I've been watching for the past hour or so with a growing sick feeling deep in my stomach as democratic candidates from all different races in NC and the USA win one race after another. I just have a hard time understanding why God is allowing candidates who don't want to protect His ideal for marriage to win. I can't understand why God is allowing candidates who think there is nothing wrong with killing innocent babies during any part of pregnancy for any reason to lead our country or hold positions in our state. I can't understand why the people of this country feel that the economy, which has been bad before and always turns around eventually, is a more important issue than protecting the lives of innocent babies, the ideals of marriage, the very foundations of our country. Are they not able to look past the current crisis to the next generation that is being slaughtered before it is even born?
And then I realized...God is allowing this because He gave us free will. We can choose to follow Him, or we can choose to plot our own path. America has chosen to plot its own path, and we will reap the consequences. Sometimes a todler doesn't learn what "hot" means until they touch the stove. Tonight, America is reaching towards the burner.
I've been in prayer all day for our country. For the direction it has chosen. For the next 4 years. I've prayed that God will work on the heart of whomever is elected, because I don't think ANY candidate is perfect. I've prayed that God will protect us from fearmongering, from terrorism, from crushing financial strain. But I know that, just like any good Father, God sometimes steps aside and lets His children suffer the consequences of their actions and I have to believe that when a nation chooses a leader who believes so differently from what I see to be Biblical truth, there will be consequences to suffer.
God Bless America. Tonight this is more than a slogan, it is a plea.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Children are precious
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you...Jeremiah 1:4
Vote Pro Life!
Vote Pro Life!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Happy Birthday Zollie!
Zollie Isaac turned 1 on Tuesday, Oct 14! I can't believe a whole year has passed since his birth. To honor his day, I'd like to share our his abbreviated birth story (I couldn't abbreviate it TOO much...labor was only 5 hours as is!).
8:30am: Arrived at the birth center. My mom and sisters arrived shortly after us. Contractions are pretty strong, I'm moaning through them. Midwife checked me and I was 8cm and fully effaced. Got right in the tub. Labored in the tub for an hour or so, then felt the urge to use the potty. Got out and dried off, went to potty. Heard midwife knock lightly on bathroom door and say "Vallere, don't have that baby on the toilet without telling me. I don't care if you want to have him on the toilet, just tell me first." We all laughed about that one.
Around 10am: By now I was back in the tub. PG was sitting on the side of the tub with his feet in the water. I was squatting in the tub, leaning over his legs. He was massaging my back and putting pressure on my hips. Felt the urge to push. Midwife checked me and I was 10cm and got the go-ahead. Sat back in the tub and pushed a couple of times. Felt baby moving down. Another push and my water broke. Baby was crowning. PG applied pressure to my perenium and Zollie was born into his hands at 10:24am. PG caught him and handed him to me while our midwife, nurse, and my mom and sisters looked on. Cuddled in the tub for a little while, then got out and into the bed for the placenta to deliver.
One year ago, on Sunday, Oct 14, 2007...We had spent the night with my in laws so that we could watch a football game together on Saturday. Oct 14 was my father in law's birthday, so we had planned to go out to eat on Sunday together. Zollie had other plans!
5:30am: Woke up with contractions. Woke hubby up and we timed them for an hour. They were about 5 min apart and getting stronger. Checked myself and I was about 4-5cm and very effaced with a little bloody show.
6:30am: Called my midwife and asked her if she thought we should head to the birth center. Midway through the call I said "Hang on, I'm having a contraction." She replied, "If you need me to hang on while you have a contraction, you need to come on in." She was right. Got our bag together while PG took a quick shower and mother in law made breakfast for us to eat on the way. We left Ian with them with promises to keep them updated via phone and have them head to the birth center when Zollie was about to arrive so Ian could meet him asap.
7:30am: On the road. The birth center is an hour away. PG and I spend the first part of the ride excited, and the last part pretty quiet as the contractions picked up in intensity and got closer together. By the time we were half an hour away they were every 3 min, lasting a min. I called the birth center and said we were almost there and to go ahead and fill up the tub for me. Decided we are definately having our future kids at home so I don't have to make that ride again!
8:30am: Arrived at the birth center. My mom and sisters arrived shortly after us. Contractions are pretty strong, I'm moaning through them. Midwife checked me and I was 8cm and fully effaced. Got right in the tub. Labored in the tub for an hour or so, then felt the urge to use the potty. Got out and dried off, went to potty. Heard midwife knock lightly on bathroom door and say "Vallere, don't have that baby on the toilet without telling me. I don't care if you want to have him on the toilet, just tell me first." We all laughed about that one.
Around 10am: By now I was back in the tub. PG was sitting on the side of the tub with his feet in the water. I was squatting in the tub, leaning over his legs. He was massaging my back and putting pressure on my hips. Felt the urge to push. Midwife checked me and I was 10cm and got the go-ahead. Sat back in the tub and pushed a couple of times. Felt baby moving down. Another push and my water broke. Baby was crowning. PG applied pressure to my perenium and Zollie was born into his hands at 10:24am. PG caught him and handed him to me while our midwife, nurse, and my mom and sisters looked on. Cuddled in the tub for a little while, then got out and into the bed for the placenta to deliver.First nursing.
Around 11am: Mother and Father in law arrived with Ian and we sent everyone out of the room so Ian could meet his new brother. He was a little unsure at first but eventually was all smiles!
And here's our little man now!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday and Friday rundown
Thursday morning, Great Worth met. It was just me and G. again, but we had a nice study about choosing to be submissive as wives and how that is in turn choosing to be obedient to God. The kids had fun playing and watching cartoons while we talked. I'm so glad God has put G. in my life. We are so similar in our parenting and religious beliefs, as well as our financial situations. It's nice to have someone close by who you can really connect with.
After Ian's nap, I sat down with him and helped him make a flower craft out of construction paper. He got to glue all of the pieces into place and that just tickled him silly! The flower went along with what he learned about at AWANA this past week. That is really working out well for us...Ian gets to go have fun for an hour and PG and I get to spend some todler free time together. Ian (without my prompting) drug his daddy over to the fridge to see the flower when he got home from work. Dave and Suzanne came over for supper (and he showed off his flower to them as well). Dave is such an excellent cook! We had a great chicken dish over noodles and steamed veggies while we watched the season opener of Survivor. I haven't watched that show in a couple of seasons, and I don't know that I'll keep up with it this season either. It just seems like so many recycled ideas at this point.
I got Zollie to sleep in his crib again last night, and he actually slept there until about 5am! PG said he got up early and heard him crying and assumed I would get him, but I never woke up, so now I am feeling really guilty that he cried himself back to sleep. I went in to check on him and he was sleeping soundly, but I went ahead and brought him in to bed with us. I didn't intend for him to have to stay in there and cry and I feel horrid about it. The door was closed to our room to keep the dog out, and I guess between that and the storm raging outside I just didn't hear the poor guy. The downside to him not sleeping with us is that by morning I'm full to bursting with milk because he doesn't wake to nurse as often when he's by himself.
This morning, Friday, we got up and breakfasted and watched a few cartoons. Ian knows all the words to the themesong of the Wonder Pets. It's so cute to hear him singing that along with the show! He's really talking up a storm now...and to think that at one point we were taking him to a speach therapist because we were concerned. Around lunch time we walked downtown so I could pay the electric bill and then went to see the fountain in front of Town Hall. The last time we were at it, we gave Ian a penny and told him to wish for ice cream when we got home and toss the penny in. Today I told him to wish for popcorn as I handed him a penny. He mumbled something under his breath and threw the penny in. I said "Did you wish for popcorn?" and he said "No, I wished for icecream!" The little stinker!
We then walked over to the Salvation Army where I found a cute khaki skirt for $1.70 and a couple of foam books to give Zollie for his birthday. Score! I can't believe, though, that my little baby is fixing to turn 1. We are planning to grill out and have a banana split bar for his party. I'll make him a little cake, of course, but I think banana splits will be so fun!
Once we got home, I gave Ian a tiny cup of ice cream and then put him down for a nap. He's passed out right now...though I don't know how...Zollie is playing in his room at the moment. That kid can sleep through anything! I promised him we could blow some bubbles outside once he wakes up, so I guess I better go get some housework done while I have the chance. Until next time!
After Ian's nap, I sat down with him and helped him make a flower craft out of construction paper. He got to glue all of the pieces into place and that just tickled him silly! The flower went along with what he learned about at AWANA this past week. That is really working out well for us...Ian gets to go have fun for an hour and PG and I get to spend some todler free time together. Ian (without my prompting) drug his daddy over to the fridge to see the flower when he got home from work. Dave and Suzanne came over for supper (and he showed off his flower to them as well). Dave is such an excellent cook! We had a great chicken dish over noodles and steamed veggies while we watched the season opener of Survivor. I haven't watched that show in a couple of seasons, and I don't know that I'll keep up with it this season either. It just seems like so many recycled ideas at this point.
I got Zollie to sleep in his crib again last night, and he actually slept there until about 5am! PG said he got up early and heard him crying and assumed I would get him, but I never woke up, so now I am feeling really guilty that he cried himself back to sleep. I went in to check on him and he was sleeping soundly, but I went ahead and brought him in to bed with us. I didn't intend for him to have to stay in there and cry and I feel horrid about it. The door was closed to our room to keep the dog out, and I guess between that and the storm raging outside I just didn't hear the poor guy. The downside to him not sleeping with us is that by morning I'm full to bursting with milk because he doesn't wake to nurse as often when he's by himself.
This morning, Friday, we got up and breakfasted and watched a few cartoons. Ian knows all the words to the themesong of the Wonder Pets. It's so cute to hear him singing that along with the show! He's really talking up a storm now...and to think that at one point we were taking him to a speach therapist because we were concerned. Around lunch time we walked downtown so I could pay the electric bill and then went to see the fountain in front of Town Hall. The last time we were at it, we gave Ian a penny and told him to wish for ice cream when we got home and toss the penny in. Today I told him to wish for popcorn as I handed him a penny. He mumbled something under his breath and threw the penny in. I said "Did you wish for popcorn?" and he said "No, I wished for icecream!" The little stinker!
We then walked over to the Salvation Army where I found a cute khaki skirt for $1.70 and a couple of foam books to give Zollie for his birthday. Score! I can't believe, though, that my little baby is fixing to turn 1. We are planning to grill out and have a banana split bar for his party. I'll make him a little cake, of course, but I think banana splits will be so fun!
Once we got home, I gave Ian a tiny cup of ice cream and then put him down for a nap. He's passed out right now...though I don't know how...Zollie is playing in his room at the moment. That kid can sleep through anything! I promised him we could blow some bubbles outside once he wakes up, so I guess I better go get some housework done while I have the chance. Until next time!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Yay! I did it!
I got Zollie to sleep in the crib tonight! This is maybe the second time I've gotten him to sleep by himself EVER. He generally nurses to sleep in our bed and then is unmovable, lest he wake up. I love snuggling with the little monkey, but it'll be nice to fall asleep beside my husband (and only my husband) tonight! I'm sure he'll be waking up to nurse soon, and then he can come to bed with us. Better enjoy the extra sleeping space while I've got it!
The winds have settled!
We've had a blustery couple of weeks around the Shelton household! AWANA has gone great for Ian. I stayed with him the first night, just to see what all went on. He had a good time, but whined a lot. I think most of that had to do with me being there and also this being his first time in a structured environment. Last Wednesday I just dropped him off, and his teacher said he did great! I'm so glad he's having fun there!
We also made it back from our trip to Asheville in one piece. It was a jam-packed weekend! Here's a quick rundown of what we did:
We left Thursday around lunchtime and got to our hotel about 6pm. Ordered Papa John's pizza. mmmm! Let Ian jump on the hotel bed a bit. Went to sleep. Eventually.
Fri morning DH left to go to the conference. We slept in, played in the tub, and watched cartoons. DH came home for lunch and we went downtown and walked around. Found a neat little Indian cafe and had a super yummy lunch! Hung out at the hotel the rest of the evening while DH was in meetings.
Saturday morning I took the boys to the pool while DH was gone. DH had the afternoon off from lunch till about 6, so we took the boys to the nature center downtown. Ian was tickled pink! He got to see bears, a cougar, wolves, snakes, and all sorts of other animals. There was even a petting zoo! We hung out at the hotel the rest of the afternoon while DH went back to the conference to present his poster and do his fru fru supper with the big wigs. At least he brought me back leftovers!
Sunday morning DH had a meeting until 10. He came back and I had everything packed to go, so we loaded up the car and checked out. I had found a church I wanted to attend, and DH had been sitting all weekend so he decided to take the boys to a playground while I went. Here's the funny story from the weekend. The name of the church was Grace Tabernacle. It said it was nondenominational in the phone book. Well, we had a hard time finding it so I didn't get there until about 10 after 11. I walked in the front door and there in the narthex was a table. On the table was a menorah, a little arc of the covenant, and a horn of David. So my brain went into overdrive...."Um...is this a Jewish temple? The name IS tabernacle...but it said church in the phone book, I'm sure of it! But man that guy over there definately looks Jewish. But it's SUNDAY!" Total brain cramp! Anyway, I went on in and it was a WONDERFUL sermon! Just wonderful. The pastor talked about how Jesus kept trying to get the disciples to trust Him, but they kept being human and worrying...like in the boat during the storm. The pastor said don't fight the storm! Just make sure you have Jesus in your boat. Remember, the same waves that scared the disciples rocked Jesus to sleep. Talk about peace that passes all understanding! It was just wonderful! So after church we drove up the Parkway a bit and stopped at a campground. We pitched our tent and then hiked down a path to Crabtree Falls. I totally forgot to take my camera! I could kick myself! UG! Anywho, we got back, lit the campfire, cooked dinner and roasted marshmallows. It was Ian's first time camping. Monday we got up and cleaned up our campsite and then drove to a place called Gem Mountain in Spruce Pines where you can buy buckets of ore and sit at a flume with a seive and you keep whatever gems you find. We found TONS of stuff...rubies, emeralds, garnets, topaz, and all sorts of semi precious stuff like amethest and aquamarine. Just wish we could afford to get them cut! Then we made the 6 hour drive home with a quick stopover at my moms to eat supper.
This weekend, our friends Denis and Crystal and their kids Noah, Alek, and Mikayla came Saturday to watch the ECU/NC State game with us. We lost. *sigh* Another year of getting pecked at by Wolfpack fans. Alas! We spent the evening and night playing games: the kids in the dining room and us adults in the living room. Much dead cow was consumed. It was a great night! They slept over and this morning half the house woke up with a bad headcold. We missed church so as not to spread the headcold love. Tonight, DH and I are just enjoying some time alone. I need to prepare some more things for school tomorrow and he needs to keep himself sane as he heads back to work. He's been working 10-12 hour days recently, and also on Saturdays. I can't wait for this rotation to be over with!
Praises! We seem to be ok moneywise right now. We were able to pay off a couple of small debts from a reimbursement check. Praise God! We are just trusting God to provide for us.
Prayer requests: Ian, Zollie, and I all have a cold. Please pray that we get well soon (especially Zollie...he's so stuffed up that he can barely nurse) and that DH doesn't get sick. He's working so much this month, he really can't afford to feel bad.
We also made it back from our trip to Asheville in one piece. It was a jam-packed weekend! Here's a quick rundown of what we did:
We left Thursday around lunchtime and got to our hotel about 6pm. Ordered Papa John's pizza. mmmm! Let Ian jump on the hotel bed a bit. Went to sleep. Eventually.
Fri morning DH left to go to the conference. We slept in, played in the tub, and watched cartoons. DH came home for lunch and we went downtown and walked around. Found a neat little Indian cafe and had a super yummy lunch! Hung out at the hotel the rest of the evening while DH was in meetings.
Saturday morning I took the boys to the pool while DH was gone. DH had the afternoon off from lunch till about 6, so we took the boys to the nature center downtown. Ian was tickled pink! He got to see bears, a cougar, wolves, snakes, and all sorts of other animals. There was even a petting zoo! We hung out at the hotel the rest of the afternoon while DH went back to the conference to present his poster and do his fru fru supper with the big wigs. At least he brought me back leftovers!
Sunday morning DH had a meeting until 10. He came back and I had everything packed to go, so we loaded up the car and checked out. I had found a church I wanted to attend, and DH had been sitting all weekend so he decided to take the boys to a playground while I went. Here's the funny story from the weekend. The name of the church was Grace Tabernacle. It said it was nondenominational in the phone book. Well, we had a hard time finding it so I didn't get there until about 10 after 11. I walked in the front door and there in the narthex was a table. On the table was a menorah, a little arc of the covenant, and a horn of David. So my brain went into overdrive...."Um...is this a Jewish temple? The name IS tabernacle...but it said church in the phone book, I'm sure of it! But man that guy over there definately looks Jewish. But it's SUNDAY!" Total brain cramp! Anyway, I went on in and it was a WONDERFUL sermon! Just wonderful. The pastor talked about how Jesus kept trying to get the disciples to trust Him, but they kept being human and worrying...like in the boat during the storm. The pastor said don't fight the storm! Just make sure you have Jesus in your boat. Remember, the same waves that scared the disciples rocked Jesus to sleep. Talk about peace that passes all understanding! It was just wonderful! So after church we drove up the Parkway a bit and stopped at a campground. We pitched our tent and then hiked down a path to Crabtree Falls. I totally forgot to take my camera! I could kick myself! UG! Anywho, we got back, lit the campfire, cooked dinner and roasted marshmallows. It was Ian's first time camping. Monday we got up and cleaned up our campsite and then drove to a place called Gem Mountain in Spruce Pines where you can buy buckets of ore and sit at a flume with a seive and you keep whatever gems you find. We found TONS of stuff...rubies, emeralds, garnets, topaz, and all sorts of semi precious stuff like amethest and aquamarine. Just wish we could afford to get them cut! Then we made the 6 hour drive home with a quick stopover at my moms to eat supper.
This weekend, our friends Denis and Crystal and their kids Noah, Alek, and Mikayla came Saturday to watch the ECU/NC State game with us. We lost. *sigh* Another year of getting pecked at by Wolfpack fans. Alas! We spent the evening and night playing games: the kids in the dining room and us adults in the living room. Much dead cow was consumed. It was a great night! They slept over and this morning half the house woke up with a bad headcold. We missed church so as not to spread the headcold love. Tonight, DH and I are just enjoying some time alone. I need to prepare some more things for school tomorrow and he needs to keep himself sane as he heads back to work. He's been working 10-12 hour days recently, and also on Saturdays. I can't wait for this rotation to be over with!
Praises! We seem to be ok moneywise right now. We were able to pay off a couple of small debts from a reimbursement check. Praise God! We are just trusting God to provide for us.
Prayer requests: Ian, Zollie, and I all have a cold. Please pray that we get well soon (especially Zollie...he's so stuffed up that he can barely nurse) and that DH doesn't get sick. He's working so much this month, he really can't afford to feel bad.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Getting off to a good start!
This is going to be a big week of firsts for me...Monday morning, Great Worth met for the first time at my house. Only one other woman showed up, G. , but to me that is success. G. has a friend who wanted to come, but Monday mornings didn't work for her, so we might be moving to Thursday mornings. I'm just so happy that it seems to be working out! I need this so much...having other Christian women who understand how I feel and why I feel the way I do. I think this is going to be a HUGE blessing in all of our lives!
Also, tonight I'll be going to the first HOME meeting of the year. HOME stands for Homeeducators Organized for Ministry and Encouragement and is our local Christian homeschool group. I'll officially become a member tonight since Ian will be old enough for co-op activities in the spring. I'm SO excited about this! Since we decided to homeschool, I've hardly been able to wait to get started. I know on one hand that is wishing his young years away to a certain extent, but he is so smart and I just can't wait to see how he flourishes! I know a lot of people who choose to homeschool feel like it is a conviction from God to do so, but for me (although I feel God will bless our homeschool), I don't necessarily hear Him convicting me of it so much as I just want to be there for all of my kids' firsts. I want to be the one to teach them to read and write. I want to see them light up when they have "ah ha" moments. Maybe that's selfish, but hey, they are only kids once, and I want to be there for their whole childhood. Granted, there are tons of positives about homeschooling...from the socialization aspect to being able to control what they are taught (as opposed to them being taught whatever the school board thinks is important, even if those things go against our personal beliefs), to not having to worry about school violence or bullying...but for me, being their teacher is the perk I'm looking forward to the most.
Another first...G. told me that a local church just started a 2-3 year old class in their AWANA program. So I'm going to talk to PG about that and see if that is something he'd be up for Ian attending as well. My home church had AWANA but didn't start until after I was older. My mom and dad are very active in their program and are always saying how wonderful it is. It would be great for Ian to have something like that to participate in!
Prayer requests: Please pray for our financial situation. We are in the red right now with a LOT of things upcoming (a trip we won't get reimbursed for for a few weeks, and lots of birthdays). Please pray also for my step-dad. There is an older couple who he sees as his second parents who he is VERY close with. He goes to see them every Sunday after church. The woman, Mable, passed away this week. I know they are all very upset. Her husband has alzheimer's disease and is living in an extended care facility and did not see her for about 3 weeks prior to her death. I don't think he understood just how sick she was and I am not sure if he understands that she is gone. Please keep them all in your prayers. Another request...we will be out of town this weekend, leaving on Thursday, and I am supposed to have a LLL meeting Thursday night. Please pray I can find someone to lead it for me so I don't have to cancel it!
Answered prayers: God has blessed Great Worth! I can't wait to see how it grows! I also praise God for keeping us safe during the tropical storm. We truely needed the rain, and the wind damage was very minimal.
Also, tonight I'll be going to the first HOME meeting of the year. HOME stands for Homeeducators Organized for Ministry and Encouragement and is our local Christian homeschool group. I'll officially become a member tonight since Ian will be old enough for co-op activities in the spring. I'm SO excited about this! Since we decided to homeschool, I've hardly been able to wait to get started. I know on one hand that is wishing his young years away to a certain extent, but he is so smart and I just can't wait to see how he flourishes! I know a lot of people who choose to homeschool feel like it is a conviction from God to do so, but for me (although I feel God will bless our homeschool), I don't necessarily hear Him convicting me of it so much as I just want to be there for all of my kids' firsts. I want to be the one to teach them to read and write. I want to see them light up when they have "ah ha" moments. Maybe that's selfish, but hey, they are only kids once, and I want to be there for their whole childhood. Granted, there are tons of positives about homeschooling...from the socialization aspect to being able to control what they are taught (as opposed to them being taught whatever the school board thinks is important, even if those things go against our personal beliefs), to not having to worry about school violence or bullying...but for me, being their teacher is the perk I'm looking forward to the most.
Another first...G. told me that a local church just started a 2-3 year old class in their AWANA program. So I'm going to talk to PG about that and see if that is something he'd be up for Ian attending as well. My home church had AWANA but didn't start until after I was older. My mom and dad are very active in their program and are always saying how wonderful it is. It would be great for Ian to have something like that to participate in!
Prayer requests: Please pray for our financial situation. We are in the red right now with a LOT of things upcoming (a trip we won't get reimbursed for for a few weeks, and lots of birthdays). Please pray also for my step-dad. There is an older couple who he sees as his second parents who he is VERY close with. He goes to see them every Sunday after church. The woman, Mable, passed away this week. I know they are all very upset. Her husband has alzheimer's disease and is living in an extended care facility and did not see her for about 3 weeks prior to her death. I don't think he understood just how sick she was and I am not sure if he understands that she is gone. Please keep them all in your prayers. Another request...we will be out of town this weekend, leaving on Thursday, and I am supposed to have a LLL meeting Thursday night. Please pray I can find someone to lead it for me so I don't have to cancel it!
Answered prayers: God has blessed Great Worth! I can't wait to see how it grows! I also praise God for keeping us safe during the tropical storm. We truely needed the rain, and the wind damage was very minimal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
