Where I've Been

I have not been able to blog much lately. It's not because I have not wanted to, but there have been other things going on. Mainly, I have been TRANSCRIBING!!! Yeah. I did not find a medical transcription job and I do not have full time yet. But God has provided something that I hope will turn into full time and is (in my opinion) much better than medical. I am transcribing sermons. Yes, sermons. It is great. I sit around and listen to sermons all day and type out everything the Pastor says.

I still need prayer that I will be able to get full time (the reasons for that will be in another blog...not enough time now) and that I will improve my writing and typing skills quickly. Neither of these skills are horrible, but the better they are the better my job goes.

So by the end of a day spent typing, I really don't feel like typing more. I will however, continue to blog.

Also...on a different note...yesterday we were completely blessed by someone we don't know, have never met, and may never see again. We were in a store the other day and I "just happened" to see an add on a bulletin for someone who was giving away little boy clothes. I called and talked to her and the next day we went to her house and looked through a bunch of stuff and came away with two heaping bags of stuff for Logan...all FREE!!! Even while I type this, my eyes well up. Not really because we got free stuff (although that is great) but because God continues to show His blessings.

God knows our needs and is always reminding us of this. It was such a blessing and a pick-me-up to get this stuff. I thought about asking her why she was having people come into her house and then just give stuff away. She could have sold it. She could have dropped it off at the Goodwill. But she didn't. I didn't ask. I really wanted to. But.I.couldn't. I felt that I was just supposed to accept the blessing without asking. Without supplying my mind with reason. But with taking a blessing for what it was...a blessing. No questions. No being too proud to accept. Just letting God say, "Hey, I know what you need and I am always going to provide."

God provides. He always has. He always will. No questions.

Welcome Logan Party

Megan, Mom, Penny and Michelle gave us a little welcome Logan shower the other week. It was a nice time with a few friends to celebrate this little guy. We got some much needed diapers and a few other things to help out.

Megan had some games...and boy can Lori and Michelle chug the bottles! :) I have a new appreciation for babies who drink from bottles. It really does take some work.

Catching Up...

I have been meaning to update the blog...so for memories sake-this should have been posted around October 31...and I'm getting to it only about a month late.





Although Kaylee loves to get into things and is very, very active, she really doesn't like to get dirty. Thus the long-handeled spoon. And if you notice, down in the pumpkin is the binkey. Adam thought if he threw it in there, Kaylee might get inspired to dig in. Not really the case. With some help she did eventually get her hands in, and I think that she had a good time. Who knows, maybe next year she will actually get to help carve. Small children with knives however, are not a good mix-at least in our house! :)

Holla Out

So this post goes out to Aunt Sherry...who personally called me to tell me that she checks my blog (though recently neglected) every day-and prays for the prayer requests.

I love Aunt Sherry. I remember the first time I met her. Adam and I had just finished our State Test for EMT Enhanced. We were tired. We felt like we had been put through the ringer. Sherry and her family were visiting from West Virginia. I was excited to meet them. So we met at the Farmer's Market...she looked at me and said, "I don't like her."

I feel the love.

Of course, she was only kidding. (I think...) I mean, when we got married, she didn't stand up and object at that part where they say "speak now or forever hold your peace". Thinking back, I'm not so sure we included that part...


Anyway, here are some pictures. Not so recent, but a little "funner" that way...




Logan's first bottle:

Call To Prayer

There are so many things that have been going on recently that I want to blog...
But for now, those things aside, I would like to ask those who read my blog to pray for a certain situation.
A few weeks ago my mom's cousin's daughter committed suicide.
This past week one of my cousin's friends committed suicide (as her brother also had two years ago).
While at the grave side of the funeral of my cousin's friend, a body was found dead-an apparent stabbing-nearby.
After the services it was learned that the person found dead was a friend of my cousin's boyfriend.
Then, one of my cousin's other friends got a call saying that her other friend has just committed suicide.

I know...there are a lot of links...friends's cousin's boyfriends...don't worry about trying to follow who is connected to who. That really doesn't matter. What matters is that there is an epidemic. We need to pray for the young people in our communities.
Pray that they will be loved and feel that love.
Pray that Satan will not have a grip on their lives.
So next time one of us wonders if we should reach out to that college student...the answer is yes.
Let's pray for them and turn this epidemic around.

A Hunting We Will Go

Yesterday Adam and I headed off to the woods. His parents watched the kids, and despite the intermittent showers, we were off. Now, I'm a hunter at heart. I like to hunt for bargains...new clothes, purses, jewelry, etc., but that's not the kind of hunting we did yesterday. :) Adam is a true hunter, and because he enjoys it so much, I do try to go with him a time or two each year. I don't shoot though. Me with a gun...scary...

We headed up the side of the mountain and before long I was huffing and puffing. I started to say that I hadn't worked out for seven weeks, but then I realized that beyond our walks, I haven't worked out for almost two years! (as in on a regular basis, and more than walking...) But with some stops, we made it to the place that we were going to settle in for a while to wait. Going off the side of the trail I slipped and fell on my butt - quite the graceful hunter I am!

But we did make it, and although all we ended up seeing was a squirrel, we did have a good time being away together. It was really quiet, and the whole way up the trail the Lord was speaking to me. I dare to say that if I was at home, caught up in the daily activities of taking care of the kids, those words would not have come - at least quite like that.

So even though hunting is not something I would have ever done without Adam, I'm glad that we were able to spend some quiet alone time together.

Words of Comfort

I probably should be sleeping. After all, it's amost midnight, the kids are BOTH asleep. I should be asleep. But after a long day and some discouraging times, I needed to be in the WORD. Getting some encouragement and reacharging, refocus and strength from where I need it most.
Needless to say, beyond my own little world, there is a lot going on in our country. I'm not going to get into politics. It is much too late for that. But as I was looking for another verse in the Bible, I came across one that made me abandon my previous search. (Don't you love it when God does that?)
Isaiah 40
"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her in full for all her sins." Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, "Make a highway for the Lord through the wilderness, Make a straight, smooth road through the desert for our God. Fill the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth off the rough spots. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!".......He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart, He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to be his teach or counselor? Has the Lord ever needed anyone's advice? Does he need instruction about what is good or what is best? No, for all the nations of the world are nothing in comparison with him. they are but a drop in the bucket, dust on the scales. He picks up the islands with his hands as though they had no weight at all. .....He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing. ...O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earch? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhauseted, and young men will give up. But those who wait ont he Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

These verses encourage me on so many levels. I honestly must say that I am growing weary in my search for a job. I feel that my efforts are for nothing. But God promises to renew my strength. I don't know what that will look like, or when it will come, but I know that God keeps his promises. I claim those promises. And in our time of ecomonic crisis and the soon change of power in the White House, well...things might change here, but God is still in control. He is the one calling the shots. Nothing takes him by suprise. Nothing. I rest firmly that I am one of his sheep. One of God's chosen. I am protected.

Great Grandparents Visit

Last weekend Adam's grandparents came to visit for Logan's dedication. They had fun meeting Logan and playing with Kaylee, who according to Grandaddy is "just so darn cute!"

Here are a few pictures of our weekend with them!
Mammaw and Kaylee



Grandaddy, Mammaw and Logan


~Opening a WVU outfit for Logan



Meggie and Kaylee

PJs for Logan

"My WVU outfit ~ a little too big right now!" :)

Dedication Weekend

This past weekend we had the privilege and pleasure of dedicating Logan to the Lord. Lots of friends and family came to church to visit with us and share in this special time. We were so honored that they came to be there and support us in this. Dedicating him may have happened in one day, but it is a life long journey that all these people, and others, are agreeing with us in. Although Logan will be with us a lot of the time, all these people will be in his life, will be people that he looks up to and looks to for advice. It is important to us that everyone who influences him will be looking to the Lord for their guidance. What a special day for our little guy. He is loved and we are loved...and love more becuase of him!

Frustration

So, I thought that everything was worked out for my medical transcription job...now I'm not so sure. Someone contacted me - a "head hunter." Not really wanting my head to be hunter, I pushed all visual images aside and went with it. I talked to the lady and by paying her some money, she offered what would be a guarenteed job. But what she sent me was far from what I expected...links to sites where I could apply, if I meet certain qualifications - nothing different than everything I have found WITHOUT her "help." Now maybe I am missing something, but because she is not home to talk to right now I am frustrated, a bit afraid, and just plain tired. I wish there was a way to make this all go away.

When I first found this lady, or rather she hunted MY head, I felt at peace...I had found a job. Relief. No more hours and hours of searching. Thanks God, you have provided.

I still believe, truely believe that God will provide. But I'm having trouble at the same time. Doubts creep in and I wonder what I am going to do. (Get my money back from the hunter if she doesn't provide, for one) But after that, what?

I have to work...I have no job...will I have to find child care and work outside the home again? Shivers go down my back...I thought that that problem was solved...

So for anyone who will, please pray for me and this situation. I am at a loss. I just don't know what to do anymore. Sleep deprived and just trying to balance kids and all the emotional junk that come with postpartum is almost more than enough, and now add in all this...

Thanks

A special shout out of thanks to Carla for e-mailing me with the oh so easy way to change the drab background to something new. Most likely the ole blog will be changing a lot until I find one that I really like...

Help?!?

Okay, so I am not the most savy computer expert, and I am having trouble changing my blog template to something new and fun...can anyone tell me where to find a good one and how to change it? Thanks!

For Memories Sake

Kaylee:
Born 3/11/07 @7:32 pm
8lb. 0.3 oz.
19" long
14" Head
13 1/4" Chest
Delivered by Ann (and Dad)




Logan: Born 9/25/08 @ 12:08 am
9lb. 3.9 oz.
20" long
14 1/4 " head
14 1/2 " chest
Delivered by Ann (and Dad)




Unfortunately the better picture of Logan showed a little too much of his boy parts, so this one will have to do.

Quick Note...

Quickly, before Logan wants to eat again :) I have to say how much I love having two kids. There are, of course, some challenges. Getting ready in the morning (especially when Adam is working) can be harder, but overall Logan has just sailed into the family. His big sister is still adjusting, learning to be gentle (a hard concept for a 19 month old). She really hasn't shown jealousy though, which I am very thankful for.

We have enjoyed, even in this short amount of time, watching Logan's personality start to show through. We have such different kids. I am eager to watch the progression. Eager to see what God has in store for our family.

Pumpkin Patch

This year we went to the pumpkin patch down the road from us twice - once with Megan and Justin and the other time with my mom. We had fun walking around, finding pumpkins and taking some pictures. Here are some fun ones:

The great pumpkin!

Fall Fun

Here are a few fun pictures that we took at my parents house the other day. We have been trying to get a picture of the kids together, but Kaylee hasn't wanted to hold Logan for any amount of time, thus making our attempts a threat to his well being if we push the issue. So for now the pictures are of them individually. :)

She Makes Me Laugh

I have tons more to post about Logan and his arrival...but so as not to forget this incredibly funny moment...

We have baseboard heating in our house, and in the living room it sits right under the windows. This makes a great stepstool for Kaylee to stand on to look out the window. Only...it's against the rules...not safe... She knows this now, but still tries to stand on it. The other day she was on it and Adam was warning her to get off. He was giving her a few seconds to listen before she actually got in trouble. Right as he was standing up to get her, she jumped off, turned towards the center of the room, clasped her hands together and said "Pray."

Logan

It's been such an amazing journey with this little guy. He was quite a surprise as we weren't planning to have another baby quite yet...we were thinking we would like for Kaylee to be more around 2 years old, but I guess 18 months was what God was thinking. :) Most of the pregnancy seemed to go faster than it did with Kaylee - probably because of Kaylee - having her to chase and play with. The end, however, seemed to last FOREVER!!! I guess once we got to the point where he could be safely born I was ready. The closer the due date got the more I was ready. Then the due date came...and left...and slid farther away.

I promised a final belly shot, and this one will have to do. When we got to the hospital we decided to bring "the bag" in once I was admitted and settled. That took a while. Progress was slow and I walked for several hours to gain about a centimeter...enough that Ann would break my water to hopefully get things going a little faster. So, "the bag" (including camera) took a little longer getting to the room. I became friends with the birthing ball...wasn't so sure what I would think about it since with Kaylee all I did was walk, whirlpool tub and then bed...but this time many methods of trying to get him down and out were tried...



By the time I could start pushing I was so tired I didn't know if I had it in me to even get him out. Adam was amazing, as usual. He was by my side the whole time, encouraging me. Without going into too much detail, I'll say that Logan was almost born in the bathroom. I didn't think that I could move, but at one point there was a tiny break in contractions and Adam picked me up and moved me to the bed where Ann had a little more room to deliver him. Once she made sure that his head was coming safely out, Adam moved in some and did more of the delivery as he had with Kaylee.

Here he is "fresh out of the oven."




Even though things took longer with Logan and there were times of the labor and delivery that were harder, once he was out I felt much better. They gave me an IV after to prevent some of the things that happened with Kaylee, and despite being incredibly tired, I felt renewed and so excited to have this little guy in my arms and not in my belly!

Here are some more pictures of our short stay in the hospital:

















The Sunday before we had Logan we sang this song in church. I felt like God was reminding me that HE would be my strong deliverer, that HE does not grow weak or weary. God was all of these to me in my labor.


Lincoln Brewster - Everlasting God Lyrics

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
Wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
Wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Our God You reign forever
Our Hope our strong Deliverer (!!!!!)

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint You won't grow weary (!!!!)
You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
The everlasting God
The everlasting


My heart and my eyes well up when I think of my husband, my kids, my so many blessings. I feel so honored to be the wife of Adam, the mom of Kaylee and Logan and the daughter of the KING!! What a journey this has been so far and will continue to be.

HE"S HERE!!!

Finally, finally...Logan Michael is here. He gave us quite a time coming, but we are home and everyone is healthy. I went into labor Wednesday morning around 4:00am and he was born Thursday at 8 minutes after midnight. Second babies are supposed to be faster, but I was in labor for about 15 hours with Kaylee and 20 with Logan. He was having a hard time dropping into position because of an abundance of fluid and he was 9 lbs and 3.9 oz!!! 20" long too...

We came home yesterday and are starting to adjust to life with a baby around again. Kaylee seems to really like him, but still has a lot of adjusting to do herself. Last night was a long night as the little guy was up for what seemed the whole time. (Now he is sleeping soundly and peacefully.)

There are so many thoughts and things to write about, but for now...sleep deprived...a few pictures will have to suffice and more clear thoughts will follow.

Thanks to everyone for checking in on us and praying for us. I wouldn't have wanted to go a day longer to let him get any bigger! :)

Oh...and...very happily...my most favorite midwife happened to have her only on call day on Wednesday-so she delivered! :)