Life and Prayer Journal

I've been wanting a journal that I can record everything in from grocery list to prayers and everything in between! When I couldn't find what I was lookIng for in the stores I decided to create my own...something unique to me anf that fits my personality! I figured if I created it, I would be more likely to use it!

This is what my cover looks like! 

I love to scrapbook so I took two sheets of paper anf connected it with ribbon that my mom had given me.  Then I added some scrapbook stickers and emblems to add my finishing touches! I love how it turned out!! The picture below is the notebook I bought from target originally. A little creativity and scrapbook things turned it into something unique for me! 

Inside my first tab, I made a meal planner and used monthly calendars from a calendar l got free from jo anns fabric. 

The next section, I am using as a place to specifically pray for my husband. I decorated tab as a way to make his section unique for him!

The next section is a place to pray for my children; therefore, I made a tab special for them also!

The last two sections are used for prayers for others, shopping lists and to do lists. I haven't finished those two sections yet. I will post pics when I finish.

Classroom Schedule

I wanted to share my busy schedule.  With the 90 minute reading blocks for all the older classes, we were given all morning specials! Talk about a busy morning!  The hardest part is we have some students leave at 11 as well as some only come three days a week; therefore, we have 3 main days of learning and the rest review days.  Below is what my schedule looks like:

As you can see my schedule is crazy this year! Not much I can do about it except ask for a more consistent specials schedule next year! Most things I can't get in every day.  There is just no way possible to go to every special and fit in all that we have to every day, so this year I had to be real creative in planning my daily schedule.  Calendar I add in literacy and of course we do math so that the students are receiving a lesson in those areas every day.  Of course with calendar, the students are learning numbers, patterns, days of the weeks, months,etc. but we also added in a daily message for the students to practice letters, sight words, and even some writing during that time.  I work in a Christian school; therefore, we try to have some form of Bible story, praying, Bible craft or activity every day.  Eventually we will start going to church every Wednesday with the  rest of the school, and that will take the place of Bible on that day which is our busy day already! We also had to  add in library on Wednesdays during our small groups time.  Our small groups are our Literacy and Writing groups.  The students rotate between four groups during this time: some form of writing (journals, practice writing letters in the alphabet, describing a story or something to go with our science theme to  get science in more), reading (picture reading, retelling, sight word and letter books, etc.), listening (listening to story on headphones), and some form of art, game or activity to go with the letter or sight word we are learning depending on student and what level they are.  Math and science groups work almost just like literacy groups except there are only three groups (You can see on my schedule, we only have time for this three times a week.) and they only go to one a day and rotate to a different group the next day we meet in science and math groups.     We usually do one science group and two math groups.  In math we start out the year  doing shapes and colors and then switch to numbers.  Eventually we get to patterns, sorting, adding, etc.  Science we usually stick to the Scholastic Clifford themes. 

This is our afternoon schedule.  There isn't much to it except the Daily Five. We usually do four groups instead of five and two of the groups are led by the teacher each day.  The students' alone groups are listening center and reading center. (They can read alone or together with a buddy.)  The teacher leads working on writing and working with words or letters most days; however, there are those days that the students will play a game, write the room, etc. by themselves while the teacher assesses students or works one on one with a student.  

What Should I Take To Hospital When Having A Baby

This was a topic I looked up several times when preparing for my stay at the hospital; therefore, I wanted to share what I felt like were musts when packing.  Below are a list of the 15 things I felt were most important:

1.)  Spaghetti strapped tanks and nightgowns- I only brought one spaghetti strapped tank and wish I would have had more.  It made breastfeeding so much easier.  Plus I felt better in it than the hospital gown!
2.)  Snacks for my husband as well as myself after the baby was born.
3.)  Extra baby clothes-the hospital provides infants with outfits; however, I enjoyed being able to dress him in cuter clothes for all the visitors and pictures we took!
4.)  Soft music-made sleeping a little easier as well as made the atmosphere more inviting.
5.)  Socks with grip- Keeps you from sliding around when you can barely walk as it is.
6.)  Boppy-Would have made breastfeeding so much easier those first few learning days.
7.)  Maternity bras-I loved being able to just unsnap and go with it when feeding my little man!
8.)  Phone or other way for internet access-Kept my mind off the pain and made time go by a lot quicker being able to text and browse online.
9.)  Camera, video camera,etc. You will want to take a lot of pictures and videos!!!!!!!!
10.) Husband or other support person and a few encouraging Bible verses-Definitely made the labor process so much easier!  He was amazing walking me through the contractions and rubbing my back, praying with me, etc.
11.)  Going home outfit-loose fitting as well as something that aren't too low on your waist in case you have a c-section.
12.)  Notepad or journal-my husband and I wrote a note to our little man those last, painful hours before he arrived.  I can't wait for him to read be able to read them!
13.)  Toiletries- deodorant, contacts, glasses, solution, etc.
14.)  Pony tail holder-  You will hate your hair in your face the whole hospital stay!
15.)  Your own pillow just in case you have a c-section.  I so wish I had one for the car ride home.  It would have made the trip a lot less painful!

10 Must Haves for New Moms with Newborns

As a new mom, there are a few things I've realized are very important to have that has made my life as a new mom much easier!
     #1. Swaddles- From the day he was born, he loved to be swaddled! We tried blankets; however we couldn't wrap him tight enough.  A friend of ours gave us swaddles with velcro.  What a night saver!  He slept so much better being wrapped as my seven year old says, "As snug as a bug in a rug!"

     #2.  A camera (or phone)-I don't think I could have survived without one!  I love taking pictures of all his firsts to have as memories.
     #3.  An infant stroller-I love getting out of the house for some fresh air and exercise!  It has been used multiple times a week since week 2!  And he loves it! It's one of the few ways that will put him to sleep!

  
  #4.  A bouncer-He sits in it while I clean, shower, etc.  I love that it is small and light enough to fit in my tiny bathroom!
     #5. Moby Wrap-Seriously one of the best inventions!!  I used it when I had set up my classroom, taken walks, done chores around the house and even during Zumba!
    #6.  A bassinet with a shelf on bottom-For all  those times I wake up at night, this has been a life saver.  I love that I can reach over, pick up my infant, diaper, wipes, and burp rag all without leaving my bed!
    #7.  Spaghetti strapped nightgowns-These have made it so easy to breastfeed during the evenings as well as throughout the day when I don't feel like getting dressed. 
    #8.  Spaghetti strapped tanks-Again for breastfeeding; however, these make it easier to feed when out and about. It is so much easier to pull top down rather than all the way up!
    #9.  Nursing cover-So much easier and lighter than a blanket when feeding your little one in public!
    #10.  Tommee Tippee-This bottle is amazing especially when breastfeeding, but also wanting to get your baby used to a bottle for a babysitter, this is the one you want! My little one will drink from this bottle like a champ, but also still breastfeed and be good at it! 

lessons from a newborn

I have written about lessons from children in the past but for some reason I never thought I could have learned a lesson from a newborn...or better yet God could use a newborn to teach me such a valuable lesson!  But then again God can do all things...right?! For nothing is impossible with God...but that's another lesson for another day! Back to my newborn...this seven week old baby lying in my arms eating right now in a camper at 4:38 in the morning while its storming outside..oh how that could be another lesson of its own. I love how God uses what we feel like is so random.  God is using this little, helpless infant to bring me closer to Him! Ooh how I love this child!  Tonight or rather this morning as I was feeding this helpless baby I related him to myself with God.  I was brought back to something I heard on klove awhile back. I thought about how this little baby sometimes wants all of my attention...like yesterday when I was packing and he was in his swing crying wanting my attention... he didn't want me to just talk to him and rub his little head every now and then. He wanted all of me just like God wants all of me. He doesn't want me just partially calling out to him while I'm busy doing other things. Yes he wants my attention then too, but he wants all of me at times also without phone calls, texts, my baby, etc. As I sit here thinking about my helpless infant, fully relying on me...that's how God wants us to be with Him. He wants us to fully rely on Him...not just times of need but always! We should be like this helpless infant crying out to our lord and savior all day every day...relying on Him every step we take...like that song...!

You Know You're a New Mom When...

You Know You're A New Mom When:

Your new bed time is anytime your child is sleeping whether it's nine in the morning or five in the evening. You sleep whenever you can.

Some weeks you shower two or three times a day or some days not at all.

Meals become once or twice a day instead of three times a day.

If you get breakfast, it's usually closer to lunch time.

You wash your own bed sheets more now than you ever have due to pee, puke, and poop!

It's very rare you get to eat your dinner hot or even warm for that matter.

You always smell like sour milk.

Your hair is in a constant pony tail.

You use the restroom and take a shower with little eyes watching.

You get peed, pooped, or puked on multiple times a day.

You carry extra clothes for yourself in your car everywhere you go.

You have to find time to brush your teeth or hair.

You're constantly lifting ten pounds or more despite what your doctor tells you.

Your sister becomes your best friend with the best advice. She understands you more than anyone else.

Getting ready in the mornings is brushing your teeth and using the restroom. The rest gets fit in in between feedings and diaper changes.

You have people constantly asking you how you're doing.

People bring you food and even desserts for a couple weeks straight.

Laundry is overflowing out of two or three different baskets.

You learn to eat, write, and do chores left handed or one handed.

Dates with your significant other becomes fifteen minutes of alone time with each other or constant crying in the background. You long for alone time with just him!

If you go it out on a date, there's three instead of two.

Your car becomes full of burp rags and blankets.

You actually sort laundry by who it belongs to instead of by color.

Sleeping for more than five hours becomes very rare if ever.

The dishwasher becomes your best friend.

You always have an extra body in your room at bedtime, when changing, etc

You have a screaming baby in the back seat of the car and there's nothing you can do about it.

You change more diapers than you used the restroom in your third pregnancy.

A bouncer sits outside your bathroom door.

Your living room becomes infested with baby swings, toys, diapers, wipes, blankets, a boppy, etc.

You wear the same four or five outfits everywhere.

You have small, beautiful blue eyes that look into yours and your heart melts.

You never thought something so small could be so precious.

You get that feeling of being loved when he's crying uncontrollably and you pick him up and he lays his head on your chest and lets out those sighs from crying and calms down
immediately knowing mommy has him.

A sleeping baby in your arms is very relaxing.

When you have little hands touching you that feels like water dripping down you.

You get lots of little wet kisses all over your chest, arms, shoulders, etc.

You find a love deep down in your heart that you never knew you had....a love that is indescribable that doesn't compare to anything I've known before!

Homemade Drawing Books

I decided at the last minute to make goodie bags for my stepson.  We aren't really having a party because we will be camping and the boys will be to a theme park on his birthday; however, I thought it be fun to surprise him with a little party when he got back to the campsite. I bought a few decorations and some items for gift bags for him and my niece and nephew.  One of the things I put in the bags were small pack of markers; therefore, I decided to go ahead and make each of them their own drawing book that they could write and draw in while we were camping.  I tried to make them according to what they each enjoy!

My niece's:

All I did was put together some computer paper, and added a cover (scrapbook paper and stickers).  I hole punched the sides and sewn the pages together with ribbon! Simple, but girly for my niece!

My Nephew's:

My Son's:

back

front

Mr. Potato Head Five Sense Book

My sister-in-law asked for everyone to bring a book instead of a card to her baby shower; therefore, I decided to make my new little nephew a book instead.  I decided to do a five sense book and thought a Mr. Potato one would be fun and interactive. 

My Title Page

Individual pages:

 My last page: 

In the white envelope on the right side has different fleece pieces cut out into body parts and accessories for the potato on the left.  When my nephew is old enough, he'll be able to play with this last page.  

 My 6 year old and I tried it out.  Check out our potatoes:

Birth Story

The weekend of June 21-23 2013, I started having pains in my pelvic area.  It hurt to sit down, stand up and especially when I tried to lay down on the floor.  I kept telling my family at swimming get together at my brother's girlfriend's house that the baby was coming this week.  I just had a feeling he was on his way.  I felt different and the way my pelvic was hurting I knew he had to be coming soon even though I wasn't due until July 4th.

After church that Sunday, my pastor and his wife came up to me and prayed with me at separate times.  My pastor's wife and even told God at the end of her prayer, we were ready and ok if he came that night!

I had an appointment on Monday at 11:30.  I made sure I ate before so that I wasn't hungry if I did have to stay.  I also invited my sister to come along knowing that my doctor said she was going to try to schedule an ultrasound at this appt. and my sister had been dying to go with me to one.  Plus my husband was working and two other guys were already off that week.  He could have gotten off but it would have been a little bit harder for him.  My mom watched my sister's kids so she could come with me.  Now looking back, I'm glad I had the company, or it would have been one long day for me!

On the way to to the hospital, I said a quick prayer asking God for an answer at my appt. as to when he would come.  I was to the point where I was uncomfortable and ready for an answer...some type of hint as to when we would be having little man.

At my appointment, my doctor hooked me up to the monitor to check contractions, baby's heartbeat, and movements.  Everything looked great!  The baby was not stressing at all and my contractions were still not close enough; however the couple weeks before this, she had found protein in my urine and I had a couple of high blood pressures.  therefore, she decided to go ahead and send me over for an ultrasound.  She said if ultrasound looked good which she was expecting it to, she would see me again on Thursday, exactly a week before my due date and more than likely induce me that day.  I couldn't wait to call my husband to let him know we would more than likely be having the baby that week!  I called him before we even got on the elevator.  He asked if I wanted him to come for ultrasound, but I told him my sister was going to be with me so he didn't have to get off work.

My sister and I went over to triage to get my ultrasound. During my ultrasound, they found that my fluids were low and my placenta looked 'old', but the baby looked great and was not stressing or showing any signs of stressing! He was a tough little guy!  They had us wait until they got a hold of my doctor before releasing me.  Well after getting a hold of her, she decided to keep me that night.  My sister called my husband and arranged for him to come get her keys so when he went home to get all the stuff we packed, he could drive her car back and we would only have one car at the hospital.

By this time it was already almost three.  My doctor let my sister pick me up some food before she started the thinning of my cervix. This was the first of my delivery not being all natural like I was hoping; however, I went with what they felt was best.

My husband and I played Racko and enjoyed each other's company that evening while sending out texts to family and friends that our baby was on the way.

That evening I started having back pains that would come and go.  I struggled with sleeping because I had so many thoughts running through my head about what the next day would bring.  When morning finally arrived, around 6:00 in the morning, they started inducing me by starting me on pitocin.  My back really started hurting.  My husband was great at rubbing it for me and pressing the heating pad on it when I was on the ball.  I also tried sitting on the rocking chair for a little bit.  Sitting up definitely helped!  Apparently I had been having contractions the night before and during all this and didn't know it.  Come to find out the back pains I was having was actually the contractions.I was having back labor.  My baby was head doen but face up.

At 7:30, my doctor came in to visit and see how I was doing.  She, along with my nurse who was amazing, decided to go ahead and break my water. (next thing that was not on my natural labor expectations)  That pain was miserable...probably the most uncomfortable part of the entire process!  After they broke my water, I really started feeling the pain.  I would tell my husband, one was coming and have him watch and let me know when it had peaked so I knew it would only get easier after that.  It worked out well until they had me turn onto my hands and knees in hopes to turn him so he would be face down.  That really caused the pain to get stronger.  I finally decided on IV medicine around 11 or so to help relax me, however, I am pretty sure it just made me drowsy and the pain worse!  I could feel my back start hurting and get really intense and then relieved.  When they realized I was having back labor, they had me sit on my hands and knees and rock back and firth to try to get my baby to turn.  This made the pains ten times worse! I just kept repeating the Bible verse, "I can do all things  through Christ who strengthens me."  I had several other verses written down to help me get through the labor; however, this one was the only one I kept repeating that would keep me calm and help with the pain.

Around noon when I was between 5 and 6 cm and 75% dilated, I had the nurse start me on liquids just in case I decided I wanted an epidural. By the time the liquids were in me I decided to get the epidural because I was having back labor. I had two contractions while they were giving me the epidural; however within seconds of having it, I couldn't feel any contractions at all.  I was even able to nap for awhile!

By 3:00, I was at 8cm and 95% dilated! They told me as quickly as I was progressing I should have my baby by 5 or 6 that evening!! However, at 5:00 when they checked me I had not progressed at all. :-(

At 6:30, I still hadn't.  My doctor decided to call in a doctor for a csection just in case.  By this point I was in tears.  All I wanted was an all natural birth and from the beginning nothing was going the way I thought it would.  At this point all of my siblings except my oldest brother was at the hospital along with my parents and Jason's parents.  However, there still was no baby.  We allowed them to come in the room because the way it was looking, I would be having a csection at 9:00 that night.  I cried knowing this was what was going to happen.  My husband prayed with me.  My 2 year old niece got upset seeing me cry and wanted to leave.  She even tapped my belly and said, "Ok baby I'm here.  You can come out now."  Poor thing she didn't understand why there was no baby yet.

My friend came in and prayed with me also.  I received texts and facebook messages from friends and family that had csections as well as talked to my doctor and labor nurse about their csections. By this point, I realized that my plans were not God's plan!  I was finally ok with how things were going.  I knew that if we waited any longer, my baby may start stressing because by 7:30-8 when they checked me again, I was so swollen I was tighter than 8cm.  My cervix also may have started swelling a lot more if I wouldn't have agreed to a csection.  I knew God gave me the doctor and nurse that he did for this reason.   I knew that the csection, being induced, getting water broke, having an epidural all were part of his plans to keep me and my baby safe and healthy.

At 9:00, we were taken back for csection.  Jason had to wait outside while they prepared me for the surgery.  Once they allowed him in, he took pictures and watched as they brought our baby into this world! At 9:25, our little boy arrived!!  Jason was able to cut his chord and bring him over to me where I got to give him a couple kisses! My first thoughts were, "He's not that big!"  And when they first tried to get him out, I heard someone say he was stuck in the birth canal.  This worried me, but when they said he was out, I wondered why he wasn't crying, but then I heard that beautiful cry and saw a beautiful, flawless little boy.  The only thing I wondered was what the little bumps were on his chin.

We were then taken to the recovery room for an hour where he was immediately put on my chest for skin to skin time so I could breastfeed him.  While they were helping me feed him, my husband fed me a red Popsicle.  It was  the most refreshing thing since I hadn't eaten since the  evening before.  Our moms tried to sneak back to see us but was asked to leave.  When we did go back to our room around 11, my siblings and both our parents were waiting on us to meet our little boy! My husband's dad went to McDonald's to get me a coke and chicken wrap!  It made my night!

After everyone left around midnight, our baby boy was taken to the nursery for shots and a bath.  Jason videotaped and took pictures for me since I couldn't go see.

The next night when they took him to get his hearing checked and other tests, I remember getting upset and nervous wondering why he wasn't back. My husband who was sleeping on the couch, wouldn't wake up when I kept asking him to go check on him.  When they finally brought him back into the room, he was in a different outfit.  I started panicking thinking he wasn't our baby.  By this time my husband woke up and found our outfit we had on him under his crib and he showed me his bands so I knew they matched mine.  I remember praying with him as I was feeding him.  He looked right up at me the entire time I was praying and then as I said amen, he closed his eyes.  It was the sweetest moment I had with my little one at the hospital!

I also remember when we had visitors in the room and no one could get him to stop crying.  As soon as my friend handed him to me, he instantly stopped.  He already knew who mommy was.  It was so neat knowing he already loved me and felt content with me! It even made my friend cry when she saw him stop!

One of the best moments I had with my little boy those first few days was right after we git home (6/30) /i was praying with him after feeding him. He was watching the wall, but when I started praying he looked up at me andwatched me the entire time I prayed!.  Then as soon as I finished, he closed his eyes and fell asleep!  I love those small moments with my little man and the Lord!!!  It's those moments, I know God had his hands on us the entire pregnancy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!