Potty Training Our 20 month old

Ok so I was a little skeptical of the "potty training in 3 days" blogs I have seen but let me tell you it has definitely worked for us for the most part. I told myself get through 3 days of really focusing on potty training and if she has no interest try again another time.

We started Tuesday and since yesterday we have had no accidents.
I will give a brief outline of what happened the last few days.

My daughter is 20 months. We stayed home most of the first 3 days to focus on pt.

Tuesday 1st day of pt:
Many accidents all day long, only peed on her toilet when she woke up in the morning and after her mid day nap, had towels and cleaning spray all over the house, left her naked from waist down. only put diaper on during nap and bedtime.

Wednesday 2nd day of pt:
Peed in toilet when she woke and after nap, same amount of accidents but they were in bathroom on floor next to toilet instead of all over the house, she would mid way stop peeing/pooping on floor to get on toilet and finish there. we went out to a bible study put her in diaper and she didn't go in that at all. Again while at home she was naked from waist down.

Thursday 3rd day of pt:
About the same as day 2, although toda-y was first time she actually pooped in toilet, she cried at first trying to poop while sitting but she did it.

Friday 4th day of pt:
No accidents at home , got up and went straight to potty to pee, I put her in pull ups went to park, took her to bathroom there but she did not go. As soon as we got home she went in her potty, took a nap and when she woke up went back to potty to pee, The rest of the day she went to bathroom if she had to go. We went out to a b-day dinner for a friend she had a pull up on and peed in that mainly because I forgot to take her to use bathroom when we got there.

Saturday day 5 (today):
No accidents.  Wore pull ups when we went to store and park, been going poop and pee in her potty all day, and now trying out underwear while we are home to see how she does.

Side notes:
-Now every-time she goes to potty she wants a high five and gets all excited
-She takes a small piece of toilet paper and trys to wipe, I then go ahead and use wipe to really clean her
-At first to get her to sit down on potty long enough i let her watch a show on my phone, now she is going fast without having to sit there long.
-When she had accidents on floor id take her to bathroom show her toilet and explain this is where you go potty
-She sometimes gives me cues when she has to poop like whining and doing a "poop" dance as I like to call it, most times though i have to ask her if she has to go, or ill take her when I have to go and she goes too.
-She has has not gone pee/poop in public bathrooms yet, but she willl go in her potty soon as we get home.

So that is our journey so far Potty Training

Hope this helps some other mommies as you start the process.

Here is the Potty my daughter currently uses:

We currently use white Cloud Training pants from Walmart.

Remember Potty Training can be frustrating and tiresome, but hang in there, your child will become a pro at it soon enough. Until then May the Lord use this area in parenting to grow your patience and endurance.


P.s. As I am finishing this blog My daughter had an accident on me.....I must get better at remembering to take her to bathroom every so often......and the journey continues.


Much Love and Happy Potting Training


Galations 5:23 esv
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Update: We just ordered the Potette potty on the go to use while were out and about since she is not ready to use big toilet

20 Week Pregnancy Update

ITS A GIRL!

Her name will be Trinity, and we cant wait to meet her. So far this pregnancy has been uneventful until now. At the 20 week ultrasound we found I currently have Placenta previa. It is not complete previa so there is a chance it might resolve itself in a few weeks. I have been scheduled for another ultrasound at 28 weeks to see if anything changes. So until than I have been put on "pelvic rest" and have to take it easy as far as lifting anything,and no more running to help prevent any bleeding from happening.

I am at peace with all this and praying God uses this to help me trust Him through whatever happens.
I will post an update after my next ultrasound.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.

Baby #2 On The Way! Preparing for a VBAC!

 

A few weeks ago we announced the big news to our family and friends and I am finally getting around to sharing it with my blogger friends........WE'RE PREGNANT. Baby # 2 is officially on the way. We cannot thank God enough for blessing us with another precious baby. Chasing my 16 month old around along with the fun of morning (which lasts almost all day) sickness has been keeping me busy these last 12 weeks.

If you have read my post about Healing From Traumatic Birth then you know I have had a c-section with my first baby. This time around I am planning, praying and hoping to get a non medicated VBAC. I have already transferred care from a womens clinic to a midwives group that has 83% vbac success rate. I was not getting the confidence I needed in the clinic as to attempting vbac, and I feared they would act supportive up until the last minute and then try to push a section on me. When I had my consultation with the midwives I felt like God had filled my heart with peace in transferring to them. I am more prepared now that whatever happens if a vbac, or another c-section I will rely and trust Gods perfect will for how this baby will enter the world.

 I would love to hear your success stories and advice regarding vbacs. please feel free to post links in the comments as well as any advice on having a toddler and new born at the same time.


Here are some pics we used to make the announcement

We were hoping to get pregnant before our cruise vacation because I saw this idea on Pinterest and really wanted to copy it.

We are so thrilled to become parents once again

I will be posting updates along the pregnancy, so stay tuned!

Psalm 127:3-5 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

New Youtube Channel

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to invite you all to check out my videos on my new Youtube Channel.

Be sure to comment, like and Subscribe

-Vilmaris

Looking Well to My Household: Teaching Kids Apologetics

Im so happy to be back blogging,  the last 2 weeks have been pretty eventful for us. I was sick with food poisoning one week all while preparing for my daughters first birthday, then my mom in law came to town and we have been at the beach for a few days stay-cation. Now its time to get back into our routine and prepare for the future.

I wanted to share a verse that keeps popping up into my head that I want to focus on this year:

Proverbs 31:27 ESV

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

when I read this verse it makes me wonder how can I "look well" to the ways of my household?  what can I change or improve upon? 

The first way that I immediately think of and is something that is constantly on my mind is how to raise my daughter in the Lords ways. Now that she is a year old and growing fast,  I want to learn how to instill in her a love for God and an understanding of the Gospel.  I also want her to know what she believes in and why she believes it. This is where christian apologetics comes in.

looking well to the ways of my household includes giving my child a firm foundation in Christianity so that when she is challenged she will be able to stand firm In the faith and not be tossed to and fro as waves in the sea.

Did you know that about  70% of Christian youth leave the church after high school?

This percentage is way too high for my comfort level.  I do believe that many parents and especially moms have not been looking well to their households in this area.  We have sent our kids to Sunday school once a week thinking that is all they need and will be able to stand firm when reaching adulthood and college. Sadly this is not true.

Moms.... dads..... your children need you to give them that firm foundation to accurately and logically understand the Gospel/Christianity.

How can we do this? By introducing apologetics as early as we can to our kids.

As I said my daughter is only a year old, so my experience In teaching children apologetics is virtually non existent. So to help me "look well" to the ways of my household in this specific area I will be hosting a small discussion group at the end of the month tackling the topic of engaging kids in Apologetics .  So I am basically on the hunt for resources to share with other moms providing age appropriate activities and lessons regarding apologetics.

so far this is a really good youtube video I found that breaks up by age/grade level how to introduce apologetics and what the child can understand at each age:

Teaching Children Christian Apologetics

If you have any ideas, suggestions, videos, sermons, websites regarding teaching children apologetics please comment below. I will greatly appreciate any information you can send my way.

Have a great 4 of July weekend everyone

P.s. there is more id like to share about prov 31:27 but I will leave that for another post :)

WHY 1 PETER 3:15 is NOT JUST FOR THE MEN: Women and Apologetics

1 Peter 3:15 "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"

Ladies this verse is not just for the men in our lives it is for us also. We need to stop living like apologetics (defense of the Christian Faith) and correct theology has no place in our lives. If anything we need to be continually learning and growing in the faith in order to teach and equip the next generation.  I say this because most women I have come in contact with have no care to learn apologetics, theology and sound doctrine. They are content living in the realm of "feelings", what "feels" right and their "personal relationship" with Christ. Discussions on deeper issues of the faith tend to stay in the man circles while the ladies quietly stand to the side.


Women have a unique opportunity to share the gospel in places men cannot go. For example apologist Mary Sharp shares:
"Muslim women are often prohibited from dialogue with men outside their family or mosque. "Christian apologetics," Sharp explained, "will need women skilled in Islamic apologetics to speak with Muslim women, to go where Christian men cannot."

Not only is that one great reason why Women need to at least learn basic apologetics but another reason is that relativism (the notion that no belief is right or wrong:your truth is your truth,my truth is my truth) is being given to our kids left and right. Christian mothers need to be able to properly articulate the christian faith and why Christ is the ONLY way THE truth and THE life.(John 14:6)


Below is a part of a  Q&A by Lee Strobel and Mary sharp on the topic of women and apologetics. (for full article click HERE.)



• Why has there traditionally been a shortage of women in the field of apologetics?

I don’t have any statistical research on why women are not as publicly involved with apologetics. However, from my interaction with women at conferences, I have found a few repeating thoughts on the issue:

1) They’ve never been introduced to the field of apologetics before and/or they are not sure of its relevance to their life. Women in the church need to understand the importance of apologetics and its potential impact. I’ve found that once women’s groups are aptly introduced to the subject, they have some of the most impassioned responses to the material. It’s not so much of a lack of desire as a lack of proper introduction.

2) One reason that shocked me was the concern women shared with me of appearing to be unintelligent. I’ve heard women say they don’t want to come across as the one who asks the “stupid question.” They feel like they should know more of the content of their faith at this point in their spiritual life, and so they don’t want fellow church members to know that they really don’t have answers yet.

3) Women have told me that their churches are not a safe place to discuss their doubts. So those who have potential for great learning in apologetics may have no outlet within their church family to explore and learn about their questions.

4) As for why we don’t see women in leadership in apologetics: As with any issue, there are many reasons that contribute. Instead of tackling all of them, I will focus on a couple personal reasons with which I’ve struggled.

First, there is the issue of putting yourself in a position where people are going to heavily criticize and attack your character and ideas. To publicly defend the faith, you have to be prepared for slander and character defamation. You have to find a way to handle these attacks that is not an all-consuming fire. You especially cannot allow apologetics discussions to beat your family down.  Finding a balance can pose a bit of a hurdle to women in leadership.

Second, women must be encouraged within the church to develop their minds and to know theology and doctrine. There must be an educational environment in the church that encourages great thinkers and develops doctrinally sound Christians to inspire greater numbers of apologists, in general, which would include Christian women.

I have found that once women are introduced to apologetics and they see the amazing transformative power of building a solid foundation for belief in God, they are excited and want to study more. I have found this to be true regardless of age, race, marital status, work commitments, or family commitments.

• Do you see more and more women getting into apologetics ministry? What can we do to attract more women into the field?

I do see more and more women getting into apologetics ministry! We can encourage women to get involved in apologetics by encouraging great thinkers in the church, in general. To attract more women, we need to be purposeful about encouraging and including women in discussions of theology and philosophy.

• I know you recently videotaped an apologetics course aimed at female audiences. Do women tend to gravitate toward different apologetic interests than men?

I did recently film a video-based apologetics course with LifeWay Christian Resources entitled, “Why Do You Believe That: A Faith Conversation.” I think the interest in apologetics is reflective of the time and culture in which we live.  We currently have more access to bad information than ever before. As C. S. Lewis stated, “Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.”

I haven’t noticed gravitation toward certain topics. Women’s interests seem to be as diverse as the field of topics. I have found that, just like men, individual women seem drawn to a particular argument or style of apologetics. However, women, as a ministry group, haven’t been aptly introduced to apologetics through women’s studies.  So, I think we have yet to see if there is a draw to one or another field of study. The one area of particular interest I have noticed from my speaking engagements is how to have better conversations with people who do not believe in God or in Jesus Christ.

I will make one suggestion. With the recent interest of women in books like Twilight, I think there is opportunity to tap into the idea of romance. The ultimate romance is a love affair with God, the lover of our soul. If we can somehow weave a Chesterton-type call to the romance of orthodoxy into our apologetic arguments—perhaps through the argument from desire or from objective beauty—I think we will catch some attention.

Mothers: Do Not Grow Weary: Pt 2 Sarah Edwards

Being a mother and staying committed to raising children in the Lords ways can prove to be a daunting task.  I pray everyday that God grants me wisdom to raise my daughter in a way that honors and glorifies Him.
With that being said ive started a series on learning about strong Godly women  of the faith, who were either married to influential men of Christianity and or had children that were very influential.

For part 1 of the series about charles Spurgeons mother click Here

Today I want look at Sarah Edwards the wife of Jonathan Edwards who

                "played a leading role in The Great Evangelical Awakening (1735-1744) Jonathan Edwards has been recognised, even by secular historians, as one of the most original thinkers, and influential intellectuals in the history of New England and of American theology. He has also been described as: “America’s greatest theologian.”1

Jonathan spent many hours studying and preparing for ministry so that left much responsibility of raising their 11 children, 3 sons and 8 daughters (10 which made it to adult) to Sarah.

                 "Sarah worked hard to rear godly children, dealing immediately with sin when it showed itself. The many people who visited the home were impressed by the peace which flourished in the home. There was none of the quarreling or coldness so common in other homes. Husband and wife supported and admired each other. They prayed daily together. Evangelist George Whitefield, after spending a few days in the calm, happy Edwards home, was so impressed that he determined to get married himself. "A sweeter couple I have not yet seen," he enthused.Jonathan himself saw home life as a living lesson in faith. In his sermon, "2

                 "She disciplined her children with gentleness and firmness. The children demonstrated great respect for their parents, rising from their seats whenever their mother or father entered the room. Jonathan also took part in the rearing of their children, but the remarkable torrents of revival and his proclivity toward studying often occupied his time. He was always available for his family, but Sarah bore the greatest load in rearing the children."3

The impact this family had on society was due much to the dedication and hardwork of Sarah and the work of God in her.

                  "Her children grew up to raise their children in the same manner she had used and this method was passed on for generations. The impact that she had is evident when looking at the family that followed her. By 1900 her descendants included:

13 college presidents

65 professors

100 lawyers and a dean of a law school

30 judges

66 physicians and a dean of a medical school

80 holders of public office:3 United States senators, mayors of 3 large cities, governors of three states, a vice-president of the United States, a controller of the United States treasury

Almost all of her male descendants had college degrees and many earned graduate degrees at times when such and advanced education was uncommon. Even the women were described by their contemporaries as remarkably intelligent at a time when women were not highly educated. Members of the family had written 135 books and edited 18 journals and periodicals, and many followed their patriarch’s example by becoming ministers and missionaries.2 Sarah and Jonathan, through no plan or will of their own, had started a family that would continue to be blessed long after their presence on earth had ended. Again, it was Sarah’s deep faith that enabled her to raise such a strong and lasting family."4

Without Sarahs deep rooted faith in God and her perservance to continually share the gospel with her children, we would not see the kind of influence her family has made in society and especially in glorifying Christ above all else.

Let her story encourage you mothers. Never grow weary in sharing Christ with your family. Never cease to pray for your children and future generations. Stand by your husband and support him in the calling God has for his life.  You never know if God will raise up a future generations from your offspring to showcase His glory.

Notes:

1.http://www.reformationsa.org/index.php/history/93-jonathan-edwards-a-mind-on-fire-for-christ

2.http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/sarah-pierpont-married-jonathan-edwards-11630206.html

3.http://alvinreid.com/?p=199

4.http://www.the-highway.com/Sarah-Edwards_VanBuren.html

More on Sarah Edwards

http://collegatariat.hubpages.com/hub/The-Life-of-Sarah-Edwards

Mothers:Do not grow weary Pt1 Mrs Spurgeon

"You may speak but a word to a child, and in that child there may be slumbering a noble heart which shall stir the Christian Church in years to come."

Charles Spurgeon  

Mothers do not grow weary in teaching your children the gospel. You never know if God will raise up the next Spurgeon amongst your offspring. Here are some words written by Charles about his mother. 

"Yet I cannot tell how much I owe to the solemn words of my good mother. It was the custom, on Sunday evenings, while we were yet little children, for her to stay at home with us, and then we sat round the table, and read verse by verse, and she explained the Scripture to us. After that was done, then came the time of pleading; there was a little piece of Alleine’s Alarm, or of Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted, and this was read with pointed observations made to each of us as we sat round the table; and the question was asked, how long it would be before we would think about our state, how long before we would seek the Lord. Then came a mother’s prayer, and some of the words of that prayer we shall never forget, even when our hair is grey. I remember, on one occasion, her praying thus: “Now, Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ.”

"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God’s fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts."

"Fathers and mothers are the most natural agents for God to use in the salvation of their children. I am sure that, in my early youth, no teaching ever made such an impression upon my mind as the instruction of my mother; neither can I conceive that, to any child, there can be one who will have such influence over the heart as the mother who has so tenderly cared for her offspring. A man with a soul so dead as not to be moved by the sacred name of “mother” is creation’s blot. Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother. Certainly I have not the powers of speech with which to set forth my valuation of the choice blessing which the Lord bestowed on me in making me the son of one who prayed for me, and prayed with me. How can I ever forget her tearful eye when she warned me to escape from the wrath to come? I thought her lips right eloquent; others might not think so, but they certainly were eloquent to me. How can I ever forget when she bowed her knee, and with her arms about my neck, prayed, “Oh, that my son might live before Thee!” Nor can her frown be effaced from my memory,—that solemn, loving frown, when she rebuked my budding iniquities; and her smiles have never faded from my recollection,—the beaming of her countenance when she rejoiced to see some good thing in me towards the Lord God of Israel."

 For more on Spurgeon go to  Http://spurgeononline.com

C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), an English Baptist pastor, preached his first sermon at sixteen.

Spurgeon was only 17 years old when he became pastor of a small chapel in Waterbeach near Cambridge.

Before he was 20, Spurgeon had preached over 600 times.

 At twenty-two, he was the most popular preacher of his day, habitually addressing congregations numbering six to ten thousand. 

7 Things I've Learned as a Mom

Here are 7 things I've learned in the past 7 months of being a mom:

1: A mothers love

Becoming a mother for the first time was the best experience ever but when I say I experienced a mothers love I mean the love from my mother. I finally realized the love she has for me because of the love I felt for my own daughter when she was born. My mom was there with me when labor began until a few weeks after birth helping me recoup and take care of the baby. I am forever grateful for my mothers love.

2: Grace

Undeserved kindness from my husband when I snapped at him from the lack of sleep when baby was first born. I am grateful for a husband who continues to show me grace at times when I fail to show him respect.

3. Sacrifice

Being a mom calls you to sacrifice your life for the sake of another. To put our wants and needs on hold to care for your child. Your food gets cold, your coffee turns lukewarm, your showers are always short, but it's all worth it when your baby looks into your eyes and smiles.

4. Using the bathroom is a family affair

My child has learned to crawl and so she finds me we'rever I may be including the bathroom. And she finds me every time I go in there. Well I guess I can't be mad that I'm wanted so much.

5. Time speeds up with children 

Ok maybe it doesn't actually speed up but it sure does feel like it. Wasn't my baby just born? Has it really been 7 months since this blessing arrived? Every day I try to enjoy as much as I can of her because she continues to grow before my eyes. 

6. Cherish alone time with your Husband

After baby it's not so easy to have time alone with your spouse. You have to purposefully plan time to be alone with each other. So enjoy those times. Leave the dishes alone and just enjoy your man.

7. My need for Christ

Everyday when I lose my patience, when I'm quick to anger, when I don't practice self control I am reminded of my need for a savior. I am reminded that only Christ can save me from sin and death. I am reminded that I can go to Christ in my weakness as a mom and as wife and can be made whole in Him.

I am looking forward to learning and growing as a mom as my child learns and grows over the next year. Follow me as I seek to live a lifestyle of worship. 

Grace and Peace 

For the Mamas

Happy new year everyone

I just wanted to share two things with you all: one will benefit your physical body and the  other a sermon that will encourage you in your calling of motherhood.

I know as a mom its hard to find time to workout and its especially hard if you don't have a gym membership. Normally I go for walks, or jogs with my daughter in her stroller but lately I've been wanting to challenge myself more. So I searched the Internet and came across this website: www.hasfit.com They offer free workout videos and nutrition tips. I started doing the 20min warrior videos while my baby naps and let me tell you I feel the burn. Taking care of our physical bodies is just one way we can worship God and be healthy enough for whatever he calls us to do.

The second thing I wanted to share is the link to a John Piper sermon called "Honoring the Call of Motherhood" 
Piper encourages the mom who wishes to honor God above all else.
He touches on three parts of the call of motherhood:
1. Marriage- husband and wife are a gospel reenactment of Christ and the church.
2. Motherhood- pouring into the next generation pointing them to a Christ exalting world view.
3. Home management- creating a simple and beautiful place, for the sake of family, community, church,  and nation. A place of refuge in the peace of Christ,  a place of launching righteousness and justice in the community.

These are a few notes from the sermon I took, so your just gonna have to watch the video to get the full context.
Be encouraged mom and emrace the calling of motherhood God has
For you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64T6892pQxg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Also here is the link to the full sermon if you cant watch it you can read it in full:
http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/honoring-the-biblical-call-of-motherhood

Celebrating Christ During Christmas

Tomorrow will be my daughters first Christmas celebration. of course she will have no clue what is going on because she is only 6 months old. But non the less the past few weeks have got me thinking about how I will include Christ in our everyday life and especially making sure she knows what Christmas is all about as she gets older. I want to start some traditions with my children that center on Christ, I have heard things like birthday cake for Jesus, giving only two gifts to each child and then serving others,and advent devotionals. I would love to hear what your family does to make sure Christ is glorified at all times but most definitely during the Christmas season. We have so much to celebrate being brought from death to life because of Christ coming to earth and sacrificing His life. Please comment and share any ideas you can pass on to this new mama and make sure you and your family don't let Christmas day pass without acknowledging Christ. Too many Christmas have pass were we wake up go straight to the gifts and food without a thought to what this season is really about.

The Christmas story: There is no pit of sin so deep that the grace of the newborn King isn't deeper." Paul Tripp

Healing from Traumatic Birth

June 29, 2013 at 2:53am my beautiful baby girl came into this world and changed my life forever. Although the way she came into this world was not of my choosing. Throughout my whole Pregancy we received prenatal care at a birth center were we wanted to have a natural water birth. The midwives gave us the greatest treatment and loved on us since we walked through the door. All I could dream about was giving birth to my daughter in an intimate setting with my husband there to catch her in the water. But as we all know life has a way of taking our plans, crumpling them up and burning them in the fire. Two weeks after my due date I finally started having mild contractions on June 27. My mom was there walking with me through the mall and being my support at home along with my doula and husband. Around 2pm on the 28 it was time to get to the birth center. Things were going wonderful. I got to walk and move around as I pleased. I got to eat and drink whatever I wanted. The best part was being able to labor in the tub (which I'm glad I go to use since I ended up in the hospital). Around 7pm our midwife noticed I was getting a fever and both baby and I had tachycardia(high heart rates).  She also thought I might be getting an infection. After all my planning and research on how to have a natural childbirth I was going to be taken to the place I said I never wanted have my baby... The hospital. I was so scared. I had been low risk the whole pregnancy and now something was wrong.  We began to pray. Not knowing if baby and I would be ok. When we arrived at the hospital the staff  we're very rude to me and almost mocked me for wanting a natural childbirth. I just kept praying lord let this baby come soon. And she did come eventually Via emergency c-section early the next day. I didn't get to see her right away. I had to ask my husband to take a picture of her while they were checking her because I wanted to see her so bad. I didn't get to hold her like I had been wanting to do for so long. My baby was crying and I couldn't comfort her. I was hurting. One of the most magical moments of a mothers life was taken away by bright lights and surgeons. As I started recovering I tried to express how I felt to some of my family and close friends. I just wanted someone to understand what I was going through. Instead I was told just be happy you and baby made it out ok. All I could do was turn to Jesus in my pain. His words were healing to my soul. I loved reading psalm 46 during my weeks of recovery.  When emotions of anger rose up regarding my daughters birth I would begin to worship Him. I worship Him because He not only saved me from sin and death but is also there comforting me in my pain. 

Birth trauma and PostPartum depression is a real thing women go through everyday. If you have gone through a traumatic birth experience or struggle with PPD, I encourage you to cling to Christ. He is the only one that can heal your broken heart and breath life into dead bones. Find someone you can talk too and pray with. The hurt may not go away. Sometimes when I think about my birth experience I still get emotional and cry. But it does get easier. When you find yourself hurting turn to His word and worship. 

If you are a friend or family member of someone who has been trough a traumatic birth or struggles with PPD, the worst thing you can say is just be happy you and baby are ok. The mom is very grateful she and baby are fine but that doesn't take away the pain of a birth experience unwanted. Just listen to them. Pray with them. Point them to Christ and the power of the gospel.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord
of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46:1-11 ESV)

"Accept the fact that POOP is now part of your vocabulary" and other words of wisdom for first time parents

During our baby shower a few months ago our guests were invited to leave words of wisdom for us first time parents. Some made us laugh, some made us wonder what we were getting into, and after having our beautiful baby girl we realized how true most of these words turned out to be. Here's some of the wonderful words of wisdom we received and for you to enjoy:

- Accept the fact that all of your conversations will now be about poop.

-Accept the fact that at some point there will be poop everywhere.

- The one time you don't put a pad underneath your furniture or have a burp cloth handy she will puke on you.

-Right around 4 weeks when you are starting to lose your mind she will smile at you for the first time and you will feel amazing.

-Every month that goes by gets better and better and more fun than the month before and you won't be able to remember your life without her.

-Remember to take lots of pics

- Sleep when baby sleeps 

-Designate a date night 

-Be affectionate and loving in front of children so they can learn the gift of love at an early age

-Discipline with consistency and follow through with what you tell her.

-When the lack of sleep and frustration come remember the joy you had at baby's birth

-Remember teamwork

-Time flies, some days you'll be exhausted and overwhelmed but even then make sure you embrace the moment,there is always good, just pause and enjoy. they grow up fast

- Try to make a habit of presenting a united front. If your ever in a place of disagreement discuss it behind closed doors. Children are wise enough to sense disharmony and will conquer and divide if they see disunity.

-Be patient, be kind, be flexible 

-Always tell your kids how much you love them.

-Read to your little ones 

-Always stay lovers, love your children but remember that they will grow up and be on their own then you are back to the lover stage.

-Buy ear plugs.

-Wife remember to respect your husband when he doesn't want to change baby's diaper or when your up feeding in the 2am-4am hours.

-Husband remember to love you wife when she breaks down crying during those 2am-4am feedings

-Pray for your children's salvation 

-Every now and then send kids to grandparents house and get away

Have anymore words of wisdom for first time parents comment away :)

Thoughts on "Five Essentials for Lifelong Intimacy"

I love learning ways to draw closer to my husband and building our marriage stronger. So when I came across this book called  "5 essentials for lifelong intimacy"by Dr James Dobson I was very eager to read it. So much so that I finished all 117 pages in one evening between feedings and diaper changes. 

One thing I like about this book is that after each chapter Dr. Dobson leaves practical tips for applying one of the essentials to your marriage. 

 For example the first essential is having a Christ-Centered Home. According to the book "The one thing most likely to guarantee a lifetime of intimacy and love is to establish and maintain a Christ centered home" The application point would than be to pray together as a couple because it produces greater intimacy and communication. 

For me this is a challenge because I usually do not like to pray out loud

In front of anyone. To pray with my spouse definitely requires me to open up and be vulnerable with him while speaking with our Heavenly Father. But after we pray I do feel closer to my husband and there is a sense of greater intimacy and communication.

 I don't want to give away all the essentials because I want you to read the book but my second favorite essential is to have a Deep and Abiding Trust in your marriage. How you and your spouse interact with the opposite sex has a major impact on how much you will trust each other. If you are a woman do you protect your marriage by not being in the same room alone with another man? If you are a man do you watch how you hug or embrace a women who is not your wife? These few practical tools and many more in the book can help build trust between you and your spouse. 

I have to brag on my husband here for a minute because one thing I've noticed about him is how he greets other women. He barely touches them. Maybe a wave, a fast hand shake, and if they are lucky maybe a quick side hug. I really appreciate this effort on my husbands part to guard our marriage from an affair. You may not think that something as small as how you say hello to someone can make an impact on you trusting your spouse ,but it does. It is the difference between guarding your relationship or leaving it open for an  emotional or physical affair.

I definitely recommend reading the "Five Essentials for lifelong Intimacy". It is a fast read which is nice for busy couples. But don't let it's size fool you, the book is packed full of practical tips that can really help your marriage have lifelong intimacy. 

Happy Reading :)

Calling all MOMS

So this June I became a mommy to a beautiful little girl named Mercy. I am so grateful to God for allowing my husband and I to become parents. We pray for wisdom and guidance to raise our children in His ways. That's why I created a Facebook page just for moms who want to bring God glory as a mom and wife. To share ideas and tips for a lifestyle of worship in a family. Please join and share the Facebook page. Invite all the moms you know. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Mamas4Hisglory/