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Monday, May 14, 2012

Baby #2 !


My Mother's Day started off with a positive pregnancy test!  I came downstairs to find my husband to tell him the good news.  He was very excited - he said that I trumped him and it should be Father's Day instead.

My husband got me 3 bouquets of flowers from him and Jadon and a beautiful card.  We went to River Stone Church.  Every time I go there I like it more and more.  My favorite part of the service was when the children in the church prayed for all the adults that work in the children's ministry program.  I love that the church promotes prayer so much, even with the young children! After church we ate lunch at my favorite restaurant, Bahama Breeze.  I love Bahama Breeze because the food is always good and consistent, service is great, and I love the atmosphere.  When we got home, my son slept for 2.5 hours!  That was a huge gift itself! All in all it was a simple, yet wonderful day!


Thursday, April 26, 2012

What Am I?

Today I was looking through my Volleyball USA magazine and read "You can't force-feed passion"  by Mike Sealy.  Reading the following quote struck me hard as a teacher, parent, and coach.  I have needed to hear this for a long time, maybe it was said to me before, but I finally heard the message.


What am I?
I am a Teacher. 
What can I do?
I can expose you to ideas, but I cannot tell you what to think.
I can guide you, but you must discover the limits of your own potential.
I can encourage you, but your greatest fulfillment must come from within.  
I can listen to you, but I will not tell you what to say.
I can look with you, but I cannot tell you what you will see.
I can move with you, but I cannot tell you what to feel.
I can speak with you, but I cannot tell you what to hear.
I can do some things with you, but you can do more with yourself.
I can guide you on the path of discovery, but I cannot tell you the answer.


For so many years I took it personally when a student or player didn't get it (why they needed to do their homework, not picking up the tip when you have practiced it over and over, etc.)  What was I doing wrong?  I tried all approaches, being super encouraging, punishments, rewards, stepping back - nothing was working.  After reading the quote, I realized that it is a two way street and the phrase "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink" is so true (unless you are a teacher - No Child Left Behind).  Not only is this quote good for parents, teachers, and coaches, but for all young people.  They have to know their part and their part is the most important.


Now that I am a parent, I will teach my son my Christian faith and when he is old enough I hope he will call it his own.  I have to remember that I can show him the way but I can't force him into the faith.  I have to trust Jesus with him.  


I have to let him fall so he will know how to pick himself up.
I have to let him struggle so he will know Jesus' peace, learn perseverance, and feel accomplishment.
I have to let him make mistakes so he learns about consequences. 
I have to let him hurt so he knows how Jesus can heal.
I have to let him sin so he knows he is forgiven and how to ask for forgiveness.
I have to let him get his heart broken so he will know true love.
I have to let him go so he can find himself.


Through all of it I (and my husband) will be there to love and encourage him.  The worst thing I can do as a parent is to shield and protect him from all the hard things life throws his way.  If I do then he will be crippled and never know the good parts of life.  I will shed many tears, my heart will hurt for him, but in the end I know he will be man God created him to be and strong in faith.







Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Avocado and Mango Chicken Salad


Feeding a 12 month old solids has been an adventure!  I have introduced Jadon to a lot of different fruits and vegetables.  He has liked everything but definitely has his favorites.  The hardest part has been trying to guess what he wants to eat when.  He will kill daddy's eggs on Sunday but when I try to give him eggs again on Wednesday, he won't even take a bite!

I had been feeding him whatever we have been eating and it has worked well for dinner, but breakfast and lunch has been difficult.  I typically drink a smoothie for breakfast and eat some type of salad for lunch.  He will have a few sips of my smoothie, but not enough for a meal and he isn't ready for salads yet.  So, I went  searching on the internet for fruit and veggie combinations.  I have been making chunky mixtures and freezing them in my Baby Bullet containers.  After they freeze I put them in a labeled freezer bag; I take out what I need the day before and defrost in fridge or on the counter.

I have found some interesting combinations that have led me to creating this recipe (well, I haven't seen it before so for me it is new).  I had planed on making chicken salad for lunch and I had a ripe mango and avocado that I needed to use.  I figured the avocado will give me the same creamy consistency as mayonnaise would but with more beneficial nutrients.


Servings : 1


Ingredients:

  • 1 Ripe Avocado 
  • 1/2 Mango
  • 1 - 2 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Cilantro 
  • Ground Cayenne Pepper to Taste
  • 1 Chicken Breast or 3 Chicken Tenderloins
  • Salt and Pepper to Taste
  • Your Choice Leafy Greens (Romaine, Spring Mix, or Baby Spinach)
Directions:
  1. Cut avocado in half, remove seed, score each half, turn skins inside out, put pieces in a medium glass bowl, and mash with fork or potato masher.
  2. Peel and remove seed from a mango.  Cut up half the mango into small pieces and stir into avocado mash.
  3. Add cilantro and ground cayenne pepper to avocado and mango mixture.  (Add small amount of cayenne and taste, add more if not spicy enough.)
  4. Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge to chill.
  5. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook in oven, grill, or toaster oven.
  6. Remove chicken and let cool for 10 minutes.
  7. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.
  8. Add chicken to avocado/mango mixture.  (You can put mixture back in the fridge to chill some more or use it as is.)
  9. On a large plate, put salad greens of your choice and top with chicken salad. Garnish with more cilantro.   Enjoy!


Friday, April 20, 2012

5 Minute Friday ~ Together


From the Gypsy Mama
Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.
We write because we love words and the relief it is to just write them without worrying if they’re just right or not. So we take five minutes on Friday and write like we used to run when we were kids.
On Fridays we write with gusto, unselfconscious and flat out.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.
OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

Together…

I hear the song You and Me by Dave Matthews.  I gave my husband a framed picture of the lyrics to this song for Christmas one year.  There have been many Christmas's where we didn't have much for presents, so I struggled to find something meaningful yet thrifty to give him.  He loved it.  Here are the lyrics.

want to pack your bags something small
take what you need & we disappear
without a trace, we'll be gone, gone
The moon & the stars follow the car
& then when we get to the ocean,
we're going to take a boat to the end of the world...
all the way to the end of the world
oh and when the kids are old enough
we gonna teach them to flyyyyyyy

you & me together we can do anything, baby
you & me together yes, yes
you & me together we can do anything, baby
You & me together yes, yes

You & I we're not tied to the ground,
not falling but rising like, rolling around
eyes closed above the roof tops
eyes closed we're gonna spin through the stars
our arms wide as the sky, we gonna ride the blue
all the way to the end of the world,
to the end of the world

oh and when the kids are old enough
we gonna teach them to flyyyyyyy

(chorus)
you & me together could do anything, baby
you & me together yes, yes
you & me together we can do anything baby
You & me toghter yes, yes

we can always look back at what we did
always remembering you & me baby
But right now it's you and me forever girl
you know we could do better than anything that we did
you know that you and me we could do anything

you & me together c' do anything, baby
you & me together yeah, yeah

two of us together we c' do anything, baby
you and me together, yeah yeah
the two of us together yeah, yeah
the two of us together, we can do anything baby
something small, told her at least, the end of the world,
Copied from MetroLyrics.com 

I love the sense of freedom, faith, hope, and strength this song has.  No fear.  And best of all, to teach the children to live like that as well.  That part struck me the most since at the time, Josh and I were struggling with getting pregnant.  This song was almost like a promise we held on to ~  


Link Up Here

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Thankful Thursday #7



1) Pre-ordered 1 of 5 available Boba 3G SSC in Dusk from Heavenly Hold.  Apparently they have been super popular and the demand has been hard to keep up with.

2) My fabric for my Custom Cutie Cover and Strap Wraps for my Boba came in.  Can't wait to send it to PAXbaby! (2D Zoo in Pool; Indian Summer Mini Dot in Green - not pictured; Remix Candy Stripe in Royal; Remix Stripe in Royal; 2D Teeny Tiny Zoo in Pool)
From Fabric Shoppe on Esty
3) My garden is FINALLY planted! All my seedlings died from the recent cold snap - I had been hardening them off and thought they would be fine since there wasn't supposed to be a frost.  All the money I saved growing plants from seeds was lost and ended up costing me more money - had to buy plants to replace my seedlings.  Note to self - just buy plants!

4) There have been male and female cardinals visiting our yard.  I just bought a bird feeder to keep them coming back!

5) As I am typing this, my husband just came home with Little Caesar's Pizza and bread sticks!

6) Hot coffee on this cool, damp day!

7) Finding a pair of shoes to go with my bridesmaid dress.

8) Spending time with my husband this week on his days off.

9) Jadon is starting to take a few steps on his own.

10) Freedoms others don't have.  Hungarian Midwife Jailed for Attending Homebirth

What are you thankful for?  Link up with Curious Georgi!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Baby Sign Language

I have been wanting to do baby sign language with Jadon for awhile now.  I have heard great things about it and my pediatrician recommended it.  Jadon loves to watch TV and play on his own, so I wanted something to do with him to counter act all the TV watching.  Yes I know, he really shouldn't be watching tv, but when that is  the only way you can get something accomplished you do it.  (I also purchased a Boba 3G from PAXbaby - totally into babywearing!)

Boba 3G in Dusk

While looking online for some information, I found BabySignLanguage.com. Great resources and information.  I also purchased Baby Sign and Learn for my iPhone for $1.99.  Jadon loves my phone and it has a flashcard option.  You can even add your own picture of dad for the dad flashcard

I decided to start with 12 signs: Mama, Dada, ball, book, car, cat, diaper, eat, finished, milk, more, and truck.  All of which he encounters on a daily basis.  I don't think it matters how many you start off with, just pick things that your baby encounters on a daily basis.  You are not going to sit down and have a lesson - just sign the words as he interacts with things.  Like when I am nursing I will say milk and do the milk sign.

My only concern is that I will forget to do the signs!  Oh, and teaching them to Josh, but I am sure he will be a good sport about it.  Especially the Dada sign!

Friday, April 13, 2012

5 Minute Friday: Good Bye

Click Here to Link Up



Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.
We set a timer, throw caution to the winds and try to remember what it was like to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.




Want to play Five Minute Friday? It’s easy peasy!
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on the prompt- no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Meet & encourage someone who linked up before you.
OK, are you ready? Give us your best five minutes on: Good Bye
Go....
Good bye is a closing, an ending,  It can be bitter sweet, or just bitter. Good bye has a finality to it. 
When I think of good bye, I can't help but think of hello.  An end leading up to a beginning. How many endings and beginnings have I had during my life?  
Which is harder?  Good bye or hello? Leaving the familiar behind can difficult, but starting something new can be just as difficult or even more so. 
Stop.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Thankful Thursday #6


1) Josh and I survived our first year of parenthood.

2) Jadon survived the first year of our parenting.

3) Getting the landscaping done before Jadon's party.

4) A beautiful and day and great company for Jadon's 1st birthday party.

Harry's Birthday Cake

Is That for Me?
I Love My Cake!


PaPa and Jadon

Daddy and Jadon


      
Getting Started with Cabela's



5) My sister's detached retina healing perfectly.

6) My vegetable seedlings are still alive & almost ready to planted.

7) My dining room set so we are able to have people over for dinner.

8) My husband making coffee every morning.

9) Getting hired as a Clinician Coach for Cobb Atlanta Jrs.

10) Getting one step closer to knowing the ministry path the Lord  wants us to take.

What are you thankful for?  Write your list and link up with Curious Georgi.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Light: 5 {or more} Minute Friday


From the Gypsy Mama ~


We are the Sunday Morning people

APRIL 6, 2012
It’s good Friday. Resurrection Sunday is coming. I needed much more than five minutes. But you’re still so welcome to link up your Five Minute Friday posts below. The prompt is “light.”
Click Here for Full Post
Light ~

When I think of light I think of darkness as well.  How can we see the light if there is not darkness for the light to shine through?

Light.  It makes plants, flowers and children grow.  It illuminates paths to take or shows you where you have strayed.  It warms and comforts.  It is sorely missed when too many cloudy days run together.

Before the Light could shine, darkness had its moment.  


At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.  Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”[a] Mark 15:33-34

So many times in my life, darkness had its moment before the Light shown.  I can't help but wonder why the Light chose to come the ways It has in my life. There where times when the Light came strong and mighty.  Where those times because I was in such a desperate state and needed a mighty fortress around me?  The other times the Light was barely noticeable.  Were those testing times?  Times that I had to learn to stand against the darkness holding tightly to the knowing the Light was with me.   


And we know that God causes everything to work together[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Everyday I wish I knew what the "good" and "purpose" is for me.  They are always elusive.  Even when I think I know, I can never be sure.   Many times I know nothing more than the peace the Light gives.   That peace is what keeps me going, keeps me moving forward through the darkness towards the Light and all Its goodness.

Good Friday is that moment of darkness before the Light comes into Its glory and power; the time before the Light's "good" and "purpose" was revealed to the world.  Thank You Jesus that we no longer have to wait, to wonder, to live with uncertainty.   We  know Sunday already came and the freedom Sunday brings to all believers.  

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Babywearing

Beginnings
When my son was born, I dabbled in babywearing without even knowing it.  I wanted a Moby Wrap and my sister-in-law bought me fabric to wrap "moby style."  I tried it but never got the hang of it. Then my mom bought a Baby Bjorn for my husband since it was more manly.  As it turned out, I started using the Bjorn around the house, my son seemed to prefer it since he felt less confined.  There was only one problem it didn't solve - my son nursed to sleep and would not let me put him down.

I researched online and found patterns for no sew ring slings.  I went to Sling Rings and purchased rings so I could make my own sling.  My goal was to nurse in the sling and if Jadon fell asleep, he could sleep in the sling and I could get some simple things done, like getting something to eat!

My attempt failed - he would get too hot and start crying and stretching out his arms and legs to get more room.  I kept using the Bjorn until he got too heavy for me to carry comfortably - my back started to hurt.

I didn't know anyone to my knowledge who practiced babywearing to help me out so my journey in babywearing pretty much stopped here.

Rediscovery
Back in March, I met a woman at my sister's wedding shower that was wearing her daughter in a ring sling.  Her daughter fell asleep in it and looked so comfy and cozy.  I began talking to her about it and she gave me information on a group on FB - Babywearing Love and Support.  GREAT GROUP!  I also found a local babywearing group C.O.B.B. Moms.

My Ah, Ha Moment
Last weekend, I was wearing Jadon in my sling through a day of shopping with Josh.  Jadon wanted to nurse, I easily switched him from a hip carry to a cradle carry and was able to nurse and walk around the store.  I used the tail end of my sling to cover him, so it was very discrete.  About 20 minutes later he started getting fussy because he was tired. I bounced him in the sling as I walked through the store and he fell asleep!  It was such a sweet moment for me.  I was able to nurse, put my son to sleep, and cuddle as I shopped! I was hooked!

The Search Begins
Recently I have been using the sling in a hip carry when I would go grocery shopping since Jadon did not like sitting in the child seat of the cart for very long, if at all.  The fabric I have been using is a bit too stretchy - Jadon likes to randomly lead backwards and "go upside down" as I am walking through the store.  Between that and his curiousness about everything, I decided that I wanted a carrier that would go on my back.  That way  he could be close to me and still be able to look around but out of the way at the same time.

I was scrolling through posts on Babywearing Love and Support and saw a link to PAXbaby!  PAXbaby offers many different style carriers - Ring Slings, Asian Style Carriers, Structured Carriers, Framed Carriers, and Wrap Slings as well as many accessories.  I was in heaven and overwhelmed at the same time.  I emailed Jillian for help.  She sent me a list of questions to help me narrow down my choices

Living in Georgia and it being springtime, I decided that I wanted a soft sided carrier (SSC) that has buckles instead of fabric to wrap and tie.  PAXbaby has been so great helping me decide on what carrier I should get.  They even have a rental system so that you can try a few carriers before purchasing one.  Even if you do not decide to rent one first, they have a 90 day return policy - you can't go wrong!  I have decided to get the Boba 3G SSC in Tweet.

Tweet Boba
Boba3G SSC in Tweet www.paxbaby.com
I can't wait to place my order and start a new chapter in my babywearing lifestyle!


Friday, March 30, 2012

5 Minute Friday


Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.
We set a timer, throw caution to the winds and try to remember what it was like to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.
{One of my favorite FMF posts linked up from last week was this one by DKARamblings}
Want to play Five Minute Friday? It’s easy peasy!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat on the prompt- no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Meet & encourage someone who linked up before you.


OK, are you ready? Give us your best five minutes on:

Gift…


1...2...3... GO!

Wow.  Should be an easy topic to write about, but I am finding it hard to decide.  Many images and thoughts crashed in my head all at once.  

Do I want to try to write a profound and heartfelt blog, or a lighthearted, fun blog?  Well, I am taking the easy way and making a list of things that I consider gifts.

  1. Smiles and kisses from my son Jadon.
  2. Watching Jadon's face light up as I set up the TV and DVD to play his favorite movies.
  3. All of this pleasantly warm weather!
  4. Seeing a small lizard on my patio chair and watching him show off. (I always loved seeing them when we lived in Florida - when I see them now I smile, sensing God put him there just for me to see.
Stop....

Wow, 5 minutes goes by fast!

Jadon Watching Despicable Me

Jadon Kissing the Baby

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Update

It has been about 7 months since my last post.  Wow - that is a long time.  Here is what has been going on.

1) I am no longer coaching volleyball.

2) I am not running - I would like to, but I just haven't gotten back into it.  I have been using http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ to count my calories and been doing as many Insanity workouts as I can.  Go to http://www.beachbody.com/ for Insanity and other workouts.  My coach is Lea Fanelli - she has been a great source of encouragement and information. 

3) We moved out of our apartment and started renting a house.

4) I started seedlings for a garden.

5) I bought Vibrant Health from http://www.getpurevitality.com/ to learn about eating whole, raw foods that provide the body with the nutrients it needs.  It has great recipes - even deserts! I love that my shopping cart is 85 - 90% fruits and veggies.  I took a break from working out to begin to eat this way to allow my body time to "build itself up" with all the nutrients it had been missing.  It has made working out easier is terms of having the proper nutrition my body needs to keep up with the demands of working out.

6) I am still nursing Jadon - almost 12 months now!  I am super proud of this and enjoy the time and special bond with my son.  Jadon will be a year on Easter! How fast time flies. He is crawling and cruising all over the place. He loves playing in his playroom and watching his movies.

7) We paid off almost all of our debt - we only have my car payment left and that will be paid off in October of this year! Praise Jesus!

8) We bought a new living room and dining room set - first time my husband and I have bought furniture together since we have been married.  Oh, and we paid for it all in CASH!  I am saving up for the hutch.

9) I linked up with West Cobb Moms on Meetup and I am the Baby Young Toddler Event Coordinator.  I host a play group at my house biweekly and find other activities to do. 

10) I am praying about my area of ministry.  I am thinking about getting back into Youth Ministry.  Not sure of where this will go - call me crazy, but I miss interacting with high school kids (missing my teaching days, but not the teaching!)

That is about it in a nutshell.  More blogs to come!