J. Alexander's

My guys took me out for lunch today to one of my favorite restaurants. We had a genetic level 3 ultrasound scheduled for today... because of those "mature" eggs of mine ;-)

After much genetic "council," we had an amazing ultrasound done. As I watched the screen, I was just in awe of what an awesome Creator I have. The best part of all is that we have a healthy baby weighing in at about 6 ounces.

Harvest Time

Each year we look forward to harvesting the apples. I think this year may have been even more fun since there were no apples last year.

We spent about 5 hours picking and still did not get finished. Anyone want some apples?

My Stack

Okay... am I the only one that keeps a stack of books that I'm reading? I was zone cleaning in my room last week and realized just how many books I have going at one time. No wonder it takes me so long to finish one. Here's what is in my stack:

• Jumping Ship by Michael Pearl
  I had read articles in the No Greater Joy monthly newsletter that were really good. So when they were compiled into a book, I was excited to read it again.






• How to Raise an American by Myrna Blyth and Chriss Winston
  "1776 fun and easy tools, tips, and activities to help your children love this country." It really is full of fun ideas for use throughout the year. It even has historical places to visit listed by state. I'm learning so much too!
  
  
  
  





• The Little Book of Christian Character and Manners by William and Colleen Dedrick
  I've had this book on my shelf for several years... don't know what prompted me to revisit it- but I'm glad I have. It is so encouraging. "The authors reach back to a time before the advent of child experts and uncover tried and true ways, rooted in the timeless wisdom of the Bible, of raising children."
  
  
  
  
• So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore by Jake Colsen
  My friends Mr and Mrs D lent this book to me. It was nothing like I expected. It's great!!It's written in a journal format of conversations and how the "exchanges turn Jake's world upside-down. If you're tired of just going through the motions of Christianity and want to mine the depths of what it really means to live deeply in Christ, you'll find Jake's story will give you hope for your own. This book probes the difficult questions and offers some far-reaching answers."
  
  
  
• What Shall the Redeemed Wear? by Simon Schrock
  Boy is this one challenging me. After going shopping for maternity clothing last week, I realized just how immodest and indecent clothing has become. I'm a LL Bean or Land's End shopper- give me a catalogue and I'm happy. The argument I hear so often today when it comes to modesty and dress is that God jsut doesn't care since He looks at the heart- right? But is that really what the Word of God teaches? Hmmm...
  
  
  


• For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men by Shaunti Feldhahn
  Boy is this a good reminder to me the differences in Sweetheart and myself. We're not right or wrong- just created differently. A must read for every young lady.
  
  
  
• Little Miss "I's" mom was so sweet to give me a stack of pregnancy magazines. So along with What to Expect When You Are Expecting, they are in my stack too.
  

And lastly... at the bottom of the stack... to read someday (if they don't get something else placed on top of them ;-)

• The Power of Crying Out by Bill Gothard


• When Families Pray by Cheri Fuller


• Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp


• A Parent's Guide to Spiritual Warfare by Leslie Montgomery
  

So, what are you reading?

The Welcome Home Blog

You've probably seen a link to "The Welcome Home Blog" on my page. But Ms. Pamela brought me such giggles this afternoon that I've just got to give you the link so you can giggle too. Go visit http://blog.achristianhome.org/2008/10/24/and-you-thought-i-didnt-have-a-sense-of-humour/ with a nice cup of tea of course.

Look What My Guys Did For Me!

Last evening while I was at a Home School Mom's Night Out with Little Miss "I," my guys were at home as busy as beavers working on a surprise for me.

Several months ago, our 15 year old treadmill finally called it quits. My hubby was so sweet to quickly replace it (knowing I especially need it while trying to stay fit during pregnancy). But the only hindrance was the fact we had to move the old one out of the exercise room in order to bring in the new "392-pounder"!

Was I ever surprised when I arrived home to find the old one (along with all the packaging from the new one) in the back of sweetheart's truck... the new one fully assembled and in its rightful place in an clean and tidy exercise room ready to take me for a walk. How did they do that?

I don't think the stories that were told were "fish stories." We really believed that it would take a couple of guys to help us make the transition. I think love motivated my men to get the job done for me... and boy am I so thankful today!

Meet "Little One"

This week held another appointment for us. Having doctor's appointments every two weeks had grown old for me. But this one was welcomed time spent. I was able to see the nurse midwife that we used when Little Man was born. Lee Ann was just as wonderful as I remembered. I came away from her office so encouraged. Actually, I think I have enjoyed pregnancy more this week than prior weeks because she helped me feel in control. Lee Ann encouraged me to do things I knew were important: water, exercises, good nutrition, prenatal vitamins. Things that had not been emphasized or even discussed previously. She also ask if we wanted to "play" with the ultrasound and see if we could see the baby. Sure! So here "It" is our Little One.

Happy Columbus Day

In the past, Columbus Day was just a day the bank and post office were closed. A couple of years ago when we were able to visit Columbus, Ohio on Columbus Day the day began to come alive to Little Man and me. Today we are learning

a bit more about this holiday that once filled Italian Americans with pride. It was a day for schoolchildren to honor a great explorer. "In 1892, the four hundredth anniversary of Columbus' voyage of discovery was such a big deal that there festivities in every state of the Union organized years in advance. But in 1992, the five hundredth anniversary was practically ignored, and Columbus and the other early explorers received far more condemnation for their actions that praise for their achievements." How to Raise an American by: Blythe and Winston

Did you know the Pledge of Allegiance was originally written by Francis Bellamy (a Baptist Minister) for schoolchildren to recite at the celebration in 1892? Twelve million children recited the Pledge for the first time on that day. Pretty neat, huh?

I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

First Term

Wow! Have we really completed our first term of school? How? Some days I was so sick that I don't remember even doing any school. I'm so glad I had prepared and had things in place. Thanks to my friend momtocherubs over at Adventure's on Beck's Bounty (in my favorite korners) and her recommendation of the Simply Charlotte Mason Planner (I have a link on the right side of the page), Little Man was able to work independently of me on lots of days. I'm glad to be able to spend more time with him on lessons now but I'm encouraged that he can do so much on his own.

Big Business

Boy has Halloween become a big business. After dodging some of the most grotesque masks and costumes I've ever seen (and in the local pharmacy may I add!), I came home to find in the mail a magazine with an article about Halloween. October 31st is now the third-busiest party day of the year in the US. And in 2007, the National Retail Foundation estimated that the average American spent $64.82 on Halloween!

But as a born-again Christian, I am troubled that so many followers of the Lord Jesus Christ see absolutely nothing wrong with observing Halloween, All Saints Day, All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead. Most of us know it started with ancient traditions on superstitions. But what does it mean today?

Check out the excellent article I read at ahttp://www.tomorrowsworld.org/cgi-bin/tw/tw-mag.cgi?category=Magazine56&item=1220252742 . It's full of info and encouragement.

Chemical Overload

After doing some routine cleaning this afternoon, I've come to the conclusion that maybe the headaches I'm having aren't caused by pregnancy hormones... it may be all the chemicals in this house!

When we were expecting Little Man, I decided to start making homemade cleaning supplies -since I did not want cabinets full of chemical cleaners for "baby" to discover. It didn't take long for me to realize how easy, inexpensive, and better smelling my goodies were.

So, when morning sickness hit me hard and heavy the past few months, I bought bottles of "stuff" so Little Man could take care of cleaning without me. Yuck! We're definitely returning to our homemade goodies!

Here's one of my favorite all purpose cleaner "recipe" for those of you that want to give it a try.

1 teaspoon borax, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 2 cups hot water
Combine in a spray bottle, and shake gently. I like to add a few drops of essential oil like lemon or orange. That's all there is to it!

The End of Our First Trimester?...

or the beginning of our second trimester? Guess it depends on how you look at it.

Today I'm thinking the end of the first trimester.... an end to the nausea and all that goes along with it :-) I've been much sicker this pregnancy than I was with our first child. But it has been a reminder that my body was doing what it was suppose to do. My guys have been so awesome to take care of the little extras around the house that I just didn't feel I could do. Husband has even made sure the laundry got washed and put away. And I've lost count how many times he has prepared dinner. What an awesome hubby I have.