Ten Little Thingies Friday

 

So this week I have so many 'little' thingies..it was actually hard to narrow down to just 10!!

But, here they are:

1.  Noah was officially 6 months old on the 18th, and while I know that was last week I am still reeling from the notion.  My boy, my living son...6 months already...why that's half way to a year, and then he will get married and have his own babies...  It just seems to fly...  Sigh.

2.  This article about mom's with one child really touched me, and encouraged me in lots of ways.  I am sharing it again, here.

3.  Oh, I adore Tom Hanks.  I also was quite addicted to the show Toddlers & Tiaras...so, without further accolades...here is a treat for you!!

4.  I read an amazing article on cervical length, and I want to share it.  I lost two loves of my life because checking cervical lengths during pregnancy isn't a routine procedure.  It is my fervent prayer that this will all be changing soon, and this article seems to be the beginning of an amazing life saving change in the medical world.

5.  March of Dimes is gearing up for another AMAZING walk!!  I cannot wait to walk in support of those miracles that made it, and mostly in honor of my boys who were far too small.  With the help of March of Dimes so many who arrived too soon were given a fighting chance.  Will you help support the March of Dimes?  If so, how?  Do you walk, take up a collection?  Check out our Facebook page for updates and ways that you can help out local families.

6.

lots of cousin love going on here!!

7.  I have done a complete over-haul of our budget.  Phew!  It is tough to 'just say no' to dining out, movies, etc. Having Noah here makes  it a little easier, but man...  I know it will (literally) pay off in the long run.  

8.  I am obsessed with pantry organization tips found on pinterest.  I have so many pinned...now to actually get started... hmmmm

9.  I love boiled eggs, and I have a super great way to make them so the yolks stay yellow - you know and not yicky gray...but I still seem to destroy them when peeling.  So, I found this and cannot wait to try it!!

10.  I'm reserving #10 for a moment of silence for all those sweet little babies murdered by abortions every year.  There are (at least) 1 million abortions a year (in the U.S).  This is the equivalent to a 9/11 disaster every day... 

Ten Little Thingies Friday

 

So, it's time for another edition of Ten Little Thingies!  I have been wanting to do this again since the first time, but life can get hectic around here!!

1.  I have been doing Zumba on the Wii for two weeks.  I love it.  I look ridiculous...even Noah thinks so.  At least I think he thinks so...I feel like he is silently judging me from the comfort of his Johnny Jump-Up!

2.  I am getting really excited about a new budget and meal plan for this year.  Such a nerd, I know.  But, it's really fun to see how far you can stretch a dollar!  I will be making freezer meals during the month of February, and following the guide here.  It will be a lot of work on that particular day, but I won't have to do as much work for a long time to come, as her recipes/guides teach you how to make over 40 meals at one time!!

3.  We have become BIG fans of hulu plus.  We cancelled our Netflix to have Hulu instead.  It is great to be able to see lots of shows 'right now' instead of after a season is over.  We have 4 channels with our rabbit ears, so this has opened a whole new world to us!  :0)

4.  Speaking of #3, we are quite addicted to "Once Upon A Time."  It is a super great show, and if you haven't seen it then you are missing out BIG TIME!!

5.  I was giving Noah Hyland's teething tablets until a week ago when I realized they have lactose in them.  Dumb momma!!  He is really sensitive to lactose proteins.  Sigh.  I have so much to learn.  :/

6.  My son LOVES, let me say it again, LOVES fabric!!  He will only chew on fabric toys, or blankets.  Oh, and he LOVES tags!!  If he has a toy & it has a tag on it...yep, he goes straight for the tag!! So, as the best mom ever, I got him a taggie!  They were $14.99 at our local Target, but I found one stashed on an end cap that someone had returned after ordering online, and got it for only $3.75!  Sweet!!

 

7.  I am sad to say that I really enjoy listening to LMFAO songs.  They are just plain funny.  And, I am, ahem, addicted to Pinterest, so this made me laugh so hard!!

8.  In our house we like Sophie the Giraffe.  See...

9.  And this little goodie (also from Pinterest):

get it??  A 'little husky' - he is literally a little husky!!  baHAHAHAHAHHA

10.  Back to meal planning, my meal plans are going to include A LOT of recipes from this chick!  She cooked in her crock pot 365 days, so there are 365 recipes to try!  She has pictures, easy instructions, and then feed back on what her family thought.  I love cooking in my crock pot!  It's easy & there are always left overs! 

Ten Little Thingies

 

  So, how fun would it be if I did this weekly random "10 things" list??  Well, I think it would be fun, but I know I'm over-extending myself to say I'd do it 'every week.'  Heck, I think we all know I'd be lucky to remember it next week....  But, a friend posted this week, and it lead me to E's blog and I just couldn't resist getting in on the fun!  So, all that said, here are 10 randoms about my week.  :0)

1.  While shopping at Ross, probably my all time fave place to shop these days, I came across some MOST delicious Plantain chips.  I got all 3 bags.  Two were 'naturally sweet' and my FAVE was 'plain with sea salt.'  Delish!! 

 

2.  Bought Noah a Raw Baltic Amber teething necklace, from Inspired by Finn.  LOVE it!!  Two days in and he was a TOTALLY different kid.  It has been nearly a week & he is sleeping better & crying less through the day!  I was doubtful about it's many 'healing' properties, but so far - THE BOMBDIGGITY!!  I would 100% recommend that everyone with a teething babe get one!!  Not only is it totally stylish, but it really seems to be working for us!

 Here is a little info for you: Baltic amber is not a stone, but a fossilized tree resin.  Historically, Baltic Amber has been used in Europe as a natural and traditional remedy and curative for many ailments for centuries. Long ago it was considered one of the leading medicines of its time. Baltic Amber is the most esteemed amber in the world, and the healing qualities of Baltic Amber make it unlike any other type of amber found in the world. When baltic amber is worn on the skin, the skin's warmth releases trace amounts of healing oils from the amber. These oils contain succinic acid and are absorbed into the skin.  Baltic Amber has some of the highest concentrations of Succinic Acid found in nature, and this is what makes it so special. Succinic Acid is a natural component of plant and animal tissues, and it's presence in the human body is beneficial in many ways. 

3.  I am really bothered by the fact that so many have elevated this Christopher Hitchens to some crazy 'leadership' level.  I just read about this guy today, and apparently he died yesterday.  So, I'm sorry if this seems a little unsympathetic.  But he was a terrible man from what I've read and listened to on youtube, and after reading his bio on wikipedia I cannot understand why so much clout has been given to someone who debated with great leaders, politicians, etc, and that was it...  He debated, but I am wondering what did he 'do' ...like what was his contribution?  Was it just to argue??  I guess the part that really got to me was when I read this last line from the wikipedia bio, " The New York Times halted its presses upon learning the news late on 15 December so they could put the obituary on the front page of the next day's edition."  Why?  I dunno, it's just sitting wrong with me.  I usually never comment on this sort of thing, but ugh...it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.   

 

4.   Christmas is coming up fast, and I'm so glad that I am not making any gifts this year.  Phew.  Every year I try to make cards, gifts, etc.  This year most folks are getting pictures, or some store bought trinkets. Not my typical route, but with a 5 month old kiddo...I don't get much creative time right now.  :0)  Plus, I'd much rather be smooching on this face : 

5.  I spent a lot of time on pinterest this week.  It started innocently...  I was looking for ideas for an advent calendar, and then...hours had passed.  It would be after Noah was down for the night.  I found so many crafts, recipes, etc.  I must say I'm very fond of this Pinterest.  :0)

6.  Next month I plan to work hard on my freezer meals, meal planning and stock-pile.  I found some neat ideas on the mama and baby love blog.    I especially like it because she used healthy, real, veggies and does most of her prep on one day, and that is how I like to roll.  I mean look how delish! 





7.

   

I won't say anything about this, other than I agree 100%.

8.  My mission for today is to locate an ugly sweater, as I will be attending an Ugly Sweater party on Sunday evening.  I told Matt I HAD to HAVE one!  He said, 'why' with a scowl and I told him because I wanted to win a prize at the party.  He looked at me and said, 'yeah, but when you win something like that...do you really win.'  Oh I love him so.

9.  baby feet, is there anything better??

10.  I completed several organizational projects this week, so I feel really good about myself.  Of course, I discovered the ideas on - yep - PINTEREST!!!

Thoughtful Wednesday : Say What You Mean

 
I really enjoy the cartoon, Horton Hears a Who.  I grew up adoring Dr. Seuss' books, in fact, The Cat in the Hat was the very first book I learned to read.  Anyhow, in the movie, two of my favorite quotes for my life are found.

(1) This one has nothing to do with this post, but I love it.  "A person is a person, no matter how small."

(2)  "I said what I meant, and I meant what I said. An elephant's faithful one-hundred percent!"

Of course, I'm no elephant!  But, I love that line.  It is something that I've been working on.  After we lost our first baby to miscarriage the power of words really became alive to me.  I used to say whatever popped into my head and roll with it.  I never gave much thought to what I said, to whom I said it, or to how it made them feel.  I also used to exaggerate EVERYTHING - and that's no exaggeration!  I think it's partly my personality, but it was also me just being unmindful of what I was saying.

Now, please - I still say nonsense things and still tell jokes, that's not what I mean.  I was just talking.  For years, just talking - and not saying a thing!  I didn't mean 90% of what I said - I would just talk.  These days I try to weigh my words and speak when I know it will make a difference or at least have some meaning.  I don't want to waste my time, or the time of those around me with careless dribble. 

And, it's very important to me to be a woman of my word.  If I say I'll do something, then I'll do it.  I said what I meant, and I meant what I said.  See.

So after Levi died I was again taken aback by how much words can affect someone.  Namely me.  I was devastated by simple things that people said to me/us, but they just weren't always thinking.  I was also upset at the things people weren't saying.  I guess it has really all come down to the power of words.  I have been smacked in the head by the heaviness of words, and how much good or bad they can do.  I'd like to be a very careful speaker.  Careful for those listening/reading, careful to speak positively to everyone I meet and careful to speak positively to myself.

I hope this makes more sense to me when I re-read it later...  :0)

Sow the Word Sunday :

 

This is a children's song (to the tune of row, row, row your boat):

Sow, sow, sow the Word,
Precious seeds of Faith;
Some that fall along the path,
Are quickly snatched away. 

Sow, sow, sow the Word,
Precious seeds of Truth;
Some that fall on rocky soil,
Won't last the whole day through.

Sow, sow, sow the Word,
Precious seeds of Hope;
Some that fall among the thorns,
Grow weak from fear and woe.

Sow, sow, sow the Word,
Precious seeds of Life;
Some that fall into good soil,
Will live a life for Christ.

Now, for the real post:

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.  ~James 3:18

The opposite of disorder is not a morally neutral order but a morally significant peace.   James wants peace for the church because peace is the context in which righteousness can flourish.

 

Sow the Word Sunday :

"You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give."  ~Winston Churchill


Luke 6:36-38
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.  Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 

Luke 6:38 has also been much misused by many of those who raise money for their own broadcast ministries. Verse 38 says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." In this same judge-not context, Jesus is telling the people that they should be generous with people instead of judging them. This is not a verse on giving your tithes and offerings to the church or any other ministry. As a matter of fact, Matthews rendition of this verse is here in verse 2, "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." When you read it in the context of the passage, it is plain to see the sense in which Jesus said those words. As a matter of fact, money doesn't appear to be the object of this verse at all; it's forgiveness along with friendly assistance - obviously so when you compare both accounts (Matthew and Luke).

Thoughtful Wednesday:

 

This week I've been thinking a lot about making our financial life less stressful.  I have always been thrifty, frugal, whatever you want to call it.  I clip coupons, I make a meal plan, I study Dave Ramsey's program, we put away savings for BIG (life) emergencies...but we weren't prepared for the death of Levi.  We didn't want to use all of our savings to pay off medical bills, so we are really tightening down in our budget (even more than before) to make the monthly payments...but it's hard.

I find it harder to be diligent in paying down the medical bills because I'm so angry that I have to pay them at all.  I mean, the government floats and pays for so many people...why are mom's of dead babies not on that list?  I mean, if anyone should be given a break - financially.  Ugh, it's just frustrating.  I keep getting 'final notices,' and 'threats'...it's exhausting, calling and telling our 'story' again and again and praying for someone to be lenient.  Of course they aren't, and then I get sour writing out the checks...knowing that I am not snuggling Levi between licking envelopes and pasting stamps.  Sigh.

Just random venting...  Come back next week I'll have something worth reading..maybe.  :o)

Sow the Word Sunday : A Psalm

I have had a difficult week, emotionally.  I have cried out to God to save me from myself, from my grief....from the pain of missing my children every moment of every day...for some small amount of relief from the terrible pain of their deaths.  On Wednesday night at church I read Psalm 142 while waiting for the service to start and it made me think of myself.

Being a mom to children who are dead is hard, really hard.  It's especially hard when those closest to you have no concept of your grief.  It is even harder still when people you meet, or come into contact with would rather you not talk about your children.  I want to scream, why can other mother's speak of their babes, but mine are taboo?  I will continue to talk about my children...just as every other mother speaks of hers.  They define me, and touch every part of every moment of my life.  It isn't always somber and really sad when I mention them, but they are my children and I will not stop talking about them.

Now then, on to The WORD that I believe God shared with me. 

Psalm 142 : a maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.

 ¹ I cry aloud to the LORD;
       I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
² I pour out my complaint before him;
       before him I tell my trouble.
 ³ When my spirit grows faint within me,
       it is You who knows my way.
       In the path where I walk
       men have hidden a snare for me.
 ⁴ Look to my right and see;
       no one is concerned for me.
       I have no refuge;
       no one cares for my life.
 ⁵ I cry to you, O LORD;
       I say, "You are my refuge,
       my portion in the land of the living."
 ⁶ Listen to my cry,
       for I am in desperate need;
       rescue me from those who pursue me,
       for they are too strong for me.
 ⁷ Set me free from my prison,
       that I may praise your name.
       Then the righteous will gather about me
       because of your goodness to me.

The Story of Psalm 142

This psalm is a "maskil". There are 13 psalms called maskils. They are 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89 and 142. Bible students think that "maskil" means:

     ·    either a psalm with something special to teach, like 32 and 78, or

     ·    a psalm that the *psalmist wrote in a very clever way. (The *psalmist is the person who wrote the psalms.)

David wrote this maskil in a cave. It is a *prayer to the *LORD. We say *prayers when we talk to God. David was in trouble (or "had trouble".) His enemies were trying to catch him. He does not say who these enemies were. There are two stories about David hiding in a cave. A cave is a hole in the side of a hill. One story is in 1 Samuel 22, the other is in 1 Samuel 24. David feels safe in the cave, but he does not want to stay in it. It seems as if the cave is a prison. But there are no friends to give him help. He writes "Nobody cares about me". This means "Nobody loves me enough to give me help". But the *LORD God can send him help. This psalm prays for that help.

What Psalm 142 means

Verse 1: *LORD is a special name for God. It is the *covenant name. A *covenant is when two people (or groups of people) agree. God agrees to love and send his people help. His people agree to love and obey God.

Verse 3: David wrote this psalm in Hebrew. That is because David spoke Hebrew. The words translated "when I do not feel brave" are "when my spirit feels weak" in the Hebrew Bible. Sometimes we all feel like this. There is so much trouble that we do not want to fight it. We want to run away from it! Our spirits feel weak. We do not feel brave. Our spirit is that part of us that lives after our body dies. But David knows that God will tell him what to do. His path here means what he does. David thinks that his enemies have put traps in the path for him. A *trap is what people catch animals and birds in. David’s enemies wanted to catch him. He did not know where the *trap was. But God knew!

Verses 4 and 5: No human friend cares about David, but God does! This was true for David, and it is true for us. We only have to pray to God and ask for his help.

Verse 7: "*Praise" means "tell somebody that they are very great". Here it means "*Praise God". David says "your name" but he means God. But he means more than the name God. He also means everything that God is. This includes these facts:

     ·    he loves us;

     ·    he is very powerful;

     ·    he will always be alive;

     ·    and many other things.

But who are "the *righteous"? The word means "very, very good". Only God is really *righteous. But he says that his people are *righteous too. They are *righteous if they love him and obey him. Some Bible students think that here "the *righteous" means people who are *praising God with David in the *temple in Jerusalem. The *temple was God’s house. They made it from animal skins when David was alive. Other Bible students think "the *righteous" are people who joined David’s friends. This was while David was running away from his enemies.

Essential

I stumbled upon a neat blog the other day.  It's called Sunday Scribblings.  The author posts on Saturdays (usually) a prompt for you to write about, and then you link your blog in with the others there.  It gives something neat to write about, and a chance to share you blog with others who may have never come your way otherwise.

So, the prompt from last weekend was 'Essential'. 

#236 - Essential

The prompt this week comes from the book, Walking on Alligators by Susan Shaughnessy. In it she quotes Voltaire: "The secret of being tiresome is to tell everything."

In writing and in life, the secret is sometimes in what you leave out. 

"Start now to separate out what is essential for what you will write today. What you set aside is not lost. It remains, a part of your growing capital of ideas." - Susan Shaughnessy

Tell us what is essential for you today - but only tell us the essential bits.

What is essential to me, or for me, is outliving this life.  I want each day to be an expression of my faith in Jesus, my love for Matt, our children and my family.

Every day I am coming to understand that verse from the Bible, 1 Cor. 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."  The essentials in my life are faith in Jesus, hope of a future with babies to raise up (and so much more), and love for Matt, our babies gone too soon, myself and our family.  

Here is an excerpt from Coffman Commentaries on the Bible:

But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
 

But now ...
This means "in this present state." "If we give it any other sense, as though Paul said, 'now to sum all things up,' then we have him saying that faith, hope and love are eternal." ^F30 As Barclay said, the stress in this verse regards "the supremacy of love," ^F31 not its permanence which was treated in 1 Cor. 13:8 in this paragraph. "Now" in this verse meant that Paul had returned to the present situation after the digression to speak of eternal things in 1 Cor. 13:12, which should be treated, actually, as a parenthesis. Shore and many others insist that "NOW is not here temporal, but logical"; ^F32 but this viewpoint should be rejected, as James Macknight declared:

The clause "now abideth" implies that these graces (faith, hope and love) are not always to abide; at least the graces of faith and hope shall not abide; for seeing that faith is the persuasion of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1), and hope that is seen is not hope (Romans 8:24); in heaven, where all the objects of our faith and hope are put in our possession, there can be no place for either. ^F33

By the above comment, Macknight clearly construed the "now" of this verse as temporal, that is, a reference to the time present. All of the clever arguments adduced to show how we shall still have faith and hope in heaven fall to the ground in the light of the truth that both faith and hope deal with uncertainties, and there shall be no uncertainties in the eternal world.
Abideth ...
here has the force of saying that the miraculous spiritual gifts shall not abide; and, of course, they did not; nor do they exist now. It is in this dispensation that faith, hope and love abide; but what is especially stressed, "Love is the greatest" of the trio.
And the greatest of these is love ...
It is an unqualified disaster for advocates of the "faith only" theory that love should here be ranked ahead of faith; and, consequently, it is usually interpreted as meaning "God's love of men," not men's love of God and of each other. Thus, Guthrie commented on this verse, "greater than these is the love (of God)." ^F34 Throughout the chapter, it has been made clear that love as a virtue of men, not as an attribute of God, is meant. It is true, of course, that the love in Christian hearts has been shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit; but by the virtue of that very fact it becomes a Christian virtue.

WHY LOVE IS THE GREATEST THING

Love is the fulfillment of the law, which was never true of faith (Romans 13:10).

Love outranks faith in the power to motivate people.

Love includes obedience (John 14:15), which is not true of faith or hope.

Love is the heart of the Great Commandment to love God and one's neighbor (Mark 12:28-31).

Love shall abide eternally, whereas both faith and hope shall not, except in some exceptional sense.

Love, if lacking in the heart, would be a sufficient deficiency to prevent one's salvation, even if he possessed "all faith" (1 Corinthians 13:2).

Love works the greatest miracle of transformation in human hearts, distinguishing it from faith, which exists in some pretty cold fish!

There is no wonder, then, that Paul extolled the virtue of love in his wonderful efforts to correct the puffed-up Corinthians. This chapter may be viewed as one of the most important in Scripture, not merely for the truly marvelous things said of love, but also for the firm word therein regarding the cessation of the miraculous age. For further comments on "miracles" and why they ceased, see my Commentary on Hebrews, pp. 42-44.
Concerning the subject of love, there is none other that so fascinates and inspires the hearts of people; for this gift ranks first among the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22ff). There is even a sense in which it is a continuing "miracle" throughout the church age, not any less than the "confirming miracles" of the apostolic period, merely different. It is the signature of God himself in the hearts of all the redeemed.

GOD'S SIGNATURE

Love is God's imprimatur Upon the human heart, A glorious investiture, His image to impart.

Love is chief of all the graces, The royal prothonotary, Assigning each and all their places In God's economy.

It is the precious bridal song, The prothalamion hymn Of Jesus Bride, the ransomed throng Who have believed in him.

Upon the entire human race, To prove them born above, The Father stooped his name to trace. The signature is Love.

Thoughtful Wednesday : kiddies

I'm starting this week to keep a friend's children after work.  Just 3 days a week for 2 hours at a time.  I think it's been good for me so far, and I think it will continue to be good.  Until now I haven't really been too keen on being around children.  Toddlers and older kids though, I'm starting to warm up too.  I don't know if I could handle an infant. I still feel pretty overwhelmed whenever I see a preggo or a new baby out and about. 

  I hope that time will heal the ache, and I'm optimistic about it.   

Sow the Word: how YOU love me

Thoughtful Wednesday:

One thing that I spend a lot of time thinking about is how to be a victorious person.  I don't want to be a victim, or someone stuck in a pity party.  Somedays it's really hard to see how anything good can come from what Matt and I have lived through this past year.  Somedays I can barely force myself out of bed.  But, I want to live a life that honors the short lives of our children...and I know that rotting away in bed isn't going to honor anyone.

I'm not strong.  Far from it, in fact, I'm just barely staying sane.  What I am, however, is someone who tries to be faithful.  I know that it is only by the grace and mercy shown to me by Jesus that I have been able to overcome great distress and heartbreak.  It is only because of the strength in the loving arms of Jesus that I know I am destined for more than the life of a babyloss momma. 

I have been thinking an awful lot about clinging to the promises of Jesus, and just what it would be like to be an overcomer....a miracle.  I want people to look at my life, and say, you know she didn't have an easy path...but she kept on going. 

Psalm 31:19
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Ten on Tuesday

This bloggy link-up idea comes from Steph at A Grande Life.  Visit her, show some lovin', and do your ten on tuesday list also....  Let's get this party started.


1.  I started my new job on Monday.  I work M-F from 9-1 ... How sweet is that??  I think it's super.  The job is interesting, and not stressful (my last career was super-stressful).  Anyhow, so far it's going pretty great!

2.  I had a garage sale last week.  It was a community garage sale at the park near my house, so it cost $7.50 to partake.  I made $92 after all was said and done.  Then, I went to Kohls and got some new pretty things!!

3.  We have been going to grief counseling together.  It has really helped us talk more to each other.  I also think it's really helping Matt work through his grief - rather than just keeping everything inside while he tries to be strong for me...  It's good.

4.  My car was at the mechanic for almost 2 weeks.  While it was there they couldn't find anything wrong with it...because it never once acted like it did when I had it.  Soooooo...  I've had it back for 3 days and so far so good.  I just love mechanical-type-schtuff!  Oy!!

5.  I'm probably getting some or all of Matt's Christmas gifts from this site!  Awesome if you (or your hubby) are of the nerdy persuasion!   

6.  My two favorite songs this week:  Halo by Beyonce and Bullet Proof by La Roux.

7.  I have become obsessed with finding boots like this...  But, I'm really picky.   Aren't they adorable?!?

8.  Working out with the Wii is probably the most awesome idea EVER.  I love it.  I have a couple of work out games, but we can watch streaming videos from Netflix through our Wii....so I have access to tons of work out videos!  I have done salsa, belly dancing and some hip hop stuff.  I super love it.

9.  This is a pretty great site.  I love the post I've linked to.  It's great to get things on the cheap, but even better when you can use the cheap things to make better things! Enjoy.

10.  Today's featured blogger is Lynda from In Memory of Johnny Giovanni and Angel Baby Memorials.  She made the most amazing video honoring my two little loves.  Check her out, share some love, and if you want -- she'll put together a video for your baby too!

Thoughtful Wednesday : complaining

     Today I am going to write about complaining.  I have been thinking a lot the last few days about what I wanted today's thoughtful post to be about ... and the one thing lately that I have had on my mind is grumbling, complaining...and just not being a thankful, grateful, woman.

     We all do it.  We don't even think about what we are really saying.  I have really noticed it a lot lately.  I sometimes feel like some people wouldn't have anything to say if they were to give up complaining.  I used to be one of those people.  And then, my babies died.  Now-a-days, every time I tell someone about Rowan & Levi, I lose a little of that old self...the one who complained about every tiny, little, annoyance. My boys have taught me so much about myself.

     Lately, when I think about something that is annoying me, or bothering me in some way, and I tell myself that nothing is as bad as burying my sweet boys.  Then I can move on.  It works every time, and is really teaching me to choose my words (and thoughts) carefully.  For instance, if traffic is all backed up and I feel myself getting upset, I just say hey self...it's not worse than saying good-bye to Levi... and then I turn up the radio and sing along instead of fuming over something that I can't change.  It's little things like that, and I hope that by stepping back and being real with myself in the little things then I can be real and ready to handle the bigger things.

     Here is another example (from today).  I was at Shoe Station looking for some shoes for my new job, and I went down one aisle in which a woman in her early 50's was very loudly complaining to her mother (mid-70's) about a shoe not fitting one of her feet.  The statement that really got to me was, "I don't care...an 8 should be an 8 no matter the brand."  The mother just sat there, silently.  What could she say.  I mean it was almost humorous to me....  The woman was so loudly complaining and the mother not saying a word, because there was nothing to say....the mother couldn't do anything to remedy the situation.  I walked to another aisle, but ended up on the same aisle with them again later, and the daughter was still loudly complaining to her mother, but this time about her mother being slow...  I had to leave the store.  I just don't ever want to be that woman.  

***My Levi died on June 29, 2010 - 12 weeks ago today.  Rest well my tiny angel boy.  Momma loves you more than ever.

Ten on Tuesday

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This bloggy link-up idea comes from Steph at A Grande Life.  Visit her, show some lovin', and do your ten on tuesday list also....  Let's get this party started.
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1.   I started a new job yesterday.  I'll be doing some legal stuff at an insurance company here in town.  I'm excited, it's small, it's VERY part-time and the people are super-nice.

2.  This Saturday I'll have a booth at the Bayview Center's Flea Market!  It's so much fun and hopefully I'll make some good dough.  I need some new shoes for fall!!

3.  Today (09-28) is 12 weeks since my Levi was born.  3 months -- gone by so quickly.  I would be 32 weeks preggo if he was still with us.  I miss him so very much.

4.  I sang with a friend's band over the weekend at a little restaurant in Milton.  Had a BLAST!  I hope they will invite me again soon.

5.  If you haven't played around on Face in Hole, you are seriously missing out.  And, now you can upload pics from FB, but not just your FB, ALL your friend's FB accounts too!!  It's a hoot.

6.  I am seriously loving my Mary Kay make-up!  The skin care line makes my face soft and smooth, and the make-up really makes me look younger & healthier.  I cannot say enough GREAT things about it.  Check out my BFF's MK page to get yourself hooked up with some beauty awesomeness today!

7.  I'm reading three books right now.  (1) Ruthless Trust (2) We Need To Talk About Kevin and (3) Brave Hearts.

8.  I'm a notary, and I've been asked by friends of my hubby to perform a marriage ceremony.  Isn't that crazy. I mean, there will be someone there doing the ceremony, but they will need me to make it official!  It's totally crazy, right?!

9. If you haven't already, you need to go to youtube and search for sponjetta. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

10.  My spotlight blog this week is Kristin's story at Never Better.  Please take some time to get to know this amazing momma, and woman of God.

Eight is Enough

I was tagged in this fun little bloggy question & answer game by Carol the Gardener. So, basically, you answer the 8 questions given to you and then tag 8 bloggy friends with your 8 questions for them!  Easy and fun!

Now for my eight questions...
 
1.  Is there any one thing in life you still long to do?

I desperately long to be a momma to living children.
 
2.  What makes you sad? 

Both of my sons died within 10 months of each other.  It is terribly disheartening to know that I'll never hold them again, this side of Heaven.  It also makes me sad to know there are children out there (all over the world) so unwanted, and unloved -- and I would give anything to be their momma too.
 
3.  When you think back over your life so far...what is the one perfect day that stands out in your mind? 

I think the day I met my husband was pretty much spectacular.  We met on eHarmony and by the end of that week had our first date.  It was super.  We ate at our fave Mexican restaurant and then went downtown to see Christmas lights, but everything was closing up -- so we headed to the beach to walk the boardwalk. It was the coldest night of the year (29 degrees) and he had packed blankets, so we sat in front of 'the big shell' and talked for about 7 hours, snuggled under blankets and laughing and freezing our booties off!!  It was amazing.  3 days later he declared his love for me and we were married in less than 6 months!

 
4.  Who is your favorite person to be with? 

I love being with my honey, Matt, of course.  But probably Donna.  She is just so much like me, and we have such a super time when we hang.  We have the same interests, same hobbies...we are BFFs!

 
5.  Do you keep or tell secrets? 

I am the keeper of many secrets.
 
6.  What kind of music do you listen to the most? 

I love to rock out to contemporary christian music, but sometimes I just need a little rap infusion in my life!
 
7.  Eggs and bacon or French toast and waffles? 

WAFFLES!!!  But, just waffles.  Belgian to be exact.
 
8.  If you had one idea to share with the world what would it be? 

Hmmm...  Well that's a tough one isn't it?  I guess I'd probably share some idea about saving money, and/or getting something great for next to nothing.  It's my goal in life, and something that I love to do -- save a ton of money and get great things.  For instance, we painted our entire house (8 rooms) for $65 when we moved in (2007) with 'oops' paint from various stores.  BRILLIANT!!  I have loads of ideas on how to save big!

Now to pass this on to eight lucky blog friends.  If you don't have time to play or rather not...completely understand but you can keep your answers short and don't stress it's all for fun and getting to know one another.  have a great weekend.

Okay, so here are my 8 questions:

1.  What is your all time favorite book?

2.  If you had one "do over" what would it be, and would you really take the chance?

3.  Complete this phrase, "When life hands you lemons...."

4.  What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

5.  What is your favorite holiday & why?

6.  What was your childhood nickname?

7.  Do you thrift?  If so, what is your favorite thrifty shoppe??

8.  What five words best describe you?



 and here are the selected 8 to answer all the questions!!

1.  Rochelle @ For All The Things We Hope For
2.  Desiree @ Journey to Motherhood
3.  Alex @ My Life, My Glory
4.  Nicole @ It's All Random
5.  Sarah @ Creative Home
6.  Ms. Baby Plan
7.  Becca @ Brighthaven Times
8.  Kelly @ The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow

Thoughtful Wednesday: AF

Okay, so What I Wore Wednesday was really stressing me out, so this week I'm trying a new Wednesday blog link-up.  This one comes from MsBabyPlan at The Baby Plan.  Here is a link to her post explaining her rules - Original Post.

 So, here is my first Thoughtful Wednesday Post:

  If you are reading, I shouldn't have to warn you, but I will....this post is about my period.

  You see, if you have been reading, my son died a little over 11 weeks ago.  I have two children, and they both live in Heaven.  After Rowan (my first son) died last August I didn't have a period for 4 months, and then Matt and I were not ready to try and then we started TTC in February, and were pregnant in March...because the Lord is so truly awesome.

  Now, Levi was born on June 28th and died on the 29th.  So, it's been 11 weeks (Monday the 13th).  I was shocked when AF got here on Saturday (11th) to say the least.  I was expecting 5-6 months with no signs of my fertility returning (if at all).  I cried a lot when I saw that I started bleeding on Saturday.  Tears of joy. 

  I don't know if we are ready to TTC yet, but I feel like a woman again, and I do hope to be pregnant again. 

PenPal

For all Babyloss Momma's who read here... Please go and sign up to be a Babyloss Mom PenPal.  It will bless your heart and is just another extension of this beautiful gang of BLMs who can help share pain, and even joy.