This Could Get Addicting!!!

Lately I've been interested in expanding my knowledge as a photographer and picture editor. I signed up to receive free, weekly tips about photography and I learned from one of these tips about a free photo editing program by Google. It's Picasa and it's a free download from the Google site.

Isaac is napping so I've been using the time to experiment and figure out how this program works. This is just one of the pics I messed around with. The first photo is the original and the second is the edited version. This program is so cool 'cause you can highlight certain areas to remain in color and of course change the whole color tone of the pictures; add a soft glow. The options are numerous! This could be dangerously addicting!!!

10 Months!

Isaac is 10 months old today!! This month it seems he has developed more than any other. In fact, just in this past week Isaac has started waving, clapping, pulling himself up to a standing position, signing "more" and I think, if I'm not mistaken, has added "all done" to his vocabulary. So much in so short a time! He has 3 teeth now and is crawling on his knees more and more. He has discovered the big stuffed animals in his room and likes to snuggle them and lay his head on their soft fur. I'm filled up with thankfulness for this little boy that has captured our hearts!!! I am so priviledged to be his Mommy!!!!

A Lightbulb Moment

I had one last night in conversation with a friend (wink: you know who you are!). We were talking about life and how important it is to keep God first and seek Him and how easily bitterness can creep up in our hearts when we're distant from Him. And that's when it happened...the lightbulb went on in my head. This.......

Jesus is the Living Water. Bitterness grows in a stagnant pool. To keep from becoming bitter (or resentful, etc) we must have the constant flow of His living water flowing within us. I was reminded of the Israelites and their exodus from Egypt. After traveling 3 days without water, they came upon a pool of water, only to find that the water was bitter. The Lord instructed Moses to throw in a particular piece of wood and the water turned sweet. (see Exodus 15 for the complete story.) Isaiah 12:3 says "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Jesus can take those bitter waters and make them sweet. He can take the water that has grown stagnant within us, that's not fit to drink, that would harm us, and make it sweet and life-giving.

Nap Time

I'm not entirely sure why, but for some reason Isaac has decided that he doesn't really need nap time and is ready to get up after 40 minutes or so. Mommy disagrees!! And so we are now experiencing the painful task of relearning to take decent naps, which includes tears and tantrums. Alas...if it wasn't so important I wouldn't be so insistent, but the little guy was starting to get dark circles under his eyes by evening 'cause he was pooped!!! And it wasn't good for Mommy's sanity either!!! Hopefully this relearning won't take that long!!

I did it!!

I did it! I got up at 6am and went to the gym!!! I did weights and abs for 20 minutes and then 20 minutes of cardio. It felt great and was a good way to begin the day. I took my book along with me and read while I wrote the cybex machine; this makes the time go much faster! Then I came home and actually made breakfast for R and I.

Isaac woke up at 8am and I stuck him in his highchair with his bottle while I cleaned the wood floors. Then I vacuumed just to finish the job. Isaac chased the vacuum around like it was a toy! I thought babies were supposed to be afraid of noises like that?!? Smile. At 9:30 I put Isaac down for his nap, made the bed, took a shower, put in a load of laundry, had my quiet time in the Word and it's only 10:15!!!! Wow! That's more than I get done all day many days! Oh, and I even called to schedule an appointment for the truck!! Sheesh! I'm amazing! Hee, hee!

Isaac is 9 months!

Our little boy is clocking in at nearly 19 pounds and is 28 inches long!! He's army-crawling at top speed and investigating anything and everything now. It's all I can do to keep up with him these days!!! I rearranged his nursery to make it fully baby-proofed, including nailing the bookcase to the wall, and R installed a baby gate which turned his room into a giant playpen. At this point that's what's keeping me sane! At least I can run to the bathroom without worrying what he's going to get into! Smile.

R got Isaac a pool and took him for his first swim a couple weeks ago. Isaac LOVED it; splashing himself and everyone else within radius! It's been so hot here this summer that swimming is about the only outdoor activity that isn't miserable! We do still use the tree swing on occassion in the mornings before it heats up too much.

Isaac has two teeth now, earning him the endearing nickname of "Dos Dentes". He's working on a couple more upper teeth which have been giving him fits, but overall he's been a trooper! With the teeth has come more variety in the highchair! Isaac newest fave is blueberries! And he eats cheese and cheerios and cooked carrots all by himself! Yes, I'm pretty proud of him!

Yesterday was his doctor appointment and he was given a clean bill of health! They had to prick his finger for a blood test. I think R and I hate those pokes more than Isaac does, so we were being all comforting, waiting for the screams. The nurse pricked his finger and Isaac just sat their and watched her as she squeezed blood into a little tube. No fussying, so squirming, just curiosity! Such a brave boy!

I don't know if anyone still reads this since I'm so erratic with my posts, but here's to all those faithful followers who will read this! Cheers!!

Giggles!

Getting More Organized

I got this idea from a woman at Bible study and have modified it to fit us, so I thought I'd share in case it would be helpful for anyone else. I've been having trouble keeping up with the grocery shopping/meal planning/ cooking lately. A woman at Bible study shared about how she plans her meals out for an entire month. That sounded a little daunting, but I did come up with an idea that has already proved helpful.
I made a list of 17 different meals, including the vegetable and any other sides to go with them. I've set up a rotation for these meals so I don't have to try to figure out what I'm going to make each week. I made the list on Monday and went to the grocery store today. It was so easy to make my grocery list!!! I just looked at the next 4 meals on the list and wrote down the ingredients I need to make them and off I went to the store! Next week I'll write down what I need for the next 4 meals, etc. I think this is really going to help me and keep us eating different things!!
I'm also toying with the idea of making up sample grocery lists for each week and printing them off. We'll see if I go that far! But anything that makes life easier at this point in a BIG bonus!!! Hope this helps somebody else!

6 Months Old

Our little Isaac is 6 months old now! Sometimes he seems older only because it's hard to image life before he was with us, but then when I think about being pregnant just 6 months ago. Yikes! I have to say...he's a lot more fun now! Smile.

Isaac now weighs 15 pounds, 14 ounces and is 26 inches long. If we sit him up he can sit there for quite awhile just looking around. That is until he reaches for something...then it's usually a face plant! Isaac is a Momma's boy, except when it comes to play time. Daddy can make him giggle like nobody else! There's nothing more joyful then baby giggles coming from the other room while I'm in the kitchen making dinner.

This past week we went to Toddler Time at the public library. Isaac is a little young for this age group, but I have friends that go at that time and he had a good time taking it all in! And Isaac loves books! Of course at this point he's more interested in eating them than in the story, but whenever we read him a book he gets excited and waves his little arms and then wants to hold it himself.

On the mommy front, I am happy to say I can now get into my old jeans and while there's still a bit of a muffin top, it's not that bad anymore. I can even get my skinny jeans buttoned. YIPPY!!! R and I did the Maker's Diet, in addition to time at the gym, and now we're on the lifestyle phase of the diet. We both decided that we just plain need to be healthier in what we eat. So, lots more veggies; sprouted, whole-grain bread; and no sugar. I find that after pretty much being off of sugar for the past 2 months, I don't really even crave it anymore and if I do have it, it doesn't really do anything for me. It's too sweet! This just goes to show that it's possible to change ones lifestyle! And I'm SO proud of R!!! He has been totally inspiring with how he has changed his eating habits!!! And we're both lookin' GOOD, if I do say so myself!!!

Blessed

It's been awhile since I've posted anything on my blog. I haven't taken much time lately to spend on the computer. I figured if I still have any faithful followers I should probably give a little update! Smile.

Isaac grows more precious every day and I am truly overwhelmed with the joy he brings into our lives! Mommyhood can be hard sometimes, but it's so worth it when he looks up at me with those trusting eyes and gives me a big grin! He's giggling now...especially at Daddy! And taking everything in! He likes to watch the dogs and keeps a close eye on me!!! Isaac's eating rice cereal and baby oatmeal. Our little independent often likes to hold the spoon and his bottle all by himself. He's a great little cuddler and likes to give Mommy hugs and even kisses!

I've been getting back into quilting; making baby quilts and now a bedspread for my sis and her fiance for a wedding present (they already know about it, though the final product will be a surprise). Quilting gives me an outlet for my creativity and is something I enjoy doing. And I have plenty of opportunity since we have lots of expectant friends!!! March, May, June, July, Sept, Oct!!!!!! So fun!

Last weekend we went to the city to visit family and spent a fabulous weekend away! We took Isaac to the Aquarium before we headed home and he totally looked around and took in all the colors and movement! It was precious!!! It's so fun to watch him grow and change!!!

This week is the last week for the Beth Moore study I've been attending. I really think this study on the Fruit of the Spirit has changed me. It has helped me to realize more and more what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit and my inability to live out the fruit without the Spirit's power!!! I need the Lord to work in me to live in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!!!! This study has also taught me that there's more to so many of these qualities than one would expect! For example, peace has to do with submitting to God's authority in our lives!!! Peace RULES in our hearts. And Patience is all about extending mercy to others. If you ever have a chance to be in a Beth Moore study DO IT!!!! I have been totally blessed!!!!

I suppose I should head off to bed. I pray the Lord blesses your hearts and draws you closer to Himself!!!

Daylight Savings

I'm pretty sure that whoever came up with the idea to do daylight savings and change the clock twice a year DID NOT have a baby on a feeding schedule. Otherwise they would never have attempted to so disrupt said schedule!! Isaac has done okay today with the time change, but he's been a little fussy and confused about why he's eating when he's eating and then the whole sleep thing is messed up as well. Yeah...not the greatest idea anyone ever had!!

Faith

This week's homework for the Beth Moore study is on the Fruit of the Spirit, Faithfulness. Today's lesson was really wow and made me realize why my faith has wavered at different times in my life. The main passage of Scripture for today was Hebrews 11. Verse 6 says that without faith it's impossible to please God because we must first believe that He is and then that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. This question was posed: Is my faith based upon what God does or Who He is?

After reading this lesson I have to admit that my faith has mostly been based on what God does. No wonder I've struggled to trust Him!! God certainly doesn't always do what I think He should and He definitely doesn't do WHEN I think He should!!! This has caused me to feel like the Lord has let me down and has made me wonder if I can trust Him in whatever current circumstance I find myself in.

Beth Moore said that faith based upon what God does sets us up for a rollercoaster ride!! But faith in Who He is allows us to rest upon what we know of His character and the fact that God loves us no matter what the circumstances of life look like.

I need to adjust the basis of my faith. My faith should rest upon the truth that He is and trust that all that He does falls in line with His character and love for us. Wow! So that was a revelation I need in my life!!! Thank you, Jesus!!!

A Day Away

R had the BRILLIANT idea to take a short roadtrip yesterday and visit some friends we hadn't seen for a couple years! We had such a great time visiting with them! We've added to our families since we last saw each other and our boys are just 3 weeks apart. We're hoping they'll become little buddies over the years as we keep in touch!!!

It felt so good to get away and just enjoy each other's company and the company of friends and time with our sweet son! I didn't realize how much I needed that until we did it and I feel refreshed and thankful! We got home a little before 10pm last night and went straight to bed. R and I can't decide if it's maturity or old age, but we're finally getting home at a decent hour. Parenting will change your life! Smile. And it's so awesome!

Baby Wellness

Isaac's 4 month baby wellness checkup was this afternoon. We were supposed to go last week but I just couldn't handle going alone! I needed R there to comfort me while I comforted Isaac when he got his shots. Sniff, sniff. He did so much better this time than his 2 month shots! He cried for sure, but was easily consoled and is now contentedly swinging in his swing.

Our little son now weights 14 pounds, 3 ounces and is 25 and a half inches long!!! That makes him in the 26 percentile for his weight and the 62 percentile for his height. The doctor was pleased with how strong he is and Isaac is right on track. The nurses all oohed and aahed over how cute he is!!! I have to agree! He's adorable!!! Smile.

Time with Daddy & Mommy

JOY

First I just have to say "the Lord is so FAITHFUL"! I think I've shared some on this blog about how I've been spiritually dry for quite some time. Well the Lord has really been refreshing my spirit through so many different avenues and I'm full of gratefulness to Him!

My friend Kelly invited me to a women's Bible study that meets every Monday morning and so I've gone the last couple weeks. We're doing a Beth Moore study on the fruit of the Spirit (side note: if you ever get a chance to do a Beth Moore study DO IT! It's Fabulous!!). My quiet time today I've spent on one of the homework assignments to prepare for next Monday. This week we're learning about JOY and today I read about the JOY that's found in discovering Christ in our circumstances.

I won't go into detail since this is a public forum, but R and I have been dealing with some issues in our relationship and something that has played a LARGE role in the very existence of these issues is my own sin. I have not submitted to R's leadership as the head of our home and have instead fought him over numerous situations and decisions. This has led to discouragement in him and in our marriage. As I was reading today's lesson I was wondering how the Lord could receive glory in our circumstances when it's a result of sin! The Lord spoke to my heart that the sin can't give Him glory, but the repentance does!!! For that reason my heart is filled with JOY that Christ is present and working in my heart!!! The Lord is FAITHFUL!

Jeremiah 29:13 really ministered to me this morning: "You will seek ME and find ME when you seek ME with all your heart." I want to encourage anyone who is reading this that the Lord is faithful and He will work in us whatever it takes to draw us close to Him! And it's worth it even if it's difficult and painful! Let us keep seeking the Lord and pressing in with Him! He has PROMISED that He will be found by us!!

Learning to Read

A New Season of Growth

Over the summer R and I realized it was time for us to find a new church home. We had met so many fabulous people and made some awesome friends, but we just felt like the Lord was leading us to move on. This meant the arduous task of church hunting...one of my absolute least favorite experiences!!!

Just before Christmas we overslept one Sunday and so decided to attend a church in town that has a Noon service. The worship was incredible and really ministered to my heart. I found myself talking to the Lord about how much I wanted to give this church a try and asked him to speak to R if that was where He wanted us. No sooner were we out of the building when R said he thought we should go there!!!

I feel like this new place of worship is what my soul needed to revive my heart and renew my walk with the Lord! Over the years I've realized that the Lord puts us in places to work His purpose in us and that sometimes that means moving on in order to go deeper and experience more growth. This has been true of us in changing churches.

In addition, a friend of mine invited me to a women's Bible study. We're doing a Beth Moore study and it has been so GREAT! Every time I sit down to do the homework I feel like the Lord is speaking directly to me in what I need to hear at that moment!!! God is just so faithful! I feel like after being in the desert for literally years, I'm drinking from a cool spring of water and can't get enough of it!!! The Lord knew what we needed and led us to that place that's right for us in this season until such time as He moves us on.

It Really Is Working!!!!

So just for fun...or maybe I should say for the heck of it...I tried on a pair of my pre-pregnancy jeans today. And they actually buttoned!!!!!! I've tried them on before and let me just say buttoning wasn't even near a possibility! Granted, I'm not ready to actually wear them yet...not unless a muffin top comes into style tomorrow! But it won't be long now! This is a great incentive to keep on working out and avoiding those second helpings and desserts!!!!

Pre-Pregnant Body Workout

So...my sis has given me an incredible incentive to regaining my pre-pregnant body once again! A June wedding in which I am priviledged to be the Matron of Honor...and priviledged to look good in a bridesmaid dress! Smile. I've been talking to some people about ways they have stayed in and/or gotten back in shape and have incorporated those techniques into my own workout routine.

R is AWESOME and makes it possible for me to go to the gym 3 times a week while he stays home with Isaac!!! I've been going faithfully and working out for an hour each time. I have learned in my inquiries that if you begin a workout with weight-lifting that you will then burn more calories during cardio. I started this almost two weeks ago now and as promised, the fat is falling off!!! The scale still hasn't budged, but I'm more concerned with inches anyway and those are shrinking!!! I still can't wear my pre-prenant jeans, but I am able to wear some more fitted shirts that I couldn't wear before! Yay! And my whole body is getting toned as well! I feel really good about myself and it's helping my back issues and everything! Yay!!!!