Chit Chat....

[ayles]

So it's Adriel's first birthday in less than a month!

DH and I talked about what we were going to do and we decided to do his party at our local zoo! They have a small hall that would accomodate the immediate family which is all we're inviting and the kewel thing is that during the winter time they have winter wonderland at the zoo which is just the entire zoo decorated with lights, special animal displays, christmas carolers, candy cane makers etc. It's relatively inexpensive and I think it'll be a great time for everyone especially our nieces and nephews who will be coming.

One thing I am sad about is my mil is choosing to go to California that weekend for her niece's wedding. DH and I don't understand that because she's not that close to her niece and it's her grandson's first birthday! My Mom is flying in from Pakistan for it, my younger sister from England, and my older sister and her family from New York, yet my DH's Mom who lives in the same State is flying away for it. I could sense DH felt hurt about that and I can't help but feel she's doing it because of that incident a few months back in Chicago when she got really upset at us for not letting her give Adriel a fried chicken bone. I don't know what to really do about it except to pray and hope that when we send the invitations out next week she'll change her mind? I don't know if she's expecting for us to do his party on a different date or something but that wouldn't make sense given that it's not like he really knows it's his birthday and celebrating on his actual birthday is important to both DH and I. The only reason I know that MIL is not going to be in town is that I had mentioned to my sister in law when she came for the dedication last month how it would be good to see her on Adriel's birthday and my MIL kind of interrupted saying "I won't be here; I'm going to California for Alisha's wedding."

But I am very excited about his first birthday and about my family coming. It'll be a change of atmosphere to spend time with my family after all that drama when I went to Pakistan this summer and DH will be around so that will be really awesome too

[ayles]

Brenda~Thanks I am feeling muh better praise the Lord. I'm sorry you have a UTI; do you have Tea Tree Oil? It really helped me to take a sitz bath in warm water with a couple of drops of tto and then a couple of drops on a liner after every bathroom trip. It burns slightly but I believe it fought the infection and reduced the swelling. And yes I agree, UTI pain is much worse than childbirth! Feel better hon; praying for your healing

[pants]

Brenda~Thanks I am feeling muh better praise the Lord. I'm sorry you have a UTI; do you have Tea Tree Oil? It really helped me to take a sitz bath in warm water with a couple of drops of tto and then a couple of drops on a liner after every bathroom trip. It burns slightly but I believe it fought the infection and reduced the swelling. And yes I agree, UTI pain is much worse than childbirth! Feel better hon; praying for your healing

Thank you!. I am glad you feel better to. I have though about a sitz bath with TTO...I just wanted to doubled check with my midwife to make sure it wont cause any premature labor or anything. . I battle with UTI's even with all of the precautionary measures. My moms side does to. The doctors believe it's in the make up of my body. Like my tube is tilted towards the back or it's too short letting bacteria up. Not much I can do about it. I've been able to keep them down to about 2 a year. But for a while I had like 5 a year when DH and i were first married. Thanks for the TTO sitz tip.

I know your so disappointed in your MIL's choice to fly to CA for the wedding instead of attend her grandson's birthday. Think of it this way. All of the pictures and reminders of his birthday your MIL will be missing. And that's going to come back to hurt her in the end when your son may be disappointed in her for missing special events. It's a choice she will make that may directly impact her grandson. And well we all make our choices and have to live with the consequences. My MIL refused to attend my DS dedication. She doesn't believe in stepping foot in our church and would rather attend her mass instead. Even for one event. So well while it hurt us, I think it will hurt DS more in the end. I kept record of the pictures and people that attended in his memory book. Each opportunity to spend special moments with grandchildren make a huge difference on the bonding. I know it's nothing you can really do in this situation. Just hope that maybe she will not chose to do this in the future.

[Sakura]

Ayles, that sounds like such a fun party at the zoo. And that's awesome so many of your family members are flying in. Despite MIL not being there, I hope it's a great day for your little man.

[ayles]

Thank you!. I am glad you feel better to. I have though about a sitz bath with TTO...I just wanted to doubled check with my midwife to make sure it wont cause any premature labor or anything. . I battle with UTI's even with all of the precautionary measures. My moms side does to. The doctors believe it's in the make up of my body. Like my tube is tilted towards the back or it's too short letting bacteria up. Not much I can do about it. I've been able to keep them down to about 2 a year. But for a while I had like 5 a year when DH and i were first married. Thanks for the TTO sitz tip.

I know your so disappointed in your MIL's choice to fly to CA for the wedding instead of attend her grandson's birthday. Think of it this way. All of the pictures and reminders of his birthday your MIL will be missing. And that's going to come back to hurt her in the end when your son may be disappointed in her for missing special events. It's a choice she will make that may directly impact her grandson. And well we all make our choices and have to live with the consequences. My MIL refused to attend my DS dedication. She doesn't believe in stepping foot in our church and would rather attend her mass instead. Even for one event. So well while it hurt us, I think it will hurt DS more in the end. I kept record of the pictures and people that attended in his memory book. Each opportunity to spend special moments with grandchildren make a huge difference on the bonding. I know it's nothing you can really do in this situation. Just hope that maybe she will not chose to do this in the future.

I battled with Interstitial Cystitis (repeated bladder infection dues to the inflammation of the bladder causing UTI like symtpoms) for four years before the Lord delivered/healed me from it in 2008. During those four years I had symptoms just about every single day. It was the most painful time ever but it was also a time where I really understood the power of prayer, Jesus' name alone, and His Word as I was a new Christian when it first started. My last "UTI" was in April of 2008 on my best friend/spiritual sister's wedding and I hadn't had any symptoms since. This one was the first one in two years and the enemy would really like me to believe as though the Lord did not deliver me back in 2008 but I am rebuking him in the name of Jesus! I know how painful this can be; I had to do a complete lifestyle change for those four years to avoid my bladder being inflamed: no caffeine, no spicy food, avoiding certain herbs and spices, drinking only water majority of the time etc.

Yes I am disappointed and moreso for Adriel because like you said it impacts him the most but also for DH. DH has been really hurt and disappointed with how his Mom has changed since his Dad's death three years ago. He feels she isn't at all the person she was when his Dad was alive which is understandable as the death of a spouse of 30 years can probably change your whole world around (I can't even imagine going through that) but it's so sad at the same time. I try to reach out to her as much as possible but I also guard my and my family's peace by setting boundaries which I don't think she understands/appreciates. My BIL and his wife don't have any boundaries with her and so she leans towards them more; going to their children's birthdays etc. My SIL does everything my MIL says, agrees with everything she says etc. so it's a tough place for me and DH who choose to do what God says over anything and anyone. We're especially determined about our parenting choices; breastfeeding, co-sleeping etc. and I think she feels like we're disrespecting her by not "listening to her" when she says we should do a,b, and c concerning Adriel I'm going to continue praying for her and our interaction; I'm really trying to walk in love with her.

[ayles]

Ayles, that sounds like such a fun party at the zoo. And that's awesome so many of your family members are flying in. Despite MIL not being there, I hope it's a great day for your little man.

Thanks Amanda

[caligirl07]

Ayles, what a cute idea! I pray it goes well! Our grandparent issues are similar to what you have going on, but on a much smaller scale, and its still hurts when the grandkids aren't a priority. Praying she changes her mind. But either way, sounds like a great time with family and friends celebrating your lil guy!

[pants]

I battled with Interstitial Cystitis (repeated bladder infection dues to the inflammation of the bladder causing UTI like symtpoms) for four years before the Lord delivered/healed me from it in 2008. During those four years I had symptoms just about every single day. It was the most painful time ever but it was also a time where I really understood the power of prayer, Jesus' name alone, and His Word as I was a new Christian when it first started. My last "UTI" was in April of 2008 on my best friend/spiritual sister's wedding and I hadn't had any symptoms since. This one was the first one in two years and the enemy would really like me to believe as though the Lord did not deliver me back in 2008 but I am rebuking him in the name of Jesus! I know how painful this can be; I had to do a complete lifestyle change for those four years to avoid my bladder being inflamed: no caffeine, no spicy food, avoiding certain herbs and spices, drinking only water majority of the time etc.

Yes I am disappointed and moreso for Adriel because like you said it impacts him the most but also for DH. DH has been really hurt and disappointed with how his Mom has changed since his Dad's death three years ago. He feels she isn't at all the person she was when his Dad was alive which is understandable as the death of a spouse of 30 years can probably change your whole world around (I can't even imagine going through that) but it's so sad at the same time. I try to reach out to her as much as possible but I also guard my and my family's peace by setting boundaries which I don't think she understands/appreciates. My BIL and his wife don't have any boundaries with her and so she leans towards them more; going to their children's birthdays etc. My SIL does everything my MIL says, agrees with everything she says etc. so it's a tough place for me and DH who choose to do what God says over anything and anyone. We're especially determined about our parenting choices; breastfeeding, co-sleeping etc. and I think she feels like we're disrespecting her by not "listening to her" when she says we should do a,b, and c concerning Adriel I'm going to continue praying for her and our interaction; I'm really trying to walk in love with her.

Hey can I get the list of herbs your try to avoid. I have correlated mine to dehydration most of the time...I too have cut out caffeine and a lot of processed foods and sugars. And increased my water intake. But i'm curious about the herbs.

I will pray for your reaction and response to your MIL. I know it's easy to feel defensive. It's your DH and DS she's hurting. People do change after loss. Some for the better and some for the worse. It's sad. I know you have a strong conviction and faith. You are in my thoughts!

My DH and I but heads with his parents. And we love them so much. We just do things so differently then them and we have had to lay down some lines that his parents don't agree and even out right mock. It's hard but we are accountable for our testimony for Christ to them AND how we are going to raise our home for the Lord.

[Fallenstar80]

DH has started looking for a new job!!!! I have been praying about this for a year now!!!!! His job is NOT family friendly and his boss is a bit of a nutcase. Don't believe me??? ASK POLLY!!!! Her DH worked for him too!!!!!

[Sakura]

DH has started looking for a new job!!!! I have been praying about this for a year now!!!!! His job is NOT family friendly and his boss is a bit of a nutcase. Don't believe me??? ASK POLLY!!!! Her DH worked for him too!!!!!

Yay!

[pants]

DH has started looking for a new job!!!! I have been praying about this for a year now!!!!! His job is NOT family friendly and his boss is a bit of a nutcase. Don't believe me??? ASK POLLY!!!! Her DH worked for him too!!!!!

[sarahjill]

I think lurking in here gave me a UTI!!! Ugh!! No fun! When I get them, I can't make it to the bathroom fast enough - not good being a teacher!

[ayles]

Hey can I get the list of herbs your try to avoid. I have correlated mine to dehydration most of the time...I too have cut out caffeine and a lot of processed foods and sugars. And increased my water intake. But i'm curious about the herbs.

I will pray for your reaction and response to your MIL. I know it's easy to feel defensive. It's your DH and DS she's hurting. People do change after loss. Some for the better and some for the worse. It's sad. I know you have a strong conviction and faith. You are in my thoughts!

My DH and I but heads with his parents. And we love them so much. We just do things so differently then them and we have had to lay down some lines that his parents don't agree and even out right mock. It's hard but we are accountable for our testimony for Christ to them AND how we are going to raise our home for the Lord.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. I agree that our first responsibility is to raise a family in the admonition and will of God. God is not joking when He says families will be divided over His truth--people think that means literally over belief in Him but it goes so much more beyond that such as sticking to your convictions because of your relationship with Him etc; and it doesn't necessarily only pertain to family members that are unbelievers because majority of DH's family profess Christianity as their faith.

This is a good resource for foods to avoid that may cause those symptoms: http://www.ichelp.org/Page.aspx?pid=390 This website was such a God-send for me when I was suffering from this illness. Praying it is a help for you too.

I think lurking in here
gave me a UTI!!! Ugh!! No fun! When I get them, I can't make it to the bathroom fast enough - not good being a teacher!

I'm sorry hon Praying for your healing!

[pants]

ayles-Thank you for the website. I have it book marked. Thinking of you today! Hope you feel well and the UTI symptoms are gone today too!

[Sakura]

I think lurking in here gave me a UTI!!! Ugh!! No fun! When I get them, I can't make it to the bathroom fast enough - not good being a teacher!

Ugh!! I hope it doesn't last long!

[Sakura]

So, to not cause more controversy in the main room, here's a link of awesome women of the Reformation: http://theresurgence.com/2010/11/14/...he-reformation

[pants]

So, to not cause more controversy in the main room, here's a link of awesome women of the Reformation: http://theresurgence.com/2010/11/14/...he-reformation

Hey and I saw your post about having a homebirth with this one. So happy for you.

[Sakura]

Hey and I saw your post about having a homebirth with this one. So happy for you.

Thanks! We're really excited and we have such a peace about it, you know? I'm relieved (should everything be ok) that I won't have to go the the hospital.

[sarahjill]

Ugh!! I hope it doesn't last long!

Thanks, me too!!

[KC's wifey]

I'm sorry... I am so behind on this thread! Things have been kind of crazy lately and I haven't really felt up to posting a lot. Just wanted to pop in and say and love you girls!

[Sakura]

I'm sorry... I am so behind on this thread! Things have been kind of crazy lately and I haven't really felt up to posting a lot. Just wanted to pop in and say and love you girls!

and and

[anonsouthernbell]

Celebrated and early Thanksgiving with my dad's family. We had a good time.

Aww yay!

Interesting, thanks!

I wonder, though, if the other disciples did pay the tax and it just wasn't recorded in the gospel, since Peter and Jesus were the ones having the conversation? I didn't know that about the tilapia, though!

I don't know but that is an interesting thought.

Very interesting blog! I haven't really heard or thought much on that story. Thank you for posting.

I am slooooowly reading the Book of Matthew and different things jump out at me so I google them and have found some cool blogs that way.

Alex started fussing on the way to church. I turned around and asked him what was wrong. He started dancing. I didn't have any music on and he was requesting some! So on went Casting Crowns!

That's adorable!

exegetically

Can you remind me Brenda what this term means? I have heard it before but I am not positive I am remembering the meaning correctly.

[anonsouthernbell]

But as I was walking with this new friend around this gorgeous lake with the beautiful autumn leaves dancing on the water, and watching my little girl feed the ducks... I felt pretty overwhelmed at how good life is right now.

That's awesome! Praise God!

Our Pastor has started a new series called "I AM" and is going through all the I am statements that Christ made. Yesterday he did, "I AM the Bread of Life" from John 6, I believe.

Very cool!

Just thought I'd share a picture of my little monkey

He is so stinkin' adorable! I can't get over how big he is now either!

Went maternity clothes shopping!!!! I finally have some pregnant clothes!!!!

That's great Mary!

So Tristyn has the "surprise can" for preschool today, its sort of like show and tell, but they have to fit an object into a paint can, and make up 3 clues for the kids to guess... She was SOOOO excited... Poor thing got it last Thursday to bring home and had to wait till today to take it back. She picked a stuffed chihuahua dog and of she blew the secret the second she walked into class. The teacher said that happens all the time and not to worry in 3 hours the kids will all forget what it was, and she'll still get to do the clue part.... So being they happy mommy I am, my video camera and I are off to tape her first show and tell experience!

I want to see. I bet it was adorable!

[anonsouthernbell]

I battled with Interstitial Cystitis (repeated bladder infection dues to the inflammation of the bladder causing UTI like symtpoms) for four years before the Lord delivered/healed me from it in 2008. During those four years I had symptoms just about every single day. It was the most painful time ever but it was also a time where I really understood the power of prayer, Jesus' name alone, and His Word as I was a new Christian when it first started. My last "UTI" was in April of 2008 on my best friend/spiritual sister's wedding and I hadn't had any symptoms since. This one was the first one in two years and the enemy would really like me to believe as though the Lord did not deliver me back in 2008 but I am rebuking him in the name of Jesus! I know how painful this can be; I had to do a complete lifestyle change for those four years to avoid my bladder being inflamed: no caffeine, no spicy food, avoiding certain herbs and spices, drinking only water majority of the time etc.

Yes I am disappointed and moreso for Adriel because like you said it impacts him the most but also for DH. DH has been really hurt and disappointed with how his Mom has changed since his Dad's death three years ago. He feels she isn't at all the person she was when his Dad was alive which is understandable as the death of a spouse of 30 years can probably change your whole world around (I can't even imagine going through that) but it's so sad at the same time. I try to reach out to her as much as possible but I also guard my and my family's peace by setting boundaries which I don't think she understands/appreciates. My BIL and his wife don't have any boundaries with her and so she leans towards them more; going to their children's birthdays etc. My SIL does everything my MIL says, agrees with everything she says etc. so it's a tough place for me and DH who choose to do what God says over anything and anyone. We're especially determined about our parenting choices; breastfeeding, co-sleeping etc. and I think she feels like we're disrespecting her by not "listening to her" when she says we should do a,b, and c concerning Adriel I'm going to continue praying for her and our interaction; I'm really trying to walk in love with her.

that has to be tough esp since I know you hate to see your DH go through that. Your birthday idea sounds awesome! I think it is wonderful too that your family is flying such a far distance to celebrate A's birthday! (I had wanted to do something for M at the zoo but it was going to be about $625 to have a zoo sponsored bday party here ).

[ayles]

that has to be tough esp since I know you hate to see your DH go through that. Your birthday idea sounds awesome! I think it is wonderful too that your family is flying such a far distance to celebrate A's birthday! (I had wanted to do something for M at the zoo but it was going to be about $625 to have a zoo sponsored bday party here ).

Wow that's expensive! It's costing us about $150 for the basic package which includes two hours in the room, free admission to the zoo, snacks and drinks, set up and clean up as well as a hostess for the party. We'll be spending a little extra for the cake, pizza, paper products etc. but I don't see it costing more than $300 altogether at the most. I absolutely love the zoo too; we got in free the other day since we came in at 5pm but the weather was nice and we decided to go last minute. We were able to see everything in enough time for free!

[anonsouthernbell]

That's awesome!

And I don't remember who originally posted this blog: http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/...ke+-+Jon+Acuff) but ty that was hil.ar.ious! (I will admit that I skimmed the part about the cheese bc we are going dairy free atm and that was just torture )!

[anonsouthernbell]

So I meant to add earlier that I am really excited ladies. I mean REALLY excited. Like bouncing off the walls inside myself -if that makes any kind of sense at all I have been really anxious for awhile now about what to do with my life and as of Monday a decision has been reached. This is something that I have been praying about for a really long time. I am going to go to medical school! I still have a ton of pre-reqs to finish but that's what I am going to do. I know that God will help me through and that everything will fall into place if this is truly His will. I also know that the devil will try to come against me so please keep me in your prayers. (He did that when the idea of going to medical school first came to me a few years ago by telling me lies that I foolishly believed - not smart enough, won't be able to, not good enough, etc). But I am so excited and I just pray that my actions may be glorifying to God! Hallelujah!

[sarahjill]

So I meant to add earlier that I am really excited ladies. I mean REALLY excited. Like bouncing off the walls inside myself -if that makes any kind of sense at all I have been really anxious for awhile now about what to do with my life and as of Monday a decision has been reached. This is something that I have been praying about for a really long time. I am going to go to medical school! I still have a ton of pre-reqs to finish but that's what I am going to do. I know that God will help me through and that everything will fall into place if this is truly His will. I also know that the devil will try to come against me so please keep me in your prayers. (He did that when the idea of going to medical school first came to me a few years ago by telling me lies that I foolishly believed - not smart enough, won't be able to, not good enough, etc). But I am so excited and I just pray that my actions may be glorifying to God! Hallelujah!

Good for you! Good luck!

[Sakura]

So I meant to add earlier that I am really excited ladies. I mean REALLY excited. Like bouncing off the walls inside myself -if that makes any kind of sense at all I have been really anxious for awhile now about what to do with my life and as of Monday a decision has been reached. This is something that I have been praying about for a really long time. I am going to go to medical school! I still have a ton of pre-reqs to finish but that's what I am going to do. I know that God will help me through and that everything will fall into place if this is truly His will. I also know that the devil will try to come against me so please keep me in your prayers. (He did that when the idea of going to medical school first came to me a few years ago by telling me lies that I foolishly believed - not smart enough, won't be able to, not good enough, etc). But I am so excited and I just pray that my actions may be glorifying to God! Hallelujah!

Sounds awesome!

[anonsouthernbell]

Thanks ladies!