As we plan for a new baby and doing the whole infant thing all over again, many questions come to my wandering mind...all relating to how we did things the first time around. I'm sure that's totally normal.

Being a parent is a strange thing. It's like you are learning and growing, just like the baby...but no one cares when you are hungry and if you start screaming and crying in the middle of the grocery store, you will just get weird looks and asked to leave.

Never-the-less, as we write our birth plan and prepare this new baby's sleeping arrangements, I can't help but wonder about the things that people talk about a lot.

Like...

• If Gwendolyn had been laid in my arms right away, would she be more cuddly now?
• If I wasn't such a basket-case after her birth, would she be calmer and less dramatic?
• If we had let her fall asleep on us more, would she be more flexible and restful, now?

I mean, there are some things that I think are evidenced to be more true than not...babies seem to pick up on their mother's demeanor and I would argue that it absolutely does effect them. If you have a stressed-out mom...I think you often get a stressed-out baby. Also, I now truly believe that the best chance you have at making Breastfeeding work is to FEED the baby...a lot...when he wants to be fed...at least in the beginning.

But, as I lay awake at night because I'm so uncomfortable and have to pee at all times, there are those things that truly make me wonder...does the way a baby comes into this world and is nurtured in the first few days, weeks have a life-long impact on the person they become?

But, last night I was thinking about something else, as well. Let's say it's all true...the decisions we make in those first days with our baby are going to totally impact his personality and ability to cope with certain situations...and it will effect the rest of his life. Well, I thought, SO BE IT.

I began to remember that this life is short. It will have sorrow and hardship. It will be a journey of learning and growing. This life is temporary and we can take nothing from it when we die. The only hope any of my babies have is the Hope that is promised in the free gift of GRACE given by Jesus Christ, in His death on the cross, as he took the weight of our shortcomings, our complete failures, our down-right evil and wrong behavior.

I'm not going to stop preparing for my baby or making decisions that I think are best for his quality of life here, but I think the chance I will not screw him up in some way is slim to none. I guess he will have to rely on the One who made him, to redeem him.

Costco Comparison List !

Print it out and take it to the grocery store! Very helpful...don't you just love when other people do the work for you!

Costco Comparison List from PYP!

My Family

I finally found a way around my photo upload problem! It's such a treat to have these pictures. I just wish that Amber Lea Russell Photography would follow us around on a daily basis and record all the beautiful moments : ).

It's HOT

It's Tucson; late June. Just your basic heat exhaustion...no big deal.

36 Weeks...and Counting

Our Family Photos

Amber Lea Russell Photography did our photos and they are so great. I am having a really hard time uploading anything to Blogger, these days...but this one actually went through. Isn't that little Crazy Girl so cute!

My Little Chocolate-Lover

Family Membership to the Reid Park ZOO ($24)

Great Deal for Tucson Families! Check it out!

Groupon Coupon!
deal expires 6/14/10

Bic and Little Bic

My Man and Me

My Redeemer

Quoting a reflection from John MacArthur's Study on Ephesians:

The German poet Heinrich Heine once said to some Christians: "You show me your redeemed life and I might be inclined to believe in your Redeemer."

Take Every Thought Captive

In the big mess out there of condemnation, criticism, and angry opinion regarding nutrition, parenting, etc...It's always so nice when the word of God jumps off the computer screen and reminds me of the joy I have and the REAL meaning of LIFE.

I was doing a web search for a bread recipe that someone had told me about, and when I found it, I also found a Blog with a beautiful heading that read Take Every Thought Captive.

Thank you, Marilyn. Thank you for your recipes, your great tips and good products, but most importantly, Thank you for reminding your readers to Take EVERY Thought Captive...for we know, "Man cannot live on bread alone!"

From Marilyn's Blog:

Take Every Thought Captive

I have had plenty of challenges in the last year and you probably have to.
Phillippians 4:8 tells us:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

Translate this counsel to practical everyday advise by:

• Choose to give your anxieties to God.
• Choose to pray specifically.
• Choose to be thankful.
• Choose to dwell on the positive.
• Never allow yourself to complain about anything.
• Never picture yourself in any other circumstance or someplace else.
• Never compare your lot with another’s.
• Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
• Never dwell on tomorrow – today’s troubles are enough for today.

How are you doing today? His mercies are new every morning.

Finially, Some Help Around Here

It wasn't long ago that my sweeping adventures looked more like an all-out brawl...Gwendolyn fighting and yelling at me to give up my broom, all the while holding on to the broom as I tried to move it front to back...very annoying.

Now, I can sweep the whole kitchen floor in one try, as she labors along with me. Now, I know they sell little toy brooms...I just found them to be incredibly flimsy, with the bristles unable to stand on their own. Besides, she really likes the "real" things a lot better.

This is a lobby broom by Rubbermaid. I got it at the Home Depot for $5.99. Someone, on line, even suggested trimming off the bristles to make it shorter...which would be an excellent idea...but I'm pretty lazy and it works just fine for us this way!

To be fair...she does still try and take my broom every once in a while so that she can have BOTH of them...but that's just Gwendolyn.

31 Weeks!

I'm liking this sideways pose...no inner-thigh action ; )

When I go to the grocery store and look at expiration dates on the food I'm about to buy (yup...I'm the crazy lady in Costco disassembling all of the top crates of organic spinach leaves to get to the bottom, just to get a later expiration of about 2 days), and it says something like June 1 or June 5 . I think...Oh, that's plenty of time. Then, I realize...wait, that's next week.

Then...I get excited! Being 31Weeks along doesn't seem very far to me...but only having a couple of months left seems like it will happen soon...especially with how busy I've been and how fast these months have seemed to go.

Time (or our perception of the time we have) is a relative kind of thing...and right now, I'm feeling busy with childbirth classes, bible studies, fun church planting stuff, and just trying to get my life and home in order so that I'll survive a little better when the little guy comes. When I do have time without other things in my brain (doesn't happen often), I find myself a little freaked out thinking about how things could wind up going.

Our little Augustine (Yup...I think we've landed on the name!) could be like our little Gwendolyn. PLEASE GOD, NO!

The nursing could go terrible...he could be really hungry...I could be extremely depressed and unable to eat or sleep...Gwendolyn could decide to break out anything she might be hiding of her personality (scary).

I think it's the nursing that is the most unsettling. But, that's why I have good friends...and that keeps me very hopeful. Half the battle is the encouragement and the help to be able to see further down the line than in the difficult moment.

Here are the things that are so fun to think about and get me really excited:

• Holding my BABY BOY (and the birth being OVER)

• The beautiful bassinet I am borrowing from Mandy Newman

• Giving Gwendolyn the Barney Doll and baby stroller we got her for when Augustine steals the spotlight
• Hanging out in the house with my husband, with no external commitments!
• Other people cooking dinner
• Seeing how Gwen reacts to her little brother
• Another chance at a newborn (could be redeeming...or NOT)

Please pray for me...that I would enjoy my little daughter (my little fighter), that I would be diligent to get things done quickly and without too much unnecessary fuss, for my marriage (that it would be defined by Grace and Love...not chaos and misunderstanding), and that Augustine would continue to grow strong and healthy and that he WOULD follow his sister and come out really quickly!

Have I mentioned that my worst fear is having a normal birth, like everyone else. Yeah, I don't want that : ).

Also, please pray for my selfish and impatient ways. I have been reminded so much, lately, how much of a selfish parent I really am. I don't say this for sympathy or to be re-assured of my wonderfulness...I am really very selfish. I don't like Gwendolyn's crying and screaming. I want to do things on my own time. I want to play on the computer and paint walls and organize things. I want to put myself first. I don't want to be self-sacrificial. I want to be selfish and I get angry and annoyed when I have to give myself to my little Gwendolyn and care for her emotional and physical needs.

I'm sorry, but that's just how it is...so, yeah, I need prayer! But, I have no doubt I will continue to grow in this area and begin to feel more blessed in parental sacrifice. But, I'm not like my mom. It was natural for her...for me, it is an absolute "area of growth."

And, it's about to become even more of an issue, with the arrival of our Augustine...but, BRING IT ON...especially since there's no getting around it : ).

Honey Balsamic Chicken (from Kelly the Kitchen Kop)

I made the best recipe last night! It was SO easy and SO delicious and SO good for you...according to pretty much any eating plan.

This Honey Balsamic Chicken Recipe comes from Kelly the Kitchen Kop's website...and she got if from Amy D.

I'm pretty used to Kelly having great recipes...but this one will be an all-time fav!

Enjoy!

Mother's Day 2010

Organic Cotton Pajamas @ Costco

My Costco has 100% Organic Cotton Kid Pajamas (Hanna Andersson brand) without flame retardant...for $11.99!

Google wouldn't let me upload any pics...but they are great!

They are thicker, sturdy cotton, without feet (Great for Tucson Summers). It looked like they go up to size 3.

There were some really cute pink ones, but alas, I opted for the less cute boy-ish ones in every size...hoping they will last through, at least, one more kid.

Aveda Fun!

Found this on the PYP Blog...Enjoy!

AVEDA Freebies

Does 'Organic' Automatically Mean 'Healthy'

I would like to say, upfront, that this post is, in no way, a push to any of my readers to start buying organic food or a suggestion that they should be doing that.

I mean to pass along an article that I actually found to be VERY helpful and, in most ways, coincides with "conclusions" I have come to in my own learning and experimenting process this past year. I have also had so many conversations with other moms about this very topic, and I think there are many curious people out there.

Also, I do not mean to be an advocate for Raw Milk...and have absolutely NO idea if it should or should not be the kind of milk to drink. For my family, we currently choose to give Gwendolyn pasteurized goat milk. But, that's just one option, and it's the choice that makes sense for us.

Here it is! Enjoy...if you like...Organic Is Only Part of the Story

Babysteals.com

Just wanted to pass this along...

I found this website (babysteals.com) and it looks like a good one to subscribe to.

One thing that caught my attention was the post about the (glamour mom nursing tanks) that they found on sale a little while ago (there is almost no inventory available, now, though).

These tanks are truly awesome and I remember spending a lot on one with Gwendolyn and only being able to buy ONE because of the cost. I'm sure plenty of women can wear the regular ones that are around $20 (half the price)...but I tried lots of those (walmart, target, etc) and they are definitely not made for those of us with big boobs that need lots of support : ).

You can get the GlamourMom tops with long length and they are very supportive, with thick material.

These can also be found on the Mom4life website (a real favorite of mine). At Mom4life, shipping is always free (no minimum) and I have found their prices to always be at, or below, the comps. Also, their customer service is impeccable! I have exchanged and returned countless things due to size, etc...they are always great to work with.

Link to Homemade Smoothie-Popsicles

I really like the PYP Blog: Lots of coupons and savings...and some fun ideas, too!

Check out the Popsicles:

Homemade Smoothie Popsicles

I Love Her WORDS!

Here's a quote from the picture caption on Heather Baker's Recent Blog Post:

"(Since when do a plastic potty, an empty coffee cup, and a bottle of red wine go together? Since I started potty training.)"

Heather is a friend-of-a-friend. I do not actually know her, but find myself loving her more each day! Many of her posts I feel I've already written in my mind (only MUCH less eloquently), and I just LOVE enjoying them!

I invite you (just as I was once invited by her friend, Lindsay) to enjoy the gifts and talents the Lord has given to Heather, as well.

Here's a taste of the deliciousness that is the God we have:

- from Heather's Small Beginnings Blog Post

I know that when you are training young children "victory" takes many forms. A mature woman recently told me that when she was home with three young children she judged her day a success based on whether she remained clothed and in her right mind.

Still, there is a part of me that wants some tangible proof of all my labor; and I would venture to say I am not unique in this desire: as human beings we all want to have “something to show” for the sum of our efforts.

But here I must remind myself that it is not a matter of what I have to show for my works; it is what He has to show for His. The work of Christ on the Cross means that I am His masterpiece, His living poemas – “written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God” (2. Cor. 3.3)...

And as such I am in the process of becoming something more marvelous it is beyond imagining… “It is by grace I am what I am,” says Paul, affirming the idea that it is not what we do that is of utmost importance – it is who we are. Christ is the penultimate finisher of what He starts. He promises that, in the end, He will present us without fault and with great joy before the glorious presence of His Father...(Jude 1.24).

God has given me work to do; plenty of it. But my real labor is in believing “in the living God, who is the Savior of all men” (1 Tim. 4.10); and not allowing myself to get bogged down by all the (in my case, literal) refuse that begs to be the central focus of all my days.

Ultimately, my goal isn’t just to get Audrey out of diapers. My goal is to assist her in acquiring the character qualities that will enable her to become the woman He designed her to be. “For physical training is of some value,” Paul says, “but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Tim. 4.8).

“I can’t do it!” Audrey squealed at one point this afternoon. Sweetheart, neither can I, I wanted to say. Not in my own strength; but thanks be to God I don't have to. For His blood sacrifice ... has provided me another way of getting through life: and that is by relying on Him....

whatever is true...whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely...--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

I was in the middle of spending, yet, another evening filling my time, and depleting my mental energy, with web searches for used twin beds, new recipes, grocery and household coupon codes, and information on how much formaldehyde is in which brand of mattress...when I realized what I really need.

I need my brain to be filled up with those things that are GOOD...things that are LOVELY...the things that make my life PRETTY...the things that make me giggle and cry tears of joy...the things that make me dorkier...but way more fun to be around.

I need JESUS. I need visible, tangible examples that remind me of the way I felt when I met Him years ago and realized how HE felt about ME.

I, obviously, didn't want to work too hard...so I clicked on a link to Noel Piper's blog...one I have subscribed to for months, but rarely ever go to (not because it's not interesting...but because it somehow feels easier to trot along in meaningless life-living).

I am thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness. He does not ignore me when I am pitiful. His spirit leads me to encouragement from another of His loved ones and I get to enjoy the way He works.

Check out Noel's comment on her husband, John Piper's, upcoming Sabbatical from his Church work...and be encouraged by Piper's Letter to his congregation on the same regard.
I have copied his comments, below:

John Piper's Upcoming Leave

Download:

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By John Piper March 28, 2010

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As you may have already heard in the sermon from March 27-28, the elders graciously approved on March 22 a leave of absence that will take me away from Bethlehem from May 1 through December 31, 2010. We thought it might be helpful to put an explanation in a letter to go along with the sermon.

I asked the elders to consider this leave because of a growing sense that my soul, my marriage, my family, and my ministry-pattern need a reality check from the Holy Spirit. On the one hand, I love my Lord, my wife, my five children and their families first and foremost; and I love my work of preaching and writing and leading Bethlehem. I hope the Lord gives me at least five more years as the pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem.

But on the other hand, I see several species of pride in my soul that, while they may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry, grieve me, and have taken a toll on my relationship with Noël and others who are dear to me. How do I apologize to you, not for a specific deed, but for ongoing character flaws, and their effects on everybody? I’ll say it now, and no doubt will say it again, I’m sorry. Since I don’t have just one deed to point to, I simply ask for a spirit of forgiveness; and I give you as much assurance as I can that I am not making peace, but war, with my own sins.

Noël and I are rock solid in our commitment to each other, and there is no whiff of unfaithfulness on either side. But, as I told the elders, “rock solid” is not always an emotionally satisfying metaphor, especially to a woman. A rock is not the best image of a woman’s tender companion. In other words, the precious garden of my home needs tending. I want to say to Noël that she is precious to me in a way that, at this point in our 41-year pilgrimage, can be said best by stepping back for a season from virtually all public commitments.

No marriage is an island. For us this is true in two senses. One is that Noël and I are known inside-out by a few friends at Bethlehem—most closely by our long-time colleagues and friends David and Karin Livingston, and then by a cluster of trusted women with Noël and men with me. We are accountable, known, counseled, and prayed for. I am deeply thankful for a gracious culture of transparency and trust among the leadership at Bethlehem.

The other way that our marriage is not an island is that its strengths and defects have consequences for others. No one in the orbit of our family and friends remains unaffected by our flaws. My prayer is that this leave will prove to be healing from the inside of my soul, through Noël’s heart, and out to our children and their families, and beyond to anyone who may have been hurt by my failures.

The difference between this leave and the sabbatical I took four years ago is that I wrote a book on that sabbatical (What Jesus Demands from the World). In 30 years, I have never let go of the passion for public productivity. In this leave, I intend to let go of all of it. No book-writing. No sermon preparation or preaching. No blogging. No Twitter. No articles. No reports. No papers. And no speaking engagements. There is one stateside exception—the weekend devoted to the Desiring God National Conference combined with the inaugural convocation of Bethlehem College and Seminary in October. Noël thought I should keep three international commitments. Our reasoning is that if she could go along, and if we plan it right, these could be very special times of refreshment together.

The elders have appointed a group to stay in touch and keep me accountable for this leave. They are David Mathis, Jon Bloom, Tom Steller, Sam Crabtree, Jon Grano, Tim Held, Tony Campagna, and Kurt Elting-Ballard. Five of these have walked with Noël and me over the last two months, helping us discern the wisdom, scope, and nature of this leave. They brought the final recommendation to the elders on March 22.

I asked the elders not to pay me for this leave. I don’t feel it is owed to me. I know I am causing more work for others, and I apologize to the staff for that. Not only that, others could use similar time away. Most working men and women do not have the freedom to step back like this. The elders did not agree with my request. Noël and I are profoundly grateful for this kind of affection. We will seek the Lord for how much of your financial support to give back to the church, to perhaps bear some of the load.

Personally, I view these months as a kind of relaunch of what I hope will be the most humble, happy, fruitful five years of our 35 years at Bethlehem and 46 years of marriage. Would you pray with me to that end? And would you stand by your church with all your might? May God make these eight months the best Bethlehem has ever known. It would be just like God to do the greatest things when I am not there. “Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7).

I love you and promise to pray for you every day.

Pastor John

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

We Love Our Da-ddy

April 15th may be a dreaded day for many people...but for us it's the most fun day EVER. It's when we get our Daddy back! We miss you, Daddy...hurry home!

Spring Cleaning Update

Okay, We've been hard at work over here. And, by WE, I mean ME. Of course, my husband is working 15hr days, so he's off the hook. But, Gwendolyn and Dave the Dog are total liabilities...

I am so happy this cleaning is getting done, but I gotta say, I am NOT having fun. I keep finding myself thinking, "WHY am I doing this. Is it REALLY better that the tops of the cabinets are clean?"

I am a little behind in schedule, but that's totally okay. Things are moving along.

Here's what I've completed so far:
Kitchen
Pantry
Microwave, dust furniture/fixtures/blinds, windows, scrub surfaces

Master Bathroom

Here's my revised schedule:
March 18 - Kitchen floors
March 19 - Living room Windows/blinds, carpet spot treat, baseboards, vacuum
March 20 - Office
March 23 - Hall Bath
March 24 - My Friend Jenni and her little Madelyn are visiting!
March 25 - Master Bedroom
March 26 ('til infinity) - Garage

Refrigerator: Maybe Never

I took some pictures of my work...
At first I thought, why would anyone want to see pictures of my kitchen. But, then I remembered...this is my Blog and I can do whatever I want! And, I do have a lovely kitchen, so I figured you would want to rejoice in my blessing with me!




Here's the pantry...but, interestingly enough, no matter how much time you spend on a pantry...it still looks like a closet with a bunch of things stuffed in it.This little one has been my nemesis all week, but, yesterday, she took a moment to help...