Random stuff

Hannah is still taking dance class for now...we are trying it out and not forcing her into it.  As long as she wants to go and doesn't protest I will take her but if that changes I will take her out.  I posted a couple of adorable photos of her dance outfit.  Potty training is still a success for now, although still only at home, she will go almost every time she needs to on her potty!  She is even keeping her big girl panties on and pulling them down when she needs to go and finally pulling them back up, for a while she would take them off completely every time and I would chase her around to put them back on!  Who needs pull ups?!  Panties are washable!  Of course there are still times when she doesn't follow through completely.  Lately I've been spending most of the day cleaning out her potty...I just don't understand why I can't lose any weight...I NEVER sit down, lol!  I made an A on my last Biology exam.  I was a little shocked because I didn't study near as much as I should have.  Studying for school is not easy with a toddler around.  I have to wait until she goes to sleep and then I'm so tired I fall asleep studying!  Definitely not easy. 

Potty Training

Day 2 of potty training...getting a little better.  Yesterday I just let her run around bare bottomed and she did very well, she even pooped once in her potty and then told me "Mommy I went potty" and pointed to it and said "it's dirty".  Sure enough it was poop!  Today I bought her some panties and after washing them we tried a pair out tonight.  She did very well.  The only problem we are really having with her is she wants to take them off and leave them off.  So, we are having to teach her that they need to stay on while she isn't using the potty.  So far though, she has been making it to her potty to go but I know there will be some messes in the near future.  This has been the most challenging thing we have experienced so far with her.  No complaints!  In a way, it is bittersweet to think that we won't be changing diapers soon.  

I'm back! This is a little long but hey, it's been 2 years!

Romans 5:1-4

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience: And patience experience; and experience, hope.

Welcome back! Ha! It's been a long time huh? So long that I don't think I could cover almost 2 years worth of life in one blog post so I will just sum it up. 

Most everyone knows what we have been through the past couple of years but I will write about it anyway because I want to be a testimony of Faith. Damon had lost his job a week after Hannah was born. He asked why and the only response he was given was that "they didn't have to give him a reason". How nice! We think it is because he had scheduled his vacation for Hannah's due date but as you know she was a week and a half early therefore he took his vacation then and they were wanting him back at work the next day. We assume they were angry over this and just let him go. This was August of 2009. He was blessed to get a new job within a week. Then the shop owner at his new job mistreated him a lot everyday and eventually Damon got tired of it and left (probably to avoid hurting the man). Well, months went by and despite Damon's efforts he just couldn't find a job. He finally decided to take his G.E.D. to increase his chances and he passed. 

In the meantime, I go to work one day in March of 2010 and get called to meet with the bosses only to find out I am being laid off. The company I worked for was on the decline and had already laid off 4 employees the previous 2 years and laid off 3 or 4 more after me. This was a huge blow because here we are with one unemployed person, now both. The other bad thing is I was the one carrying medical insurance (which was paid for by my company). On a positive note, I was blessed to be spending more time with Hannah. I wanted to be home with her anyway so I saw it as an answered prayer but God has his own plans and timing, and sometimes it makes NO sense to us. Damon was finally blessed with a job right after Hannah's 1st birthday at Expert Tire in Gardendale in August of 2010. We were on the verge of losing our home but didn't, thank you Jesus! 

With me not working it was still a struggle. In February of 2011, we almost lost the only vehicle we had because we just couldn't afford it, we even put it up for sell to get out from under it. At the last minute, I'm talking the 11th hour, Damon goes to Limbaugh Toyota to try to trade it in but they couldn't finance us and after telling them our situation they offered to buy it for payoff! AND they offered him a job to boot! He was still working at Expert Tire  but his hours/pay ratio stunk so bad and he was never home, he even worked on Sundays. He was excited to be able to go back to working on Toyotas since that is where the majority of his experience came from. We were able to find a decent, used, one owner 1997 4-Runner and pay cash for it with our income tax refund (and we are LOVING not having a car payment, it is so freeing). 

This has been such a trying time but we have come out of it stronger and with more faith than we had before, which I'm sure was all God's plan. We were blessed to be able to have Hannah on Medicaid when needed and we were blessed to be eligible for food assistance when needed, but I tell ya, I am glad to be done with that assistance. It is not fun to go through and I hate to say it but people on Medicaid get treated differently, they do, Hannah was and I know because she started off on regular insurance and then with Medicaid it was like the doctor just didn't care as much. It is sad really. I am glad to be done with it. So now, after struggling for quite some time about what kind of job I wanted to be looking for, I have decided to follow my heart and go to school to be a Veterinarian Technician (which is the equivalent of a nurse, just lower pay). Anyone that truly knows me, knows my love of animals. I should have done this 5 years ago when my best friend Chrissy told me that the program is offered at JeffState. Hindsight! So, here I am, following my dreams, the ones that God placed in my heart from childhood. I pray that I can at least be an example to Hannah and any future children we may have. The good thing is most of my prerequisites are online so that helps a lot and I am currently looking for a job at a Vet because I have to have 360 hours of experience to be accepted into the Vet Tech program. I am so excited about this new adventure!

Well, Hannah had an awesome 2nd birthday at the Splash Pad. She really had a blast, everyone did! My Mom came to visit right after that in August and we had a great time! Hannah got to know her Grandma some more. Hannah is just amazing to me. She is my joy, literally, to see her smiling face when she wakes up every morning and to hear her say "Mommy, I love you", that is my definition of joy. She is talking up a storm these days, I couldn't begin to list the words that she can say and her pronunciation for the most part is very good, I think. We taught her to say "Roll Tide" just in time for football season and now whenever she sees an Alabama logo she says it. It's so cute! She is a typical 2 year old now, tantrums and all and she is working on potty training as we speak. She keeps me busy, that's for sure! She is also taking dance class now and she seems to love it so far. 

I'm going to try to keep this blog updated now. Funny thing is, I had forgotten about it and after losing my job I didn't have access to a computer for a while but my mother in law was kind enough to give us her laptop so that I can do my schooling since she didn't need it anymore. I was reading my Computer class textbook about different kinds of websites and when I was reading about "blogs" I thought "I need to start mine back". So here it is.

HANNAH - 4 1/2 MONTHS

Well Miss Hannah is 4 months 2 weeks old now. She had her 4 month checkup last week. She weighed 15lbs 8oz and 24" long. She got her 2nd round of vaccinations and did okay, she cried a little with the one that burns going in. She also ran a fever this time after receiving the shots but that is normal. She is growing way too fast for me, she isn't the tiny newborn anymore. She is so sweet and happy, we feel so blessed to have her. Her hair is starting to grow in good, yay! I can't wait to brush it and put pretty bows in it! She is starting to make all kind of little noises and sounds and she is really starting to grab things with both hands now (and wants to put everything she grabs in her mouth). She is working on trying to sit up, it is so funny to watch her try to pull herself up while grunting. When we pull her up to a sitting position she looks around like she is plotting on what she will be getting into later. I need to give her more tummy time than I do, I always forget that part. She has also started rolling from her stomache to her back when she wakes up sometimes. It is just amazing to watch a new life unfold!

12 Weeks

Hannah Grace is now 12 weeks old! Wow! She is starting to be "vocal" and we have "conversations" now. It is just babble but it makes us both smile :). She can almost sign to me that she is hungry, I will say "are you hungry?" and she will put her hand to her mouth as if she is telling me yes. She is growing out of her 0-3 month clothes :( , I tear up every time I have to put something away that doesn't fit anymore, they don't stay small for long, that is for sure. It is only the beginning! She is finally sleeping peacefully through the night, only because we gave in and put her on her tummy to sleep, which is what she seems to prefer but we have been trying to get her on her back for 3 months because that is what they tell you to do, but this baby does NOT like sleeping on her back, poor baby, she could have rested so much better and we could have too. She is strong enough to lift her head and move it from side to side so it is getting easier to not worry all night about her breathing. I still worry though, and probably always will. When she wakes in the morning, she will stretch a good bit and then open her eyes and as soon as she sees me she smiles :), oh how I love her smile, it really gets my day going! She really is a calm, happy baby, and for that we are grateful.

2 MONTH CHECKUP

Miss Hannah is now 2 months old (well technically she was 2 months on October 6th). I took her for her checkup this morning. She is 12 lbs 12 oz and 24" long. She got her first round of vaccinations, bless her heart, but she did well, she only cried and clenched her fists when the nurse stuck her and then it was over. I was grateful to spend a little extra time with her before heading back to work today. Speaking of work...I am doing a lot better and getting adjusted to going to work but I would still rather be with miss Hannah. At least I can spend all weekend with her :).

Photos Of Miss Hannah and Thoughts About Going Back To Work

Miss Hannah is a little more than 8 weeks old now. Time flies but also has seemed to stand still in a way. I guess because life is happening all around us but we are in our own little world, me, Hannah and Damon, it's a whole new world with new lessons to learn and new adjustments to make. Speaking of new adjustments, I go back to work Monday and I DON'T WANT TO! I want to spend my days with miss Hannah, I don't want to miss a thing, I don't want someone else hearing her first word, or experiencing her first anything! But for now, I HAVE to. Please pray for my peace, I will be a basketcase when I have to leave her to go to work. Please pray also that things change so that I can be home with her and if anyone knows of anyway I could work from home please let me know :).

Hannah Update

So, miss Hannah is 5 weeks old (not in this pic, she just wanted to say "Roll Tide!"). She had her one month checkup Wednesday and all is well. She now weighs 9 lbs 1 oz and is 21 3/4 inches long (hopefully she will have good height, not a shorty like her mama). She is just precious, that's about all I can say to sum her up. Babies grow way too fast and I stand in Awe of our Lord daily now. Being a mother and watching my child grow is amazing, the most amazing experience I have ever had!
By the way, can anyone tell me how to post multiple pics on a blog without taking up too much space? I have so many pictures to share!

She Is Here!

Miss Hannah Grace was born August 6, 2009 @ 8:40 PM weight 7 lbs 14 oz, 20 inches long. We are so overwhelmed with JOY! Completely speechless at the moment, just enjoying every minute of her presence. I went for my weekly checkup on Wednesday August 5, 2009 when I was told that my fluid level was low. Doc kept me overnight to monitor everything and check my fluid level the next morning. It was lower so she decided to induce. I went all morning and part of the afternoon with not much progress but then dialated fully in no time. It was time to labor but after 2 hours of pushing, doc realized that Hannah was sideways (her shoulders were vertical) so the best delivery would be C Section. That is how Hannah arrived, healthy as can be :). Recovery has been rough but all I have to do is look at her and nothing else really matters. I thought I knew the love that God has for me (and you) but I didn't really know until I met Hannah, wow! I have experienced an even deeper level of God's love! Every time I wrap my arms around her I think of how I feel when God wraps his arms around me. I pray that Hannah will always feel loved by us and by God, that she will always know how much she really is loved!

Update!

I am 2 cm dilated, 75% effaced, Hannah has dropped some, I did not gain any weight in the past week, progress is being made. Doc says that I could be induced at 39 weeks if needed but hopefully that can be avoided (I am 37 1/2 weeks now). Pray for me as I am getting nervous now, which is natural.

Appointment Update

I am moving right along now, I have gained 2lbs since last week but really 1lb since I had lost 1lb last week. I am dialated 1 1/2cm. We got another ultrasound and estimated weight of Hannah is 6lb 13oz. Babies gain about 1/2 lb per week at this stage so that is right on track with growth but the estimate could still be off. I was put on the monitor again and doc says everything looks good. You can see just how much she has grown between this pic and the last pic that was posted (especially that head!). Just a matter of time now :).

Appointment Update

Everything is still good! I am dialated 1 cm and 50% effaced (thinned out), this is progress, Hannah's heartbeat is good and I have lost 1lb. (even though I don't feel like it!). I go back next Wednesday.

Appointment Update

Here is Hannah's side profile at 34 1/2 weeks. If you can tell what you are looking at, she has her hand right under her chin. Damon asked about getting the 4D ultrasound but it is too late in the game...there isn't enough room and it wouldn't produce a good "picture", she would be kind of smooshed up looking, lol, remember that if you ever want to get one to ask when is the best time, we didn't.

Everything is good! Estimated weight of Hannah is 5lbs 14oz but that could be off by 1 lb either way. According to the ultrasound she is measuring 35 wks 2 days, not too far off. The doc decided to monitor her heartbeat for 20 minutes...doctor's reaction was "she looks gorgeous" (referring to the heartbeat). Hannah is "in position" to be born head down. Prayerfully this will not change! My next appointment is Wednesday and every week thereafter, doc will check cervix for any changes then. It won't be long! I am really getting anxious now!

Take it or leave it, it's good stuff!

PRISCILLA VAN SUTPHIN Upstream Ministries California

http://www.upstreamca.org/

http://upstream.injesus.com/

www.Facebook.com/tearsofmercy

The Summer of My Discontent

June 25th, 2009

“This is the summer of MY discontent. I am very discontented with the nations who rage against Me and My own. I am not impotent as so many of even My own children think. I WILL display My power as never before through My people. How hungry are you for ME? How much time do you want with ME? I’m not aloof to your problems nor neglectful as a Father and Husbandman.

John 15:1-5 KJV I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

I AM the LIGHT of the World and there is nothing that I am unaware of. There are many, so many that have never been healed and are walking wounded. The church has been so decimated by wars, and lack of truth within that it has often been powerless to help those that need them. But that will not be as the days of MY GLORY ensue. If any man be IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION. I came to bring LIFE, not death, not condemnation and guilt. I came to assuage guilt and condemnation. Yet so many of you stay abiding under harsh taskmasters. Why do you think I would want you to be controlled by man when I, your Father and Husbandman, do not even CONTROL you ?

I had then an impression of bodies lying in the streets, as if decimated by war. I WILL RESUSCITATE MY BRIDE! I know the pain and sorrow of seeing over and over the enemy winning in many issues of people’s lives. I know how the seeing of such terrible tragedies has torn at your heart and you must know it is tearing at MINE ! I have allowed hunger to grow. I have allowed thirst to grow that you would CRY OUT for ME - That you would remember your FIRST LOVE. CRY OUT NOW FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT FIRE TO COME AND FILL MY OWN – to TRANSFORM THE CHURCH, TO DESTROY THE CHAINS THAT BIND. Pray for MIRACLES, SIGNS and WONDERS to follow the preaching of the gospel, to follow the testimony of believers. THAT is after all how I brought life to people. I healed the sick, I cast out demons, I DEMONSTRATED MY KINGDOM.”

Luke 17:20-21 NKJV Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

Luke 11:20 NKJV But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Luke 12:31-34 NKJV But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Acts 19:11-13 NKJV Miracles Glorify Christ - Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

“ My heart is not aloof to the suffering of man. Those who have MY HEART will also not be aloof to the sufferings of others. I came to bring LIFE. That is why you have the HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU ! It is to give LIFE to the world, to BE life to the world. It is NOT just to have a party for yourself, though I love your company, I give you MY LIFE so that you will SHARE it with others. I said to make DISCIPLES of men. That means those who have My life are to be sharing it and multiplying what is in them that those they birth in the spirit will also give life to others. Thus the body of My church grows and grows.

RELIGION and the traditions of men is stifling the growth in MY church. Men lifting up their names rather than MINE, is stifling the growth in My church. APATHY, and complacency, greed and jealousy are stifling the growth of My true church. I told My disciples to GO FORTH into the nations and make disciples of all men. They waited on ME to receive power from on high, but once they got it, they WENT FORTH to make disciples. As I POUR OUT MY SPIRIT THIS TIME, KNOW THAT IT IS TO BE SHARED WITH THE POOR, THE DESTITUTE, THE HUNGRY, THE DRUG ADDICT WHO HAS NEVER GOTTEN LOVE, THE ALCOHOLIC WHOSE CURSES HAVE NEVER BEEN BROKEN, THE HOMELESS AND THE HARLOT, THE UNBELIEVING AND THE DOUBTFUL, THE WITCH AND THE WARLOCK.

THERE WILL BE NO MORE FEAR WHEN THIS ANOINTING COMES, FOR THE SPIRIT OF MIGHT WILL COME UPON YOU AND THE SPIRIT OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD, THE SPIRIT OF COUNSEL AND UNDERSTANDING, KNOWLEDGE AND REVELATION. YOU WILL NOT LACK ANY GOOD THING IF YOU ONLY ASK AND STAY CLOSE TO MY HEART!

GET OUT OF THE PEW AND TAKE IT TO THE STREETS. MEN WILL COME INTO THE CHURCH IN COMING DAYS TO BRING MURDER AND MAYHEM. YOU WILL HAVE TO MEET UNDERGROUND. YOU THINK YOU HAVE SUFFERED THROUGH REJECTION, BUT HOW WILL YOU HANDLE THE PERSECUTION COMING UNLESS YOU CLING TO ME ? REACH OUT NOW WITH LOVE, THE HARVEST IS WHITE BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW. PRAY TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO EMPOWER THE WORKERS. STORE UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN BY REACHING OUT TO A NEIGHBOR, REACHING OUT TO THE LADY IN THE GROCERY STORE.

DO NOT LET THE ENEMY SHUT YOUR MOUTH ANY LONGER. BE WISE AS SERPENTS, AND INNOCENT AS DOVES. SPEAK WHEN I TELL YOU TO SPEAK. BE VERY DEPENDENT ON ME. I WILL REVEAL ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW. FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU, IN YOU, AROUND YOU, EVERYWHERE YOU GO. USE THE AUTHORITY I HAVE GIVEN YOU!”

Appointment Update!

Most of my previous appointments have been routine and boring but this one was a little interesting so I thought I would share. My "fill in" doctor decided that I am doing well controlling my glucose levels with diet so I don't have to take any medicine (thank God because I didn't really want to). I have lost a pound, probably due to eating better, which is fine as long as the baby's growth is good. Speaking of that, my uterus measured 36 cm at 32 weeks, and according to the doctor that is bigger than it should be (but doesn't necessarily mean the baby is big) so he scheduled me for an ultrasound to assess the baby's size in 2 weeks. Also, my regular doctor will be back from maternity leave, yay!!!

The Baby Shower Photostory

We had an awesome baby shower! Thanks to all the hostesses who made it special! I love you all! Chrissy did a great job of coordinating everything! We were very blessed with most necessities and more, an abundance for sure! I believe all the guests had a great time. I am sorry that we were not able to play the games that were planned, but I pray that you enjoyed yourself anyway! Here is a photostory of the shower, photos taken by Ashley Storey.

The Calling of Motherhood

I decided to pick up a book by Angela Thomas at the Extraordinary Women's Conference this weekend. I had never read anything of hers and I also missed her speaking due to standing in line to meet Stormie Omartian, who signed my copy of Power of a Praying Wife, which I recommend reading. Tender Mercy for a Mother's Soul is the title that I chose by Angela Thomas. I am so excited about this book because I am soon to be a Mother and I already worry about not having enough time for God, about being drained by all the demands of caring for a child on top of everything else that demands my attention. I have not read very far but the one quote that has stood out to me in the very beginning of the book is this, "The calling of Motherhood is not to be a supermom; the calling is to be a woman of God to your children". That really puts it in perspective for me and I already have a peace about my worries. I also already recommend this book for all mothers or soon to be who might be feeling this way, even though I haven't finished the book, I know without a doubt that it will feed my spirit.

Dreams

This is an interesting fact that I learned a while back and would like to share. Before I became pregnant, I was listening to a dream teaching CD by John Paul Jackson and he started talking about pregnancy and dreams, so I tuned in. He mentioned that the reason why pregnant women have such crazy dreams is because in about the 5th month of pregnancy, the baby actually has dreams itself (R.E.M.) and the mother has a combination of both dreams! His example was, "you may dream about an orange with arms coming out of it". How weird/cool is that?! And I will have to say that it is true for me, I have always been a vivid dreamer, but now even more so that I am pregnant. I wish I could "blog" all the dreams I have had so far being pregnant, but there have been so many I don't remember them all, but you would surely laugh! Last night I dreamed that my baby climbed out of my stomache (too many alien movies) instead of me giving birth to her, and she had blonde curly afro hair, it was so weird! That one wasn't too funny but some of them are.

25 Weeks! It is going by so fast!

As requested by my Mom, since she cannot see me right now, here is a pic of my growing belly. Hannah is quite the mover, but mostly at 3:00 AM, wow! I guess she is preparing me for her arrival! It is worth it!

One of those weekends!

Okay, I usually don't post about all the horrible happenings with my pets but since this one survived what could have been a horrible death I will share. If you don't already know, we have had two of our beloved cats that we have had for 8 or 9 years die in the past year, Harley and Daisy (they were my favs by the way). We have 2 left, Lucky and Buddah (the vet we got her from 9 years ago named her that, not me). Well, we were showing our home to a potential buyer Sunday afternoon so we put the cats outside temporarily in order to do this. We were oh so careful to make sure that nothing happened to them but sure enough as we were seeing the buyers off, this little dachsund (aka catkiller)/blue tick hound(aka hunting dog) decided he wanted our cat Buddah. We were all on the porch, including the cat and the dog when all of a sudden he took off after Buddah and she flew off the porch, we heard a crazy bark/yell and then back on the porch she came with half of her tail skinned to the bone bleeding. So the buyers didn't seemed to shocked about this happening, thank God, and they left. We jumped in the truck and headed all the way to Acton Road (which is pretty far from Hayden) but the only ER Vet we knew of that was open. Buddah was stable and she was very brave, she didn't seem in shock or anything and she wasn't bleeding to death, she mostly just hated the drive. They ended up having to amputate the top 3rd of her tail, poor baby but thank God she is still alive! She has to wear that e-collar for 2 weeks :(. I feel like such a horrible pet mommy to have let this happen! I did learn from this experience though, I need to listen to my husband more...he did suggest that we let Buddah just walk around the house while the buyers were there...I said "no, what if they don't like cats?" Come to find out they have 3 of their own! Okay, I get it! And, hey, it's still our house until someone buys it and if they don't buy it because a cat is walking around then they don't really like the house anyway!