Week At A Glance!

Why anyone would care, I do not know! LOL!

Monday - Went to Pelham Valley's Fundraiser for camp.
Walked in on someone while they were in the bathroom. (Please just don't ask.)
My belly fell into my BBQ and sauce got on my blouse.
A fly flew in my food and died.
We left!

Tuesday - Hit my 3rd Trimester!
Went to breastfeeding class by myself because Bobby refused to go! Ha!
I was the smallest one there! ( Everyone was about a month ahead of me!LOL!)

Wednesday - Sick, Sick, Sick! Some kind of baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad virus!

Thursday - Doctor's Appointment. Braden is now 3 lbs. A little big for 6 months, but they aren't
concerned.
Need to relieve stress. (Yeah right!)

Friday - Can't remember.

Saturday - I washed all bedding in hot, hot water! Cleaned and sanitized everything I could to
get rid of the virus!

Sunday - My feet have officially swollen past my shoe size. I now have blisters on my feet and I
am so exhausted! Today I feel very pregnant and Brady is stomping on my bladder.
"Calgon, take me away!"

Monday - We'll see ...............

Breastfeeding

Pumps -- Suggestions?
Is used ones of craigslist sanitary?

Psalm 91

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Tada ...

Today I start the beginning of my third trimester! Praise the Lord! There have been many times that I did not think Braden would make it this far!
I was reminded yesterday of the Saturday of our District Convention and how we did not go because it looked as though we were loosing our baby. Later that night I was sent to the ER and told that we were in the process of losing him. It was an hour trip and all I could do was pray that God would help me to handle this honorably and to take care of Bobby because I didn't feel I had the strength. This song that a sister sings at our church came to my hurt, "By Faith I Can Touch Him Now." (Or at least that's how I say it.)
I was scared, depressed and ready to give up, but God was not. He was in control the whole time. He knew the outcome!
When the doctor examined me all the symptoms had stopped! He did an ultrasound and the baby was tumbling and had an awesome heartbeat. God had took care of what I could not even see.
Those symptoms NEVER came back and my whole pregnancy took a incredible turn for the better that night. AMAZING!
Several weeks later we were again faced with a scare of a different kind. A blood clot, but within weeks, without medication it was absolved. Come to find out, the clot had been part of what God used to stop my earlier symptoms. So what I thought was for my bad, God had used for my good.
After all that I was so worried about our 20 week scan, but again we were so blessed! They said he was perfect!
Today he is moving and I stand in awe at the wonder of life growing in me. I am so very thankful for the miracle God chose for me.
Guess what? He can still do miracles for you too! I am as Paul said in the Bible, the least among you. (Paraphrased)
God's miracles are not all in one bottle and once they are poured out that is it. He is more than able to do what needs to be done. His supply never runs out!
Some may read this and think my testimony is premature. It is not! God has already given me the gift of life. Something the doctors said I would never experience. They told me to give up and I believed them, but then my Father stepped in!
There is a song Bobby use to sing and it keeps me going. "I AM SAFE THUS FAR".

" For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2Ti 1:12

" But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Php 4:19

" Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Heb 4:16

Mosella The Misguided GPS

A little while back Bobby talked me into us getting a GPS. (We made a commitment to both of us having to agree on bigger purchases.)
I wanted it to have a man's voice and call it Moses. After a while Bobby changed it to a woman's voice because he said he was use to women bossing him around. So I asked him what "her" name was and he said Mosella! (Creative! Huh?)
Yesterday Bobby's cousin Dustin and his wife Marie had their little boy, J.W.. He came several weeks early. We really felt like we should try to visit them in the hospital. (3 hour trip)
On the way we needed to stop at a Wal-Mart to pick up a few things for them. So Bobby decided that he would stop off in Lewisburg (We lived there for several years when we pastored Columbia.) and go the new Wal-Mart there.
As men are he wouldn't stop for directions. Finally I convinced him to reset Mosella's settings to find Wal-Mart. It took us back to where we started and then around the whole city. We were driving for 30 minutes. I said," Bobby what if she is wrong?" He just laughed at me. Finally, Mosella said, "You have reached your destination." It was a small subdivision in the middle of the country! No Wal-Mart. We found a store to ask directions and come to find out Wal-Mart was on the other end of Lewisburg not far from where we first set the GPS!
We just skipped it and went to the one in Huntsville. So by the time everything was over with our 3 hour trip became almost 5 hours.
Mosella did get u s to the hospital. Dustin and Bobby went to see the baby while I stayed with Marie.
When it came our turn to see the baby, the nic was closed. I felt so bad for Marie. Imagine being told you couldn't see your baby.
I did see a picture and he is so cute with a head full of black hair. Bobby says he looks just like Dustin's baby pictures.
Marie was doing great and I was impressed!
We really enjoyed our visit with them.
I have a confession, I secretly hate Mosella! Is it ok to hate a GPS? She talks all the time and sometimes I just like PEACE!
Gone are the days of uninterrupted conversation or thoughts. Instead its, "In 3 1/4 miles turn right." and if you decide to do something different it's, "At the next available chance turn around!" Arrg!!!!!!!!!
So Mosella got turned off for the trip home!!!!

Rude Questions About My Pregnancy And The Answers I Really Want To Give ...

(All In fun. Well for the most part!)

Top Ten Rude Questions About My Pregnancy And The Answers I Really Want To Give!

10) Did you use invitro? Really its none of your business, but no. My husband and I feel like that is not for us.

9) How'd that happen? I swallowed a watermelon seed! What do you think?

8) Did you want to be pregnant? A ... if I didn't, why would I tell anyone and have my child to find out years later and think they weren't wanted?

7) When did you conceive? Huh? Like why would you want to know?

6) I thought you said that you couldn't have a baby! Well yeah, that's why they call miracles miracles.

5) How'd your families take the news? Who cares? We are in our late 30's and are grown ups. Been married 15 yrs. Hope their happy, but can live if they're not! Why is that even a consideration?

4) You just keep getting bigger and bigger don't you? Yes, and so does your mouth!

3) Why are you so nervous about loosing the baby? Women have miscarriages all the time.
How dare you! I am nervous because I am diabetic and old. I can't imagine any woman not suffering over any miscarriage and I do not have 15 more years to wait.

2) Why don't you name the baby after so and so?
Why don't you have a baby and name it after them.

1) Are you sure its a boy? I think you're having a girl! You need a girl.
Yes, after about 5 ultrasounds I know he is most definitely a boy. (If not something is really wrong.) As far as needing a girl, all I need is what the good Lord gives me.

Humpty Dumpty Sat On A Wall ...

Humpty Dumpty Had A GREAT Fall!

Sunday Night was Chelsie Henderson's first sermon and I was so excited for her. We had a real good worship service. I had to step out to go to the restroom and one the young boys came up behind me and scared me. He thought it was funny and kept trying to scare me until I finally told him to leave me alone. Anyways that made me jittery. (I used my nice words first, but that didn't work.)
So as it was coming time for Chelsie to come to the pulpit, I was getting up from the altar with a young girl. I forget that I have no balance and halfway up I fell back and hit the floor with my BUM! Ouch. In front of everyone! Some of the ladies gasped and I didn't know why, then I realized I was falling. I was wondering why everyone was so concerned, then I heard someone ask about the baby. Oh, the baby. That's when I got upset. I thought Braden was ok because I didn't land on him.
Anyway I head to the restroom and cry! I felt like I had ruined it for Chelsie. I was embarrassed, concerned for the baby, sore, and worried about Chelsie. My friend Vic took me to the nursery to calm down and I'll be if that same little boy didn't come in there to poke fun at me.
I was an emotional wreck! LOL!
Anyway we went back in and the Lord used Chelsie in a mighty way! You could feel His anointing on her.
I apologized to her after church and she said after she saw that I was alright, it helped lighten her up! (Well anything I can do for the gospel sake!LOL!) She is a special child.
The doctor says that she thinks everything is ok as long as Braden keeps moving. He hasn't moved yet today so the mommy in me is concerned, but I just have to trust God to see the things I can't and take care of him. Braden did move some yesterday, so that gives me comfort.
Just say a little prayer!
Pray for Bro. Bobby cause if he doesn't stop laughing at me, his life is going to become somewhat unpleasent! LOL!

Bits and Pieces

Mother's Day

It was great! My first Mother's Day that I didn't cry because I couldn't give my husband what he wanted so much, a child.
At church I got the mom-to-be award. Which was really sweet.
Then after church we drove 2 1/2 hours to meet my family for Mother's Day. (Halfway between.)
Bobby's family wasn't able to make it, but I did enjoy time with my family.
I hadn't seen my nephew since I found out that I was pregnant. So I think he was a little shocked! LOL!
My mother sent me a card , a onsie that said "Worth The Wait", socks for Braden, and socks for me! (I love socks!)
My brother always gives those jumper seat thingys that hang from doorways, for shower gifts. Which I think is very cool that he does that. However, they scare me and I really wanted this certain bouncy seat. So he surprised me and got me the bouncy seat that I wanted and the softest, prettiest blue blanket that says, "Thank Heaven for Little Boys.", and a pair of cute booties. Now my brother is a "manly man" and for him to do that touched me deeply.
Then my nephew gave us an "Alabama RollTide" outfit. It was so cute. Bobby had been looking for one, but you just don't find those in Vol Country! LOL!
It was a nice day!
Braden's Godparents, Kevin and Jacinda, bought him a stroller and some of the cutest clothes and itty bitty tennis shoes from a yardsale. They were so cute.
Several years ago we decided that if we had a child we wanted them to be its Godparents. We never knew we'd end up being their pastor.

We are moving in June, I think. So I bought paint for the baby's room. The place we are moving to they are going to paint the baby's room for us, so I want have to smell the fumes! How nice!
Now if we get moved at the convention in July, and the baby coming the first week of August, there's gonna be an Overseer with a very unhappy momma on his hands! LOL!

I think it will feel good to be able to arrange Braden's room and organize everything. (Yes, I am one of those.) I need some energy. The thoughts of moving wear me out!

We had awesome services Sunday. More on that later.

We all are blessed beyond measure. Just start looking around you!

A Couple of Questions About Babies.

I am doing a registry and had some questions about some things my book says I need.
Did you use any of these things? Should they be put on the registry? What do you think?

1) Bottle sterilizer -- Can't you just put the bottles in the dish washer and that be enough or do I need one?

2) Diapers -- My book says put them on the registry, but should I? We are all thinking this is gonna be a big baby and I am not sure what size he'll need. Bro. Sutton was almost 12lbs and because of the diabetes, the doctors are thinking that Braden is going to be pretty big too.

3)Bottles -- OK , I know the obvious, but I want to breastfeed (Ooh, I said breast. Please don't call my Overseer again, we've kept him busy this year!) I have no idea what kind of bottles to get for pumping and saving. What kind of bottles are the best for breastfeeding and do you use different kinds for juice and formula if I have to go that route? (I am taking a class later this month, but need to know now.)

4) What if there are things that people can get cheaper at other stores than the ones on your registry? I don't get care where they come from. I just used the registry to give people an idea of what we could use. Dollar General is fine with me. I did use 3 stores and comparison shopped between them, but I don't care if someone buys a "bumbo" at a yard sale as long as it is clean, safe, and blue. LOL! Do people assume that you don't mind or do they think you want them to go to only those places. I feel so uncomfortable in this role. We are just grateful that people think of us and want to help us out. We are just now getting over the shock that we are having a baby and now we are going into shock over how much a baby needs!!!!!! Have you seen the price of diapers? I considered cloth, but we are on the go so much, I just don't think they'd work.

5) What are some things you got that you just couldn't live without?

6) Thank You Notes -- Do you give them as you get gifts? We have been getting things throughout the pregnancy or do you wait until the baby is born? Some people give us things often and I am thinking instead of sending ten Thank You Notes to the same person, that I would wait until the baby is born and send them one then?

If any of you other expectant moms have questions you'd like to ask please feel free to add or if you put them on your blog, let me know so I can write them down in my little mommy instruction book!

The Reason Behind the Bumper Pad Poll

http://babyproducts.about.com/od/recallsandsafety/a/bumpersafety.htm
(Copy & Paste)

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the mothers out there, the biological ones and the ones who take the time to love the motherless!
Today is the first Mother's Day in years that I haven't dreaded going to church.
I believe in Miracles! Don't you?

Steam Boat Slough

I found a crib set. It has tug boats, it's blue and it reminds me of one of my favorite spots on the Kuskokwim River in Bethel, Steam Boat Slough.
As you travel down the slough you can see old steamboats that have been abandoned there. It is really neat, except one time I almost rammed the boat into one! OOPS!
The banks are lined with fish camps and in the summer you can see lines of fish hanging to be dried! Yum! Just a really cool place that I miss a lot!

Baby Nursery Blues! Ba, Ba, Bum!

It is driving me bonkers! How to set up the Nursery. I love "Winnie the Pooh" and had bought the whole crib set. I even ordered the curtains and diaper stacker online. The more I looked at it the more I thought, "This just doesn't fit with Braden", so I took it all back! (After I cried over the fact that I couldn't seem to get anything right!) Bobby says that I am too creative for some everyday package deal and that is why I am having such a hard time. Whenever I ask him for his suggestions, he says that he isn't going there. He'd hear it forever if I decided I didn't like it.
We have waited for this child for almost 15 yrs, I am afraid that I want everything to be perfect!

Now I am back at square one and it is bugging me. I have been asked to do a registry to help others know what I need and I can't make my mind up!
Right now I am thinking Cowboy, but there is hardly anything out there for babies. We have a few cowboy things. I found a quilt in Pigeon Forge, but I didn't get it. Now I wished I had of! Oh the drama of it all! LOL!

The Doctor's visit yesterday was good and not so good, but overall good! LOL! The not so good part was that she put me on 4 shots a day. I had talked her into waiting last time and seeing if I could get the sugars down. I really tried hard, not even one chocolate doughnut, but they were still higher than she felt safe. So we started breaking things down to figure out the cause. Come to find out it wasn't my diet that was making my sugar go up, it was stress. Stress can shoot your sugar up. She said that my body had passed the point of being helped without the shots.
Yes, I believe God can completely heal me, but until He does, I am going to follow what has been put before me to save my child.

Oh, my most embarrassing moment ... She left to write the prescription and I went to the restroom closing the door. When I went to go back I got confused and couldn't find my room. (There were only 4 doors.) She pointed out my room and I said, "I really don't think that is it."
She laughed and opened the door. It was it. She diagnosed me with a new condition. "Placenta Brain!" I kept apologizing.

Thanks to Craig'slist we now have a crib and a swing! The swing is almost brand new and sales for $100. We got it for $25!!! We went to look at a changing table yesterday, but it was awful. The place where Braden would lay was bulking and you could see through the bulges. It was awkward but I had to tell her that I was sorry I wouldn't be buying it.

We have debated about whether or not to get a travel system. Bobby really wants one, but they are expensive and the good ones on CL get gone fast. (Way to go Coughmans!) We are wanting it practically new because we intend to have more kids, we still would like to foster care and adopt. Also we know we won't always be in TN. We may go someplace more rugged someday. Bobby saw one at Sears he really liked and it wasn't very expensive, but we have 4 months on that.

The Doctor did say Braden was doing well. He is 1lb 10 oz. a little big but she was not concerned. Bobby was 11lb 12 oz. and with my diabetes, I'll probably have big babies. I want so bad to have him naturally, but if he weighs in 13lbs , its a C-section! Either way they are inducing labor the first week of August. Yes, the month pastors begin their new appoinments. (Got STRESS?)

Well, Alrighty then! I think I've rambled enough. Have a good day and please continue to remember us in your prayers!