Mothers Who Know

"Older Moms" Unite....LOL A comment on a comment. LMSO

I just read Ashley's blog.  She was responding to a comment she recieved from a older mom wanting to have more children, but afraid of the unexpected.....or possibly the expected as well.  Ashley has a beautiful spirit and answered the comment wonderfully.  But I felt lead to write about it as well.

I am 36 years old.  I will be 37 in April, and I am preggo.  Does it concern me that I am older than my mom was when she delivered me???  A little....but I was older than that when I delivered Noah, too.  LOL  My mom was 32 when she had me...the baby of the family.  Does it concern me that there is a higher risk of birth defects, etc. etc. (you have heard all the stories just like I have).....not really!  I am not a worry wart type of person.  I have learned and trained myself to put my trust in the Lord.  Worrying about it isn't going to help.  Praying about it will.  Keeping my sight upon the Lord helps tremendously, and knowing He is paying attention to my heart felt prayers brings me peace in this.

Did I worry about morning sickness and such??? A little.  I have to admit, I didn't want a repeat of before when I was so sick.  I didn't have the energy to climb out of bed most mornings.  The difference this time??? I started praying at the first time I had icky feelings (first that it was a sign of pregnancy and secondly that I would NOT be sick!).  I don't like taking meds....and my neice Megan was on meds from week 4 till the second her baby girl was born because she was sooooooooooo sick.  I didn't want that.  So I spoke blessings and health over my body and I speak blessings and health over this baby as well...every single day!!!  I haven't been sick once....although I have had dry heaves a few times. 

I will continue to pray blessings over myself, my body, my baby, etc. through out my pregnancy and will pray for an easy and healthy delivery as well.  I have prayed about this baby just as I have prayed daily over the health and protection of my hubby when he drives to and from work, during his work day and for my son as well.

I don't  "feel" that old anyway.  LMSO  Sure with the age and extra weight I carry, I can't pop up and run up the stairs like I could when I was 20.  But I do everything I can to eat well and energize myself and take care of myself.  I leave the rest up to God.  I remember when I found out almost 4 years ago that I was pregnant with Noah.  I felt OLD.  My nurse practioner was pregnant as well..........at 42!!!  I saw her pregnant and a little tired, but glowing.  And I thought....WOW.....if she can do it....with a hubby and a child at home....with a full time job as a NP in a busy doctor's office.........then why can't I????? 

Ashley answered a question:  Do you plan on having children in your later years....35-40?  For me.....it's a yes.  LMSO  I plan on having one this year....October.  And after that???? We will leave it up to God.  God truly never gives you more than you can handle......................IF YOU TRUST AND RELY ON HIM.  Try this, or any number of other things in your life alone......and you will FAIL miserably. 

It isn't about your age......your health.....your weight.....your family background.....how many siblings you had.......etc.  It's about giving your cares and concerns to God. 

So.......................older mom's..................let's speak up.  If are or were a older mom..........please speak up and tell us about it.  Let's encourage others to not be scared about being a mom over 30 or 35 or even 40!!!

Pregnancy Laughs and Cravings.....

I am currently about 7 weeks preggo.  A LONG way to go till baby gets here.  How did I do this the last time?? I am so impatient. LMSO   But thankfully I haven't been sick!!!  I have been praying over this pregnancy and praying over not being sick.  With Noah I was drained all the time, naseous, and got sick often.  Look at me wrong and I could slap my hand over my mouth and run to the bathroom.  Hubby almost got his feelings hurt several times as he would lean in for a kiss and I would push him away and run to the bathroom.  LMSO  I since found out that the "motion sickness" of him leaning in to fast for a kiss was doing it.  LOL 

I was a little naseous right before I found out I was pregnant.  God's way of hinting I should take a test I suppose.  LOL  And I have had the whole "dry heaving" thing a few times.  But after being so sick with Noah, it is a delight to relax and not be sick or naseous this time.  Thank you God for answering prayers....both big and small.  Other than trying to get over the head cold, I am feeling great!!!!

I have been laughing alot lately....at myself....at my body....at the symptoms, etc.  Such as this morning when I ocughed gently and peed my pants.  LOL  Ok, not completely soaked, but dripple dripple enough to have to change them.  I had to laugh!!!    Or how about when I was eating popcorn earlier and just one little stray popcorn shell hits my throat just right and GAG!  It's so easy now a days to do that to myself.  Oh and how about yesterday when the first crazy craving hit me.......BBQ meatballs and olives and pickles.  LOL 

What are some of the silly pregnancy things you have to share??? Andy wild silly cravings??? Am I the only one who has peed their pants from coughing or sneezing (and in the first 2 months no less....geesh)  Does anyone have any funny stories to tell me about how they found out they were expecting, etc???  Come on ladies, share with me!!!

What's For Dinner tonight???? Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing in the Crockpot!!!

Tonight is a super simple dinner, but oh so yummy!!!

The "recipe' came from an idea in a magazine.  Here is how you make it!

Dump one can of apple pie filling into a crockpot.  Place 4 porkchops on top and season as you like.  Make one box of stuffing (according to package directions, but do not cook) and spoon over the pork chops.  Then it's the "hard" part.  Turn on the crock pot and let it cook.  There you have it.  LOL

Before eating supper, I will heat up some green beans and ta da....supper.

Happiness in the Midst of Strife and Trouble: It's a CHOICE

I have a dear friend, adopted little sister, Mia who wrote on her Facebook today that she was just having a horrible day and wanted to crawl back in bed and just stay there.  Why???  Her son needs to see a nuerologist at 2 months old.  She had him all ready and in the car and got a flat tire.  So went inside and called the doctor's office, etc. and they told her that the appointment was not till tomorrow.  She isn't too worried about the doctor's appointment but she told me the flat tire was going to ruin the rest of her day. 

WHAT????  She has already DECIDED to allow this to ruin the rest of her day.  I used to do this as well.  I used to let my emotioins and feelings about life dictate how my day would go.  I used to let a bad hair day so to speak, ruin my day, or even my week.  I have been on meds for just this reason.  I couldn't cope with bad feelings and bad situations.  Maybe some of you are there, or used to be there and understand what I am talking about here.

Thank goodness that I am not in that place anymore.  I told Mia this morning she needs to remember that it is HER decision to let the flat tire ruin her day, and that she needs to remind herself of all the wonderful blessings she has in her life:  a loving husband, a gorgeous newborn baby boy, a bunch of family and friends that love her, etc. etc.   She said wow...thank you....I needed that......I MISS YOU AMY!  ahhhh......I miss you too Mia.

So today, I needed to remind some of you.......my dear friends that it is YOUR OWN DECISION to be happy today or be depressed.  Life has given you some bumps....but you can choose to sit on the bump and cry, or you can choose to leap over it...be an overcomer and go on with life.  I know I have had several hurdles in my life.  Some have looked at them and don't understand how I made it to the other side.  How did I??? Through my relationship with Jesus Christ and reminding myself of all the good in my life.....remembering the better times, and focusing on how to get to a better place.  Don't focus on where you are if you are in diffculties.....focus on where you WANT to be!!!

So, to my dear friends who have losted a loved one, are going through family troubles, dealing with financial problems or health problems..........I want you to know.....better times are right around the corner.  Choose to think about the good things, and remember that I pray for each and every one of you!!! 

Crafting (Christmas, Birthdays, etc.) while Pregnant

Well ladies, I have a list a mile long of things I want to make and craft for friends and loved ones this year, including birthday presents for neices and nephews and alot of Christmas items.  So I decided last night I better get out the old schedule and pair down a little and decide what things to make and when to get them all done.  

Last year it seemed I had time to make some special homemade gifts for others, but I didn't end up having time to finish the ones I wanted for my own family, my hubs and my son.  So this year.....I need to make sure Noah and Matthew's items get finished in time!!!  I am pairing down a little and my schedule resprensents that September and October are for set aside especially for last minute baby items and such.  I can imagine with a big preggo belly I am not going to feel like sitting at the sewing machine for other things.

November and December are set aside for having family pictures taken, ordering our picture postcards, doing last minute shopping, and helping the kids (Noah and his sibling) make homemade presents for grandparents and daddy, and wrapping, etc.

This month I have been working on one of the three baby quilts for friends.  I am going to try to get the other two done next month.  Hopefully I will have time to post a pic soon.  I am delivering it tomorrow and hope to get pics of Zephaniah with his new quilt to show you all as well.

So, is anyone else working on any special crafts or sewing projects??? I would love to hear what others are working on and to see some pics!

Back to School....Back to Work......

Our son Noah hasn't attended school in a few WEEKS now because of sickness.  My word, I think the little man has missed more preschool that he has attended this year because of the cold, snow days, and sickness.  He was so excited to go to school today with a note to his teacher, Ms. Dot, telling her we were having a baby.  Not only is Ms. Dot a wonderful preschool teacher, but has been a dear dear friend of mine through our church and Bible study for about 12 years.  I was busting to tell her, but wanted it to be special coming from Noah.  I wrote the letter and Noah signed it. 

So, Noah left for school this morning and all of a sudden the quiet of the house was almost TOO much.  LOL  I have gotten used to us lounging, playing, reading books, etc. the last few weeks and now that he is not here.......the silence was deafening.  So I had to turn on the TV for some noise.  He is only at school for about 4 hours, but some days it seems like a lifetime before he gets home.  Of course others, I wish he had a full day so I could get more accomplished around here.

I am finally feeling better and it is time ladies!!  Time to get caught back up on all that has fallen to the wayside while I was ill.  Matthew was wonderful about helping and I adore him for it, but he doesn't keep up as well as I do.  It's nice to know I am still needed.  Laundry and dishes to do, cleaning and dusting and vacuuming too, and of course...the bathrooms.  I told Matthew I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and getting things done again for my family!!!

I need to go fold the laundry now that hubs threw in the dryer for me this morning, giving me a step ahead on that, and start in on the dishes next.  It will be a long day full of chores, but I will rest easier tonight knowing the house is coming back to normal.

Funny Lenten Story -- From the Mouths of Babes

Crop of The Week -- Peas

Monday Menu Planner

Monday night is Meatless Monday at our house.  We try to eat vegetarian one night  a week for a change and to cut down on eating so much meat, which also saves us money for the monthly grocery budget.

Taco Tuesday because.......it sounds so cute!  We don't always do tacos on Tuesdays, but it sounds like fun this week. LOL

Meatless Monday:  soup (either potato or tomato) and grilled cheese sandwiches (or sammiches as Noah says)

Taco Tuesday:  Beef Tacos, Chicken Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, and Chips with Salsa

Wednesday:  Crockpot Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing (a can of apple pie filling, pork porks and then stuffing on top.  YUM!), green beans

Thursday:  Ham and Cheesey Potatoes (crockpot), peas, credscnt rolls

Friday: Pizza, Dessert MOVIES!

Saturday:  BBQ Beef Sanwiches, Fries

Sunday: Leftovers from this week

Monday Again!!!! What to do, what to do.

Hey everyone.  The weekend went too fast for me!!  I wanted an extra day or two to enjoy the family as we were snowed in most of the weekend.  I am just now getting over my bronchitus and finally with additional meds, getting over the head congestion and ear fluid as well.  My, I have been so sick this winter.  I don't think I have ever been so sick, so much in my life.  UGH!

So today, although there are MANY things to do....I am resting and getting my energy back.  I didn't sleep well Saturday, but slept a bit more last night.  I think after another day of rest, and a nice long sleep at night, I will be able to get back in and pick up where I left off.  UGH  I don't even want to think about the long list of things that await me.  LMSO  But as my friend Bev said, that dust bunny will be there next week (with babies most likely).  LOL 

As I said, we have been snowed in mostly.  Friday started with lots of sleet and slush, but by that evening it turned into snow.  All day Saturday and Sunday it snowed (and snowed) and didn't stop.  There is a gorgeous white blanket of snow outside now to enjoy, but because we got so much (about 8 inches already in the front yard), and because it drifted in certain places, the roads were vacant, even here in town.  I heard a friend of mine got to within a mile or so of his house last night in the snow on the country road, but had to stay with a friend because he couldn't get his truck through the snow that had drifted over the road.  LOL   Matthew shoveled lots of snow yesterday in case I needed to get out (I assured him I wasn't, but he insists) and I am sure is shoveling more snow today off the front walk at work.

We enjoyed our weekend.  My inlaws took us out Friday night to Chinese where we told them we were expecting another baby.  They were delighted.  We came home and talked to our siblings and told them we were expecting as well.  I knew I was, even if doc and his nurse didn't believe me and the blood test hadn't came back yet.  LMSO  Doc called on Saturday to tell me congrats, I was pregnant and yes I was about 5-8 weeks along.  My nurse even called me this morning to make sure I had been called and I said see Cynthia....I TOLD YOU!  (what??? I had to! LOL) and she laughed and said I know hunny and I am so happy for you! 

Tonight is Meatless Monday at our house....vegetarian meals another words for one night a week.  So I think we will have soup (either potato or tomato...not sure which yet) and grilled cheese sandwiches.  Quick, easy, filling and soup is always good for a snowy day.  I am making up my menu for the rest of the week and will post it soon.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I love you all!!!