And Baby Makes Me ....... Anxious!

I feel so blessed to be expecting our 3rd baby. I know that a baby is a miracle from God & without Him, it would never happen. Conception, pregnancy & labor with Austin & Makenzie were realitively easy & I feel very fortunate for that. Then I had an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured & was told that it would be very hard for me to have any more kids. That's ok, I didn't want anymore .... at that time. Then, we decided that we did want another baby. I was prepared for it to take a while........ WRONG! I never thought that I would be pregnant the very next month!

Since then, it has definantly been a wild ride.

I am a pretty easy going person & I don't tend to complain too much, so this pregnancy has not been one of my most shining moments. I have had one issue after another & I haven't felt good in several weeks. I am really trying to look on the bright side, because there are so many other people with problems a lot more serious than mine. But its getting really difficult.

I am so ready for my darling baby boy to make his appearrance! In the last couple of weeks my blood pressure has started steadily climbing & my feet have started swelling, so that has made me feel even worse than usual.

At my 35 week appointment, last Wednesday, I found out that my Dr. was going on vacation for the next 10 days. I was instructed to "stay very still" until he got back in town. Um, I don't know how to stay still! My lifestyle doesn't allow it! Well, that lasted until Sunday, when my contractions were about 5 minutes apart ..... false alarm, but I was dialated to a 2.

I went back yesterday for my 36 week appointment. My blood pressure was still climbing, there was protein in my urine, & there is a possibility of preeclampsia. This happened with both of the others so I shouldn't be surprised, but after everything else, I was really hoping for a break!

I had to do a 24 hour urine test (which is not much fun) & go back today for blood work (I'll find out about that tomorrow). I am still at a 2 so no progression there. Yet again, I have been instructed to "just lay around" because my blood pressure was the worst today that its been - 150/92.

I really need for my Dr to get back in town!

We'll see what the weekend holds.......

Is Your Faith Getting a Little Weak?

I have had this post on my mind for a while, but haven't taken the time to express it. I'm sorry for that!

Once again, God has used the simplest things to show me something important. I have our cat Faith before as an example & as I was watching her the other day, God gave me another lesson.

A few months after Faith came back home, she had 6 kittens. They were the cutest little furballs & my kids loved watching them. Well, unfortunately, nature happened & after about 2 weeks, our 2 month old puppy Zoey thought they would make great play toys. 4 of them died. We were all heartbroken, but the kids learned that nature isn't always what we want it to be.

After that, we have tried our best to protect the other 2 kittens & keep them away from Zoey. Well, so far so good - they are 6 weeks old. But they are getting VERY curious & will not stay in the barn where they are safe, so I'm not sure how much longer this will last. I don't think that Zoey means to hurt them, but they are so little & her teeth are so sharp.

Now, as for Zoey & Faith - that's a different story all together. Zoey DOES NOT care much for Faith & let's her know it on a regular basis. I've watched this go on for several weeks & I try to intervene as much as possible, but I can't stop a dog from not liking a cat anymore than I can make it rain.

Problem is, Faith doesn't fight back much. Zoey will pounce on her, chew on her, wrestle her, etc & Faith doesn't do much of anything to try & stop it. In the past couple of days, I've noticed that Faith seems to have given up. She doesn't pay much attention to her kittens right now. She is losing fur & has several scratches & scabs on her neck from Zoey.

There's not much I can do to help, if she is not willing to help herself.

This reminds me of us Christians so often. We all have times where we get down in the dumps. It seems that everything goes wrong & everyone is out to get us. Our Faith gets weak & we just seem to give up.

It doesn't matter how much help or encouragement we get from others around us, nothing about our situation will change until we are willing to allow it to change.

My Mother's Day Gifts

Mother's Day is one of those days that I have mixed feelings about. I hear so many people talk about how much they love their mom & what a great Christian woman she was while they were growing up, but I wonder.....was she really? I mean, really? Did all of these people have that precious, highly desired, Godly woman in their lives when they were younger......or is that what they choose to remember? If they did, then that's great! There are a lot of mothers out there that are trying their hardest to direct their children in the pathways that God would have them go. But....there are also too many women out there that have "better things to do", or are more concerned with the things of this world, than raising Godly children.

I wasn't fortunate enough to have a Godly Christian mother. I don't remember too much from when I was young. My teenage years stand out in my head & overshadow everything else about my past. My mom was more interested in trying to be the "cool mom" part of the time & being over medicated for her health problems the rest.

I guess that is the reason I have such a strong desire for God to work in my life. I want my children to look back on me & remember more positives than negatives. I want my children to see me reading my Bible, hear me praying for them, feel my loving arms around them, & KNOW that they are loved no matter what! Because not all of us have those memories.

This mother's day, I didn't open any fancy, expensive gifts that were bought hastily the day before. My present this year was realizing that I have been blessed more than I ever deserve. I have 4 little arms that want to hug me, 4 little eyes that are watching everything I do, 4 little feet that follow where I lead them, & 2 little hearts filled with more love than I thought possible.

I hope that everyone has a Happy Mother's Day! Spend it with those you love!

The Feet of the Servant

Throughout our lives, we are continually learning from our surroundings, our situations, & other people. Sometimes we are willing to learn while at others we are not so eager. Still there are other times when we learn without even realizing it - these are usually my favorite because the "lesson" tends to stick with you longer.

Yesterday was Easter. We had an early morning SONrise service followed by breakfast at the fellowship hall. Then we had preaching and communion service. Well, we had a little extra time between eating breakfast & the start of preaching, so all the kids took off to play. When it was almost time for church to start up again, Justin went looking for Makenzie.

She wasn't hard to find. She was playing in the nursery, which wasn't uncommon, but that's not all of the story. What really stood out to me was the fact that not only was she playing quietly in the floor, but she was playing at the feet of our pastor as he studied for the upcoming message. Oh, how I wish I could have gotten a picture of that!!!

This scene caused a flood of emotions within me. First, I am so thankful that my children have the privilege to sit & learn under the same man of God that I learned from as a child. Secondly, how often do we take for granted & ignore those precious grey haired saints that are more than willing to teach us something? Third, how similar is this to the reality of one day sitting at the feet of Jesus?

I have had the honor of having Fellman Cheek as my pastor for the majority of my life. No, I haven't always enjoyed some of his preaching, especially when I was a teenager. As I have gotten older, I've realized that everything he has ever said has been in love. I have learned so much under his preaching & teaching. And personally, I have never met any person closer to God than he is. I don't say that to lift him up on a pedestal, but I say it to give God the glory through Fellman's life.

When I was younger, I thought I knew it all. I had all the answers & could handle anything that came my way. Boy, did I have a lot to learn! As I have gotten older, I have realized just how little I really know or understand. I wish that I would have taken more time to listen to those around me that are visibly older & certainly wiser than I could ever hope to be. If you still have the honor of a grandparent that is still alive - take the time to get to know them. I mean, REALLY get to know them. They have a lot to say if only someone is willing to listen.

We are all the children of God. As we become saved & trust Him with our lives, He longs for us to sit at His feet while He teaches us. God loves us more than we could ever imagine & He wants to give us our hearts desire. We just have to be willing to turn to Him.

When was the last time that you realized you didn't have all the answers? When was the last time you took the time to listen to someone wiser than you? What about the last time that you sat content at the feet of a true servant of God? When was the last time you were willing to sit at the Master's feet?

Creative Inspirations

Relying on one income is hard for any family. Many families are forced down to one income due to sickness, job loss, death, whatever. This is the lifestyle we have chosen because we feel that God has directed our family on this adventure. Its not easy, but I know that its worth it. We have all had to make sacrifices & changes to the way we live. And we might not see all the rewards for our efforts here in this life, but one day, I hope that God will look at me & say "Well done, my child!".

So.....in an effort to add a little extra income to our family, we have become very crafty lately. I have always enjoyed playing around with things, but I have never had the passion for it like I have now. I am so thankful that God has put this desire in my life.

I hope that you enjoy our creations & will support our little business!

Check out our Blessed Boutique on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blessed-Boutique/185896581434260

Tales of a Homeschool Nothing ~ Lessons from a Flock of Geese

A few weeks ago, I was reading a devotional about watching a flock of geese. Sometimes, devotionals seem to be completely irrelevant, but then WHAM, they hit you upside the head! That's how this one affected me. I have been thinking about it for days, knowing that I had to write about it. Its funny how when these thoughts get into my head, they DEMAND to get out! LOL

I've always heard that geese mate for life, so if you see a pair of them, then its pretty fair to assume that is their mate. I have also watched geese fly over our back yard in their signature "V" pattern from the pond to the pasture & back again too many times to count, so I had never noticed that the lead bird doesn't always stay in the lead. They take turns.

You may think that this is insignificant & I would have to...until I read this devotional. http://www.aophomeschooling.com/blog/daily-focus/lessons-from-a-goose/
After reading that, it put a new spin on my thinking!

There are days that I just don't feel like teaching. There are also days when we have so much that needs to be done, but something else comes up & I am not strong enough to say no. Its on those days that I feel guilty for "letting Austin off the hook" or for slacking!

He LOVES helping his daddy or his grandpa do ANYTHING! Of course he enjoys helping out on the farm, but some days he begs to go to work with them. My inlaws are self employed with plumbing, construction, landscaping, etc, so to me, its not that exciting.....but to an 8 (sigh....9 in 2 more days) year old boy, its fascinating!

Until recently, I viewed those days as a "free day" where he could just goof off. Oh, I still have so much to learn! I never realized just how much he was learning about life from all of these other people. My father in law is teaching my kids so many things that I never had the opportunity to learn & things that I wouldn't even know how to teach them & I am truly thankful for that!

This is a relief to know that all the burden is not on my shoulders like I always assume it is! Just about anyone that comes in contact with my kids has something they are able to teach them, if only we are willing to take the time to listen! I love the fact that "homeschool" is not just about learning book smarts, but about learning in general.

Tales of a Homeschool Nothing ~ Inspiration - Who Me?!

Since I am so new to this roller coaster called homeschool, I need LOTS of advice from other, more experienced moms. I feel like Mary at the feet of Jesus. I am just so amazed at the wisdom that comes from these veterans mouths that I try to absorb all I can, knowing that I will forget a lot of what is said before my brain has time to truly process it.

I cannot express the gratitude that I feel from the knowledge & more importantly, the friendships, that I have gained in just this one year.

When I started this adventure, I NEVER imagined that one day, I would be one of those caring souls who would be so willing to spill my guts out to anyone who, like me, was searching for answers to really difficult questions. And I certainly, never imagined that I would be encouraging people this soon in my journey!

It amazes & humbles me so much to know that other women are already treating me with the same respect as I treat those who are so much more qualified than I am!

I didn't start homeschooling seeking anyone's approval or desiring earthly recognition, but I must say that knowing I have been a blessing to someone else who is struggling, tugs at my heart strings, puts a smile on my face, & lets me know that God is pleased with my decisions. It also reminds me that we never know who is watching our lives!