So the child is walking and almost one. He's just shy of a full year old! Oh, my. How did it fly past so quickly? I'm remembering to seize each moment and ponder them in my heart. Ah! I love this kid! Motherhood has brought out a huge dose of tenderness in me that I never knew I had. God bless this experience! You are good. I'm also the new VR Program Coordinator for LifeChoices, which means I plan when schools have VR classes and who is teaching them. I still get to teach - a bonus. I love it and don't want to stop. However, I had to give up being a volunteer counseling pregnancy clients. This is good, though, because it's helping taking some financial burden off of Monte.
With his birthday approaching it means that I'm only 4 weeks away from mine. I'll be starting the last year of my twenties. And I love it! Marriage is good, parenting is a daily challenge, Gibson makes my heart flutter and act like a complete sentimental goob, and I am confident that God loves us. I'm on the alert though. It seems at times like these Satan finds a way to trample on my bliss. I'm staying prayed up.
Ironically, my birthday is on the mid-term election day where the USA will probably be changing the landscape of Congress and many governorships across the country. It's exciting! So many are actually paying attention to the politicians and listening and holding them accountable. Yay! That is a great birthday present. Now I'm praying that Christians will do the same with their church leaders and personal faith. I am ready to celebrate real change. Plus, last election day I had surgery after a miscarriage that wouldn't pass. And then the election results rolled in. Very bad day!
My hope for the USA is to be great again by the results of our hard work and personal responsibility. A few basic principles make the USA unique and exceptional - not the people. And they are found in the Constitution, which is an amazing document. Monte & I have read it again in the past few months to make sure we weren't misspeaking when discussing the facts. I encourage everyone else to do the same. It's amazing how many "educated" people get the facts wrong and then spout them all over the airwaves to ignorant & obliging minions. I'll leave it at that; otherwise, I'll get on my soapbox, which will make for a very long blog post!
Our lives are grand and so precious. I'm excited about what is to come and how God will mold me toward His glory.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Craziness in the world
So I've been trying to stay up on current events and finding it harder and harder to rely on the typical 3 networks to do so. There are several serious things being said and movements that are full of hate that aren't being reported via NBC, CBS, & ABC. Shame, really. We don't have cable. So now I'm fully aware of other news websites and lots of talk radio. What I find so crazy is how offended so many people are when someone on their side is criticized. I'm a firm believe that if you need to be criticized, then buck up and take it, especially when in a place of power. And part of that position is to be receptive on neutral grounds. Our president, like many other presidents on both political sides, is very defensive when criticized. It's over 1.5 years into his term and life here in the USA is not getting any better, and he's still blaming "the past administration." I'm sorry. Whenever I would blame my brother and sister over and over again, my parents would let me have it. How is it okay for President Obama to keep passing blame? Well, it's not. And he's an adult who chose to run for president and won. So buck up, buddy. It's time to put on your big boy pants and govern like a responsible adult. Even President Clinton, who is almost as liberal as Obama, found a way to govern from a more centric position with a Republican Congress. I guess, politically, he had to. But, all the same, it was a great move for our country. The budget was balanced, welfare was reformed, and the list goes on. President Obama isn't learning from the past, which frightens me. Every great country has fallen due to repeating history. It's a simple concept that I believe pride prevents from soaking in to political thought.
It's also a shame that almost all politicians are more concerned with reelection and saving face than governing, legislating, judging, etc. according to our founding documents. Really? Monte and I have recently read the Constitution. It's pretty overwhelming how far from it most politicians have gone. That's on both sides. We, as Americans, have let them drift without any threat of being checked or voted out. We have been complacent and did not want to do any homework to make sure we were on the right track. That's everybody as a whole to blame. We liked where we were and wanted our way. When we didn't get it, we voted to an extreme opposite instead of finding out who was really there to serve publicly. And that's what it's supposed to be...public service. Why are they getting rich off of it? And they, as a whole, aren't any good at their jobs? We need to wake up, clean it out, and get back to a place where the USA is a leader for true freedom and a democratic republic. And our politicians need to listen to the voices of their constituents. We are the boss of them. We need to remind them that they are representing us and not their personal side of things.
Life is too short to let the ideals of the USA to fall to socialistic plans. With freedom comes hard work and taking care of yourself. You don't like that responsibility, find a place that will take care of you. But beware. They want power over you too. You can't have freedom and a free meal ticket. The two directly contradict each other. I'll take care of my family and myself. You take care of yours. And we'll all enjoy the freedom to do so. I hope God will continue to bless America. When will we learn that the freedom we enjoy came from Him and is innately all people's everywhere? I give thanks and will teach Gibson and all future children to do the same. I love being in a free land. I just hope it lasts and lasts.
On a much lighter note, Gibson is now the proud owner of 2 teeth. He's enjoying feeding himself all sorts of things. He especially enjoys watermelon and cottage cheese, separately is not necessary. Monte is busy with weekend services and all the planning and prep that goes into them. He just started his own Facebook page. Look him up and friend him. He'd like that. We are heading to the McCoy Family Reunion next week down in north central AR. I'm looking forward to that. There will be 35 of us and many are quite eager and competent babysitters. Oh, yes. I will enjoy that. Gibson has new adventures in crawling everyday. He really likes the dog bones. This has been a major point of discipline. I shouldn't move them since they are in a place where the girls can reach them. So Gib just has to learn they are off limits to him. He has been quite persistent in his attempts with a few times where Momma has had to intervene. Not fun. He's also starting to pull up. It's mainly just to his knees now, but he has once gone to his feet! Already! I'm not ready for walking yet. I hope he sticks to cruising around furniture for a while. He's also found his toy basket. He enjoys pulling it over and letting the toys tumble into his face. Fun but energy sapping. Good thing I'm staying fit.
That's it for now. Thanks for visiting!
It's also a shame that almost all politicians are more concerned with reelection and saving face than governing, legislating, judging, etc. according to our founding documents. Really? Monte and I have recently read the Constitution. It's pretty overwhelming how far from it most politicians have gone. That's on both sides. We, as Americans, have let them drift without any threat of being checked or voted out. We have been complacent and did not want to do any homework to make sure we were on the right track. That's everybody as a whole to blame. We liked where we were and wanted our way. When we didn't get it, we voted to an extreme opposite instead of finding out who was really there to serve publicly. And that's what it's supposed to be...public service. Why are they getting rich off of it? And they, as a whole, aren't any good at their jobs? We need to wake up, clean it out, and get back to a place where the USA is a leader for true freedom and a democratic republic. And our politicians need to listen to the voices of their constituents. We are the boss of them. We need to remind them that they are representing us and not their personal side of things.
Life is too short to let the ideals of the USA to fall to socialistic plans. With freedom comes hard work and taking care of yourself. You don't like that responsibility, find a place that will take care of you. But beware. They want power over you too. You can't have freedom and a free meal ticket. The two directly contradict each other. I'll take care of my family and myself. You take care of yours. And we'll all enjoy the freedom to do so. I hope God will continue to bless America. When will we learn that the freedom we enjoy came from Him and is innately all people's everywhere? I give thanks and will teach Gibson and all future children to do the same. I love being in a free land. I just hope it lasts and lasts.
On a much lighter note, Gibson is now the proud owner of 2 teeth. He's enjoying feeding himself all sorts of things. He especially enjoys watermelon and cottage cheese, separately is not necessary. Monte is busy with weekend services and all the planning and prep that goes into them. He just started his own Facebook page. Look him up and friend him. He'd like that. We are heading to the McCoy Family Reunion next week down in north central AR. I'm looking forward to that. There will be 35 of us and many are quite eager and competent babysitters. Oh, yes. I will enjoy that. Gibson has new adventures in crawling everyday. He really likes the dog bones. This has been a major point of discipline. I shouldn't move them since they are in a place where the girls can reach them. So Gib just has to learn they are off limits to him. He has been quite persistent in his attempts with a few times where Momma has had to intervene. Not fun. He's also starting to pull up. It's mainly just to his knees now, but he has once gone to his feet! Already! I'm not ready for walking yet. I hope he sticks to cruising around furniture for a while. He's also found his toy basket. He enjoys pulling it over and letting the toys tumble into his face. Fun but energy sapping. Good thing I'm staying fit.
That's it for now. Thanks for visiting!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Summer Fun
Lots and lots of summer fun. We just returned from a 9 day journey that led us to Louisville, KY to visit our dear friends, the Semenicks. We got to cuddle and coo with Baby Gabe, who is now 11 weeks old. He's a big kid - long and strong! He's got the crazy old man hair thing right now. Love it! Max and Sara are doing well and obviously elated every day they get to love that little guy. God is good! Then, we trekked to Myrtle Beach, SC. Gibson did amazingly well in the car despite not sleeping much. Since he prefers the tummy, the carseat offered him little sleeping comfort. Too bad there isn't a contraption that keeps babies safe while sleeping on their tummies. Gibson would be a happy kid! Myrtle Beach was beautiful and warm. We got to spend some great time with most of Monte's side of the family. It was fun to see all the energy in our nieces and nephews as they played in the ocean most of every day. It wore me out! Now we're home and back to normalcy. Whatever that is!
Gibson is well into his new adventure of eating solids. He loves his spoon and cup even though he doesn't really attain any nourishment from these tools on his own. He's still perfecting those abilities. He's getting the hang of picking things up with his pincer grasp. It's fun to see all the concentration that goes into putting the pointer finger and thumb together. I make most of his baby food, which is a good way to save some cash considering how much he likes to eat.
I've posted more pics at our website. www.hunttrio.shutterfly.com. Enjoy!
Gibson is well into his new adventure of eating solids. He loves his spoon and cup even though he doesn't really attain any nourishment from these tools on his own. He's still perfecting those abilities. He's getting the hang of picking things up with his pincer grasp. It's fun to see all the concentration that goes into putting the pointer finger and thumb together. I make most of his baby food, which is a good way to save some cash considering how much he likes to eat.
I've posted more pics at our website. www.hunttrio.shutterfly.com. Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
New People To Love
So there are some new people in my life to love. Most were expected like Jani's baby, Anke, Sara Semenick's baby, Gabriel, Sara Conley's baby, Darcy, and the list grows on of all the friends of mine who are expecting. However, there was a little bundle of love that joined my family all of a sudden. But what a great surprise! My sister, Sarah, and her husband, Nathan, were privileged and beaming with pride to take home a little baby girl who needed a great home and some super great parents! Elizabeth Kay Reyna was born April 8th and joined their home on the 13th. They just went to court yesterday where everything is now legal and complete! She's theirs on paper as well as in their hearts. Yay! Loving a baby is a whole different ballgame. People always told me that before. I would usually look at them and give them a polite smile. But now I know. How dare I assumed I knew better? This weekend Gibson and I are traveling down to Arkansas to see the family and celebrate with one of four showers for Elizabeth. Monte, of course, will be working with the church and leading the services' music, which means he will not be joining us. Plus, we're heading to Myrtle Beach, SC next weekend and get to stop in and see the Semenicks on our way. I've taken a huge breath of relief now that the school year is over. I never realized how crazy I would feel tackling a few hours a day teaching sex ed and trying to get Gibson cared for and dropped off and all that. Madness! I'm sure this fall will be much simpler since he'll almost be weaned and can fend more for himself in the eating department. I'm super glad I don't have a 40 hr/wk job anymore. I'd lose it or be a gigantic mess! This summer brings vacation, a family reunion, a 10 year high school reunion, and hopefully lots of swimming! I'm stocked with swim diapers for Gib. Love you all and make today your greatest!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friends
I have a really great friend who just celebrated a birthday Sunday. Sara L. Hill is a wonderful and glorious friend. I cherish our times of just us. Well, Gibson joins us most times. But you know what I mean. I was able to bless her with a Panera birthday breakfast a couple days before her actual birthday. It's amazing how much a yummy bagel, all toasty and spread with cream cheese, and a cup of coffee accompanied by good conversation and company can heal the soul and refresh even the ickiest of moods. Mmmm...it was delightful.
Another great friend, Sara Mitchell Semenick. Yes, Sara. Another one. In fact, the next friend to write about is yet another Sara. But Sara Semenick is expecting their first baby March 16th - a boy. I'm pumped and SO ready to go visit when he's a few weeks old once family has had their initial fill. Gibson and I will probably pack up and head out to Louisville. Not sure if Monte can come and I'm contemplating having my mom or someone else come with me to help with Gibson and driving. P.S. Did you know that nursing in the car is legal in some states? Just found that out. Sara Semenick and I go way back to my sophomore year of college. We were blessed to spend two years together at college as best buds and volleyball teammates. We've been mega close every since. She and her hubby, Max, were able to visit when Gibson was 5 weeks old. They bought him his Boppy, which we LOVE!
Last Sara for the day. Sara Conley, formerly Sara Cable, is also pregnant due early April. This Sara is having a girl, little Darcy Elizabeth. I was blessed that she had a shower here in Joplin that I could attend. It was not good for me to see all the precious baby girl stuff. All these pregnant friends are bad for my agreement to wait til Gib is at least a year before we discuss another one. Ack! But I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing about all the different things she and all 8 other pregnant friends are experiencing. This Sara is basically a walking complication. I won't breach her privacy on her health issues, but pregnancy has definitely brought out some quirks for her body to handle. She and Brad are anxiously awaiting the arrival while cherishing and loving every moment she's still in utero.
Last friend - JANI BRAVENBOER. Ya know, I miss this girl the most because it's been over 2 years since I've seen her, hugged her, and shared with her face to face. Jani and Martin, who are also expecting a girl but on March 16th, had to move back to South Africa Dec. 11, 2007. (Heavy sigh...) However, life back home has been good to them and I pray that God continues to use them for His purposes day in and day out. Their new ministry of being parents will be mind blowing, I'm sure! It is different once experienced and it's worth every ache, pain, sickness, or contraction. Oh, man, is it! I pray for Jani very often and want to see her again. I know it will happen. It's just a matter of when. We'll see.
God is good, right? I have 5 other friends who are expecting. Yes, 5. Again, not good on the whole waiting to have another kid goal. Monte keeps me in check. He's not as eager to get back into the fertility freedom stage as I am. Alas, Gibson deserves to have me for a while all to himself. I'm sure I'll be better equipped to have another with giving him this time too. So long for now!
Another great friend, Sara Mitchell Semenick. Yes, Sara. Another one. In fact, the next friend to write about is yet another Sara. But Sara Semenick is expecting their first baby March 16th - a boy. I'm pumped and SO ready to go visit when he's a few weeks old once family has had their initial fill. Gibson and I will probably pack up and head out to Louisville. Not sure if Monte can come and I'm contemplating having my mom or someone else come with me to help with Gibson and driving. P.S. Did you know that nursing in the car is legal in some states? Just found that out. Sara Semenick and I go way back to my sophomore year of college. We were blessed to spend two years together at college as best buds and volleyball teammates. We've been mega close every since. She and her hubby, Max, were able to visit when Gibson was 5 weeks old. They bought him his Boppy, which we LOVE!
Last Sara for the day. Sara Conley, formerly Sara Cable, is also pregnant due early April. This Sara is having a girl, little Darcy Elizabeth. I was blessed that she had a shower here in Joplin that I could attend. It was not good for me to see all the precious baby girl stuff. All these pregnant friends are bad for my agreement to wait til Gib is at least a year before we discuss another one. Ack! But I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing about all the different things she and all 8 other pregnant friends are experiencing. This Sara is basically a walking complication. I won't breach her privacy on her health issues, but pregnancy has definitely brought out some quirks for her body to handle. She and Brad are anxiously awaiting the arrival while cherishing and loving every moment she's still in utero.
Last friend - JANI BRAVENBOER. Ya know, I miss this girl the most because it's been over 2 years since I've seen her, hugged her, and shared with her face to face. Jani and Martin, who are also expecting a girl but on March 16th, had to move back to South Africa Dec. 11, 2007. (Heavy sigh...) However, life back home has been good to them and I pray that God continues to use them for His purposes day in and day out. Their new ministry of being parents will be mind blowing, I'm sure! It is different once experienced and it's worth every ache, pain, sickness, or contraction. Oh, man, is it! I pray for Jani very often and want to see her again. I know it will happen. It's just a matter of when. We'll see.
God is good, right? I have 5 other friends who are expecting. Yes, 5. Again, not good on the whole waiting to have another kid goal. Monte keeps me in check. He's not as eager to get back into the fertility freedom stage as I am. Alas, Gibson deserves to have me for a while all to himself. I'm sure I'll be better equipped to have another with giving him this time too. So long for now!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Love, Sweet, Love
So Valentine's Day came and went. No big deal for us. We love each other every day! Actually, neither one of us is big on gifts and big displays of thoughtfulness that requires money we'd rather spend on something useful or to eat. Monte is glad I don't care about flowers or candy or any gifts, really. I don't like shopping, although now I get a kick out of how many great deals I get when buying baby stuff for Gibson. Exciting life, I know.
Gibson now sleeps consistently til 6:30. I'm being very patient in getting him to 7 am at least. He would make things MUCH easier if he slept til then. I think he's also ready to be on a 4 hour routine and get 4 feedings each day. Right now he does 5, but it's a short feeding. Trial and error are key to good parenting. You try it, assess, take notes, and make a decision. Luckily, my baby Bible has been BabyWise, and I'm so grateful. I'm constantly referencing it to make sure I'm within normal expectations on nap times, # of naps, hours of nighttime sleep, # of feedings, etc.
Also, Gib made his 4 mo. appearance at Dr. Holmes' office last Friday. He wasn't quite close to 17 lbs. I thought for sure I saw the scale correctly at our neighbors' house a couple weeks ago. But I was wrong. He weighed in at 15 lbs 10 oz. Still quite above "average" for 4 months old. He's healthy and that's what matters. He was like 25 3/4" long too.
Now, about shots. I was prepared for the worst this time. Last time, Gibson screamed and cried and cried and cried. He looked at me and stuck out his lip and his eyes seemed to be asking, "Why, Mommy? Why is this mean nurse lady stabbing needles into my thighs?" Heart wrenching! I was on the verge of tears. And you all know that I'm NOT a crier. Whew! Awful. But this time, he whimpered a little bit with each shot and that was it! As soon as she was done, he recovered in mere seconds. I was highly relieved.
Just read the last Harry Potter - The Deathly Hallows. It was good. Now I'm ready to see the cinematography challenge of bringing it to life. There will be quite a bit to see. Oh, and I'm way behind the norms and watched Twilight for the first time yesterday. It was alright. I've been told that the books are much better and that the second film was made much better than the first. I have to decide if I want to commit to reading the books first. What do you guys say? Anyone read them?
Enjoy your weekend. I'm off to figure out dinner. Love you all!
Gibson now sleeps consistently til 6:30. I'm being very patient in getting him to 7 am at least. He would make things MUCH easier if he slept til then. I think he's also ready to be on a 4 hour routine and get 4 feedings each day. Right now he does 5, but it's a short feeding. Trial and error are key to good parenting. You try it, assess, take notes, and make a decision. Luckily, my baby Bible has been BabyWise, and I'm so grateful. I'm constantly referencing it to make sure I'm within normal expectations on nap times, # of naps, hours of nighttime sleep, # of feedings, etc.
Also, Gib made his 4 mo. appearance at Dr. Holmes' office last Friday. He wasn't quite close to 17 lbs. I thought for sure I saw the scale correctly at our neighbors' house a couple weeks ago. But I was wrong. He weighed in at 15 lbs 10 oz. Still quite above "average" for 4 months old. He's healthy and that's what matters. He was like 25 3/4" long too.
Now, about shots. I was prepared for the worst this time. Last time, Gibson screamed and cried and cried and cried. He looked at me and stuck out his lip and his eyes seemed to be asking, "Why, Mommy? Why is this mean nurse lady stabbing needles into my thighs?" Heart wrenching! I was on the verge of tears. And you all know that I'm NOT a crier. Whew! Awful. But this time, he whimpered a little bit with each shot and that was it! As soon as she was done, he recovered in mere seconds. I was highly relieved.
Just read the last Harry Potter - The Deathly Hallows. It was good. Now I'm ready to see the cinematography challenge of bringing it to life. There will be quite a bit to see. Oh, and I'm way behind the norms and watched Twilight for the first time yesterday. It was alright. I've been told that the books are much better and that the second film was made much better than the first. I have to decide if I want to commit to reading the books first. What do you guys say? Anyone read them?
Enjoy your weekend. I'm off to figure out dinner. Love you all!
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