Tuesday, July 31, 2007

The Sweetest Thing!

My husband called me this morning and invited me to lunch at Pappadeaux. It's not really all that big of a deal type of a restaurant but it is one of our favorites!!!

We haven't worked in close proximity in a long time and he said we better do this now before I'm gone from my job and homeschooling.

I had to pop up a post about it and say how thankful I was for this little mid-day date!!

Monday, July 30, 2007

Jonathan Slocumb at Antioch Church, Dallas, TX, August 2, 2007


Jonathan Slocumb will be at the Men's Summit, Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.




Go here for more information.



Sheet Music

It seems that this is the topic of the week, so since I don't blog everyday, I created its own separate post.

It's a greak book by one of my favorite authors. If you'd like to read more about it or purchase it, you can go to the Amazon bookstore I created.



After I heard about it and read just a little of it, I referred it to a few friends. One of my friends has already referred it to 4 or 5 of her friends!


It's also one of the books that the Marriage Ministry at our church, uses for their marriage coaching. There are coaches in the marriage ministry, in the areas of intimacy, parenting, finances, communication, premarital and marriage in general.


So look further into it for yourself, and if you have a minute, see what I wrote about the book, in this post.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Congratulations to the giveaway winner!


This was so much fun. Thanks Shannon for hosting such great ideas!

Ok, enough is too much! No more suspense!

Click here to find out the winner!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Imari Thompson - Cedar Hill Longhorns Football - Rivals.com Article - July 2007 -

{taken from Rivals.com)

Last year Imari Thompson was part of a backfield that helped Cedar Hill to a state title. But a lot of the highlights went to William Cole and Corey Roney. This season it looks like Thompson will be asked to shoulder more of the load.

Thompson has several schools showing early interest.


"We had a great year last season," Thompson said. "With William and Corey we had a lot of talent back there. This year I am ready to step up and be a leader. I have been working hard in the weight room trying to show leadership and I hope all the hard work can help us get back to the state championship."

Cedar Hill has become a consistent stop for college recruiters around the country. Kansas has been one of those schools and Thompson recently attended the Jayhawks Super Camp in Lawrence.

"It was a really cool," Thompson said of the camp. "I loved the campus and I liked all the chemistry I saw with all of the coaches. Coach Tim Beck and I text all the time. Kansas is definitely one of the schools that I would want to go to."

Last year Beck was able to help Kansas land former Cedar Hill standout Dezmon Briscoe. Thompson recently had a chance to speak with Briscoe.

"I talked to him over the fourth of July on how everything was going there," Thompson said. "He said it has been real good at Kansas. But I know he was tired from all of the working out he's done."

Thompson has also camped at Oklahoma State, Tulsa, North Texas, and Houston. There are several schools that have shown early interest in him.

"The schools recruiting me the most have been Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Houston, Colorado, Central Florida, Rice, and SMU," he said. "Kansas and Houston have talked like they might offer."

Thompson has a lot in front of him with a senior year that includes helping Cedar Hill to try and accomplish what they did last season. He hopes the recruiting will fall into place.

"Right now I want to be patient and see what offers will come," he said.

See more football updates here.

Drumroll Please.....

The winner is "dallimomma"!!

Congratulations!!!! Enjoy the book "Sheet Music" by Kevin Leman or let me know which of the others you would like.

Sheet Music is the by far the absolute best book on this topic I have ever read!! And my husband was very glad I read it too. (hint hint)

If you didn't win, bless your own marriage, future marriage, or someone else's by reading or referring this book..... do your part to protect the bof' of yous against temptation outside of your marriage! Also read this post for more information related to this topic.

You can also find more information the books in my giveaway, here at my bookstore.




Sheet Music by Kevin Leman









Biblical Womanhood in the Home, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss







Marriage on the Rock by Jimmy Evans









Knight in Shining Armor by P. B. Wilson







Liberated Through Submission by P. B. Wilson

Status Report

Here's my status report for this point in this season in life. Just a quick one. Hopefully the future ones will be in more detail.

Age: 35

Married 7 years, one month, and three days!

Three children: Ages 5, 3, and 1

Occupation: QA Analyst / Contractor

Industry: Telecommunications

Ministry: We finished CTI (Covenant Training Institute) last month and are ready to move where ever the Lord leads us!!!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Imari Thompson Highlight Video - Cedar Hill Longhorns Football - Rivals.com - July 2007



Click here to see Imari's (Mookie's) highlight video which is now posted on Rivals.com.


Buddy has come a long way from the photos below!!!






See more football updates here.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Is Christianity in America is Decreasing, One Generation at a Time?

The less children we have, the less impact we have on the world for the Faith!!

We're having fewer children than ever before? What is that doing to the impact of Christianity on the rest of the world?

Do you know people who mock the idea of continuing to be fruitful and multiply? Do you mock it yourself? This article below has challenged my thinking!

"We want more souls in the kingdom, as long as we don't have to birth 'em, raise 'em and feed 'em." Voddie Baucham

We decided to apply this to our own family. See here.

Voddie says his family's passion is to raise, train, disciple, and launch as many children as possible!!

More articles by or related to Voddie Baucham

The Centrality of the Home (Listen to the MP3)

Family Integrated Church Conference

The Grace Family Institute

Homeschool Support Group

2007 Family Conference

Dr. Voddie Baucham will be in the North Texas Area in August

Monday, July 23, 2007

Thoughts from the Bluedorns

I took these notes from their audio seminar entitled, A Less Hurried Approach to Homeschooling.

In the early years give your children the following
- Brain-appropriate challenges

Focus on self-management and self-control

Do not focus on force-feeding academics

They need foundational things like:
- Honoring God and parents
- Developing the capacity for language
- Appetite for learning
- Encouraging creativity
- Developing the memory
- Work and service

Academics need to built on a foundation of moral character

Build a larger store of categories of thought

Don't focus too much on academics first

They need to develop:
- proper behavior
- moral outlook
- service for others
- household management chores

Focus on special projects. These promote diligence, perseverance, attention to detail and the like.

Instill a love of learning!

The best quote!
"If you build too hastily on the building, skimping on the foundation, the building may sag and lean and parts may fall, as the foundation sinks or crumbles underneath it."
-- Harvey Bluedorn

More Trivium Pursuit Articles and Audio Seminars

It's Time for the Giveaway!!


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket




Update:
click here to see the winners


The contest is now underway, which was started over at Rocks in My Dryer.

The contest will close on Friday at noon CST. If you enter a comment after that time, you will not be included in the drawing.

You will have an opportunity to win one of the following books.
You can choose.

Biblical Womanhood in the Home, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Sheet Music by Kevin Leman

Marriage on the Rock by Jimmy Evans

Knight in Shining Armor by P. B. Wilson

Liberated Through Submission by P. B. Wilson

You can find more information about these books, here at my bookstore.

Here's how the giveaway goes:

To be entered in the drawing, just leave a comment on this post.

For one additional chance to win, leave a relevant comment on one of the other posts here on the blog. Paruse through the categories or the archive.

And while you're here, take a look at our business website, Tsidkenu Tsolutions. We do webdesign for individuals, families, ministries, class reunions, and more!

The winner of the drawing will be announced at the end of the day on Friday or on Saturday at the latest! (Nancy Leigh Demoss and Jimmy Evans are both at conferences in our area this weekend, and I plan to be at one of them!!!)

The contest is open to US residents only.

Excerpt from the book, Biblical Womanhood in the Home

My Thoughts Exactly!
Article by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Jun 25 2003

In 1990 Time magazine devoted an entire special issue to the subject of women. The eighty-six-page special issue chronicled the feminist revolution of the past generation; it included articles on such revolutionary developments as "the road to equality," the psychology of growing up female, the changing roles of women in the workforce, women as consumers, changing views on marriage and family, and the hurdles women face in pursuing political careers.

One section featured profiles of "10 tough-minded women" who have combined "talent and drive" to become "successful" in their careers—everything from a police chief to a rap artist.

Conspicuous by its absence throughout the issue was any recognition given to women who have succeeded in ways not tied to careers—women who have successfully stayed married to the same man or who have succeeded in bringing up children who are making a positive contribution to society.

Not surprisingly, no bouquets were handed out to women for being reverent and temperate or modest and chaste or gentle and quiet, for loving their husbands and children, for keeping a clean, well-ordered home, for caring for elderly parents, for providing hospitality, for acts of kindness, service, and mercy, or for demonstrating compassion for the poor and needy—the kind of success that, according to the Word of God, is what women should aspire to attain (1 Tim. 5:10; Titus 2:3-5).

I was struck by the fact that though Time's coverage featured women in many different roles and settings, there were precious few references to home. Women readers who have chosen a career as "homemakers" could easily have been shaken by the solitary sidebar article on "Wives" entitled "Caution: Hazardous Work." The subheading read: "Looking for lifelong economic security? Don't bank on homemaking."

It appears that the identity and value of women has come to be equated with their role in the community or in the marketplace. That is how their "worth" is generally defined, measured, and experienced. By contrast, relatively little priority or value is assigned to their role in the home.
Fruit of the Revolution The feminist revolution was supposed to bring women greater fulfillment and freedom. But I can't help but feel a sense of sadness over what has been forfeited in the midst of this upheaval—the beauty, the wonder, and the treasure of the distinctive makeup, calling, and mission of women.

It should come as no huge surprise that the secular world is confused and off base about the identity and calling of women. But what I find distressing is the extent to which the revolution described above has taken hold even within the evangelical world.

We see the fruit of the revolution as prominent Christian speakers, authors, and leaders promote an agenda, whether subtly or overtly, that encourages women to define and discover their worth in the workplace, in society or at church, while minimizing (or even at the expense of) their distinctive roles in the home as daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers—as bearers and nurturers of life, as caregivers, as those privileged and responsible to shape the heart and character of the next generation.

We see the fruit of the revolution in the eyes and cries of women who are drowning in the quagmire of serial divorce and remarriage and wayward children; women who are utterly exhausted from the demands of trying to juggle one or more jobs, function as single parents, and be active at church; women who are disoriented and confused, who lack a sense of mission, vision, and purpose for their lives and who are perpetually shrouded in woundedness, self-doubt, resentment, and guilt.

Yes, the revolution has come to the church. And when you add up all the gains and loses, there is no question in my mind that women have been the losers—as have their husbands and their children and grandchildren—as has the entire church—as has our lost, unbelieving culture.

A Counterrevolutionary Call

Some years ago a fresh sense of mission began to stir within my heart. Since that time, the sense of pessimism and hopelessness, of being swallowed up by the revolution, has been replaced by rich hope and excitement.

A study of the development of modern feminism (feminism itself actually dates back to the Garden of Eden) impressed me with the fact that this massive revolution did not begin as a massive revolution.

It started in the hearts of a relatively small handful of women with an agenda, women who were determined and intentional in their efforts.

As I considered the growth of modern feminism, I began to wonder what might happen in our day if even a small number of devoted, intentional women would begin to pray and believe God for a revolution of a different kind—a counter-revolution—within the evangelical world.

What would happen if a "remnant" of women were willing to return to the authority of God's Word, to embrace God's priorities and purpose for their lives and homes, and to live out the beauty and the wonder of womanhood as God created it to be?

Unlike most revolutions, this counter-revolution does not require that we march in the streets or send letters to Congress or join yet another organization. It does not require us to leave our homes—in fact, for many women, it calls them back into their homes. It

requires only that we humble ourselves, that we learn, affirm, and live out the biblical pattern of womanhood, and that we teach the ways of God to the next generation. It is a revolution that will take place on our knees.

I want to invite you to become a part of this counter-revolution—waged not with the weapons of anger, discontent, rebellion and rancor, but with humility, obedience, love, and prayer—believing that in God's time, the changes that result will be more profound and on a higher order than any of the massive socio-political changes our world has experienced in this generation.

________________________________________
Excerpted from the book Biblical Womanhood in the Home,
© 2001, Crossway Books, edited by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Childhood Meme - The House of My Growing Up


This is just my start, more is coming soon! If you have one or your blog, send me a comment and let me know. If you don't have a blog put yours in a comment!

Do you have warm feelings about the childhood home you remember the most?

Yes!!! Some of my fondest memories are from the house where I grew up. On Lake Placid Drive!

What did your home look like inside?

It was a one story house with 5 bedrooms and green shag carpet (until my dad bought carpet from me when I was 16 and a carpet salesperson).

I shared rooms with my sister who is two years older. There was a looooong hallway from our room to my parents' and I remember being afraid to go from our room to theirs, late at night. But I would still dash up the hall, on stormy nights and I wanted my mommy.


Here's a photo of me and my older sisters, below LOL
Good Grief!!!




I graduated to having my own room, when my oldest sister moved out and went to college, and after all three of my older sisters graduated, I had the whole house to myself. Then they started coming back home!

The fifth bedroom was sometimes the play room and other times an office. I was hardly ever used as a bedroom.

Either of my bedrooms, was always next to the side-yard, where our doggies lived.

Outside the House?

We had a really big dog house out there and I remember playing in the dog house with my sisters, friends and cousins from time to time (when I think about it now...."yucky!"

We had a big covered patio and a couple of trees out back. We loved climbing the trees and especially climbing all the way up and jumping onto the roof. We'd go there and walk all around the roof and sometimes even jump off the roof to the ground. Crazy, we were!!

We also climbed the trees in the front yard. My dad has flower beds in the front yard which he spent hours and hours on the weekend, making them beautiful. He and my mom definitely had green thumbs. I do not!

What did you look out onto?

From the front, I looked out onto the street and the houses across the street. One of the houses, was owned by Z.Z. Hill. Someone out there may remember him. We felt like we were important because we were neighbors to a blues singer. And to top that off, we also lived in the same apartment building as Johnny Taylor, the year I was born!

See this post for information on how this started.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Great homeschool sites

Great sites I came across today in my leisurely internet browsing time.

I will definitely be back to view these sites later!

Tribute To Hannah


Such a sweet little girl. We know you're being held in the arms of Jesus now!

Hannah's Mom's Blog


Hannah's Aunt's Blog

Another Blog Friend Encourages us to (Hug Our Children Right Now, in light of Hannah's accident) and knowing just how precious life is.

Janne has put together a day of prayer, Thursday, July 26th, for Hannah's family and other children of bloggers, who have suffered or who currently need prayer, like Annie, Gloria, Parker, and Emma Grace.

Imari Thompson - Cedar Hill Longhorns Football - 2007-2008 Schedule



Fri 08/24/2007 Home Ennis High School
-- 7:00PM -- --

Fri 08/31/2007 Away Colleyville Heritage
-- 7:30PM -- --

Fri 09/07/2007 Home hebron
-- 7:30PM -- --

Fri 09/14/2007 Away North Crowley
-- 7:30PM -- --

Fri 09/28/2007 Home Arlington Bowie High School
-- 7:30PM -- --

Fri 10/05/2007 Away Desoto High School
-- 7:30PM -- --

Fri 10/12/2007 Away Arlington Lamar High School
-- 7:30PM -- --

Fri 10/19/2007 Home Sam Houston High School
-- 7:30PM -- --

Fri 10/26/2007 Home Arlington High School
-- 7:30PM -- --

Fri 11/02/2007 Home Martin High School
-- 7:30PM -- --

Fri 11/09/2007 Away Duncanville High School
-- 7:30PM

See more football updates here.

Fight a Good (Marriage) Fight

I heard Gary and Barb Rosberg's show one Friday evening and almost couldn't believe it when I heard them encourage the married couples listening, to go and have a good fight that weekend!

Of course they didn't mean have a knock-down drag out physical fight, they were talking about communication. It actually made sense because their show that day was about conflict in marriage.

They gave several tips about how to effectively deal with conflict and they encouraged us by saying conflict is normal and healthy.

Often times, we do not deal with the root of issues that are bothering us about our spouse, until we are in a conflict. The very atmostphere of a conflict allows us to air out our honest feelings and bring them to our spouse's attention.

It's not black and white, though. I'm sure some disagree with this and some may even prefer not to ever have conflicts in their marriage. The extreme of that, if we are not careful, is to live in fear of sharing with our spouse, our true feelings that need to be known. It would be damaging for years and years to pass, without sharing those feelings, and even more damaging to only share those with someone other than your spouse.

It's best to get it out. But there are rules for how to do so in love, without hurting each other, without taking offense, and all the while..... drilling down to the root of the issue until it is resolved!

For more tips from some of the experts see the following:





Thursday, July 19, 2007

Nancy Leigh DeMoss at OCBF, Dallas, TX, July 27-28


Nancy Leigh DeMoss is an author, conference speaker, and host of Revive Our Hearts and Seeking Him, two nationally syndicated radio programs heard each weekday on over 700 outlets. Since 1980, she has served on the staff of Life Action Ministries, a revival ministry based in Niles, Michigan.

She is a compelling speaker and prolific author of several books including A Place of Quiet Rest and Lies Women Believe. Her published books have sold over 1 million copies.

"Find your release now from daily worries, from the stresses in your life, from past hurts, through Praise & Worship, Dynamic Teaching That Will Change Your Life, Inspirational Singing, & Great Fellowship.

Enjoy Being a Woman That is Loved By Jesus"

Attend the Desperate for Jesus Women's Conference at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church this weekend.

Click here for more information.

If you have any questions about the conference, please call 214.672.9100 ext. 2602.

You can hear Nancy's radio program archives here.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Childhood Meme

This post was inspired by my new blog friend, e-mom. I'm quoting a lot of this directly from her post, about writing an autobiography, and I'll be back with my own answered questions, in a few days!




Anyone can tell their story when they know what questions to ask themselves. The answers are inside you. Read a question and the answer is there. It's easy. It's fun. There are no rules. Tell your story in your own voice. Only you can.


—The Remembering Site


The Remembering Site contains over one thousand evocative, story-telling questions to help lead you through the process. Here are a few examples:

Describe your family holidays.
Did you eat lunch at school,or did you go home for lunch?
Describe your career.
What was the happiest moment of your life?
Your Childhood Home Meme

Mary (mother of 10) at Owlhaven says, “I’d like you all to consider writing about your childhood home… If you moved a lot, it’s fine to pick one favorite house. What I want to hear are details that were important to you as a child: your secret hideout under the stairs... the way your mother washed your hair in the kitchen sink every Saturday night…
Mary challenges us by saying "On Friday, July 20th, put your post up on your blog. I’ll put a Mr. Linkie up on my blog so that you can sign in with the address of your post…"
Thanks for the challenge, Mary! I'm up for it!!


Helpful Questions posted by e-mom.

Under the chapter heading “The House of Your Growing Up” here are a few questions from the Remembering Site to help you with Owlhaven’s delightful challenge.
Do you have warm feelings about the childhood home you remember the most?
What did your home look like?
What was the color? Was it stone, wood-other? One story or two?
What did you look out onto?
What was your bedroom like?
Did you share it with your siblings, or was it cozy by yourself?

Monday, July 16, 2007

Marriage Conference, July 19-21, Gateway Church, Southlake, Rosbergs, Jimmy Evans


Gateway Marriage Conference is a Christ-centered enrichment weekend designed to help a husband and wife grow in their relationship with God and with each other.

Because your marriage deserves to THRIVE!!!

Child care provided Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning.

www.gatewaypeople.com/channels/thrive/

drgaryandbarb.com/events

Thrive Marriage Conference
July 19–21, 2007
How would you rate your marriage? Is it paradise? Is it in the depths of despair? Or is it ho-hum and just existing day to day? However you rate your marriage, you’ll find some much-needed answers and direction at Thrive!, a three-day conference designed to impart, equip and bring your marriage to a higher level.

Join us and be encouraged by some of America’s most dynamic and renowned speakers on marriage—Jimmy Evans of MarriageToday and Dr. Gary and Barb Rosberg of Your Marriage Coaches—as they present practical and fun ways to take your marriage to a level you’ve only dreamed of. A thriving marriage is one that is flourishing, prospering, maturing and succeeding; and God’s desire is for you to have a marriage that thrives!



If you’re looking to reawaken lost passion, refresh a stale relationship or encourage a healthy one, then don’t miss Thrive!

Registration Information
$20 per person (before July 9)
$30 per couple (before July 9)
Late Registration at the door: $30 per person

Children’s ministry is available free of charge for all sessions except for Friday afternoon; however, registration is required by July 9.


For more information, contact Nikki Boles at 817.552.3612 or email thrive@gatewaypeople.com.
Thrive Marriage Conference
July 19–21, 2007

Thursday, July 19
7:00–9:00 pm Session 1 His Needs, Her Needs

Friday, July 20
3:00–5:00 pm Session 2 Intimate Encounters *
7:00–9:00 pm Session 3 Date with a Purpose

Saturday, July 21
9:00 am–12:00 pm Session 4 He Said, She Said/Fighting Fair

* Children’s ministry is available free of charge for all sessions except for Friday afternoon; however, registration is required by July 9.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Prize Giveaway Next Week!


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket




Check back for an opportunity to win a free book for women (general), marriage, or specifically for single women.

[Choices from authors such as Kevin Leman, Michelle McKinney Hammond, P. B. Wilson, and Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

See you next week!


Click the button (picture) above for more information on how the give away got started.

Marriage Conference, July 27-28, Covenant Church, Carrollton, Texas, Jimmy Evans



From Jimmy Evans:

"Marriage on the Rock has proven to be one of our most popular events over the years, and I'm always encouraged by the remarkable testimonies that come from those who attend.

Click here for more information about the Marriage Today Ministry.

You may be wondering, "Is this seminar right for me?"

The answer is almost certainly, "Yes!" The truths, insights and practical principles I will present can make a hurting marriage strong and a good marriage even better. And if you're engaged or plan to be married someday, you'll learn keys to avoiding common pitfalls and information on how to start out right.

No matter who you are -- no matter what your background-- you'll walk away from this Marriage on the Rock seminar with the tools to build a successful and fulfilling marriage.

In other words, couples on the verge of divorce can find new life for their marriage; healthy relationships can go to the next level; and singles can build the right foundation for future matrimony.

You are never too old to learn, and your relationship never so damaged that the Lord is not able to work a miracle in your marriage. I have seen literally hundreds of marriages saved and strengthened through the principles taught at these seminars."


When Friday, July 27 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Saturday, July 28 9:00am to 12:00noon


Where Covenant Church 2644 E. Trinity Mills Rd
Carrollton, Texas 75006


Cost
Free, but you must register to attend.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Childlike, Brotherly Compassion


Today I took lunch to my two older kiddos, at summer camp and as we walked down the hallway, all holding hands, my son looked at his big sister and saw she was sad.

He said, "What's wrong Riah? Why are you sad?" She said, "Because I was hungry and didn't want to wait for Mommy to come."



Then Buddy responded with such care and concern, in the cutest little 3 year old voice, "Awe....it's okay. I will share with you."

I almost fell to pieces (and the male security guard in the hallway, almost did too).

I thought, wow. What compassion he showed toward his sister?


I had to ask myself a series of questions.

How often do I show that kind of compassion when I see someone who is hungry or has some other need?

How often do I willingly offer to share some of what I have, to make them feel better, because I am moved by their sorrow?

He didn't say, Mommy will get you one, too. He said I will give you some of mine!!!

Needless today, I was incredibly humbled.

Tony Dungy @ OCBF

Join Coach Tony Dungy, 2006 Super Bowl XLI Champions, Indianapolis Colts, and Dr. Tony Evans, Senior Pastor, OCBF, Kirk Franklin and other speakers for the OCBF Men’s Conference in Dallas, TX, on July 14, 2007, 8:30am-3:30pm. Discover how to be the champion God has already made you – even after setbacks. Get motivated, be determined and stay committed to win the prize in life. 2007 No More Excuses! Men’s Conference sponsored by James and Betty Robison and LIFE Outreach International.

For more information, go to http://www.ocbfchurch.org/
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church, Dallas, TX - Dr. Tony Evans, Pastor

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Birth Story 1 - A Labor of Love

Written 3/11/2002, three days after the birth

Introduction (Jeoff & Leslie)
First off, let us say that at the beginning of our pregnancy, a close friend of Leslie referred us to a book called Supernatural Childbirth written by Jackie Mize, a woman who had believed that she was barren until she met her husband. Once they married, they both began to search the scriptures for God's perspective on pregnancy and childbirth and began to pray for a child. They now have four children, who were all born naturally!! She gives the testimony of their experiences throughout each pregnancy, labor and birth. What an amazing witness it was!! This book is also great for couples who are trying to conceive and may be having some difficulty conceiving or difficulty carrying the baby to term. Supernatural Childbirth also includes lots of testimonies of couples, scriptures, and prayers to pray specifically for fear, when there is a threat of a miscarriage, for the baby's development, mother's health and the labor process itself. I highly recommend this book. (The cost is under $10!!)

As a result of reading the book, our faith was built up concerning natural childbirth and childbirth without fear and anxiety. This began our journey to give birth supernaturally and to learn more about what it takes to have a labor and delivery, without fear, ..........given that all was well with the baby and mother going into it.

Another resource we came across, at about 37 weeks, is an book entitled Christ-Centered Childbirth by Kelly Townsend. This book was very helpful as well (also under $10!). It explains a lot of what's going on with the woman's body during labor and addresses it from a spiritual perspective. It also includes lots of scriptures to meditate on during the labor process.

Most of our friends and family encouraged us that we could do it, but it was interesting to hear how many people advised Leslie to 'go ahead get the medication' and how many people who said they wouldn't believe she could do it until they heard the testimony that it had been done.

The months preceding the birth were long, but definitely worth the gift we received in the end. One other factor that aided us tremendously was attending an 8-week childbirth education class through Natural Beginnings - NaturalBeginningsOnline.com. We were referred to this class by friends of ours at church. We learned so many techniques which could be used throughout the pregnancy and the labor & delivery process (The Bradley Method) to make the experience as comfortable as possible. The class was taught by a trained and certified doula and we met for 2 1/2 hours each Saturday for 8 weeks.

We've included the story of how the labor and delivery turned out, with the leading and guidance of the Lord!!! Please enjoy and be blessed!


The Story (Leslie)
The labor process began in the middle of the night (on Thursday night - March 7th) with a crampy feeling in my stomach and by about 4AM, I was pretty convinced that what I began to feel were indeed contractions. Jeoff told me we should give it a little longer to see if they were coming regularly and by 5:30AM he said, okay let me go ahead and get dressed. It was getting pretty exciting by that point. This was really IT!! We called the hospital at 6AM to let them know we were on our way (my doctor had told me that since I was dilated to 4cm, to go in when labor started, no matter what, because I could very well be at 6 or 7 when I got there. I told the nurse, with whom I spoke, that the contractions had been approximately 5-7 minutes apart and she told me that I needed to wait until they were 5 minutes apart, consistently for an hour before I come, because I sounded like I was okay.

It was 6:11AM. Jeoff fixed breakfast and for next hour we watched, timed, and waited. By 7:00AM, we had a record of the contractions, which were 3-5 minutes apart by this time and lasting between 40 and 90 seconds. Jeoff said, "okay, let's go. If they say we have to go home, we'll just drive around near the hospital or walk around downstairs in the lobby."

We reached the L&D area by 7:30AM and they showed me to a room, had me undress and put on a gown and the nurse in charge checked my cervix. I was dilated to 5cm at this point and she said, "are you ready to have a baby today?" I said, "yep!"

I was admitted by 7:40AM and we proceeded to make a few phone calls and alert our close friends and relatives that this was the real deal! The nurses attached the fetal monitor to time the contractions and monitor baby's heart rate and the nurse began the process of asking the dozens of questions necessary to complete the admission. After an hour or so we noticed that the contractions had slowed down considerably. I was thinking, 'oh no, let's get this ball back rolling!!' We went out into the hallway and took a walk, I spoke to my OB who was at the registration desk and said jokingly, "can we make her come quicker?" He said, "yes, if you'd like we could break the bag of waters to make the contractions come more quickly." I replied, "No, that's okay. I was only kidding. We're going to let this happen naturally."

We went back to the room and I got back in the bed to rest. I overheard Sharon, the intern who was working with the nurse, ask her whether they needed to give me an IV. She told her 'oh no, there's no need to do that. If she's going natural, we'll just wait and let nature take its course. If she requests anything for the pain, we'll give it to her, but if not we'll just wait.' The nurse also told me that since this was a natural birth, they would not check my cervix as much. They'd wait until the contractions came on stronger, or if I began to feel the 'urge to push.' The first few hours were pretty relaxed. The grandmothers arrived at about 9:30AM and were there for encouragement and support and to take plenty of pictures!!!! (This would be the first birth of each of their youngest children!)

At around 10:30AM, we decided that since the contractions weren't coming very strong, we'd try some of the acupressure techniques we learned about. We whipped out the massage lotion and Jeoff proceed to massage my ankles, as directed. This really worked. The contractions began to come more regularly again and even stronger. We relaxed through them, to the tune of classical, relaxation, and praise & worship music. Around 11:30, my ob came in to see about me and check my cervix. We were at 6-7cm and 80% effaced and 0 station, by that point. I was glad to hear that we were continuing to progress.

The next 5 hours consisted of more walking and relaxing, as the contractions came more regularly and progressively stronger. I asked Jeoff to ask the grandmoms to give us some privacy so we could focus on the task and the experience. They were sweet and went out into the waiting area. The intern asked me periodically what my pain level was (on a scale from 0-10) and whether I needed anything for pain. I had indicated on the birth plan that I didn't want them to offer me pain meds, but I actually didn't mind her asking, because refusing it made me feel even more victorious and it encouraged me to hang in there. We found the acupressure point, located on the pinky toes, to be quite beneficial! When a contraction would begin, Jeoff would begin massaging the area, and the tension would actually subside a bit. It was very important that I not lay back in the bed at this point. It was much more comfortable for me to raise the bed up so that my back was straight and I could spread my legs apart and allow my pelvis to relax. Things began to really intensify by the end of this 5-hour period. It became more comfortable for me to sit on the birth ball and lean over onto the bed, or to stand up and lean on the bed with my legs apart. I had to ask my mom and Jeoff not to talk during the contractions, because I could not relax, listening to them converse, especially if they said something funny. They were gracious and granted my request. At times, I would shake and breathe, trying hard to relax. The frustrating part was not so much that the pain was excruciating, but the fact I had to think in my mind and pray, 'what is the best way for me to relax through this?' I prayed as I allowed nature to continue to take its course. Jeoff was such a great coach! He read affirmations to me, encouraged me about the great job I was doing and breathed with me as we began to hit the home stretch.

At approximately 4:30PM, my mom, who had come back in to check on us, suggested that they check me again because she noticed the contractions were very close together (1-2 minutes). The only thing that was missing was the urge to push (which they told me would feel like the urge to have a BM). I only had the urge to tee-tee. The nurse checked me and we were 7-8cm and 100% effaced. By 5:30PM or so, things became really intense! The feeling was still not unbearable, or even much worse, it was just more difficult to relax and allow the tension to subside. I didn't want Jeoff to go ANYWHERE, because he was such a great help to me. I gave him a 10-minute break and my mom took over for a little bit. I asked the nurses if I could take a shower and they told me yes, but they would not be able to tell if my water broke while I was in there. I didn't care. I needed more relaxation & relief. The warm water was wonderful for me. I leaned over on the rail during the contractions and my mom stood outside the stall asking me questions that I could not answer because I needed to be quiet and focus. I eventually had to go ahead and get out because I began to feel more pressure 'down there.' I came out of the shower at about 6:00PM. Jeoff was back. Someone had brought a food tray in and sat it on one of the chairs. As soon as I saw it, I felt like I was going to be sick and I asked Jeoff to hurry and cover it up. My body was very tense and it took me a while to sit back down. I started calling on the Lord for real at this point - "Oh Lord, .........Oh God,..........Oh Jesus,...........Oh Father,........" That's when His strength really kicked in for me. I was so tired by then. His strength really is made perfect in our weakness! After I sat down, in walks my mom with yet another food tray she had gotten and I had to ask her to take it away. Little did she know, she should have placed it right outside the door and come right back in because she was about to miss the real action!!

At approximately 6:15PM, I told the intern that I felt the 'BM feeling' coming!! She called the nurse to come and check me --- and yes this was it! I don't remember her reporting what my dilatation was, but she calmly told me to take a deep breath and breathe a few short breaths (she demonstrated). I was like - 'what? what is happening? is this it?' The feeling was very powerful down there.....talk about overwhelming......like I was going to have a BM through the wrong opening! I yelled a couple of times and she told me to breathe instead, and it automatically became a push. I heard her say, "great control." She called on the intercom for my ob; they told her he was in OR and she said, "well, he better get in here because the baby is crowning and it's natural." I'm thinking, 'okay, what does that mean?' The next contraction, she actually told me to push and I said, "tell me what to do!" I was clueless. (I could not remember what we had learned about pushing.) She directed me, and she and Jeoff told me I was "really doing good" and Jeoff was right at my ear breathing with me and holding my hand. (He said he was amazed because I didn't squeeze it or tense my arms or anything.. He said he guesses that all of my attention was on the birth canal. He's right, because it was almost like it was happening without any effort on my part. The push would come automatically, and my job was to control it with my breathing. On the third push, my bag of waters broke and I heard and felt it! Wow! (I think I heard it because of the monitor.) I also felt something tear - owweee! :-) That didn't even hurt badly, ....just lots of pressure.

The time now was 6:23PM. The doctor finally walked in. Everything was pretty much in place for the delivery, at this point He took his position and I don't remember anything he said to me. The next push, I felt baby's head coming out and the rest of her body flowed on through as well. Awesome awesome awesome feeling!!! I mean to tell ya!!! At 6:25PM, on Friday March 8th, our star was born - Now known, here on the blog as - Kitty! Jeoff was given the honor of cutting the umbilical cord. I was so overcome by the emotion that when they brought her up to my chest for us to look at her, my eyes were not even completely focused. I was just shaking and crying, shaking and crying. I could hear the emotion in Jeoff's voice, as well. They cleaned her up and took care of me (Delivery of the placenta and a few stitches for the tears in my labia, which was a whole 'nother experience - for some reason I was more afraid of that part, because I just wanted to completely relax now. My body had gone through so much! However, I made it through and it really wasn't as bad as I had feared.) The proud new papa went over for baby's weighing and cleaning and the nurses brought her back for her first nursing, which one of them assisted me with. My mom was back by then, but she had missed all of the excitement. (I know she wishes that she would have just sat the tray outside, instead of going out to the waiting room to eat.) :-) Mom Thompson was back in room with us by then, as well. The nurses were all wonderful and so happy for me that we did it all with no medication or intervention. One of them mentioned that she only sees about 1 in 100 women go without an epidural or other meds.

We understand that every woman's body is different, everyone's experience is different and no one's labor & delivery is totally perfect. What's most important is having a healthy baby & mom when it's all over. We are totally grateful for our own experience!!

Thanks for reading our story!

Labor Piks

See story 2 here and story 3 here.

Monday, July 02, 2007

His Thoughts are Not My Thoughts

I have been talking to some friends of mine lately about some things that I need to work on in my personality / temperament / language / character. I named all of those titles because I know we are who we are based on how we are naturally shaped. With those four methods of characterizing ourselves, not to mention our birth order, we can be identified as having a specific set of strengths and weaknesses.

My personality is somewhat Outgoing/Extrovert, at the temperment level I'm Choleric and Sanguine, my life langage the last time I assessed it was Influencer/Mover/Doer, for birth order I'm the youngest!, and my character - well, it doesn't have a specific name that I know of but I believe it's made up of all of the aforementioned.

So how is that related to the title of this blog? The discussion that I had with some friends, although I can't blame my weaknesses on --- "that's just the way I was made" --- I know is a starting point for why I do some of the things I do. The way I'm shaped in addition to some experiences I've had in life have led me to make certain choices and handle situations in certain ways.

This discovery has led me to rethink the way I approach things that I share. Regardless of the circumstance that led me to receive this feedback from friends, I want to find ways to figure out how to change. There are many many aspects to this (the weaknesses I have and will be working to change) but one I will address by sharing more details of some of the real life issues I face in life and how I have dealt with them, right or wrong. I don't want to share the good ones only!

Why the title "His Thoughts are Not My Thoughts?" This title came to me because most of the time when I encounter a difficult time in life, my mind goes through a Thought Process and many times a Thought Exchange. I often times start with my own thoughts which may include fears, doubts, frustrations, hurt, sorrow, anger, you name it. But if I stay there I'll be a mess. Even if I have to vent to someone, cry it out, whatever, I have to come to a place where those thoughts exchange from mine to his.

The verses that affirm that for me are:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Ps 139:23

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Psalm 13:2

The Lord knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile.
Psalm 94:11

So I'll be writing about some of the thoughts and frustrations that I have (and have had) and hopefully the times that I can make the Thought Exchange will outnumber the times that I do not!

From 7/2006

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Birth Story 2 - Another Show of God's Grace and Mercy

Written 1/15/2004, two days after the birth

Introduction
I gave the recap of my experience this title, because I absolutely had to catch my breath when this labor encounter was over! From the time labor was "started", to the time our baby came into the world, only eighty seven minutes passed. I had heard of that happening with other women, especially after the first birth, but I never thought that would happen with us.

With this pregnancy, I was initially in the care of a reputable OB/GYN and for a month so, had planned to carry out the pregnancy with her and deliver at Presbyterian Hospital, one of the best in the city for newborn care. When I was around 8 weeks, I remembered that during my pregnancy with Kitty we met some couples in childbirth class who delivered at the Birth & Women's Center.

We also have a friend at Covenant Church who delivered her first son there. At that time, it was too late for me to switch from my OB to the Birth Center, but we said we would consider it for next time. So in June, my mother and I attended an orientation at the birth center. Following the orientation, I had made up my mind that it was the place for me because I was confident that the staff there are supportive of, and actually encourage, totally natural labor and childbirth.

Also with this pregnancy, we decided not to find out the baby's gender and that we would not disclose to anyone the baby names we chose. Jeoff would have been okay finding out the gender (and he even asked me a couple of times if I changed my mind), but he was in agreement with letting it be a surprise. My sister, Ericka, told me it would be exciting to say when baby comes, "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl!"

Everyone in the family was on edge throughout the pregnancy because this would be the seventh grandchild to my parents, and of the six grandchildren at the time, only one of them is a boy.

My dad was especially anxious, because he and my mother had four daughters, then one grandson, then five granddaughters in a row! He could not wait to see if he was going to have some more male companionship in the clan.

The Story
So here's how it went......

(Pre Labor)
Just like end of my pregnancy with Kitty, and like many other women, I began to dilate at around 34 weeks. First to 1cm, then to 2cm, then to three, over a period of three or four weeks. During that time, I had a dream that our baby was born on January 6 and it was a boy. My mother predicted (and wished) that our boy or girl would be born on her birthday, December 30. As the end of the year approached I became anxious, wondering whether baby would come at Christmas, on Mama's birthday, in the middle of an ice storm, or on my dream date. Of course all those dates came and went and here I was still waiting!

One thing that was different from my pregnancy with Kitty, is that I had lots of Braxton-Hicks contractions this time. I don't remember having them at all last time, but it's possible that I had them and just did not realize it because I didn't know what a contraction felt like. As we got closer to the due date, I wondered more and more whether the contractions were "real" or not. So much so that I would lay awake at night thinking "Is this gong to be it?" By 39 weeks, I had relaxed and I began to treat any contraction I felt as if it were a Braxton-Hicks (practice contraction). I would take long deep breaths, and continue on about my day (or night). I failed
to realize that practice contractions should subside when you increase activity (namely walking).

My due date, Jan. 12, came and went and I was now off work. I took off on Friday, Jan. 9 because I didn't want to be there when my labor started and have to work out getting from work to the birth center and getting Kitty, getting the car seat......... I know that could have happened at any point before that Friday, but I was glad to be able to go ahead and take off. On my off days, I spent part of the time resting and part of the time going on walks and trying to stay active.
I walked at the park a couple of times and Jeoff and I walked at the mall one of those evenings.

The last walk I took was very tiring because when I felt discomfort I went ahead and kept walking because I wanted to get in at least 45 minutes or an hour. Also while I was off, I got a very bad cold which went away over the weekend. Thank God baby didn't come then, because I felt pretty wiped out during that time.

(The Birth Day) 9:30 AM
On Tuesday, Jan 13, I took Kitty to school and stayed there for about an hour, watching the children play and listening to story time. Kitty was very clingy because she had been sick too, so she sat on my lap for most of the time. One of her little friends, Chasity, also wanted to sit on my lap so I picked her up as well. While I was doing all this I felt cramps in my stomach but I dismissed them of course. After leaving the school, I went to Wal-Mart and did some shopping and
went to Target after that. While I was walking through these stores, I felt more of this cramping feeling but kept going about my business. From Target, I went home and dropped of the items I purchased, ate lunch, and then headed to the birth center for my 40-week appointment.

(Going in for the check-up) 1:30 PM
During the appointment, Cherie, the Midwife, asked me if I had been having contractions. I told her I had had a lot of practice contractions, but that had been going on for weeks and they never became regular. When she checked me I was dilated to five and she told me the baby could come at any time and when he did, it would probably be very quick. So with that said, I asked if I could just stay there instead of going back home. She told me that if I drove home, I would chance having the baby there or in the car trying to travel back to the center. Cherie then asked if I wanted her to break my water and go ahead and get the labor going. I had mixed feelings about that because I had always heard that any intervention like that could make labor stronger and more intense and that would make it very difficult for me to labor without getting anything for the "pain." She told me that the advice I had heard against breaking the water, was related to situations where natural labor is either not encouraged or desired and many types of interventions are the norm. She said in my case, I would only be kicking off what would eventually occur soon, anyway. I called Jeoff and told him about it and we were both were at peace with allowing her to break the water.

(Labor's about to begin) 2:10 PM

Jeoff left work (in Plano) and drove to the birth center. Mama was on her way to get some maintenance done on the car when I called, but I told her that she should go ahead and make her way there because I didn't want her to miss delivery AGAIN. She went and picked up Kitty from school, picked up Mom Thompson from home and they made there way to the birth center, was well.

While they were all on their way, Cherie sent me outside to walk in the park and the surrounding community. It was a beautiful day so I was able to enjoy being outside. I walked around and around, all the time trying to maintain a pretty fast pace so it would be productive for the labor. When I came back in, about 40 minutes later, I was very tired, "almost out of breath" and I had began to sweat! Cherie asked if I was ready for her to break the water, and I told her I wanted to wait until Jeoff arrived.

(The labor begins!) 2:50 PM
When Jeoff arrived, the labor assistant, Debbie, had come in and it was time to get started. They checked me and I was at about six cm and they went ahead and broke the water. Very interesting feeling after that. Cherie, told us both to go for a "brisk walk" this time. We went to the park next door and began to walk. Jeoff brought the video camera and got a tidbit of footage before we began. Walking this time was much more difficult. She told me it would help if I continued walking when I felt a contraction. We walked for about 20 minutes and Jeoff was surprised by the speed at which I was walking. He was thinking about going for a stroll like some of the couples did in the videos we saw. He picked up his pace, though, when he saw what I was doing. I couldn't talk much.

I just tried to maintain focus and get through the contractions. They were now much stronger than before, and closer together. I was glad this wasn't my experience the first time, because it would have been very overwhelming having not experienced labor before. Last time, although it was a much longer labor, in the beginning I was able to relax, listen to music, write in my journal......and then as the labor progressed I moved from one phase to the next with a sense of preparation for what was to come. This time it was just down to business, as if Father was saying, 'you've done this before so let's just get this baby here. You already know that, in MY strength, you can do it!!!'

(Time to push?) 4:10PM
We came back into the house and I had a few more contractions, and got through them by leaning over on the bed. I did this while Jeoff finished getting things set up in the room. Eventually, though, I told him not to worry about that because I needed him to come back and be with me. I don't think he realized just how far along in the process I was. Debbie had me sit on the bed so she could check me again, and that became painful because I had to lay back. NOT RECOMMENDED!! I was at 8 or 9 at this point and she asked me if I had that "urge to push." I told her I wasn't sure. She had me go into the restroom and while there, I began to feel the urge to do something, I just wasn't sure what. They asked me if I wanted to get in the tub and I said yes. I knew that would make me feel a lot better. That tub could not fill up fast enough. It felt like for-ever! When I got in, I KNEW it was time. I relaxed for just a half a second and told Cherie how I felt. They asked who we wanted to be in the room for the delivery and then went and got the grandmothers and Kitty. Next, Cherie checked me again and said I was at 10 and the baby was still kind of high. Then she said, "okay Leslie, go ahead and have that baby!"

I was like what do you mean, 'Go ahead and have the baby?' She was about ten feet away from me when she said this. Jeoff was right by my side though, so I heeded her command and pushed. After two or three pushes, I heard the excitement in everyone's voices and I knew our baby was coming out. After the next push, the baby was out!!! I blinked about fifty times, trying to focus and see if we had a boy or a girl and there HE was!!!

Known here on the blog as The Pony!

After one hour and twenty seven minutes of labor.

Our baby boy weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces and he measured 19 and 3/4 inches.

See story 1 here and story 3 here.

From the Book, Educating the Wholehearted Child

A friend of mine, and homeschool mom of 5, sent me these questions. They were taken from the book, Educating the Wholehearted Child and I love it.

"Whatever decision we make for our children, be it school, church, friends etc, we should all filter them through scriptures like these below."

Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:31
How can I make sure that I am obeying God's command to raise my children for him; to train them in righteousness?

Deuteronomy 6:4-10
How can I make sure that my children's training in righteousness is consistent and continuous.

Proverbs 22:6
How can I make sure that my child will go in the way he should go so that he will not be misled off the path of righteousness?

Psalm 78:1-7
How can I make sure that I pass on a godly and righteous heritage to my children, and to their children?

Psalm 13:24, 22:15, Hebrews 12:7
How can I make sure that my children's disobedience and sin are promptly and properly disciplined in love?

Matthew 18:5,6
How can I make sure that I am not putting my children in situations where they will be tempted to sin, or worse, which cause them to sin?

Prov 13:20
How can I make sure my children's good character is not corrupted by their falling in with "bad company"?

2 Cor 6:14
How can I make sure that my children do not become spiritually, emotionally or socially "yoked together with unbelievers?

2 Timothy 2:6-19
How can I make sure that my children are not under the authority and influence of false teachers or false teachings?

Romans 12:1,2
How can I make sure that my children do not become conformed to the world, but are transformed by the renewing of their minds?

I John 2:15-17
How can I make sure that my children are taught to love God and to do His will, and are not taught to love the world or anything in the world?

Eph 5:15-17
How can I make sure that I am being careful with my children's lives, redeeming their time and making the most of my opportunities with them in an evil age?

Prov 4:23
How can I make sure that I am guarding my children's hearts against all ungodly influences?

Eph 5:11,12
How can I make sure that my children are not enticed by the "fruitless deeds of darkness" or exposed to those things God calls shameful?"

Phil 4:8
How can I make sure that my children's minds are filled with and trained to think about only those things that God considers excellent and worthy of praise?

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Birth Story 3

Written 4/27/2006, sixteen days after the birth

This one has taken me the longest to get all formatted, but I'm at least posting the 'gist' of how it went............ It has been the most spiritually significant one.


3:30AM
Contractions woke me up.
2 minutes apart
Timed the conractions and told Jeoff
Jeoff started getting ready for work and getting the kids ready for school
At about 6:30 I called the birth center to see which midwife was on call.
I found out it was Lisa so I paged her and she called me back.
I described the contractions and she said to take a bath and call back in about 30 minutes

She said Jeoff should probably should not go to work
Jeoff started packing the car with baby stuff just in case
I called Lisa back at about 7:15
Told her the contractions were a little stronger
She said I should go ahead and come in and she would meet me there. I told her we needed to get a few more things together and we'd be there about 9 or 9:30.

8:30AM
We packed up the kids and the rest of the birth essentials.

We called the grandparents and my mom was getting ready to head out the door to take my dad to a doctor appointment. I told her that we weren't sure if it was the real thing but to be on standby and be ready to come to the birth center after the appointment.

9:30

We arrived at the birth center
Lisa checked me and I was only at 2 cm

She said it was possible that I wasn't in true labor so I needed to go have a meal, do some walking and come back in a couple of hours.

I was a bit surprised at that and said, "So you're sayinig I could be having contractions consistently 2 minutes apart for all this time (since 3:30am) and not be in labor?" She affirmed.

This really got to me because I had either not heard of that or had forgotten that could happen. My expectation for this labor was that it would be as quick or quicker than the last one. I was hoping for something like one hour all together! God had a different plan.

We still had the kids with us and we discussed whether we should take them to school or keep them with us. When we were almost at the school, we decided to go ahead and keep them with us because we didn't want to take a chance on them missing the birth.

There were quite a few things that we still hadn't gotten from the store for "labor day" since the due date was not until the 19th, so we went to Target and Jeoff picked them up.

I don't remember much of what the kids did or said as we waited in the car because I was trying to focus on relaxing during the contractions while sitting in the van. Occasionally, I got up and leaned out the door or stood just outside.

When Jeoff got back we went and picked up quick breakfast and he went for coffee at Starbucks since he had been up half the night studying for his Hermeneutics exam. As we drove to Starbucks the contractions got a little stronger and I had to ask him to stop the car so I can stand up during a couple of the contractions, so after getting his Tall Hazelnut Latte we headed back to the birth center.

I hadn't done any walking but I hoped that I would have just progressed with time.

When we got to the birth center, Lisa had left and not returned yet but Cherie was there. Cherie asked me if I had walked, of course. I told her no. She checked me and told me I was still only at about two and she 'commanded me' to go and POWER WALK!

12:00PM
I called my mama again and asked her if she and mother Thompson could go ahead and come. Jeoff got the rest of our things from the car and set up the video camera. I started my walk at about 12:30 and Jeoff stayed with the kids at the park next door.

I did as I was instructed and POWER WALKED. Continuing to walk during the contractions. While I was walking I made a few calls. I called Nicki (cousin), Ericka (sister), Lesia (sister), and Cherita (sister) to make sure they knew today was the day. Ericka got all nervous when I talked to her. She fussed at me for being out there walking by myself. I assured her that all would bwe well and I would have plelnty of warning before baby made the arrival.

1:15PM
Jeoff called and asked what my location was. He told me the grandmothers were there and he couldn't see me anywhere. I had gone a couple of blocks over from the birth center because there was a park there with a track. I told him it was better there because I had a set path to follow instead of walking on the sidewalk.

I headed back to where they were and Jeoff & I walked a couple of laps together around the small park. The contractions were increasing in intensity again so I told him I was ready to go inside and have them check me again.

1:30PM
Lisa was back and she checked me. She told me I was only at 4cm!!!! And guess what, I broke.....I cried! In my mind at that time, I felt that if I was only at 4cm after almost 10 hours, I was going to be there 4EVER! It wasn't so much that it was intense, I was just tired. And I believe that was because I had set myself up for a much shorter experience.

So what I had to do was get out of my head (trying to figure it all out) and get back in the Spirit. Lisa told me not to look at the number of centimeters I had dilated because it is not necessarily an indication of how much longer I had left. She told me one of the mothers last week, had her baby 30 minutes after she had only been at 4cm. In the natural, I was thinking "so what, that was her...this is me.....that doesn't mean that will happen with me". But of course I had to get back focused. I had to walk or stand with each and every contraction. Sitting down was out of the question.

I start getting focused and trying to relax and here comes Lisa :-) telling me that I need to get a heprin lock in my arm just in case, since my iron had been low a couple of weeks earlier. I didn't take that very well because I absolutely hate needles and I wanted to just focus on the labor --- no interferences! I asked if she could do it between the contractions instead of during. She agreed but there was not much between the end of one and the beginning of another at this point. Once I thought it would be a good time but shortly after I sat down a contraction came and
I had to experience it sitting down. I thought - absolutely no way will I ever do that again. It was just unnecessary to feel that, when I could have been standing or walking and feel so much better.

2:15PM
I got up again and Lisa was following me with the heprin lock ready to stick it in my arm and with the next contraction I began to moan. She asked me if I felt like it was time to push. I told her I wasn't sure but there was a lot of pressure down there. With the next contraction I moaned much louder and from what Jeoff recalls I looked down like baby was about to fall out!
(LOL) I heard Lisa say, "Okay dad, we're going to have to carry her to the bed." When we got me to the bed they had to quickly pull of my bottoms and make way for baby because she was on her way out.

2:20PM
After about two ushes and mommy's emotionally loud moans, our sweet sweet baby girl number two was introduced to the world!

See story 1 here and story 2 here.

Update: About a year later, Kitty told me that if we ever have another baby she doesn't want to hear me yell like that! So if we do, I'll have to remember that!