First of all, I want to thank Michelle for not letting me blow off her concerns about the possibility of preeclampsia developing. You are a true friend!
Last night I got a call from a dear friend of mine who knows a TON about pregnancy and birth. She had read my Checking In post on my blogspot blog and called in the midst of an extremely busy and stressful time to check on me because my symptoms raised a lot of red flags for her as well. This was followed a few hours later by a terrific informative email from another dear friend who was alarmed by what was going on with me. They both were concerned about preeclampsia and had some super practical suggestions on how to head it off.
Sometime between yesterday evening and this morning, I realized that when I talked to my midwife about the tingling in my hands/arm, I didn't mention the swelling. I called her this morning to round out the information I'd given her and she too was very concerned.
So, here are some changes I'm making. Some are specifically to head off the preeclampia possibility, some are things I should have been doing anyway and have been lazy about . . .
~ I am boosting my protein intake Bigtime. I have not been getting nearly enough protein in my diet and this is probably why I'm having such trouble. My goal is to get between 125-150 grams of protein a day for a while and see what this does to my symptoms.
~ I'm serious about charting my food intake now!
~ A cucumber a day.
~ I will be having my BP checked once a week for the rest of this pregnancy. What I learned last night is that often BP doesn't do a sudden rise with preeclampsia, but it rises in smaller gradual steps. Tracking it weekly should help me keep tabs on where it's headed. Today it was 112/62, which is right along what it's been throughout this pregnancy.
~ I'm being faithful in taking my vitamins - duh!! I have been really bad about this this pregnancy.
~ Though I'm usually a strong advocate of moderation, which for me includes allowing myself a cup of coffee per day in pregnancy, I'm dropping the coffee for now. It interfers with calcium absorbption, and hubby's research last night found a connection between low calcium levels and preeclampsia. I should be drinking my Red Raspberry Leaf tea anyway. :-)
~ I have also been waaaaaaaaay lax about exercise this pregnancy, and I'm going to keep working on getting back into that habit, though not so aggressively as I was on Monday and Tuesday of this week. I'm going to plan on two 10 minute sessions of non-intense exercise each day. Reasons? 1) The exercise I got Monday and Tuesday does seem to have made a significant difference in the swelling. 2) Hubby found several studies last night that found that exercise did not have a negative effect on moms dealing with preeclampsia. 3) Two brief periods of gentle exercise should not offset the huge boost I'm making in my protein levels.
Note - I'm open to more input and research on this.
There are probably other things I'm working on, but that's what I can think of at the moment. And I need a nap. :-)
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Checking In
I haven't been good about posting lately, so I want to give a few short blurbs today. I can't type much, so I'll try to be concise.
Pregnancy Stuff
~ Baby seems to be doing great. I can find hearttones pretty easily with our fetascope, and think it is such a thrill to hear our little one's heartbeart with such a simple, non-invasive little device.
~ Swelling of ankles and lower legs started about a two weeks ago. Seems worse than usual, but maybe I'm just out of practice. ;-) Have started exercising more and I'm hoping that will help.
~ Losing feeling in my hands - mostly my right hand. At night I'll wake up with both hands sound asleep, my right arm up to my elbow sometimes. I've never experienced this before. Am hoping the exercise will help. I'm going to see a friend who does kinesthetic body work on Wednesday, and have my appt. with my chiropractor next week.
Other Stuff
~ Our cat, Polly, is waddling around the house, waiting to have her first batch of kittens. Don't know how many are in her little body, but she's got a huge bulge!
~ Papa and Mama Byrd are in town this week (got in last Thursday) - YAY!!! It's wonderful to have them here.
~ My dear friend Sue is due later this week, and her sweet little one is caught in a diagonal position on a very tight ligament. It's an improvement over her tranverse position last Thursday, thanks to several visits to the chiropractor, but I'd love it if you would pray for her and her baby Grace. Peace of mind and spirit for Sue, the ability to get into the right position for baby Grace.
That's all for now, because my hand is numb.
Pregnancy Stuff
~ Baby seems to be doing great. I can find hearttones pretty easily with our fetascope, and think it is such a thrill to hear our little one's heartbeart with such a simple, non-invasive little device.
~ Swelling of ankles and lower legs started about a two weeks ago. Seems worse than usual, but maybe I'm just out of practice. ;-) Have started exercising more and I'm hoping that will help.
~ Losing feeling in my hands - mostly my right hand. At night I'll wake up with both hands sound asleep, my right arm up to my elbow sometimes. I've never experienced this before. Am hoping the exercise will help. I'm going to see a friend who does kinesthetic body work on Wednesday, and have my appt. with my chiropractor next week.
Other Stuff
~ Our cat, Polly, is waddling around the house, waiting to have her first batch of kittens. Don't know how many are in her little body, but she's got a huge bulge!
~ Papa and Mama Byrd are in town this week (got in last Thursday) - YAY!!! It's wonderful to have them here.
~ My dear friend Sue is due later this week, and her sweet little one is caught in a diagonal position on a very tight ligament. It's an improvement over her tranverse position last Thursday, thanks to several visits to the chiropractor, but I'd love it if you would pray for her and her baby Grace. Peace of mind and spirit for Sue, the ability to get into the right position for baby Grace.
That's all for now, because my hand is numb.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
We sang this wonderful hymn yesterday, and I wanted to share it. Such poignant words!
Jesus, Lover of My Soul Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Down Memory Lane
I'm once again working on scanning old pictures from my photo albums so that I have them in digital format and and can burn them to discs for safer keeping. It's a huge project, but fun in many ways.
I'm currently in the Summer of 1992. What a mix of emotions those pictures bring back!
And here, just to see if Shawna is reading my blog...
What an artist!
The Best Bread I've Made ...
... in a long time!
I've been trying for the last few years to "cheat" and use my Cuisinart to make bread. It just doesn't work for me, and I've had dissapointment after dissapointment.
So on Tuesday, I decided to "really" make bread. I was sooo delighted with the results!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Are You Weary of Being the Giver?
I do not know of any helpmeet/mother who does not occasionally weary of being the giver. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all that is required of us. The demands of being a wife, a homemaker, a mama, etc can be draining, and I have seen in myself and the women I love the tendency to get drained dry, to come to the point where we have nothing left to give. The modern human response to this weariness is often something along the lines of, "I've just got to get away!" I have bought into this thinking more often than I'd like to admit. I'm not saying there is anything inherently wrong with "getaways," but they are not God's ideal answer to the dilemma.
Recently some thoughts in Elizabeth George's book A Woman After God's Own Heart really struck me. She says, "What happens when you and I do slip away to be with God in study and prayer? We receive. We take in. We are nurtured and fed. We insure our spiritual health and growth. When we spend time with Christ, He supplies us with strength and encourages us in the pursuit of His ways." (Emphasis mine)
There we stand, drained and weary, longing for someone to "give to us for a change." There He stands, ready, waiting, and eager to GIVE to us. And we don't have the time/energy/desire to take a few minutes a day to spend in fellowship with Him. We will not make the effort to develop the habit of "walking" with Him, of practicing His presence no matter our location or activity. We give and give until we are dry, while the greatest Giver of all waits for us to accept His filling, His giving. Getaways are all well and good, but the true answer is in abiding in Him, not in escaping His call on our lives.
I was both broken and blessed by this realization, and began to look at some of the ways in which the Lord wants to give to us. Would you like a peak?
Psalm 29:11 ~ The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 84:11 ~ For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 119:130 ~ The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
Proverbs 3:34 ~ He gives grace to the afflicted.
Matthew 7:9-11 ~ Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Matthew 11:28 ~ Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
John 14:27 ~ Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Romans 5:5 . . . and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 8:32 ~ He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
2 Thessalonians 2:16 . . . our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace . . .
James 1:5 ~ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
1 John 5:20 ~ And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
So, my fellow weary woman, I want to encourage you - Go to the Giver!! He's ready and waiting to fill your weary soul with blessings beyond what you can ask or think!
Recently some thoughts in Elizabeth George's book A Woman After God's Own Heart really struck me. She says, "What happens when you and I do slip away to be with God in study and prayer? We receive. We take in. We are nurtured and fed. We insure our spiritual health and growth. When we spend time with Christ, He supplies us with strength and encourages us in the pursuit of His ways." (Emphasis mine)
There we stand, drained and weary, longing for someone to "give to us for a change." There He stands, ready, waiting, and eager to GIVE to us. And we don't have the time/energy/desire to take a few minutes a day to spend in fellowship with Him. We will not make the effort to develop the habit of "walking" with Him, of practicing His presence no matter our location or activity. We give and give until we are dry, while the greatest Giver of all waits for us to accept His filling, His giving. Getaways are all well and good, but the true answer is in abiding in Him, not in escaping His call on our lives.
I was both broken and blessed by this realization, and began to look at some of the ways in which the Lord wants to give to us. Would you like a peak?
Psalm 29:11 ~ The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 84:11 ~ For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 119:130 ~ The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
Proverbs 3:34 ~ He gives grace to the afflicted.
Matthew 7:9-11 ~ Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Matthew 11:28 ~ Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
John 14:27 ~ Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Romans 5:5 . . . and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 8:32 ~ He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
2 Thessalonians 2:16 . . . our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace . . .
James 1:5 ~ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
1 John 5:20 ~ And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
So, my fellow weary woman, I want to encourage you - Go to the Giver!! He's ready and waiting to fill your weary soul with blessings beyond what you can ask or think!
A Prayer
Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my time, my all, utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever.
~The daily prayer of Betty Scott Stam, a worker with China Inland Mission. She and her husband were led to execution by decapitation while their baby lay behind in the crib. Quoted by Elizabeth George in her wonderful book, A Woman After God's Own Heart.
~The daily prayer of Betty Scott Stam, a worker with China Inland Mission. She and her husband were led to execution by decapitation while their baby lay behind in the crib. Quoted by Elizabeth George in her wonderful book, A Woman After God's Own Heart.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Maternity Clothes
I have more eternally significant things to blog about today, but I feel compelled to share with you that I am so glad it is starting to feel like spring! Besides all the usual reasons, there's my maternity wardrobe. And my size. Or maybe it's the way my maternity wardrobe and my size are fitting together. For a little while longer....
You see, the cute summer clothes that I had looked forward to wearing closer to "term" fit me now. Not fit as in, "I'm pregnant-enough-looking to avoid looking ridiculous wearing this outfit" but fit as in, "Hmmm... won't be able to wear this much longer." The large end of my maternity wardrobe is all summer stuff, hence the rejoicing over springlike weather.
About the size issue... I started this pregnancy about 25 pounds heavier than I would have liked to have been. I'm 25 weeks along and I've gained 30 pounds. The midwife is not concerned about the weight, but she has cleared me to start watching my carbs if it will make me feel better. I'm not too worried about the weight myself, because I think a big part of why I just couldn't lose it before I got pregnant was because of the estrogen dominance issue. I feel very confident about getting it off after the baby arrives.
In the meantime, it won't be long before I'm going to run out of clothes that fit! For now, though, I'm just going to enjoy wearing my summer clothes. I shall consider myself the beacon of coming warm weather!
You see, the cute summer clothes that I had looked forward to wearing closer to "term" fit me now. Not fit as in, "I'm pregnant-enough-looking to avoid looking ridiculous wearing this outfit" but fit as in, "Hmmm... won't be able to wear this much longer." The large end of my maternity wardrobe is all summer stuff, hence the rejoicing over springlike weather.
About the size issue... I started this pregnancy about 25 pounds heavier than I would have liked to have been. I'm 25 weeks along and I've gained 30 pounds. The midwife is not concerned about the weight, but she has cleared me to start watching my carbs if it will make me feel better. I'm not too worried about the weight myself, because I think a big part of why I just couldn't lose it before I got pregnant was because of the estrogen dominance issue. I feel very confident about getting it off after the baby arrives.
In the meantime, it won't be long before I'm going to run out of clothes that fit! For now, though, I'm just going to enjoy wearing my summer clothes. I shall consider myself the beacon of coming warm weather!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Refiner's Fire
You've likely heard this one before. It's such a wonderful picture.
Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
This put me in mind of a section of Hind's Feet on High Places that has always been precious to me...
Last of all he took her up the stairway to the highest floor. There they found a room with a furnace in which gold was being smelted and refined of all its dross. Also in the furnace were rough pieces of stone and rock containing crystals. There were put in the great heat of the oven and left for a time. On being taken out, behold, they were glorious jewels, flashing as though they had reeived the fire into their very hearts. As Much-Afraid stood beside the Shepard, loving shrinkingly into the fire, he said the loveliest thing of all.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay they foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones" (Isa. 54:11). Then he added, "My rarest and choicest jewls and my finest gold are those who have been refined in the furnace of Egypt," and he sang one verse of a little song:
I'll turn my hand upon thy heart,
And purge away thy dross,
I will refine thee in my fir
Remake thee at my cross.
There's a song that Mr. Glock taught us at Emmaus that has been the prayer of my heart many times through the years since:
Living God, consuming fire,
Burn the sin from my life.
Make Your will my desire;
Take my life in Your hands.
Purify me with Your blood
Till I shine far brighter than purest gold
In Your eyes.
Some of you have guessed that I'm "in the fire" right now. I treasure your prayers, and I appreciate being able to share some of what the Lord is teaching me (for the how-many-eth time?). May I become a shining specimen of HIS work!
Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
This put me in mind of a section of Hind's Feet on High Places that has always been precious to me...
Last of all he took her up the stairway to the highest floor. There they found a room with a furnace in which gold was being smelted and refined of all its dross. Also in the furnace were rough pieces of stone and rock containing crystals. There were put in the great heat of the oven and left for a time. On being taken out, behold, they were glorious jewels, flashing as though they had reeived the fire into their very hearts. As Much-Afraid stood beside the Shepard, loving shrinkingly into the fire, he said the loveliest thing of all.
"O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay they foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones" (Isa. 54:11). Then he added, "My rarest and choicest jewls and my finest gold are those who have been refined in the furnace of Egypt," and he sang one verse of a little song:
I'll turn my hand upon thy heart,
And purge away thy dross,
I will refine thee in my fir
Remake thee at my cross.
There's a song that Mr. Glock taught us at Emmaus that has been the prayer of my heart many times through the years since:
Living God, consuming fire,
Burn the sin from my life.
Make Your will my desire;
Take my life in Your hands.
Purify me with Your blood
Till I shine far brighter than purest gold
In Your eyes.
Some of you have guessed that I'm "in the fire" right now. I treasure your prayers, and I appreciate being able to share some of what the Lord is teaching me (for the how-many-eth time?). May I become a shining specimen of HIS work!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
A Contrast...
It was with a broken and convicted heart that I read Psalm 16 today.
Psalm 16
A Mikhtam of David.
A Mikhtam of David.
Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
I have no good besides You."
As for the saints who are in the earth,
They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;
I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
I will bless the LORD who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
I have set the LORD continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
The contrasts to the portions in bold:
*I've challenged You to manage to preserve me, O God, for I have not been taking refuge in You. I know I have no good besides You, but I've been too busy looking at me to notice the good that You are.
*Instead of focusing on the wonderful inheritance You have for me, and appreciating the beautiful heritage You've given, I have focused on the pain and hurts in my life.
*Instead of setting the LORD continually before me, I have set myself. Because I have pulled away from His side, I have been greatly shaken. Therefore my heart is bowed down and overburdened, rejoicing is scarce, and I am full of fear and insecurity.
*Though You long to make known to me the path of life, to give me fullness of joy and pleasures forever, I have not been at Your right hand or in Your presence. I have refused the blessings You long to give.
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17
JOHN DONNE ~ HOLY SONNET XIV.
Batter my heart, three-person'd God ; for you
As yet but knock ; breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy ;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
The Strength to Submit
This is a section from Elizabeth George's book A Woman After God's Own Heart.
Do you know the main reason why we wives don't submit to our husband? God says it's fear. We are afraid of what will happen if our husband does things his way instead of our way. Clearly, underneath God's call to us to submit lies a much deepr, more fundamental call to live a life of faith in Him. "The holy women" of the Bible "who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands," and we can follow in their steps if we "do good and are not afraid with any terror" (I Peter 3:5-6, emphasis added.)
Faith is the opposite of fear (Mark 4:40), but how does faith fit with submission? It is by faith that you and I believe God works in our life directly through our husband. It is by faith in our sovereign God that we submit to our husband, trusting that God knows his decisions and the end results of those decisions, and trusting that God redeems, if not guides, those decisions. And so it is by faith in God that our fear is dispelled and we gain the strength to submit. As you learn more about submitting to your husband, why not ask God, as the disciples did, to increase your faith (Luke 17:5)? Faith in God gives us the strength to obey and submit to our husband.
Do you know the main reason why we wives don't submit to our husband? God says it's fear. We are afraid of what will happen if our husband does things his way instead of our way. Clearly, underneath God's call to us to submit lies a much deepr, more fundamental call to live a life of faith in Him. "The holy women" of the Bible "who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands," and we can follow in their steps if we "do good and are not afraid with any terror" (I Peter 3:5-6, emphasis added.)
Faith is the opposite of fear (Mark 4:40), but how does faith fit with submission? It is by faith that you and I believe God works in our life directly through our husband. It is by faith in our sovereign God that we submit to our husband, trusting that God knows his decisions and the end results of those decisions, and trusting that God redeems, if not guides, those decisions. And so it is by faith in God that our fear is dispelled and we gain the strength to submit. As you learn more about submitting to your husband, why not ask God, as the disciples did, to increase your faith (Luke 17:5)? Faith in God gives us the strength to obey and submit to our husband.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Not Giving Up - An Update
Many thanks for the encouraging words, my friends! Asking for help has always been difficult for me - thank you for making it "worth it." :-)
The Lord used Amy over at Amy's Humble Musings in some super practical ways to accomplish quite a lot in my heart/our home in a relatively short amount of time, and I thought I'd share them...
Amy's "Take a Deep Breath" blog (which thankfully Shawna posted about) prevented me from tearing down the walls and starting over with my truckload of 2x4's. He used her "Rest for Weary Homeschool Moms" to re-focus my heart and get me on the right track mentally and spiritually. And as I talked Sunday night (rationally, even!) with my programmer hubby, we found her schedule a great jumping-off point for getting into a routine. I'd tried the MOTH thing before, and though I think it is a great tool, it became a master for me, and I pretty much gave up on scheduling because I was such a not nice person while I was using that system.
Yesterday and today have found us non-stressfully beginning to work our way into a new routine, one that I think will focus us on our priorities and give us freedom and flexibility. We have a ways to go, and I'm realizing that baby steps are okay. And they're much better than truckloads of 2x4's!!
The Lord used Amy over at Amy's Humble Musings in some super practical ways to accomplish quite a lot in my heart/our home in a relatively short amount of time, and I thought I'd share them...
Amy's "Take a Deep Breath" blog (which thankfully Shawna posted about) prevented me from tearing down the walls and starting over with my truckload of 2x4's. He used her "Rest for Weary Homeschool Moms" to re-focus my heart and get me on the right track mentally and spiritually. And as I talked Sunday night (rationally, even!) with my programmer hubby, we found her schedule a great jumping-off point for getting into a routine. I'd tried the MOTH thing before, and though I think it is a great tool, it became a master for me, and I pretty much gave up on scheduling because I was such a not nice person while I was using that system.
Yesterday and today have found us non-stressfully beginning to work our way into a new routine, one that I think will focus us on our priorities and give us freedom and flexibility. We have a ways to go, and I'm realizing that baby steps are okay. And they're much better than truckloads of 2x4's!!
My Balancing Journey - Part 6 - Estrogen Dominance Overview
Here are some of the symptoms of estrogen dominance - Breast cancer, Breast tenderness, Cold hands and feet as a symptom of thyroid dysfunction, Decreased sex drive, Depression with anxiety or agitation, Dry eyes, Early onset of menstruation, Endometrial (uterine) cancer, Fat gain - especially around the abdomen, hips and thighs, Fatigue, Fibrocystic breasts, Foggy thinking, Gallbladder disease, Hair Loss, Headaches, Hypoglycemia, Increased blood clotting (increasing risk of strokes), Infertility, Irregular menstrual periods, Irritability, Insomnia, Magnesium deficiency, Memory loss, Mood swings, Osteoporosis, Polycystic ovaries, Premenopausal bone loss, PMS, Sluggish metabolism, Thyroid dysfunction mimicking hypothyroidism, Uterine cancer, Uterine fibroids, Water retention - bloating.
That's not a complete list, and having a symptom on the list doesn't necessarily mean you are estrogen dominant, but if several of those symptoms sound way too familiar, I'd go take this simple test! :-)
If your test results sound like you might be estrogen dominant, my biggest recommendation is to invest some time reading Dr. John Lee MD's books and/or his website. The book that I read from and found helpful was What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About PREmenopause. Why that one? Because at 32, I was so estrogen dominant that I was going into premenopause! I found the book quickly at my library. It's like a fire hydrant of information, but you can digest what seems most important for you. There are bucketloads of information on the website as well.
If you are estrogen dominant, the thing I don't recommend is running out and getting a prescription for progestin. Prescription hormones are slightly different than what your body produces on its own. They have to be, because you can't get a patent (read: more money) for something that is exactly like it is found in nature. However, there are companies who make progesterone that is bio-identical - its chemical makeup is identical to what is found in your body naturally. I don't know all the benefits of having something identical to what your body makes, but it seems logical to me that using something that matches exactly would be better (and more effective) than using something that has been "tweaked" for the sake of a patent. I haven't done much research on it, but after a quick look around, I see that HRT has been linked in multiple studies to increased risk of breast cancer. I'm not sure if that's just estrogen HRT or if that includes the use of prescription progestin as well. I'd really encourage you to research the subject. Especially considering what the prescription Premarin comes from - Pregant Mare's Urine. :-)
Here are some articles from Dr Lee's site that I think would be helpful and informative:
(prescription) HRT articles homepage
Main link page for articles about using natural hormones
A great FAQ page about natural (bio-identical) hormones
an interesting looking article by Dr. Lee about natural hormone therapy
I think it's important to know that Dr Lee did not have his own prog. cream company, nor did he make money from any prog. cream company. From all I've been able to find, he was simply someone committed to honest research and truly healthful solutions. There is an extensive list of companies that make quality bio-identical progesterone cream here I think these are all companies who make creams without parabens and without mineral oils, both of which are ingredients which have an estrogenic effect (something I surely didn't want when already estrogen dominant!).
That's not a complete list, and having a symptom on the list doesn't necessarily mean you are estrogen dominant, but if several of those symptoms sound way too familiar, I'd go take this simple test! :-)
If your test results sound like you might be estrogen dominant, my biggest recommendation is to invest some time reading Dr. John Lee MD's books and/or his website. The book that I read from and found helpful was What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About PREmenopause. Why that one? Because at 32, I was so estrogen dominant that I was going into premenopause! I found the book quickly at my library. It's like a fire hydrant of information, but you can digest what seems most important for you. There are bucketloads of information on the website as well.
If you are estrogen dominant, the thing I don't recommend is running out and getting a prescription for progestin. Prescription hormones are slightly different than what your body produces on its own. They have to be, because you can't get a patent (read: more money) for something that is exactly like it is found in nature. However, there are companies who make progesterone that is bio-identical - its chemical makeup is identical to what is found in your body naturally. I don't know all the benefits of having something identical to what your body makes, but it seems logical to me that using something that matches exactly would be better (and more effective) than using something that has been "tweaked" for the sake of a patent. I haven't done much research on it, but after a quick look around, I see that HRT has been linked in multiple studies to increased risk of breast cancer. I'm not sure if that's just estrogen HRT or if that includes the use of prescription progestin as well. I'd really encourage you to research the subject. Especially considering what the prescription Premarin comes from - Pregant Mare's Urine. :-)
Here are some articles from Dr Lee's site that I think would be helpful and informative:
(prescription) HRT articles homepage
Main link page for articles about using natural hormones
A great FAQ page about natural (bio-identical) hormones
an interesting looking article by Dr. Lee about natural hormone therapy
I think it's important to know that Dr Lee did not have his own prog. cream company, nor did he make money from any prog. cream company. From all I've been able to find, he was simply someone committed to honest research and truly healthful solutions. There is an extensive list of companies that make quality bio-identical progesterone cream here I think these are all companies who make creams without parabens and without mineral oils, both of which are ingredients which have an estrogenic effect (something I surely didn't want when already estrogen dominant!).
Friday, February 16, 2007
Thinking about giving up...
Disclaimer - I realize that it's been a long time since I've blogged, and I didn't plan for my first blog in two weeks to be like this one...
I was thinking that we had discovered the thing that was really going to work for us with homeschooling. And in the last couple of days, I've found out that it's not working like I thought it was. I feel so incredibly discouraged, and thoughts of giving up are flooding my head.
Then I think about the alternatives. And I know that I can't give up. But, quite honestly, I feel like an utter failure as a homeschool mom right now.
The whole balance thing is seeming to ellude me. I'm a help meet, a homemaker, a mom to six wonderful in-arms Blessings, growing another Blessing inside, a homeschooling mom, a vital part of our home-based business, part of our local body of believers, an advocate for healthy birth options in Missouri... and I'm not sure I'm getting a "passing grade" in any of it right now.
I'm headed over to re-read the post by Amy Scott that I read yesterday (before I really started to need it). Maybe that's why the Lord led me to it yesterday (thanks, Shawna!), so that it could be brought to mind today.
Anyhoo... do any of you ever get totally discouraged about this journey we're on, or is it just me?
Any helpful words of wisdom?
I was thinking that we had discovered the thing that was really going to work for us with homeschooling. And in the last couple of days, I've found out that it's not working like I thought it was. I feel so incredibly discouraged, and thoughts of giving up are flooding my head.
Then I think about the alternatives. And I know that I can't give up. But, quite honestly, I feel like an utter failure as a homeschool mom right now.
The whole balance thing is seeming to ellude me. I'm a help meet, a homemaker, a mom to six wonderful in-arms Blessings, growing another Blessing inside, a homeschooling mom, a vital part of our home-based business, part of our local body of believers, an advocate for healthy birth options in Missouri... and I'm not sure I'm getting a "passing grade" in any of it right now.
I'm headed over to re-read the post by Amy Scott that I read yesterday (before I really started to need it). Maybe that's why the Lord led me to it yesterday (thanks, Shawna!), so that it could be brought to mind today.
Anyhoo... do any of you ever get totally discouraged about this journey we're on, or is it just me?
Any helpful words of wisdom?
Monday, February 05, 2007
Beyond the Ultimate
I was once again thrilled to hear the owner and coach of the Colts give glory where it was due today. I loved it that when asked about the "social significance" of his victory in the presentation ceremony, Coach Dungy, while acknowledging the honor of being the first black head coach to win the Super Bowl, made a point of stating that to both he and coach Lovie Smith, what's even more important that they are Christian coaches, and have been able to show that you can do it "the Lord's way."
Here's a message passed on by Michael W. Smith on his Shoutlife page, from Coaches Dungy and Smith:
On Sunday, one of us will be a world champion. We may have reached the ultimate goal for a football coach, but we know that there is more to life than football. Even when you have achieved the ultimate, someting better lies beyond.
As pro football coaches, we are also men of faith. Our faith drives us every day to seek excelle4nce. It comforts us in the worst of times and produces hope in adversity. It is through our common faith in Jesus Christ that we have individually experienced God's love and forgiveness.
We would love to tell you more. Visit http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/, and discover how you can live "BEYOND" the ultimate.
Signed By: Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith
"A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the only way I've found true peace, joy and forgiveness." - Tony Dungy
"At a young age, I called on God to help me. I have leaned on him ever since." - Lovie Smith
This site is really wonderful!! Even if you're not a football fan, I'd encourage you to check it out. What a neat testimony to God's grace!
Here's a message passed on by Michael W. Smith on his Shoutlife page, from Coaches Dungy and Smith:
On Sunday, one of us will be a world champion. We may have reached the ultimate goal for a football coach, but we know that there is more to life than football. Even when you have achieved the ultimate, someting better lies beyond.
As pro football coaches, we are also men of faith. Our faith drives us every day to seek excelle4nce. It comforts us in the worst of times and produces hope in adversity. It is through our common faith in Jesus Christ that we have individually experienced God's love and forgiveness.
We would love to tell you more. Visit http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/, and discover how you can live "BEYOND" the ultimate.
Signed By: Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith
"A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the only way I've found true peace, joy and forgiveness." - Tony Dungy
"At a young age, I called on God to help me. I have leaned on him ever since." - Lovie Smith
This site is really wonderful!! Even if you're not a football fan, I'd encourage you to check it out. What a neat testimony to God's grace!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
The Project for the week
I'm working this week on getting our bar-height office counter cleaned off so that we can lower it this weekend to desk height. We've needed more room in our office for quite a while, but with my belly growing, it's becoming a dire situation! lol
So yesterday, I finished cleaning off the counter - a major accomplishment, that. Now I'm working on making room in our big filing cabinet for the contents of filing cabinet drawer from our big school teacher desk, which takes up way too much room in here. I'm hoping to move that out this weekend as well, and since I got the counter clean earlier than I expected, I'm working on other things in the office that will enable us to make better use of our space.
I indulge in HGTV when I have the chance, and the Blessings have watched their share of Mission Organization, one of my favorites. A couple weeks ago, they were working in someone's office, and Davey says, "Mom, maybe you need to have them come and do *your* office!" Oh, yes, in my dreams! :-)
I've realized that I just don't have a spot for everything that needs one, and I'm working on figuring out how I can fix that. The combination of a home office/busines office/homeschool office is just a high demand for a space. Any ideas would be met with great appreciation!
So yesterday, I finished cleaning off the counter - a major accomplishment, that. Now I'm working on making room in our big filing cabinet for the contents of filing cabinet drawer from our big school teacher desk, which takes up way too much room in here. I'm hoping to move that out this weekend as well, and since I got the counter clean earlier than I expected, I'm working on other things in the office that will enable us to make better use of our space.
I indulge in HGTV when I have the chance, and the Blessings have watched their share of Mission Organization, one of my favorites. A couple weeks ago, they were working in someone's office, and Davey says, "Mom, maybe you need to have them come and do *your* office!" Oh, yes, in my dreams! :-)
I've realized that I just don't have a spot for everything that needs one, and I'm working on figuring out how I can fix that. The combination of a home office/busines office/homeschool office is just a high demand for a space. Any ideas would be met with great appreciation!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
This is what it's really about
Here is a terrific article about Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, the two head coaches who are taking their teams to the Super Bowl. I'm so glad someone's talking about what really distinguishes these gentlemen... and it's not their skin color! Take a look. :-)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Changing Shapes
In the search for my maternity clothes, hubby and I found a box last night that had my old "skinny" clothes in it... clothes from back in the days when I thought I was chubby, lol. I'd given away most of my clothes from back then, but these were things that I just couldn't let go.
Well, today I finally put most of the rest of them in a bag to take to Agape House (a resale shop close by that supports a ministry to unwed mothers). Other things I had to just go ahead and toss.
So all this got me thinking...
I remember my midwife chuckling during a prenatal with my first baby. When I asked her why, she said, "You know, your tummy's never going to be this tight again." I was, in my youthful, idealogical state, slightly offended by such an assumption.
Well, several years ago, before I got pregnant with our 6th baby, I got back down to the weight I was when we got married. Yay for me!! Out came the skinny clothes I'd been hanging on to! And guess what? They didn't fit. At first, I was sooo dissapointed. Then I realized something...
No matter how well-conditioned I am, my body is not going to return to the shape that it was before having (as of this coming summer) 7 bundles of Blessing. And you know what? That's okay! What matters is that I do my best to take care of my body, because it is the temple of the Lord. In many ways, my body, though different, is in much better condition than it was before I had children. I want to strive to continue to improve my physical condition.
Similarly, the circumstances that we go through in life change our shape, whether it be our physical shape, our spiritual shape, our emotional shape, whatever. It's okay that we might not ever be the same. God wants to use all the circumstances in our lives to change our shape to be more like Christ.
What about the things that hurt and scar us? Is the goal to be restored to where we were before the hurtful circumstances entered our lives? I don't think so... I think the goal is to not waste the pain, but rather to let the Lord use our circumstances to mold and shape us into the image of Christ.
So if you look back on who you were and what you looked like 10 or 20 years ago and don't like the differences you see, maybe you could reconsider your perspective. If the changes don't fit with HIS goals for you, He can still salvage them and use them for your good and His glory.
Isn't God good?!?
Well, today I finally put most of the rest of them in a bag to take to Agape House (a resale shop close by that supports a ministry to unwed mothers). Other things I had to just go ahead and toss.
So all this got me thinking...
I remember my midwife chuckling during a prenatal with my first baby. When I asked her why, she said, "You know, your tummy's never going to be this tight again." I was, in my youthful, idealogical state, slightly offended by such an assumption.
Well, several years ago, before I got pregnant with our 6th baby, I got back down to the weight I was when we got married. Yay for me!! Out came the skinny clothes I'd been hanging on to! And guess what? They didn't fit. At first, I was sooo dissapointed. Then I realized something...
No matter how well-conditioned I am, my body is not going to return to the shape that it was before having (as of this coming summer) 7 bundles of Blessing. And you know what? That's okay! What matters is that I do my best to take care of my body, because it is the temple of the Lord. In many ways, my body, though different, is in much better condition than it was before I had children. I want to strive to continue to improve my physical condition.
Similarly, the circumstances that we go through in life change our shape, whether it be our physical shape, our spiritual shape, our emotional shape, whatever. It's okay that we might not ever be the same. God wants to use all the circumstances in our lives to change our shape to be more like Christ.
What about the things that hurt and scar us? Is the goal to be restored to where we were before the hurtful circumstances entered our lives? I don't think so... I think the goal is to not waste the pain, but rather to let the Lord use our circumstances to mold and shape us into the image of Christ.
So if you look back on who you were and what you looked like 10 or 20 years ago and don't like the differences you see, maybe you could reconsider your perspective. If the changes don't fit with HIS goals for you, He can still salvage them and use them for your good and His glory.
Isn't God good?!?
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Fundal Height
This is mostly for my own documentation...
I'm looking forward to my next prenatal - to seeing what my caregiver thinks of my fundal height. I've been consciously practicing self-palpation for my last several pregnancies, and I'm regularly feeling the top of my fundus at my belly button. On me, that's ~22-23 cm. Generally, your fundus corresponds to the number of weeks along you are, and for me that's held true through 6 previous pregnancies.
Here are some possible reasons I found on babycenter.com for measuring "large for dates":
• Your due date is off. (Nope, don't think that's possible)
• You have looser abdominal muscles than most women as a result of an earlier pregnancy. (rofl!! I've had 6 earlier pregnancies - ya think?! But my abdominal muscles have been looser than normal for 10 years, so I'm not thinking this is it)
• You have uterine fibroids. (This is a known side effect of estrogen dominance, so I'm not ruling it out. However, looking at the list, pre-pregnancy I had no symptoms of uterine fibroids, so I'm not super concerned about this)
• You're carrying twins or more. (Twins do run in my mom's family...)
• You have too much amniotic fluid. (I suppose this is possible, but honestly, what I'm feeling does not feel like amniotic fluid to me)
• Your baby is positioned high above your pelvis, which might be the case with a breech baby or if you have a placenta previa. (This early in the pregnancy, I don't think these would really be issues)
• You have a bigger-than-normal baby because of gestational diabetes. This condition is known as macrosomia. You may need to be tested to rule it out. (Given my history, the list of risk factors, and my current condition, I really don't think this is it. And my urine's been "great"! lol)
So that's the fundal height report. Any reasons you know of that aren't listed here?
I'm looking forward to my next prenatal - to seeing what my caregiver thinks of my fundal height. I've been consciously practicing self-palpation for my last several pregnancies, and I'm regularly feeling the top of my fundus at my belly button. On me, that's ~22-23 cm. Generally, your fundus corresponds to the number of weeks along you are, and for me that's held true through 6 previous pregnancies.
Here are some possible reasons I found on babycenter.com for measuring "large for dates":
• Your due date is off. (Nope, don't think that's possible)
• You have looser abdominal muscles than most women as a result of an earlier pregnancy. (rofl!! I've had 6 earlier pregnancies - ya think?! But my abdominal muscles have been looser than normal for 10 years, so I'm not thinking this is it)
• You have uterine fibroids. (This is a known side effect of estrogen dominance, so I'm not ruling it out. However, looking at the list, pre-pregnancy I had no symptoms of uterine fibroids, so I'm not super concerned about this)
• You're carrying twins or more. (Twins do run in my mom's family...)
• You have too much amniotic fluid. (I suppose this is possible, but honestly, what I'm feeling does not feel like amniotic fluid to me)
• Your baby is positioned high above your pelvis, which might be the case with a breech baby or if you have a placenta previa. (This early in the pregnancy, I don't think these would really be issues)
• You have a bigger-than-normal baby because of gestational diabetes. This condition is known as macrosomia. You may need to be tested to rule it out. (Given my history, the list of risk factors, and my current condition, I really don't think this is it. And my urine's been "great"! lol)
So that's the fundal height report. Any reasons you know of that aren't listed here?
Corn Adventures and The Simple Life
Months ago, I read an article by Debi Pearl on the No Greater Joy website about different uses for corn. It fascinated me - though we are far from being self-sufficient or old-fashioned in our way of life, anything related to the simple life appeals to me. We would love to become more simple in our way of living, and thanks to the wise advice in the Cumberland Books catalog, we are working on making Baby Steps in that direction.
Anyway... we received our NGJ magazine last week and I was thrilled to see that they had reprinted Corny, Ten Different Ways. I showed it to Jonathan and he thought it looked pretty neat as well.
So last night, the guys come home from work with a 50# bag of Deer Corn (which J had researched and found was the same thing as the feed corn Debi refers to in her article). Woohoo!
Here's what we've done so far:
**We have hominy in the works. We cooked the corn in the ashes last night for quite a while, but it's not quite done, so it's back on the stove this afternoon. I'm going to wait for Jonathan to get home to do anything with it, because he's really enjoyed our experimenting.
**We roasted corn last night to "grind" for corn meal (to use for corn meal mush and corn bread, two things we really like but have never made from meal we ground ourselves).
**We tried "grinding" the roasted corn in the Cuisinart last night, which sent me into the giggles - using the Cuisinart to aid our "old fashioned, simple life" experiments, lol. It was evident that we really do need to be on the lookout for that handgrinder Debi Pearl refers to, but I went ahead and put some of the "ground" corn into the crockpot to cook overnight into corn meal mush. Again, what to me is a humorous blend of old and new.
**The corn meal mush this morning was yummy but rather chunky, due to the incomplete grinding. I also could have used more water in the crock pot. But a successful breakfast, nonetheless.
Here are some of our goals for this year, as regards the simple life:
**Find a hand grinder for corn (this can be used for other grains, too, of course).
**Get our feet wet with Square Foot Gardening. The Blessings are each going to get a few squares, and Jonathan and I will probably have a 3x3.
**Hopefully... Chickens! We need to start small, but we'd really like to have chickens, for eggs especially, but also for meat.
And now it's time for a nap!
Anyway... we received our NGJ magazine last week and I was thrilled to see that they had reprinted Corny, Ten Different Ways. I showed it to Jonathan and he thought it looked pretty neat as well.
So last night, the guys come home from work with a 50# bag of Deer Corn (which J had researched and found was the same thing as the feed corn Debi refers to in her article). Woohoo!
Here's what we've done so far:
**We have hominy in the works. We cooked the corn in the ashes last night for quite a while, but it's not quite done, so it's back on the stove this afternoon. I'm going to wait for Jonathan to get home to do anything with it, because he's really enjoyed our experimenting.
**We roasted corn last night to "grind" for corn meal (to use for corn meal mush and corn bread, two things we really like but have never made from meal we ground ourselves).
**We tried "grinding" the roasted corn in the Cuisinart last night, which sent me into the giggles - using the Cuisinart to aid our "old fashioned, simple life" experiments, lol. It was evident that we really do need to be on the lookout for that handgrinder Debi Pearl refers to, but I went ahead and put some of the "ground" corn into the crockpot to cook overnight into corn meal mush. Again, what to me is a humorous blend of old and new.
**The corn meal mush this morning was yummy but rather chunky, due to the incomplete grinding. I also could have used more water in the crock pot. But a successful breakfast, nonetheless.
Here are some of our goals for this year, as regards the simple life:
**Find a hand grinder for corn (this can be used for other grains, too, of course).
**Get our feet wet with Square Foot Gardening. The Blessings are each going to get a few squares, and Jonathan and I will probably have a 3x3.
**Hopefully... Chickens! We need to start small, but we'd really like to have chickens, for eggs especially, but also for meat.
And now it's time for a nap!
Getting back in the saddle
We're working on getting back in the swing of things around here. I'm trying to be careful to not do too much too soon, but we're thankful to all be feeling much better.
We're trying some new stuff with school this week, with help from An Old-Fashioned Education. Public domain works + the internet = wow! Also trying to get back on the ball using our Ray's Arithmetics. Since we have the whole set anyway, I need to stop doodling around and get with the program! That's the one area in which our Blessings are "behind."
I think I'm going to go ahead and make the big $8 plunge for Motivated Moms for this year. I'm not in a rush to get it, though. Since I basically lost last week due to sickness, I'm just going to do what I can from each day off of that page of my sample.
I have lots of stuff I'm wanting to blog, but I'm going to stop for right now and try to make time to do several posts today.
Notes to self (cause my brain is still stuttering):
Fundal Height
Corn
Philosophy of dealing with Illness
Balancing
We're trying some new stuff with school this week, with help from An Old-Fashioned Education. Public domain works + the internet = wow! Also trying to get back on the ball using our Ray's Arithmetics. Since we have the whole set anyway, I need to stop doodling around and get with the program! That's the one area in which our Blessings are "behind."
I think I'm going to go ahead and make the big $8 plunge for Motivated Moms for this year. I'm not in a rush to get it, though. Since I basically lost last week due to sickness, I'm just going to do what I can from each day off of that page of my sample.
I have lots of stuff I'm wanting to blog, but I'm going to stop for right now and try to make time to do several posts today.
Notes to self (cause my brain is still stuttering):
Fundal Height
Corn
Philosophy of dealing with Illness
Balancing
Thursday, January 11, 2007
I'm still alive!
I haven't posted much lately, but thought I'd at least check in. I've been sick since before Christmas, and it seems every time I start to feel the least bit functionable (I think I coined that word - are you impressed) I go nuts being productive and set myself waaaaayyyy back on the path to health.
So this Monday, I was feeling better than I had in a long time. Got a bunch of stuff done around the house and sent myelf into a tailspin. Tuesday morning I was committed to watching a friend's children (interesting set-up, that - segregated babysitting to try to keep her kiddos from getting our yuck). Got home Tuesday afternoon, went to bed at 3pm and slept till 9 Wednesday morning (with a couple hours up to eat supper and such). Wednesday and today I've done very little active stuff, just trying to rest and get well.
I wonder sometimes how many times I will have to re-learn the lesson that if I don't take care of myself, I can't take care of anyone or anything else. I owe it to my family to be wiser than this, I tell ya! :-)
So this Monday, I was feeling better than I had in a long time. Got a bunch of stuff done around the house and sent myelf into a tailspin. Tuesday morning I was committed to watching a friend's children (interesting set-up, that - segregated babysitting to try to keep her kiddos from getting our yuck). Got home Tuesday afternoon, went to bed at 3pm and slept till 9 Wednesday morning (with a couple hours up to eat supper and such). Wednesday and today I've done very little active stuff, just trying to rest and get well.
I wonder sometimes how many times I will have to re-learn the lesson that if I don't take care of myself, I can't take care of anyone or anything else. I owe it to my family to be wiser than this, I tell ya! :-)
Thursday, January 04, 2007
If you have "extra" prayer time...
I haven't posted about this because I am at loss for how to ask for prayer in an appropriate way. But if you have the chance to pray for our family relationships right now, I would so appreciate it. I can't say much, though I can say that Jonathan and I are doing well with each other, and the kids are doing well with each other and with us.
But we desperately need your prayers, especially for Jonathan and I. For grace, for wisdom to "honor" and yet do what is right for our children and our family.
For me - that I will be taking "every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" and that I will have discipline to have my mind dwelling on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise. That God will give me a gentle and quiet spirit, and that I will be like Jesus ("while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously").
May God be glorified as He works His grace in us!
But we desperately need your prayers, especially for Jonathan and I. For grace, for wisdom to "honor" and yet do what is right for our children and our family.
For me - that I will be taking "every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" and that I will have discipline to have my mind dwelling on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise. That God will give me a gentle and quiet spirit, and that I will be like Jesus ("while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously").
May God be glorified as He works His grace in us!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Pregnancy Stuff
16 weeks today!
I had a wonderful treat last night, thanks to our cat Beren. He climbed up in my lap to be petted, and started purring away. I've often heard that babies in the womb really respond to cats, but I'd never experienced it myself, as this is the first pregnancy I've been through while having a cat.
It's true! Our little one must have felt that purring and gotten excited. I got to feel the baby move for the first time. And the second, third, etc. It was so special!
I had a wonderful treat last night, thanks to our cat Beren. He climbed up in my lap to be petted, and started purring away. I've often heard that babies in the womb really respond to cats, but I'd never experienced it myself, as this is the first pregnancy I've been through while having a cat.
It's true! Our little one must have felt that purring and gotten excited. I got to feel the baby move for the first time. And the second, third, etc. It was so special!
His Ways vs our ways
We never really thought we'd be in Missouri for more than 5 years or so. We hit six years this past August, and it was hard for both of us. We believe we are where we are supposed to be right now (and are blessed in so many ways by being here), we just don't understand why we are still here.
Desired Earthly Home -
In 2006 we were blessed with more trips back to Kansas than we'd had in the five previous years together, I think. They were times of growing and of learning lessons that I think were necessary to prepare us to move back to Kansas. They also rekindled our desire to move home. That desire comes with mixed feelings as we really treasure the dear friends and church family we have here, but Kansas has always been home, and we feel the Lord preparing us to move back. Someday.
Desired Ministry -
Many years ago, a wise and godly man, Gordon Wakefield, shared with me the following truth: He said that if the Lord puts a fire in you for a certain ministry and never lets that fire go out, you can be pretty sure that at some point He's going to put you there, even you live with that fire for years without any visible assurance of it coming to fruition.
Jonathan and I have both longed since before we were married to be involved in ministry to the Navajo Nation, specifically to serve at Immanuel Mission. This is the fire that has never gone out. And we cannot, with our human vision, see a path that will lead us there anytime soon. We think there are many lessons and lots of growth that will have to come first. But the fire burns, and on days like yesterday, when we get newsletters from three different dear friends serving at IM on the same day, the tears flow and I wonder "why???"
So there they are, our unfulfilled desires. And we have a Father Who knows our hearts and minds, Who longs to give us the best gifts, Who knows far better than we what the best gifts are, and Who is strong enough to move any mountain to give us what is best, both for our good and for His glory. And we must trust Him with both our present and our future. That's the bottom line.
Incidentally, we do think we might have gotten a clue while we were gone as to why we are still here in Missouri. It seems rather obvious and simple, but it really hadn't occured to me before that perhaps one job that we must finish before we move on is to help get midwifery legalized in Missouri. Not like we're doing it ourselves - we're a little cog, but maybe that's something the Lord has for us to accomplish before we move on to other things.
In the meantime, I love these lines from a favorite old song of mine -
The Lord has a will and I have a need
To follow that will,
To humbly be still,
To rest in it, nest in it, fully be blessed in it,
Following my Father's will.
And Isaiah 55.8&9 -
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Desired Earthly Home -
In 2006 we were blessed with more trips back to Kansas than we'd had in the five previous years together, I think. They were times of growing and of learning lessons that I think were necessary to prepare us to move back to Kansas. They also rekindled our desire to move home. That desire comes with mixed feelings as we really treasure the dear friends and church family we have here, but Kansas has always been home, and we feel the Lord preparing us to move back. Someday.
Desired Ministry -
Many years ago, a wise and godly man, Gordon Wakefield, shared with me the following truth: He said that if the Lord puts a fire in you for a certain ministry and never lets that fire go out, you can be pretty sure that at some point He's going to put you there, even you live with that fire for years without any visible assurance of it coming to fruition.
Jonathan and I have both longed since before we were married to be involved in ministry to the Navajo Nation, specifically to serve at Immanuel Mission. This is the fire that has never gone out. And we cannot, with our human vision, see a path that will lead us there anytime soon. We think there are many lessons and lots of growth that will have to come first. But the fire burns, and on days like yesterday, when we get newsletters from three different dear friends serving at IM on the same day, the tears flow and I wonder "why???"
So there they are, our unfulfilled desires. And we have a Father Who knows our hearts and minds, Who longs to give us the best gifts, Who knows far better than we what the best gifts are, and Who is strong enough to move any mountain to give us what is best, both for our good and for His glory. And we must trust Him with both our present and our future. That's the bottom line.
Incidentally, we do think we might have gotten a clue while we were gone as to why we are still here in Missouri. It seems rather obvious and simple, but it really hadn't occured to me before that perhaps one job that we must finish before we move on is to help get midwifery legalized in Missouri. Not like we're doing it ourselves - we're a little cog, but maybe that's something the Lord has for us to accomplish before we move on to other things.
In the meantime, I love these lines from a favorite old song of mine -
The Lord has a will and I have a need
To follow that will,
To humbly be still,
To rest in it, nest in it, fully be blessed in it,
Following my Father's will.
And Isaiah 55.8&9 -
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
I have been a bad blogger!
Okay, so I've been sick for over a week and just struggling to get through each day. I hope you can forgive me. :-)
Our trip to Hutch for Christmas was a good one, though we all came home sick or got sick soon after getting home. I personally wasn't doing so hot before we left, so we can't blame it on Kansas. I should probably check and see if all of our KS family is sick on account of us!
It was kind of a surreal Christmas, to be honest. We stayed at Mitchell (aka KBC East Campus), and while we were sooo thankful for a place to stay that allowed us some family time, it still wasn't a typical Christmas. It was good to see family and friends, and as always, we came back homesick for Kansas - a topic for a whole other post.
So for the past week we've been trying to kick an intense round of head/chest crud that just doesn't want to let go. Our prayer has been that even in our illness, we will be pleasing to the Lord and honor Him.
Our trip to Hutch for Christmas was a good one, though we all came home sick or got sick soon after getting home. I personally wasn't doing so hot before we left, so we can't blame it on Kansas. I should probably check and see if all of our KS family is sick on account of us!
It was kind of a surreal Christmas, to be honest. We stayed at Mitchell (aka KBC East Campus), and while we were sooo thankful for a place to stay that allowed us some family time, it still wasn't a typical Christmas. It was good to see family and friends, and as always, we came back homesick for Kansas - a topic for a whole other post.
So for the past week we've been trying to kick an intense round of head/chest crud that just doesn't want to let go. Our prayer has been that even in our illness, we will be pleasing to the Lord and honor Him.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Before I get to the Christmas trip update, I have to say...
You've got to check out this amazing new artist!!
Gregory Paul Smith on Shoutlife
Gregory's website
I have listened to this CD... ummm... I don't know... bunches of times since we got settled in from our Christmas trip to Kansas. God has given Gregory a phenomenal musical talent - both vocally and as a songwriter/arranger. And the message that He's given Gregory to share has been Such a Blessing to me these last two days.
Go check him out and friend him!
And yes, he happens to be my cousin-in-law. But I think I would be shouting about this CD even if he weren't. :-)
Gregory Paul Smith on Shoutlife
Gregory's website
I have listened to this CD... ummm... I don't know... bunches of times since we got settled in from our Christmas trip to Kansas. God has given Gregory a phenomenal musical talent - both vocally and as a songwriter/arranger. And the message that He's given Gregory to share has been Such a Blessing to me these last two days.
Go check him out and friend him!
And yes, he happens to be my cousin-in-law. But I think I would be shouting about this CD even if he weren't. :-)
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Update on Pregnancy/Cramping
Things seem to have calmed down with the cramping I was having, praise the Lord. Yesterday I had almost no cramping, and today I haven't had any so far. I'm going to continue being careful with my activity levels (and use my timer whenever I'm doing anything standing up/moving around!) today, but I'm optimistic that I'm over the trouble spot.
I'm putting more details here of this whole thing, just to be sure I'm tracking stuff well.
Mental/Emotional Notes:
The hardest part for me of this experience was feeling like it was my fault. See... I ran out of my progesterone cream about a week before I started cramping. I'm supposed to be using it until I'm at least 15 weeks, which is when the placenta is really supposed to kick in with extra progesterone production. So I kept telling myself I'd run to the herb store (we have a Terrific herb store here in our tiny town - it's called Root Diggin' Nation - isn't that a hoot?!). But I kept not getting it done.
To my guilty sobs Friday night of "How will either of us every forgive me if we lose this baby because I was too lazy to get more Prog. cream?," my wonderful husband assured me that if the Lord took this baby home, it would not be my fault. All life is in His hands, and if He chooses to take this little one home to praise His name for eternity, we can trust Him with that.
I found myself repeating Ps. 131 over and over to myself:
Oh LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
What a wonderful thing to know that we have a loving and sovereign God.
"Treatment" notes:
~~I've been drinking Tons of water (dehydratiion can cause cramping, and Thursday was not a well-hydrated day) and focusing on taking it easy and trusting the Lord (read: accept His peace and Stay Calm).
~~Mom Smith picked up some Cramp Bark extract for me Friday afternoon, and that seems to help a lot. I haven't needed to use it since Saturday late afternoon, though, praise Him!
~~She also picked up some Prog. Cream, but it had Evening Primrose Oil in it, which is a phyto-estrogen - Not Good! So Jonathan picked up some simple Prog. Cream on his way home that evening, and I've been doubling up on that since Friday.
~~I remembered to take Vit E on Friday, but have forgotten it since unitl just now. I need to take some today, probably.
That's the scoop!
I'm putting more details here of this whole thing, just to be sure I'm tracking stuff well.
Mental/Emotional Notes:
The hardest part for me of this experience was feeling like it was my fault. See... I ran out of my progesterone cream about a week before I started cramping. I'm supposed to be using it until I'm at least 15 weeks, which is when the placenta is really supposed to kick in with extra progesterone production. So I kept telling myself I'd run to the herb store (we have a Terrific herb store here in our tiny town - it's called Root Diggin' Nation - isn't that a hoot?!). But I kept not getting it done.
To my guilty sobs Friday night of "How will either of us every forgive me if we lose this baby because I was too lazy to get more Prog. cream?," my wonderful husband assured me that if the Lord took this baby home, it would not be my fault. All life is in His hands, and if He chooses to take this little one home to praise His name for eternity, we can trust Him with that.
I found myself repeating Ps. 131 over and over to myself:
Oh LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
What a wonderful thing to know that we have a loving and sovereign God.
"Treatment" notes:
~~I've been drinking Tons of water (dehydratiion can cause cramping, and Thursday was not a well-hydrated day) and focusing on taking it easy and trusting the Lord (read: accept His peace and Stay Calm).
~~Mom Smith picked up some Cramp Bark extract for me Friday afternoon, and that seems to help a lot. I haven't needed to use it since Saturday late afternoon, though, praise Him!
~~She also picked up some Prog. Cream, but it had Evening Primrose Oil in it, which is a phyto-estrogen - Not Good! So Jonathan picked up some simple Prog. Cream on his way home that evening, and I've been doubling up on that since Friday.
~~I remembered to take Vit E on Friday, but have forgotten it since unitl just now. I need to take some today, probably.
That's the scoop!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Prayers Appreciated
Late yesterday morning, I started cramping and spent most of the day on the couch. I haven't had any signs of bleeding, which is an encouraging thing. I'm not feeling "normal" today, but I'm not as tight as I was yesterday. I'm focusing on trusting the Lord and taking it easy as much as possible. Today I'm 13 weeks 4days.
Thanks for your prayers.
Thanks for your prayers.
Friday, December 15, 2006
What a day yesterday!
Our van has really been needing to go into the shop, and as we're contemplating going to Hutchinson for Christmas, the need had become more pressing. So the Blessings and I took the van to Carriage Care yesterday morning. You should see the lovely paper chain we made in the waiting room!
The Diagnosis:
Lots of brake work (including dropping the axle to get to the needed area) - around $500.
New Tires - $???
New Throttle Position Sensor - $170
The exciting part of the day yesterday came when they figured out that our parking brake cables had gotten locked in the "On" position and had ruined our rear brake drums. They had to order the cables and couldn't get them till this morning. Pretty fast when you think about it, but there were my children and I (all of us!) sitting in their waiting room. We obviously weren't wanting to spend the night there, but it's not that easy to find a 30 minute ride for 6 children and a pregnant woman!
My terrific mom-in-law wound up driving over to pick us up and we crammed into her car. Before anyone calls the cops on me for that, Missouri seat-belts laws say that if you have more people in your vehicle than seat-belts, you don't have to worry about seat-belts. :-P While we waited for Mom, the Blessings and I walked several blocks down the street and had lunch at a fast food place - a rare treat for us. So I think for the Blessings especially it was a fun day overall.
You know the really amazing thing about all this? The thing that gives me perspective and makes me so very thankful? Last year about this time, our van broke down. A few weeks later, some dear friends of our Gave us the van we have now. This is a family with 10 children, whose own van was not running all that well. Yet they gave us a van that someone had given them, and trusted the Lord to meet their needs while they were His hands and feet to us. I believe this repair will be the first significant money we will have spent on this van. Isn't that neat??
And an additional note on God's amazing ways is that our homeschool group recently collected money and bought a "new" van for our friends that had given us their backup. It's the nicest van they've ever had (even has AC!!) and it was sooo wonderful to see the Lord reward them for their cheerful selfless giving.
To finish telling about our day yesterday, I got to have a shopping date with Jonathan last night, and we finished up most of our Christmas shopping together.
There are so many things in life that look "bad" to our earthly minds. Isn't it terrific that His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours?! He is working ALL things to the good for those who love Him. More importantly, I think, is that He is working everything for HIS glory. How amazing that our lives, in the pleasant times and in the rough times, can be used to bring glory to our Savior!
What an awesome God!
The Diagnosis:
Lots of brake work (including dropping the axle to get to the needed area) - around $500.
New Tires - $???
New Throttle Position Sensor - $170
The exciting part of the day yesterday came when they figured out that our parking brake cables had gotten locked in the "On" position and had ruined our rear brake drums. They had to order the cables and couldn't get them till this morning. Pretty fast when you think about it, but there were my children and I (all of us!) sitting in their waiting room. We obviously weren't wanting to spend the night there, but it's not that easy to find a 30 minute ride for 6 children and a pregnant woman!
My terrific mom-in-law wound up driving over to pick us up and we crammed into her car. Before anyone calls the cops on me for that, Missouri seat-belts laws say that if you have more people in your vehicle than seat-belts, you don't have to worry about seat-belts. :-P While we waited for Mom, the Blessings and I walked several blocks down the street and had lunch at a fast food place - a rare treat for us. So I think for the Blessings especially it was a fun day overall.
You know the really amazing thing about all this? The thing that gives me perspective and makes me so very thankful? Last year about this time, our van broke down. A few weeks later, some dear friends of our Gave us the van we have now. This is a family with 10 children, whose own van was not running all that well. Yet they gave us a van that someone had given them, and trusted the Lord to meet their needs while they were His hands and feet to us. I believe this repair will be the first significant money we will have spent on this van. Isn't that neat??
And an additional note on God's amazing ways is that our homeschool group recently collected money and bought a "new" van for our friends that had given us their backup. It's the nicest van they've ever had (even has AC!!) and it was sooo wonderful to see the Lord reward them for their cheerful selfless giving.
To finish telling about our day yesterday, I got to have a shopping date with Jonathan last night, and we finished up most of our Christmas shopping together.
There are so many things in life that look "bad" to our earthly minds. Isn't it terrific that His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours?! He is working ALL things to the good for those who love Him. More importantly, I think, is that He is working everything for HIS glory. How amazing that our lives, in the pleasant times and in the rough times, can be used to bring glory to our Savior!
What an awesome God!
Monday, December 11, 2006
Advent
Do any of you use the traditions of Advent to aid their family's focus at this time of year?
We've been learning bits about Advent traditions over the last couple of years, and have decided to incorporate some of them into our family celebrations this year. It seems like such a neat way to focus on what we truly have to celebrate!
Yes, we're in the second week of Advent already, and I just finished our Advent Wreath today. But that's okay, because this is a Tool to aid our worship, not something by which we will be ruled. So we're going to act like the next few days are the first week and the rest of this week will be the second week.
Last year, some friends of ours were using an Advent wreath for the first time. The husband ran into one of the elders from our chapel at the store and asked him a question about Advent wreaths. The elder looked aghast and replied, "I don't know - we're not liturgical!" So maybe we won't advertise at chapel on Sunday that we're using an Advent wreath this year. ;-)
Here's our wreath:
We've been learning bits about Advent traditions over the last couple of years, and have decided to incorporate some of them into our family celebrations this year. It seems like such a neat way to focus on what we truly have to celebrate!
Yes, we're in the second week of Advent already, and I just finished our Advent Wreath today. But that's okay, because this is a Tool to aid our worship, not something by which we will be ruled. So we're going to act like the next few days are the first week and the rest of this week will be the second week.
Last year, some friends of ours were using an Advent wreath for the first time. The husband ran into one of the elders from our chapel at the store and asked him a question about Advent wreaths. The elder looked aghast and replied, "I don't know - we're not liturgical!" So maybe we won't advertise at chapel on Sunday that we're using an Advent wreath this year. ;-)
Here's our wreath:
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
My Balancing Journey - Part 5 - The Big Lightbulb!
Part 4 is new today also! Be sure to read it first!
As I dug into learning about Estrogen Dominance and hormonal balance, it became obvious to me that I really was showing many symptoms of Estrogen Dominance - not just the early pre-menopause. Many things clicked into place over the next few weeks.
The immediate question at hand, however, was what to do next.
When I returned from the retreat and began researching, I was simultaneously getting back on my diet by returning to the "Jump Start" phase - 3 days of nothing but protein/fruit shakes to help make a break from the sugar habit. As I was researching, I kept seeing how soy is tied to estrogen dominance, because it is a source of phytoestrogen. I dismissed this as relevant to me, because I had read enough other research on soy that we just don't "do soy" in our house.
However, on the fourth morning, as I prepared my breakfast protein/fruit shake (a shake which I had been making myself for breakfast almost every morning for over a year), I took a look at the label:
Soy protein.
I ran over to the pantry and took a look at the protein bars which I had used as a regular part of my dieting efforts for over a year:
Soy protein.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I was angry because I had worked so hard for over a year to lose weight and get in better shape - and my reward, due to lack of education, was early pre-menopause and the possibility that I might never have more children. At the same time, I was relieved that I finally knew a direction in which to go to help myself.
Obviously, that was the last protein shake I had for breakfast. And the protein bars went uneaten.
Two weeks later, I had my next period. It was a week early, but my symptoms were obviously lessened. The only thing I'd changed was dropping the soy protein. I honestly thought it might be a fluke, so I waited to see what the next month would bring...
As I dug into learning about Estrogen Dominance and hormonal balance, it became obvious to me that I really was showing many symptoms of Estrogen Dominance - not just the early pre-menopause. Many things clicked into place over the next few weeks.
The immediate question at hand, however, was what to do next.
When I returned from the retreat and began researching, I was simultaneously getting back on my diet by returning to the "Jump Start" phase - 3 days of nothing but protein/fruit shakes to help make a break from the sugar habit. As I was researching, I kept seeing how soy is tied to estrogen dominance, because it is a source of phytoestrogen. I dismissed this as relevant to me, because I had read enough other research on soy that we just don't "do soy" in our house.
However, on the fourth morning, as I prepared my breakfast protein/fruit shake (a shake which I had been making myself for breakfast almost every morning for over a year), I took a look at the label:
Soy protein.
I ran over to the pantry and took a look at the protein bars which I had used as a regular part of my dieting efforts for over a year:
Soy protein.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I was angry because I had worked so hard for over a year to lose weight and get in better shape - and my reward, due to lack of education, was early pre-menopause and the possibility that I might never have more children. At the same time, I was relieved that I finally knew a direction in which to go to help myself.
Obviously, that was the last protein shake I had for breakfast. And the protein bars went uneaten.
Two weeks later, I had my next period. It was a week early, but my symptoms were obviously lessened. The only thing I'd changed was dropping the soy protein. I honestly thought it might be a fluke, so I waited to see what the next month would bring...
My Balancing Journey - Part 4 - Some things I've learned...
... about hormonal imbalance.
There are two primary female hormones secreted by the ovaries - estrogen and progesterone.
There are actually three types of estrogen made by the body, but when we talk about hormones, these three are usually lumped together, along with animal estrogens, synthetic estrogens, phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), and xenoestrogens (environmental estrogens), because the body responds to all of them in the same way. Estrogen is a pro-growth hormone.
Progesterone is the other side of the hormonal coin. It is a pro-gestation hormone, balancing out the estrogen at the proper times in a woman's cycle.
The key with estrogen and progesterone is Balance. It isn't that estrogen is the bad hormone and progesterone is the good hormone. It's that they must be in proper balance for the body to function properly. In our society, there are so many sources, both environmental and dietary, of estrogen, that Estrogen Dominance has become extremely common.
Here is a list of some of the physiological effects of estrogen and progesterone. It's copyrighted, so I can't just copy it here. But it's very important information - please check it out.
Some of the most common effects of Estrogen Dominance are breast fibroids, PMS, moodiness, forgetfullness, excessive tiredness, hypothyroid-like symptoms, early pre-menopause, miscarriage, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer.
Here are a couple of websites I've found that have good information on hormone balance:
The official website of Dr. John Lee, MD - Check out the main Articles page for lots of good information. Dr. Lee has also written several books, which you can probably check out at your local library.
Dr. Lam's extensive article on Estrogen Dominance
And so you have it - the tip of the iceberg of the learning journey I never thought I would need to begin at age (almost) 33. Please take the time to check out some of this information.
There are two primary female hormones secreted by the ovaries - estrogen and progesterone.
There are actually three types of estrogen made by the body, but when we talk about hormones, these three are usually lumped together, along with animal estrogens, synthetic estrogens, phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), and xenoestrogens (environmental estrogens), because the body responds to all of them in the same way. Estrogen is a pro-growth hormone.
Progesterone is the other side of the hormonal coin. It is a pro-gestation hormone, balancing out the estrogen at the proper times in a woman's cycle.
The key with estrogen and progesterone is Balance. It isn't that estrogen is the bad hormone and progesterone is the good hormone. It's that they must be in proper balance for the body to function properly. In our society, there are so many sources, both environmental and dietary, of estrogen, that Estrogen Dominance has become extremely common.
Here is a list of some of the physiological effects of estrogen and progesterone. It's copyrighted, so I can't just copy it here. But it's very important information - please check it out.
Some of the most common effects of Estrogen Dominance are breast fibroids, PMS, moodiness, forgetfullness, excessive tiredness, hypothyroid-like symptoms, early pre-menopause, miscarriage, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer.
Here are a couple of websites I've found that have good information on hormone balance:
The official website of Dr. John Lee, MD - Check out the main Articles page for lots of good information. Dr. Lee has also written several books, which you can probably check out at your local library.
Dr. Lam's extensive article on Estrogen Dominance
And so you have it - the tip of the iceberg of the learning journey I never thought I would need to begin at age (almost) 33. Please take the time to check out some of this information.
First Prenatal - at last!
Monday, we had our first prenatal - probably the latest we've ever had a first prenatal, but all is well.
Random notations from the prenatal-
Need to drink more water. I haven't been feeling as "green" lately, so it's easier to slack on the drinking. It's cool all the stuff your urine call tell you, eh?
My iron is great - 12.something. I was a bit concerned because I haven't done the best job of taking my vitamins lately.
Fundal height - not measured, but in the right spot.
Diet's okay, but could use improvement. Got sheets to keep track of what I eat. Guess I'll start tomorrow.... that Snickers I got at the hardware store today probably blew it, lol. ;-)
Need to find a way to exercise again. I was doing so well with this for a while, but...
Due to a communication glitch between Jonathan and I, we ended up hearing our little one's heartbeat. We usually have our care providers use a fetascope unless there is an indicated need for a doppler check, so except for once when we were leaving on vacation and I hadn't felt movement yet, we generally just hear the doppler occasionally during L&D. I have to admit. It was Such a Thrill to hear that little hearbeat. Wowsers. 164, by the way.
My cheapo wheel was off by a couple days (something I would have realized if I'd bothered to look at the calendar). Our new official ETA is June 19. The big deal with the wheel being off is that I actually hit 12 weeks yesterday (instead of tomorrow). No cramping, no spotting. So I think I'm ready to do the next post in My Balancing Journey - what I've learned about hormone imbalance. Praise the Lord!
Random notations from the prenatal-
Need to drink more water. I haven't been feeling as "green" lately, so it's easier to slack on the drinking. It's cool all the stuff your urine call tell you, eh?
My iron is great - 12.something. I was a bit concerned because I haven't done the best job of taking my vitamins lately.
Fundal height - not measured, but in the right spot.
Diet's okay, but could use improvement. Got sheets to keep track of what I eat. Guess I'll start tomorrow.... that Snickers I got at the hardware store today probably blew it, lol. ;-)
Need to find a way to exercise again. I was doing so well with this for a while, but...
Due to a communication glitch between Jonathan and I, we ended up hearing our little one's heartbeat. We usually have our care providers use a fetascope unless there is an indicated need for a doppler check, so except for once when we were leaving on vacation and I hadn't felt movement yet, we generally just hear the doppler occasionally during L&D. I have to admit. It was Such a Thrill to hear that little hearbeat. Wowsers. 164, by the way.
My cheapo wheel was off by a couple days (something I would have realized if I'd bothered to look at the calendar). Our new official ETA is June 19. The big deal with the wheel being off is that I actually hit 12 weeks yesterday (instead of tomorrow). No cramping, no spotting. So I think I'm ready to do the next post in My Balancing Journey - what I've learned about hormone imbalance. Praise the Lord!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Pneumonia!
Sweet Kate has been running a fever a good portion of the week, without much sign of other symptoms. Ever since Elanor landed in the hospital several years ago with a severe blood infection, fevers without symptoms make us very nervous.
The fever seemed to be starting to dissipate Thursday and most of Friday. Then Friday afternoon/evening it went up very quickly to 105'. Our doctor's office was closed because of the nasty weather here, so we ended up taking her to Urgent Care. Praise the Lord the rest of the Blessings had two sets of grandparents here to have fun with!
A chest x-ray showed that Katie has pneumonia in her left lung. She is doing well enough that the Dr. said she didn't need to be admitted to the hospital, and we were very thankful to bring her home with us. I know next-to-nothing about pneumonia, so I will be doing a lot of research.
Thanks for your prayers! We're praising the Lord that He helped us catch it before it got any worse.
The fever seemed to be starting to dissipate Thursday and most of Friday. Then Friday afternoon/evening it went up very quickly to 105'. Our doctor's office was closed because of the nasty weather here, so we ended up taking her to Urgent Care. Praise the Lord the rest of the Blessings had two sets of grandparents here to have fun with!
A chest x-ray showed that Katie has pneumonia in her left lung. She is doing well enough that the Dr. said she didn't need to be admitted to the hospital, and we were very thankful to bring her home with us. I know next-to-nothing about pneumonia, so I will be doing a lot of research.
Thanks for your prayers! We're praising the Lord that He helped us catch it before it got any worse.
Monday, November 27, 2006
So Excited
I'm so excited right now that I'm on the verge of tears. I just got off the phone with the midwife in Kansas, and things are all good for us to come home to have this baby. I also finally made my first pre-natal appointment for next Monday (here, not in KS).
I realized mid-week last week that subconscious fear about losing the baby because of the hormonal imbalance had me frozen in my plan making. I made it my goal to get past that fear and make those calls this week. And here it is, not even 1pm on Monday, and I've done it! Praise the Lord!
Besides that...
My precious parents are on their way toward me RIGHT NOW! I haven't seen them since the end of May, and then for not nearly long enough. They should be here tonight in time for our homeschool group's Open House to hear the Blessings sing in the choir.
And...
My hubby is done with work early and is on his way home. Yay! We're hoping to get our table finished up while the weather is so nice. Highs in the upper 60's today, tomorrow, and Wed. High on Thursday - 34'!
I realized mid-week last week that subconscious fear about losing the baby because of the hormonal imbalance had me frozen in my plan making. I made it my goal to get past that fear and make those calls this week. And here it is, not even 1pm on Monday, and I've done it! Praise the Lord!
Besides that...
My precious parents are on their way toward me RIGHT NOW! I haven't seen them since the end of May, and then for not nearly long enough. They should be here tonight in time for our homeschool group's Open House to hear the Blessings sing in the choir.
And...
My hubby is done with work early and is on his way home. Yay! We're hoping to get our table finished up while the weather is so nice. Highs in the upper 60's today, tomorrow, and Wed. High on Thursday - 34'!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Sleep, blessed sleep
Yesterday was a wonderful wonderful day. It was also very full and challenging for me. So last night at 9.30, I hit the sack. I woke up at 8.30 this morning, and dozed off and on until around 9.30. Best night's sleep I've had in ages. Praise the Lord!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving
We had a beautiful Thanksgiving day together today. Jonathan, the Blessings and the folks got lots of raking done (and the leaves burned) and the front yard/side yard look great. It was a gorgeous day today - sunny and at least in the 60's. I love it when Thanksgiving Day is warm like that!
It was a pretty "green" day for me (one of the more intense I've had, I think), so I focused my energy on getting stuff done for dinner, and skipped the raking. But I sat out on the steps in the sunshine for a while before I went to lay down; enjoying watching everyone having fun. I said to Jonathan, "It's amazing that one can be so blissfully happy and physically miserable at the same time." :-)
So very much to be thankful for. God is good.
It was a pretty "green" day for me (one of the more intense I've had, I think), so I focused my energy on getting stuff done for dinner, and skipped the raking. But I sat out on the steps in the sunshine for a while before I went to lay down; enjoying watching everyone having fun. I said to Jonathan, "It's amazing that one can be so blissfully happy and physically miserable at the same time." :-)
So very much to be thankful for. God is good.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Personality Quiz
| You Are An INFJ |
The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher. |
Hmmmm... what do you think?
Monday, November 20, 2006
A Neat Way to say Thanks
This is a site set up by Xerox to make it easy to say Thanks to our troops. Kind of ironic... what they do is so far from easy, and it's made so easy for us to say thank you. It takes less than 2 minutes!
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Water, the wonder cure
A friend of mine suggested a few weeks ago that I try to drink more water to help dilute whatever causes the nausea. I've really seen it be effective most of the time, so I thought I'd throw that out there.... :-)
I was planning to work on My Balancing Journey this afternoon while Jonathan is finishing up some work stuff, but I think I need to go sit down with my big jug o' water and dilute. Hopefully I'll be feeling better in time to get my next entry or two done.
I was planning to work on My Balancing Journey this afternoon while Jonathan is finishing up some work stuff, but I think I need to go sit down with my big jug o' water and dilute. Hopefully I'll be feeling better in time to get my next entry or two done.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
My Balancing Journey - Pt 3 - What Next?!?
While I enjoyed the rest of that weekend retreat, I had a cloud of questions haning over my head. The biggest question, the one that shook me to the core, was whether this early pre-menopause meant no more babies. That could be a book by itself, and I'm not even going to try to do it justice right now.
So... I went home, greatly shaken, to begin a learning journey that I never expected to take at this point in my life.
So... I went home, greatly shaken, to begin a learning journey that I never expected to take at this point in my life.
Back on the FlyWagon again
A couple of background notes...
*I have found myself really struggling this pregnancy with giving in to feeling badly, and therefore being super lethargic, tired, and physically miserable a good deal of the time. Especially in the morning. In the last few weeks, I've gotten almost no group school work done with the Blessings, something we count on for getting our work for the year accomplished.
*Several years ago, Beka led me to Flylady.net (thanks Honey!). It has been a lifesaver in so many ways, and has changed my thinking about a lot of things. I have this tendency to go in spurts with Flylady, and sometime in late winter/spring, I tend to start letting go of habits that I've been working on establishing. I always have a wake-up call when the holidays start to approach, though, because I've found the only way I can get through the holiday months with any sense of clarity and calm is to FLY!
So...
A few nights ago, I had my yearly epiphany and realized I had better start Flying, and fast! So I got out my Holiday Control Journal and have been working on that. I also re-started Flylady emails.
I tell you what! I am just thanking the Lord for helping me back on the FlyWagon (yes, I made that term up myself). Here's some of what I've been doing this week -
Getting ready for Thanksgiving
Starting to bake Christmas gifts (it's going to be a Very Frugal year, so I need to start now and freeze stuff as I go)
Having Dinner planned and/or started before noon yesterday and today
Sitting down with the Blessings for breakfast and our Firm Foundations lesson
Exercising (just got back to that today)
Shining my sink
Working on getting back to my morning and evening routines (I'm not rushing into this one; it's such a process for me)
It's interesting to me how much better I feel physically now that I'm getting stuff accomplished. I'm not finding myself on the couch or back in bed most of the morning. And mentally/emotionally, it's of course much better to be being productive instead of lethargic.
I'm contemplating proposing to my hubby that we turn the Resurrection season into a major family holiday... in part, to keep me from falling off the FlyWagon!
*I have found myself really struggling this pregnancy with giving in to feeling badly, and therefore being super lethargic, tired, and physically miserable a good deal of the time. Especially in the morning. In the last few weeks, I've gotten almost no group school work done with the Blessings, something we count on for getting our work for the year accomplished.
*Several years ago, Beka led me to Flylady.net (thanks Honey!). It has been a lifesaver in so many ways, and has changed my thinking about a lot of things. I have this tendency to go in spurts with Flylady, and sometime in late winter/spring, I tend to start letting go of habits that I've been working on establishing. I always have a wake-up call when the holidays start to approach, though, because I've found the only way I can get through the holiday months with any sense of clarity and calm is to FLY!
So...
A few nights ago, I had my yearly epiphany and realized I had better start Flying, and fast! So I got out my Holiday Control Journal and have been working on that. I also re-started Flylady emails.
I tell you what! I am just thanking the Lord for helping me back on the FlyWagon (yes, I made that term up myself). Here's some of what I've been doing this week -
Getting ready for Thanksgiving
Starting to bake Christmas gifts (it's going to be a Very Frugal year, so I need to start now and freeze stuff as I go)
Having Dinner planned and/or started before noon yesterday and today
Sitting down with the Blessings for breakfast and our Firm Foundations lesson
Exercising (just got back to that today)
Shining my sink
Working on getting back to my morning and evening routines (I'm not rushing into this one; it's such a process for me)
It's interesting to me how much better I feel physically now that I'm getting stuff accomplished. I'm not finding myself on the couch or back in bed most of the morning. And mentally/emotionally, it's of course much better to be being productive instead of lethargic.
I'm contemplating proposing to my hubby that we turn the Resurrection season into a major family holiday... in part, to keep me from falling off the FlyWagon!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Another interruption to the Balancing Journey... Pregnancy note
I've had friends talk while pregnant about how "this baby just doesn't like ______ " and I have to admit, I inwardly laughed. It seemed so silly.
But that's because I'd never experienced it!
And now... I'm growing a baby who doesn't like coffee. I limit myself during pregnancy to 1 cup of caffeine a day, so it's not like I'm missing out on *that* much. But, ya know? I really like my coffee. And baby makes it clear that we have a difference of opinion. Nausea like .... ugghh.
I'm curious to see this aversion to coffee wears off when we pass the 12 week mark. If not, I know one of the first things I'm going to be asking for after baby arrives!
By the way... Today = 8 weeks + 2 days.
But that's because I'd never experienced it!
And now... I'm growing a baby who doesn't like coffee. I limit myself during pregnancy to 1 cup of caffeine a day, so it's not like I'm missing out on *that* much. But, ya know? I really like my coffee. And baby makes it clear that we have a difference of opinion. Nausea like .... ugghh.
I'm curious to see this aversion to coffee wears off when we pass the 12 week mark. If not, I know one of the first things I'm going to be asking for after baby arrives!
By the way... Today = 8 weeks + 2 days.
Friday, November 10, 2006
My Balancing Journey - Part 2 - The Nerve to Ask
July 7-9, 2006, I had the joy of spending the weekend with a wonderful group of women who have a combined knowledge pool on women's health issues that would blow you away. They are also a terrificly diverse group of dear friends, and this weekend retreat with them has been a life-changing event both years that I have gone.
On Saturday evening, I got up my nerve to ask about the things that were going on with my body. This roomful of wise women looked at me, then looked at each other. You know when folks look at each other like they know something you don't know? Aggravating, isn't it? Well, then they asked me how old I was (setting off alarm bells - yikes! It couldn't be that!), and when I told them I would turn 33 at the end of the month, most murmured that I was too young. However, my dear friend Mary was in the back of the room, shaking her head, so I asked her what she was thinking.
Mary shared with me that she had been doing a lot of research lately, and was learning that it is becoming more and more common for women to be showing signs of pre-menopause early - even in their early 30's! This is due in great part to the huge amount of estrogens and xenoestrogens (chemicals that act just like estrogens in our bodies) that are present in our environment. Indeed, my symptoms were typical pre-menopausal symptoms, and were probably due to an hormonal imbalance.
On Saturday evening, I got up my nerve to ask about the things that were going on with my body. This roomful of wise women looked at me, then looked at each other. You know when folks look at each other like they know something you don't know? Aggravating, isn't it? Well, then they asked me how old I was (setting off alarm bells - yikes! It couldn't be that!), and when I told them I would turn 33 at the end of the month, most murmured that I was too young. However, my dear friend Mary was in the back of the room, shaking her head, so I asked her what she was thinking.
Mary shared with me that she had been doing a lot of research lately, and was learning that it is becoming more and more common for women to be showing signs of pre-menopause early - even in their early 30's! This is due in great part to the huge amount of estrogens and xenoestrogens (chemicals that act just like estrogens in our bodies) that are present in our environment. Indeed, my symptoms were typical pre-menopausal symptoms, and were probably due to an hormonal imbalance.
My Balancing Journey - Part 1 - Beginning to Grasp Reality
In May of 2006, we were down in NC to visit family, and I missed most of a day of precious fellowship with family because I was in such intense pain.
I was finally able to put into words some things that had been going on with my body for the last 6-8 months. It wasn't cramps - I've known cramps for years. It was as if what my body had formerly done over the course of 5 days each month, it was now trying to do all in one day. It didn't quite accomplish that; it took 3 days usually, but the intensity of that one day would blow me out of commission entirely.
I also began to grasp that something had to be going on. What, I didn't know, and I didn't know how to find out. Maybe I didn't want to find out...
I was finally able to put into words some things that had been going on with my body for the last 6-8 months. It wasn't cramps - I've known cramps for years. It was as if what my body had formerly done over the course of 5 days each month, it was now trying to do all in one day. It didn't quite accomplish that; it took 3 days usually, but the intensity of that one day would blow me out of commission entirely.
I also began to grasp that something had to be going on. What, I didn't know, and I didn't know how to find out. Maybe I didn't want to find out...
My Balancing Journey - Intro
I've been meaning to blog about this for months, and for some reason have found it rather daunting. I think it is important that I share this story, because it is one that so many women (and their husbands, for that matter!) need to hear. So here goes.
Where'd that big truck go that ran over me??
Yep, yesterday was my big day to get hit with whatever this bug is that's plowed through the family this week. I'd still not back to normal, but I'm marginally functional today. Jonathan's convinced I'll be just ducky for our chapel Talent Night today (which we're hosting). I'm not so sure, but I hope he's right. :-)
Since movement isn't such a good thing right now, I'm going to try to get some blogging done. That and a big nap this afternoon!
Since movement isn't such a good thing right now, I'm going to try to get some blogging done. That and a big nap this afternoon!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Sick Count Update
Okay... 2 done, 3 recovering, 1 in the midst...
Things to be thankful for -
The child that handles being sick the worst is the only one sick right now. God knows I need all available patience and grace for this one!
She's sick during the day. I was dreading another long night of holding sick heads, changing clothes, doing laundry, etc, etc, etc
So far, I'm only pregnancy nauseous, which for me isn't a violent thing, just an ebb and flow of greenness.
Things to be thankful for -
The child that handles being sick the worst is the only one sick right now. God knows I need all available patience and grace for this one!
She's sick during the day. I was dreading another long night of holding sick heads, changing clothes, doing laundry, etc, etc, etc
So far, I'm only pregnancy nauseous, which for me isn't a violent thing, just an ebb and flow of greenness.
Re-focusing
I think I've had a breakthrough! I realized today that I really want to blog more about this pregnancy, to have a written record of the process, etc. #7 babies just don't normally have a very good shot at knowing what things were like when they were on the way, etc, and I want a record for this little one.
That led me to realize that, while it didn't begin that way, blogging has unfortunately become more about if I'm read and commented on than about writing. I want to re-focus there.
And I need to go give lunch to those of my Blessings who can eat it. Doozey of a flu this week. 2 down, 3 in process, 1 looking green (that 's the kid count... Laurel looks green much of the time, lol).
That led me to realize that, while it didn't begin that way, blogging has unfortunately become more about if I'm read and commented on than about writing. I want to re-focus there.
And I need to go give lunch to those of my Blessings who can eat it. Doozey of a flu this week. 2 down, 3 in process, 1 looking green (that 's the kid count... Laurel looks green much of the time, lol).
Monday, October 23, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
WalMart and the GLBT agenda
GLBT = gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered
Walmart has recently stepped up its involvement in the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The following links are for your information, so you can get your info from "the horses mouths." Do the research and draw your own conclusions. I'm not bossing anyone around on this. :-)
So...
Here is where the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Announces Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Membership
Here is Walmart's brief comment about it on their website
Here is Walmart's list of diversity organizations they work with from 2005. This showed me that they been involved with the NGLCC for a while; this year they just stepped up their commitment
Here and here are a couple of news stories on the stepped-up membership.
In related news, here is the press release from Boise State University about their Diversity Week (this week, actually). It lists the sponsors and events. It's a must-read, in my opinion. This is where the "agenda" part of this becomes more obvious.
So... there's some information for you do with it as you are led.
Walmart has recently stepped up its involvement in the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The following links are for your information, so you can get your info from "the horses mouths." Do the research and draw your own conclusions. I'm not bossing anyone around on this. :-)
So...
Here is where the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Announces Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Membership
Here is Walmart's brief comment about it on their website
Here is Walmart's list of diversity organizations they work with from 2005. This showed me that they been involved with the NGLCC for a while; this year they just stepped up their commitment
Here and here are a couple of news stories on the stepped-up membership.
In related news, here is the press release from Boise State University about their Diversity Week (this week, actually). It lists the sponsors and events. It's a must-read, in my opinion. This is where the "agenda" part of this becomes more obvious.
So... there's some information for you do with it as you are led.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
A new twist...
I love this piece on Psalm 23. I got it from a new friend on the EBCAlumni.net site.
The Lord is my Shepherd
That's Relationship!
I shall not want
That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul
That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.
That's Guidance!
For His name sake
That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
That's Testing!
I will fear no evil.
That's Protection!
For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me,
That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
That's Hope!
Thou anointest my head with oil,
That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over.
That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life.
That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.
That's Security!
Forever.
That's Eternity!
The Lord is my Shepherd
That's Relationship!
I shall not want
That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul
That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.
That's Guidance!
For His name sake
That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
That's Testing!
I will fear no evil.
That's Protection!
For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me,
That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
That's Hope!
Thou anointest my head with oil,
That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over.
That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life.
That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.
That's Security!
Forever.
That's Eternity!
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Okay, not quite back to work
I'm liking that purple texture on the sides of my blog more and more. I'd like to find a template that I could incorporate that purple background into. Maybe I need to look back through the free templates I've been looking at with that in mind...
Okay, really back to work now.
Okay, really back to work now.
Busy with Office Stuff
I'm working lots this week in the office, getting papers filed and pitched, taking care of phone calls I've been avoiding, stuff like that. Strange, these are the things that I tend to procrastinate about, and yet, when the office is clean and tidy, I feel sooo good. Makes me wonder why I avoid it.
Back to work...
Back to work...
Monday, October 02, 2006
Happy "Get Organized Week"
While preparing our chapel calendar for October, I learned that the first week in October is Get Organized Week.
So, what are your organizational plans?
Do you have any organization tips or helps to share?
On my projects list for this week -
**Finish switching out seasonal clothes (doing this in the fall, by the way, is a sure-fire way to get warmer weather. My apologies to those in the St Louis area who aren't thrilled about the brief return of summer - it's suposed to get up to 90 today!)
**Work in the office, clearing clutter and getting things filed.
**Get the huge load of give-away stuff to the Agape House and out of my house!
**Possibly - work more on going through the toys in the garage.
Organizational Tips? One word - Flylady.
Off to tackle the office counter...
So, what are your organizational plans?
Do you have any organization tips or helps to share?
On my projects list for this week -
**Finish switching out seasonal clothes (doing this in the fall, by the way, is a sure-fire way to get warmer weather. My apologies to those in the St Louis area who aren't thrilled about the brief return of summer - it's suposed to get up to 90 today!)
**Work in the office, clearing clutter and getting things filed.
**Get the huge load of give-away stuff to the Agape House and out of my house!
**Possibly - work more on going through the toys in the garage.
Organizational Tips? One word - Flylady.
Off to tackle the office counter...
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Messing with template
I've been fiddling with my existing template, as well as looking for a new one... so things will be fluid here for a while.
WFMW - Free Video Maker!
I haven't been doing WFMW long enough to have a "best of." So I'm going to go ahead and post something new, because I'm so excited about this nifty neat free tool I happened upon through the blogvine...
At One True Media, you can easily put together video montages, photo books, etc. The one thing I've tried is the video montage. To put it together and share it via email and your blog is free! If you want a DVD of it, it's a pretty penny, but I'm thrilled with what you get for free. :-)
Here's my first project - The Reunion Montage.
Monday, September 25, 2006
I finally remembered
I told Johnny I'd get him this picture, and I've been forgetting...
and one with Davey -
Note - This post done with old-fashioned HTML, thumbnails and all, because the blogspot image thingy-ma-jig was not working. Rarr! I feel so fabulously nerdy!
and one with Davey -
Note - This post done with old-fashioned HTML, thumbnails and all, because the blogspot image thingy-ma-jig was not working. Rarr! I feel so fabulously nerdy!
That's my girl...
I'm trying to figure out what to fix the Blessings for breakfast this morning, and I ask Grace, "What do you want to eat, Grace?"
She thinks for a bit.
"Ummm.... Chocolate."
"Did you say Chocolate?"
"Yeah."
Yessiree, that's my daughter alright.
She thinks for a bit.
"Ummm.... Chocolate."
"Did you say Chocolate?"
"Yeah."
Yessiree, that's my daughter alright.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Fall Into Reading
Katrina over at Callapidder Days is hosting a Fall Into Reading Challenge.
I don't feel like I have a complete list, because I've had a very busy weekend, but I'm going to post what I have at this point, because I need a bit of a push to get some reading done. The Cumberland Books catalog is superb reading, but I should probably not re-read that until mid-December, eh?
So here's what I have so far, in no particular order or fanciness -
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis
Uprising - Erwin Raphael McManus
The Complete Fairy Tales - George MacDonald
Adela Cathcart - George MacDonald
Wulf the Saxon - G.A. Henty
A Brother Beloved - Francena H Arnold
Three Shall Be One - Francena H Arnold
Twice Freed - Patricia M St John
Stories by O'Henry - (surprise!) O'Henry
I'm also wanting to go onto the Gutenburg Project and get some older biographies and autobiographies. But I don't have time to do that tonight, so I'll update my list later.
I don't feel like I have a complete list, because I've had a very busy weekend, but I'm going to post what I have at this point, because I need a bit of a push to get some reading done. The Cumberland Books catalog is superb reading, but I should probably not re-read that until mid-December, eh?
So here's what I have so far, in no particular order or fanciness -
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis
Uprising - Erwin Raphael McManus
The Complete Fairy Tales - George MacDonald
Adela Cathcart - George MacDonald
Wulf the Saxon - G.A. Henty
A Brother Beloved - Francena H Arnold
Three Shall Be One - Francena H Arnold
Twice Freed - Patricia M St John
Stories by O'Henry - (surprise!) O'Henry
I'm also wanting to go onto the Gutenburg Project and get some older biographies and autobiographies. But I don't have time to do that tonight, so I'll update my list later.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Capturing the Educational Moment, Part 2
This is my entry to win a camera in the "Capture the Educational Moment" Contest sponsored by Spunky and Academic Superstore.
Well, Mama can't resist an entry about her children's educational moments.
We have been blessed to be a part of a growing homeschool support group in our area, which has been all kinds of wonderful for our family. One big blessing for us has been the Friday classes. We have two 10 week sessions each year where classes are offered that most parents can't do at home. Things like art, taught by a true artist; choir, directed by a mom with a Masters degree in Music; Spanish, taught by a mom who was a missionary in Ecuador for years; strings classes taught by a proficient violin player.
Besides loving opportunities to visit with other like-minded moms, I love that these classes are not restricted by age. Our six Blessings, ages 3-10, can sing in choir and paint in art alongside children of all ages.
See?
Well, Mama can't resist an entry about her children's educational moments.
We have been blessed to be a part of a growing homeschool support group in our area, which has been all kinds of wonderful for our family. One big blessing for us has been the Friday classes. We have two 10 week sessions each year where classes are offered that most parents can't do at home. Things like art, taught by a true artist; choir, directed by a mom with a Masters degree in Music; Spanish, taught by a mom who was a missionary in Ecuador for years; strings classes taught by a proficient violin player.
Besides loving opportunities to visit with other like-minded moms, I love that these classes are not restricted by age. Our six Blessings, ages 3-10, can sing in choir and paint in art alongside children of all ages.
See?
Capturing the Educational Moment...
This is my entry to win a camera in the "Capture the Educational Moment" Contest sponsored by Spunky and Academic Superstore.
My first impulse on hearing of this contest, was, as a homeschool mom, to write about some fabulous educational moment in our home. That could still happen, but for starters I've decided to write about my inspiration to become a teacher.
Miss Entz, my third grade teacher, was a life-changing teacher. She was of the few adults that I knew, besides my parents, who didn't talk down to kids just because they were kids. She treated us with respect and we returned that respect.
Many of the "educational moments" from my time in Miss Entz's class were due to her ability to think outside the box.
I struggled with grasping how cups, pints, quarts and such fit together, so she had me play at the kitchen sink measuring water into Mason jars.
I still think of the "greater than" and "less than" signs in terms of the green laminated alligator wanting to "eat" the larger number.
We performed the Nutcracker, and the Pied Piper, among other things.
We had "Christmas around the World" throughout the month of December, I think. My family lived next to the school, and I have in my head a photograph taken of me as St. Lucia, acting out the Swedish Festival of Lights by taking "breakfast" to my mother in bed (the whole class was in our house, and it was the middle of the day).
These are a few of the special moments Miss Entz gave our class. She inspired me to teach. And though I did not realize back then that I would one day be teaching my own children in my home, her respect and creativity stick with me to this day. If I'm half the teacher she was, my children will be very blessed.
My first impulse on hearing of this contest, was, as a homeschool mom, to write about some fabulous educational moment in our home. That could still happen, but for starters I've decided to write about my inspiration to become a teacher.
Miss Entz, my third grade teacher, was a life-changing teacher. She was of the few adults that I knew, besides my parents, who didn't talk down to kids just because they were kids. She treated us with respect and we returned that respect.
Many of the "educational moments" from my time in Miss Entz's class were due to her ability to think outside the box.
I struggled with grasping how cups, pints, quarts and such fit together, so she had me play at the kitchen sink measuring water into Mason jars.
I still think of the "greater than" and "less than" signs in terms of the green laminated alligator wanting to "eat" the larger number.
We performed the Nutcracker, and the Pied Piper, among other things.
We had "Christmas around the World" throughout the month of December, I think. My family lived next to the school, and I have in my head a photograph taken of me as St. Lucia, acting out the Swedish Festival of Lights by taking "breakfast" to my mother in bed (the whole class was in our house, and it was the middle of the day).
These are a few of the special moments Miss Entz gave our class. She inspired me to teach. And though I did not realize back then that I would one day be teaching my own children in my home, her respect and creativity stick with me to this day. If I'm half the teacher she was, my children will be very blessed.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Arghh! Blogging time escapes me!
I want time to write about our weekend camping trip with FoMM, post pictures of said camping trip, write about all my splendid little new projects, etc, etc. But I must go do breakfast with the Blessings. Maybe later.
I'll just post this picture of me with a couple of my dearest friends (from the reunion a couple weeks ago):
I'll just post this picture of me with a couple of my dearest friends (from the reunion a couple weeks ago):
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Apple Picking
We went on a wonderfully fun field trip with our homeschool support group today. We picked apples at an orchard - the first time our family has had the opportunity to do so. We've picked berries, and somehow I went with the expectation that it was going to be tedious that way, but no! It was easy and fun, and the apples are oh so fabulously yummy. The cost for the excursion with $4/child, including a hay ride, a small petting yard, a maze, a delicious cup of cider, a tall playset with nifty slide, and a bag for apples that holds 6-7 lbs. $4. 6-7 lbs. Around here, that's a real steal. And some of the best and juiciest apples I've ever had.
You can kind of see the issue my camera had today. That "diffused lighting" effect? Not intentional. Got most of the way through the day before I realized I needed to clean my camera. Looking through the pictures, it created a wide range of effects, some quite pleasing.
Grocery shopping on the way home, roast in the oven, and now I need to start getting ready for our camping trip this weekend!
You can kind of see the issue my camera had today. That "diffused lighting" effect? Not intentional. Got most of the way through the day before I realized I needed to clean my camera. Looking through the pictures, it created a wide range of effects, some quite pleasing.
Grocery shopping on the way home, roast in the oven, and now I need to start getting ready for our camping trip this weekend!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
God-given Instinct
My three year old... my youngest child... my child who has never seen me rock or burp a baby...
was just now standing by my desk, baby doll in arms. She had the baby on its tummy over one arm, well supported, while she patted it gently on the back. And the sway. The child has the sway.
So very precious.
was just now standing by my desk, baby doll in arms. She had the baby on its tummy over one arm, well supported, while she patted it gently on the back. And the sway. The child has the sway.
So very precious.
WFMW - Homeschool Records
I homeschool in Missouri, where we are required to keep, among other things, a daily log of our schooling hours. The process of logging hours has, quite frankly, been the bane of my existence as a homeschool mom. One of the things that makes it difficult for me is that we are not required to produce our records unless we are called on the carpet (aka - accused of truancy). It's a remote enough possibility that it's unmotivating on a day-to-day basis, but real enough that I wouldn't want to chance having my kiddos taken away because I didn't have them "in school" as required. Then there's that whole Romans 13 thing with authority being given by God. So, yeah. Gotta log.
Well, I'm a computer person. I never thought I'd make that statement, but my husband's turned me into a minor geek. So I've looked for computer driven solutions to my logging problem. I've been excited about several nifty programs, but none of them worked for me. Well, it wasn't the programs that failed. It was me.
Long story short, I realized that, as a simple schooler, I need a simple logging program! And, I have found by many trials and many errors, I need it to be on paper. So I set out this summer to create as simple a logging program as I could, and yet one that would help me meet the requirements of my state.
LoggingSimply.xls is the result. I did the sheets in Word at first, but after a couple of months of using it, I love it so much that I want to share with other desperately simple schoolers. I thought I'd spiff it up a bit by putting it in a spreadsheet file, so things could be lined up properly (something I wasn't worried about too much myself), and all in one downloadable file. If you're interested, you can take a look.
NOTE: I have done my best to follow WFMW guidelines, but I'm new at this, so if you see I've done something wrong, please let me know gently. Thanks, and God Bless!
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Having trouble spitting stuff out...
Despite the fact that I have lots of thoughts running around inside my head, I've been having trouble making my way to blogland to spit them out. And tonight probably won't be much better.
But I did get pictures from the KBC reunion posted here, under KBC 50 Reunion_People and KBC 50th Reunion_Grounds. Also some neat pictures of a field of sunflowers under the Scenery album.
But I did get pictures from the KBC reunion posted here, under KBC 50 Reunion_People and KBC 50th Reunion_Grounds. Also some neat pictures of a field of sunflowers under the Scenery album.
Wild New Background
Well... is it too wild? It's a clip from some shots we got of a field of sunflowers on our way home from Kansas.
Here's one of my favorites from the same field:
Here's one of my favorites from the same field:
A laundry addendum
I don't think I mentioned that the Blessings, for the most part, do their own laundry. The day that is their laundry day is the day **they** do their laundry. Hence the oldest two doing the laundry of the youngest two. And when Kate and Grace get big enough, the boys will use that day to teach them how to do their laundry.
And my sons shall never say when they're in college, as my brother did repeatedly, "Mom, can you show me how again??" lol Not that my brother didn't remember how to do it! But I think our boys will be so used to doing laundry by then that the thought of asking wouldn't occur to them.
And my sons shall never say when they're in college, as my brother did repeatedly, "Mom, can you show me how again??" lol Not that my brother didn't remember how to do it! But I think our boys will be so used to doing laundry by then that the thought of asking wouldn't occur to them.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Works for me Wednesday - Laundry for Ten
With six Blessings and four adults sharing one washer and dryer, laundry can pile up fast. Here are a couple things that have worked for me (inspiration thank-you's to Managers of Their Homes and to a fabulous mom of 10 who spoke at our homeschool support group meeting last year).
** Each child has a dirty laundry drawer. Not in their dresser (yuck!), but the plastic kind you can stack atop one another. So there's a stack of three in the girls' room and three in the boys'. I printed out a picture of each child (about 3" by 3"?) and packing taped them to the front of the drawers (yes, if I were really a cool homeschooling Mama, I would have contact paper, but somehow that never gets in the cart...). Anyhoo, the pictures make it super easy for each child to know which drawer is theirs, even the non-readers.
** Each child has a laundry day. The two oldest (who are boys) do the laundry for the two little girls, cause it's easy to sort. So, Monday is D and G, Tuesday is B and K, Wednesday is E, Thursday is E. I try to wash sheets on Friday, if they haven't been snuck in during the week.
** Adult laundry, along with towels and such, gets snuck in when the Blessings aren't doing their laundry - often in the evening or first thing in the morning.
Note - I don't manage to do this consistently every week. But when I do, it makes a huge difference! Hope that helps someone out.
EDIT - I've added an additional thought here.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Moms for Modesty
We just got back from several days in Kansas (about which I have Much To Blog!) and I found this wonderfulness from Jules over at Everyday Mommy:
Moms for Modesty Mission Statement
*As a Mom for Modesty I believe in common-sense modesty for girls and young women.
*I believe in refraining from sexualizing our girls and young women.
*I believe that it is unwise and unfair to taunt boys and young men by permitting my daughter(s) to dress in an immodest manner.
*I believe that true beauty comes from within and I strive to teach my daughter(s) this truth.
*I will loyally shop at retailers that provide girls' and young womens clothing that is modest, affordable and stylish.
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