Adjusting

It has been an interesting couple of weeks in our home! To start off, we had our baby, McKenzie on March 12th. She came by way of c-section. My mom came on the 9th to help out and prepare some meals for us. So thankful for all of that!!!

I came home from the hospital on the 14th. Then on the 16th ended up in ER due to a spinal headache. The absolute worst pain I have ever been in ... ever! And I have birth two babies naturally, with no medication! I didn't want to get the blood patch to 'fix' the spinal headache because I have an intense fear of needles. My 'prescription' was lots of caffeine, water, and laying down. Thankfully all of that has worked! It took about four days. My kids and husband have been AMAZING. Pulling all of the 'mom-duties' weight, including taking care of Jax.

I'm still not 100%. But the spinal headache is gone. I can deal with the rest of the pain in my abdomen. ;o)

The thing that has been the hardest on me is dealing with Jax. His whole world has been turned upside down. He loves his little sister so much and is so kind to her, holding her, giving her kisses, and being ever so gentle when around her and I. He understands so much and is being so careful when he is around us as to not hurt us. ;o) He is excited about being a big brother and is filling the role nicely.

However, we have had several bouts of fit throwing and screaming. It is so hard for me to deal with his fits, because one, I don't like fits, two, I can't pick him up, three, I have so little energy to deal with it. As, I was getting after him to stop his fit throwing, I realized that I don't treat Kenzie that way. I talk calmly to her and gently. Jax sees this. I am sure it doesn't make any sense to him why mommy would yell at him and not at is new baby sister. I had to catch myself and calm down and talk to him in a cool manner. It didn't help right away, but I am sure in the long run it will make a difference. ;o)

I do all I can to spend time with Jax and remind him how wonderful he is and important he is to me. I do this when he is calm and no longer throwing fits. I've had to let him 'get it out' on his own in his room, but once he is done, we come together and visit.

Cutting this one short - and to an abrupt end - because McKenzie is asking for food! ;o)

Thanks for reading!

Parenting has its rewards

As much as this is a 'Monday' for me ... and as much as Jax wears me out - there are moments that are just priceless and make up for all of the hard work!

This afternoon at lunch he asked me to read him a 'pretend' book. So, I opened up my hands and we read two stories. The first one was about a 'lot of people' (Jax picked the topic ;o)) They went on many adventures and we discovered at the end that they were a family. The second book we read, again picked by Jax, was about a horse. This horse also went on many adventures and enjoyed smelling the pink flowers! ;o)

Once I was done reading to him, he decided to read himself. He would start with "Once upon a time ... " And he made up his own story. His was about a princess who loved to play games and take naps. ;o) However, his princess wasn't just in his story. She came with us to clean up his toys and then laid down to take a nap. He even asked me to give her hugs & kisses and cover her up with her blanket!

It's moments like these that bring me back into the reality of why I am a stay at home mom and why I do what I do. I've been so extremely tired these past couple of weeks and Jax has really been trying my patients. But I was reminded today of how important investing into our children really is! :D

Imagination

Today during lunch Jaxon took me for a drive. ;o) Here's a short story of our adventures!

Me: "Where are you taking me today Jaxon?"

Jax: "We going to Gamma Debbie's house."

We played games with Grandma Debbie, told her that we love her, and continued on with more games. He loves to play games at Grandma Debbie's house!

Then he got us back into the car again. I asked him again, "Where are we going this time?"

He reply's, "To Neese's wedding."

Me: "Oh what fun!"

Jax: "Uncle Sean be there?"

Me: "Yes, of course Uncle Sean will be at Neese's wedding!"

Jax: "I see Uncle Sean. I love Uncle Sean."

Jax: "Now we go my wedding!"

I was a little surprised at this last comment. I would expect it from my daughter, but never thought I would hear it from my son. Not to mention - my mind went into the future and I am just not ready for that one yet!!! LOL Never-the-less, we went to his wedding.

Jax: "I wear my suit."

Me: "Great! I love your suit! Who are you going to marry?"

Jax: "Grandma Debbie"

I half expected him to say "Mommy", but this brought a smile to my face! :D

Remember, we are sitting at the table eating lunch when we did all of this. Our 'car' was his sandwich. He would take bites of it and set it up on end and have us 'get in' and he would drive us away. When he would take another bite, it would say we have a different car! ;o)

We ended up at my wedding with daddy. Daddy and I got married and Jax and Grandma Debbie got married.

With his last bite our car was gone and so ended our little adventure!

It sure can be refreshing to join a toddler in their world of imagination and creativity. Escaping from 'reality' for a short time. Remembering that sometimes life really can be that simple and enjoyable. Thank God for children and the lessons we can learn from them!!! And here we thought we were the teachers! ;o)

Blessings to you!

What are your desires?

Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

The first time I read this I thought to myself, "Cool! If I am happy in Him, then I'll get everything I want!"

Then sometime later, I realized that isn't what this verse is telling me. If I would delight myself in the Lord, focus on Him and make Him the purpose/reason I do everything, then His desires will become my desires. If my desires are His, then blessings will abound.

I don't believe God will give me all that I want. Mostly because He is the Father, and knows what is best. Sometimes the things I want are not the things I need. As a parent I have come to understand this more and more.

But, I do believe that if I trust in Him and place my entire life into His hands, then He will grant me the desires of my heart. And they won't be selfish desires (most of the time) because they will be His.

I hope that makes sense!

God has the very best planned for each one of us. We only need to trust in Him and His timing and be still knowing that He is God and He will reign!

Blessings to you!!!

What is in a Name

Psalm 20:7 reads:
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

I love how it is in the Name of the Lord we have trust. We carry so much by our names. Our names identify us.

God's name is Faithfulness, Grace, Mercy, Provider, Lover, and many, many more. He has given us no reason to not believe and trust in His name. When He says He is going to do something He does it.

I love that I can trust in His Name and lean on Him through the good times and the bad!

What is His Name to you?

What Motivates You?

This morning my devotional was titled "Motivation". And the question was "What compels you to follow Christ in obedience?" I thought this was a very good question. We can be motivated by fear, pride, guilt, and many other things.

I had to really think about this. I can't sum it up in one word though. Most of my life I have been one to 'follow the rules'. Now of course there have been exceptions ... I am only human! ;o) But, for the most part, I don't like to break rules because I don't want to pay the consequences. I would rather stay on the path, where it is 'safe'.

As many of you may know though, following Christ isn't always easy - it's always safe - but it can be very painful from time to time. It's during these times that I reach out for God's truth and grab on to it with all that I've got. It may not always be easy, bright, and full of fun, but God's path is always the right one and there is always blessings in and/or through it.

I choose to follow Christ because I know that He is faithful. He never lets go and He is always there for me. I am motivated to follow Him, I suppose by fear. Not the fearful fear, but the respectful fear. Knowing that God is God, and He is forever FAITHFUL!!! He has our best in mind.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

What motivates you?

A Peek Inside

So, we had our 21 week ultrasound today. I simply love to peek inside the womb and catch a glimpse of the new life!

She was such a mover and making it so difficult on the tech to look around. It was fun to watch!

Here is a picture of her profile. She looks so much liked Jaxon did at this time. The only difference I can see right now is her chin and bottom lip. Ooooo ... I can't wait to see her in the flesh!!! :D :D : D

Just before this picture we caught site of her 'flipping us off'. LOL Then she did the 'Peace' sign ... nice recovery!!! LOL

So, the doctor said that all looks great. She is very healthy. He is only slightly concerned with her kidney's. He said that they were slightly enlarged. This could be as simple as the the 'valve' that goes from the kidney's to the bladder may not be fully developed yet. So, her urine is getting a bit backed up. He wants to see me back at 28-30 weeks to check on them again. We are praying for shrunken kidneys. However, he says that he isn't overly concerned with it, because there is a lot of amniotic fluid, and this is a good sign. The good thing ... I get to see my baby again!!!

Thanks for reading!

Blessings!!!