Book of the Week

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness (and Financial Freedom)

www.DaveRamsey.com

You can also hear Dave online via Podcast and on radio stations in many cities.

Past Books of the Week
The Birth Order Book by Kevin Leman
Teaching the Trivium by Harvey & Laurie Bluedorn

Book of the Week

Jeoff and I really enjoyed this book, especially since we are both the youngest of four children in our family. And the author of the book (who is hilarious) is also the youngest in his family.

It's not all 100% accurate for every person but we certainly received many insights about how we behave and how we can improve our behavior.

A great book to learn about yourself, your siblings or your own children. It may even provide some answers to questions you have about conflicts you have difficulty resolving.

Book of the Week

www.TriviumPursuit.com

Baby Boy's Stats

Baby Boy Thompson

Born 4/6/08 @ 8:49pm
7lb 8oz, 20 1/2 inches


Birth Story

Welcome to the World Baby Boy!

Part I - 11 Days Before Your Due Date

(by the way, I do have a version of this that includes photos, 

but I moved it to my personal blog)

I'm over 38 weeks pregnant now so you're full term but there's still 11 days until your actual due date.

Last night was much like last Sunday night. I'm continuing with this pre-labor which gives me no indication of how close I am to actual labor, like I would prefer. But that's okay. I'll be patient.

The contractions last night were from about 4am until about 9:30am today.

Consequently, we didn't go to church today, we had family worship at home. That worked out great. Especially since it was another opportunity for Lamby to get some home training for sitting still and listening to service.

I had a few contractions here and there throughout the morning and they started back a little more regularly at about 3 in the afternoon. So now they've been going on since then.

In afternoon, I had more energy so I finished some laundry and organized the laundry bins, I don't know when the last time was the case but almost every single clothing item has been washed right now! The bins in the laundry room and in our bathroom are just about empty. I even labeled them like Jeoff has been asking me to for a while now LOL. All those clothes are not only clean but also folded/hung and put away. Can somebody say Grace of God!?!?

I also completed Diona's lesson plans and worksheets for the week. How ironic? I never have those all done by Sunday night!

Back to the contractions, they're only lasting about 30 seconds or so and there's not a regular interval...... 20 minutes, here, 9 minutes there, then 14 minutes, and back to 9 minutes. I didn't start timing them until about 4:30 and I'm still not too convinced that this is it. It's now 5:40pm.

I think I'll take a nap after a little while to get some rest. Oooh, here comes a contraction now. Hold on a second.....
.
.
.
.
.
Ok I'm back.

Oh wait I can't take a nap now, Daddy needs to go to the grocery store first so I'll shower now and do that (get some rest) when he gets back.

I can't believe this pre-labor thing can go on for days and days, and weeks for some people.

I'm having flash back from when Lamby was born and Lisa told me that!

Part II - You're Here!

Daddy didn't make it to the grocery store and I never had a chance to lay down and nap. We did shower, at least.

I called the birth center at 6:50p and Carol told me to go ahead and come in. We arrived there about 7:45, she checked me at 7:50 and I was at 7cm / fully effaced.

All the kids were with us and we proceeded to unpack our bags and get ready for the next phase.

Who would have known it would be another quick one. The kids did really well as we got everything together and as Daddy came and supported me during the contractions. Kitty ended up being our photographer for most of the time. She loved that.

Some friends of ours (the Weirs - Pastors of City Church International) came to help with the kids until Granny and Grandma arrived. We were so very thankful for their help! They even brought us some food later. We were honored!!!!!!

Around 8:40, Beverly or Carol ran water for me to get in the tub to relax and just as I was walking over to get in I had to make a U-Turn (a very slow U-Turn) and head to the bed because it was time to push.

Yes!

Our son was born at 8:49pm. Weighing 7lb 8 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.

name..... coming soon!

Turn Up the Music

My husband turned me on to this song. He loves it! He listens to it several times a day and it reminds him of the importance of not being so stressed about all the more serious things in life, and just sit down and enjoy time with the family doing the small things that make life meaningful.

Great song, Point of Grace!

2 weeks before your due date

It's now two weeks before your due date and it's been somewhat of an eventful week. The week began with me beginning to think you were going to come much sooner than your due date!

I wrote about it in a previous post but, I had contractions for a couple of hours in the middle of the night Sunday night and some of the morning on Monday. I think all they did were got my cervix a little more effaced (thinned out). But that's a good thing. It's better than labor starting and my cervix still being hard and thick - I know that may have been a TMI foul LOL. I had a check up yesterday and found out the information about my effacement. I'm 70% effaced and still dilated about 2cm. I measured a little over 43 inches around. I forgot to ask what your station was. Last time I believe I was at -3 which is pretty high up still. Looking in the mirror, it appears that you're starting to drop. Hopefully I'll get to take another one of the comparison pictures so I can see the difference.

Since reality is setting in, I've been walking a lot more lately. ...... around the neighborhood with the kids and also at the park up the street after Daddy gets home from work. I've also been practicing more kegel exercises and squats.

Today we had school as usual and this afternoon took your big brother to soccer practice. He was a bit cranky when we arrived because he had taking about a fourth of a nap in the car on the way there. I ran back up the hill to me and told me he wanted to go to sleep, after about 3 minutes of practice. I told him he had to stay and the if he ran back down to the field it would help him wake up. He did so, but he was still pretty out of it through practice. Poor Buddy's little allergies have been kicking his behind this season, especially with the watery and itchy eyes!!

At the end of practice he ran back up the hill with a big smile on his face because he know we were going to the park next door to play and that dinner time was soon.

Tonight your siblings really wanted to watch Cherub Wings so we watched it on Netflix's Instant Play. It's a very good show. Not really silly like some of the Christian cartoons and it includes several really good lessons. The one we watched tonight was called Moldy Gold and it taught them about putting their treasures in heavenly things, instead of things on this earth...... and valuing the things that we have vs. all things we could want (covet) and ask for over and over...... and how it's more important to have a heart like Jesus than have things that will make you popular and well-liked by people. Really really good little show. I highly recommend it.

We're still anxiously awaiting your arrival. I'm torn between wanting to see your face right now and relaxing until the times comes and enjoying a little more rest. One thing is for sure, the contractions Sunday night made us get a little more serious about preparing for labor. I've been reading and reviewing a lot more about relaxation, accupressure and such and Daddy went to the store the next day to buy all the things on the list, that we'll need to take to the Birth Center - newborn pampers, receiving blankets, Depends, olive oil, wheat thins, a black & white disposable camera, juice, Lanshinoh, and take home outfit. Oh, I still need to make a rice bag and get my music cd and candles together.

All the bags are packed and in the trunk (except snacks and orange juice which had to be refrigerated of course.)

Well, that's about it for now, little guy. Wuv you!!!!!

Baby Shower

The baby celebration on yesterday was really special to me and I was so grateful for the fellowship, the gifts, the words of wisdom and the prayers that were shared. Even from those who couldn’t attend but passed along a blessing!

Look at the cute little baby boo on the cake. He looks even sweeter now that I look back on the photo....



Best Advice
At the shower, we asked everyone to write down the best advice they have received, either from their mother, as a mother, or from a spiritual mother. There were so so many good ones but here are 8 of the best ones (in no particular order).

1. Tell God everything. Don't hold back. His grace is sufficient for it all.

2. Always remember to listen to God's word regardless of how it looks in the eyes of the world and regardless of what this world says. If you stand firm on god's word rather than man's word, you will always be secure on your solid rock. ---- and that came from a teenager!

3. Realize your child is "in training". Training children to obey your voice. First time obedience. Doing this will train them to obey God's voice.

4. Have patience, and remember you were that age before and experienced and explored the same things.

5. One of my favorite sayings is "years from now people won't care about how much money you made or how may cars you drove, but most importantly that you poured into a life of a child." That is how you effect the world.

6. As mothers, we are not only shaping lives, we are forming the next generation. There is no vocation that can compare to the value of motherhood. Giving all of what and who you are to your children is a position of honor that should never be taken lightly. Regardless of the sacrifice, pressure, heartache or pain you face as a mother - continue to give it your all and the rewards of Godly fruit will be yours for generations to come. --- from a mother of eight children

7. You can go to God and find out what your children need when they need it (without depending on them to tell you).

8. Try to plan your meals early in the day. That way, when it's time for Daddy to come home, dinner will be ready, he can eat and be in a good mood! He will be more inclined to meet your needs as well.

Great advice!!!

Spiritual Moms
My friend, Lynn Scarborough shared some words from her ministry, Spiritual Moms, and talked about the importance of us birthing children in the spirit, regardless of whether we have children in the natural or not. Lynn has an amazing testimony, a wonderful book by the same title, and a new blog for us to read and keep up to date on what’s going on with this mentoring group. Please visit when you get a chance. www.holymamas.com

Blessing
Here’s a blessing that was written by my new friend, Angela. A blessing for all mothers, with wonderful and encouraging references from the Word of God.

Joyfulness - "joyful mother of children"
Psalm 113:9
(happy, cheerful, rejoicing, festive)
"That the joy of the Lord will be their strength"

Fruitful - "the fruit of the womb is a reward" Psalm 127
“That their training would bear plentiful, good fruit bringing great reward”

"Your wife shall be like olive plants all around your table"
Psalm 128:3

Wisdom - personified as a woman in the book of Proverbs. Wisdom beyond their years - wisdom for every decision, wisdom on your lips. Wisdom in all your instruct, wisdom in the way you manage your household

Grace - unmerited favor, undeserved blessing, a free gift
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9
May God's strength and power rest upon you.

Endurance - (constancy, steadfast, patient endurance, bearing up)
Hebrews 10:35-36
"Do not cast away your confidence which has a great reward for you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise."

Love - Both to give love and receive love!

Giving love - patient, kind, not rude, not prideful, rejoice in truth, believes the best of every person (child), bears all things hopes all things, endures all things... never fails.

Receiving love - hearts and minds and spirits that are significantly impacted by the abundance of the Father's love, Being filled back up moment by moment, as you give out, you receive back "good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over." Imparted with a revelation of the Father's heart for you - Love that adores you, love that delights in you, love that never leaves you, love that is never retracted or taken away, love that embraces you when you fail, love that will never fail you, the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus! Romans 8:35-39

Contractions Update
In the middle of the night, Sunday night, I was surprised by contractions that came and went for almost two hours! Then they were off and on every 30 minutes or so until about mid morning. If he would have come on Monday, that would be very surprising! Even if he came some time this week, 2 weeks before the due date. We'll see.... Jeoff was off work for the morning and took Pupster to the doctor and Lamby went with him, so Kitty and I went out for a walk. I tried to walk for an hour like they suggested at my last appointment but I only got about 30 minutes in. I walked about 30 minute more later that evening.

Will keep you posted, for those of you who care to know, LOL!