My Birthing Journey- Continued

I'm one lucky lady to have such great girlfriends! I didn't expect a baby shower at all.....3 showers in less than four years is a bit much! Even though they shouldn't have, I'm so glad they did!!

Keifer's yummy food, delicious cake, good friends, and girly gifts......it was a perfect night!!

Now I'm ready for baby girl to make us a family of five.....wow that sounds crazy!

I'm 37 weeks and dilated 1.5cm,  so she has decided to get the show on the road! It's just a waiting game at this point! I could be wrong, but I have thought all along that my actual due date is Sept 19, we shall see!

You remember that Christmas gift....Bed & Breakfast at Wisteria Inn! Let's just say we should have named baby girl Wisteria! It was the first and only night I have ever been away from Chase.....Chris better come up with a different Christmas gift this year!

I've been getting ready for Josie's arrival. My home waterbirth was squashed by our insurance company. Insurance only covers Certified Nurse Midwives and there isn't one in Mississippi, unfortunately. I was pretty bummed, as for my friends and relatives.....some shared my bummness and others were relieved!

However, I'm very happy with the hospital I chose and my new doctor is FABULOUS!! Both have been very accommodating and are very supportive of natural birth!

I also love my doula which will be a huge support! I met her for lunch yesterday and discovered that she had a home waterbirth and her little man was almost 10lbs......with that said, she will know exactly what I'm going through and then some, and will be able to offer a tremendous amount of support!

This is way off topic but I was intrigued............

Her baby was almost 10lbs and she pushed for four hours, but guess what.....no tear and no episiotomy (which I believe is the most painful part of birth or afterbirth  I should say)!

She would never have been allowed to push for four hours in a hospital without being rushed off for a section, heck she probably would have been pressured to have an elective section after being told her baby was too big. She would have missed out on her beautiful birth experience that she desired!

It's just a great example to trust a woman's body and its capabilities!

My plan is to stay at home as long as possible and labor in the comfort of my own home and then head to the hospital towards the very end, and experience a beautiful, natural birth!!

I said.... it's a plan!

I'm also aware that plans can change!

Until Next Time.................

Dinner In 20 minutes : Ham & Cheese Calzones

Ham & Cheese Calzones are so quick and easy, my three year old cooked dinner!!

What you need:
1 can refrigerated pizza crust
16 slices of shaved honey ham
1 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup ranch dressing
1 tomato (optional)

Have one cutie-ba-tootie roll out the pizza crust.....

Cover half of the crust with ham, after taking a bite of each piece.....

Mix cheese and ranch dressing together.......

Spread the mixture over the ham.............

 Only put tomatoes on one side, gotta keep one side kid-friendly................

Pull crust over and cover up the goodie filling.................

Pinch sides down with a fork.............

Put it in the oven on 400 for 16-18 minutes and feel free to watch it cook.....it's pretty exciting ;)

Voila......easy, quick dinner!!!

Add some fruits and veggies...............

and enjoy a picnic so the clean-up will only consist of a spray down with the hose!!!

Isn't he one handsome chef??

Until Next Time................

Fear Strangles Hope

I am always humbled how a few words spoken during church can make such a drastic impact in my life....especially since a few words might be the only words I hear the entire service, courtesy of two exuberant, little squirts!

During the homily this morning, Father exclaimed, "FEAR WILL STRANGLE HOPE!"

It played in my head over and over, and was causing me to focus on many things in my life right now, but in particular, one specific thing that had actually brought tears to my eyes just moments earlier.

FEAR WILL STRANGLE HOPE

FEAR WILL STRANGLE HOPE

FEAR WILL STRANGLE HOPE

As a mom, I tend to hold onto fear when I should just let it go, give it to God, and let it be!

Fear can eat away at a heart...............

Am I raising my children as Christ would.....after all, they are HIS children?

Am I pleasing in God's eyes with my choices of discipline?

Am I always forgiving, gracious, and understanding as he ask of me?

Am I guiding my children down the right path that will make them men after God's own heart?


If you remember my post about losing my patience with Colby and delivering a not so pleasant God-awful face that was eye opening when he threw it right back at me. Why would I expect anything less....children imitate the ones they love! 

Remember this face.............

(He does tend to exaggerate a tid bit!)


It definitely isn't heartwarming to see your negative flaws displayed in your children! I chose to use it, grow, and make a change, but fear in my heart has a way of lingereing!

This morning we entered the house of the Lord and Colby dipped his fingers in the Holy Water, went down on one knee and did the sign of the cross before taking his seat, and then kneeled next to his daddy and prayed before the music filled the air!

Talk about one proud mommy!

Talk about my heart pounding!

Talk about a lump in my throat!

Talk about the tears in my eyes!

Talk about a sense of pride that released all fear from my heart!

Then the spoken words actually traveled from the alter and leaped directly into my heart!

FEAR WILL STRANGLE HOPE!


God was saying to me...........you've got this, but most importantly, I'VE GOT THIS!

Yes, there will be days that I will feel like my parenting actions have failed to display the love of Christ, but I won't let it become fear in my heart anymore, since fear strangles hope!

What an amazing gift to give my children and myself, HOPE!

I John 4:18
 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.


Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He heard me,And delivered me from all my fears.







Until Next Time..................