The Illness Strikes Again
I have been so ill today, so I would truly appreciate your prayers. I got sick to my stomach early this morning, several times. I could not eat or drink anything for a few hours. My hubby so sweetly kept reminding Lily (on the answering maching) to make sure that "mommy was drinking plenty of water." He had talked to this lady at work who knew a few pregnant women, who had gone into labor, because they were dehydrated. I quickly drank some water, and I tried to be consistent with it. I am definitely not ready to give birth at a mere 21 weeks! I had noticed much more movement earlier today, from my sweet baby, than usual, probably because he/she was hungry. Eventually, this afternoon, I managed to stomach some applesauce. I still have the chills, and a very sick stomach, so I appreciate your prayers. I am so grateful for having a dear husband, who came home and took care of the household for me, at lunchtime. It was so nice to know that I could truly rest, without having to worry about what the children were "getting into." I hope you have a blessed afternoon.

Illness and Growing in Him
Last night, we put Stevie to bed. After a while, he started crying again. Then, we heard him starting to gag, several times. It sounded so much like Lily did, when she had thrown up. Sure enough, he had gotten sick to his stomach and it had gone everywhere. Stephen and I did not even know where to start. We were just on our way to go to sleep, ourselves, when we found out that we had a long time of cleaning left ahead of us. God is so good though, and by his grace, we were able to make it through all of that. I did not want to bring Stevie to bed with me (so I would not have to clean all of our bedding again), so I stayed up with him for a while till he was really drowsy. Then, I held his hand while he was in the crib. After about 45 minutes (by now, it was midnight) I went to bed myself. He woke up a few times getting sick and begging for water. I really felt like I failed to lean upon Him during Lily's illness, and I begged for His Strength and Grace, to not miss this opportunity. He was faithful to let me get some sleep last night. In the wee hours of the morning, I covered my couch with towels, and let him sleep on my chest. Stevie has just tons of energy today, though he still has really bad bowels. I am so glad (even though it is difficult) that God uses the children He has entrusted to my care to teach me so much. If I was completely in control of my life, I would never have midnight interruptions. I would never have to scrub up vomit and bowel messes. (with an ultra- sensitive pregnant nose) Children don't fit into any perfect little boxes or time tables. You cannot just shut them off at certain hours. Little nursing babies still are hungry at 3 a.m.. Sick children vomit at the most unheard of hours. Labor pains can come at any time. God has chosen this route for the sanctification of us ladies. This is why it is so important that we surrender our lives to Him in every way. Motherhood and childbearing, if done out of love and obedience to the Lord, can teach us so much. That is the significance of I Timothy 2:15, "Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." We will be saved from our own selfish desires. We grow in Him most abundantly, when we lovingly do the very thing which is such a challenge for us to do. Blessings to you!

Preparing for Baby

One of the hardest, yet most rewarding ways to prepare for baby's arrival, is to prepare one's body for labor and birth. I implemented a few natural methods when I was expecting Stephen, which were really beneficial to me. I am hoping to learn even more to help me in the labor and birthing of this third blessing. I have found so many helpful things just by re-reading sections of Bradley's book. I am trying to implement more squatting as I go about my daily routine. I noticed tonight that I was bending my back while putting items in the dishwasher. As much as possible, I need to avoid that, and squat, as that really does wonders in preparing one for birth. I also want to be consistent in doing Kegels every day, to prepare my body for pushing. I found Red Raspberry Leaf Tea to be so helpful in toning my uterus and pelvic muscles, with my second pregnancy. Midwives often urge women to use this in preparation for childbirth. I wait until the third trimester to drink this tea. In the first and second trimester, I drink Pregnancy Tea. It contains nettles and a smaller dose of Red Raspberry Leaf tea, which all promote a healthy mama and baby. (If you have a history of miscarriage, you may want to wait to take Red Raspberry leaf till closer to delivery) I try to always stay on a natural vitamin, whether I am nursing or pregnant. (Which I have been for 4 1/2 years now) The best natural vitamin deal I have found is here which is a 150 supply for only $25 with shipping. This multi-vitamin even contains spirulina, ginger (to help with nausea), and Red Raspberry Leaf extract, as well as all of the many wonderful essential minerals needed for an expectant mama. For a month or so before Stephen III's birth, I walked a couple of hours every night to prepare my body. It was definitely a challenge when I felt so fatigued and tired, but I was willing to do anything to make my labor a little quicker. I was able to get to 4-5 cm without any pain, so I know this really helped me. At least this baby will be due in the warm summer months, when it won't be so challenging to go outside. Precious Arrows sells some wonderful products, which I am very eager to try. They sell an Afterbirth sitz herb bath as well as After Ease to help with afterbirth pains. I am definitely going to try to take After Ease, since hospital -strength Motrin was barely helping me with the afterbirth pains after Stephen was born. I am hoping to focus especially on learning how to relax during labor. A really helpful website as I prepare for my baby's birth is Birth Dynamics. She has great (modest) pictures and a beautiful story from her last homebirth. Please pray for me as I continue to wait upon the Lord in preparation for His Will in all the details of this birth. Thank you, dear sister's in Christ!

Monday~ Lasagna and Bread
Tuesday~ Chicken Pot Pie
Wednesday~off~Sister-in-law cooking
Thursday~Crockpot Chili
Friday~Homemade Pizza
Saturday~Chicken Fettuccine with bread
Sunday~Mexican Rice Casserole

For more menu plans, visit Laura. Have a joyful Monday, in Him!

My Precious Lily
Please pray for sweet little Lily. Last night, I let her sleep with me since I was having stomach pains and she felt sick too. She stayed up all last night with a terrible stomach virus, getting sick to her stomach. (Stevie heard her crying as she got sick, so he was with us too)She only ate two crackers today. I was completely amazed that she could eat that! The poor little dear just has been suffering so, and it breaks my heart. I don't think I could have managed without Stephen's help. We must have done 8-10 loads of laundry today alone. We try to be as meticulous as we can be about cleaning up when there is a sick one around. I really don't want everyone to suffer from it. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Saving for your Children

One of our culture's greatest weaknesses is to spend every dime we earn. It is rare to hear of one who saves for himself, nonetheless for his own children. But as Christians, we are called to save up for our children and for our progeny. Proverbs 13:22 states, "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children." One baby step for fulfulling this command is to save any money which your children receive (i.e.for a birthday), rather than squandering it on something fleeting. Even if you cannot contribute much to a savings account for your child, at least the money will be set apart for your child. (and a little bit of interest will be accrued) You may also look into the possibility of purchasing cd's, which yield a higher return. We also buy our children bonds, which double your money after the bonds come to their maturity date. When you receive your tax return, perhaps you can put some of that money (even $50) in each of your children's savings account. We are called to help our dear children in saving for their future. For more Frugal Friday tips, visit Crystal's Blog.
Blessings!

The Joyful Gift of Children I so enjoy Amy's blog, and her post from today was truly insightful. She shares so honestly and candidly about what our world expects from women regarding having children, and the realities of having these blessings. My husband and I treasure every gift the Lord sends us, so when we got some grief at Christmas time (from relatives) for us bringing our third child into this world, it was rather unsettling. We were told that we ought to "get a hobby". Why is it that something that used to be so abnormal; such as women working outside the home and barely having children, is held up as the standard? Other women, who choose to use their bodies for the purpose that God created them for, are reprimanded once they have had "too many children". (i.e. 3) How shocked my relatives would be to know that this baby is actually an answer to my prayer! I had begged Him for another precious blessing, which He so graciously bestowed upon us. Regardless of how others feel, I will always rejoice in the gifts from the Lord. It is in my nature to be timid and quiet when others persecute me in any way, even for having children. I dislike making ripples. But the fact that this precious baby is a blessing is not contingent on any man's word, not even mine. It is wholly dependent on the words of our omnipotent Creator. "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward." It breaks my heart to go to the doctor and see emergency contraception literature left out, for the patient who had a visit before me. My doctor acts all happy that I am expecting, and gives pre-natal care to me and my baby. But my doctor does what she does, only based on whether the mother wants the life which is growing within her. We ought to have open hearts to receive His Blessings and to have joy in all that we do regarding these precious gifts.

Good Morning Baby from www.art.com

My Blessings

20 Weeks!
I am 20 weeks today! I am at the halfway point of pregnancy! I am just so eager to meet this sweet little baby! It really has not been until the past couple of weeks that the baby has just started growing like crazy. I already feel like I have a pretty big baby in my belly.... I cannot believe that I have 20 more weeks to go. My sweet little baby has been very active....especially at night. I always experience restlessness and insomnia during pregnancy. It is well worth it, though, of course. Those kicks from my active little baby are so sweet and are such a wonderful reminder of the bundle of joy, which God has blessed my husband and I with. By the way, sorry for the smudge on the mirror, I just cleaned it and dd smudged it while washing her hands. Have a blessed afternoon.

Learning about the Presidents February is a wonderful month to teach your children about our nation's past and present presidents. We celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday, George Washington's birthday, culminating in President's Day, within this very short month. There are so many free resources online, which you can utilize to even make a Presidential lapbook with your child(ren). At this great site, you can find a coloring page in honor of each President. This could even be a great homemade coloring book! Here are some other great President's Day activities, including a recipe in honor of George Washington, for Cherry Thumbprint Cookies. I hope you have a delightful time learning about our nation's history, with your dear littles! For more Works for me Wednesday tips, visit Shannon.

Wonderful Family Videos

Our family just received our first Newton's Workshop Video. It is created by Moody Press, and we absolutely loved it! This particular video was about the 6 days of creation. It was really interesting for everyone in the family. I wholeheartedly recommend these. I am amazed at how much I learned from a children's video. It really shapes the way we view the world, which God so perfectly made. Blessings to you, as you teach your littles about the Creator.

My Babies Doing Schoolwork

While Lily was doing her math and phonics work this morning, Stephen III wanted to be right there with her, working in a workbook of his own. He was great for the whole 1/2 hour it took for me to teach Lily. Earlier, when she was counting gems on her flashcards, he was playing with a set of flashcards, himself. I used to wait till Stephen's naptime to teach Lily, but Stephen has really been a sweetheart. He picks up so much just by being around Lily while she is counting and learning. Often, I will say a number and he will say the number which follows it. I am learning to never underestimate even a busy two-year old guy! Blessings!

Monday~ Feb 19~ Hamburgers, Baked Potatoes, and Creamed Spinach

Tuesday~ Feb 20~ Chicken Enchiladas

Wednesday~ Feb 21~ Off~Eat with extended family

Thursday~ Feb 22~ Sloppy Joe's and Tater Tots

Friday~ Feb 23~ Homemade Pizza

Saturday~ Feb 24~ Breakfast (Eggs, Pancakes/French Toast, Oatmeal/Cream of Wheat)

Sunday~Feb 25~ Beef Burritos

Have a blessed week! For more menu plans, visit Laura.

Letting Him Work in Your Life Today, I want to share with you candidly, from my heart. There are so many things I constantly struggle with as a wife, yet the Lord and my dear husband, Stephen, are so patient with me. I would like to share some of these struggles with you, as a way of encouraging you to "fight the good fight" as a godly Christian woman. I have been raised all my life to have an independent spirit. Going away to college only impressed this more firmly upon my heart. I was taught to have a wonderful education, career, and then get married, if I felt like I "needed" to. This is so contradictory to the domestic-centered heart the Lord has given me, since. Yet, many struggles and weaknesses remain, which Christ must strengthen me to overcome. A lot of an independent spirit takes years, or decades to get out of your "system". So regarding marriage, if hubby does something that I don't think is wise in any way, I am so apt to open my mouth and tell him "how it should be". This is one of my weakest areas, where Christ has been chiseling at my stubbornly proud heart. Rather than tell my husband to stop "buying this" or "lead the family better spiritually", I need to do something simple, yet most effective. I need to take it to the Lord in prayer. I used to think "What good does that do?" But lately, He has shown me that it is the most effective way to reach my husband. There have been times in my marriage where I really felt one way by the Lord, and my husband may have felt drawn another way. Rather than "talk him into my point of view" or nag him to death, I asked God to guide Stephen's heart. God has worked on Stephen's heart much more effectively and much more beautifully than I ever have/could. God has started leading me to call upon Him first, and to really entrust my worries to Him. Most of the time, I don't have to say one word to Stephen. God has done everything for me. Now, this is not always easy for those of you who may lack patience. (as I do) But God desires for us to grow, as we wait upon Him. I remember hearing a Vision Forum cd a few years ago , about being a godly wife. Doug Phillips said that a godly wife won't nag her husband, and that a nag is like a dripping faucet. I thought, "Wow, I want to be a godly wife. But how do I stop nagging? It is the only way to get the point across." I honestly wanted to follow His way, but I did not know how. God has worked on my heart and shown me to plead for Him to work in my marriage. It is a simple, yet beautiful truth. God works in the hearts of His children , every day, when they wait upon Him. I still fail on this point, but I know that as God is leading me deeper into relationship with Himself, He is also deepening my relationship with my husband. One verse which helped me in particular was 1 Timothy 2:12, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." This is not a favorite verse in our day and age, but the Bible echoes truth in every verse. We win in Christ when we don't nag our husbands. We are victorious in Him when we listen to His voice and follow Him with all of our "hearts, minds, and strength." Dear sisters in Christ, please pray for me that I will be a godly Christian woman. I pray that each one reading this post will grow in her relationship with our Lord and her husband. Blessings!

Picking Wildflowers by Herman Seeger available from www.art.com

Fun with Numbers

This is a really fun and easy manipulative based activity, which you might enjoy doing with your littles. I saw it on another blog, quite a while ago, and could not wait to try it with my little ones. On the reverse of the paper, I have the numbers through 20. This is really great for teaching counting, and making sure your little ones know their colors. I did not have matching beads for every color, so I just used what I had. You can use dried beans, marbles, etc.. Enjoy your day with your littles! Blessings!

What Type of Homeschooler Are You?

Abraham Lincoln You have a Bible and a library card what more could you possibly need? You prefer the Charlotte Mason Method of reading living books for everything: historical fiction, biographies, real histories, nature guides, etc. No soon-to-be-outdated textbooks for you. Visit my blog: http://www.GuiltFreeHomeschooling.blogspot.com
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My Sweet Valentine's Day Gifts!
The children, Hubby, and I had a lovely dinner, last night, at Ihop. We also went to a video store and bought a few movies on clearance. Hubby spoiled me simply rotten with gorgeous diamond earrings, chocolates, pink roses (my favorite!), and Chocolate Caramel Chai Tea. After lunch yesterday, we sipped some of the new tea together in our dining room. He always finds a wonderful way to make everything so special. I am so unworthy of the abundant blessings around me! I hope your Valentine's Day was special. Blessings!

Prayer Request Needed For Jamie and Her Baby!
Sweet blogger friend, Jamie , is in need of prayer. There was no heartbeat detected on her unborn baby, yesterday. Please pray for her, she truly is a dear and has been through so much this past year. This baby has been such an answer to many prayers, especially since she experienced a painful miscarriage last year. May God help her and the baby in their hour of need.

Have a Blessed Valentine's Day!

I pray that each of you have a delightful Valentine's Day with your dear ones! (and especially your sweetheart) Dear Hubby and I are going out to eat with our precious blessings tonight. I am so blessed with such a sweet husband, and I pray that I will be more worthy of him, day by day. Not only is he very romantic and chivalrous, he is also thoughtful and caring towards me. I do not know why God pours such kindness upon me!

Today, I have also been pondering the need I have for expressing true love, which is charity. 1 Peter 4:8 says, "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins." One of the most difficult places to have fervent charity is in the home. We need to beseech God for the grace and the strength to be truly loving even when others are less than loving towards us. Also, today is such a tremendous day to remember the Ultimate Gift of love from God to man, Jesus Christ. May we learn to love as He loves us. Blessings to you!

Oh Lord, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve you, as you deserve to be served.

To give, and not to count the cost.

To fight, and not to heed the wounds.

To toil, and not to seek for rest.

To labour, and not to ask any reward;

Except that of knowing that I do your holy Will.

-Ignatius of Loyola

www.art.com "Cupid's Captives"

Two New Things to be Grateful for:
1. Yesterday, I was able to write a check to pay off the rest of our van balance. We now own both vehicles, outright. Hooray! May we never have to make payments on another vehicle, again. I am so proud of my sweet husband for diligently finding ways to pay off our debts. He has paid off both vehicles, during this new year. Now we can focus on paying off the house, saving for retirement, and investing our money.
2. My dear husband announced that he does not want me scrubbing the bathrooms or kitchen, any more throughout my pregnancy. No, these rooms won't simply go to "pot", he said he will graciously clean them for me. What a blessing to have a dear husband who cares so much about his wife and unborn baby. I must say, scrubbing is quite a satisfying job, especially to a "nesting" mother. But, I shall be grateful for the extra help.

Our Fun Weekend

We had so much fun over the weekend, visiting with some dear friends. We were also blessed to go to the aquarium, which was a lot of fun. I just had to take a picture of the precious owl which was there. Isn't it so amazing to watch your precious little ones observing God's creation? Blessings!

Madeline Lapbook

One of Lily's favorite books, is Madeline.We read the book again , so it would be fresh in Lily's mind. This morning, she colored some free worksheets which we printed from online. Then, we started making a lapbook. We did not even buy the expensive file folders, but rather, we used card stock which we had on hand, and taped it together at the seam. Because the book constantly speaks of 12 girls in two straight lines, we focused on the number 12. She glued 12 hearts in two separate lines inside the 12 section. Also, we studied Paris, France and the Eiffel Tower, since they are mentioned in the book. We marked where Paris is on the map we recently put up in our dining room/homeschool room. I used to be terrible regarding Geography, so I think if we make it a natural part of learning, our children will learn it easier. When you read a book or learn about an historic event, mark it on a map with your littles. I encourage you to display maps..a world map and U.S. map, if possible. Imagine how much they will learn over time using this simple method. I have heard accounts of many children who have memorized the entire map this way. Everything we did today was free. You can glean so much by printing online worksheets and learning more about the books you study. Homeschooling can be a lot of fun....and definitely does not need to cost a lot. Blessings!

Frugal Tips to Living in a Smaller Home

There are many ways that God has been leading us to make the most of our modest-sized house. We are open to receiving all the children which God sends, and we want to be content with all that God has blessed us with. We try to pare down on the clothing for each age group. We try to keep one rubbermaid tub of clothes for each year, for each gender. If we have more than that, we try to give some of that clothing away to others. We also try to keep a few of the childrens' dresser drawers empty, so future children can utilize that space. Also, we have a smaller bunk bed set in my daughter's room. Eventually, if we need to, we can put a trundle bed underneath, and her smaller room can sleep 3 comfortably. We found her bed on clearance, but perhaps you may find a nice bed at a thrift store
. Another tip I would share with you is to use your rooms in the way that works best for you. If your table fits in your kitchen, you might not need a formal dining room, as well. Instead, perhaps, that can be your children's playroom/homeschool room. If you occasionally have guests, perhaps you can have a sleep sofa in your living room, so they will have a comfortable place to stay.Using your square footage at the most optimum way for you, is truly wise and frugal. You many also find that you might not have to move as soon as you thought, as your family grows. Thus, you can save better for a larger home in His time. Learning contentment, no matter what your situation, is great gain! For more frugal ideas, visit Biblical Womanhood
.

I am so blessed, daily, by God!

*He constantly cares for me, and constantly works on transforming me into His Image.

*He has blessed me with two healthy little children who bring me so much joy.

*For the precious baby within my womb, who is constantly reminding his/her Mama, how full of life he/she is. Those precious kicks are constant!

*He has blessed me with my darling husband, who works so diligently for his family, daily.

*For the way my sweet husband takes special care of me, especially when I am expecting and not feeling well. One day this past week, he could tell I was really worn out, so he told me not to make supper and he took us out to a nice family restaurant.

*For a precious daughter, who does her schoolwork enthusiastically and without complaint.

*He has blessed us with so many wonderful books to enjoy together as a family.

*For the blessing of my friendship with Kelly, who is so gracious and so kind towards me. I am grateful to have a true friend in Christ.

*For the blessing of my dear friend, Celeste, who already has so much going on in her life, yet she always takes the time to be there for me, and answers all my questions. What a blessing!

For more Thankful Thursdays, visit Iris.

The Joys of Learning at Home

As a home educator of my two favorite littles, Lily and Stephen, I relish the freedom experienced with learning at home. Sometimes, I scour a million and one curriculum choices, only to be more confused or frustrated at the price. Five in a Row, Little Hearts to Heaven, and so many other curriculums look like a lot of fun. But once you buy all the necessary books, and such, it can be near $100. This is too much money for me, right now, and God has been leading me to frugal, yet enjoyable alternatives. Sometimes I can glean from my favorite curriculums, and imitate some of their ideas in my own homeschool. I was very blessed tonight as I looked at one of my favorite homeschool websites, Trivium Pursuit. I love their list of 10 Things to Do Before your Child turns 10. Their goals for children under 10 are wonderful, and very adaptable. Also, one does not need to spend great sums of money merely to follow this method. Actually, you could follow the Bluedorn's method with barely any expense, at all. Firstly, they encourage you to teach your children with a solid phonics program. At that age, you might want to start an Enligh Language Notebook. Have paper in there for each letter, and your child can draw pictures or clip pictures from a magazine. This complements the phonics program. Also, they encourage copywork , once your child is writing well. You can find copywork from a plethora of wonderful sources, especially the Bible and literature.They also recommend Oral Narration, which I already started implementing, in a small, yet solid way, in my homeschool. I read a book to Lily, and ask her some questions in which she has to show me how well she paid attention. As your child progresses, he/she will be able to narrate back to you , whole book summaries. You can even have them tell you what they remember from the church sermon. This would be a challenge for us adults, as well. This can be done very naturally, and is phenomenal for helping with memory, imagination, and writing skills. Daily Memorization is also encouraged, whether it is from the Bible, poetry, literature, or the Greek alphabet. It is also better to memorize a passage in Latin, and then in English, as opposed to just learning all the declensions and conjugations. One neat idea is to have your children learn a Bible verse in Greek and English. You need only spend 5-10 minutes daily on memorization. Hearing and Listening is also really important. They recommend reading 2 hours a day to your children , in broken up segments. Even read your children chapter books as they play quietly, even if they are young. When you read something historical, put a long sheet of paper on your wall, mark it off in 50 year segments and mark the event on your timeline. This is simple, yet inexpensive and effective. At some point, a history notebook is recommended for each child. Family Worship really is effective when done in the morning and evening. It helps when father asks questions about the passage he read. Laurie Bluedorn recommends having a little desk area in your main reading room, for your little ones to have craft time in. She recommends having crayons, markers, paints, clay, knitting stuff, and paper all available for little ones to make crafts. (Especially when the older children do science or math) Field trips are also highly encouraged. The Bluedorns recommend having your children do particular chores, and visit shut in's. Also, you should focus on disciplining your children, and also cultivating their imaginations through play and exploration. I love the simplicity, yet the profound intelligence of their recommendations. Tonight, I got a laminated world map and U.S. map, so when we read a story, we can put a little marker on the spot where the story took place. For example, the book Madeline took place in Paris, France. I am using ideas from curriculum which sounds interesting, but simply breaks the bank for me. Another neat idea is to mark where your church missionaries are on the map, so your family remembers to pray for them. God is using this time to teach me to be resourceful, content, and to think outside the box. I love the timeline idea, where you simply roll out a long sheet of paper and mark events that you study with your little ones. Education does not have to cost a lot. I have found that some of the most simple seeming ways to learn are truly the most effective. Once the weather is nice, I also want to start nature journals with my children. How fun to just look out the window and identify the birds at the birdfeeder with your bird field guide. Learning at home is so freeing and so fun. What fun and inexpensive ways have you found, to teach your precious little ones?

The Bird Lesson by William Bourguereau available at art.com

WFMW Love Sweet Love Edition:
One of the best pieces of wisdom that God has led me to realize about my relationship with my sweet Husband, is that marriage is not all about me. I should not expect my sweetheart to just follow my whims and pamper me. It is so true that as your relationship with Christ grows, so does your relationship with your spouse. The more I give of myself, without expecting to be catered to, the more I reap from our relationship. It is so vital to keep our priorities in check. (1.God 2.Spouse 3.Children 4.Oneself ) Once we give of ourselves in this way, we will grow in a multitude of ways. Here is a link for some refreshing ideas, I came up with, for spending time with your sweetheart. Tresure every moment! Blessings to you! For more Works for me Wednesday ideas, visit Shannon.

My Diligent Little Daughter

I am so proud of Lily for being so diligent in doing her school work. It takes us less than 30 minutes each day to work on her phonics lesson and math lesson. She has not been lazy or full of complaints about doing work, even though her little brother does not have to. I am very blessed to have such a cooperative and smart little daughter. I try to praise her for her wonderful constant efforts. I am just so proud of her. I marvel at how mature she has become. I highly recommend Christian Liberty Press' phonics series. It is well-paced and thorough. She is also doing very well with Horizons math, even though it is very fast-paced. Blessings to you!

My Helpful Kitchen Reminder

Reading with your Littles
My children and I spend a lot of time reading together, everyday. I believe it is the best way to help them to expand their imagination, vocabulary, and a plethora of other things. I often read them stories on their level, which are of a good caliber. They love the Alice in Bibleland book set that we purchased them. It really helps them to retain the Bible stories, as these books are written in a poetic way. They also love the Beatrix Potter stories. To name a few, we read Make Way for Ducklings, Madeline, Corduroy, and The Little House series for young children. I have recently started reading books without pictures to them at tea time, such as Anne of Green Gables. I am grateful to my friend, Shelby, for encouraging me to read longer stories to my children. It may be hard to see the fruits at first, but in time, you will reap much , slowly but surely. I often do not read a whole chapter at one time, but several paragraphs. There are so many wonderful book series to read with your children. I am including a few links to some book series I recommend from Christian Book Distributors.To get free shipping on orders of $35 or more, enter coupon number 252875JF. It is only good through the 7th of February. The Elsie Dinsmore book series, which Vision Forum sells, are also available here. The Mandie series is especially for girls aged 8-12. They are mysteries which show the power of God in a young girl's life. They are available for a great price here.I am really looking forward to using some of these Progeny Press Guides, when my children are older. They are Christian, and are such a tremendous aid to reading good literature with your children. To see samples of their guides, visit here.Blessings to you as you walk with your children and guide them towards Philippians 4:8, "Whatsoever things are lovely."

Reading by the Window Available from Art.com

Monday~ Manicotti (a freezer meal , which is defrosting in the refrigerator)

Tuesday~ Beef Vegetable Soup (crock pot) and white bread

Wednesday~ Off~ Sister-in-law is cooking for the family

Thursday~ Thai Peanut Noodles and Salad

Friday~off (Eating at a Friend's)

I hope you have a blessed week. For more menu plans, visit Laura.

Stevie's 2nd Birthday Party!

Guess Who Likes His Birthday Present?
My crazy little guy was not content until he put on all 3 new pairs of Scooby Doo underwear, which he got for his birthday. We are working on potty training, and he goes in the pot. He just doesn't grasp the concept of not going in your diaper too! I so want him to be able to wear these for real.

Frugal Fabric

Walmart seems to be getting rid of their fabric supplies, lately. Although this was very sad to me at first, at least now is the time to seize the moment (or rather, the fabric) at some amazing prices. First, all fabric was 25% off. Last week, it was 50% off. It may even be up to 75% off soon. So now is the optimum time to find that pretty fabric that you have always wanted, but never could afford. For more frugal Friday ideas, visit Crystal's Blog.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Stephen III!
You've come a long way, baby!

Tomorrow, February 3, Stevie will be 2 years old! I went into labor with him (as usual) in the middle of the night. I woke up at 2:14 a.m., and felt intense pains. I was already at 6 c.m., right off the bat. Everything progressed very quickly, due to Raspberry leaf tea, which toned my uterus. Also, I walked 3 hours every night the month before he was born. No matter how tired I was, I was determined to do this every night, so that my body would be better prepared for his birth. I was determined to have a swift labor, rather than the 33 hour labor with Lily, when I was really out of shape. Also, the night before I had Stevie, I went to my sister-in-law's house and ate pizza with pineapple on it. It definitely was not my first choice, but that was what was for supper. I know pineapple has a wonderful knack for helping a lady go into labor. Anyways, when I woke up, the contractions were so strong and painful. I went over to hubby's side of the bed and started crying. I said, "Oh honey, this indigestion is just so painful. If I cannot handle this, how can I ever endure labor?" It only took a few minutes to realize, "perhaps this is labor". I called my doctor's office, and left a message. A doctor from my practice called me up and she was really grumpy. I was really hoping that she would find an expresso before she came to the hospital. We called my in-law's and they picked up sweet little Lily, who had been greatly disturbed, as she had fallen asleep in our bed. While Stephen showered, Lily wanted me to carry her, while I was walking around the house trying to bear with the contractions. The baby had already dropped quite low, and carrying Lily was extremely difficult. Grandma and Grandpa were so sweet to pick Lily up, everything was happening so fast, I don't think we could have made it to their house, and then to the hospital. After they left, it was around 3:15 a.m. . Stephen and I grabbed our stuff and jumped in the van. I always get sick to my stomach during labor, so I was happy to find a trash bag in the van.We got to the hospital a little bit before 4 a.m.. We went through all the typical runaround, until finally we got our own room. I labored for a while, but I was just writhing in agony on the hospital bed. I did all I could to refuse drugs, but I did get a little stadol. This just made me "loopy" and I really could not handle the pain, then. So around 5:50 a.m., I consented to the epidural. I was glad that I at least waited till then, because I did not need a lot in my body, and it was still effective when it was time to push. I started pushing around 7:05 a.m.. When they said I was ready to push, I laughed at them, and told the nurses that it is just mean to tell a lady to push when it isn't time. I thought it would be days till I delivered, like with Lily's birth. Stephen III was born at 7:14 a.m. on February 3rd,2005. He weighed 7 lbs. 2 1/2 ounces. He was in the NICU for a few days. They thought he had some kind of infection, but he was just fine. I was so worn out, and my heart was hurting from fatigue, but I had to keep dragging myself to the NICU to nurse him. It would have been lovely to nurse him in my room. We almost had to leave him at the hospital for a few days, after I was discharged. But hubby knew how much I wanted/needed to nurse Stevie, so he implored the pediatrician to release him. He consented, and we were so delighted.We were so completely surprised to have a darling baby boy. We had no idea what a sweet and cuddly boy he would turn into. He is so much fun. He loves footballs, toy guns, and just being a silly little guy. I am just overwhelmed by the blessings He has sent me. Please pray for Stephen III, that He will walk after the Lord all the days of His life. If our lives are not for His glory, then what are we living for? Blessings to you!

This Thursday , I have so many things to be thankful for. I find that when I take my eyes off of all that God has graciously given me, I start being discontent. That is why it is so important for me to constantly "count my blessings".

• For hugs and snuggles from my little ones.
• For God's constant provision towards my family. We always have clothes for our children and never have to buy any. Lily was in need of more dresses, as she had a growth spurt. The next door neighbor came over and brough at least 5 beautiful dresses for Lily. Stevie just got a lot of clothes for Christmas and for his birthday from relatives.
• For the way God reveals His Will to me in surrounding events and through prayer. Waiting upon Him can get sweeter and sweeter.
• For all the wonderful Christians in my life. I am so blessed to have so many friends who truly live a Christian life. They let every facet of their lives be affected by Him.
• For my husband who is so loving, forgiving, and sacrificial.
• For God's Word, our Light to guide our path.

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Iris. Have a blessed day in Him!

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." -I Timothy 6:6

Bradley Method
Has anyone successfully birthed using the Bradley method? Everyone I know who homebirths highly recommends taking the Bradley Birthing classes. I had given up on that notion a long time ago, because the nearest class was over 1 1/2 hours away. I have heard that they are very intense and frequent classes, so I knew that would not be very feasible. But when I was checking out locations online for a friend , yesterday, I happened to find an instructor in my city! She said she had just moved to the area, and she had just posted it earlier that day. The class is $200. God definitely led me to that. I am very skeptical of other birthing methods , such as Lamaze and Hypnobirth. Lamaze supposedly only has a 10-20% success rate, for ladies not requesting drugs during birth. On the other hand, the Bradley method has more like an 85-90% success rate. Even if I do have a hospital birth, I do not want to rely on drugs. One of my friends delivered a baby at my hospital, and she was not even able to get drugs. She had learned Lamaze, but still wanted an epidural. When she begged for it, the hospital was unable to give it to her. Normally, when I reach 9 cm., I cannot stand the pain and I beg for meds.. I need to at least learn a better way for coping in case I cannot have any medications. If you have had success (or problems) with birthing the Bradley way, I would love to hear from you. Also, isn't it critical that the husband learn in depth, so he knows how to coach you through the various stages of birth? I am still afraid that if I am in the hospital, that they will try to start inducing, giving me pitocin, etc., and I will need drugs anyways. Can one successfully naturally birth in a hospital, even with a doctor who doesn't really care? (My doctor is never there till the last 5 minutes anyways.) Thank you for your input. Blessings!