I have to write real quick. I should be updating this blog on a lot of different things.... Ella's birthday, this cleanse I'm doing... but for now I'd just like to say that I am very close to weaning off pumping.
It is a really big thing for me. I did cry a couple of times thinking about it. And I think if Ella were eating really good, I wouldn't care as much. But right now, it's really hit and miss. She's not even 20 pounds yet! I think she weighs less than both the kids did by 12 months. It's not by much, though, so that's good.
I just need to keep telling myself that there is NOTHING wrong with giving her some formula. I actually prefer to give her some still, even though it is perfectly fine for cows milk- just so that she is getting all the nutrients she needs b/c she is eating so poorly.
Pray for this mama right now, that transitions will go smooth into dropping more pumps and just being done. 12 oz a day (which is sadly what i'm making) is good, but it's not bad if we add 12 more oz a day of formula. I think if I still had my 15-20 oz a day, I would still be going. But I am definitely looking forward to being done.... for many reasons!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Little Mermaid Party { Madelyn's 4th Birthday Post }
Today is Madelyn's fourth birthday. Like every parent says... where does the time go. :) I know. When I look back, it has gone fast. I try to make a point to really enjoy the moment I am in- but sometimes that is extremely hard. There is always "so much to do". Why? I'm struggling with that. Let's make more of an effort to enjoy the gifts God has given us!! Here's to Maddy!
Love you Maddy!
Remembering Maddy's third year....
Saturday, April 6, 2013
almost done
As I write this, it is Saturday morning. Steel cut oats are simmering on the stove, the kids are watching a program, and I am pumping. Peter got up with Ella last night for a change and now they are still sleeping. The past couple days have been a big change for me, yet, I think it's been a good change.
I took our two pumps. Peter had a talk with me Wednesday during the noon hour and asked me when I thought I would quit pumping. I said I still wasn't quite sure. He told me his frustrations and I realized it's time. I need to honor his request. I asked him if he was praying about it and he shook his head no. Not that this is a big decision or anything, but it is helpful to feel like you are doing the right thing.... so praying about decisions is a good way to go with us, whether it is walking into a clothing store and praying that I would make the right financial decisions. It works.
So the last 24 hours I have felt nudged to start weaning. Weaning is something I've never had to do before. I've just 'run out' of milk, literally, with the other two. I don't think it will be that hard, but i am also letting go emotionally. But I am ready! After 2 days of pumping 4 times a day, I have felt like I can accomplish more. Obviously, I have an hour more time from taking two pumps out. I am able to clean up the kitchen after meals- that is probably the most satisfactory. Instead of rushing through a meal and going to pump, I can take my time and put dishes in the dishwasher, wipe down countertops, and wash dishes. Just being able to get that done right away and not leaving it for 9pm or etc. has made a huge difference. The longer I go between pumps, though, I lose oz. I usually always pump 3 oz, no matter if I go 4 hours, or 5 hours in between. If I go 3 hours, I pump 2 or so oz. I just need to be okay with formula and whole milk.
Tomorrow is Maddy's 4th birthday. Wow. Where does the time go ? She's so old now. I can see it in
her face, and hear it in her speech. She's got her own personality and I am enjoying what best friends my two girls are getting to be. We did have her party already but I had some of her friends over yesterday and made cupcakes, pizza and she opened more gifts. It was so impromptu, but fun anyway. I also made an 8 inch cake to make for tomorrow. I guess the Dairy Queen is opening up so we will have to take a drive :) I plan to post all the photos from her birthday and Easter too... all in the same weekend. It was such a great weekend! I am very much looking forward to spring, too- yesterday I took my first 2 mile run outside and it felt great. Cold, but great! Until later...
I took our two pumps. Peter had a talk with me Wednesday during the noon hour and asked me when I thought I would quit pumping. I said I still wasn't quite sure. He told me his frustrations and I realized it's time. I need to honor his request. I asked him if he was praying about it and he shook his head no. Not that this is a big decision or anything, but it is helpful to feel like you are doing the right thing.... so praying about decisions is a good way to go with us, whether it is walking into a clothing store and praying that I would make the right financial decisions. It works.So the last 24 hours I have felt nudged to start weaning. Weaning is something I've never had to do before. I've just 'run out' of milk, literally, with the other two. I don't think it will be that hard, but i am also letting go emotionally. But I am ready! After 2 days of pumping 4 times a day, I have felt like I can accomplish more. Obviously, I have an hour more time from taking two pumps out. I am able to clean up the kitchen after meals- that is probably the most satisfactory. Instead of rushing through a meal and going to pump, I can take my time and put dishes in the dishwasher, wipe down countertops, and wash dishes. Just being able to get that done right away and not leaving it for 9pm or etc. has made a huge difference. The longer I go between pumps, though, I lose oz. I usually always pump 3 oz, no matter if I go 4 hours, or 5 hours in between. If I go 3 hours, I pump 2 or so oz. I just need to be okay with formula and whole milk.
Tomorrow is Maddy's 4th birthday. Wow. Where does the time go ? She's so old now. I can see it in
Sunday, March 3, 2013
welcome home
We are back from our trip. I hope to write about that later, -perhaps you didn't even know we went! Yes, we went to California for some meetings that Peter needed to go to, and I got to go along without the kids. At first we thought we might take Ella, however, we've gotten reports that she couldn't have been any better. Many prayers were answered this week and I am so thankful for that.
However, I wanted to write because I wanted to remember this moment. While we were on our way home from grandma and grandpas, the girls were having a discussion in the back of the car. I was having fun listening to them because they seemed to be getting along so well and Ella was happily responding to my baby talk to her :) This was their discussion:
Maddy: .....I keep calling it stomach aches! Its supposed to be stomach, not stomach ache!!!!!
Kate: Yeah Maddy, just stomach. Like before you said Jesus was in your stomach ache!
*giggling*
Maddy: Yeah, he's not in my stomach ache!
Kate: Jesus is only in your heart, like he is in my heart. Right mom? He's still there, right?
Me: Of course Kate. He will always be there.
Maddy: But he is not in my heart?
Me: Well, Kate asked Him to be in her heart, and now He is. So someday when you want Him to be in your heart, you've got to ask Him.
Maddy: I want Him to be!!
Me: Well, when you are ready some day to pray, then you can pray for Jesus to be in your heart.
Maddy: I want to pray right now! ok? Dear Jesus, I pray that you can come into my heart. Amen.
Maddy: Did Jesus jump into my heart???? Mom, you should pray too!
A few giggles were exchanged along with some beaming smiles and I prayed...all four of us girls in the car, in our garage, I prayed that Maddy's heart would be filled with the Spirit, and that she would grow to love the Lord, and to have a serving heart.
We are called to have faith like children. How special it was that Maddy and Kate got to make the decision themselves to want Jesus into their hearts. I'm praying that I can help teach them what it means to have Jesus in their hearts, and that now Maddy can experience God in a new way, a new understanding, and that all our girls will have a committed relationship with Him.
However, I wanted to write because I wanted to remember this moment. While we were on our way home from grandma and grandpas, the girls were having a discussion in the back of the car. I was having fun listening to them because they seemed to be getting along so well and Ella was happily responding to my baby talk to her :) This was their discussion:
Maddy: .....I keep calling it stomach aches! Its supposed to be stomach, not stomach ache!!!!!
Kate: Yeah Maddy, just stomach. Like before you said Jesus was in your stomach ache!
*giggling*
Maddy: Yeah, he's not in my stomach ache!
Kate: Jesus is only in your heart, like he is in my heart. Right mom? He's still there, right?
Me: Of course Kate. He will always be there.
Maddy: But he is not in my heart?
Me: Well, Kate asked Him to be in her heart, and now He is. So someday when you want Him to be in your heart, you've got to ask Him.
Maddy: I want Him to be!!
Me: Well, when you are ready some day to pray, then you can pray for Jesus to be in your heart.
Maddy: I want to pray right now! ok? Dear Jesus, I pray that you can come into my heart. Amen.
Maddy: Did Jesus jump into my heart???? Mom, you should pray too!
A few giggles were exchanged along with some beaming smiles and I prayed...all four of us girls in the car, in our garage, I prayed that Maddy's heart would be filled with the Spirit, and that she would grow to love the Lord, and to have a serving heart.
We are called to have faith like children. How special it was that Maddy and Kate got to make the decision themselves to want Jesus into their hearts. I'm praying that I can help teach them what it means to have Jesus in their hearts, and that now Maddy can experience God in a new way, a new understanding, and that all our girls will have a committed relationship with Him.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
lyrics
Tonight was bath night and yesterday I had spent a good couple of hours vacuuming and straightening up the house. Today I felt a bit of nervousness as I watched the house slowly turn into a clutter zone again. So during bath time I thought I would quickly de-clutter the dining room table - it was full of cloth diapers with inserts still needing to be attached, crafts scattered everywhere, and lots of other little things. I was going to be quick though. For sure.
I got the kids into the bath and Peter was sitting with his guitar; he doesn't get to play much. I ask him if it's okay if I go clean up a bit and he says, "let's all spend time together". I half-roll my eyes a bit- sure, a plot to get to play guitar and not watch the kids! However, I shrugged and sat down and to my surprised I was deeply blessed. I watched the girls all play together, admiring their every movement and beauty. Their cheeks. Eyelashes. Little teeth. Peter sat there, strumming his guitar to a praise song as I mouthed heartfelt lyrics. I closed my eyes for a second. We are all so busy. Tonight we had fun just being together as a family-bath time, hide and seek, reading, rocking and oven smores.
Beautiful Lord, Leeland
When the storm is raging all around me
You are the peace that calms
My troubled sea
And when the cares of this world
Darken my day
You are the light that shines
And shows me the way
Oh, the beauty of Your majesty
On the cross You showed Your love for me!
Beautiful Lord
Awesome and mighty
I'm captured by this love I see
Beautiful Lord
Tender and holy
Your mercy brings me to my knees
It's Your mercy that has made me free
Beautiful Lord
When my sin is all that I can see
Your grace remains the shelter that I seek
And when my weakness is all I can give
Your gentle Spirit gives me strength again
And oh, the beauty of Your majesty
On the cross You showed Your love for me
And I am lifted by Your love to sing!
It's Your mercy that has made me free!
I got the kids into the bath and Peter was sitting with his guitar; he doesn't get to play much. I ask him if it's okay if I go clean up a bit and he says, "let's all spend time together". I half-roll my eyes a bit- sure, a plot to get to play guitar and not watch the kids! However, I shrugged and sat down and to my surprised I was deeply blessed. I watched the girls all play together, admiring their every movement and beauty. Their cheeks. Eyelashes. Little teeth. Peter sat there, strumming his guitar to a praise song as I mouthed heartfelt lyrics. I closed my eyes for a second. We are all so busy. Tonight we had fun just being together as a family-bath time, hide and seek, reading, rocking and oven smores.
Beautiful Lord, Leeland
When the storm is raging all around me
You are the peace that calms
My troubled sea
And when the cares of this world
Darken my day
You are the light that shines
And shows me the way
Oh, the beauty of Your majesty
On the cross You showed Your love for me!
Beautiful Lord
Awesome and mighty
I'm captured by this love I see
Beautiful Lord
Tender and holy
Your mercy brings me to my knees
It's Your mercy that has made me free
Beautiful Lord
When my sin is all that I can see
Your grace remains the shelter that I seek
And when my weakness is all I can give
Your gentle Spirit gives me strength again
And oh, the beauty of Your majesty
On the cross You showed Your love for me
And I am lifted by Your love to sing!
It's Your mercy that has made me free!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
serving
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
Ephesians 6:7-8
That is something that I have been thinking about lately. Whether it's my work that I do for the church or around our home. Whatever I am doing, I ought to do it the best I can as if I am serving the Lord. The NLT says to "work with enthusiasm". That is hard sometimes, especially if it's the same work that's being done day in and day out. I've also learned that if you can find joy in your job, you are doing God's will and this is your reward! (Ecc. 3:12-13) It is so encouraging to find joy in homeschooling and when I'm with my kids. It makes me feel like I was made to do this. It's also motivation to strive in this ministry I'm in- to do the best I can. To teach them how to love, be kind; about the bible. And I can see the seeds growing in their mannerisms and politeness. The songs they sing. It is important to remember as I sometimes grumble about the things "I" don't get to do, or go, or be..... this is what I am called to do right now; this is my ministry. And I want to do the best that I can!
Ephesians 6:7-8
That is something that I have been thinking about lately. Whether it's my work that I do for the church or around our home. Whatever I am doing, I ought to do it the best I can as if I am serving the Lord. The NLT says to "work with enthusiasm". That is hard sometimes, especially if it's the same work that's being done day in and day out. I've also learned that if you can find joy in your job, you are doing God's will and this is your reward! (Ecc. 3:12-13) It is so encouraging to find joy in homeschooling and when I'm with my kids. It makes me feel like I was made to do this. It's also motivation to strive in this ministry I'm in- to do the best I can. To teach them how to love, be kind; about the bible. And I can see the seeds growing in their mannerisms and politeness. The songs they sing. It is important to remember as I sometimes grumble about the things "I" don't get to do, or go, or be..... this is what I am called to do right now; this is my ministry. And I want to do the best that I can!
Friday, January 25, 2013
this week
In our homeschool this week…
Homeschooling went pretty smooth this week. I finished my 4-day-curriculum in 3 days... knowing that we would be gone on Thursday. Also last week I did a couple things on Friday for this week in case I wasn't able to finish it. I have also been reading a couple books for bedtime instead of during the "school hour". A few days ago we also worked on our reading words after supper, which was a nice change. My favorite thing this week was…
reading our devotions every morning.My kiddos favorite thing this week was…
going to MOPS playdate and touring Pizza Ranch and making their own pizza!Things I’m working on…
laundry, organizing, organizing, organizing. Where to even begin!?!I’m cooking…
new recipes that I've pinned from pinterest. I am also trying to menu plan 2 weeks ahead and cook ahead to make more than one meal out of one recipe.I’m grateful for…
the mornings I get to spend in Gods word.I’m praying for…
Direction in a few areas of our lives. Continued homeschooling journey-- direction for our kids if this is what we are to do next year. Finances and what we should do to our house, planning for the future (future home, etc) Of course the safety and health for our kids- Maddys' eyes corrected, Ella's developments, and that I would be spirit-filled each day.I rewarded my kids this week by…
They got some ice cream on the way home from our pizza-making. We try to do fun crafts each week and because I'm so behind on everything I fight that a lot - it would be easier to try to clean up the dishes - but instead I try to do more of the hands on things for them that they would get to do at school.A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
Hmm, I have been TRYING to do some editing but i've only gotten a few done.
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