Yes, it's been a rough week. It seems like one piece of bad news has been constantly followed by another. I know it's not only been a hard week for me, it's also been a hard week for some of my family members and friends, and I have been praying for them. Even though it has been tough, it is still Thankful Thursday and I feel when things are tough is when we need to look at our blessings even more and we need to lean on the One who can comfort us like no other, God.
So, this Thankful Thursday I will give thanks to God for bringing me comfort during this past week through his steadfast love and through my family and friends. I know He will never give me more than I can carry, if I just trust and have faith. Things will be fine. I am thankful to Him for giving me a strong heart and faith and I am thankful to Him for the friends and family I have that have been so supportive, who share their "been there, done that" stories, to help me see the light at the end of the tunnel, who break in with a little joke to remind me to smile. For this I am truly thankful.
What are you thankful for today?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
My Top 5 Post Pregnancy Happy Thoughts.
This blog post is not about the obvious mushy stuff. Of course what I'm most looking forward to is finally having my little bundle of joy in my arms. Having another happy, healthy son is going to be my biggest blessing through all of this, but I'm not going to talk about the obvious here. I'm going to talk about the stuff that I didn't learn about until AFTER I became pregnant. I'm going to share with those of you who may not have been there yet, what you can really expect. I'm going to share it with those of you who have been there too, so that you know that you aren't alone.
Happy Thought #1
EATING. That's right, eating. I know most people think that while pregnant you can eat with wreckless abandon. WRONG. While pregnant you obsess over labels. Does this food contain MSG's? Is there mercury? Has this meat been fully cooked, I don't want to get Listeria!!! Oh my gosh, is this cheese considered a soft cheese? Are these eggs fully cooked? Oh yes, the list goes on and on. Once my baby is born I plan on consuming my weight in bleu cheese, fish, shrimp, cold cuts, tuna and anything else I can get my hands on. Well, for at least a couple of weeks, then the diet will begin.
Happy Thought #2
NOT GOING TO THE RESTROOM EVERY 20 MINUTES. Okay, so maybe it's every 40 minutes, but you still find the bathroom ends up being the room most visited during the course of a day. Everyone knows that once the baby gets here, sleep will be at a minimum. But not every Mom to be realizes that the lack of sleep starts way before that cute little bundle arrives. It is nothing for me to be up 5 times per night to empty my poor bladder. Not only will I be happy, but so will my kidneys.
Happy Thought #3
BENDING OVER. One day it just happens, you drop something, bend over to pick it up, only to realize you can't. You start to realize that your body must contort into completely unnatural ways to put on your socks. I have mastered the "grab your pant leg at the calf and hoist your leg up" maneuver to simply put on my socks. I have learned to squat like a frog to pick up something I have dropped, or better still, just use my toes to grab it and lift.
Happy Thought #4
EXISTING AGAIN. I find when I am pregnant I do not exist. No, I am just a vessel in which this precious life grows. Nothing I do is about me, it is all about the baby. Most Mom's (like me) don't put themselves first regardless, but if we want to eat a few Cheetos, we allow ourselves.....unless pregnant (yeah, Cheetos have MSG, read the label) because what we want doesn't matter. What matters is what's best for the baby. You see, when I get to be Donna, I sleep on my back or my tummy, sometimes...even on my left side. But when pregnant, I do what is best for the baby, I sleep on my right side, no matter how bad my hips hurt. When not pregnant, I sometimes eat food that (GASP) contains MSG, while pregnant, there is no way that's going to happen. When I am Donna, I take steaming hot showers or baths, not anymore. When I am Donna I am very physically active, but for the 9 months I am pregnant, I am careful not to lift anything too heavy, not to overexert myself, not to go for that 5 mile hike. I never think about what I want to do, I think only about how what I'm doing will affect the baby. Oh, and do not even think about coming near me with the slightest hint of cigarette smoke on your clothes, I will run in the opposite direction. Okay, maybe not run...but walk away really fast.
Happy Thought #5
NOT BEING TERRIFIED OF THE SWINE FLU. Everyone knows by now that the most high risk category for swine flu death is pregnant women and children. I was always concerned about germs before, but now....I am a full fledged germaphobe. Seriously, I think I may have to join Germaphobics Anonymous after this. I wash my hands so much and use so much antibacterial gel that my hands are becoming dry and cracked! If my eye itches, I don't dare scratch it, I just suffer. I don't want to take a chance of rubbing some killer organism into my eye. I couldn't tell you the last time I touched a door handle. When I leave a public restroom, I wrap my hand in a paper towel to open the restroom door. After passing the offering tray at church, I squirt antibacterial gel on my hands. Seriously it's becoming a sickness and the only cure is delivery.
There is so much more I could write, but I think I may save it for a book (yes, I think I could come up with enough post pregnancy happy thoughts to fill a book). What are some of your post pregnancy happy thoughts? I'd love to hear them!
Happy Thought #1
EATING. That's right, eating. I know most people think that while pregnant you can eat with wreckless abandon. WRONG. While pregnant you obsess over labels. Does this food contain MSG's? Is there mercury? Has this meat been fully cooked, I don't want to get Listeria!!! Oh my gosh, is this cheese considered a soft cheese? Are these eggs fully cooked? Oh yes, the list goes on and on. Once my baby is born I plan on consuming my weight in bleu cheese, fish, shrimp, cold cuts, tuna and anything else I can get my hands on. Well, for at least a couple of weeks, then the diet will begin.
Happy Thought #2
NOT GOING TO THE RESTROOM EVERY 20 MINUTES. Okay, so maybe it's every 40 minutes, but you still find the bathroom ends up being the room most visited during the course of a day. Everyone knows that once the baby gets here, sleep will be at a minimum. But not every Mom to be realizes that the lack of sleep starts way before that cute little bundle arrives. It is nothing for me to be up 5 times per night to empty my poor bladder. Not only will I be happy, but so will my kidneys.
Happy Thought #3
BENDING OVER. One day it just happens, you drop something, bend over to pick it up, only to realize you can't. You start to realize that your body must contort into completely unnatural ways to put on your socks. I have mastered the "grab your pant leg at the calf and hoist your leg up" maneuver to simply put on my socks. I have learned to squat like a frog to pick up something I have dropped, or better still, just use my toes to grab it and lift.
Happy Thought #4
EXISTING AGAIN. I find when I am pregnant I do not exist. No, I am just a vessel in which this precious life grows. Nothing I do is about me, it is all about the baby. Most Mom's (like me) don't put themselves first regardless, but if we want to eat a few Cheetos, we allow ourselves.....unless pregnant (yeah, Cheetos have MSG, read the label) because what we want doesn't matter. What matters is what's best for the baby. You see, when I get to be Donna, I sleep on my back or my tummy, sometimes...even on my left side. But when pregnant, I do what is best for the baby, I sleep on my right side, no matter how bad my hips hurt. When not pregnant, I sometimes eat food that (GASP) contains MSG, while pregnant, there is no way that's going to happen. When I am Donna, I take steaming hot showers or baths, not anymore. When I am Donna I am very physically active, but for the 9 months I am pregnant, I am careful not to lift anything too heavy, not to overexert myself, not to go for that 5 mile hike. I never think about what I want to do, I think only about how what I'm doing will affect the baby. Oh, and do not even think about coming near me with the slightest hint of cigarette smoke on your clothes, I will run in the opposite direction. Okay, maybe not run...but walk away really fast.
Happy Thought #5
NOT BEING TERRIFIED OF THE SWINE FLU. Everyone knows by now that the most high risk category for swine flu death is pregnant women and children. I was always concerned about germs before, but now....I am a full fledged germaphobe. Seriously, I think I may have to join Germaphobics Anonymous after this. I wash my hands so much and use so much antibacterial gel that my hands are becoming dry and cracked! If my eye itches, I don't dare scratch it, I just suffer. I don't want to take a chance of rubbing some killer organism into my eye. I couldn't tell you the last time I touched a door handle. When I leave a public restroom, I wrap my hand in a paper towel to open the restroom door. After passing the offering tray at church, I squirt antibacterial gel on my hands. Seriously it's becoming a sickness and the only cure is delivery.
There is so much more I could write, but I think I may save it for a book (yes, I think I could come up with enough post pregnancy happy thoughts to fill a book). What are some of your post pregnancy happy thoughts? I'd love to hear them!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thankful Thursday - My Church Family
There are many things I am thankful for today, like the Hokies playing tonight, like the fact that I did my glucose testing today and it is now behind me (I had a very hard time with that today), and my church family.
I truly feel blessed that God lead me to the First United Methodist Church in Pulaski. I have never been to a church that was so warm and welcoming. Everyone is so friendly and caring, that before you know it, they really do start to feel like your extended family. This church has such great ministry programs and really reaches out to help our community and even beyond our community. Have I mentioned the kids? Well, let me tell you, the children here are GREAT! There are so many different ways you can get involved at our church, it's a great place to worship and then go beyond worshipping!
Thank you to my friends at FUMC, like the Queen's, the Cash's, the Newby's, the Cox's, the Clark's, the Kellis', the Hodges', the Dean's and everyone else for welcoming us with open arms, you are truly a great group of Christians!
I truly feel blessed that God lead me to the First United Methodist Church in Pulaski. I have never been to a church that was so warm and welcoming. Everyone is so friendly and caring, that before you know it, they really do start to feel like your extended family. This church has such great ministry programs and really reaches out to help our community and even beyond our community. Have I mentioned the kids? Well, let me tell you, the children here are GREAT! There are so many different ways you can get involved at our church, it's a great place to worship and then go beyond worshipping!
Thank you to my friends at FUMC, like the Queen's, the Cash's, the Newby's, the Cox's, the Clark's, the Kellis', the Hodges', the Dean's and everyone else for welcoming us with open arms, you are truly a great group of Christians!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thankful Thursday - My hubby
I am a very lucky woman. Correction, make that a blessed woman because luck has nothing to do with it. My hubby is truly the answer to so many prayers. He has been working so hard lately, on weekends, late into the night and doing it without complaint, doing it not for himself, but for our family. He never makes me feel like it's unfair, that he is resentful for it or that he is just sick and tired of it. Don't get me wrong, he is tired physically, but he's not that angry or resentful tired that some people can get when they feel they are working too hard. I found the poor guy laying on the floor at 5:00 a.m. after falling asleep painting the rocking chair for our baby last night. Some nights, he doesn't get home until 8:30 or 9:00 and after working all day, he still helps around the house. He is so tired, but he never complains or makes me feel guilty for how hard he has to work. We are both very fortunate that both of our companies are doing so well in this difficult economy (something else to be thankful for), so we don't complain about working, we are thankful and know that the work that has come our way is an answer to prayers and who would complain when God answer's their prayers?
He is a wonderful, giving, caring husband. He doesn't just provide for our family, he takes care of us in every way we can be taken care of. He does this with love, he does this happily and thankfully, he has such a wonderful heart.
The main reason he is so busy is because God has answered our prayers and quite simply because he really does a great job! He puts such care and craftsmanship into each job he does. He has the ability to take a project and create such high quality results that I am so proud of him. If you ever have a home remodel project, check him out: http://www.samsbrothers.net/, you won't be disappointed!
And last, but not least, I am thankful for how he gives so willingly. When you do something for someone, you should do it with a cheerful heart, and he does! I have always tithed, but a few months ago, even though I had less money, I started tithing more. I don't know exactly why, I always felt a little uncomfortable during the "tithing" sermon's at church. But, God put it into my heart and I noticed how my husband tithed. We also give with a happy heart. Don't tithe if you are just going to give grudgingly. After increasing tithing, our business increased. I know their is a direct correlation because God says so, "2 Corinthians 9:7- Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." He also says to TEST him on this! "Malachi 3:10 - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
My husband is what I am thankful for not only today, but everyday. He is kind, compassionate, giving, he takes care of us, he is a Christian and helps to bring out the best in me. I am truly blessed, thank you, God. I love you, Larry!
He is a wonderful, giving, caring husband. He doesn't just provide for our family, he takes care of us in every way we can be taken care of. He does this with love, he does this happily and thankfully, he has such a wonderful heart.
The main reason he is so busy is because God has answered our prayers and quite simply because he really does a great job! He puts such care and craftsmanship into each job he does. He has the ability to take a project and create such high quality results that I am so proud of him. If you ever have a home remodel project, check him out: http://www.samsbrothers.net/, you won't be disappointed!
And last, but not least, I am thankful for how he gives so willingly. When you do something for someone, you should do it with a cheerful heart, and he does! I have always tithed, but a few months ago, even though I had less money, I started tithing more. I don't know exactly why, I always felt a little uncomfortable during the "tithing" sermon's at church. But, God put it into my heart and I noticed how my husband tithed. We also give with a happy heart. Don't tithe if you are just going to give grudgingly. After increasing tithing, our business increased. I know their is a direct correlation because God says so, "2 Corinthians 9:7- Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." He also says to TEST him on this! "Malachi 3:10 - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
My husband is what I am thankful for not only today, but everyday. He is kind, compassionate, giving, he takes care of us, he is a Christian and helps to bring out the best in me. I am truly blessed, thank you, God. I love you, Larry!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thankful Thursday
I don't know if someone else already does this, I'm hoping that I'm not the first person that has thought of it. I was just thinking about all of the things I am thankful for and realized that today is Thursday and it hit me, "Thankful Thursday."
I am going to try every Thursday to post something I am thankful for. A blessing in my life that God has given me. I want to do this not only to give thanks to Him, but also to help remind myself (and hopefully others) of all the blessings, big and small, in all of our lives. I hope everyone who reads these posts will take the time to reflect on their own blessings and give thanks.
My first Thankful Thursday post is inspired by a picture I took over the weekend. My son is, of course, a wonderful, life long blessing. Another blessing, as you can see in this picture, is the beauty of a perfect fall day. Today is another beautiful fall day and I am so thankful for the beautiful sunshine, perfect temperatures and beautiful fall colors that are starting to emerge.
What are you thankful for today?
Friday, September 25, 2009
You've Got to be Kidding Me!
Close your eyes and picture it. There I am, sprawled out on the couch like a beached whale, my eyes fixed on the TV in a trance-like stare, my mouth opened wide as I look from the TV to my gigantic stomach, back to the TV and then back to my stomach and finally, back to the TV again. What I am seeing is inconceivable to me.
I am watching Discovery Health. There is program on called "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant." I truly can not fathom this. I hear women talking about how they went nine months with a life growing inside of them and never having a clue they were pregnant.
Are they serious? Is this a ploy to get on TV? Is this a joke? I check the calendar. Nope, it's not April Fool's Day. This show is real!
I then hear a doctor talk about how it is possible to be pregnant and not recognize the signs because you credit them to something else, like bad Chinese food. At this, my yet to be born son kicks me in the bladder. Even he doesn't get it.
My pregnancy with my oldest son was not easy at all. My pregnancy with this son has proven even harder. I am in a state of awe at the women who are actually pregnant for nine months and don't know it. I can't imagine not having morning (actually all day) sickness, not getting up to go to the bathroom 10 times a night, the back pains, the inability to be comfortable no matter what position you are in, the indigestion, the inability to control my thyroid disease, the inability to maintain a normal glucose level, the sheer exhaustion (just to name a few).
Then I go from awe to a feeling of pity. Yes, these women don't get the unpleasantness of pregnancy, but they also missed out on the entire process. The amazement of having a life growing inside of you, feeling the baby move for the first time and then, when he really gets the hang of it, REALLY feeling it and sometimes even seeing it! They didn't get to have ultrasounds and get a sneak peek at their baby, they didn't get to anticipate and dream about what it would be like to finally hold their little one. They didn't get to experience the fun of decorating and preparing a nursery before the baby arrives. They didn't have months to decide on a name. How sad!
But, I still don't get it. How on EARTH could a woman not gain weight, not feel the baby move, not have any pregnancy systems at all? Most of the women said in hindsight, they recognized the pregnancy systems, but they discredited the baby moving to gas (WHAT?) and the nausea to having the flu (HUH?). There were other reasons they missed the signs, but as I look down to where my belly button used to be, I truly can not imagine being pregnant and not knowing it. As tough as it has been, I'm so thankful and feel truly blessed to be able to experience it again. The good and the bad. But especially the good.
I am watching Discovery Health. There is program on called "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant." I truly can not fathom this. I hear women talking about how they went nine months with a life growing inside of them and never having a clue they were pregnant.
Are they serious? Is this a ploy to get on TV? Is this a joke? I check the calendar. Nope, it's not April Fool's Day. This show is real!
I then hear a doctor talk about how it is possible to be pregnant and not recognize the signs because you credit them to something else, like bad Chinese food. At this, my yet to be born son kicks me in the bladder. Even he doesn't get it.
My pregnancy with my oldest son was not easy at all. My pregnancy with this son has proven even harder. I am in a state of awe at the women who are actually pregnant for nine months and don't know it. I can't imagine not having morning (actually all day) sickness, not getting up to go to the bathroom 10 times a night, the back pains, the inability to be comfortable no matter what position you are in, the indigestion, the inability to control my thyroid disease, the inability to maintain a normal glucose level, the sheer exhaustion (just to name a few).
Then I go from awe to a feeling of pity. Yes, these women don't get the unpleasantness of pregnancy, but they also missed out on the entire process. The amazement of having a life growing inside of you, feeling the baby move for the first time and then, when he really gets the hang of it, REALLY feeling it and sometimes even seeing it! They didn't get to have ultrasounds and get a sneak peek at their baby, they didn't get to anticipate and dream about what it would be like to finally hold their little one. They didn't get to experience the fun of decorating and preparing a nursery before the baby arrives. They didn't have months to decide on a name. How sad!
But, I still don't get it. How on EARTH could a woman not gain weight, not feel the baby move, not have any pregnancy systems at all? Most of the women said in hindsight, they recognized the pregnancy systems, but they discredited the baby moving to gas (WHAT?) and the nausea to having the flu (HUH?). There were other reasons they missed the signs, but as I look down to where my belly button used to be, I truly can not imagine being pregnant and not knowing it. As tough as it has been, I'm so thankful and feel truly blessed to be able to experience it again. The good and the bad. But especially the good.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Nic learns he's going to have a baby brother!
Ever since Nicholas found out that I am having a baby, he has been saying that he wants a sister. But two days ago, he decided he wanted a brother. Good thing, because that's what he's getting! After we stopped recording it must have really sank in because he went wild with excitement! I wish I had my camera handy for that! When he sees the baby "wee wee" on the video, he gets really excited.
He wants to name the baby "Ian". Not a bad choice, buddy! But, we aren't telling the name until the baby is born, so everyone will just have to wait!
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