36 things I want my daughters to know

written by http://fansofbeingamom.com/2433/being-a-mom/36-things-i-want-my-daughter-to-always-remember/
Kendall and Kymber,
A mother’s greatest aspiration is to see her children lead happy, rich, fulfilling lives. As I watched my little girl drift off to sleep last night, my mind was filled with all the wishes I hold in my heart for her happiness. If I could, I would giftwrap the world for her. I would create a new world designed to delight her. There is nothing that makes me feel happier or more content than to see joy on my child’s face.
I know that I cannot (and should not) make my daughter’s life perfect. I know that eventually she will venture out into the world on her own. She will have to face her own dragons and learn many things the hard way. I know that most of what I tell her – even the things I might whisper earnestly in the quiet dark of her room while she sleeps – will remain unheard and unheeded for a very long time.

Even so, there are things I want my daughter to always remember. I will tell her these things – today, tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that. I will repeat them over and over until they echo so clearly in her head that they might be mistaken for her own thoughts. These are the things that I believe will help her create her happiness – grow it in her own heart instead of ceaselessly searching for it in other people and places and pursuits.

1. You are special.
2. There is no one else exactly like you in the whole world. Cherish your unique self.
3. You deserve love, admiration, honesty, respect, and second chances.
4. You have the right to use your voice – any time, any place, on any topic.
5. You are beautiful.
6. Beauty is as beauty does and while physical beauty is fleeting, a beautiful soul lasts forever.
7. True friends make you laugh and feel good about yourself.
8. True love makes you want to be a better person.
9. Girls can do anything boys can do … and some things boys can’t.
10. Magic is real – you just have to know where to look for it.
11. Taking time for yourself is important – be your own best friend.
12. You can always come home. Always.
13. You can tell me anything.
14. You don’t always have to follow the rules, but …
15. … always follow your heart.
16. You are a creative genius and your creations are your gift to the world. Give them freely and joyfully.
17. There’s no such thing as failure. Learn from every experience.
18. You are loved more than you will know until you have your own child.
19. Anything is possible if you believe.
20. There are few things a hot mug of tea and a good book won’t fix.
21. Go after your passion with a vengeance, but …
22. … remember to slow down and savor the journey along the way.
23. Sometimes it’s okay to eat dessert first.
24. Don’t wait for things to be “perfect” before you do something.
25. Keep your eye on the Big Picture, but revel in the details.
26. Trust yourself. You are smart enough, strong enough, and brave enough.
27. When in doubt, grow something.
28. It’s okay if you don’t know the answers. Sometimes it’s a better place to start from.
29. The Golden Rule is the easiest standard by which to measure any choice.
30. Travel is the best teacher, but always be safe and be wise. The world is a beautiful place, but it is not without its sharp edges.
31. Never compromise your beliefs – not for stature, approval, or anything else.
32. Manners count.
33. Learn to laugh at yourself and life will suddenly seem much easier.
34. It’s okay to be fragile sometimes. Life can be like that.
35. I am always so proud of you.
36. I will always be with you. Even when I’m gone I will be holding you in my heart and wrapping my love around you.

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Miss Kymber's 2nd non-stress test

Before I tell you how yesterday's non-stress test went, can I just tell you how thankful I am for "smart phones?"

I am pretty much only comfortable (laughing as I type that) in my bed which has lead me to feel pretty isolated even from my own family who obviously don't want to hang out in my room all the time.

So having the phone, I have been able to pin recipes (that I want to make when I am able to stand longer than 10 minutes), work-outs that I hope to do in the near future, outfits that I want to fit into, sewing ideas, etc onto Pinterest. I can BLOG from this phone, I can surf the internet, I can facebook stalk everyone, and more importantly call, email and text friends.

Whew what a life-saver the phone has been!

Ok so I wanted to start out with a praise before going into my visit.

Just a warning, I will be sort-of graphic so if you are squeamish don't read on!

Miss Kymber passed the NST again. She had a few sustained accelerations but that is normal & good for their heartbeats to do that.

She still has some sort of funky heart rhythm issue going on. It is kind of a wait and monitor type of situation. Nothing super serious but just something to watch.

I have had a pretty yucky week health-wise so you have to pass that information onto the RN that completes the NST. In doing so, I mentioned that on Friday morning at 0300 I thought that my water might have broke. (Just a little gush of fluid that stopped so I didn't think anything of it.)

Unfortunately, with that news and the fact that I was contracting regularly on the monitor, I had to be checked. Currently, sitting at 1-2 cm dilated (not a big deal at this point since I am almost 37 weeks)

They are concerned that since Kymber is still breech, I have been having such chest tightness/pain, shortness of breath, that this is my 3rd baby, the other 2 babies both came 2 weeks early, Kymber's large size, & the contractions being so strong that things might happen "fast."

Instructions were to pack bags to make sure that we were ready and not to "dilly dally" getting into the hospital because they do not want to attempt a vaginal breech delivery and obviously don't want a "crash" or emergency c-section.

I have been drinking like a fish (non-alcoholic of course!) and resting. Miss Kymber has such a sense of humor because the only time I don't have contractions is laying down.

So in a nut-shell, that is what is going on here. Trying to remain focused on the positive & so very glad that my dad has been here the past week to help. Really, if we can get past Tuesday, I am ready for her to get here......

To be continued!

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A letter to my Children about Marriage

Written by Kelly Crawford and found at http://www.ingodsimage.com/?p=8575

Dear Children,

Should the Lord give you the good gift of a husband or wife, and I hope He does, there are a few things I want you to know. Things that you may not hear from anyone else, and certainly not on TV or other media. Sadly, your brothers and sisters in Christ may not even tell you.

Marriage, sweet little people, is not for the purpose of your happiness. Happy as I want you to be and hope you will be, you must yet understand that marriage is God’s design and His purposes must be pursued in order for you to be truly happy. His end is holiness and He will use all things in a life devoted to Him to fulfill that end.

To my girls:

Marry a man whose first pursuit is Christ. After that, he is not hard to please. Admire him, cheer him on and show gratitude, and he will fall over himself trying to please you. Smile often, speak well of him always, and do whatever necessary to try and maintain a pleasant mood about you so that it transfers to your home, making it a place where he and your children love to be.

You’ll have bad days of course, crying days even, and that’s when you go to your bedroom, kneel on the floor and beg the Lord to carry you. Then get up, get a fresh perspective (crayons will come off the wall), and try again. Above all else, make a home.

To my boys:

Marry a woman whose first pursuit is Christ. After that, she may be hard to please only if you don’t know “the secret”. What is that? I’m glad you asked. The secret to pleasing your wife is to make her feel safe and treasured. You may have to move out of your comfort zone to do this at times. She won’t always readily translate the oil change to love, though it means that. But let me give you a “secret question”—a question you need to ask her often. It’s not just in the asking, though. Be sure to focus your eyes on hers, maybe even touch her shoulder or face, and then ask: “What’s on your mind these days?” And then be ready to listen. She wants you to draw her out. She will perceive this as your protection over the matters of her heart. Tenderness, listening, protection. That’s what she wants.

To you all:

If your wife or husband does something really stupid, forgive. If they do it again, forgive again. Forgiveness must be the propelling force in your lives each day. Dwell on the strengths, push out thoughts of their weaknesses. Take every thought captive—choose to love.

Here’s that part you are not going to hear often:

If you find yourself “not happy,” having lost attraction, disinterested, etc., you are not permitted to even think about a divorce. If you find yourselves arguing more and more, don’t think for a minute that “the children will be better off out of this,” because they won’t.

The vows you took on your wedding day were not suggestions. They were covenant vows, before a holy God, family and friends, to stay with this person the rest of your life, even if you don’t feel like it. You swore a solemn oath and if you can’t live up to it, don’t get married. Decide up front that your marriage is irrevocable. There is far more motivation for getting along if your “marriage house” has no door.

Do not share intimate thoughts or feelings with anyone of the opposite sex. Do not find yourself alone for any length of time with such either.

Divorce is not a “private option.” It will affect multiple families for many generations. When you “separate what God has joined” you permanently injure far more than just yourself.

Guard your marriage as fiercely as you would guard your own life. Treat your spouse as an extension of your flesh, just as God sees you. Treat your spouse like other family members. You know, “you gotta love ‘em, they’re the only family you’ve got.”

I want you to be happy, I surely do. But I will pray for you to be holy.

Kendall, Isaac, & Kymber,

I want all of this for you three. Daddy and I are enjoying a new sermon series right now called "Real Marriage." Last week, we learned that marriage is not designed to make YOU happy it is designed to make you Holy.

Keep in mind that God has the perfect spouse waiting just for you & it is not that man or woman's job to make you happy. You can only get that from one source....and if you include that in your marriage from the beginning then you are well on your way to being holy.

Love you all,

Mom

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Just for fun....

Some of what we have been up to...

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First non-stress test

Just a brief update tonight...
I had my first non-stress today. Kymber passed but is still breech. It sounds like if she stays that way that I will be heading for a c-section.
They monitored my oxygen level which remained good.
The only hiccup (besides her position) is that she has a little bit of a weird heart rhythm right now. I will be seen every friday so they will be monitoring her rhythm as well. I am praying that will resolve itself.
I am exhausted tonight so I am gonna close out.
Have a great weekend!

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Sneak peek

Here are a few snippets of Kymber's room.
I was initially overwhelmed trying to figure out how to make a blue/green room girly but it has started to come together.
I cannot wait to sew the bedding but will have to hold on until I am feeling better and able to sit for longer periods of time.
Hope you enjoy what I have so far!

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35 weeks

Today marks 35 weeks gestation.
I started the day off trying to catch up a little bit in the house. I got the kitchen cleaned up and dinner in the crockpot before I had to rest for an hour.
I went to get a few more baby items after that before heading to physical therapy.
Miss Kymber flipped briefly on Monday after my chiropractor appointment but flipped back on Tuesday. Leanne (my physical therapist) and I believe she has flipped head down again after the session today. I can still feel her bottom the way it should be so hopefully she will stay that way.
I see the chiropractor again tomorrow so hopefully keeping my hips in balance will keep her head down!
My NST's (non-stress tests) start on Friday. I will find out about my cardiology appointment on Friday as well.
Trying to focus on the joy of bringing Kymber into the world, we had a family pregnancy shoot on Sunday and I will be completing the shoot this Friday.
In addition to the maternity photo shoot, I needed to do something crafty (to bring me joy) as I haven't been able to sew at all in over 2 weeks. (I have an addiction to crafting.....I must admit) I made a wreath for our front door with pink flowers in honor of our new little girl. (Pictures below)
It was 15 minutes of pure joy and some of the best therapy to lighten my mood.
Stay tuned for more JOY in regards to Miss Kymber.

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My funny Valentine

Ben and I at the end of our Valentine's night.
I love my sweet, funny Valentine.
He has been rock solid these past couple of months.

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Small joys of the weekend

*baby gifts in the mail
*the dogs playing together and in seemingly good health
*the kids enjoying each other and calling one another their "best friends"
*reading together on a long weekend
*Geronimo still being himself and here with us.
(All pictured here!)
We also had family pictures, movie afternoon, a great life group time, and a little work at home!

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Huge monster baby update

Today was my growth ultrasound for Miss Kymber Mae. (AKA huge monster baby)
I thought that I would write a post to let everyone know what has been going on here.
First of all her stats:
She weighs approximately 6 lbs 6 oz
Her measurements put her at 36 weeks and 2 days. (I am only currently 34 weeks and 2 days.)
Heartbeat was 160 BPM
She is still in breech position.
Everything is fine with Kymber. She looks healthy and is maturing the way she should. They are not changing my due date (it is still March 28th) but just saying she is a big girl.
I unfortunately have been in pretty excruciating pain and very miserable. I guess I will start at the top and work my way down for y'all.
I have remained dizzy & lightheaded for the last 2 weeks (super fun when trying to take care of daily family life.)
My shortness of breath has been much worse along with serious chest tightness/pain/discomfort. I have also been battling nausea again on top of the heartburn/reflux thing.
I have been going to physical therapy once a week to manage the hip and back pain. I have problems with both hips now (one is externally rotated and one internally rotated) I also have a hip impingement going on. I have also messed up my sacral area (probably in trying to compensate for the hip pain.) There is an upslip in my right lower back as well. I now have one leg that is about an inch longer than the other. Therapy has been helping but not enough to allow me to function in daily life chores.
I will also be adding a weekly chiropractor appointments into the regimen to try to bring some added comfort.
To wrap all that up with a pretty bow, I am really a miserable mess. I am grumpy even when I am trying not to be. I could cheerfully hibernate for the next few weeks.
I remain thankful to Ben who fortunately takes his vows of in sickness and in health very seriously. I couldn't have done this without his help.
I am also so very thankful for all the friends and family checking in on me. I greatly appreciate all that you guys have done.
For those of you who don't know me well but have been praying for comfort, the baby, and I, well I also really appreciate y'all too!
I thought that I would type all this out to avoid having to repeat the same old sob story over and over.
I lose sight of the fact that this is only temporary and soon I will have the best present (and relief.)
So stay tuned and I hope old Jamie will return very soon!
Oh and I got a very blurry face shot of Kymber for you today too!

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A look into Kendall's World

So I did a tribute to Isaac a few days ago and I figured that on this rainy afternoon that I would get you caught up on our sweet Kendall Bug.

All of these pictures are from my iphone as well. (Hence the quality is not always the best.)

Kendall has been enjoying her year at kindergarten. She really loves her classmates and learning. It is hard to believe that we are already 2-nine weeks in to the school year all ready! Soon we will have a first grader on our hands.

Kendall and I waiting at the airport

Kendall at a local production of the Nutcracker

She loves to make silly faces!

Kendall is very much enjoying her combination ballet/tap class. She will have her first BIG recital in May. They got their costumes yesterday and she is in love!
Soccer season also starts back up tomorrow.

Happy Ground Hog day!!

Occassionally I can still get a snuggle or two off of her!

Kendall's winter mini-tap recital

She is in love with barbies, dolls, & her doll house

Music student of the month at Parkwood

Did I mention that she still loves to dress-up

She loves to be a big helper.
So far she can help put the dishes away, empty the dryer for me, put some clothes away, & of course vaccum a little bit.

Kindergarten is hard work!

She loves to have her picture taken too. Just in case you couldn't tell!

She can sleep anywhere just like her father!

She is game for trying out new hairstyles

She has been Aggie brain-washed

Kendall fills my life with laughter and joy!

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