Leaving my last doctor appointment, I felt very uneasy with where I was getting prenatal care. I have just had an uneasy feeling since starting there. So, I started looking at other options. I had a friend recommend a midwife in this area. I called her on Monday and met with her today. I felt so comfortable with her, and like I would be in good hands. So, we decided to switch my prenatal care to her.
We have also made the decision to have a home birth. Now, this is something I thought I would NEVER have a desire to do. But, I have been researching lately and I have in my head the type of birth I want. I feel like I won't get that in a hospital setting. I'm excited to do this in the comfort of my house, with my body being the judge of how long it takes to give birth. In a hospital, a lot of times if you are not progressing at the speed they want you to, pitocin will be started. I have nothing against that, if that is the route you choose. In fact, I had pitocin and an epidural with Cade and Liam and they were very easy deliveries. Liam did have some problems with the pitocin. It caused his heart rate to go crazy and they kept having to turn off the meds to allow him to "rest." This time around, I'm very much looking forward to a natural birth, letting my body do what it needs to. I've never felt a contraction...so I am a little nervous :) I know this will be completely different from my other births, but I'm so excited to do this.
I cannot wait to meet our sweet baby girl or boy. I already love this baby so much and can't wait to have our family grow!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
New Beginnings
I started a new devotional study with You Version called New Beginnings. I'm only on day one and it has already really started speaking to me. This is my blog, so I'm going to be honest, because I want to remember parts of my life when God is trying to teach me something.
I moved to Harrison in August. To say it has been easy for me would be a lie. I've cried more than once during pity parties that I throw for myself. I love my husband so much, so the move to be here with him is worth it. But, it hasn't been easy. I struggle almost every day. I lived in Northwest Arkansas for 7 years. That is the longest I have ever lived anywhere. I consider NWA home. When I moved to Harrison, I left my friends, my church, my kids' friends. It's been hard for me to find my place in Harrison. I don't really have many friends here and I get very lonely. In NWA, I had stay-at-home mom friends that would come over during the day. We would get to talk and our kids would play. I was a part of the single mom's group at my church. It is an amazing group of ladies that I love dearly now. Finding where I fit in here in my new town has been hard.
Through my first day of this devotion, God is showing me that He has me here because He loves me and He has a plan for me. There is a reason I'm in Harrison. I'm now praying that God will show me where He wants me and that He will bring that friend or friends that I need and that I so much want in my life. I know it's going to get better, and I'm going to try to stop the pity parties, but I'm not making any promises that it will never happen again :) Trusting God is not always an easy thing to do, but I know He has a good plan for my life and will show me where I need to be and where I fit in this new town.
I moved to Harrison in August. To say it has been easy for me would be a lie. I've cried more than once during pity parties that I throw for myself. I love my husband so much, so the move to be here with him is worth it. But, it hasn't been easy. I struggle almost every day. I lived in Northwest Arkansas for 7 years. That is the longest I have ever lived anywhere. I consider NWA home. When I moved to Harrison, I left my friends, my church, my kids' friends. It's been hard for me to find my place in Harrison. I don't really have many friends here and I get very lonely. In NWA, I had stay-at-home mom friends that would come over during the day. We would get to talk and our kids would play. I was a part of the single mom's group at my church. It is an amazing group of ladies that I love dearly now. Finding where I fit in here in my new town has been hard.
Through my first day of this devotion, God is showing me that He has me here because He loves me and He has a plan for me. There is a reason I'm in Harrison. I'm now praying that God will show me where He wants me and that He will bring that friend or friends that I need and that I so much want in my life. I know it's going to get better, and I'm going to try to stop the pity parties, but I'm not making any promises that it will never happen again :) Trusting God is not always an easy thing to do, but I know He has a good plan for my life and will show me where I need to be and where I fit in this new town.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Preschool
This was my first week doing preschool with Liam. He loves it. Every morning, he is begging to do school. We usually finish in about an hour...he would do school for 4 hours if I had enough stuff to keep him occupied for that long! I'm amazed at how much he has already learned in just the first week. He's learning his letters and the sound they make. He's been doing HIPPY (which is kind of preschool. Someone comes to our house each week and brings me the lessons for the week.) Anyway, I feel like the HIPPY lessons are a little below his level and he hasn't learned much. So, he is loving the more challenging work. I've also learned a lot that will help me as I'm homeschooling both of the boys next year. One thing I learned... I need to be more organized! I was a little overwhelmed this week just because of my lack of organization, so I'm going into next week more prepared! It will be a learning process for all of us, but I'm so excited about it! And, Cade can't wait to start next year. I have his curriculum figured out for next year. I have some other friends homeschooling, so I'll list that curriculum here to help you if you are looking for something!
Hooked on Phonics - Reading
Handwriting without Tears - Handwriting
Math-U-See - Math
Exploring Creation (Still deciding between Anatomy and Astronomy. We'll do whichever one Cade decides he wants to do first.) - Science
Positive Action for Christ - Bible
Art Treasury - Art
Confessionsofahomeschooler.com has a US Geography curriculum that looks fun, but I think for our first "semester" we will stick this, and then if we want to add in more, we will do the Geography. We may save that for the next year, though.
With Liam, right now I am doing the Pre-K curriculum from Confessions of a Homeschooler. Next year, I will do the K-4 from the same place.
Here are a few pictures from our first week:
He's working on learning to hold his pencil the correct way.
Doing some math.
Do-A-Dots are so much fun! Both of the boys loved making things with these this week.
I really wish I had a room or better area to use for homeschooling. This is just set up at the back of our living room. It works but it's hard to keep things organized here. I need to find some organization ideas to make this space work better for us.
Hooked on Phonics - Reading
Handwriting without Tears - Handwriting
Math-U-See - Math
Exploring Creation (Still deciding between Anatomy and Astronomy. We'll do whichever one Cade decides he wants to do first.) - Science
Positive Action for Christ - Bible
Art Treasury - Art
Confessionsofahomeschooler.com has a US Geography curriculum that looks fun, but I think for our first "semester" we will stick this, and then if we want to add in more, we will do the Geography. We may save that for the next year, though.
With Liam, right now I am doing the Pre-K curriculum from Confessions of a Homeschooler. Next year, I will do the K-4 from the same place.
Here are a few pictures from our first week:
He's working on learning to hold his pencil the correct way.
Doing some math.
Do-A-Dots are so much fun! Both of the boys loved making things with these this week.
I really wish I had a room or better area to use for homeschooling. This is just set up at the back of our living room. It works but it's hard to keep things organized here. I need to find some organization ideas to make this space work better for us.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
First Ultrasound
We went for our first ultrasound on Tuesday. It was so great seeing our sweet baby on the screen and knowing that the baby is growing and healthy. The baby had a heart rate of 174. They did a 4D shot for us and I'm amazed at the detail. I think our baby is already so adorable!
During the ultrasound, the tech did find a cyst on my left ovary. Last week, I was having a lot of pain on my left side. I went to the doctor for it and they said I had a kidney infection. I still find myself getting pains on occasion, so I'm thinking that pain may actually be from the cyst. I have to have another ultrasound in 4 weeks to make sure the cyst isn't growing. Honestly, I'm not very happy with my doctor's office. I felt so rushed when they were seeing me. I have no clue what will happen if it does grow. I have no idea on what the affects of this is on pregnancy. They didn't tell me anything. I saw the midwife for maybe 1 minute. I'm not pleased, but unfortunately, with our insurance, this is the only doctor's office I have an option to use. If this is how it is every visit, I'm not going to enjoy this very much. I don't like to feel rushed, especially when I was told news that I wasn't expecting at all and have no clue what to expect.
Anyway, feel free to pray for me that when I go back in 4 weeks, there will be no cyst at all!
I'll end this post with a picture of our sweet, sweet baby :)
During the ultrasound, the tech did find a cyst on my left ovary. Last week, I was having a lot of pain on my left side. I went to the doctor for it and they said I had a kidney infection. I still find myself getting pains on occasion, so I'm thinking that pain may actually be from the cyst. I have to have another ultrasound in 4 weeks to make sure the cyst isn't growing. Honestly, I'm not very happy with my doctor's office. I felt so rushed when they were seeing me. I have no clue what will happen if it does grow. I have no idea on what the affects of this is on pregnancy. They didn't tell me anything. I saw the midwife for maybe 1 minute. I'm not pleased, but unfortunately, with our insurance, this is the only doctor's office I have an option to use. If this is how it is every visit, I'm not going to enjoy this very much. I don't like to feel rushed, especially when I was told news that I wasn't expecting at all and have no clue what to expect.
Anyway, feel free to pray for me that when I go back in 4 weeks, there will be no cyst at all!
I'll end this post with a picture of our sweet, sweet baby :)
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
New Adventure..
So, Bryan and I have made the decision that starting next year when Cade is in 1st grade, I will begin homeschooling. I am SO excited about this. Homeschooling has been what I have wanted to do ever since having kids. But, when I divorced and became a single mom, I really felt that trying to home school would be overwhelming, with it going along with my in-home daycare that I had. So, I gave up on my dream of homeschooling. Well, now I am remarried, we are more settled, and my desire to home school has been back stronger than ever. I want my kids to love to learn, which they already do. Cade is so inquisitive. He questions everything. I want to be able to help him find those answers. And, I want to help him develop skills that I already see he has talent in. Cade loves art. And, he's really good at it. I want to encourage that interest and help him become the best he can be or wants to be with that. I'm not sure what Liam's interest is yet...so far, his interest is Scooby Doo :) Mostly, I want my kids to develop a heart for God and what He wants them to do with their lives. In the end, that's what it's all about.
I am so thankful that I have so many friends that have been able to help me get started. It can be a little overwhelming to even know where to start, but I have had some great friends give me a lot of recommendations and now I feel like I can definitely do this and it's not so overwhelming. I do wish I lived closer to these friends. When I lived in NWA, I had so many friends who home schooled. In my new town, I don't know anyone. It would be helpful to have a support system closer to home. I will be researching any local home school groups to hopefully get involved in.
I'm excited about starting this. I can hardly wait until next school year! I'm so excited about the freedom this is going to give our family and I am excited to make learning exciting for my kids. I want them to experience learning, not sit behind a desk several hours a day. I know it's going to be challenging, but it will be so worth it!
I am so thankful that I have so many friends that have been able to help me get started. It can be a little overwhelming to even know where to start, but I have had some great friends give me a lot of recommendations and now I feel like I can definitely do this and it's not so overwhelming. I do wish I lived closer to these friends. When I lived in NWA, I had so many friends who home schooled. In my new town, I don't know anyone. It would be helpful to have a support system closer to home. I will be researching any local home school groups to hopefully get involved in.
I'm excited about starting this. I can hardly wait until next school year! I'm so excited about the freedom this is going to give our family and I am excited to make learning exciting for my kids. I want them to experience learning, not sit behind a desk several hours a day. I know it's going to be challenging, but it will be so worth it!
Monday, January 7, 2013
Picture Frame Project
We went to Hobby Lobby on Saturday so I had to think of a craft to do! We are moving to a new house at the end of this month (yay!!) so I want to get some new decorations to hang up and start redecorating our house. So, I decided to do this really cute picture project! It is super easy and it only took me a few hours to finish it. I'm probably going to add a few more frames later on, but today I just did 3 of them.
I started with these wooden plaques that you find in the unpainted wood section of Hobby Lobby. There's a few different shapes to chose from.
I painted the bottom coat and let it dry.
After that dried, I roughed up the edges with a nail file. I used a nail file because I didn't have sandpaper, but it got the job done!
And, that's it! Super easy to do and I think they turned out great. These are the three that I did. I need to add a few more so I can get pictures of Tyler in on one. I didn't have any pictures of him printed.
I can't wait to hang these up in our new house!
Monday, December 31, 2012
2012 Recap
Wow, I'm really behind on blogging. I will need to catch up soon! But, since today is New Year's Eve, I figured I should do an obligatory "My Year" post. 2012 was a HUGE year for our family. We went through so many changes. I'll start with January!
In January, Liam turned 3! He also got potty trained a week before his birthday. Also in January, I had the experience of making my very first cake! That started a great hobby for me that I have had a lot of fun with over the year, and I hope to get even better in 2013. Here are a few January pictures:
Snuggles from my birthday boy!
My little man through the years.
March was a great month. I ran the Bentonville Running Festival 5K with my best friend. I went to a Mandisa and Laura Story concert with the Single Mom's group from church. And, we spent lots of time with friends! We are so blessed to have the friends we have. I miss them so much now that I've moved.
This was a great day we spent with our friends!
I LOVE this girl! I don't know how I would have made it the past 2 years without her!
Liam and Julia..someday we will be attending their wedding :)
In April, my best friend did some family pictures for the boys and me. I'm so thankful for that! At the end of March, I met the man that I would marry a few months later! We became "official" in April.
Family Picture
Bryan and I Easter Sunday, shortly after we met.
My handsome boys on Easter!
In May, I took Cade on a "Mommy/Cade" date. We went to the Crystal Bridges museum. We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the beautiful weather! We also went to a Naturals game with friends and spent some time swimming in our best friends pool.
Crystal Bridges Museum
My best friend, Christian, and I at the Natural's game.
Swimming! We spent a lot of time in this pool this summer!
I adore these kids.
Mother's Day.
My precious boys and me.
June was a great month! Christian and I ran the Warrior Dash race...what an accomplishment that was! I never thought I would be able to survive a race like that. If you don't know what it is, google it. It was so much fun and it felt great crossing that finish line! We spent a lot of time at the public pool with friends in June, and I attended the baby shower of my best friend from high school and I got to make the cake! Cade turned 5 in June! He is growing up way too fast!
I did it!
We survived the Warrior Dash!
Enjoying the great outdoors.
Spending time at the pool with some of our best friends.
Trying to get a lot of kids to take a good picture is impossible...I love this picture. I think it needs to be in a frame.
Getting ready to cut the cake for the baby shower!
The beautiful mom-to-be and me!
Friends since 7th grade!!
July was an amazing month. I turned 29 and I got the BEST gift...Bryan proposed and I said yes! We celebrated July 4th at Fireworks at the Crosses at our church. We have done this every year for the past 5 years. It's a great place to celebrate July 4th! They do baptisms at the crosses that night, and Natali got baptised! Such a special night. I've been trying to get better with photography, and I got to take family pictures for Christian and the girls. I also took maternity pictures for Hannah (the one who had the baby shower in June). We took the kids to play mini golf. That was the first time I ever took them! They had a blast. We got to visit some family and I was a bridesmaid in my aunts wedding. It was a very busy month!
Our engagement!
Mini golf!
The boys with my grandpa. Such a special picture to me.
Fireworks at the crosses!
Cade and his buddy, Elijah at Fireworks at the Crosses.
Natali getting baptised. So proud of her!
Beautiful ladies.
Seriously, this girl should model.
Maternity pictures for Chris and Hannah.
And, this got out of order for some reason, but more mini golf!
August was a big month. Bryan and I got married! And the boys and I moved to Harrison. It has been a hard adjustment for me. I miss my friends so much and I do get a little lonely here. But, I am so thankful for the man God sent to me! I am so very blessed to be married to this man! He loves God, he loves me and he loves my boys! Two days after the wedding, Cade started kindergarten! I can't believe how big my big boy is getting!
Our wedding was everything I wanted it to be. It was such a beautiful day and I couldn't have asked for anything more. I am SO thankful!
Reception
My best friends, Christian and Sarah.
Bryan's big group of friends! Looking forward to getting to know them more.
Cade's first day of Kindergarten
Testing out the park in our new town!
Just hanging out with Liam during the day while Cade is at school :)
In September, Bryan and I went to a marriage conference in Branson called Romance Uncensored. We really enjoyed that weekend away, since we didn't get to take a honeymoon. Isaac celebrated with 3rd birthday with some sweet friends and we got to enjoy a visit from my parents!
Isaac's birthday party!
My awesome parents.
October wasn't a busy month. We spent a lot of time playing at the park and just enjoying our family.
In November, we had another great visit from my parents, and, of course, Thanksgiving!
Cousins
Cade got to help with the Thanksgiving meal at my grandpa's house. He helped making the chicken and dumplings..best dumplings I ever had :)
Me with my sweet, sweet nephew, Vedder. He is such a precious baby boy!
December is always a busy month! We loved it this year. We were able to host both families at our house for Christmas! I really enjoyed getting to cook Christmas lunch with my mom.
Having our family Christmas with our boys.
Christmas with Grandmama and Granddaddy
Tyler and Cade performed at our church Christmas program, Christmas at the Lyric.
Our handsome boys!
Presents with my parents and brother and sister-in-law
Getting in some more snuggles with my sweet nephew :)
On Christmas night, Bryan and I got another Christmas present that we weren't expecting...a baby is on the way! My first appointment is January 21st, but according to an online calculator, my due date is September 2nd. We are SO very excited! Couldn't have asked for a better Christmas gift.
I had so much fun going through my year! I had an amazing year with WONDERFUL people in my life. I'm so thankful for the people God has placed in my life, to be my friends and to be my family. I am truly blessed and I can't wait to see what 2013 brings. Happy New Year everyone!
In January, Liam turned 3! He also got potty trained a week before his birthday. Also in January, I had the experience of making my very first cake! That started a great hobby for me that I have had a lot of fun with over the year, and I hope to get even better in 2013. Here are a few January pictures:
My first cake
Snuggles from my birthday boy!
My little man through the years.
In February, we got some snow. The boys really enjoyed that!!
March was a great month. I ran the Bentonville Running Festival 5K with my best friend. I went to a Mandisa and Laura Story concert with the Single Mom's group from church. And, we spent lots of time with friends! We are so blessed to have the friends we have. I miss them so much now that I've moved.
Getting ready to race!
This was a great day we spent with our friends!
I LOVE this girl! I don't know how I would have made it the past 2 years without her!
Liam and Julia..someday we will be attending their wedding :)
In April, my best friend did some family pictures for the boys and me. I'm so thankful for that! At the end of March, I met the man that I would marry a few months later! We became "official" in April.
Family Picture
Bryan and I Easter Sunday, shortly after we met.
My handsome boys on Easter!
Playing dress up on our date.
Crystal Bridges Museum
My best friend, Christian, and I at the Natural's game.
Swimming! We spent a lot of time in this pool this summer!
I adore these kids.
Mother's Day.
My precious boys and me.
June was a great month! Christian and I ran the Warrior Dash race...what an accomplishment that was! I never thought I would be able to survive a race like that. If you don't know what it is, google it. It was so much fun and it felt great crossing that finish line! We spent a lot of time at the public pool with friends in June, and I attended the baby shower of my best friend from high school and I got to make the cake! Cade turned 5 in June! He is growing up way too fast!
I did it!
We survived the Warrior Dash!
Spending time at the pool with some of our best friends.
Trying to get a lot of kids to take a good picture is impossible...I love this picture. I think it needs to be in a frame.
Getting ready to cut the cake for the baby shower!
The beautiful mom-to-be and me!
Friends since 7th grade!!
July was an amazing month. I turned 29 and I got the BEST gift...Bryan proposed and I said yes! We celebrated July 4th at Fireworks at the Crosses at our church. We have done this every year for the past 5 years. It's a great place to celebrate July 4th! They do baptisms at the crosses that night, and Natali got baptised! Such a special night. I've been trying to get better with photography, and I got to take family pictures for Christian and the girls. I also took maternity pictures for Hannah (the one who had the baby shower in June). We took the kids to play mini golf. That was the first time I ever took them! They had a blast. We got to visit some family and I was a bridesmaid in my aunts wedding. It was a very busy month!
Our engagement!
Mini golf!
The boys with my grandpa. Such a special picture to me.
Fireworks at the crosses!
Cade and his buddy, Elijah at Fireworks at the Crosses.
Natali getting baptised. So proud of her!
Beautiful ladies.
Seriously, this girl should model.
Maternity pictures for Chris and Hannah.
And, this got out of order for some reason, but more mini golf!
Our wedding was everything I wanted it to be. It was such a beautiful day and I couldn't have asked for anything more. I am SO thankful!
Reception
My best friends, Christian and Sarah.
Bryan's big group of friends! Looking forward to getting to know them more.
Cade's first day of Kindergarten
Testing out the park in our new town!
Just hanging out with Liam during the day while Cade is at school :)
Romance Uncensored
Isaac's birthday party!
My awesome parents.
In November, we had another great visit from my parents, and, of course, Thanksgiving!
A visit from my parents!
Cade got to help with the Thanksgiving meal at my grandpa's house. He helped making the chicken and dumplings..best dumplings I ever had :)
Me with my sweet, sweet nephew, Vedder. He is such a precious baby boy!
Our tree with all the presents
Having our family Christmas with our boys.
Christmas with Grandmama and Granddaddy
Tyler and Cade performed at our church Christmas program, Christmas at the Lyric.
Our handsome boys!
Presents with my parents and brother and sister-in-law
Getting in some more snuggles with my sweet nephew :)
On Christmas night, Bryan and I got another Christmas present that we weren't expecting...a baby is on the way! My first appointment is January 21st, but according to an online calculator, my due date is September 2nd. We are SO very excited! Couldn't have asked for a better Christmas gift.
Can't believe we will have 5 kids!
I had so much fun going through my year! I had an amazing year with WONDERFUL people in my life. I'm so thankful for the people God has placed in my life, to be my friends and to be my family. I am truly blessed and I can't wait to see what 2013 brings. Happy New Year everyone!
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