My daughter (22 months) and I are learning Italian together, if you couldn't tell by the translation on the bottom of my previous post ;) We are using a version of Rosetta Stone that is about 7 years old, so it's not the newest version which I hear is pretty darn cool. It's going well and the words seem to be sticking in my head a lot better than the last time I tried to learn.
Our studying goes like this, we go through the first part of the lesson once or twice. This is the part of the lesson where something is described and you pick the out the picture that matches. Since she can't read or write yet this is all she has to do. We usually do this while we drink our tea in the morning. After the lesson I look up cartoons in Italian on Youtube.
I am also using the words I know mixed in our daily conversions. For example, instead of saying "come sit at the table", I'll say "come sit at le tavelo." I know the grammar isn't correct but I figure I'm just working on the vocabulary right now and as we advance in the lessons I'll get better at randomly saying things that are grammatically correct.
For further study, for me, I continue and finish the lessons on my own while she's napping. Also, I find that it helps to keep me motivated to have blogs in Italian that I follow. I'm really liking Le Frufru and Little Emma English Home. Because I'm following these blogs I am finding Google Translate to be quite helpful.
And for some fun, here is a picture of my daughter's sand covered toes when we went to the beach last year.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
How do you choose a baby name?
One of the hardest things for us is choosing the perfect name for our babies. Both of them were at least two days old before we were able to settle on a name. All the names that I had thought I would use before I got married I either don't like any more or my husband doesn't like them, so finding names has proved to be a lot harder than I thought it would be. But I do have one tip. Choose a theme. By doing this you narrow down your choices so it's not quite as overwhelming. There are countless themes you can choose from. The theme that we settled on is classic literature. Our daughter's name is from Les Miserables (Cosette) and our son's name is from King Arthur (Arthur). So, here are some themes you can choose from:
Literature
Shakespeare
Same first letter (all kids starting with c, etc)
Nationality (Italian, French, German etc)
Family names
Biblical
Historical (my brother's daughters are all named after British royalty and his sons after preachers)
Virtues
There are tons more, but this ought to get you started!
ps. I've done a couple guest posts on the CFPN's blog here and here
**************************************************
Una delle cose più difficili per noi è scegliere il nome perfetto per i nostri bambini. Entrambi erano almeno due giorni prima siamo stati in grado di risolvere su un nome. Tutti i nomi che avevo pensato che mi sarebbe usare prima mi sono sposato io o non mi piace più o mio marito non le piace, così la ricerca di nomi ha dimostrato di essere molto più difficile di quanto pensassi che fosse. Ma io sono una punta. Scegli un tema. In questo modo a limitare giù le vostre scelte in modo che non è così schiacciante. Ci sono innumerevoli i temi si possono scegliere. Il tema che abbiamo scelto è la letteratura classica. Nome di nostra figlia è da Les Miserables (Cosette) e il nome di nostro figlio è tratto da King Arthur (Arthur). Così, qui sono alcuni temi è possibile scegliere tra:
Letteratura
Shakespeare
Stessa prima lettera (tutti i bambini che iniziano con c, ecc)
Nazionalità (italiano, francese, tedesco etc)
Famiglia nomi
Biblico
Storico (figlie di mio fratello sono tutti nomi reale inglese e ai suoi figli dopo predicatori)
Virtù
Ci sono tonnellate di più, ma questo dovrebbe iniziare!
ps. Ho fatto un paio di guest post sul blog del CFPN qui e qui
Literature
Shakespeare
Same first letter (all kids starting with c, etc)
Nationality (Italian, French, German etc)
Family names
Biblical
Historical (my brother's daughters are all named after British royalty and his sons after preachers)
Virtues
There are tons more, but this ought to get you started!
ps. I've done a couple guest posts on the CFPN's blog here and here
**************************************************
Una delle cose più difficili per noi è scegliere il nome perfetto per i nostri bambini. Entrambi erano almeno due giorni prima siamo stati in grado di risolvere su un nome. Tutti i nomi che avevo pensato che mi sarebbe usare prima mi sono sposato io o non mi piace più o mio marito non le piace, così la ricerca di nomi ha dimostrato di essere molto più difficile di quanto pensassi che fosse. Ma io sono una punta. Scegli un tema. In questo modo a limitare giù le vostre scelte in modo che non è così schiacciante. Ci sono innumerevoli i temi si possono scegliere. Il tema che abbiamo scelto è la letteratura classica. Nome di nostra figlia è da Les Miserables (Cosette) e il nome di nostro figlio è tratto da King Arthur (Arthur). Così, qui sono alcuni temi è possibile scegliere tra:
Letteratura
Shakespeare
Stessa prima lettera (tutti i bambini che iniziano con c, ecc)
Nazionalità (italiano, francese, tedesco etc)
Famiglia nomi
Biblico
Storico (figlie di mio fratello sono tutti nomi reale inglese e ai suoi figli dopo predicatori)
Virtù
Ci sono tonnellate di più, ma questo dovrebbe iniziare!
ps. Ho fatto un paio di guest post sul blog del CFPN qui e qui
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Interview with Christian Family Planning Network founder
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sure! My name is Stephanie. I'm a 25 year old Bible College graduate. I've been a work-at-home-wife since June of 2008. The CFPN is my full-time job! My husband, Daniel, and I have been married for three years. We used the Fertility Awareness Method to avoid pregnancy for our first year of marriage, and have been waiting for child #1 since then.
What is the purpose of the Christian Family Planning Network (CFPN)?
The purpose of the CFPN is to educate engaged and married Christians about their options for birth control beyond artificial or hormonal contraceptives. We hope to overturn the common misconception that all natural birth control methods are the Rhythm Method of decades past.
How is this purpose accomplished?
Primarily through our message board. We have a vibrant community where women from all walks of life, and all theological perspectives, can come together and support each other in their decision to not use hormonal birth control. Some of our members join the community while still on the Pill, or the Shot, or the Ring. In situations like this, members of the community who have been in their shoes will come alongside and support them, answer their questions, and encourage them that they are doing a good thing!
Many of the women on our “Avoiding Pregnancy” forum have been using natural methods their entire marriage. Some of our long-term members have avoided pregnancy for up to four years, before deciding to try to conceive their first child. Now some of those members have given birth to their first child and are avoiding again with FAM or NFP postpartum!
In addition to supporting women who are avoiding pregnancy, we also have forums and buddy groups for women who are trying to conceive, are dealing with infertility, are pregnant, or parenting. We encourage all of our new members to join a buddy group and to plug into the community where they need support.
Our first online course began in January. The first section is FC101A: Just the Basics, and teaches people how to begin charting their fertility signs so that they can know when to avoid or abstain, or have sex if they're trying to conceive. FC101B: Beyond the Basics covers more advanced charting techniques, like what to do if your temperature or cervical fluid sign is unreliable, if you're not ovulating, or if you're post-partum. FC101B also covers the effect that exercise, nutrition and lunaception (moonlight) affects your cycle.
Why did you decide to start the CFPN?
Back in summer of 2007, when I was engaged, I joined a secular site that promotes the Fertility Awareness Method. I noticed that there were a few other summer brides asking similar questions to me. We wanted to know what to expect on our wedding night as we were all virgins and new at this whole charting and being married thing! So, I started a "buddy group", which is a small group of women who are all interested in the same thing. This gave us our own place to ask our questions of each other and get answers. Throughout the summer, our group grew in number, as the 2008 brides began to get engaged and research their options, and circumstances of the 2007 brides began to change.
In the spring of 2008, we split the original buddy group into three groups: 2007 brides, 2008 brides and those who were trying to get pregnant, or were already pregnant. By the Christmas of 2008 we had enough babies born that we started a parenting buddy group. About that point, the administration of the website we were on made a decision to support a pro-choice view of emergency contraception. I had been thinking that we needed to move our network of buddy groups (at this point we had about 50 women) to our own website for a few months, and it seemed like a really good time to do it!
January 17, 2009 was the first day we were on our own website. We stayed there for a few months, but we quickly realized that we were no longer the "Engaged & Newlywed Network". In order to change our name, we had to change our URL. So, the moderators decided that we would pay for our own hosting and our own domain, and we became the Christian Family Planning Network on May 15, 2009 at our current URL. As our name changed from one site to the next, so did our purpose, and that's how we got to where we are today!
Who can join the CFPN?
Anyone who is interested in learning about how a woman's natural fertility cycle works! This means men, women, young, old, dating, engaged, married, etc. You do not need to be a Christian or agree to our Statement of Faith to be a member, but all our leaders do hold to our Statement of Faith. Christian values such as marriage between only a man and woman, abstinence before marriage, and the sanctity of life are all upheld by our leaders, and we do hold those in high regard on the message board as well.
For women who are not engaged or married, we have a section of our message board called "Just Curious". This is for people who are not engaged or married, who are "just curious" about what their bodies are doing. We encourage them to participate there, and in the off-topic parts of the board, but ask that they refrain from joining the buddy groups for people who are actively using (or planning to use) the method in a marriage relationship until they are engaged.
Sure! My name is Stephanie. I'm a 25 year old Bible College graduate. I've been a work-at-home-wife since June of 2008. The CFPN is my full-time job! My husband, Daniel, and I have been married for three years. We used the Fertility Awareness Method to avoid pregnancy for our first year of marriage, and have been waiting for child #1 since then.
What is the purpose of the Christian Family Planning Network (CFPN)?
The purpose of the CFPN is to educate engaged and married Christians about their options for birth control beyond artificial or hormonal contraceptives. We hope to overturn the common misconception that all natural birth control methods are the Rhythm Method of decades past.
How is this purpose accomplished?
Primarily through our message board. We have a vibrant community where women from all walks of life, and all theological perspectives, can come together and support each other in their decision to not use hormonal birth control. Some of our members join the community while still on the Pill, or the Shot, or the Ring. In situations like this, members of the community who have been in their shoes will come alongside and support them, answer their questions, and encourage them that they are doing a good thing!
Many of the women on our “Avoiding Pregnancy” forum have been using natural methods their entire marriage. Some of our long-term members have avoided pregnancy for up to four years, before deciding to try to conceive their first child. Now some of those members have given birth to their first child and are avoiding again with FAM or NFP postpartum!
In addition to supporting women who are avoiding pregnancy, we also have forums and buddy groups for women who are trying to conceive, are dealing with infertility, are pregnant, or parenting. We encourage all of our new members to join a buddy group and to plug into the community where they need support.
Our first online course began in January. The first section is FC101A: Just the Basics, and teaches people how to begin charting their fertility signs so that they can know when to avoid or abstain, or have sex if they're trying to conceive. FC101B: Beyond the Basics covers more advanced charting techniques, like what to do if your temperature or cervical fluid sign is unreliable, if you're not ovulating, or if you're post-partum. FC101B also covers the effect that exercise, nutrition and lunaception (moonlight) affects your cycle.
Why did you decide to start the CFPN?
Back in summer of 2007, when I was engaged, I joined a secular site that promotes the Fertility Awareness Method. I noticed that there were a few other summer brides asking similar questions to me. We wanted to know what to expect on our wedding night as we were all virgins and new at this whole charting and being married thing! So, I started a "buddy group", which is a small group of women who are all interested in the same thing. This gave us our own place to ask our questions of each other and get answers. Throughout the summer, our group grew in number, as the 2008 brides began to get engaged and research their options, and circumstances of the 2007 brides began to change.
In the spring of 2008, we split the original buddy group into three groups: 2007 brides, 2008 brides and those who were trying to get pregnant, or were already pregnant. By the Christmas of 2008 we had enough babies born that we started a parenting buddy group. About that point, the administration of the website we were on made a decision to support a pro-choice view of emergency contraception. I had been thinking that we needed to move our network of buddy groups (at this point we had about 50 women) to our own website for a few months, and it seemed like a really good time to do it!
January 17, 2009 was the first day we were on our own website. We stayed there for a few months, but we quickly realized that we were no longer the "Engaged & Newlywed Network". In order to change our name, we had to change our URL. So, the moderators decided that we would pay for our own hosting and our own domain, and we became the Christian Family Planning Network on May 15, 2009 at our current URL. As our name changed from one site to the next, so did our purpose, and that's how we got to where we are today!
Who can join the CFPN?
Anyone who is interested in learning about how a woman's natural fertility cycle works! This means men, women, young, old, dating, engaged, married, etc. You do not need to be a Christian or agree to our Statement of Faith to be a member, but all our leaders do hold to our Statement of Faith. Christian values such as marriage between only a man and woman, abstinence before marriage, and the sanctity of life are all upheld by our leaders, and we do hold those in high regard on the message board as well.
For women who are not engaged or married, we have a section of our message board called "Just Curious". This is for people who are not engaged or married, who are "just curious" about what their bodies are doing. We encourage them to participate there, and in the off-topic parts of the board, but ask that they refrain from joining the buddy groups for people who are actively using (or planning to use) the method in a marriage relationship until they are engaged.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Fitted Cloth Diaper Sewing Tutorial
I cut the pattern out on a fold to make sure it's symmetrical. I cut two flannel pieces for the inside and one jersey (tee shirt material) for the outside.

I sew them right sides together.

Leave an opening at the top so you can turn it right side out when your done.

Mark where you want the elastic to go on the legs and across the back. Cut elastic about 1/2 the length of where you want it.

I use a clear elastic, I've read that it lasts longer.

I sew the elastic to the seam allowance. Zig zag stitch the end of the elastic on to the diaper. Then stretch it tight and zig zag over the elastic to keep it in place. Yes, I do end up sewing into the elastic it's self.

This is what it looks like when the elastic is all sewn in but before it's turned.

Clip the corners.

Turn it right side out and sew a top stitch on the top/front to close it. And you're done!

Inside of the finished diaper.

Finished diaper folded. I use a snappi to keep it closed.

-------------------------------------------
I have made some with more of an inner soaker material but since they take so much longer to dry I like to do them like this and just lay in the extra absorbent insert. The ones that I have sewn the inserts into I just use those cheap prefolds that you get a target that most people use as burp rags.
And I should add that the flannel I used is from extra receiving blankets (I have over 20!) and the outside tie dyed material was a top bed sheet. I've heard that you can use jean and it makes for a great night time diaper because of it's absorbency. Old tee shirts work well too.

I sew them right sides together.

Leave an opening at the top so you can turn it right side out when your done.

Mark where you want the elastic to go on the legs and across the back. Cut elastic about 1/2 the length of where you want it.

I use a clear elastic, I've read that it lasts longer.

I sew the elastic to the seam allowance. Zig zag stitch the end of the elastic on to the diaper. Then stretch it tight and zig zag over the elastic to keep it in place. Yes, I do end up sewing into the elastic it's self.

This is what it looks like when the elastic is all sewn in but before it's turned.

Clip the corners.

Turn it right side out and sew a top stitch on the top/front to close it. And you're done!

Inside of the finished diaper.

Finished diaper folded. I use a snappi to keep it closed.

-------------------------------------------
I have made some with more of an inner soaker material but since they take so much longer to dry I like to do them like this and just lay in the extra absorbent insert. The ones that I have sewn the inserts into I just use those cheap prefolds that you get a target that most people use as burp rags.
And I should add that the flannel I used is from extra receiving blankets (I have over 20!) and the outside tie dyed material was a top bed sheet. I've heard that you can use jean and it makes for a great night time diaper because of it's absorbency. Old tee shirts work well too.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Chicks and Baby
We got four little chickies about 4 weeks ago. Two of them were about a week old when we got them and two were between 3 and 4 weeks as far as we can tell. I kinda hope one of them is a rooster, if not then I hope to get a rooster sometime this summer or fall so he can keep an eye on the girls for me ;) Cody has been working on the coop for me, just making it out of scrap wood so it may take a few weeks just to get everything they way it needs to be. It'll be a small coop, about 2'x4', maybe a little bigger but it's plenty of space for our four chickens.
I've been researching milk goats recently too, not that I want any right now, but they are something I might want to consider for the future, especially given my sensitivity to some cow milk products.
Aparently my baby has turned head down, which is good, she's quite the wiggler so I hope she stays that way. I'm getting a little anxious to meet her. I'm 36 weeks today so I only have a month to go and I know I shouldn't hope for her to come too early since I still have so much that needs to be done.
I've been researching milk goats recently too, not that I want any right now, but they are something I might want to consider for the future, especially given my sensitivity to some cow milk products.
Aparently my baby has turned head down, which is good, she's quite the wiggler so I hope she stays that way. I'm getting a little anxious to meet her. I'm 36 weeks today so I only have a month to go and I know I shouldn't hope for her to come too early since I still have so much that needs to be done.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Moving This Weekend!
We're moving this weekend. I'm really excited because the house we are moving into is an old (built in the 40's or so) farm house. It's small and cute and just the right size for us :)
I really hope we don't have to move for a while after this.
I really hope we don't have to move for a while after this.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
It's a Girl!!!
A week or so before the sonogram my husband decided that he wants to find out the sex of the baby. It didn't matter either way for me. Anyway, it looks like we're having a girl! We were kind of anticipating a boy so it was a slight shock, took about two minutes to get used to the idea ;) But now we're pretty much excited for our new little girl to arrive. All the cute things to make her. I've been thinking that I'd like to have a Holly Hobbie theme for her, it would be so cute!
Oh and since I mentioned making stuff for her, yesterday I made my first diaper. It turned out so cute. I'm not sure if I want to use it as a pocket diaper or just a cover though. It'll work either way. I'll post a couple pictures of it soon.
Oh and since I mentioned making stuff for her, yesterday I made my first diaper. It turned out so cute. I'm not sure if I want to use it as a pocket diaper or just a cover though. It'll work either way. I'll post a couple pictures of it soon.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Dehydration..
I can't believe how much it effects me now. I used to be able to just drink a couple glasses of water a day and, for the most part, be fine. But now, I had two days where I slowed down my water intake (not on purpose) and I felt awful today :( I felt almost fluish. So I had myself a gatorade and now I'm feeling better, but geesh, I guess I better make sure I drink enough from now on. Ughh.
Oh, about my doctors appointment.. I didn't have to walk, my mother-in-law took me and even came in with me and was able to hear the babies heartbeat! Nothing really exciting happened other than that I need to make sure I eat enough and am gaining weight, but that's pretty much it.
I scheduled my sonogram for the 18th. It's pretty much to check and make sure the baby is the right size, they might check for something else, but I'm not sure what. Mu husband and I decided that we want to wait to find out the sex of our baby, so we wont be finding that out at this sonogram. Also, and this could change things a little bit, my husband was listening to the radio and heard that there could be potential risks to the babies health. So he's now a little hesitant in getting any unecessary sonograms. I told him to decide if he wants to go ahead with this one and say we don't need or want to have any more, or tell them that we just don't want any sonograms period. I'll get back to you when I find out what we're going to do.
Oh, about my doctors appointment.. I didn't have to walk, my mother-in-law took me and even came in with me and was able to hear the babies heartbeat! Nothing really exciting happened other than that I need to make sure I eat enough and am gaining weight, but that's pretty much it.
I scheduled my sonogram for the 18th. It's pretty much to check and make sure the baby is the right size, they might check for something else, but I'm not sure what. Mu husband and I decided that we want to wait to find out the sex of our baby, so we wont be finding that out at this sonogram. Also, and this could change things a little bit, my husband was listening to the radio and heard that there could be potential risks to the babies health. So he's now a little hesitant in getting any unecessary sonograms. I told him to decide if he wants to go ahead with this one and say we don't need or want to have any more, or tell them that we just don't want any sonograms period. I'll get back to you when I find out what we're going to do.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tomorrow's appointment and some diapers
My first doctors appointment is tomorrow. I'm not sure what all they are going to do with me. If it's mostly paper work or if I have to get blood work done too. They'll probably want to do as much as they can seeing as how I'm already half way through this pregnancy and this is my first appointment.
It's been raining here everyday for the last few days, which is good, I just hope that it's not raining too hard tomorrow when I have to go to the appointment since I'll be walking. I'm sure if it's pouring my father-in-law would be able to drop me off, but it'd be nice to walk, I need the exercise. My husband said it might take me an hour to walk there, so I might leave a little bit earlier than that just because of the lovely pregnancy symptom of having shortness of breath.
Now about the cloth diapers.
I need to start a list of the things I need and want for diapering so I don't forget. I usually do a lot of research then kinda forget about it then research it all over again when it's time to actually get it done, so I'll try to be more organized this time :P I'll probably just repost the list when I update it too.
1. Diapers (I hope to make most of them but we'll see how that goes, and at least a couple are coming from a friend)
2. Diaper Covers (at least 3, I hear Thirsties are a good brand)
3. Diaper Pail (whatever trash can we can get)
4. Diaper Pail Liner (I'd like two, so there's a clean one and one being used in the pail, they get washed with the diapers)
5. Cloth Wipes (not sure how many I need but I'm pretty sure I can just make them)
6. Wipes Solution (just as long as I figure out a recipe for this I should be ok)
7. Potty Pail (I really really want to make sure we get this)
8. Laundry Detergent (apparently you can't use just any ol' soap, I've heard good things about Simply Clean and it's pretty cheap)
9. Pail Freshner (it's not necessary but I'm sure my husband would approve :))
10. Snappi (almost a must when using prefolds and you only need 3 or so)
11. Rash/Nipple cream (Lansinoh is supposed to be the thing to have on hand when breast feeding and apparently makes a good rash cream when using cloth diapers because it washes right out in warm water unlike many popular brands)
12. An organizing system (I'm not sure what I want in this because I don't know how much room we'll have. I've seen some really nice arrangments people have done with their changing tables, though I've never used one and thought they were kind of useless, always just changed the diaper on the floor. Oh well, well see, I'll just have to research it later.)
This is all I can think of right now. I'm a little bit afraid to add up the prices of all this, hopefully we get some of it as gifts. Pretty much all of the big stuff is being given to us, hand-me-downs from my brother and sister-in-law, and I didn't really register for a lot knowing that people will buy that stuff anyway, I may as well let them pick out the outfit, right?
It's been raining here everyday for the last few days, which is good, I just hope that it's not raining too hard tomorrow when I have to go to the appointment since I'll be walking. I'm sure if it's pouring my father-in-law would be able to drop me off, but it'd be nice to walk, I need the exercise. My husband said it might take me an hour to walk there, so I might leave a little bit earlier than that just because of the lovely pregnancy symptom of having shortness of breath.
Now about the cloth diapers.
I need to start a list of the things I need and want for diapering so I don't forget. I usually do a lot of research then kinda forget about it then research it all over again when it's time to actually get it done, so I'll try to be more organized this time :P I'll probably just repost the list when I update it too.
1. Diapers (I hope to make most of them but we'll see how that goes, and at least a couple are coming from a friend)
2. Diaper Covers (at least 3, I hear Thirsties are a good brand)
3. Diaper Pail (whatever trash can we can get)
4. Diaper Pail Liner (I'd like two, so there's a clean one and one being used in the pail, they get washed with the diapers)
5. Cloth Wipes (not sure how many I need but I'm pretty sure I can just make them)
6. Wipes Solution (just as long as I figure out a recipe for this I should be ok)
7. Potty Pail (I really really want to make sure we get this)
8. Laundry Detergent (apparently you can't use just any ol' soap, I've heard good things about Simply Clean and it's pretty cheap)
9. Pail Freshner (it's not necessary but I'm sure my husband would approve :))
10. Snappi (almost a must when using prefolds and you only need 3 or so)
11. Rash/Nipple cream (Lansinoh is supposed to be the thing to have on hand when breast feeding and apparently makes a good rash cream when using cloth diapers because it washes right out in warm water unlike many popular brands)
12. An organizing system (I'm not sure what I want in this because I don't know how much room we'll have. I've seen some really nice arrangments people have done with their changing tables, though I've never used one and thought they were kind of useless, always just changed the diaper on the floor. Oh well, well see, I'll just have to research it later.)
This is all I can think of right now. I'm a little bit afraid to add up the prices of all this, hopefully we get some of it as gifts. Pretty much all of the big stuff is being given to us, hand-me-downs from my brother and sister-in-law, and I didn't really register for a lot knowing that people will buy that stuff anyway, I may as well let them pick out the outfit, right?
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Coming Attraction
Ok, so it's been a while and lot has happened. For one, we have moved twice in search of work and, oddly enough, my husband finally (after 7 months of looking) got two full time jobs in the area where you'd least expect it. It's a small county and a commuter area, most of the people here commute one to two hours away. So it is totally God's blessing that he was able to get these jobs, both of which are a quick 20 minute drive from the house.
And two, probably the thing that will most change our lives is that we found out that we are pregnant! We conceived just one month after our wedding day. Quite the surprise but totally welcome, it did take us a few days to get past the shock though, ;) . Currently I am 20 weeks along and have 20 weeks to go. I remember a few months ago thinking that it would be such a long time before I ever got to this point but now I'm here and seems like it has gone by so fast! Along with the pregnancy came a lot of changes in my body, like everything having to do with eating. I had bad morning sickness until 12 weeks and here at 20 weeks it seems to have settled down to the point where I haven't gotten sick in 3 or 4 days, which is really nice. Also, I have to eat every two hours or so which is really hard for me since I have a bad habit of only eating when I remember to, once or twice a day. I guess God is getting me ready for having to feed the baby every couple of hours :P
There's more I could say but I'm getting hungry, so I better go eat something! :)
And two, probably the thing that will most change our lives is that we found out that we are pregnant! We conceived just one month after our wedding day. Quite the surprise but totally welcome, it did take us a few days to get past the shock though, ;) . Currently I am 20 weeks along and have 20 weeks to go. I remember a few months ago thinking that it would be such a long time before I ever got to this point but now I'm here and seems like it has gone by so fast! Along with the pregnancy came a lot of changes in my body, like everything having to do with eating. I had bad morning sickness until 12 weeks and here at 20 weeks it seems to have settled down to the point where I haven't gotten sick in 3 or 4 days, which is really nice. Also, I have to eat every two hours or so which is really hard for me since I have a bad habit of only eating when I remember to, once or twice a day. I guess God is getting me ready for having to feed the baby every couple of hours :P
There's more I could say but I'm getting hungry, so I better go eat something! :)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
What we've been up to lately
Two weeks ago Cody and I got married, yay! Cody had one dosen red roses and one dosen white roses waiting for me when we got to our hotel room that night. Very sweet :) he also had oodles of twix and snickers. We've spent a lot of time talking about what we want our marriage to relfect about us and the goals we want to achieve, in the next year and for our lives, and the things we want to learn together.


I made the mistake of thinking that there were only ten shower hooks that came in the package when there were twelve, not sure why I thought there were ten. But it ended up working out really well because I just used the two left over as our towel hooks. And it helped in disguising the ugly towel bar that the towels would have been hanging on.
He got me a boquet for my birthday, this one has lilies, and a few other very colorful flowers. That's one thing he's really good at is bringing me home flowers :) He also got me a few magazines, one of them is about how to make your newer house look old fashioned. It's really neat.
Since then we have just been hanging out around town. We went camping a few days ago to a small lake about an hours drive from here.

We used our handy GPS to go exploring and found berries and rosehips.
And, OH my goodness! the night sky was amazing! It was a new moon so it was really dark, we could see the milky way, and the stars were being reflected in the lake.
Sooo, when we got back I worked on redecorating the bathroom :) here are a couple before pictures.

I made the shower curtain out of an old white sheet and some fabric my mom gave me at one of my showers :) 
my Mother-in-law gave us most of the rest of the bathroom stuff. The towells were a wedding gift as well.

my Mother-in-law gave us most of the rest of the bathroom stuff. The towells were a wedding gift as well.
I made the mistake of thinking that there were only ten shower hooks that came in the package when there were twelve, not sure why I thought there were ten. But it ended up working out really well because I just used the two left over as our towel hooks. And it helped in disguising the ugly towel bar that the towels would have been hanging on.
Friday, August 29, 2008
No Pain, No Gain
Imagine someone came to you and wanted to write a novel based on your life. If everything was always going your way, always perfect so you never had anything to over come, you’d have the most boring book, wouldn’t you? Trials are what make us interesting. What would an Indiana Jones movie be like if all he ever did was walk in, grab the artifact and return to the university? The creepy crawlies, the villains, the huge stone ball chasing him down the tunnel… it’s his seeming ability to overcome the impossible and nearly escape death again and again and again that makes it worth watching. The Bible is filled with these impossible narratives. People whose lives cry out to us that God likes putting His glory, His creativity and His power on display. God is the ultimate author of drama, action, and those last-minute saves. We see the greatest example of this in Christ; who left heaven, the most perfect place, and came to this sin torn earth to endure trials just to save us.
Trials can make us better people. When we go through trials they work out of us those issues that are often lying dormant behind our inhibitions. They purge and purify us, raising to the surface our sin and impurities. We may never realize what sin issues we have until we are tested. Time and again we see confident looking people go through trials only to realize they have underlying insecurity issues. Who would feel insecure in an environment where everything was always going right? True confidence comes when we understand that God is sovereign. We may have knowledge of God’s sovereignty, but through trials we gain a priceless and concise understanding of it. The chief of all attributes gained through trials is patience. How many times have I thought I could handle things, I was a pretty patient person, only to have that tested and show how much a really have yet to grow. And grow you they do. I should hope that no one thinks they have already “arrived”, that they know all they need to know and they are as patient, loving and kind as they can be. How many of us have hurt people, really deeply hurt people, thinking we were totally justified in doing so, assuming that the ends justify the means. Often these people we hurt are the ones that are closest to us. When the tables are turned, and humility is gained, we see into the depravity of our own hearts.
How should we respond to these trials? With joy! Wow, that’s got to be one of the hardest things to do, but when we are joyful when we really shouldn’t be it makes people wonder why. John Piper likes to say “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”. With joy we show that our satisfaction does not lie in anything here on this earth, it is in heaven with Christ. Also, I must say that grieving or being hurt by things that come in our lives is to be expected. These feelings are normal, even Jesus wept. We are, however, expected to move on. We are to show the world that, even when we are hurt or our circumstances seem hopeless, our hope is in God and His promises.
So how do we respond when those around us go through trials? Do we complain about how they are being immensely insensitive to even think about going through a trial anywhere near us? Or, like Job’s friends, do we assume we know what’s going on and accuse them of sinning? I would certainly hope not! Who are we to think that we know the mind of God and why He does the things He does? Throughout the New Testament we are told to pray for one another, not to gossip about them. We are to encourage one another, not to badger each other. We are to also build one another up, not to tear them down. We are to be devoted to one another, not to ignore them. Finally, we are to love one another, not to be callous, merciless and spiteful.
I’m going to sound odd in saying this, but I kind of like going through trials. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I like the pain and purging. I like the closeness to God. Trials seem to force me to pray with out ceasing, to fully rely on God, and to cry out in total dependence on Him. There is an unexplainable peace that comes with depending on God to meet your every need. One of my favorite verses to remember when I’m in the midst of a trial is Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You”. My trials bring me closer to God, and that is the best place to be. Hebrews 13:6 “So we may boldly say: The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
We know that nothing and no one can touch us more than God allows; nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. In all these trials and tribulations we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. So why not face them confident and excited that we get to participate in an awesome adventure where God gets all the glory? All I can say is: Bring it on!
.....................................................
Here are some verses on the subject.
Romans 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
James 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
1 Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Romans 8:31-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Trials can make us better people. When we go through trials they work out of us those issues that are often lying dormant behind our inhibitions. They purge and purify us, raising to the surface our sin and impurities. We may never realize what sin issues we have until we are tested. Time and again we see confident looking people go through trials only to realize they have underlying insecurity issues. Who would feel insecure in an environment where everything was always going right? True confidence comes when we understand that God is sovereign. We may have knowledge of God’s sovereignty, but through trials we gain a priceless and concise understanding of it. The chief of all attributes gained through trials is patience. How many times have I thought I could handle things, I was a pretty patient person, only to have that tested and show how much a really have yet to grow. And grow you they do. I should hope that no one thinks they have already “arrived”, that they know all they need to know and they are as patient, loving and kind as they can be. How many of us have hurt people, really deeply hurt people, thinking we were totally justified in doing so, assuming that the ends justify the means. Often these people we hurt are the ones that are closest to us. When the tables are turned, and humility is gained, we see into the depravity of our own hearts.
How should we respond to these trials? With joy! Wow, that’s got to be one of the hardest things to do, but when we are joyful when we really shouldn’t be it makes people wonder why. John Piper likes to say “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”. With joy we show that our satisfaction does not lie in anything here on this earth, it is in heaven with Christ. Also, I must say that grieving or being hurt by things that come in our lives is to be expected. These feelings are normal, even Jesus wept. We are, however, expected to move on. We are to show the world that, even when we are hurt or our circumstances seem hopeless, our hope is in God and His promises.
So how do we respond when those around us go through trials? Do we complain about how they are being immensely insensitive to even think about going through a trial anywhere near us? Or, like Job’s friends, do we assume we know what’s going on and accuse them of sinning? I would certainly hope not! Who are we to think that we know the mind of God and why He does the things He does? Throughout the New Testament we are told to pray for one another, not to gossip about them. We are to encourage one another, not to badger each other. We are to also build one another up, not to tear them down. We are to be devoted to one another, not to ignore them. Finally, we are to love one another, not to be callous, merciless and spiteful.
I’m going to sound odd in saying this, but I kind of like going through trials. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I like the pain and purging. I like the closeness to God. Trials seem to force me to pray with out ceasing, to fully rely on God, and to cry out in total dependence on Him. There is an unexplainable peace that comes with depending on God to meet your every need. One of my favorite verses to remember when I’m in the midst of a trial is Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You”. My trials bring me closer to God, and that is the best place to be. Hebrews 13:6 “So we may boldly say: The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
We know that nothing and no one can touch us more than God allows; nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. In all these trials and tribulations we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. So why not face them confident and excited that we get to participate in an awesome adventure where God gets all the glory? All I can say is: Bring it on!
.....................................................
Here are some verses on the subject.
Romans 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
James 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
1 Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Romans 8:31-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Coming together
We went ring hunting earlier today. The jewlery store where we're getting my ring resized is having a sale on friday so we're going back then, to see what they have for us.
It amazes me to see how the wedding is coming together. My family and our church family are helping us so much. We are so blessed to be here :) The invitations should be sent out here in a couple weeks so that's exciting.
I get to see Mel soon because my first bridal shower is coming up here in a little over a week so that'll be tons of fun. Three weeks after that is my shower Tracy and Becky are throwing me :) then only three weeks after that is our Wedding! Yay!
It amazes me to see how the wedding is coming together. My family and our church family are helping us so much. We are so blessed to be here :) The invitations should be sent out here in a couple weeks so that's exciting.
I get to see Mel soon because my first bridal shower is coming up here in a little over a week so that'll be tons of fun. Three weeks after that is my shower Tracy and Becky are throwing me :) then only three weeks after that is our Wedding! Yay!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
yarn.... something I can do from home!
I think I want to learn how to make yarn. Raise a couple sheep or some rabbits and make my own yarn. I've been checking out things at the library, a couple books on spinning and weaving and a couple books on sheep and rabbits. I think rabbits would be more feasible to start out with since they are smaller and I have taken care of them before.
My first one was a floppy eared bunny named Haley. She was so cute and she had some supper cute babies! Too bad I don't have any pictures of them... I remember, one time, I had this older dwarf bunny we adopted, I fell asleep on the couch with her (she was a sleep too) and when I woke up she peed on me, haha. Oh well. It wasn't that bad just not the ending to a nice nap I was hoping for. Though I think she probably enjoyed it ;)
My grandpa used to have an angora rabbit, along with several other kinds of rabbits. Their fur is so soft, I can imagine that it would make some really nice yarn. If the Lord lets me do this some day then maybe I'll experiment with dying the yarn too.
I was reading one of the rabbits books earlier today when it occurred to me that I could have six rabbits and groom them each on a separate day, leaving Sunday open, of course, and I could name them after the days of the week that they were to get groomed, hehe. I don't know that I would actually do that, but it would work ;)
Ooooooo, another thing I thought of was that I could kind of make a hill over and around their cages then they would stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. I could plant things on top of the hill, like wild flowers, clover and such so it would be pretty. I really should draw some of this out so I don't forget.
Any way.... this was just something that has been on my mind lately
My first one was a floppy eared bunny named Haley. She was so cute and she had some supper cute babies! Too bad I don't have any pictures of them... I remember, one time, I had this older dwarf bunny we adopted, I fell asleep on the couch with her (she was a sleep too) and when I woke up she peed on me, haha. Oh well. It wasn't that bad just not the ending to a nice nap I was hoping for. Though I think she probably enjoyed it ;)
My grandpa used to have an angora rabbit, along with several other kinds of rabbits. Their fur is so soft, I can imagine that it would make some really nice yarn. If the Lord lets me do this some day then maybe I'll experiment with dying the yarn too.
I was reading one of the rabbits books earlier today when it occurred to me that I could have six rabbits and groom them each on a separate day, leaving Sunday open, of course, and I could name them after the days of the week that they were to get groomed, hehe. I don't know that I would actually do that, but it would work ;)
Ooooooo, another thing I thought of was that I could kind of make a hill over and around their cages then they would stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. I could plant things on top of the hill, like wild flowers, clover and such so it would be pretty. I really should draw some of this out so I don't forget.
Any way.... this was just something that has been on my mind lately
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Pain
You know what hurts? Sin.
You know what hurts more? Getting rid of it.
(good thing it only hurts for a while)
You know what hurts more? Getting rid of it.
(good thing it only hurts for a while)
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