Monday monday...

I'm afraid that today is my last monday home alone with my sweet little Hunter Bean! :-(
Oh how I am going to miss him terribly when I restart work on the 3rd.
Just as the earth must orbit the sun, mom must have adult interaction and a little time apart. I know this...but it kills me so!

I have so many uncertainties...and this is another one that I must face. After switching his formula to the BabiesRUs brand, he became constipated. My sweet, sweet little man cried for an hour (before and after) trying to pass a stool with the consistency of a brick. Some people, immaturely, may laugh and say "ha. she's talking about her kid's poop on her blog!" Unfortunately, though, this is a very big deal and was VERY painful to him. I cried as he cried, but I doubt I was as red in the face. I dropped to my knees beside him and cried and prayed (yes, God hears EVERY prayer no matter how big or small). He soon stopped crying and Gentry watched him while I could go to WalMart and get the Enfamil brand of his formula again (decided while he was calm to finish grocery shopping too).

The woman at the cash register, was in a terribly foul mood. As she huffed and puffed (and all but blew my house in), I bit my tongue. I told her 'thank you' and 'have a nice day' with only growls in response. As she began to throw my groceries into their bags, I realized that saying something to her would only escalate the situation and I patiently waited for my total. I paid and had my receipt slammed down on the counter at me with a grunt, noticing years of frown lines and how this must not be the only bad day she's had.

When I got to the car, I realized that my greek yogurt was busted and had to go inside again for a refund. For the first time in my LIFE, I complained to the service desk about how mean the woman was to me. I wanted to cry for her, but I knew it was essential to tell the service desk how everyone in line before me and after me were being treated as well. I was polite and told the customer service lady that I realized she could be just having a bad day, but the fact of the matter is...(and my whole point for posting this) YOUR ATTITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS!!!

smile. if God is giving you another breath, a house to live in, a supportive family, food to eat, clothes to wear and a car to drive...etc etc....SHOW HIS LOVE...even when there is resistance!

okie doke. lets clean house. had to get that off my chest!

A nice visit with family and friends

Arrived in Mt Airy by 9:45 yesterday morning (as you know, is an hr and a half drive for us). Amazed that I was able to get myself and the H Man ready and out the door by 8:15!

First we picked up my mom so she could stop by the bank and went back to the 'rents house for a changing of a wet butt and some "brunch" for Hunter. We then, made our first round to see JoLynn (one of mom's friends since high school) and visited with everyone in the State Farm office. Everyone just ate him up!

Took lunch to my dad and Jason who were pressure washing a sweet little lady's house. I almost died smelling the chicken tenders and fries...thank goodness they weren't very far from the restaurant we ordered them from. They would be GONE! Argh...its amazing how Satan can tempt via fast food! lol.

Met Judy and Steph for lunch at Chili's and resisited the chicken tenders and fries. Had grilled Margharita Chicken over black beans and rice instead. Proud of myself. :-) Had a great visit with the 3 of them (of course, mom was with me). Changed another wet butt!

Back home for Hunter's lunch and changing of butt. Heather and Oleida came by to visit and hold little man. He was not in the best of moods. Sorry, guys!

Oh wow! So thats why he was in a bad mood....LOADS OF GREEN POOP!
butt change again.

and of course, when you poop out all of your stomach's contents, you must eat again (even though its been 2 hrs) lol.

Pa came home and held Mr Hunter only after a shower and wearing long-sleeves...since he has poison oak.

Long drive back home...didn't make it home in time for church. :-(
We'll try again next time, I guess. Still trying to be super mom and just do everything possible in a day! Its crazy and amazing. <3 being a mommi! :-)

Then...did I mention that someone slept 7 hours last night?!?!? Wow...I feel great!

In such an ungodly world...

~*~God just layed this upon my heart and sometimes you have to just stop and listen, otherwise, a blessing could be missed on someone's behalf! I was just thinking and praying this morning while watching my son sleep of God's wonder and began to overflow with joy. How unworthy I am. ~*~

In such an ungodly world, could you believe He allows such miracles? Would you believe that cancer can be erased in a kind-hearted believer by modern medicine alone? Would you believe that babies cry their first cry without God allowing the first breath to be taken? Would you believe a saviour could still accept us for our sinful nature and wash us clean? Would you believe in forgiveness? Would you believe that it is all just coincidence? Or would you believe that He hears you?

Instead will you take prayer, His word and His name out of schools? Will you punish children for their faith; suspending them for Christian t-shirts and reading their Bibles during free time? Will you tell them its all make-believe; merely a story? Will we change our currency to say "In greed we trust" and turn our back on the One who gave us the ability to work for that dollar bill that we put before Him? Will you fold in order to fit in and not offend?

In such an ungodly world, there exists, now a minority. A minority of believers willing to stand up for what is Godly. How long will He allow the world who doesn't acknowledge Him to keep turning? God is all around us and so many times we fail to recognize Him for who He is, instead of a coincidence.

I see him in my little boy's smile. I feel him in my husband's embrace. I witness him working in the lives of acquaintances. I've seen what God can do...and the possibilities are endless. Do you really want to keep living your life without knowing the potential once you let Him have control?

blessings

God really got my attention yesterday in a few different ways and I feel I need to share.

1)Two of my friends have children who are fighting for their lives in the NICU, currently....and I complain because my child cries or will not sleep through the night at 2 months old. It puts things into perspective. I have NOTHING to complain about. How could I be so ungrateful for the blessings God has given our family?
I am blessed to have my beautiful baby home with me and HEALTHY. Life is such a miracle that only God can bring. Cherish each moment, for they are all precious. Those cries are some mothers' prayers to hear. Praying for the families and the babies really hard. God has a plan and I know He will get them all through these obstacles.

2)God allowed me to talk to a friend about church yesterday who I would really love to have come along with us sometime. It seems people get hurt in church so much easier than out in the world, and satan uses that to its potential. I don't ever want to push anyone away from God, but pray that I show His love in my actions every day. Praying for God to intervene here and let me be a willing vessel.

3)I have a few family members that I really want to see in church but have also been hurt so very badly and now shy away from anything remotely religious. To even mention God's name, you can hear the quiet fall upon the room. I'm praying for the right words to say. If I am not the one meant to witness to them, I pray that a seed is planted and someone closer to them can water and feed it. Since my son has arrived, this burden has become stronger and stronger. I see softening of hearts and more compassion in these eyes. I pray that even the simple innocence of a child will help to get through and I can be a prayer warrior and good Christian mother. I pray that I will be able to always teach him right from wrong and for him, in turn to be a shining light to those in need of the Lord.

4)I am not using my talents to their full potential. I need to sing for the Lord. I need to sing in the choir. I find too many excuses.

Pray without ceasing.

~*~Emma Grace~*~

Easy like Sunday Morning...

What a beautiful morning! Even more beautiful after you've slept...:-)
Hunter slept for 6 1/2 hrs straight...(granted, by the time i got ready for bed, i only slept 5)..but hey! that is so much better than an all night total of 3-4!
It feels good not to be a zombie and eat brains for breakfast.
Really..I just had a protein shake and Honey Greek Yogurt. Have you tried it yet? Omg...it is so good..and NO FAT. :-)

It seems I'm stuck with my weight loss. The first 30 lbs was a cinch! But the last 15...not so much. Currently, I have 11 more to go to be back at my pre-pregnancy weight...but I was working on losing weight when I got pregnant! So, I can add another 20 lbs to that number!! argh!! Any suggestions from the pro moms out there??

I'm enjoying getting back into running, though. Its a lot harder after a 9 month or so break...but feels good! Gentry asked me this week what I wanted for mother's day...and I proudly said "new running shoes!" It helps me reach my goal...plus the Reebok's have HAD it!I had shin splints in the first 10 minutes!

Okay! Lets go bathe a little Hunter bean!!! I will have pics up later of his church outfit. He looks really good in his rugby shirt and jeans!! :-) I hope everyone has a good service this morning

God Bless! :-)

Emma Grace

Rotten

This kid is so rotten, you could probably smell him from your computer.

He screamed at 4 am just to be held...I was sleeping soooo good, too! Of course, I held him, though. No objections to it.

It felt great to lay in the bed a little later on a Saturday morning with my two favorite men. :-) Family cuddle time is the absolute best!

Its amazing the rush we've been in since he's arrived (and the months leading up to)! This weekend, we have no obligations whatsoever and it feels nice. Here's what we will possibly be doing.

Mommi's list

1)Changing dirty nuclear green pamper explosions

2)Washing out and making new bottles

3)Bouncing Hunter around and changing my shirts about 3 times per day (the formula really stinks)

4)Maybe finishing ACLS

5)working outside (walking with the fam and enjoying the beautiful weather)

6)NOT thinking about jumping off a cliff from the sheer inability to calm my screaming offspring

Hunter's List

1)Eating every 3 hrs and sleeping in between

3)Swinging and watching the fish mobile...MAYBE one day i will actually catch those fast little boogers!

4)learn to count.

5)Scream.

6)poop.

7)pull out mommy's hair (as if i don't have enough of my own)

8)effortlessly be cute

Gentry's list

1)mow the yard

2)chill.

(how is this fair?)

Job

Job (not as in the occupation) was tested by Satan and came out stronger in the Lord with obstacles that would make most of us shiver, and do as his wife; curse God and give up. We are by nature, selfish beings and when things are out of our control, instead of leaving them to God, we pout and give up. Most of the time, we make them much worse by THINKING we have control and taking matters out of His hands and perfect time.

I've decided this week that I would love to prove true in such circumstances for my Lord. My mom always told me to never 'pray for patience' because it is then that your patience is tested to strengthen it.

Having a new, sweet little baby boy in our lives has been not only a joy, but a test of patience. After changing diapers, feeding, burping, playing and even taking his temperature...sometimes I'm left thinking "what ELSE could possibly be wrong with you?" as he remains red-faced and screaming at the top of his lungs. Sometimes, I think he cries just to remind me that I'm not in control!

Granted, Hunter's crying is FAR, FAR from leprosy, it is important that you seek God in all you do and pray without ceasing. God is my source of strength and will never give you more than you can handle, the scriptures say, but lets be honest...I'm hoping I can't handle what Job could!

~*~Emma Grace~*~