Body For LIfe

A few of you already know that Matthew and I have been working really hard at changing our lifestyle and eating habits. We have been doing work-outs six days a week alternating aerobic exercise with weight training. For aerobics, I've been walking with a little jogging and every since I bought Matthew roller blades for his birthday, he's been rollerblading up and down our street. Our goals with eating include both controlling our portion size and cutting sugar and fats. We eat six smaller meals a day with each meal consisting of a good protein and a whole grain carb or fruit. Vegetables must be included with at least two meals, and we've been trying to do more. One day a week (usually Sunday or Monday) is our "free day". On this day we forget all the rules. We eat whatever we want and don't work-out. Of course, by the end of the day we are exhausted and stuffed.

I think it's pretty obvious that we did not think up all this on our own. We are, for the most part, following Bill Phillips books Body For Life and Eating For Life. I say "for the most part" because we have been incorporating some yoga stretches and pilates into our routine and we don't buy his supplements or use artificial sweeteners.

We started on February 9 and to date Matthew has lost 21 pounds and I have lost 15 pounds. We are so excited at how well it's been going and how dedicated we've really been at making this for life and not just a few weeks.

Life is good. Should I be scared?

If everything seems to be well, it's probably not. Just when you think hard times are over, something horrible is bound to happen.

Some people would call me pessimistic, but I really feel that I'm just trying to prepare myself. (Which, of course, never works.) With the Christmas season half over and things getting back to normal, it just feels like there is something looming ahead. Things are fine right now. We are almost recovered from horrible colds, we didn't overdo our budget, and everyone in our life seems to be getting along just great! The congregation is faithful and strong. Our kids are doing well with potty training. The house is nearly clean. Something I don't like is bound to happen!

Of course, I try not to dwell on it being anything disastrous or completely heart-breaking. I just wonder what appliance is going to break. What part of the house is going to need repairs? What will be the next debate in the Church?

I'd like to think that everything will continue to be well and get ever better, but I feel that I'd just be setting myself up for disappointment. I know I'm not alone in this. I know everyone tends to feel this way, probably a lot. I just wish I could shake the feeling and enjoy the good times more.

It is the bad times that my faith is strongest. It's always when I need God that I feel his presence the most. He always answers my prayers and it always works out to His good. (Which I later see is my good as well.)

"The King of Love My Shepherd Is"
by Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877

1. The King of Love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.

2. Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

3. Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid
And home, rejoicing, brought me.

4. In death's dark vale I fear no ill,
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

5. Thou spreadst a table in my sight,
Thy unction grace bestoweth;
And, oh! the transport of delight
With which my cup o'erfloweth.

6. And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever!

Hymn #431 from The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 23
Author: Henry W. Baker, 1868
Composer: Michael Praetorius, 1610
Tune: "Ich dank' dir schon"

Greta Smiles

Greta has been almost smiling for quite awhile now. I'm not sure if any of them I could call real smiles, until yesterday! She definitely smiled at me and later that day smiled at Matthew. I even got a picture of her smiling at him!

We also had our 6 weeks midwife appointment yesterday. I'm 1 pound less than my pre-pregnancy weight and Greta is now 11lbs. 10oz. and 23 1/2 in. long! The miracle of Mommy's milk!

Greta Nicole

After 8 1/2 hours of really hard labor, Greta Nicole Jeffords arrived at home on April 30! She tipped the scales at 10lbs. 5oz. and 21 in. long! Despite being a big baby, I only pushed for 12 minutes. More to come later after I write her birth story!

Oh So Pregnant

I'm really hoping that the reason this baby has not been born yet is because he/she is very relaxed and laid back and not because he/she is stubborn. I'm trying not to be too antsy about it.

I had a belly cast done yesterday. It's not completely dry yet, but it looks so neat. I know that some people are weirded out by them-it is a literal cast of my torso, shoulders, breasts, belly, and a little leg. I just think that it's such a neat way to commemorate a pregnancy. We will probably hang it in our room, maybe paint it. I'm not quite sure yet.

I updated my profile picture. My last one was me very pregnant with Lena! The new one was taken just about a week ago at 38 weeks pregnant.

When this baby is born, I will post his/her birth story and pictures. I may need some reminders by email, phone, or even facebook. I check facebook a lot more than I do this blog. :) Pray for a safe birth!

Sleepy

Lena was so bad last night. I really can't figure out why. At first I thought that maybe she was hungry because we didn't have much of a dinner. That took care of it for awhile. (That and sleeping in mommy's bed.) She wouldn't stay in her bed and I can't sleep well with her in my bed. Finally I went and "slept" on the futon. Comfy, but I was too frustrated by then to sleep. She was still waking up. I'm sure that Matthew was trying to keep her calm, but she's really a momma's girl. Then I realized her diaper was very very wet. I didn't even think to check because she is really good during the day about telling me when she's wet. So I changed her and she still wouldn't sleep in her bed or without me. So I just decided to get up and get some things done. I finally got her to go to sleep on the futon. It wouldn't be too bad being up nice and early, except that the whole time change thing has really really thrown me off. I stayed up until 2am! I'm usually in bed by 11pm, so I could understand if I started going to bed at 12am or 1am, but 2am!? It's really absurd. Of course it doesn't help that since I'm up so late, I sleep late. (When I can. I got to yesterday.) It's just been really throwing my days and nights off. Maybe I'll get to have a short nap today, and go to bed at a reasonable hour tonight. I don't think I'll make it without a nap today.

Here I Stand

I would be so surprised if anyone still reads this considering I NEVER POST ANYTHING!

The pregnancy is going well. I had good results with my glucose screening-something that I failed when pregnant with Lena. I'm still planning on the baby being a big one, just so if it's not, I'll be pleasantly surprised. Just for the record, I think this is a boy. Of course, I thought Lena was going to be a boy as well. As always, either way I'll be happy. I am so eager to hold this baby-I feel so ready for a little one! Lena has pretty much weaned herself from nursing. She still occasionally asks, but only maybe once a week or less.

Even though I feel so ready for another baby, I'm not so sure about the birth. Don't get me wrong, I am VERY ready to have the pregnancy done with. (It's getting a bit uncomfortable.) I just keep thinking about Lena's birth. I know that some people think that we shouldn't have a homebirth again because of what happened. What happened did not happen because we were at home! It would have happened in a hospital as well. There is no one thing or one person to blame as there are so many factors that we didn't/don't/will never know about with Lena's birth. My labor was so fast, there is no way we would have even gotten to the hospital anyway. Plus, things were very different with that pregnancy. Lena had a one in a million placental abnormality, I was having glucose problems, and my labor was so fast. This time-not much chance of placental problems again, no high blood-sugars, and our midwife is 10 minutes away. (The hospital is about 15 or so.)

I'm not scared about the same thing happening. I'm scared that I'll freak out. I'm scared that something will happen that will make me think of Lena's birth and my body will go into retreat. I know that I shouldn't worry about it-not with all the support I'll have from Matthew, the midwife, and anyone else that attends. I just really need this to be a healing birth.

New Baby!

YEA! We are going to have another baby! #3 will be coming along sometime mid to late April. We are really excited! I think that Eli and Lena will be just perfect ages for a new baby.

Facebook.com

Hi few people that read my blog. I just signed up on Facebook.com. It's pretty neat. I've been able to get a hold of several people that I haven't talked to in a long time. So, if you're up for it, sign up (but be careful, it's just as addictive as instant messaging).

Youth Group Meeting

Gee, how time flies. It's already 5:00pm and I don't feel like I've done that much. In reality I have gotten a lot of stuff done today. I still need to vacuum the living room. We're having the youth group from church over this evening for tacos and movies. We're also going to talk about things that we want to do this year. It seems that some of them are interested in a mission trip of some sorts. That would be a lot of fun, but probably really expensive too. They're such a great group. I'm really looking forward to it considering they're the closest church people to my age.

Eeeeerrrrrrrggggghhhh!

Eli pooped on the floor TWICE today. It's really my fault because I didn't put underwear on him after he had gotten up from the potty. (I've been reading Deathly Hallows, almost done)

International Breastfeeding Symbol

Isn't this great! I knew that one was to be made, but only recently found out about it from the Mothering.com emails. I would highly suggest that anyone who has children or wants children to subscribe to the emails or the magazine. Also check out http://www.breastfeedingsymbol.org/

Learning what it is to be "The Pastor's Wife"

I went to my first ever voters' meeting as The Pastor's Wife. Sad to say, I really had to bite my tongue on things. It just felt like people would be thinking "Oh, she just agrees with Pastor because she's married to him." Like I didn't have my own opinion. Now don't get me wrong. Nothing went badly at all, in fact it went really really well. Not that we did much. Matthew brought up starting weekly communion. Most people were for it, but we didn't vote since several families were not there. They used to have it, but it changed somewhere in the last year or couple of years because of the pastor at the time. (I don't know which one.) The people that weren't for it (not necessarily against it) said they liked to have it less frequently so that they desired it more when it came, because they wanted more variety in the services, or because "1st and 3rd" is what they grew up with. Just because you grew up with it that way doesn't mean it's right and as for variety, I don't think it's called variety when you omit something from the service. If anything, having weekly communion adds variety with communion hymns. They are different every Sunday, and even a lot of times different every year! (Unlike the hymn of the day which many churches will use the same on corresponding Sundays each year.) About desiring the Eucharist: first off, we all need it whether we feel like it or not. We need to examine ourselves! Read through the commandments! It doesn't take very long to realize how much we have sinned and how much we need the Lord's forgiveness, which His body and blood provide in/with/under the bread and wine! Now, I'm not saying that these people don't think or feel like they're sinners. I just think that they may be a little misguided. I think it really takes an outsider to see just how much a church is influenced by the social, religious, and economic sphere around them. Though they believe it is the true body and blood of Christ, there are still tendencies toward the "touchy feely" and the over emotional. There are two other Lutheran churches here, both ELCA. Most all others are Baptist or Pentecostal.

Now, I don't want any of you out there to think that I'm really complaining. This church is wonderful! I didn't know a church like this could survive this long in the south. They really for the most part have been taught extremely well. They do the liturgy every Sunday. In fact we will be re-introducing TLH pg 15/5 next Sunday (in the form of LSB Divine Service 3) because they used to do it every other Sunday until more recently and everyone says they've really missed it. Next Sunday will be no communion so we'll have to do "page 5". It's just kind of sad, on my part, when the shut-ins get communion more often than then rest of the congregation.

Find out your Harry Potter personality at LiquidGeneration!

Ride the Potty Train

We are attempting potty training. Eli is 2 1/2 and likes to use the potty, but just doesn't get the point yet that he's not suppose to pee in his diaper. I need to get him some big boy underwear, but I'm just afraid that they'll be too big for him like all of his 2T pants and shorts. Anybody have any tips? I should just buy him underwear (if they fit) and let him run around the house in them, but we are renting and we have LOTS of carpet (ick). But them again, he usually doesn't pee very much before I sit him on the potty so maybe that would be alright and give him more of a realization when he's wet. We use cloth diapers and have a few cloth training pants (which he seems to go though all 5 the morning after I wash them). I've always been told that using cloth makes it easier. I can't imagine using Pull-ups brand. I was actually totally appalled when I saw "cool alert" Pull-ups at the store. They have some kind of CHEMICAL in them that when the child pees it causes a chemical reaction and feels cold. WHO WOULD WANT THAT! I don't want any kind of unnatural chemical reaction near my child's bottom! Is there any parent that does? Please, I would love any advice or suggestions on this whole "riding of the potty train".

All Settled

We're unpacked! I'm so glad to be settled into somewhere, even if it isn't a permanent place.

Moving went really well. We took two days to travel to Florence and then began our search for a place to live. We stayed with a family from our congregation for about a week while we were searching and we stored our stuff in another parishioner's barn. We signed a 6 month lease on a condo just before we left.

After a week here we flew up to Chicago for Matthew's ordination in Brookfield, IL. It was beautiful! So many of our friends and family came, even people that Matthew hasn't seen since he graduated high school. My only regret is that my whole entire family was there, we haven't been all together in awhile, and we didn't get anypictures of us all.

The next day we traveled with my family to visit relative in Nebraska and Iowa. We also visited our vicarage congregation, our midwife, and our chiropractor. We had such a great time. Some of my cousins, aunts, and uncles I hadn't seen in years.

Sunday, the 24th, we had Matthew's installation as Pastor. I was really pleased that so many of the pastors from the circuit came. Even some from North Carolina came. There were at least two that we already knew from seminary, and we met several others that I think will become good friends.

We moved into our 2nd floor condo on the 25th. It's really nice and actually quite big. We were really blessed to find it when we did. The lady who owns it was about to turn it over to realtors, which would have made the price go up. So, now we are all settled in. We had a house blessing this past Sunday and had several people from the church over for it. Everyone has been so nice to us. We've already had numerous dinner invitations and we go out to lunch with half the congregation after church. We are just so blessed to be here.

This is what I've been doing since October

Oh gee have I been bad. October? Wow! I did not know it had been that long! Well, to get up to date...

I continued with the homebirth group (party) at my house up until last month. I just kept forgetting to call people and let them know. We actually had quite a crowd, about 9 moms and 16 children.

For Halloween, Lena went as a pea pod. Mom had bought the costume last year on sale and Eli was a clown. I even sewed his costume all by myself! I know there were things that I messed up on, but it looked pretty great.

We spent Thanksgiving with my family and the week before Christmas with Matthew's. Then Matthew went on tour with the Kantorei to the Northeast.

Obviously, Eli turned two on December 7th. We had a little birthday party for him.

The beginning of this year was fairly uneventful. We did get to visit our friend Matt just before Easter. It had been go long since we had seen him last. After Easter Matthew went on his second tour with Kantorei to Wisconsin and Illinois.

Now we get to the really fun stuff. Most of my family came up for call night. We are going to The Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word in Florence, South Carolina! We are so excited! The church sounds wonderful and I've never lived in that area of the country so it will be a real adventure for me. We move on June 6th. (Yes, that's THIS Wednesday.)

Matthew was officially done with seminary on May 18. He rang the old Springfield bell with a huge smile on his face. I don't think that I've ever seen him so relieved! His ordination will be at our home church in Brookfield, IL on June 17. Drop me an email if you would like to come!

Lena had her first birthday just last week. We had a party for her as well. We tried to make it a pool party for the kids, but the weather got kind of nasty and rainy. Oh well, it was a lot of fun anyhow. Speaking of Lena, she is brilliant. (I write this as I listen to her scream because she doesn't want to go to sleep without me there.) She started walking at 9 months and is now running and talking. She says several words including thank you, baby, Papa, duck-duck, E-I-O, neh-neh (for nursing), and I swear she said downstairs today when I asked if she wanted to go downstairs. She even pointed! She has just started table food in the last month or so and still nurses frequently. :) She is measuring a little bigger than Eli was at her age, but because she is so active she is not near as chubby as she used to be. :( I'm so glad that she is a happy and healthy little girl.

Well, as I write Matthew is packing up this very office. (And Lena is once again crying because she wants me to come to bed too. Those of you who read this, I expect you to remind me to post if I haven't done so by July. This month will be very busy for me with moving, ordination, and installation on the 24th. Until then...

Call Papers and Chicago Weekend

All of Matthew's call papers are due today. He stayed up really late last night trying to finish up everything. I actually haven't seen him since I went to bed, so I hope that he got it all finished. I'm so excited about having our interview with Dr. Fickenscher soon.

We are traveling to Chicago this weekend so we can visit our home church. There are no classes on Friday for fall break so we will have all day Saturday to visit with some friends. Yay!

Back to School

Wow how time flies! I can hardly believe that my last entry was Lena's birth story. That whole terrible ordeal seems so far behind me. I feel like it never happened!

So, we are back in Indiana for Matthew's last year of seminary. I have such mixed feelings about it. I love being here with friends, but it's so hard to know that we will be leaving again in the spring.

I had a "homebirth party" this morning. I invited several of the student wives over just to chat. We had a really good time talking about vaccinations, discipline, midwives, and everything in between. I'm planning another for the 20th and I'm hoping that we can get together twice a month. Maybe I'll try to plan something that our husbands can come to, something in the evening when they are not in class. I know Matthew likes to talk about birth as much as I do. Actually probably even more so!