Christmas here...

SuperDaddy and I decided to have a tree this year and it was very fun putting it up together last night.  Last year we decided not to have a tree, but this year, we did.  It was a tough decision to make because we want to keep Christ the focus of Christmas.  But we decided that the tree doesn't have to take away from Christ either.  So we put one up and are enjoying it.  My favor part of the tree is the little navitity scene on the tree, our reminder that Christmas is about Christ not the tree or gifts under it.  But we do give gifts in remembrance of Christs ultimate gift.  He was and is the gift to the world. 

 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

So here are a few photos of our Christmas trees.  One in the living room and one in the foyer.  Enjoy!

What is Christmas?

Is Christmas about the packages, gifts, family gatherings, giving, receiving?  These aren't bad, aweful, or sinful things by no means.  In fact, giving is very important, as well as spending time together as a family.  But what is the heart of Christmas?

Over 2000 years ago, Christmas began with a tiny baby born in a manger.  Who is this baby?  The one and only Savior of God's people.  The story is complete in the book of Luke...

The Christmas Story
Luke 2:1-20

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ [a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Wow...God is doing awesome things!

Sorry it's been some time since I last posted.  Things are going very well around here.  Little Peanut is sleeping through the night (for the most part)  and when she doesn't she puts herself back to sleep.  So needless to say, the whole family is getting much more sleep these days.  (that is when we go to bed at a decent time) 

Our remodel project is almost complete. We started it a few months ago and many things have caused the project to linger around.  When it is done, Little Peanut and the daycare children will have a nice playroom and Mommy and SuperDaddy will have a very nice foyer!   We are all excited to see the finished project real soon!  I will have to show before and after shots because it was a drastic change. 

God has put something very HUGE on SuperDaddy and I's heart and we are pursuing it.  We cannot share must more than that right now, but we are very excited and would appreciate any prayers you send up for us.  God is Big and does BIG things!  Thus, because of this we will probably be very busy these next few months as well as celebrate the coming holidays.  Praise the Lord, He is Good!

Little Peanut is growing and growing.  She is almost 9 months old already.  I cannot believe it!  More recent photos are coming soon...

I'm struggling today...

Little Peanut is sick, not sleeping well, and cried ALOT last night.  We didn't sleep well and my heart is out of place.  I need lots of prayer.  I spent some time with my precious Lord and He brought me to Philippians chapter 4 this morning.  It is the prayer of my heart right now. 

Philippians 4:4-13
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, 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. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I need you Lord, please change my heart.  Alnong with philippians this song is also my prayer today...

Change my heart oh God

Make it ever true

Change my heart oh God

May I be like You

Change my heart oh God

Make it ever true

Change my heart oh God

May I be like You

You are the potter

I am the clay

Mold me and make me

This is what I pray

Change my heart oh God

Make it ever true

Change my heart oh God

May I be like You

I need you Lord Jesus, I'm sorry for where my heart has been.  It is in my weakness that I am made strong by you.   2 Cor 12 9-10"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

Thank you Jesus for showing me my heart, pulling me to my knees, and having a husband that serves you above all else!  I praise you for your unfailing love.  Thank you for saving me, thank you for your grace, mercy, and love. 

 

May I meditate on these verses today Lord Jesus, I cannot do this alone, please lead me.  I love you my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sleep is such a wonderful thing these days!

Little Peanut has been the sweetest child this past week.  Why?  What has changed?  I'll tell you what has changed.  Yes, it was last Friday, I was getting over a cold, got very little sleep through the night.  Peanut was still sleeping with us half the night, waking up 6 times a night ( on a good night) and that morning she decided to wake up at 5 AM! And not go back to sleep.  She wasn't napping well either, since about 2 months old this was our life.  Well one week ago, this Mom had enough!  I was broken, tired, and needed change.  So did this self-sleep deprived baby of mine.  So that day my mother in law took Peanut for a few hours so that I could get some much needed rest.  I didn't sleep very well but did get a lot done in an hour and a half.  I cleaned the house, did the dishes, put laundry away, and moved Peanut's things, i.e. her bed, back into her room.  The change was about to begin.  That night we decided it was time to let her "cry it out."  Something I was really not fond of nor did I ever want to have to do this.  But we all needed it, desperately.  The first night wasn't so bad, she whimpered a little but overall it went well.  Second night was rough, nearly crying for 2 hours, by the third night she didn't even wake up from 7 pm to 5 am!  Wow, really!  It's been hit or miss sleeping through the night.  2 nights all the way through, then one night waking up once.  But even if she wakes up once, I'll take it over 6!  Night sleeping hasn't just improved, so did naps during the day!  It's only been a week, so we are still trying to figure out a routine, but she has been going down in her crib awake, falling asleep on her own, and sleeping for 1-2 hours TWICE a day!  I'm loving it!!!  I'm getting so much done around the house, it's unreal!!  I'm praising Jesus for this past week and pray that this is the new norm for this household.  It is a much happier home to be in (no crabby mommy, and cranky baby)  If this stays this way, I want 5 more!!  I've always wanted a big family!

So to explain the picture...SuperDaddy and I have noticed Peanut has been much happier, more alert, and is learning so much so quickly since she has been sleeping better.  Her new tricks are " So Big", clapping her hands in excitement, sticking her tongue out playfully, playing ball, and pulling herself up!  She even eats better these days!

Thank you Little Peanut for this positive change in our home, Praising Jesus for how He works!!!

Little Peanut's Birth Story...

SuperDaddy and I found out we were pregnant just a few days before the 4th of July last summer.  We were overjoyed knowing we were now parents and soon would have a baby. I started doing research on labor and delivery and decided I wanted to have our baby in a nice, calm, quiet, and peaceful environment, maybe even with some hymns playing in the background. Yes, I knew labor was a painful experience, but I also new it was a miraculous event from the Lord.  I wanted to enjoy the experience and when I wanted to be able to look back at the moment with a smile on my face.  For some of our friends, this did not happen.  It brings anything but a smile to their face when they think of their child's birth experience.

I looked into water births and just loved the idea.  The further I looked into it, the only way to do a waterbirth was to have a homebirth or travel two hours while in labor. to get to the nearest birthing center that does water births.  Well, at the time, SuperDaddy and I were not comfortable with either option, being it was our first baby.  We decided to have this baby the "traditional" way with the local hospital.  We chose a hospital midwife.  I wanted a female doctor because I wasn't comfortable with a male. The only option was the midwife-which I was certainly okay with. 

On our first visit, the midwife guaranteed me that she would be there for my labor and delivery.  I told here I didn't want it any other way.  Around the beginning of the third trimester, we took our birth plan to the hospital. She proceeded to read through the birth plan and said "these are by no means set in stone, depending how things go, we can change this."  I didn't want it to change.  I wanted a natural birth with no unnecessary interventions.  I thought having a midwife, I would get this.  But it wasn't looking like that.  SuperDaddy and I said to each other that we will try our best to keep each other accountable to the birthplan.

 Then came Lamaze class, they showed us all the "routine" interventions involved with having a hospital birth. It made me uneasy and I started looking more into these interventions...

Here are some facts from naturalbirthandbabycare.com

• IV Lines--Most hospitals routinely use IV line birth interventions. Usually they do this because they forbid food (and sometimes drink) during labor. This has negative consequences above and beyond the IV.It makes no sense to require you to do extensive and exhausting work with no food or drink!
• Routine Continuous Electronic Fetal Monitoring--In hospitals it is almost universal to strap belts and sensors around your abdomen, leave you in bed, and watch the monitor to see your contractions.  Because of the high false positive rates continuous fetal monitoring puts you at greater risk for cesarean section.
• Inability to change positions--There is also a possibility of your labor being slowed or ineffective because you're unable to move. You may feel more pain because you are unable to work with your body.The inability to change position may cause your baby to get less oxygen than he or she should.
• Then if labor hasn't started or isn't progressing fast enough, there is Induction...Inducing labor can cause a "cascade of birth interventions" - meaning that induction can lead to an intervention, which leads to another, etc. etc.
• Rupturing the Membranes--This procedure is most often done because of the belief that it will speed up labor - and it occasionally does. It may also be done in order for an internal monitor to be screwed into your baby's scalp.
• Internal Exams--You will know when you are close to being fully dilated, and a skilled care provider will also be able to tell. There is no reason to have countless exams or to endure the pain or the anxiety that may come from being told "you're not making progress."
• Directed Pushing--Though it is not technically an "intervention" in that something is done to you, I list directed pushing here because it is an unnecessary intrusion in the birth process. Being forced to push in a certain way and certain positions can results in loss of control, extra pain, and can contribute to tearing.
• Active 3rd Stage Management--Birth of the placenta.  Some caregivers try to "actively" manage this stage of birth by pulling on the cord and pushing on the woman's abdomen. Jerking the cord around can cause tears and hemorrhaging - the very thing that the doctor or midwife is trying to prevent.
• C-Section (Cesarean Birth)--major abdominal surgery to birth the baby. With a cesarean rate approaching 30% in the USA, it's troubling to think that so many women are going through surgery that may be unnecessary and emotionally damaging.

I cannot put it any better in my own words...

"All interventions can and usually will change the course of your labor. One intervention tends to lead to another, and another, and another, until your birth morphs into something completely different than what you were hoping for.  Birth is always unexpected. There are times when interventions are needed - but oftentimes (especially in hospitals) they just create problems."  

Needless to say, after Lamaze class, I was 34 weeks pregnant and very overwhelmed.  How was I going to have a nice, calm, quiet, and peaceful experience, if this was my fate?  The hospital wasn't even going to honor my birthplan.  I became depressed, did not have any desire to walk into the newly finished nursery awaiting the baby's arrival, and I dreaded the birth that was soon appraoching.  At 36 weeks pregnant SuperDaddy and I decided it was time to do something about our situation.  Why should we allow the hospital to rip away our dreams of a nice, calm, quiet, and peaceful birthing experience?  We decided to switch our plans from going to a hospital to having a midwife deliver our baby at home. However, time was ticking away...because we were so far along and almost to our due date, we could not find a local traditional midwife available for our birth to stay local.  We looked further into our options and found Birthwise Health and Birth Center...

After finding Birthwise, SuperDaddy and I knew this is what we wanted to do.   We prayed for an option, looked at three birth centers, and God took us to Birthwise.Everything we had been dreaming for was here at birthwise. We toured the center at 36 weeks pregnant, we met with the midwife Jill (who is one of the sweetest ladies I've met), and we also found out the our health insurance would cover the birthing center!  The environment was everything we hoped for.  Nice calm, relaxing rooms with a private bathroom, and a waterbirthing tub!  Yes, I waterbirthing tub!    So the only downside to birthwise was the 2 hr drive to appleton, yikes!  Could we do it?  Well, we were praying about it and God kept all the doors open and we knew this is what we wanted.  So we switched our care to Jill from our local hospital and starting seeing her once a week.  (a whole 2 more times before giving birth to peanut)  It was awesome to get to know Jill because even though I only saw her three times before giving birth, I saw her more than all my ob apts combined.  Jill sees all her patients for 1 hr each week.  She answers all your questions, examines you and the baby, and we got to listen to the heartbeat each time.  Needless to say, I was no longer depressed and dreading little peanut's arrival. I was so excited that Jill was going to honor our birthplan.  I mean for the most part she had no choice, for a lot of the stuff wasn't even available.  Which was re-assuring to me.  I was so excited that I was going to have a waterbirth! 

So three weeks later (Feb 22, 2010) after switching to birthwise it was late monday night (11:30)when it all started.  SuperDaddy and I were getting ready for bed, but then I decided I was hungry.  I went into the kitchen to get a snack, but then I yelled, "Honey,  I think I just wet myself." It was just a little trinkle.  So we began to get excited. Maybe it was nothing, maybe it was something.  It happened again and 30 mins later (midnight), the contractions began.  So to make sure the contractions were real ones and not the "fake" ones, we laid in bed counting them and watching the clock for 2 hours.  Yes, 2 hours, I laid in bed, hoping and praying this was really it!  So once SuperDaddy and I finally decided it was the real thing, I decided I needed a shower before we needed to leave (remember a two hour drive is a head of us)  So I get in the shower and SuperDaddy helps me shave my legs.  Who can give birth with un-shaven legs :)   SuperDaddy calls Jill and explains what has been going on.  She says that we are definitely in labor but we can take our time because first babies take awhile anyway.  So I'm all done with my shower, my contractions are getting stronger, and SuperDaddy decides to "tidy up" before we leave.  After about 30 mins of this, I said, "It's time to go, NOW!  When we left the apartment, my contractions were 7 minutes apart.  When we reached stevens point, they were 5 minutes apart.  The drive was intense!  When I would have a bad contraction, I car would go faster. (I think we were going a little faster than the speed limit)  We made record time when we arrived at the birthing center.  Its now 4:45 in the morning and SuperDaddy's parents were on their way to meet us.  Once we got into the center, the midwife was there to greet us.  I'm doubled over with contractions one minute apart.  She gets me back to a room and checks to see where I was at.  I was 100% effaced and 7 cm dilated already. She then let me get into the birthing tub and Wow!!! did that relive some of the pain, it was incredible-I did not want to get out of the tub.  The contractions were very intense, SuperDaddy came into the tub with me to support me and help me concentrate on my breathing-it was painful!  Coupling contractions Begin at about 5:15, which is 2-3 contractions in a row before I would get a break.  I was happening very quickly!  Jill would check on the baby between contractions usually-it was difficult when there was so many in a row.  It was about 6:30 and she said If she can't get a good listen to the baby I would have to get out of the tub, I was not getting out!  She finally found the baby and everything was good!  She checked me one last time to see if I could start pushing-9.5 cm.  Within the next 10 mins I started pushing...and at 7:10 she was born!! Yes, in the water, the Lord allowed us to have a waterbirth!  It was the most amazing thing ever!  I love to look back and think about our birthing experience-it was truly special.  We thank God for allowing us to change care so late in our pregnancy and we are so very thankful for Jill letting us switch to her care with such small notice.  It was a blessing to have Little Peanut at birthwise...I would recommend it to anyone capable of having a natural birth. 

Little Peanut just a few minutes old

We just pulled her out of the water and here we are gazing at the beauty

7 lbs 12 oz

20 inches long

In awe of this wonderful gift from the Lord

Proud Daddy holding his little girl

Grandma and Grandpa were able to come see her before she was even an hour old!

After we settled down a bit, I was fixed up a little (stitches and a catheter to drain 3 cups of urine!)  We ate breakfast, took a nap, then headed to the hotel for the night before returning home.  And a few friends traveled to come see this new joy in our life.

We're all excited that Little Peanut was born safely and in such a wonderful relaxing environment. Forgot to mention that we even had hymns playing in the background during the entire labor and delivery.  It was an unforgettable experience.  If you want a truly all natural birth-this is the right choice for you!  You will not regret your decision.  Sad to say that baby number 2 will not be born at birthwise.  Little Peanut's labor was only 7 hours and 30 mins of pushing. Jill and SuperDaddy do not think it is wise to drive a 2nd time to birthwise-there are chances we would not make it.  So for baby number two we plan on having a home birth with a portable water birth with a local midwife.  We look forward to another water birth.  God is good and we thank Him for this wonderful gift.  (both the baby and the wonderful experience)

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Disclaimer...And I understand some cannot have all natural births and when it is necessary the hospital is a great place to have a baby especially when medical care is needed. 

I love you my sweet Husband...

This morning I woke up to one of the most beautiful things.  For those of you who do not know, today is my birthday.  I don't like to broadcast my birthday, because frankly it's not that big a deal.  But SuperDaddy on the otherhand made it that this year!  I have to say that this year marks my best birthday ever!  This morning was like any other morning at first.  SuperDaddy comes in and prays over Little Peanut and I, kisses us, and goes to work.  Well, he did that.  We said our good-byes, hugs, and he left for work?  Or did he?  Ten minutes later, he comes back into our bedroom,  with this...

I said, "Oh, I thought you left for work."  He said and I quote "I couldn't leave without telling my Love Happy Birthday."  (and handing me this card)

The inside reads as follows:

"When a man asks a woman to be his wife,

To grow with him, to share his life,

He feels that he just couldn't love her more.

Yet, as they share their plans and dreams,

Through every phase of life it seems

His love for her grows deeper than before.

One day he'll look into her eyes,

And suddenly he'll realize

Those early years were only just the start

Of a lifetime full of dreams to share,

Of a rich and lasting love affair

With the one he'll always love

with all his heart."

Whatever future years may hold,

One thing will still be true-

It will always mean the world to me

To have your love and you

Happy Birthday

I NEVER regret being where I am today; with you as your husband. 

 Thank you for being my better half.

And as tears came to my eyes AS he continues, "And I took monday off so we could have a long weekend together."  He hugged me as tears of joy rolled down my face.  So then he said we can do whatever I want to do this weekend. 

So we are going to Applefest in Antigo and staying in a hotel, just the three of us this weekend!

SuperDaddy, Thank you for the most precious birthday gift ever!!! Time with you is the best gift a wife could ask for! IT'S PRICELESS

I I love you and thank God for you each day!

I need you my Lord...

As I sit here,I write, I'm trying to race the clock with little peanut.  I literally only have minutes before she starts screaming again.  Yes, she has not been a very happy baby these days.  I chalk it up to teething, but I see no teeth yet.  It's time to be honest with you.  Well, she's already screaming but I'm continuing to type.  Maybe just maybe she'll console herself?  Wait, no wait, there she goes again.  Well, anyways, I've been struggling.  Struggling with my relationships.  With my husband, daughter, and my mother in law.  I have been diagnosed with post-partum and very rarely leave my house.  Two weeks ago, I decided that was going to change.  (Now she is holding her breath and screaming, I must take a break and tend to her)

Typing with one hand, baby screaming in lap but I am determined to get my thougths out.    I don't have much of a social life but that's changing too.  This morning was wonderful.  We had a playdate with some friends.  It was a good time.  Just to know I'm not the only one who struggles with these things...my screaming child, the laundry piling up, dishes stacked next to the sink, a busy husband I don't get to spend very much time with...Yes other moms struggle with these same things.  It's nice knowing I'm not the only one.  And today I'm making a vow-things are going to change.  It has to-there's no choice.  Once again I have been trying to live and do everything on my own but I'm broken and need my Savior, my God to rescue me. 
Lord God, I need you today and tomorrow.  I need your strength to make it through this day and the next.  To make it through the next hour with Little Peanut.  I cannot do it on my own, I know and believe I can do it with your strength.  I confess that I have been selfish and distant O, Lord, please be with me.  Please help me be a godly mother to this little innocent child.  I pray for other mothers to be placed in my life to learn with, grow with, and learn wisdom with.  Please change me from the inside out.  I have a wonderful life, everything anyone could ask for.  A very loving husband and father to Little Peanut.  A beautiful daughter.  A newly purchased house to call home.  On the outside I have it all.  But I'm missing things on the inside.  I need you my Lord!  I need you, more of you every day.  Please be with my family, please grow us closer to you and closer together.  Please mend the brokeness in my life and relationships, may I be more like you.  I praise you for all that I have.  The small and the large things I do not deserve.  Thank you for the raindrops that fall and the sunshine that beams.  Thank you for a place I can call home with my fresh new family.  Thank you Lord for being there everytime I need you.  You never leave me nor forsake me even when I am distant with you, you're always there!  Thank you for your Love and your Son.  Thank you for the cross!  Thank you for life!  Thank you for my struggles and weaknesses.  For when I accept my weaknesses and give you my everything, that is when I am made strong.  Thank you for everything My Lord Jesus!  Amen!!!!

A day of frustrations...but still choose to praise God!

My goal for the day was to fold my laundry, upload pictures, order a photo gift, and visit a friend who just had a baby. As you all know yesterday was a wonderful day.  Today, not so much!  I have tried to get things done but miss lil peanut thinks my day needs to revolve around her today!  First of all, she wouldn't take a nap this morning before our chiropractic appointment when she was suppose to, so what does she do?  When we are suppose to be walking out the door, she falls alseep.  So I let her sleep for 10 mins, hoping the dr is running behind.  We leave and get to the office and are only 5 minutes late, and yes the dr was running behind!  Phew!  I tell myself.  Okay, now lets go back home and give you a real nap I tell lil peanut.  So we get home, I change her diaper and bring her upstairs.  I wanted to try and rock her again but have no luck.  She pulls on my glasses, smacks my face, wrenches her back and wails!  I'm getting frustrated and don't know what to do, so I tried to nurse her.  No, that definetly was not the answer!  So to keep sane and her safe I put her in the crib, put up the side, and went downstairs to hopefully get a start on my day.  ( I wanted to get pictures posted, uploaded to walmart, and pick out some photo gifts) Mind you she's upstairs screaming, I'm downstairs trying to upload pics.  I finally sit down at the computer to get these pictures down.  I'm having a hard time concentrating because lil peanut is wailing upstairs.  But I try to upload pics to walmart.  We have a very nice professional camera and software (lightroom and photoshop)  So I know these pics are good quality.  Walmart.com proceeds to tell me that they have low quality.  Then I remembered I left lil peanut upstairs wailing.  I went upstairs, picked her up and rocked her to sleep.  She's now sobbing in her sleep, I place her in the crib and race back to the computer. So I try different sites, different exports out of lightroom and still could not get the resolution higher.  I finally figured something out that I think worked and uploaded them to walmart.  I go to my email and find out that only one person I e-mailed responded about the photos.  That means I cannot print them yet.  So I go and try to print a photo gift for lil peanut's granny and it won't work.  Lil peanut wakes up after only sleeping 30 minutes.  At this point I gave up on the photos from walmart.  I go get her out of the crib, change her diaper, and feed her lunch.  She doesn't want to eat her lunch well so I go back into the computer room and put her in her saucer...
she seemed to be okay in there for awhile.  I then posted my pictures, she poops her pants and starts fussing.  It's now been about 2 hours since her cat nap.  So I changed her diaper and took her back upstairs to take a nap.  I tried to nurse her, she hurt me, so I gave her the nuk.  Then she started hitting me, pulling my glasses and wailing.  I was frustrated. So I left her and she fussed herself to sleep as I sat in the bathroom praying for patience! At this point, I have now given up on visiting with my friend who just had a baby and the rest of the photos.  Well, God granted me some extra patience today and the gift of sleep for lil peanut...
She fell asleep on her own!  Yipee!  But she was in our bed, not her crib :(  So I put pillows around her and went downstairs to start the laundry. I then got on the computer and started reading Acts 1 for my devotional for the day, I needed it!   I got one load in the washer and no clothes folded and she wakes up again!  After only 25 mins of sleeping!!!  So I went back upstairs and tried to rock her back to sleep.  No luck, pulling my glasses, smacking my face, and wailing.  So we went back downstairs and I put her back in her saucer and I read this post, and I then realized my day wasn't so bad and I am prasing God for even my frustrated un-productive day!

6 month Baby photos

On Wednesday, a friend of mine took Lil Peanut for a photo shoot!  She did amazingly well, given we are not professional at all and it took us all day and 2 naps later to get all these shots.  We snapped about 700 shots and kept 87.  But according to SuperDaddy only 15 were good enough to print.  So here are our favorites...

An apple a day...

Yesterday was one of the most wonderful days the Lord has graciously given me.  For the past 2 weeks the Lord has changed my heart and the way I perceive the world.  And yesterday, my Lord was romancing me!  First of all, I only worked half a day ( I babysit for a friend, who calls that work?)  Then Lil Peanut let me rock her to sleep without fighting me ( today that's a different story).  She has not let me rock her to sleep in months without a fight, so lately I've been lying her down and patting her bottom, for some reason that puts her to sleep.  But not yesterday, it was so priceless.  I soaked it all up.  After she was sleeping, I rocked her a bit longer, thinking, " I'm going miss this when she's not a baby anymore."  I kissed her on the forehead and placed her in the crib.  (Which is also a huge deal because she actually stayed asleep, she does not like her crib!)  Then after she woke up, we took a nice walk with her in the baby wrap.  It was so relaxing and calming!  We got home and I thought an apple would be a nice snack.  Well I guess so did Lil Peanut...

It was such a wonderful day with my Lil Peanut!  I am praising God for such a wonderful baby girl!!!  I love being her Mom!! 

Thank you Jesus for such an amazing gift of motherhood!!!!!!

Full of Joy!

I have been on a roller coaster to say the least these past few weeks! My hormones have been out of waak and I just wanted a break!  I wanted to complain about everything, I had no patience left for anything and anyone.  Then I sat down and listened, finally listened to my savior.  He has been trying to speak to me for weeks, but I was shutting Him out, telling Him (without realizing it) that "I didn't need Him, I can do it all on my own."  Well we all know where that ends of--rock bottom?  Well,not quite,I opened my ears just before falling all the way.  He caught me so to speak before I fall...
Five nights ago, I was sitting on the couch watching an episode of House MD with SuperDaddy.  (we loved that show; yes past tense is correct)  The Holy Spirit started talking to me, I tried to ignore Him, but He kept getting louder and louder.  What the Lord told me that night I will never forget.  "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." -1 John 2:15  "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. "-John 15:19


So as I began to listen to Him, I finally started to grasp what He was telling me.  Did I like it? Did I want to obey what He was telling me?  Did I want to do what the flesh wanted?  Of course I wanted it my way!  I struggled and struggled with my "new" revelations.  I did not want to share them with SuperDaddy because then things would have to change. You see, it was more than just watching House MD that had to change.  SuperDaddy and I were talking the Christian life, but we were not walking the Christian life in every aspect of our life.  Yes, we went to church every sunday, prayed daily for one another and others, and occasionally read from our bibles.  It some eyes we were doing it all "right".  But NO! We were not!  We were living in this world, being a part of the World!  And my Lord told me that it has got to stop!!  Not only does House MD go, so does the poor eating habits, the irritibilty, impatience, dishonesty with myself, and the lack of exercise must be done away with.  For it is written, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." - 1 Corinthians 19-20  The Lord wants my everything, not just bits and pieces of my life, He wants me to "take up my cross daily and follow Him,  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Jesus will save it." -Luke 9 23-24  My Lord wants me to serve Him wholeheartedly with a purpose, not haphazardly living for the world. So that night after the House MD episode finished, SuperDaddy and I got into bed and I began to share with him what the Holy Spirit had said.  "Honey, the Lord spoke to me tonight."  "Yes, dear." "He said (as in the Holy Spirit) we need to stop watching House, get rid of all our movies that dishonor the Lord, we must choose to eat healthy, excercise, pray for more patience with each other and Little Peanut.  We must deny the world and take up our cross and follow Jesus daily."  I couldn't believe my ears! God is so right! We have been so wrapped up in life, we were forgetting the most important part of life-our relationship with the Lord!  From that night on we have been more focused on our Lord, our marriage, and being parents to Little Peanut.  God has given me so much Joy these last few days I'm overflowing!  I look at my little Peanut with so much gratification and Joy it's unreal that only a week ago I was fed up with this needy baby!  She is not a needy baby, she is my little bundle of Joy, she is an answer to one of my many prayers.  She is my baby girl, she is my daughter. And I pray that I will be a loving, patient, and compassionate mother to her! 

Thank you Jesus for this wonderful life you have graciously given me.  I do not deserve such a life as this!  A Wonderful loving, caring, and patient husband and the most beautiful baby girl in the world.  I look at her and my heart melts!  I love my family and I love my Lord!!!

Tears came to my eyes...

Today I was having a hard time to say the least.  These  past few days I have been extremely tired beyond exhauastion.  Little Peanut would cry and just want her mommy.  I just wanted sleep!  And If I couldn't sleep I wanted to clean my ever so dirty house.  But, as you mothers know, Peanut would not settle down until she got her mommy.  When she was crying, I did something two days in a row, that I wish I could take back.  I screamed at her to "stop crying".  It hurts my heart knowing that I screamed at my sweet inocent baby.  I'm tired not getting things done, I'm tired of SuperDaddy's busy schedule, I'm tired of Peanut's neediness, I'm tired of being tired!  I complained all evening to my girlfriend how I just want things different.  I want SuperDaddy home more, I want Little Peanut to be less needy, and I want to be more focused on the important things in life.  Well, I sat down to spend time with My Lord and after so I read a post from MckMama on her blog.  It brought tears to my eyes.  It is exactly how I want to me as a mother.  I want to not care that the dishes are piling up because my daughter asked to hold her, I want to have patience with SuperDaddy when he works late and I have the children; tired, exhausted; yet patient and loving.  O, Lord, I pray, please grant me the patience and remind me daily of the importance of motherhood and being a godly wife to my husband.  Thank you for this post from MckMama and showing me my faults and where I need to change.  I pray for strength, endurance, patience, and the will to be the mother I've always hoped I could be.  Thank you Lord for everything.  Thank you for my beautiful needy baby and my overly busy husband. For these are moments I am gonna miss! 

Wow...how much you love someone...when he's away... it hurts

I've been missing SuperDaddy a great deal this week and the anticipation of next week.  This week he is in Michigan working on a school IT project, next week he goes to FL for training in a certain thing. IT goes over my head, something about VMWare, I think.
 He is a busy man at work(and home for that matter); very talented and everyone and their brother comes to him to "fix" all the problems at work.  It's hard at times, but I'm thankful that he has a job. On these long stretches of him being away from us, I must stop and remember "it's only for a short time."  There's many husbands who are gone in the military, driving truck, and some flying planes that make long stretches the norm.  I am very thankful my husband's job is not that.
Moreover, I do have to say that I have an incredible relationship with SuperDaddy.  God has truly blessed us with a way of being one together.  We have been married for almost a year and a half and still have not had one fight.  We just don't see a reason to argue, fight, or cause turmoil in our home.  Yes, we have our disagreements, but we usually end up agreeing to disagree on those things.  This being said, our home is a loving, quiet place to be together.  I love him so much and it literally hurts to be away from him for this amount of time. When he's not here, there is a void in the home, in the bed, and a void in a part of me until he returns.  I've never loved any other human as much as I love him.  No one on earth has shown me unconditional love as he does.  Someone once told me that being co-dependent in a marraige is unhealthy.  I strongly disagree!!  SuperDaddy and I are mutually dependent on each other and proud of it!!  He's my husband, my knight in shining armor, my hero.  I love him and pray for him daily, and when he's away I pray that our Lord will return him home safely to us. 

Thank you Lord Jesus for such a loving husband and father to little peanut...

Need a Little Peanut fix?

There you have it!  Pictures of Little Peanut during the last month!  I'll put some new ones up of her eating her new homemade baby food soon!

Little Peanut's first bites...

Little Peanut started eating homemade rice baby cereal last night but first she drank from her sippy cup...

She liked it so much she wouldn't let it go...

Then came the food...

She really enjoyed her food for the first time, I think she would have eaten more if I would have let her.