Sad, Scary and My Opinion

 

In my state, Connecticut, there have been several proposed laws recently that are directly aimed at taking rights away from parents.  As a mother, I am extremely bothered by this.  Seeing as we have chosen to home school to sensor our children from the government education that is beyond blatantly anti-Christian, this bothers me deeply.  Here is what the leader of HSLDA has to say about all that has been proposed.

 

"...there is a third wave [of persecution] coming. And I doubt that many of you have any idea of the intensity and breadth of the elitist movement that is taking dead aim at our movement. This time, they are armed with an argument that is essentially true...[that] Christian homeschooling parents are effectively transmitting values to their children that the elitists believe are dangerous to the well-being of both these very children and society as a whole."  Mike Farris, Chairman of HSLDA

 

Scary and sad and so, so true. The government is scared of the Christian movement that is beginning to rise (mostly because we are sick of being told we are wrong, evil, hateful freaks!)

 

Here is my opinion on why and how this persecution came to be:

 

Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.  Jeremiah 29:6

That's right.  It's our own fault.  The 2 child family is the problem.  The mantra "A boy for me a girl for you and thank the Lord 'cause now we're through"  is the problem. 

The Lord sent us into this world and told us to be fruitful and multiply.  He told this to Adam and Eve (Gen 1:22), to Noah (Gen 9:1,7) and to the Israelites as they headed into exile (Jer 29:6).  He wants us to out number the non-believers. He wants us to multiply greatly, as Voddie Baucham says. 

So why have we chosen to dwindle away?  Why have we chosen to ignore His will for us, His commands to us?  If we would shrug the desires of this world for "stuff" and turn our backs on this materialistic, self centered culture than these type of things will be far less likely to happen since there will be more followers of Jesus than not.  We would be in the majority, not the pagan nation that surrounds us. 

Me?  I choose to obey the Lord's commands.  I choose to add as many arrows into the Lord's quiver (Psalm 127:4-5) as he would gift me with.

Sandy Hook Benefit Auction

As some of you know, I am from Connecticut.  Hearing that 18 babies just a year or so older than my Nicolas were murdered only an hour or so away from our home just broke my heart.  I cannot even imagine the horror, grief and pain these poor families feel during a season where we are supposed to be celebrating the birth and life of our Savior.  To add to the grief, these families now have to pay for a funeral.  Having worked in a bank before I had children I know that most parents do not have life insurance on their children so many of these families may be faced with over $10,000 in funeral fees and have no means to pay.  That is why I set up a benefit auction for them on my facebook page Knit in the Womb Designs.  Please head over and consider purchasing or even just sharing the sale so we can earn as much as possible to give back to these hurting families.


https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/media/set/?set=a.484055328312361.144810.278122108905685&type=3

Annual Family Photos

This year we ended up waiting to get our family photos done until after our precious little Leah arrived.  It was pretty cold so we didn't get tons of photos but we got a couple with everyone in them and that's all that matters.  I feel like these capture the activity and (just barely) controlled chaos of our growing family very well.  Love all these guys.

 

 

A special thanks to LA Photography for being patient and giving us these beautiful photos to treasure.

 

Apple Cranberry Dinner!

I know this is not "birthing" or Christian family related but after just giving birth I'm in search of healthy and easy (translated: fast) to prepare meals.  We had some leftover apple cranberry wine from our local orchard and while meandering around pinterest one evening this idea hit me!  Apple Cranberry Pork Loin.  It was so yummy.  We were so eager to eat it since the whole house smelled AMAZING that I never go a photo of the completed product.

Ingredients:

1 pork loin

1 apple (we like granny smiths but any kind will do)

1/2c of Apple Cranberry wine

A handful of craisins

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions:

Cut slices into your pork loin about halfway through.  Slice your apple into 16 slices.  Place your apple slices in the pork slits and any extras around the sides.  Top with the handful of craisins, salt and pepper to taste.  Pour the wine over the top.  Cover and place in the oven at 350 degrees for appx 20mins per pound or until the internal temperature is 180 degrees.

 



 

I served this with broccoli and home made cranberry sauce.  The cranberry sauce recipe I use is on the bag the cranberries come in but instead of water or orange juice I use apple juice.

 

Very tasty and low calorie.  You leave the table full but not feeling like you "missed out" on anything.

Week 32 and Lots of Catching Up!

I know, I'm way behind!  What can I say, 3 kids and a small home business take a lot of my attention.  Things are plugging away nicely.

I have a very slight iron deficiency but at last check I was able to keep it in check with a meal using bison meat once a week.

I also was measuring behind by about 3wks but upon ultrasound we found our little girl to be measuring about a week ahead with plenty of fluid.  Her position is a little funny though.  Her feet are resting on her forehead (which by the way, she is head down!).

Week 21

Week 23

Week 23 - my oldest wanted a picture of his tummy to!

Week 24

Week 27

Week 29

Week 30

Week 32

 

Sciatica Pain! - Oh, the joys of sciatica pain!  Many moms deal with it the final trimester and once it rears it's ugly head, it won't go away until after your baby is born - perhaps not for several weeks.  I use yoga specifically aimed at back care for pregnancy.  Don't sit or stand in the same position for too long.  Don't be afraid to see a massage therapist or a chiropracter.  They can help you and it is safe.  If you experience sciatica pain after giving birth you should see a chiropracter and/or massage therapist to  "reset" what has been moved and pinched during pregnancy.  Also, if you haven't experienced back pain before tell your care provider to just make sure that it is not pre-term labor related.

Week 20

Busy, busy here.  This week we found out the gender of our little one!  We are so thrilled to be welcoming another little girly-q.

Week 19.  What will it be?  Boy or girl?

Week 20.  It's a girl!

Love me some baby feet.

Face and if you look on the sides of the face are her little hands which were in and out of her mouth during the entire ultrasound.

Profile (kind of).  Neat how you can see her brain, heart, and little fingers by her face.

Tip of the Week - Between 18 and 22weeks your ob/midwife will send you for a routine fetal scan.  At this ultrasound you can find out the gender of your baby if you choose.  Only a little over half of all parents choose to find out the gender of their baby (waiting until the birth is making a come back!). 

Want to know what the ultrasound technician is looking for during the ultrasound?  The tech will take several measurements of your baby.  Arm and legs, head and torso circumference, spine and brain, are there 2 kidneys, 4 chambers in the heart, 2 lungs, a stomach, 2 hands, 2 feet, does the cord and placenta look healthy - just to name a few!

Want to know what the tech is looking for in terms of gender?  Well, for little boys there are...we'll say boy parts ;) while for girls the distinct absence of boy parts and 3 little parallel lines.

This is a good example of a boy...

...and this is a girl.

Week 18 Photo Journal

18 weeks and feeling great!  Loving my growing bump and the precious little one that's making it bigger.  Another active Morse baby, just like it's brothers and sister.  I guess this baby has the desire to keep up with the others already.

Taking advantage of our yard.

Taking advantage of our tiger lilies this week.  They bloomed just in time for this shot!

Tip of the week:  Have you started an exercise program yet?  Exercise is important as you prepare for labor.  You'll want to start slow and listen to your body more now than ever.  Don't forget, you're breathing for 2!  Some great exercises are walking, swimming and yoga.  I personally love my Holy Yoga video since it's yoga exercises but it is rooted in worshiping Christ.  Exercise and worship all at the same time! 

Being in better shape (usually) helps your labor be easier to tolerate and perhaps faster.  People have known from pretty much the beginning of time that the better shape a momma is in, the more likely (not necessarily BUT more likely) your labor will be faster and easier. 

For Biblical proof look at the first chapter of Exodus - "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 'When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.'  The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, 'Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?'  The midwives answered Pharaoh, 'Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.'  So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own."  (Exodus 1:15-21)

Similar to us knowing for sure that Christ was definitely NOT in the tomb because the pharisees made up excuses for why He wasn't there instead of saying, "Um, no, he's still there."  We know the Hebrew women were definitely stronger and in better physical shape than the Egyptian women or this excuse would not have been accepted.

Of course, as with all things, be sure to talk to your ob/midwife about what is okay for you to do.  Certain conditions may require more or less activity.

Week 17 Photo Journal

Busy, busy here.  Getting our modest home ready for a 4th baby.  Doing lots of rearranging and tossing of unnecessary things so we have enough space for growing little ones.  We're trying to get as much done now, in the second trimester, while I'm still not huge and have some energy.

I also started feeling little thumps and bumps (aka quickening).  I so love feeling the little one's doing their gymnastics.  So precious!

Week 15

Week 16

Week 17

Tip of the Week:  Feeling your baby move for the first time is oh, so precious.  This movement it also known as quickening.  Most mom's feel their baby move for the first time between 16wks and 22wks.  If this is your first baby, expect to wait until after 20wks to feel those first kicks.  If this isn't your first, you may feel your baby much earlier (some women actually feel movement before 16wks!)  What do early baby kicks feel like?  Well, it could feel like butterfly kisses on the inside of your tummy, bubbles popping, tickles and they will eventually move up to solid thumps, kicks, rolls, and pokes as the baby gets bigger and stronger.

Week 14 Photo Journal

Welcome to the 2nd trimester!  Yay!  I'm feeling thrilled by the burst of energy and and lack of morning sickness (even though it still rears it's ugly head from time to time).  I love this trimester.  I'm not too big to get around easily but I'm still noticeably pregnant.  Also, I know it's only a matter of time before those little thumps and bumps beginp

Day dreaming of this precious little one.

Tip of the Week:  If you haven't done so already now is a great time to start an exercise routine.  Some great ways to "get in shape" for labor include prenatal yoga, walking, swimming and even a prenatal aerobics class.  Labor is hard work and preparing yourself physically is key to achieving a more natural labor.

Week 13 Photo Journal

This week we went on a mini vacation to Amish Country in Pennsylvania.  What a great vacation spot for a pregnant mommy with little ones.  Lots to do but lots relaxation thanks to the simple life the Amish lead.  Also, loads of love and acceptance (and advice from some very experienced Amish moms).  I'm used to getting dirty looks and comments because our 3 blessings are all under 5.  It was so refreshing to here positive words about our family!

At 13 weeks the baby is about the size of a peach!

Tip of the week: When going on a long care ride be sure to stop often to get up and stretch.  Sitting too long while pregnant can allow fluid to build up in your feet and ankles leading to swelling.  You'll probably have to use the bathroom often anyways!  Keep snacks and drinks on hand as well.  Don't forget, even though you aren't doing much you still have to eat and drink for 2!

Week 12 pregnancy photo journal

Almost done with the 1st trimester!  Really starting to feel a difference in my morning sickness (thank goodness!) and am starting to be far less tired.  We've been having so much fun going for walks out in the beautiful wilderness and beaches in our area and enjoying being a family of 5 for the short amount of time we will be so.

Week 11!

I just couldn't decide which I liked so I kept both for week 11.

Here is week 12.

This week instead of a "tip of the week"  I'm going to do a "story of the week"

Story of the Week:  At my last ob appointment I was told that my pelvis was "perfect for having babies" and was warned that I "probably wouldn't push much" with our next baby.  This ob clearly has never delivered one of my 3 babies since with my first I pushed for 5 contractions, my second I pushed for 3 contractions and for my third I was panting (like you would if you felt the urge to push far too early) because I felt my daughter was coming out too fast.  I never pushed for her at all.  My body did all the work for me (rather quickly I might add). 

What makes me think about this story is someone at my church this week ended up pushing for 3.5hrs!  I just don't have a concept of this.  I feel for her of course, but definitely don't understand the experience.  Now I understand why every ob, midwife and nurse who has ever attended one of my births always tell me I'm "made to have babies."  I honestly never understood why they said this until the story of this poor momma's birthing.  For all you long pushing momma's - I do not "know how you feel" but I must say, any one of you who has pushed for hours - I admire your strength!

Week 10 Photo Journal

Not a lot of change over the past few weeks.  Feeling yucky and tired.  But, the good news is at week 10 in your pregnancy the hormones start to level off so I should be feeling better very soon!  I was able to hear our little one's heartbeat with my doppler this week as well. What a blessing.

10 weeks.  The baby is starting to actually pop, not just bloating anymore.

Our precious blessing

Measuring spot on

Beautiful heartbeat.  172bpm!  That's pretty high.  The old wives tale would predict a girl.

Tip of the Week:  Feeling exhausted?  Growing people takes a LOT of energy.  Don't be afraid to take a nap or go to bed really early.  If you have older children, ask your spouse or a close friend to watch them for an hour or 2.  Sleep is important for a pregnant mommy and most mom's report that their morning sickness is far less intense when they are well rested.

Week 7 Pregnancy Photo Journal

This week was eventful to say the least!  Morning sickness kicked in to stay (at least for a while!) and I ended up in the Emergency Room with a threatened miscarriage.  Thankfully, while there they did an ultrasound and our little one was doing just fine.  I also got to experience one of the most precious things of pregnancy, hearing the heartbeat!  I was lucky enough to hear it for the first time at the hospital and then 2 days later at my follow up appointment where we discovered that our little one will most likely be perfectly fine!  Praise God!

Day dreaming!

My tummy is usually pretty pointy for the first few weeks.

Our precious little blessing!

Week 7 tip:  Experiencing bleeding?  Call your provider asap!  Actually, many women experience spotting at one time or another during pregnancy but it could be an early indicator of miscarriage.  Your provider will order a blood test to check hormone levels and will do an ultrasound to both check on the baby and try and find the reason/source behind any bleeding.

Wk 6 Photo Journal

Week 6 Journal entry! 

Dreaming already.

 Loving on that baby!

Okay, I'll admit it - The photo journal is of me!

Week 6 tip:  Starting to feel that morning sickness?  Most women do.  Here are some tricks to helping ease some of the yucky feelings.  Vitamin b6, seabands (usually found with motion sick pills), ginger (even ginger ale helps) 2 500mg capsules before bed and upon rising, stay hydrated - dehydration really does make it worse, emetrol - 1-2tbsps upon rising and 1tbsp every 3hrs as needed, eat eat eat - always keep something in your tummy.  You feel worse when you're hungry.  If it's really bad your doctor can prescribe a pregnancy safe anti nausea pill.

Photography Journal

I have decided to start a photography journal for a special momma's 4th pregnancy! I'm just a novice hobby photographer so please be gentle with your critiques!

She is so in love already!

Love the pullback here with the angled lighting.

Wouldn't be a photography journal without her weekly photo.  This is week 5.

Stay tuned as I will be updating photos often along with tips and tricks to a healthy, fit and fun pregnancy.

Week 5's tip:  Now is the time to start taking your prenatal vitamins!  If you are having a hard time stomaching them find a chewable or ask you ob/midwife for a chewable prescription.  The prenatal vitamins have the perfect mix for momma's-to-be to help you and your baby be as healthy as can be!

Why do I want more?

Have you found yourself asking this question even though you're holding your precious little bundle?  My husband and I have been struggling back and forth with the same issue.  Is it really wrong to desire more even though culture (and sometimes close friends and family) say you have enough (and possibly too many)?

Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."  Mark 9:37

A newborn is a fresh act of God.  The latest revelation of His creativity.  A new image of the Lord.  It is so amazing to be allowed to steward these precious little image bearers.  Is it wrong to desire more of these amazing little blessings?

I suppose, as in all things, we are to pray and listen carefully for His guidance.  He will light our paths.

Meet me!

Come to Cornerstone Bookstore Friday Nov 18th 5-8pm and meet me!  It's all for Jubilee Junction's Grand Opening!  Meet the crafters, free food and door prizes!

Some of my Knit and Crochet work!

I love it when an extrememly talented artist sends pictures of my work in use!  This little boy is just so precious and the photographer did an amazing job!

This first hat is similar to the old football helmets!  It's my knitted helmet hat.

This second hat is my crochet textured earflap hat.

Special thank you to Simply Be Photography.  If you are in Utah, they are the place to get your newborn photos!  They are amazing artists and what better canvas than precious little ones.

The Birth Story of Our Newest Addition!

I thought I'd let you all know, we welcomed our precious princess, Rebekah Eve, July 5th! 7lbs 11oz. I had TONS of false labor (contractions 2-3min apart for hrs on end at least once everyday starting at 34wks). We (my midwife and I) decided to induce 3days after my dues date as I was having a serious skin reaction to the hormone change that leads to labor and we were afraid it could get infected and harm our daughter.

I went in the morning of the 5th having my usual contractions every 4mins and, after being hooked up to the moniter, we realized they were peaking as high as active labor contractions (which I already knew that as I had been having them for 6wks straight!) so my midwife decided to start with just breaking my water (9:15am) to keep things as natural as possible.

By 9:45am labor was fully established. I spent the first hr leaning on the windowsill to keep my brain occupied inbetween contractions. After an hr I asked to use the ball as I was having a hard time standing. I spent the rest of my labor there.

After about 30min on the ball I started getting hot (a sure sign that I'm in transition) and asked my husband to cool my back off (it's our 3rd so he knew what to do!). As he was laying the cold wash cloth on my back he asked me if I was in transition. The ccbe part of my brain thought "why of course! Do you really need to ask?!" But the logical part of my brain thought "No way! I've only been in labor for an hr and a half." I have never experienced a labor so intense! I was having contractions that were triple and quadruple peaking. After another 20mins I heard myself say "I just can't do this anymore." (hint #3 that I was almost done) and we asked to see our midwife since if I was only 5cm or so I would take a little pain relief (even though I really didn't want it, there was no way I could keep at that intensity for 2-4more hrs)

Well, I had to get to the bed for the midwife to check me. That 1 1/2ft was the longest walk I've ever taken! The second I stood up I realized our princess was coming! The ball had taken all the pressure away so I had no idea I was that close. I panted my way to the bed and as the midwife walked in at 11:42am my husband caught our daughter as he was the only one nearby. I didn't push once. Actually, I was panting trying to slow the process down as I felt it was going too fast.

Through it all though, I remember early on repeating the verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." and then replying with "Jesus, give me strength." I truly believe that is the only reason I made it through this labor as it was so much faster than I ever dreamed it would go. I am also very grateful we decided to induce since if I had gone into labor on my own, by the time I would have realized I was in labor, to call my husband home from work (he works 35mins away) and gotten a sitter for our older 2, I would've never made it to the hospital before I had her. The Lord was looking out for us!

Operation Special Delivery

http://www.operationspecialdelivery.com/

This group of women is a group of doulas that volunteer their doula services to military moms whose spouses/boyfriends are either deployed or killed in action.  An amazing act of selflessness for those who make it all possible!