Response to our past is key to our future.

A Prodigal, a reformed harlot, and a healed lunatic.

What do they have in common?

Where is the common thread that would seemingly weave these
 three together?

How do their lives compare to each other?

Christmas 2013

It all began with a wake up call to eat from our newest member, Chloe around 5 am.

I began the no bake cookies that I had planned on filling the stockings with.

My two year old came out of her room with the sun wiping her eyes and wanting a cookie. She had been preceded by her daddy about ten min. before with Chloe in tow. They were both now sleeping as the light began to stream in through the window.

 

I could hear the song of the birds outside our window. Such a sweet song they are singing this morning! Like they know today  is special.

I continued to do last minute things to be ready when the troops awoke.

I love this time of day, when all is still and quiet. A time to just ..Be Still and Know That He is God.
We then woke up everyone and Mike made pancakes for everyone.
We read the Christmas Story, and began to sort the gifts out by name.
We opened from youngest to oldest. Then it was time to start on the ham and potatoes.
We sat down to eat around three.
We had an Advent box to open full of crafts and ornaments and devotions.
We sang Christmas songs...mostly of of Amy Grant's Christmas album of yesterday.
We also constructed the manger scene as we acted out the story .

We then made Jesus cupcakes and sang The Birthday song to Him, when my little one exclaimed how much she loved Christmas.
We all smiled at her, as we silently agreed.

I link my posts to these lovely places:
The Better Mom (Mondays)
Growing Home (Tuesdays)
Time-Warp Wife (Tuesdays)
Deep Roots at Home (Wednsdays)
Women Living Well (Wednsdays)
Our Simple Country Life (Thursdays)

38 weeks and A Miracle

BEST QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 

"Is she GREAT WITH CHILD or GREAT with child?"( a man at the scrooge play)....Monday nite
 ...although Sunday; it was two teens at Walmart gasping.." Oh my God is that real?" as I was passing them in an aisle shopping...I was so tempted to say..."See what happens when you have sex!"
 

" I like your belly.."( a young friend around 17)

 

BEST HOLIDAY MOMENTS

Zoe singing Twinkle Twinkle Star at sight of tree with star topper.

and then Mary Did You Know as she passed the nativity.

I can't wait to take her through a drive thru nativity.

The Scrooge play....Zoe begged to give one of the characters a hug after the play..(.my feet were swollen at the end of play.) Third time this has happened to me during this trimester.

 

Zoe doesn't like Santa but will hug the Grim Reaper! The black monster is what she called him.... we finally deciphered out of her garbled toddler language...she also high fived him twice and gave him a hug..... no pictures though....She said she wasn't scared and didn't want to be. Her name does mean LIFE, maybe she thought the Death Angel needed to lighten up a little...or that we have taught her fake and real and the difference...

or that just as a child we do not need to fear the unknown and scary...she has inspired me! I will remember her bravery when labor approaches!

 

 MOST CHALLENGING MOMENT

 

I had to speak to my three oldest about helping out more often. They became over emotional when I told them I am limiting there technology time!

  I am already working on my resolution list for 2013...any one else doing this yet?

 

PROJECTS TO DO YET

Big Sister Kit for Zoe

Belly cast

Mobile made or Tulle Pom Poms

Prints framed and hung

shopping finished

christmas cards sent (delegating)

birth prayers written

bags finished packing

cosleeper set up

freezer food made
purchase build a bear together

 

MY BIRTH PLAN

I want the labor room to be a place where his Spirit is felt....One where the Temple of His presence abides....I want all who step in the room to know that God is with us!

 

MIRACLES THIS WEEK

Wednesday nite I sang a song..."What a Savior" by Laura Story...I know God was with me because I had a lot more lung capacity than I should have had...

 

My sister in laws baby girl who had a hole in her heart...well according to the latest ultrasound there is no sign of a hole anymore! She is healed in Jesus name!

Thursday night...My kids held their annual Christmas play.My Dad was able to make it due to a cancellation appt. 

Please keep the family of the man killed instantly in a motorcycle accident outside of the play in your prayers. My daughter Jordyn and my niece Abby were among many other witnesses who also need a strong dose of His comfort.

It is called the cycle of life for a reason.

 

 The birth of baby girl is imminent. My midwife wants to speed things up for us..Thank God! We had a long pause in low heartbeat on the baby monitor which prompted an emergency ultrasound.... 12 frames of 140 beats a minute when they are looking for 150 beats is enough to warrant this apparently.

 She finally woke up after I leaned on the side she was sleeping on. and her heart went up to normal, but it was scheduled and my midwife kept it so at least we could see her move and get a weight guess. She is anywhere from 8.8 to 9.8 lbs!

 I was shocked! No... I am not gestational. diabetic...no I do not have big babies normally..my two biggest were 8.3lbs.

 

After two miscarriages though I am just amazed at the healthiness! I found the fear faded away quickly to gratitude!

 

If I had not had the play to go to tonite and a couple other loose ends to wrap up...I would have allowed the midwife to strip the cervix today! So official plans are for this Tuesday at 3:30 pm. Dec. 18th..... God willing.   I will be taking a short break from blogging but hopefully resuming in time to post New Years resolutions and new baby pics!

 I have so many plans for this blog, but will be taking those plans to God in prayer and hoping for His still small voice to guide me!

I began this post at the beginning of the week on Monday the 10th.
On Friday night the 14th, my water broke.
On Saturday early morning, 1:19 am, Chloe Grace came 9 days early to be with us for Christmas!

 

8lbs. 12oz.

21 in. long

 

 

 

Linking with....
The Better Mom (Mondays)
Growing Home (Tuesdays)
Time-Warp Wife (Tuesdays)
Deep Roots at Home (Wednesdays)
Women Living Well (Wednesdays)
Our Simple Country Life (Thursdays

37 weeks..

TREE DECORATION

Zoe said she wanted to help. We let her hold the end of the string of lights as Jo put them on. Before she toddled off to bed she took one last look at the tree and exclaimed, " Tree looks scary... too heavy on bottom....  Where is baby going to sleep?" (meaning her doll baby) Our tree is

small fat and pregnant looking(like me)...but petite Jo was able to string lights on it in 20 min without having to walk around it...its short!

 

POTTY TRAINING PROGRESS

 

She knows whats expected...no park or her favorite drink until poop hits the water...not when I plop it out of her panties in the water! NOPE.... it has to touch the water first before panties! My apologies to all those with queasy bellies.

 

SUNDAY VISITOR

Robert, my brother in law, wants to bring a pal who he says no one visits or picks up to go out. I would love to be able to do this, but Mike needs to be here. It would be the appropriate thing to do. I am praying he is able to get a shift off. I am also praying aginst doubts that I have as well. A few red flags that I picked up on two weeks ago from Robert at our picnic visit. He still has an addiction spirit he deals with.

 

MY MEMORY

I forgot about Mike at work. He had to wait an hour...he was a Lil unhappy! Sundays close early, and I forget a lot! But then I reminded him I have waited on him with a toddler in tow, and a full bladder for an hour in the parking lot !

 

ADVENT BOXES

 

 

36 Weeks over ...moving on to 37

 

MIDWIFE VISIT

 

VERY interesting! I actually think I chewed off the tip of my tongue. She said she was not a parent  herself but in her experience (BY OSMOSIS THROUGH HER SISTER)  She gave me some full of doubt advice about letting Zoe go back to diapers once baby is here. She left me on a monitor flat on my back ( have to do this for twenty min each time due to my age) not accommodating at all! The  Holy Spirit whispered in that still voice" you can speak to it"...."What's it?" I said.... out loud. Superiority?...Pride? and He said" Doubts"...

 

 

What Does Giving Feel Like?

TRUE GIVING....

What is it?

is it the meeting of our wants?

or is it the meeting of our needs?

Does God Himself know what giving feels like, smells like, tastes like and looks like?

If I were to put myself in His dusty sandals, these would be my thoughts...

What would He say giving sounds like?

 A JOYFUL NOISE, unsolicited, rising from the hearts of children.

 

Miraculous...By Kevin Belmonte

Miraculous...

Is it about miracles?

Is it about the miraculous?

It is a wonderful book about both. The book is divided into sections..miracles of the Bible...and miracles in modern day.

This non fiction book is very informative with lots of quotes from famous historians. The purpose God has in mind when showering us with miracles comes to life and light, about the 5th chapter, midway into the book.

35 weeks

 Finally...
We got our maternity photos back! They were taken at 33 weeks and I am glad we did them then. I was just round enough! Our youngest Zoe was not in the best mood but her shenanigans proved to be cute in photo form as kids are so good at doing.

 My newest read.... A Kathryn Kulman book... It is regarding the Holy Spirit as a person..There are eleven messages from her radio show. She is still so relevant and enlightening today. She has such a daughters heart!

Exercise.....  I try to walk BEFORE dinner now before the need for resting kicks in.

34 weeks....

                              34 WEEKS

How I am Feeling....

Feeling huge!...I tell myself I wont eat big meals...but I pick all day and when I sit with the fam at night I just keep ON eating.... like beans.... and things I know will give me gas....

Exersize...

at least I am keeping up on the four essential exercises..(according to Parents..The Daily Kick)

Kegels
Cat yoga pose
Squats
Butterfly stretches

oh.... and lots of walking!

Things I still need to purchase......

I really need a belly belt and a new ace bandage for my leg and some nursing bras. We still have to buy and make the belly cast!

Spiritual Leader Progress

Mike and I had a date and we told each other what would be helpful to us both regarding switching roles. He wants and desires to be the spiritual leader, so to help in the transition, I volunteered to take over the finance department.

It was a family nite/date nite combined.

Rita's custard

 strawberry vanilla swirl on top....

choc. vanilla swirl on bottom...

coconut icee in middle!

like a dessert sandwich...

Zoe and Toddler Tuesday Tales....

My daughter has been bitten by the Christmas Spirit bug...

It may have something to do with the fact that our Christmas

decor is already up.

Yep....I am that person...

(Zoe)...".I don't like chocolate...Josh like chocolate.... he will eat it!"

......(.me)" I got other flavors of cookies...sprinkles, oatmeal....... "

(Zoe)....."Ohhhhh yeeesssss...da sprinkles!"

(Zoe)......"Look I'm eating a snowman!......(grits and eggs)"

..(.me.)."Don't ya know ya should never eat yellow snow?'

(Zoe).."I know dat!"

Not my usual Tuesday post...

I usually post about my Daughter on Tuesday, to keep up with her weekly shenanigans..

I usually have a lot to report...

I usually have a lot to be thankful for....

But today I am blogging about another child....

another child we do not think of often...

the forgotten child...

Compassion International is in Peru this week with a team of bloggers.

Shaun Groves and a handful of others are blogging nightly about their experience .
I encourage you to check out his thought envoking words regarding his meeting with
one of the speakers.
His story will make you stop...slow down...and count your blessings!
Hopefully asking yourself what you can do...
What is your part....

There are children waiting to be chosen.

Be blessed as you read!

Nicole

Liebster award

The Liebster Award

The Liebster award is for blogs that have 200 followers or less and lets us
little blogs grow into bigger blogs! 

 Without further discussion, here's my post about me,

Here are the rules:
Post 11 things about yourself
Answer the questions that have been posted by the people who gave you the award
Create 11 questions you want your nominees to answer
Pass this award on to a maximum of 11 blogs.
Let them know that you've given them the award!

I have been nominated by Angie at Womanhood with Purpose: The Liebster Award

11 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME

33 weeks

Your baby at 33 weeks according to The Daily Kick -Parents.com : Week 33: What’s Happening Now?

• She has a sleep cycle that is becoming more predictable
• Her strong fascination with my rib cage is actually a good thing, it means she has assumed the head down position and her feet are exploring this new area of interest.
• Baby is about 4.5 lbs and 19.5 inches long
• She is about the size of a medicine ball

According to The Daily Kick symptoms at 33 weeks could include....

• Urinary leakage..........................nope
• Pelvic pain......................................yep!
• Shortness of breath.........................yesterday, yes!
• Constipation and gas...........when I cheat on my gluten free diet, yes! 

Cravings: I really need to stay away from regular bread, but have had a few pieces here and there...just can't resist garlic bread! As long as I stick to gluten free pastas and flours I am good. As soon as I cheat, the symptoms begin, the bloating, gas, constipation...etc. Dulcolax has been my friend this week, having to use it once again for the second week in a row. Hopefully this week I will be able to resist the temptation! I also need to get a high fiber cereal and drink more prune juice apparently. I am also going to ask about an anti-gas relief medicine.

Dislikes: Strong smells...UGH! Everything seems to be magnified! Dealing with my toddlers potty accidents, and other gross smells have my gut churning!

Likes: Still wearing my wedding rings. I actually have to make sure they DO NOT slip off every time I wash up. You see I really needed to resize them, but since she is a honeymoon baby, I decided to wait until after her birth to resize.

Weight gain: Between 1-2 lbs.

Physically: She is a contortionist and makes my entire belly sway , move and morph into different shapes. I think I am going to give birth to a transformer...LOL...She shocks us all when she decides to stand up and do the wave randomly! Still fit almost all my maternity jeans and pants except for one pair. I still need to purchase nursing bras and shirts.


Emotionally:  Had a tear explosion yesterday, just feeling overwhelmed and they just started flowing!

Labor signs: increased braxton hicks this week along with that tight rubber band feeling that comes and goes around my hip area. Still feel like my groin muscles are bruised and have been trying to be more cautious about how I move in and out of beds and chairs.

Coming up: A Midwife apt. that I have had to reschedule three times now...Everything seems to happen right before I have to leave...potty accident, temper tantrum, etc.

Siblings: My three oldest keep exclaiming how fast this pregnancy has gone compared to my last one two years ago. I feel the same....it has flown by!

Check it off the list: Bought her Co-sleeper, well actually put it on layaway, which made me feel more ready than ever...We also finally had a friend take some maternity photos at a local park that I can not wait to see and share!

Goals.......

• Car seat purchase

• Baby shower....Dec. 1st

Highlight of the week:   Maternity photos....we had a cute little vintage Christmas theme going on and had a lot of fun posing and being silly!

Scripture speaking to me this week: Phil. 4:13...."I CAN do all things through Him who gives me strength."

Prayer requests: To not believe the voice of the enemy when everything starts to feel overwhelming and piled up.

An Attitude of Gratitude...

For the month of November we will be focusing on the character trait of gratitude.

We will be displaying a gratitude tree with a basket or jar full of blank paper to write

down what we are grateful for every day.

We will also utilize the kids writing abilities....to write down some thoughts about gratefulness and use these as place mats for the month.

We will also have some baking in the kitchen time where each member has one ingredient to add to the recipe. 

We will talk about how just like the recipe each of us brings something to the table in our family, that is needed for 

the whole family to function or it as the recipe would be a flop.

We will take turns being thankful for one member at a time with thankful for " so and so" days! We

will lavish that person with praise, no chores, and let them choose that nights dinner, dessert, and entertainment.

They will also have a special plate of recognition to eat from.

We will also be "sheltering" three people with writing letters of encouragement. Remember snail mail?
(Thank you to Pamela at A Sheltering Tree for the inspiration.)

A military person overseas...through this website..AnyMarine.com

An only child who lives far away from extended family

A single mom really going through a tough season.

We will also be focusing on not being rude. We will be visiting many friends and family over the holidays and a refresher course is called for...those with small children can identify I am sure!

How will you aid in developing your family's attitude of gratitude this November?

Blessings and Miracles,
Nicole

linking up with....
WholeHearted Home
www.simplyhelpinghim.com
talesofbeautyforashes.blogspot.com
 A Sheltering Tree
www.corinalee.com
www.leavingalegacyblog.net
www.passionateandcreativehomemaking.blogspot.com
www.proverbialhomemaker.blogspot.com
http://www.missionalwomen.com/1/post/2012/11/faith-filled-friday6.html
http://christianmommyblogger.com/fellowship-friday-13/

32 weeks

Size of baby...Pineapple

How far along: 32 weeks! I feel like I cant possibly get any bigger or stretch any more. My belly feels itchy in a small area above my belly button! I use Palmers Coco butter every day, twice a day! I love all the kisses from Zoe on my belly, the rubs from Sarah, and the freak outs from Jordyn when she sees, or feels the baby move and kick!

Movement: Every night about 9:00 she starts her gymnastics, karate, dance and Kick boxing moves! I have to sleep in a semi- sitting position because of reflux, and I just cant breath any other way! She has started exploring my rib cage area...FUN FUN!

Weight Gain: about 25 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I haven't bought anything recently , although I am looking at nursing bras....They have a very pretty line at Target with matching panties! 

Best moment of my week:  My sis and I making shower plans...Christmas Baby Shower...I cant wait...we are talking about having a cookie exchange as part of it as well!

Worst moment of my week: Not being very hungry....and also having some constipation issues. I have had to use the Dulcolax a few times and feel much better when I do!

Sleep: I am getting a nap almost every day to make up for her night owl routine!

Miss Anything: Not being able to do as much as before..I do not like being idle for very long! 

Cravings: Candy!

Aversions: Whining..whining ..whining...(I should be the one whining I keep telling my two year old!)

Gender: Girl!

Belly Button: outie!

Labor Signs: I have several Braxton Hicks a day!...

Moody or Happy: Happy

Looking Forward: To my baby shower and Christmas shopping and decorating! 


Love and Blessings,
Nicole                                  Women Living Well Wednesdays

Homemaking Link Up
Better Mom Mondays

Zoe, Faith, and Fall Festival Fun..

Well, she finally let someone paint her face!

For whatever reason Zoe has not let anyone do a face painting on her!

Not that we haven't given her many opportunities.

I do believe we went to 4 -5 Fall Carnivals in the last month,

And probably 8-9 last year.

So let me set the scene for you. She said "Mommy go first" So I did. The sweet artist made a pretty little purple and white, with black, swirly masterpiece on one side of my face, as Zoe looked on, safe in her daddy's arms.

When it was her turn, she sat in the chair, still holding tightly to dad's arm.

Our sweet artist was patient with her, as she handed her the brush, compelling her to try it out on the artists arm, or her own arm.

Zoe wanted nothing to do with that. 

She managed to sneak in a cold, wet stroke of the brush against Zoe's cheek, which was met with resistance!

She calmly explained that it was wet, and talked her into another , then another, until she was sporting a full face painting that looked like a mini- mommy one.

I was amazed at the tenacity of the artist! She would not take no for an answer, and continued to pull tricks out of her bag of persuasion.

I was reminded at how often we lose patience with ourselves or each other when learning or teaching a new concept. Or maybe even in sharing our faith.

How often have we rolled our eyes, looked to the heavens, while exclaiming silently..."Why do they just not get it?"

Yet the Word speaks to us clearly and tells us to not give up while fighting the good fight of faith , because we will see the reaping of the reward, if we just hang on...even by our teeth!

He said to compel others to the faith! What a strong word! What a strong image! I imagine a bull dog wrestling with a chew toy in a tug of war with his owner. Never letting go, even as the owner picks the dog off his feet and he dangles suspended in the air! Have you ever felt like that?

Commitment

Are you committed to your marriage?

I mean really committed?

What does commitment mean?

What does it look like?

Do you find yourself currently caught in a paradigm..a pattern...of taking more than you give?

“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you
accept no excuses – only results.” (Kenneth H. Blanchard)

I once heard a joke about Commitment. It compared the egg and bacon in a plate of breakfast. According to the joke, the argument went, who was more committed? The chicken or the pig, when it came to the meal?


 The chicken contributed something she had produced. The pig on the other hand had laid down his life for the meal. I would say the pig was the sold out one!

Does this sound familiar to you? It brings to mind a Sunday School story for me. Remember the one about Cain and Abel?

Cain was furious that God had liked his brothers sacrifice and did not accept his.

Trouble is...Cain's did not look very much like a sacrifice.

It was more of a contribution. What can I spare, what can I do without?

Abel knew what a sacrifice was. He offered the best he had of his flock upon the alter of sacrifice.

What makes us think our spouse is any different from God? I mean, weren't we all made in His image?

Why do we expect our spouse to be okay with receiving our leftovers, when God isn't okay with receiving our crumbs?

Next time you are tempted to skimp, or maybe hold out, on going all out for your spouse, remember the difference between the chicken and that selfless pig!

OINK OINK!

Accept no excuses...only results!

Can't you just smell those wonderful breakfast scents now?

Linking up with....