Mom Stuff too
I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks so I asked Maya what I should blog about. She suggested that I blog about her tooth that she just lost today. Hmmmm...what to say?! She actually tolerated it really well, no tears or obnoxious screaming. Her description of the event, "Tell them that when you pulled my tooth with a string, it started bleeding. So I got a rag. And I didn't cry or anything. That's it."
As she made the suggestion for blogging, I thought I could write a little about the cool things I'm learning as a mom. Not because I am a new mom, but I am newly a stay-at-home momma. It's been a struggle at times for me. After working some sort of job outside of the home for nearly 20 years, I was thrust into this new role. I don't always understand it. Maybe most realize that, but I didn't until I began doing this a mere 6 months ago. Just realized that by using the terms "thrust into..." that could be misconstrued as a bad thing. Not bad, just different & shocking & awesome too!
It really is cool to be able to watch your kids do different things & be able to experience the changes with them.
Let me explain...for a long time, I had often felt guilty for the things I missed out or the ways I thought I messed up (& probably did) with Maya. I was working full time & a single mom too. This is not to tell you so you'll pity me, but just to let you know just how sufficient God's grace really is. Even though I made sinful choices, God still was so gracious to save me & now teach me lessons about those guilty feelings. I often think of this verse & I like the NASB version best: Psalm 32: 5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Another verse that I've read many times before, but really hit me a couple days ago (when reading the NKJB version): Lamentations 3: 21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
I was just so taken aback by the fact that because of His mercies, we are not CONSUMED! I don't think I had ever read this version before. That was such good news to me & is really helping when I feel overwhelmed about other things.
I also was just overwhelmed (in a good way) with thankfulness today as I was the one able to pick up my sleeping babe from his nap. And also that he was being super snuggly when he woke up. That doesn't happen much anymore since he's learned to pull himself up and cruise. And it's so cute that he hides his sweet little face behing something or will bend down & then "pop up" so you'll play peek-a-boo with him. And....I just could go on and on.....
And now to think about a third one joining us....that scares me sometimes when I think about it. "I'm going to be a mommy of three, Lord willing." Exciting too!
So, I never really touched on the struggles of staying home. I'll have to leave that for another post. As I am reading this back, I am so thankful that God put things in perspective for me. I think I'll come back & read this when I feel like I'm having an overwhelming day or just starting to pity the fact that I don't get to go to work to hang out w/ "big people." But for today, I choose joy. And I'm praying that God will remind me once again why I have reason to choose joy everyday, even when "I" think life is hard.
As she made the suggestion for blogging, I thought I could write a little about the cool things I'm learning as a mom. Not because I am a new mom, but I am newly a stay-at-home momma. It's been a struggle at times for me. After working some sort of job outside of the home for nearly 20 years, I was thrust into this new role. I don't always understand it. Maybe most realize that, but I didn't until I began doing this a mere 6 months ago. Just realized that by using the terms "thrust into..." that could be misconstrued as a bad thing. Not bad, just different & shocking & awesome too!
It really is cool to be able to watch your kids do different things & be able to experience the changes with them.
Let me explain...for a long time, I had often felt guilty for the things I missed out or the ways I thought I messed up (& probably did) with Maya. I was working full time & a single mom too. This is not to tell you so you'll pity me, but just to let you know just how sufficient God's grace really is. Even though I made sinful choices, God still was so gracious to save me & now teach me lessons about those guilty feelings. I often think of this verse & I like the NASB version best: Psalm 32: 5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Another verse that I've read many times before, but really hit me a couple days ago (when reading the NKJB version): Lamentations 3: 21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
I was just so taken aback by the fact that because of His mercies, we are not CONSUMED! I don't think I had ever read this version before. That was such good news to me & is really helping when I feel overwhelmed about other things.
I also was just overwhelmed (in a good way) with thankfulness today as I was the one able to pick up my sleeping babe from his nap. And also that he was being super snuggly when he woke up. That doesn't happen much anymore since he's learned to pull himself up and cruise. And it's so cute that he hides his sweet little face behing something or will bend down & then "pop up" so you'll play peek-a-boo with him. And....I just could go on and on.....
And now to think about a third one joining us....that scares me sometimes when I think about it. "I'm going to be a mommy of three, Lord willing." Exciting too!
So, I never really touched on the struggles of staying home. I'll have to leave that for another post. As I am reading this back, I am so thankful that God put things in perspective for me. I think I'll come back & read this when I feel like I'm having an overwhelming day or just starting to pity the fact that I don't get to go to work to hang out w/ "big people." But for today, I choose joy. And I'm praying that God will remind me once again why I have reason to choose joy everyday, even when "I" think life is hard.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Docs name five worst 'healthy' fast foods
Docs name five worst 'healthy' fast foods
I've been thinking a lot lately about the foods we put into our bodies. being pregnant sure isn't helping with the craving of some bad choices in food consumption. ha! for example, just a couple of weeks ago, i craved (and it was super yummy) a wendy's double stack & fries. and a couple of weeks before that, it was a crave for the "what you crave." that's right, 4 white castles & fries, along with a couple of onion chips ordered by my hubby. now it's making me ill to think about either of them. i honestly don't think i've ever eaten a double cheeseburger in my life! did i mention that it was yummy though?! and i can't forget the super five way that i ate when i was pregnant with my sweet little lady, not to mention that i ate every.single.bite. all that to say, i thought i'd blog about what we eat & also hope for some input about what you & yours eat.
besides the intermittent cravings, i really never thought that we ate poorly.
for example, in the planting season, we grow our own veggies, shop at farmer's markets for things we don't grow and then at the season's end, we can or freeze what we're able to get us through the winter. and with the help of a dear friend who gave us a plethora of green beans last year, we canned about 14 qts and froze 3 gallon bags of them. (and gave some away) maya and i canned pickles from cucumbers that we got from the same friend. homemade salsa and pesto are also some of our favorites to feast on during this time too. i know it sounds weird to feast on meal accompaniments, but we certainly do. what do you do in the way of growing, buying, etc? and what are your faves?
for the past couple of years, we have been buying grass fed beef from a local farmer too. however, this year our allotment is almost gone, and we can't get anymore from this particular farm until the fall. :-(
where do you get your beef? and if you don't buy grass fed, or from a farm, what is your alternative?
i'm interested in knowing more about a better chicken or pork choice(s). we do try to buy the organic, no hormone/antibiotics chicken, but i'm a little skeptical about our local grocery store variety. i do know of a local who can get a seemingly comparable type of chicken, but quite frankly, it's expensive. ($3.50-$4/lb--yikes!) and as far as eggs, i have not been able to find "good" ones for <$3/dozen. so i reluctantly spend a mere $1 and some change at my local kroger. then i question myself, should i give up my frugality or do i continue to trade our health to save a couple of bucks? pork...well, i'm at a loss here. suggestions, please.
i could really get carried away with this post. some of you may think i already have. i would like to continue in another post as more thoughts come. i'll leave you with a few more questions.
do you eat processed meat? why or why not? do you only eat organic veggies & fruits? what ways to do you feed your family? is it the healthiest, cheapest....?! and the biggest question is, are we treating our bodies as our own or as one that belongs to God?
I've been thinking a lot lately about the foods we put into our bodies. being pregnant sure isn't helping with the craving of some bad choices in food consumption. ha! for example, just a couple of weeks ago, i craved (and it was super yummy) a wendy's double stack & fries. and a couple of weeks before that, it was a crave for the "what you crave." that's right, 4 white castles & fries, along with a couple of onion chips ordered by my hubby. now it's making me ill to think about either of them. i honestly don't think i've ever eaten a double cheeseburger in my life! did i mention that it was yummy though?! and i can't forget the super five way that i ate when i was pregnant with my sweet little lady, not to mention that i ate every.single.bite. all that to say, i thought i'd blog about what we eat & also hope for some input about what you & yours eat.
besides the intermittent cravings, i really never thought that we ate poorly.
for example, in the planting season, we grow our own veggies, shop at farmer's markets for things we don't grow and then at the season's end, we can or freeze what we're able to get us through the winter. and with the help of a dear friend who gave us a plethora of green beans last year, we canned about 14 qts and froze 3 gallon bags of them. (and gave some away) maya and i canned pickles from cucumbers that we got from the same friend. homemade salsa and pesto are also some of our favorites to feast on during this time too. i know it sounds weird to feast on meal accompaniments, but we certainly do. what do you do in the way of growing, buying, etc? and what are your faves?
for the past couple of years, we have been buying grass fed beef from a local farmer too. however, this year our allotment is almost gone, and we can't get anymore from this particular farm until the fall. :-(
where do you get your beef? and if you don't buy grass fed, or from a farm, what is your alternative?
i'm interested in knowing more about a better chicken or pork choice(s). we do try to buy the organic, no hormone/antibiotics chicken, but i'm a little skeptical about our local grocery store variety. i do know of a local who can get a seemingly comparable type of chicken, but quite frankly, it's expensive. ($3.50-$4/lb--yikes!) and as far as eggs, i have not been able to find "good" ones for <$3/dozen. so i reluctantly spend a mere $1 and some change at my local kroger. then i question myself, should i give up my frugality or do i continue to trade our health to save a couple of bucks? pork...well, i'm at a loss here. suggestions, please.
i could really get carried away with this post. some of you may think i already have. i would like to continue in another post as more thoughts come. i'll leave you with a few more questions.
do you eat processed meat? why or why not? do you only eat organic veggies & fruits? what ways to do you feed your family? is it the healthiest, cheapest....?! and the biggest question is, are we treating our bodies as our own or as one that belongs to God?
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
What a Difference a Mother's Day Makes
I've been thinking lots lately about where God has brought us over the past year, and what better day to reflect than Mother's Day.
Last year Mother's Day was just a mere 6 days after our sweet baby boy joined us. I never thought I'd survive that first week of his life, not being able to hold him. OR even touch him except through those 2 holes on the side of his incubator. OR stop crying when I saw my sweet husband & daughter join hands to place on his back through those same 2 holes, one on each side of his "bed." OR celebrating (with many tears) the baby dedication with the other mothers at church, while my newest born was lying in a hospital on life support. But I'm so thankful for Christ, and a husband to bear it with.
When we arrived that day to see him, there hung a picture of his sweet face without the tube in his mouth! What a great Mother's Day gift! Words just cannot describe the awesomeness (is that a word?) of it.
I have seen him grow into a sweet, and yet, "determined" (aka sinner) little man. He can say momma & dadda. The most awesome thing is to see that all of the doctors have been proven wrong more than once. I don't find joy in the fact that people were proven wrong, but that God always has the best plan. I know I'm sounding like a broken record (from my last post). It truly is cool to see how He has proved, both before & after his birth, that He is a good God & that prayers really do work. And even if things were different with our circumstances, He is still good & still answers prayers.
We've also seen Maya just blossom into such a more loving, compassionate, and also protective big sister. She has grown in so many ways and has such a heart for her brother & special needs' kids. She knows all of his history & honestly could probably take care of without a problem. Again, just awesome to see how God has grown her into this sweet little girl. The things she's gained (& us too) with homeschooling her are just amazing to me--sweet morning snuggles, a hunger for the gospel, and lots of learning about her own heart, and of course mine as well. I would beg the point that she's taught me more about mine.
And lastly, we're so thankful that this Mother's Day, we were not only dedicating Myles, but celebrating the new life growing inside of me. Please, continue to pray earnestly. I've been so blessed & thankful for very few nauseous days. I'm 7 weeks today. My heart is burdened for those that continue to try to conceive, yet can't; those that have miscarried in the past & recently. I've been surrounded by this, or maybe just have more of a heightened awareness of these things recently. So I continue to pray & I know that God answers prayers.
Last year Mother's Day was just a mere 6 days after our sweet baby boy joined us. I never thought I'd survive that first week of his life, not being able to hold him. OR even touch him except through those 2 holes on the side of his incubator. OR stop crying when I saw my sweet husband & daughter join hands to place on his back through those same 2 holes, one on each side of his "bed." OR celebrating (with many tears) the baby dedication with the other mothers at church, while my newest born was lying in a hospital on life support. But I'm so thankful for Christ, and a husband to bear it with.
When we arrived that day to see him, there hung a picture of his sweet face without the tube in his mouth! What a great Mother's Day gift! Words just cannot describe the awesomeness (is that a word?) of it.
I have seen him grow into a sweet, and yet, "determined" (aka sinner) little man. He can say momma & dadda. The most awesome thing is to see that all of the doctors have been proven wrong more than once. I don't find joy in the fact that people were proven wrong, but that God always has the best plan. I know I'm sounding like a broken record (from my last post). It truly is cool to see how He has proved, both before & after his birth, that He is a good God & that prayers really do work. And even if things were different with our circumstances, He is still good & still answers prayers.
We've also seen Maya just blossom into such a more loving, compassionate, and also protective big sister. She has grown in so many ways and has such a heart for her brother & special needs' kids. She knows all of his history & honestly could probably take care of without a problem. Again, just awesome to see how God has grown her into this sweet little girl. The things she's gained (& us too) with homeschooling her are just amazing to me--sweet morning snuggles, a hunger for the gospel, and lots of learning about her own heart, and of course mine as well. I would beg the point that she's taught me more about mine.
And lastly, we're so thankful that this Mother's Day, we were not only dedicating Myles, but celebrating the new life growing inside of me. Please, continue to pray earnestly. I've been so blessed & thankful for very few nauseous days. I'm 7 weeks today. My heart is burdened for those that continue to try to conceive, yet can't; those that have miscarried in the past & recently. I've been surrounded by this, or maybe just have more of a heightened awareness of these things recently. So I continue to pray & I know that God answers prayers.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
a novice of sorts
so, i have entered the blog world and i really have no idea what i am doing. anyone who would like to offer a tutorial of sorts, please feel free to do so. oh, and also, i don't feel like using capitalization, so bear with me. there's my rebelliousness for this post. ha! (except for references to our Father)
i have been thinking of blogging for awhile now, but thought i could never do it. it seemed so involved. for now, i am keeping it simple and sweet. i don't know how to add gadgets, links, categorize things nor do i know what "edit html" means. hence, the title of this post.
today i thought it appropriate to write a little about my baby boy. (not the fruit that is currently growing) that's right i'm 6 weeks pregnant & today myles is 1!! i am expecting nothing but big things from this sweet boy. he has kept us looking to our Father from the moment we knew of his existence in the womb. he is a constant reminder of God's grace.
i have so many thoughts swirling & "pregnancy brain" isn't helping. that is a real diagnosis, you know?! all of you mommas know what i'm talking about.
when i started my career in the late 90's, i never thought that my focus of study, later my primary job focus, would one day become my everyday life. you see, i studied about these respiratory diseases, specifically in kids, and took care of children with multiple special needs, and then God gave me my very own child with all of these things. a little (less than 4 lbs) blessing on loan straight from Him. isn't it cool how He does that? He showed me how little control i really had over things. He showed me that our children are truly only "ours" for a short while, and they really belong to Him; that He could give & take away, and still blessed would be His name. it really is for His glory.
after many difficult pregnancy days: lots of sickness (throwing up almost every.single. time i would brush my teeth--sorry if tmi), no heartbeat at about 12 wks, followed by an ultrasound (the day after. yes, a long 24 hrs), finding a cystic hygroma (sorry don't how to link that yet), followed by asking if we wanted to terminate and do genetic testing, bleeding at 16 weeks, bedrest at 21 weeks , being told i would deliver within a week and he wouldn't live, then 4 weeks of home bedrest and 5 weeks of hospital bedrest (coupled with gestational diabetes). whew! that's exhausting to think about. he arrived last year on may 3, 2010 at 2:36 p.m. he was a breech delivery. that's right, feet first. so glad we were at a hospital that was willing to do this. i tell you all of this to bring you to today and where we are now.
he spent 8 weeks in the hospital. came home on oxygen and a feeding tube. no more oxygen or feeding tube! (insert excited voice) many, many doctor appointments. but now less appointments. many nights of reflux and meds to accompany. no longer active reflux or meds. many episodes of gagging, puking & blue spells to go along w/ feedings. now eating some table food without gagging or turning blue. both kidneys with issues. now only one w/ issues. came out floppy and not breathing. (i know this is out of sequence) now progressing w/ physical therapy and even pulling up to stand.
i could go on & on. we have all grown in so many ways. our marriage has grown. we haven't gotten it perfected. but God has given us grace in more ways than imaginable. i really don't know where we would be without Him. do you? maya has been homeschooling and has grown in character in more ways than imaginable. she is learning so much, not just academically, but about life & Christ. isn't that what really matters anyway? it's not backpacks, and school bus rides, etc that will make a difference. it really is about how she grows in Him. and a little plug for grace fellowship church....if you are a parent, now would be a good time to visit. so thankful to be part of church that has this teaching. and hoping to grow even more in "parenting with joy." "joy" being the key word. after all, our joy can only be found in Him. i still feel like a novice.
and i will leave you with this, i would covet your prayers for this new little one growing inside of me. i know our Father is in control. scared? sometimes! when asked if there's a chance of this little one being "like myles," my response is that the doctors have said, "no." however, i'm holding loosely to this. after all they're human, earthly doctors. only our Great Physician really knows. and if he/she is "like myles," this is God's perfect plan. His plan is perfect all.the.time. our plan? no. but i am so thankful that i can rest in the fact that He knows what He's doing. it may not feel good at the time, but it is ultimately for our good. so, my prayer is for His will to be done.
i have been thinking of blogging for awhile now, but thought i could never do it. it seemed so involved. for now, i am keeping it simple and sweet. i don't know how to add gadgets, links, categorize things nor do i know what "edit html" means. hence, the title of this post.
today i thought it appropriate to write a little about my baby boy. (not the fruit that is currently growing) that's right i'm 6 weeks pregnant & today myles is 1!! i am expecting nothing but big things from this sweet boy. he has kept us looking to our Father from the moment we knew of his existence in the womb. he is a constant reminder of God's grace.
i have so many thoughts swirling & "pregnancy brain" isn't helping. that is a real diagnosis, you know?! all of you mommas know what i'm talking about.
when i started my career in the late 90's, i never thought that my focus of study, later my primary job focus, would one day become my everyday life. you see, i studied about these respiratory diseases, specifically in kids, and took care of children with multiple special needs, and then God gave me my very own child with all of these things. a little (less than 4 lbs) blessing on loan straight from Him. isn't it cool how He does that? He showed me how little control i really had over things. He showed me that our children are truly only "ours" for a short while, and they really belong to Him; that He could give & take away, and still blessed would be His name. it really is for His glory.
after many difficult pregnancy days: lots of sickness (throwing up almost every.single. time i would brush my teeth--sorry if tmi), no heartbeat at about 12 wks, followed by an ultrasound (the day after. yes, a long 24 hrs), finding a cystic hygroma (sorry don't how to link that yet), followed by asking if we wanted to terminate and do genetic testing, bleeding at 16 weeks, bedrest at 21 weeks , being told i would deliver within a week and he wouldn't live, then 4 weeks of home bedrest and 5 weeks of hospital bedrest (coupled with gestational diabetes). whew! that's exhausting to think about. he arrived last year on may 3, 2010 at 2:36 p.m. he was a breech delivery. that's right, feet first. so glad we were at a hospital that was willing to do this. i tell you all of this to bring you to today and where we are now.
he spent 8 weeks in the hospital. came home on oxygen and a feeding tube. no more oxygen or feeding tube! (insert excited voice) many, many doctor appointments. but now less appointments. many nights of reflux and meds to accompany. no longer active reflux or meds. many episodes of gagging, puking & blue spells to go along w/ feedings. now eating some table food without gagging or turning blue. both kidneys with issues. now only one w/ issues. came out floppy and not breathing. (i know this is out of sequence) now progressing w/ physical therapy and even pulling up to stand.
i could go on & on. we have all grown in so many ways. our marriage has grown. we haven't gotten it perfected. but God has given us grace in more ways than imaginable. i really don't know where we would be without Him. do you? maya has been homeschooling and has grown in character in more ways than imaginable. she is learning so much, not just academically, but about life & Christ. isn't that what really matters anyway? it's not backpacks, and school bus rides, etc that will make a difference. it really is about how she grows in Him. and a little plug for grace fellowship church....if you are a parent, now would be a good time to visit. so thankful to be part of church that has this teaching. and hoping to grow even more in "parenting with joy." "joy" being the key word. after all, our joy can only be found in Him. i still feel like a novice.
and i will leave you with this, i would covet your prayers for this new little one growing inside of me. i know our Father is in control. scared? sometimes! when asked if there's a chance of this little one being "like myles," my response is that the doctors have said, "no." however, i'm holding loosely to this. after all they're human, earthly doctors. only our Great Physician really knows. and if he/she is "like myles," this is God's perfect plan. His plan is perfect all.the.time. our plan? no. but i am so thankful that i can rest in the fact that He knows what He's doing. it may not feel good at the time, but it is ultimately for our good. so, my prayer is for His will to be done.
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