Sunday Drives

MML was singing in the car. The three kids were singing in the car. It was weekend drives with my mamow that made growing up very special to my sister, brother and me. We’d drive all over town, pick up an ice cream at Dairy Cheer,  stop the car at a gas station with real service.  The man who pumped our gas would give us a whole pack of Juicy Fruit chewing gum! And we’d drive all the way to my great grandmother’s house, where we’d lay on our bellies on the textured orange carpet 10 inches from the tv, eating popcorn and Diet 7 UP. Awww…those were the good ole days.

The sweetest moments in life aren’t when you open an expensive Christmas gift, get a promotion or buy a new car. The really sweet moments are spending times with the people that matter most—your family. Like Sunday drives …I treasure those times.  

Most Sundays, The Hubs, Baby Girl and I drive down a country back road just to look around because we aren’t quite ready to head back to the city. The Hubs and I talk about the preacher’s message and Baby Girl sleeps soundly in the back, overtaken by the quiet rumble of the car in motion. We always end up at the house we hope to get. The doors are locked but we still walk around and talk about what we want to do to the house…if we get it. Then we hop back in the car and listen to the song, “Only a Mountain” by Jason Castro.

This is only a mountain

You don’t have to find your way around it

Tell it to move, it’ll move

Tell it to fall, it’ll fall

This is only a moment

You don’t have to let your fear control it

Tell it to move, it’ll move

Tell it to fall, it’ll fall

 

I silently brood to God about how we look like idiots. It’s been over a year and a half since we moved and we haven’t yet claimed a piece of land as our own. But then I think of the verse, “Be still and know that I’m God” (Psalm 46:10) and “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28) -- and I have hope again.

Soldier T and the ELECTRIC Flyswat!

 

 

 

My brother-dare devil, rock climber, hard core fitness fanatic, soldier and one of my best friends. For short, we will call him "Soldier T." You get the picture...he's rough and definitely tough... until it comes to Baby Girl. And that's probably the only soft spot he has : )

 

Soldier T taking an electric flyswat to his tongue for a grand total of $5.00

 

 

 

I'll Be Home for Christmas

 

 

"I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the lovelight gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams,"

 

I sang outloud as The Hubs was driving the car to Kentucky. I was really looking forward to Christmas this year and that song kept coming into my thoughts as we made our way through Bluefield, Claypool Hill and Grundy. It was going to be a great three days in my hometown-- full of Christmas parties, cooking and talks with the family.

 

A few days before, I had determined in my heart to make this a "Mary" Christmas. No, I didn't mispell Mary.  I meant to type that because I'd decided to make an effort to be more like Jesus' mother, Mary.

 

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19

I just think Mary is such an amazing woman who came through so much, never complaining and still treasuring all the things that were happening in her life. If there were ever a woman I wanted to look up to, it would be her.

And what I found was that Christmas became magical because of my positivity. No more negative thoughts about being tired and not feeling up to cooking or cleaning, no more getting frustrated at another tantrum Baby Girl was having and no more, "Oh my God! I can't believe they just said that!" I tried smiling more and really listening to others-- like I talked about in my Thanksgiving Blog. It was so amazing how the power of positivity can change a person!

 

So here's a few pics to share with you about Christmas in Kentucky and then Virginia!
 

Cute Kentucky Cousins Open Their Presents

 

"Soldier T" got in an a snowy car accident last year and had to have another surgery on his leg. Baby Girl is keeping his spirits up : )

 She loves babies!

 

Such a good little girl...already knows how to feed her baby.

 

In Kentucky, the firetruck goes up and down the hollers and Santa Claus gives the children candy and a toy.

 All dressed up and still had to carry a truck out to see Santa!

 

She kept saying, "Coming, Coming" because for the past month we would say to her, "Santa's coming."
 

 

Baby Girl is in awe of Santa!

 Bye! See you next year...

 

Beautiful Christmas Table

Oh My! So amazed at all the presents.

Look at her cousin's smile! Precious.

 

 It doesn't get any funnier than that! Baby Girl's cousin pretending to shoot the birds with his toy gun : )

Train up a child to use the Dyson : )

Our Cookie Exchange was a HUGE SUCCESS!

And we included fudge of course : )

All the bakers who helped make the cookie exchange so much fun! So proud of my dad for participating.

He's looking for the tiger!

Hmmm! What's under here?

What You Lookin At?

 This is what happens when "Soldier T" takes my camera! I wonder if the thought even crossed his mind that this might end up on my blog?

Best Christmas Present of All! My papow made this quilt rack for me! He is so artistic and amazing!

Baby Girl's Cousin opening up her baby dolls.

Love there hats from Momaw & Popaw.

Feeding the babies!

 Now she can cook like Mommy.

They see me rollin...

 They hatin...

 Patrollin...

Tryin to catch me ridin dirty...

 

 

More pics to come of Christmas Day and a Few Special Videos of Family Members that are Hilarious!



 

 

Boy or Girl, Blogiversary and How Do I Comment/Follow You?

Boy or Girl?

 



Well yesterday was wonderful and crazy! We took Baby Girl with us to the ultrasound appointment and she almost broke the whole bed apart! Note to self: I know it's sweet to bring the little one to the ultrasound appointment but never do it again! LOL!

It has become tradition/superstition that I drink orange pop before going to my appointment because for some crazy reason, I think the Baby will move more with a suggary drink in their system. It worked with Baby Girl but Baby #2 didn't want to move very much. So I had to get on all fours to try and get the baby to flip. Everyone laughed at me but I'd heard that works sometimes! And it did work...Baby #2 flipped over and...It's a BOY! The Hubs and I are getting a son : ) We are so excited because now I get to buy everything boy...truck shirts, blue shirts, and even camoflage (for the grandfathers/great grandfathers of the family). He is already loved so much!

Six Month  Blogiversary



Six months ago, I took a huge leap of faith and decided to create an inspirational blog and since then I have consistently had about 50 followers read my posts. The Lord is Good! Not because of that but because He has consistently shown me that this was HIS PLAN! He wanted me to step over the imaginary line, we women refuse to cross. He wanted me to be brave and honest...to admit my fears and dive deeper into a more spiritual relationship with Him. And because of that the blog has been read well over 3,400 times and reached 25 countries! I am so amazed at HIS MIRACLES. When I began this blog, I thought no one would read it. But month after month, I have received "thank you" emails for the infertility blog or "yes that's me" emails for the anxiety blog. Every time I get ready to close it down for fear I have exposed to much of myself, the Lord sends someone to email me and it proves that He wants me to do this.

So thank you for reading because it shows you also want to better yourself for the Lord. You want those tough questions answered. You want to search out the FATHER for a deeper relationship with HIM.

FOLLOWING THE BLOG

 

I have had several people say to me, "I can't comment" or "I don't know how to follow your blog." So here's how, in case you would like to receive emails about upcoming blog posts.

 

The Easiest Way:

 

1. At the bottom of the page, click Follow By Email and insert your email address. You will receive direct emails from me when I post.

 

 The Follower Way:

 

1. The middle right hand side of the page under "Followers" click on Google Friend Connect.
2. Find which account you already have (Google, Twitter, Yahoo etc). If you don't see your account, you can create one on Google by clicking "Create a New Google Account" at the bottom of the same screen.
3. Type in your password and follow the commands on the screen.

 

        By doing this, you will receive emails to your account telling you when new posts are created.
 

 

"If You Want to Comment":

 

1. At the bottom of the post, click where the word "Comment" is shown. From there, type your message and click Comment As:  
2. You should see a list of ways you can identify yourself. If you don't have a google account, click Anonymous.
3. Type your message and include your name if you wish, so I can respond back to you.

 

 





Pregnancy Blessings

Christmas will come early for The Hubs and I this year. We have so much to be thankful for but one of the most important things is that we hit the 20 week mark! And on Tuesday we find out if Baby #2 is a boy or girl! I will be sure to post a blog on that!!!

This pregnancy has been completely different than Baby Girl's! For instance, with Baby Girl I craved OJ and tomatoes (which are both her favorite) and with this pregnancy I have craved pretty much anything meat related: hamburgers with mayo and cheese (I never liked them before), bacon and salt. Oh my gosh! Writing that down now just seems so awful. Does that sound like a boy to you or what? Or maybe a tomboy : )

But then again, my moods have been off the chart this pregnancy. Just ask The Hubs... poor guy. I cry at the drop of a hat, stay exhausted the whole time and have very little patience. My girlfriends say this is probably just because I have to take care of a toddler. As compared to my first pregnancy when I didn't have to take care of anyone at all! I have to agree with them...pregnancy with the 2nd child is definitely ALOT more exhausting than the first.



Baby #2 has also become very active. I started feeling the flutters at about 14 weeks. I know that sounds early but when you already know what to expect, you notice it sooner. Last night was the first time I actually got to see the whole belly move when the baby kicked. It instantly made me smile for two reasons: 1) I remembered my belly doing that with Baby Girl and 2) It reminded me that Baby #2 is active and healthy.



Pregnancy can be such a beautiful time for a woman. It is especially for me because it thrills my heart to know God has allowed me to experience it once more. I feel more beautiful when I'm pregnant...even though my belly is getting HUGE! I have gained less weight with this pregnancy but i look sooooo much bigger. I suppose it's because the 2nd time around all your muscles are already stretched out. Just take a look at the pictures of when I was pregnant with Baby Girl at 21 weeks and now Baby #2.
















20 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #2



21 weeks pregnant with Baby Girl and the very last picture is
of me holding Baby Girl for the first time.





One of the major differences between this pregnancy and the last is now I know exactly what I want to do and what not to do during labor and after the baby is born. I like "being in the know" with this pregnancy as compared to the first when I didn't have a clue. For example...

1) Bring on the epidural! Yes, I will be going through labor til about 7-8 cm but I want the epidural after that point. I know it's going to be painful and I am fully accepting of the fact that I am gonna need some help : )

Memories of Baby Girl's Birth before the contractions REALLY got tough. The Sis and I goofing off : )

2) I would like to think that I won't get induced. However, Baby Girl decided to stick around til her due date and I got impatient and evicted her. I know that by the time I hit 40 weeks, I will probably want to serve this baby an eviction notice too : )

3) I will be exclusively pumping. What! Nobody does that, you may be thinking. But hello, I do and I enjoy it. I like being able to pull a bottle out at restaurant and say to The Hubs, "Here, it's your turn to feed." I'm not worried about milk production because I will start Fenugreek and Mother's Milk Tea as soon as the baby is born. Be careful with that stuff if you try it (I was pumping 50 oz a day at the very end)!

4) I will be bringing a small can of Similac Soy Formula to the hospital in case the baby still wants more. I know it's difficult to produce a lot of milk in the beginning. Why soy? Well, because every child born on The Hubs side of the family seems to have an early lactose intolerance. Baby Girl exorcist vomited the first night in the hospital because of regular formula. It was much later, did we find out she had lactose intolerance. I will also be cutting out dairy for a few months until the baby grows out of it.

5) And last, I will be bringing a paci to the hospital. Those things are life savers. Hopefully, Baby #2 will take one : ) You see, pumping has its' good points too. You can start the paci as soon as you want!

So that's all for now. If you have any great 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time around tips for me, bring it on! I'd love to hear your advice.

I'll be posting sometime after Tuesday about Baby #2's gender!!!! Keep Reading : )



Early Christmas Present to Myself this Year. Don't You Love it?!

Special Moments

"Gobble, Gobble, Gobble."

I looked at my dog, Peanut sitting on top of the couch and asked him, "Did you hear that?" He lifted his head off the couch and silently stared at me.

"Well, I know I heard a turkey, Peanut. And we live in the city, so something's up."

I got up from my seat on the couch and went to view the baby monitor. There in broad daylight was a turkey's butt walking across the top of Baby Girl's crib! I couldn't stop laughing because I had given her what I thought was a soft turkey to cuddle with while she slept. Instead, Miss Smarty Pants had figured out that if she squeezed the turkey it would gobble. So there she was-instead of sleeping soundly, she was walking the turkey across the crib making it gobble! It's those special moments that make me so happy to be a momma.

Lately she has given me plenty of things to laugh about. I suppose it's her age combined with her independence that makes her so darn cute...just like the other day when I saw her grunting from behind the couch and I said, "Baby Girl, did you poo poo?" She looked at me, sort of embarrassed and said quietly, "Poo Poo." It was the first time she'd ever said that and I just had to chuckle! Sometimes I look at her and I think she's older than her years. But I have to take a step back and realize she's only 18 months old. I can already tell she has momma and daddy's spirit-introspective and emotionally beyond her years.

And creative! The Hubs and I are just stunned with her sometimes! Like the other night when The Hubs and I were talking on the couch and I said, " It's awful quiet. Where's Baby Girl?" We got up from the couch and noticed a toaster and blender laying out on the kitchen floor. But noooo Baby Girl. So we hollered for her and what do ya know?! The bottom cabinet door flew open and out popped Baby Girl.

"Hellwo," she called.

And stunned at her craftiness, all we could say back was, "Hello."

It's those special moments that make me say, "Thank you God for allowing me to be her momma." Every morning I wake up excited because I know I get to spend the day with my Beautiful Girl. As someone once said, "It's like Christmas all over again. You wake up and wonder with excitement what special thing will happen today."

And it's those ending moments of the day that leave my heart satisfied. Laying in the rocker with her, I always sing a made-up song I've sung to her since the day she came home.

Precious Precious Angel

Sent from Heaven Down to Earth

God Gave You to Me,

So I Could Take Care of You.

And the song ends and it's time for prayers, "As I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep but if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take...God bless Baby Girl. Make her grow up to be strong, kind and caring. God, thank you for giving me this child. Help me to be the very best mom I can be. Amen."

We rock in silence until I hear soft deep breathing and then I quietly lay her in the crib, rub her head and whisper, "I love you. Night Night."

As I turn to leave, she lifts her head off the mattress and says in a tiny voice, "Bye Bye."

And my heart just aches because I realize I've just been given another special moment from God.

 

 

Dance Party Every Night!

One of my favorite things about Baby Girl is her ability to dance! We have a dance party every night and I can already tell she's got rhythm.

Psalm 149:3a

Praise His Name With Dancing...

Do you Produce Nuggets of Crap or Nuggets of Gold?

A Perfectly Normal Family Get Together!

Several years ago...back in college day...I feel so old saying that now...the family was all gathering together for Christmas dinner in Kentucky. We had all traveled from different locations so we could spend good quality time together. Dinner was about to be ready and everyone had gathered in the living room to say a blessing.

"Who would like to say it," someone asked?

Another person suggested someone to say it and they declined graciously.

"How about you say it?" someone said.

During this conversation, I was watching everything unfold and unfortunately I was about to let my passion become unbridled. And usually when that happens a "nugget of crap" falls out of my mouth...

"Why can't a woman say it?" I said forcefully.

The room got totally silent and I swear I heard crickets. Clearly their intention was not to segregate the women but my passion for women's equal rights had taken over.

"Well sure, Kim. Why don't you say it? someone said. And my face had to be red as a beet because in that moment I had realized my failure. I had used something I was passionate about and unleashed it at the wrong time and in the wrong way. Of course I said the prayer but afterwards the Lord began working on my heart and humbling myself further.

You see, it's OKAY to have passion but what I'm learning then and now is that your passion can only be released at the right time and in the right way for it to do any good. Passion released in an angry way only leaves people wanting to be exactly unlike you. But passion released in a loving gentle way leaves people saying, "Hey, there's something to what she's saying. Maybe I'll reconsider her point of view."

Why am I telling you this? Well, it seems fitting that with Thanksgiving and Christmas being upon us that a lot of people are going to be around a lot of family members. Sometimes that can bring joy and sometimes that can bring stress. What I am working on with God at the moment and questioning HIM almost daily is, "How do I lead an authentic life without hurting someone else? How do I take that good passion I have and turn it into a "nugget of gold instead of a nuggest of crap?" I want to be the Real Deal, so to speak. But I also need to realize that I can't change the way another person thinks. I want my passion to be harnessed and unleashed at the exact right time. So that the moment of impact hits home for someone.

You probably still are like, "What?! She is not making any sense!" Trust me, I know that's what your thinking because I'm thinking that exact thing myself. But here's the bottom line. You are going to be around different people with different ideas your entire life and it just so happens that during the holidays we are smushed together with others in crowded living rooms talking about all the gossip we see on Facebook, talking about the latest Presidential Election (Thank God that's over-by the way), and talking about...ourselves. But what if we actually took the time to find out how someone else is doing? What if we actually tuned out all the noise and really listened to someone else. Maybe that's the way to get people to really consider your own passions and dreams. Maybe that's what God wants us to do.

We can't live authentic lives all the time. We are human! Imperfect creatures! But we can TRY. And we can combine UNCONDITIONAL LOVE with our authenticity. To be truly authentic anyway-- means to be real without passing judgements because we know we are Failures too.

Currently, at the Thanksgiving Table 2012 we all met in a new location and sat around a large table. About 4 to 5 of us started talking about Heaven. I once again was being honest and trying to make a joke about it when I said, "I don't know how we're all gonna make it in Heaven-- Because there are a bunch of people I don't like." MML sat at the far end of the table and said, "But we need to love the way God did with Moses when he was leading the Israelites. God was willing to forgive them all even though they had sinned against Him." She paused for a moment and said, "I don't know if I'll ever be able to reach that place...to give that kind of love."

The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the Lord on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.” So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!” But the Lord replied to Moses, “No, I will erase the name of everyone who has sinned against me. Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you. And when I come to call the people to account, I will certainly hold them responsible for their sins.” Exodus 32:30-34

We all became silent-staring at our mashed potatoes- but this time it was for a good reason. MML in all her wisdom was right once again. And we were all deep in thought because her honesty and authenticity was exactly what we needed to hear.



The Queen of Hearts (me) and MML at a Halloween Party a few years ago.