Time4Learning Curriculum

With a new baby, a 3 year old needing to do school, plus my 4th grade sweet girl, homeschool has become exhausting and difficult. I've been looking for practical solutions, and realized that the perfect school I imagine may not be what our family can handle right now. So I am super excited to announce that we have a new option we are giving a whirl for the next month!

I've been invited to try Time4Learning's online education program in exchange for an honest review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so come back and read about my experience! For more information, try their lesson demos or find out how to write your own curriculum review.

3 months?!

I'm terrible at updating nowadays. Life is too busy! But looks at this guy! Is he not just the sweetest? I can't help by love him a ridiculously large amount. Almost 3 months. Where has the time gone?

Someday I might even type up that birth story. Hyuck.

Back to School!

I have been meaning to do a post about Aaron's birth story and an update - he is 1 month old already! But life with a new baby is - well, life with a new baby! We're busier, and my free time is spent resting or cuddling somebody rather than blogging. And now with school about to start, I'm sure its just going to be even harder to get around to it!

But I did want to pop in real quick because some exciting news it, not only are the kids starting back to homeschool on Monday, but this Mommy is starting her doula certification course! Come next summer I should be certified and attending births of sweet little babies. We've decided on only 1 a month for a while since we are in our baby making years still (Lord willing), and with the homeschooling and the little babes that is definitely where my priority is. But this will be a way for me to bring in an ever so slight amount of income to help the hubs, is something I love, and is also something that I can use as a ministry to teen/young moms facing unexpected pregnancies, which is something near and dear to my heart.

So anyway, here is a link to my new business website! Crazy! That I just wanted to quickly share with you.

And now I'm off, because I've got to eat lunch and change a poopy diaper. =o)

We have a baby!

We have a baby!

Aaron Matthew 

July 21, 2012, 3:55 AM

10 lbs, 22 in, Med free!

You can view some more pictures here and here.

Thank you to everyone for your words, encouragement, and prayers through this pregnancy! We are so thankful for them, and to be home with a healthy new little blessing.

Birth details to come. For now we're still snuggling and taking it easy.

Dead to Sin, Resurrected in Christ

My Personal Testimony

By Abby

My mom and dad had taught me about God since I was little. I believed in him, but had not
repented. I saw my mom and dad, and my grandparents get baptized and started to think
about it and what it meant.

I heard about the gospel at church but I was too shy to ask about it. The Holy Spirit was telling
my heart to make a choice and it helped me overcome my fear, so I said to mom and dad that I
wanted to know more.

Pastor Duty helped me understand the gospel. We are all sinners and our punishment is
death and separation from God. But God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and he was
resurrected from the dead so that we can have eternal life in heaven with God if we believe and
repent.

I was baptized as a sign that I am a Christian, being buried in the grave and being
resurrected in Christ. If you haven’t made Christ your savior, let the Holy Spirit guide you to
Jesus like I did.

My Pregnancy Journal Link-Up, 39+ weeks

Well, here we are. I'm at 39 weeks and 2 days as of right now. This is officially now my longest pregnancy. I'm feeling horribly depressed. I know I'm not to my due date. I know that baby is fine and healthy and I should be happy that he is doing well, blablabla. But I just feel miserable. I'm measuring over 41 weeks. My body has been having contractions for DAYS with hardly any result. I just feel like I am at the absolute end of my rope and the tiniest thing just triggers a huge puddle of tears to fall from my face. Its ridiculous. Had my appointment today, and I'm at 30% effaced...still. I did make it up to 3 cm, so that's progress. But since I was at 3 cm with my son for over 3 weeks I'm not all that excited about it. I thought the baby had dropped earlier in the week and was all excited - and I guess technically I was right, because he is now at -3 station, whereas before now he was so high it was unmeasurable. Sigh. I'm hanging in there, just barely though. I have tried to tell myself this whole pregnancy that I could go to my due date or even beyond, but I guess I just really never believed it since both my kids came before the due date and were big. I just didn't think my body would keep going this long. People keep telling me "don't have the baby until I go on vacation, or until my work schedule isn't busy, etc." I thought it was funny. Now I'm mad about it and blaming them. So anyway. That's my update for this week. I'm a big tearful puddly depressed mess of a mommy and I just want to go crawl into my bed and sleep for days. Maybe by the time I wake up my body will decide to go into labor. Sigh.

Sorry for being a bum.

Boy Mom BlogHop 2012!

When I read about The MOB Society's 2nd annual Boy Mom BlogHop earlier - I wasn't sure if I should join in. I mean, I only have 1 boy. About to be 2 at any moment though, so I figured, I totally count! ;o) So I say if you have a little boy, join on in and let's get to know each other and encourage each other in this special blessing of raising boys! It can be hard nowadays to raise boys up to be MEN of the Lord, and I think we could all use the encouragement, support, advice, ideas, etc. that we can get!

My name is Kelli and, as I said, I'm a mom of 1 little boy right now, but it could become 2 seriously at any moment as I am 39 weeks pregnant with our second little fella. I also have an older daughter who is the second "little mother" in our house. I blog to keep up with people I know and love, to keep them informed of our lives since a lot of us are so spread out, to meet new people and friends, and to share my love of family and faith - even on the bad days. =o)


Now, introducing:

William, Age 3.5

(aka Will, Boo, Mr. Will Boos, Monster, Trouble, Stinker, The Stink, Little Man, 

and many other random names)

Will likes to play computer and video games with his Daddy. He also loves to run around and climb on furniture. Another favorite past time is giving Mommy small heart attacks by doing daring feats, coming out of nowhere and scaring her, and hiding somewhere and refusing to answer or come out when called. Dinosaurs, animals, and space are awesome. He prefers little toys to big play items, and we have lots of little battles and wars raging around here on a regular basis. His sense of humor is impeccable and must be a natural gift because he is THE funniest kid I have ever met in my life. He's a little OCD - but he comes by it totally honestly (eh hem...) so I can't complain and we take it as it comes. He is certainly FULL of energy, but I love it and wouldn't have it any other way. I love the run-by kisses and leaping hugs, and hope that we can keep fostering his joyful and energetic spirit. Even though he's an active little booger, he's good for a cuddle whenever you need it, and if he thinks someone has hurt or upset you he's your number 1 protector. 

I just love this guy!

Aaron, Age 39 Weeks

(please ignore the HORRIBLY dirty bathroom...)

I don't know much about this new little man yet, except that he is definitely not as active in the womb as his older brother. I think he is going to be a little calmer, and more easy going. We'll see if I'm right I guess! Hopefully we will get to meet him sooner rather than later.

Right now our main family "stuff" is obviously expecting a new baby at any minute, and trying to juggle getting our homeschool year ready. I'm also considering and praying about a future part time career/ministry as a doula, and my husband is praying about going back to school to further his education and change careers. Basically a lot of stuff requiring prayer and guidance. We're waiting on the Lord to show us our path!

I am so excited about this BlogHop and getting to meet some other Mommies! =o)

How to Induce Labor - Pt. 2

Warning - this video has some dance moves and maybe some music and other things that could be offensive (ok, are slightly offensive). I wouldn't do these dance moves. I wouldn't in all seriousness like a song or video that was done in that style. But, its a joke. And I'm pregnant. And it amused me. SO, there is your warning. Watch at your own risk!

And yes, I totally tried all of this at home to induce labor. Ok. Not really. I did bounce and roll around on a birth ball for a little bit. And I waddled around the living room a couple times. I maybe even slowly danced back and forth holding a tired 3 year old. And the pee thing? Well. Pregnancy happens. I also do not believe this woman is 9 months pregnant. If she is, wowza. I'm super impressed.

And a random side note - today when I was in Walmart, a woman asked me when I was due. I get this a lot. I just smiled, tried not to cry and scream, and told her 8 days. She then said "Oh that explains it then." And then she walked away.

What does that even mean? I have felt extremely self conscious all day wondering...

How to induce labor - Part 1

This is for all you mama's out there who are waiting for your new little one and are about to go crazy if labor doesn't start soon. Go give this a try, LOL! We could all use a little humor I'm sure. Hope it gives you a chuckle. =o)

My Pregnancy Journal Link-Up - 38 weeks

This week's pregnancy low-down:

• Yes, 38 weeks. Almost there! I can't believe it. And at the same time, I can't believe I am not done yet. Funny how the last few weeks get. 2 weeks - that isn't long! But somehow when you are at the end of a pregnancy, its more like "2 weeks????? Are you kidding me?!?!?!"
• 2 cm, 30% effaced. Still. My doctor tried to be nice and give me 2.5... but we both know she didn't mean it. LOL
• Reality struck last night. I'm not ready. My bag isn't packed how it should be. I finally did buy some nursing pads and mama pads for after delivery. It must be clicking that oh yah, labor IS going to happen at some point... Plus my house is a mess. But instead of doing dishes last night like I should have, I forced my 9 year old to help me clear out her entire room and organize it from top to bottom. Let me tell ya, it wasn't pleasant, and I'm determined to organize the whole house before this baby comes. And those dishes? Well, I'm sure they'll get done... eventually. Until then, guess its lots of frozen pizza and take-out kiddos. (Like they would argue with that, ha!)
• I have been so tired lately. And my body has been killing me. Last night though I was up til 1 A.M. cleaning and this morning got up at 6 and am moving faster than I have in weeks. Things must be imminent despite my lack of "progressing".
• I still feel gripey, but I'm trying to be better about it. Lots to be thankful for. Even the achy hips, the waddling walk, and the clothes not fitting. It means I have a sweet healthy baby to meet soon! I should be rejoicing!
• We told Mr. 3 year old big boy that the baby was going to "come out" soon. He seems excited. He says when he comes home he is going to close his eyes and be surprised about what he looks like, lol. Kids are so cute. He also said when the baby can walk he is going to chase him and pick him up and punch him... big brothers. What can I say? He is probably just telling the truth, lol!
• I HAVE a picture of the belly, but I haven't gotten around to downloading anything to the computer yet. I will try to do that and update the post with one later today. No promises though! =o)

Discussion Question:  Let's talk names!  What name(s) have you picked out for the new baby and/or how do you choose the names for your children (after a family member, just like the name, like the meaning, etc..)?

Ok, so we HAD picked out a name. I even blogged about it previously. Something happened. I don't know what. But I woke up one day and freaked out to my husband - we have misnamed our baby!!! I don't know how, but I just knew it. The first name fit, the middle was not my baby's name. That has never happened to me before with my other kiddos, so I was really upset! How could I have gone so long calling my baby the wrong name? I felt horrible. But, we've now figured it out (we think, I'm not guaranteeing anything now after having the first name melt down). And this little man, tentatively, is Aaron Matthew. You know, we have all kinds of "criteria" for names when we start the process, but by the end of it most of those "rules" have flown out the window and we end up picking what we like and feel is "the right name" for that baby. Ex. With this pregnancy, I said we would NOT use an A, K, or W name, because I wanted all the kids to have names starting with a different letter so no one woul ever feel "left out". Obviously that rule wasn't fulfilled. I wanted the middle name to be a family name (our other 2 kids have family middle names). Well, we went through lists of family names and realized, we had pretty much already used the good names... so unless we wanted something like Winston or Wilburn or Earl... we had to come up something else. My other son's middle name is Thomas which he shares with his Daddy, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, and Great Great Grandpa! So for inspiration I turned to a list of the 12 Apostles and we landed on Matthew. We also have a good friend names Matthew, and another dear friend lost his brother Matthew last year and (he and his wife are going to be Aaron's godparents, in name only really, because we don't do infant baptism, but we still like to give each child a special gift in godparents), and it just seemed to be the right name. I'm happy with it. We shall see if baby is born and I look at him horrified because I have named him wrong yet again, lol.




Prayer Requests: My Abby girl is being baptized on Sunday. She professed faith in Christ as her savior at church last Sunday and participated in communion with the body of Christ! It was so wonderful, and I am so happy to get to see her follow her Savior in baptism this Sunday. 2 others are being baptized as well! What a glorious day! I love seeing God work in the hearts of the youth in the church. I can't wait to see what God has planned for each of their lives in Him. If you could just keep each of these new Christians in your prayers - it is hard to be a youth and a follower of Christ now. Because they are new believers I really do believe Satan will be targeting them with doubts, challenges, you name it. They are going to need the prayers and love and guidance of the body of Christ (as we all do!), but especially now. Also, we have invited some people to witness the baptism that are not believers. They have agreed to come! And we would love for you to pray with us for their salvation, that they would hear and respond to the gospel when it is spoken this Sunday at the baptism. And pregnancy prayer requests - just for patience. To wait for baby to come when he is ready, to handle my stress and discomfort in a way that is honoring to God and shows a meek and content spirit rather than a gripey mean one, and for a healthy baby and mama whenever labor gets under way. Oh, also if you could just say a quick prayer that baby doesn't want to come until after the baptism, that would be AWESOME! lol. I also have some personal intentions regarding finances and some personal heart issues and struggles that I would appreciate your prayers on as well. And I thank you in advance for your prayers, and I am grateful for them (especially since this week I seem to have given you such a long list!)

Our Homeschool "Plans"

I have seen many homeschool Moms posting about their curriculum plans for the next school year - yup its about that time for us all isn't it? So I thought I'd jump on board and post our plans as well, because its fun! And slightly addicting maybe for this homeschool curriculum junkie mom. We'll start with the 9 year old first, and work our way down to preschool next time.

For our 9 year old (would be in public 4th - but yah, we don't really DO the whole grade thing here)

History / Science / Language Arts / Reading / Bible / Vocabulary / Geography:

 

We will be using Heart of Dakota - Preparing Hearts for His Glory. Its Charlotte Mason style with lots of wonderful living books, but its all laid out and ready to go with lesson plans and assignments all made out for me (which I need this year with a new little starting homeschool and a new baby to adjust to having around!). History and Science are mostly living books with activities scheduled in, there is independent and together reading scheduled in as well with some good quality books that support the main material. There is a daily Bible lesson and a weekly memory verse, and vocabulary lists are also included that go along with the main things being read each week. For Language Arts they recommend using Rod and Staff, so we will be using their level 4 book (just the teacher and student texts, not the tests and worksheets). We are not using their recommended math curriculum.

Math:

 

Teaching Textbooks, we're using level 4. Its our first year using this, but I am hoping for good things! We have done the samples online and my daughter has enjoyed those and does well at understanding the material covered. She is a bit "behind" in math (I don't buy that whole ahead and behind thing - kids are different) so we're keeping her at level 4 because it seems to be the best fit for her (many people say you should bump up in TT because they seem a little behind state standards). In the past we have struggled with math - she's a bit of a perfectionist and math doesn't come naturally to her, and I am a natural math whiz, so putting the 2 of us together for actual math instruction is VERY difficult. Too much bumping of heads. I am hoping the computer instruction will help, so I can just be there for assistance and back up rather then being "teacher" for this subject. Hoping some conflict will be avoided this year.

Literature:

 

We have always done literature by just reading good quality books. However this year I wanted to begin incorporating actually story elements. Since this is all going to be new to us, I've chosen a program that's fairly simple and fun in its introduction to all of this. So we are going to be doing 2 literature studies a semester from Confessions of a Homeschooler. I let my daughter choose the stories since I thought it would help encourage her to read and do the work if she chose the book herself (plus if she hates it I can always say "Well you picked it!" lol!!). So for this year we are doing Stuart Little, Black Beauty, Dr. Dolittle, and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

Writing:

 

This is something new we are introducing as well. She has done short writing assignments, but hasn't had a formal instruction program. This year we are starting with Writing Strands 3 to introduce her to a more formal way of writing. I think its going to be a great program for her - and the book is actually slightly humorous. The author did a good job with making the instruction fun!

Spelling:

 

My daughter is a horrible speller. Charlotte Mason seems to be great for natural spellers, but it just has not at all clicked for my daughter, so I'm adding a formal spelling program. I don't like just the whole use a list thing every week, so we're going with a spelling program on the computer. We are tentatively planning to use Click N Spell - it covers the 800 most commonly used words in the English language. I think for someone who struggles with spelling and is a perfectionist, this will be good for her because she will for sure be able to spell the most common words used. After we complete that and she has some more confidence, we will probably switch to a different type of spelling curriculum that helps breaks words down into pieces and shows how to figure out the spelling rather than just memorization alone. But that's for another year!

Typing:

We are doing more on the computer this year, and in this day and age typing is almost more important than handwriting (ok, maybe it IS more important than handwriting). I found an online website that has free typing lessons for kids, so we are just going with that and then letting her play fun games online to reinforce that. http://kids.learn2type.com

Handwriting:

 

Some homeschoolers I know don't even bother teaching this anymore as its own subject, again its the whole computer technology thing. I still think its important - so we still do it. We're working on cursive, and we are going with a formal "program" this year and using The Joy of Handwriting. In the past we didn't use a program, just practiced with copywork as per Charlotte Mason. I've found this doesn't work out very well for us - my daughter forms lots of her manuscript letters in a weird way and makes it way more complicated than need be. We're going to use a curriculum for cursive this year, and if it works out well I will probably have her go back next summer and quickly run through the manuscript program to improve those writing skills which seem to not be fully developed how I would like.

Music and Art:

 

We're doing quite a bit for this actually, which is a change for us. The Heart of Dakota program is only 4 days a week, which allows us to have 1 day a week we can dedicate to those "extra" things that often get overlooked. For music we are doing a local homeschool choir program called Heaven Sent Choir, along with at home piano courses via Mary Jo Moore Piano Courses. I was only going to do one of those, but my daughter really wanted to do both, so I'm trying to encourage her in that since its the first time she has really ever WANTED to do something other than play, lol. We'll also be doing a weekly hymn study using the book "Then Sings My Soul", and an Artist and Composer Study via Confessions of a Homeschooler (the Artist study is FREE for the month of July!).

Other:

In our state we are required to do a "Good Citizenship" course every year. But this requirement can be so easily met (we have no state monitoring anyway since homeschool here is considered private and there is not state oversight). So I count Bible/Character along with our history lessons as completely covering that requirement. Of course as she gets older we will include government and that sort of thing, but its not something I'm really worried about "finding a curriculum for" right now. right now our good citizenship curriculum is Jesus!

My Pregnancy Journal Link Up - 37 weeks

37 weeks. Almost there. Just have to get over the hump. I can so totally do this. Its going to be a short update. I'm just grouchy and kind of feeling like I am "done" with being pregnant, ha.



So what's going on?

• 2 cm, 30% effaced still.Cervix is really high, baby is head down and posterior. ....sigh.
• Bag is packed, mostly... I think...
• I'm feeling SUPER stressed. Not about baby or birth or pregnancy, but just about other life things. I think because I am just so tired, that all the other life happenings are affecting me much more than they would normally.
• I am uncomfortable. I wouldn't say pain really... I just feel awkward and like my body isn't together right anymore and I'm not moving right and its just unnerving and annoying.
• I am having a lot of cervical pressure. About 1 contraction an hour for the past 5 days. Never experienced this with my first two.
• I feel like I'm so gripey. I'm not meaning to be... its just how the end of pregnancy goes I guess. Forgive me please. And pray for me to get over it and enjoy these last few weeks.
• My doula has a feeling I'm going to go into labor within the next 2 weeks. I'm not sure. I am suspicious of this boy causing me trouble and being late. We shall see.
• My diaper shower with the ladies at church was so sweet and wonderful! Such a blessing. After my amazing baby shower, and now the church shower, we are super set for baby and are just so thankful.

Discussion Question:  How do you plan on managing your pain during labor and delivery?

Since we are hoping to go med-free for this birth, I have done a bit of thinking about pain management. I'm planning to use music, massage, positioning, prayer, and all that jazz. Really my plan is just to kinda go with what my body says for me to do, because I think our bodies are made to do this and as long as I don't fight it, then I will know what to do.

36 weeks - belly shot

Before I forget, here is a belly picture taken at my baby shower (I'm on the left). That's one of my sweet preggo friends bumping bellies with me. She's 2 weeks behind me, and having her second little girl. Isn't her little girl in the picture with us not just so totally precious? =o)

Review: The Jesus Storybook Bible

Well its about time I blogged about something other than being pregnant and tired! It just seems to have taken over and invaded my body somehow (ha!)

We have had the Jesus Storybook Bible for probably about a year now, but we didn't use it very much until we started doing family devotionals when we were done with dinner. My husband and I decided we would start by just going through this storybook Bible together as a family so the kids would hear some of the familiar Bible stories, and because this particular children's Bible was supposed to show how Jesus is connected and shown throughout all the stories in the Bible, and not just in the New Testament. Sounds great right? I was quite excited. And in the beginning... the Jesus Storybook Bible was beautiful, and I loved it. The pictures were amazing, the wording was gorgeous and powerful, it seemed to be a wonderful addition to our little home library. However, as we progressed through the stories, I found them adding in just too many details and "storytelling" things that are not included in the Bible, and it made me leary. As we continued on, it started to make me upset. And now we have still not finished it, I dread reading it to the kids, and we have already bought a replacement to use in our Homeschooling for the next school year.

I know there are many people who LOVE this Storybook Bible. We thought we would too, and if we hadn't been sitting and going through the whole thing together, then I may have even been recommending it to people based on the clips I read online, and from what we read at the beginning. I would say, pray about this. Be leary of it, and look for yourself to see if it would work for your family. If I had to review it in one sentence, I'd say "Great storybook, poor Bible".

I guess we as a family have just gotten to the point where, I don't want my children to have a storybook that changes and elaborates and kiddies down everything in the Word of God. I want them to have something real that is on there level. We think we have found that in another Children's Bible, and I will do a review on that as we get into it and I make sure its what we are looking for. =o)

My Pregnancy Journal Link-Up - 36 Weeks!

Updates:

• Yup, you read it right. 36 weeks. CRAZINESS!
• 1.5 cm dilated, 30% effaced. Slowly getting there.
• TONS of Braxton Hicks and some cramping. Starting to have back pain. Yay?
• Measuring 1-2 weeks ahead by fundal height. Did I mention that I have big babies? =o)
• My maternity clothes look ridiculous and small. Oh well, they only need to be squeezed into a few more weeks!
• Baby shower was hot but wonderful! I wish I had pictures, but my camera is broken. But my friends should have some I can take from them. =o) AND we were able to use some gift cards to buy a replacement camera that should be here in a few days! Whew! I will have pictures of my new baby after all! So hopefully next week I can include a belly shot finally!
• Diaper shower is this weekend. I am so thankful for things to distract me!
• I want a snocone. Again. I think tomorrow I must get one. MUST.
• Not much else. We're pretty set. Almost all baby stuff is ready to go. Bags are mostly almost packed for the hospital. I kinda just need to clean up the house, but every day that goes down on my list of priorities. Guess I'm not nesting yet, lol.

Prayer Requests: Patience. The last few weeks are always the longest and the hardest. I know this little man will come in God's timing, and I'm ok with that, but the waiting gets hard. I so want to have this little guy in my arms, and to just not be pregnant right now. Its so HOT and I'm so TIRED.


Discussion Question:  This week's question is from Katherine over at Proverbs and Pacifiers.  "I'd love to ask all those nursing mommies out there about how their nursing relationship changed when they got pregnant. Did you have problems with milk supply or babies wanting to wean early? Did anyone have to supplement with formula? Oh and how difficult is it to nurse both a toddler and a newborn?" 
I've never been pregnant while nursing, so I'm no help. =o) Friends of mine have nursed while pregnant and then tandem nursed a toddler and an infant with no issue, they just kept everything at an on demand schedule and it all worked out fine. I think one of them may have used some herbs to help keep up with milk production, but I don't recall anyone having issues with completely losing their supply or baby wanting to wean before when mom and baby chose to do so. No one I know that breastfeeds has supplemented with formula if they were committed to nursing through a pregnancy and going tandem. It just didn't jive I guess. =o)

My Pregnancy Journal Link Up - 35 Weeks!

Firstly - Happy Father's Day! 

I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, who is such an amazing father to all of our kiddos. I am so thankful we are on this parenthood and faith journey together in this life. =o) I am also thankful for my stepdad and Father in law, who both have had to put up with quite a bit over the years (and still probably do!), and have loved me and welcomed me as if I were their own. I am also thankful for my Father for giving me life, and for all the lessons I have learned along the way, and for all the experiences, because no matter what God is using it all for a purpose and for good. I pray for him and forgive him, and I hope he knows that. I would ask your prayers for him too if you would. And last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for my heavenly Father, who has adopted me as his own and forgiven me of all my sins. For his loving me, turning my heart towards him, and growing me in my faith. Thank Abba Father for it ALL.

Now, onto the pregnancy goodness. =o)

This week's updates:

• I updated super late last week after having missed the week before. I was so so so tired. So not much new going on. 
• I am about 35 weeks (yikes! Is that for real???)
• I'm not as tired anymore, and the past couple nights have actually slept pretty well. I may have figured out how to sleep just in time to give birth and not get any, LOL!
• The ladies at church (we moved here in January and have just recently found a local church home, so I don't even know them very well!) asked to throw me a little diaper shower and a "get to know you better brunch". What a sweet thought! We are truly so very blessed.
• My mother in law says I look "fake pregnant" like in the movies. I have only gained 4 lbs, so my body is actually thinner than it was when I got pregnant, other than the VERY large belly I have protruding out the front (I also have BIG babies). I think this is probably a compliment, haha.

Discussion Question:  What is the must-have item(s) that you pack in your hospital bag?  Or, if you are having a home birth, what is the must-have item(s) that must be readily available?
I am bringing my stomach wrap thing. I don't remember having issues after my first birth, but with the second (and I am anticipating the same thing with this third one), my stomach muscles were so weak after the birth that they really felt like they couldn't hold my stomach together. I ended up using my son's wrap as a stomach girdle type thing last time, this time I am going in prepared with my stomach wrap thing. Whatever its called! I don't really care about anything else. I try to get out of the hospital within 24 hours of giving birth max, so bringing a lot of stuff there isn't really something I bother doing. I just want to go home!

Here is a picture of the "stomach thing"

Prayer Requests -
My son (3) is being a bit clingy... I think he suspects something is up. Please pray for him as we get ready to make this adjustment, and for my husband who will be taking up some of the things I usually handle regarding our son that I won't be able to do once the new baby comes (like keeping him quiet and well behaved at church! We've been practicing Daddy running the show... but it hasn't been going well). Also just pray that my body prepares itself and is ready, that we can pull together all the last minute things that need to be done, and that as I go into this I am able to relax and put all my trust and faith in God that he is in control of this birth and that I rely on him for my strength as we go through it.

My Pregnancy Journal Link-Up - 34 Weeks

So, I have been QUITE delayed in keeping up with the Pregnancy Journal! I missed one week completely, and this week is nearly gone, but I thought I would do it now while I have the time and energy for a moment. Sorry its not long, but I've got to do it quick or else I won't at all! =o)

What's going on with me and baby?

•  I'm now just over 34 weeks. Getting so close! Next week I start getting "checks"
• I mentioned before I was SO tired. Well, shortly after that I began to feel dizzy and sick and just awful. Turns out my anemia had gotten much more severe. I've been on extra iron supplements and resting, and I feel so much better. Still so so sleepy, but the dizziness and near falling over I was experiencing are gone.
• Yesterday I had some pink spotting - no pain or anything, but braxton hicks have been getting way more frequent and definitely stronger. My body is really revving up I think. My other 2 babies have come about a week early, so I think I may be heading in the same direction this time around too. We shall see what the doctor thinks.
• I met again with my doula and I am just SO thankful that God has worked this out for me. She has given me some amazing ideas on things to do and tools to use during labor that will hopefully help me relax and stay focused. I'm currently working on some affirmations to use during labor - thinking "You were made for this" may be one, but I'd also like to use some Bible verses or "snippets" as well. I'm also working on a playlist to put on my husband's ipod to take to the hospital with us. I'm really wanting to stay focused on God and his design for me and the blessing of this baby during the labor - so I am keeping my list to Christian songs and hymns, psalms, etc. If you have any specific recommendations for songs that are fairly peaceful, I would absolutely love to hear them! My list definitely needs some lengthening.
• I have outgrown even my maternity shirts. Yah. Thankfully I have a belly band to use UNDER MY MATERNITY CLOTHES! That's just a little ridiculous right? lol.
• I don't know how I would be getting through this pregnancy without my oldest daughter. Everyday I end up passing out somewhere in the house, and she entertains and helps take care of her little brother so I can zonk out without having to worry. What a sweet girl!
• I have gotten 2 snocones recently. They have been AMAZING and they were only $1!!!! That's my huge craving lately. YUM!

My Pregnancy Journal - Week 5, 32 Weeks

 Psalm 127:3-5  Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

I am really dragging the past few days. So this may not be the best update ever, haha. Sorry!

Pregnancy Stuffs:

• As I mentioned, I'm dragging. I feel soooo tired. The sleep thing is getting to me. I'm taking naps, trying to sleep as much as I can at night, but I am just plain tuckered out.
• My feet and ankles seem to be doing a little better with the swelling, as long as I rest and keep them up. Since I'm so tired, I've been laying around a lot more, which means my feet actually are almost normal looking. Yay! If you had seen them last pregnancy, sheesh, you would understand how excited I am about keeping the swelling in check!
• Baby Aaron is moving around in new and weird ways. I used to just feel him tapping about here or there, but now its like he is running across the front of my stomach from one side to the other. Its pretty funny...except when he is doing it at 2 AM. LOL.
• I'm starting to waddle. Don't laugh at me. 
• The past week has seemed like 3 weeks. The rest of this pregnancy is going to seem sooooo long! I forget how it always gets at the end. The excitement over being pregnant is done - now you just are excited to see your baby and be done, so the time crawls. 
• I got my belly wrap girdle type thing in the mail. When Will was born, the first time I got out of bed I felt like my organs were sloshing around and going to fall out the front of my body! I know, that sounds weird and creepy, but its how it felt! It disturbed me greatly, so I ended up using the baby wrap that I had packed in our hospital bag to just wrap around my stomach and hold myself together. It worked GREAT and I felt so much better, but I looked weird wearing it, haha. I wore it for the first few weeks at home and it really helped me heal and feel better, so this time I decided to invest in a postpartum belly belt thing (I don't actually know what they are called...) to use under my clothing after Aaron is born. I'm hoping it works the same as the wrap did, and if not, then I still have my wrap just in case! Haha.

Prayer Requests:

• My grandmother's younger brother passed away very late Thursday night from a heart attack. He is the first of her siblings to go, and he was in between surgeries to work on some clotting issues that would have lessened his risk of heart attack. Needless to say, his family is grieving and having a difficult time. I did not know him well, but I have fond memories of him from my childhood. He was a big gruff looking man, and so a lot of us kids were kind of scared of him (for no reason really, he just LOOKED mean, haha) but he LOVED kids and so he would pay us in quarters to let him tickle us and throw us around. Then we would get over our fears and play and have a wonderful time! He was like a big old mean looking teddy bear, and I have always remembered him that way, and I'm sure I always will. Unfortunately being this far along in my pregnancy, and my family being a 5 hour drive away, we just don't feel comfortable going to the memorial service. I feel so horribly about it because I want to be there to comfort and support my family, but I know that taking the car trip, especially with my swelling issues, is not a truly safe option right now. I wrote a sympathy card to send out, and it was so hard. I never know what to say. I just tried to let the Lord guide me in that. We will also have some flowers sent to the memorial since we can not be there. If you could just pray for my family at this time, it would be greatly appreciated.
• Also, Abby has brought up to us that she is interested in being baptized! I know she believes in Jesus and loves Him, but we want to make sure she truly understands the gospel and baptism, and what repentance is. So we are working with our pastor and talking with her in preparation for this. If you could pray for us as her parents, that we would be able to explain things to her in a way that she understands, and pray for Abby as she is considering making this decision to repent and make Jesus her Savior.

Discussion Question:  Will you find out the gender of the baby before birth?  Or have you already?  (I've been keeping the question light the past couple weeks because I am just fried from all this moving)!

Yes. It's a boy. His name is Aaron Josiah. =o)
Haha, but really though, I didn't doubt we would find out the gender this pregnancy. We have always found out. With my daughter, they weren't "entirely" sure, and that drove me crazy. I had a harder time preparing, and my husband and I always struggle over the names (we like very different styles of names typically) so it just was so much more difficult not being certain. I don't know if it would be harder or not if you planned not to know, but I just can't imagine doing it. Well, I guess that's not true. I could see if we are blessed with more children eventually wanting to experience that, once we have everything we need for a boy or girl baby, etc.   I did mention it to my husband this pregnancy, in a joking way, and he was adamantly opposed to the idea, so I don't know if we will ever wait until the birth to be truly surprised. 


In other news, a quick story I wanted to share. We visited some of my husband's family last weekend. We get together with them a lot as he has a small family and most everyone lives "in town" (its a very big city, so the other side of town is an hour away, lol). Well, somehow it came up where I said something like "if or when we have more children", something like that, and it set off a bit of a spark from my husband's aunt. I guess she didn't truly realize that we were open to (and even hoping) for more children after this. I guess she thought surely we could control ourselves after we had three! Then people started talking about how can anyone even afford all those children, etc. I felt uncomfortable, and the topic just kept coming up throughout the evening as we talked about different topics. I would bring up some friends of mine and it would come out that they had 4 children or 6 children or were expecting their 8th, etc., and I finally realized it was a hint from God that I needed to SAY something. I couldn't just keep saying "oh well you never really know" and "oh well children don't cost that much really depending on how you look at things". I was NOT being firm or clear in our position on children, and I was not glorifying God and honoring him in my responses. So after it came up again, I said something along the lines of "Well we really believe that children are a blessing from God and we have just given that over to God, so if he decides to bless us with more that would be great! And really when you trust in God and just realize that there is a difference between what children really need and society tells us they need, it doesn't cost that much, and God will always provide. He has so far!" Well...I got weird looks. But the topic didn't come up again. And I felt peace knowing I had just laid it out there instead of tip toeing around the issue forever.

My Pregnancy Journal Link Up - Week 4, 31 Weeks!

I am about to be 31 weeks. I can't believe it. It has now reached the point of "wow, I can't believe how fast this is going and that I will have a baby soon!!!", and "wow I am 31 weeks but I feel like I've been pregnant forever and how can I still have like 9 weeks to go???" Depends on the moment of the day on which thought is running through my head!

So, what's the low down this week?

• I am going to the doctor every 2 weeks now. Last week's appointment was smooth sailing. All is good, and I could basically not be doing anymore beautifully than I am, minus the anemic thing. Which isn't a huge deal fortunately. Doctor and I went through my birth plan, what I want, that my doula will be there, what issues could we run into with the hospital and their "rules", how can we compromise and work it out, blablabla, and I'm actually very happy with what we have laid out. My doctor and I are both ok with all the plans we have in place, and we discussed if things don't go as plan how that would go down as well. A huge weight has been lifted! Its good knowing that she is on board and we're all set.
• I am starting to gather supplies for my hospital bag. Got some little tiny soap and shampoo bottles, travel toothpaste and whatnot, and am starting to really think about what all I need to bring. I also really want to wear my own clothes during the delivery and afterwards because I can't stand those hospital gowns. Problem is, I don't have anything I'm cool with getting destroyed in birth, lol, and the gowns I have found online for are SO expensive for what they are. I have an idea for a "tshirt dress" style nursing/delivery gown that should be pretty quick to throw together, so I am hoping I will find the energy to just make a couple of those with some cheap shirts and fabric, since I am really only planning to use them the day of the birth and any time I have to spend in the hospital. And seeing as there is a fairly good chance they're not going to be so pretty after I have, ya know, had a baby in them, I don't want to spend a lot of money, lol.
• My ankles are officially SWOLLEN. I can't really get rid of it. I've tried. Its not too bad, but I glare at them in an unpleasant way all day. I'm trying to control them with my mind into shrinking, or at least not getting any bigger. My sweet husband has been rubbing my feet and ankles for me every night to help keep them from getting too bad. He's such a dear! Will tries to help rub them during the day sometimes. But he's 3, and basically just smacks them and then tells me they are better now. Oh well. At least he is trying. I think its sweet!
• I am totally craving ICE. OH my goodness. Ii is delicious!!! Last week I really "liked" ice...but this week if you were walking down the street with a snocone I would totally steal it out of your hands and feel no guilt or shame (ok, maybe a little guilt and shame...but I would probably still take it). Too bad I can't find any snocone places that are open!Sonic slushes are an ok substitute, but its just not the same. I find myself going to the kitchen and filling cups with crushed ice and just...eating it. I know its weird (and apparently called pica). From what I've read it seems to be connected with the anemia, but since its just ice and I'm not craving things like glass or dirt (seriously?) its not really a problem as long as I'm not munching on big gigantic pieces that could hurt my teeth.
• I finished making my baby registry/ries. We don't have a lot on there we need. My husband even made me add more things on there that I just "wanted" because he said our family will go look at it and have nothing to buy us, lol. I was trying to be conservative. Maybe I had taken it too far.
• I did buy a diaper bag today. I had 2 bags with Will - one was too small, the other too big, and I didn't like either. I gave the big one away, and I killed the small one by shoving it way too full all the time and by the time he was 18 months the poor bag was practically shredded at the seams. Diaper bags are WAY too expensive. So I found a cute tote at Walmart with a zippered top that was the perfect size, and it was less than $5. Score!
• There is still a baby in my rib. I'm sort of used to it now.
• I now can't get comfortable to sleep. I am sooo tired just because I keep waking up at night so many times. I guess I'm just getting trained for having a newborn again. Haha!

Discussion Question: Where will you be delivering your baby (hospital, birthing center, home, other)? What kind of birth are you planning for (vaginal, c-section, med-free...)?

We will be delivering at the hospital - same one where my son was born actually. We are planning vaginal, med-free birth. Both my children have been vaginal births and have had no issues at all as far as that goes. With both I did end up on an epidural, but this time I want to avoid that. The epidural may have been a contributing factor in an illness my daughter had when she was born, and then my son was very drowsy from it at first and took a while to breastfeed. I also feel like both times the epidural wasn't fully my choice, that I was kind of pressured into it by the hospital staff because I wasn't strong enough to stand up for what I wanted and didn't have the proper support. I think its fine to get an epidural if its your choice and its what you want or need to do. But I didn't have that experience, and so I feel like both my births were kind of "taken" from me. I don't want to feel that way this time. And I feel like God has put me in a place to where I have the right people around me, the right support, and the faith in Him that is going to get me through this. Whether its natural or there is a complication or whatever, this time I know that God is going to be in control, and he is going to guide me and give me peace with our decisions, so that I can have healing from my past experiences.


And now, just as a side note (a rather long side note). I think that baby names can mean a lot. Whether you plan for them to or not. So I wanted to share my kids names, and how I think its so neat how their names and the meanings seem to fit them, and fit the time in my life in which they were born.

Abby Leigh - God is Joyous, Meadow
Abby really changed my heart when she was born. I went from viewing kids as a pain (yup, I thought most kids were totally annoying, and maybe they are, but I still like them now, haha), to realizing that they are truly a blessing. Seriously, whenever I see babies or a pregnant woman now, I am filled with such JOY. Abby is why we stopped using birth control, and have slowly given our family's size over to God. We butt heads a lot me and my little girl, but there are times when she just is so compassionate and has such empathy and love for others, that I just know God is smiling, and I can't help but do it too. As for meadow? This girl loves the country. She loves goats! When she was little she would just sit and play with flowers in the grass for hours. Shortly after she was born, I heard a song about the lady of the leigh - and it described this beautiful and joyful woman, and I used to sing it to Abby to put her to sleep. I really feel like Abby's heart brings God such joy, and that she is growing into a beautiful and joyful woman of God. I pray that others will see God's joy in her, and that it can be used to bring others to Christ.

William Thomas - Determined Protector, Twin
Oh Will. My little fighter and swordsman. I can see him growing up to be a "protector". Or a warrior. And maybe a wee bit of trouble! He has already shown to be a protector of me and his sister. He kills bugs for us when Daddy isn't home, he refuses to let us touch moths outside because they might "bite us", and if he thinks someone is making us sad he steps in to tell the other person to watch it. He is such a funny little man, and such a troublesome little boy. I think little boys should be a bit troublesome though. It shows they have spirit, and I think so many men have maybe have lost their spirit nowadays, and that its a real possibility that a lot of that is our fault as women and as a society in  how we view boys and men. I love seeing my spirited little guy. I pray that he will grow up to not only be a protector of his sister and mother, but his wife, children and family, and a protector of the faith we have in Jesus Christ. He reminds me so much of his Daddy - with whom he shares a middle name. I love that he reminds me so much of the man that I chose to spend my life with. It makes me smile! There have been times since Will was born that I have doubted my faith, doubted my life, my choices, who I am. And I am reminded of the story of Thomas in the Bible, and how he doubted, and the Lord loved him, and showed him His hands, and Thomas had faith.

Aaron Josiah - Mountain of Strength, God helps
I have already seen glimpses of what God has in store with this little guy, and ways he has been used in my life already. I have already had to be so strong this pregnancy in the face of the down syndrome possibility, overcoming past birth trauma, dealing with unhappy family in regards to us having more children, and I always come back to sweet little Aaron, and how he is a blessing from God and has a purpose. And when I learned the meaning of his name, I knew God had great things in store for this little guy. I can't wait to meet him.

Got Fruit?

I just really wanted to share this today. I found it online when I was looking for something to give a family member as part of a little gift package, and reading this reminded me of how I was not too terribly long ago... I said I believed in Jesus, and maybe I did "believe" in Him... but I didn't trust Him. I wasn't following Him. I did not have the fruits of a person who has given their life over to Christ. Maybe some of you haven't either, I don't know. But I just have it on my heart to share this today, because this was me.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 that you will know a person by their "fruit." 

A person isn't a Christian just because he says he is, prays a little prayer, gets baptized or "asks Jesus into his heart." For someone to become a Christian, the Bible says that he must Repent of his sins and put his Faith/Trust in Jesus alone!

"For the Grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."(Titus 2:11-14)

Here's the "good fruit" of the True Christian: the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22-23); the fruit of repentance (Matt 3:8); they will obey God (John 14:15); they will know Christ intimately (John17:3, Matt 7:23) and they will evangelize (Mark 16:15, 1 Cor 9:16).

Do you have the fruit of a Christian?

2 Corinthians 13:5

www.NoFruit.com

Pregnancy Journal Link Up - Week 3, 30 WEEKS!

30 weeks! AND Happy Mother's Day!

I am so excited to be 3/4 of the way done, and getting so close to having little Aaron in my arms instead of my ribs! (snicker)

First off, some WONDERFUL and exciting things happened this week that I am just ecstatic to share with you! Last week I shared my fears about giving birth in the hospital and not being able to have the type of birth we really want. I know you all must have been praying for us, because this week we found a doula to attend our birth at the hospital - and not only that, but she is not going to charge us for her services! She has almost completed her training and needs to have a certain number of attended births to complete the certification process, and so she is offering us her services for free. If she was not doing this, there is no way we could afford a doula at this later part of pregnancy. And on the same day that we found our doula, 2 of my sweet friends offered to throw a baby shower for me and baby Aaron!  After our last son was born, we lived in a very very tiny apartment and had no room to store all of our baby items when we were done with them. Not only that, but the area we lived in had many people around us who were in great need compared to us, and so when someone needed a car seat, we gave ours away. When someone's baby wouldn't nap and they wanted a swing, we let them take ours. We ended up with basically nothing left for Aaron, but I knew that God would work it out. Throughout the pregnancy we have been slowly obtaining items, and people have been so generous in giving us items they are done using. So even though we started the pregnancy with nothing for Aaron, we pretty much already do have everything we "need" and then some. We are still accepting this sweet blessing of a baby shower from my friends, and are just asking for very limited items. Also, we are taking donations in lieu of presents for those who feel so led, to donate to Reece's Rainbow. I am still working out all of those details, but I may also post it up here for anyone who would also like to donate to help a family. Can I tell you I cried when my friends offered this shower? I did not realize until that moment how sad I have been because of many people's lack of excitement over Aaron, and because of negative comments we have received about having another child (its only number 3, I was NOT expecting this!). I thought it was just annoying, but I realize now that I have people offering to just celebrate his life because he is a gift from God, that I have been sad for months deep in my spirit over this lack of joy about my child that has surrounded me from family. I know this has affected me spiritually in ways that I didn't realize until I let myself be open to this sadness. Now I can begin to heal. This week I have just been SO very blessed.

Now, pregnancy updates!

• My ankles have started to get a bit puffy. Sometimes my feet do too. I am not pleased! I had avoided it so far, and after my last pregnancy's HORRIBLE swelling, I thought I had managed to avoid this issue. I think its coming for me. So right now my feet are up, up, up!
• Yes, Aaron seems to be permanently parked in my right rib. At least I know he's ok from all the abuse he is giving me? Haha!
• No one sent me a cheesecake brownie. But I did get red velvet cake. It was equally delicious! I still am craving a cheesecake brownie though. Very muchly.
• I wrote out a birth plan. I was going to take it to my doctor at my appointment Tuesday, but may wait now to go over things with the doula beforehand. Although I am going to mention at my appointment that I do have a doula now.
• I don't think my maternity shirts are going to last another 10 weeks...

Prayer Requests this week?
We, are doing fabulously. So this week, I want to ask you to please pray for all the mothers out there who are considering abortion, whether they think its a choice, or their only option, or for medical reason, or they are being pressured, whatever! Just keep them in prayer, and their sweet little babies. I feel so passionately about life, but am regretful to admit how often I forget to specifically pray for the unborn, AND their parents. Also, pray for the Reece's Rainbow organization, the children waiting for their families, and the families involved with them that are trying to bring their children home. With Aaron potentially having Down Syndrome, seeing the faces of these beautiful children just touches my heart. No matter what, Aaron will always have a family who loves him and wants him exactly how God made him, but sadly there are some children who don't have that right now, and we can help them and pray for them.

Discussion Question: Who will be supporting you during your upcoming birth?  Will you have a doula?  Your husband?  A close friend or relative?  Do you have any advice for other pregnant moms who are considering a doula, or trying to decide who they want to have attend the birth?

Well, now you know it will be my husband and a doula! Why did we choose a doula? Well, we have considered it in the past, and decided against it with Will's pregnancy, and we had even decided against it earlier in this one. My husband didn't think he would be comfortable, and honestly I couldn't see spending money we could use for other needed things on someone being my cheerleader (ha) - no matter how much I thought I might need it. As the pregnancy has progressed and my concerns became more apparent, we both began to realize that we probably would not be able to have the birth we wanted, without additional support. About the time we really began to realize this, the free doula opportunity came up and it was just all God's timing. My advice - is to pray. Often we go off what we feel and want or think we need, but there is a much more amazing God out there who doesn't "think" he knows what we need, he DOES know. And if we ask, he will show us the way and provide us with what we need. Also, be realistic. You may NOT have your "perfect" birth. None of us knows how each birth will truly go. So do not hesitate to just give it all over to God and let him be involved and comfort and guide you! So often I think we as moms, especially regarding childbirth, can make it all about what we want and hope for, and we forget all about that trusting in the Lord part. Don't forget it. He's AWESOME.

My Pregnancy Journal Link Up - Week 2

How Far Along are you: 29 weeks  

Changes this week: There is a baby body part in my ribs continually. I am STARVING all day every day - huge change since I have NOT been hungry this pregnancy, and up until now have gained no weight whatsoever (I have a feeling that will have changed at my next appointment...) Ice chips, particularly ones leftover from a glass of lemonade, are amazingly delicious. I would also love you forever if you sent me a cheesecake brownie.

Medical Mumbo-Jumbo: I passed my glucose test with flying colors. I am anemic - but not too bad, and we are going to make some dietary changes so I don't have to add in more supplements. I think it would still be ok for you to send me a cheesecake brownie though.

Prayer Requests: I'm beginning to get tired and uncomfortable - and I've still got 11-ish weeks to go. This is beginning to have an effect on my other children (can we say grouchy Mama?). Also - see discussion question below.

Discussion Question:  Do you struggle with any fears about pregnancy, birth, and after?  Do you have any wisdom, tips, or advice on dealing with fear surrounding pregnancy and birth?  Let us prayer for one another in our fears.

Oh boy. This has been on my mind this week. As I get farther along, and I begin to really prepare for the birth, all kinds of fears and anxieties begin to rise up in me. My main fears right now? Honestly - nothing to do with Aaron or his health. I thought I would be worried about the chances of Down Syndrome or how we would handle it, but it doesn't even seem to be a factor in anything to me. I can confidently give this over to God and know that whatever happens, it is exactly how it is supposed to be. We have a few extended family members who have Down Syndrome, and I have gotten to see them grow up and see how their parents and our family has been changed and grown, and all I can see is blessings and just such a wonderful spirit in each of those children. This is not a fear for me, and for that I am so thankful to God for giving me this peace. My main fear, is the birth itself. Due to insurance "stuffs" we are limited in our birth location choices, and are having a hospital birth with an OBGYN (who I love btw, its the hospital I'm not so thrilled with...) My first birth was...a nightmare. I do not like to think about it at all sometimes. I was so young and uninformed and it was all just a mess. My daughter was born very ill even though she was full term, and the way the hospital and everyone handled it was so traumatic for all of us. With my son's birth, things were much improved, but with so many lingering fears from my daughter's birth, I was filled with anxiety the entire time and was afraid to speak up once admitted to the hospital for what I wanted the birth to be like, and so I gave in to many treatments that I did not at all want to have, just out of fear. I am not afraid of the pain that will come with this birth, or the health of the baby even though we went through such a terrible illness when my daughter was born - I am afraid that my past experiences will again take root in my mind during the birth, and I will be unable to stand up for myself and for my hope of having a natural birth.

A Week of Modest Outfits - Day 2

Day 2! So excited to continue sharing with you all this week. Here are our outfits from yesterday. Mondays around here are pretty casual - its a big work day for me as I try to put things back together after having us all home on the weekend. Since we try to make weekends about playing and family together time rather than keeping up with house work, Mondays are usually my busiest day of the week around our house. The looks below are our more "around the house" looks, or if we are running to meet up with friends or family for playing.

Maternity:

 

Purple Striped Shirt (was long sleeve and odd tunic style, I adjusted it to suit my needs) - Kohls

Khaki A-line Skirt* - Sewn by me, fabric from Joann's

*I had intended this to be longer, but as I am new to sewing, it turned out how it turned out after I made a few boo-boos. Since I am on a budget and still working on transforming my wardrobe into a skirts-only one, we decided this would be fine until end of pregnancy. Especially since this skirt ended up costing WAY more than I anticipated to make. Won't make THAT mistake again! I hope.

Again, my favorite pair of Brown Shoes - JCPenney

(Hidden from view) Be Band/Belly Band (It helps tuck in my protruding belly B, lol) - Target

Girls:

Pink Top (larger sized shirt for length, taken in slightly on the sides for fit) - Walmart

Floral Print Straight Skirt - Sewn by me with $1.50 fabric from Walmart!

(Hidden from view) Black leggings (full length that we cut to knee length) - Zulily 

White Flip-Flops - Walmart

Linking Up With:

A Week of Modest Outfits - Day 1

For Day 1 I wanted to share what I wore to church yesterday. My sweet daughter was also quite willing to share her modest outfits this week as well, so we have Maternity and Girls outfits to share with you this week!

Maternity:

Brown Layering Camisole - Online, store has since closed

Teal and Brown Shirt - Walmart

Brown Skirt - Ross

Brown Shoes - JCPenney

Girls:

White Cami with lace trim - Online Garage Sale

Yellow Top - Online Garage Sale

Cream Sweater - Target

Brown skirt - Goodwill

Black flat Shoes - Walmart

(Hidden from view) Black leggings (full length that we cut to knee length) - Zulily

And, I just wanted to share with you a proud parent moment! Abby has recently had a change of heart in her attitude towards modesty, and there are things she has herself chosen to get rid of - items of her own clothing, certain toys she was playing with, etc. that she felt were not honoring to the Lord and she brought them to me herself and told me what was on her heart. I am so proud of her and am thankful to the Lord for working in her heart in this way - and that she has a heart for encouraging others! She was so excited to get the opportunity to share her new desire for modesty with you all.

Linking Up With: