7 weeks left to go...
This time is moving so slowly... Mostly because I am moving so slowly.
But I am trying to take the advice I have read about from others who have endured multiple pregnancy... Take things one day at a time. Make it your goal to keep the babies cooking for one more week. See your life in (very) small chunks of time. This makes life feel more attainable.
So every day, I am trying to make a list of four things I need to do. I can't do ten. I can't do twenty. But (usually) I can do four.
#1 is always "Take care of kids"
#2 is always "Go to appointment" if I have one
then I have a teeny bit of room left to tackle something productive... Small and productive.
This way I don't feel stuck... since it is easy to feel stuck when your body is getting more uncomfortable all the time. (I really can feel four little feet underneath my ribs... I swear Georgia has long toenails that keep scratching the inside of me when I breathe deeply!)
Anyway, so one little step at a time. One moment and one task at a time. Then a break. Then eat. Then do another task. Then rest rest rest.
Just focusing on today...
Love,
Rachel
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Inspire Me! Monday... Put your blinders on!
Welcome to the sporadic postings of Inspire Me! Monday. :)
Today will be a short post (okay- in retrospect it's not short at all- ha!), but hopefully a meaningful one as I share a thought with you that has been burning in my brain for days now.
A friend of mine (who I have mentioned before) who has an awesome blog, business and love for Jesus, wrote a post recently that I want to share with you.
Before I link you to it, I want to tell you what stood out to me most. I don't know that these were her exact words, but they are close. Here's what caught me eye (and what I can't get out of my head) from her post.
Here's the link to the Post: Little Bit Funky, A Resolution For Us All!
In general, I don't play the comparison game. I don't look at Crystal's blog and think "She does so much and I feel insecure today, so I think I'll decide that she and others like her must not have her priorities straight." Ummm.... no.
However, I DO fall prey sometimes to looking around at what others are doing and think... "Maybe I should be doing that too? They are obviously amazing at following God and serving their family, so maybe I should follow their example!"
Each day that I am given has a purpose and a plan. And at this point, believe-you-me, it looks different than most other people's lives I know! I am semi- housebound with a low immune-system child and 30 weeks pregnant with twins which makes me feel like a big walrus lumbering around. I am realizing that in order to do what God wants me to do to serve my family in this season, it takes doing a very little bit at a time with a LOT of focus.
What kind of terrible trap would I be setting for myself if I compared my list of *four things* I must do today to another person's of 10, 20 or 50 things to do today? What have I gained if I spend my time chasing and trying to achieve what other people are doing if I am neglecting my own purpose in life?
So for Inspire Me! Monday today, think about God's purpose for you and you alone. Take one step at a time no matter what your life looks like and know that God's plans are greater than what everyone else might be doing. If we as Christians all focus on the His purpose for our lives, that is how we function as one body. All of us have different roles, jobs and amounts of work to do based on our own special abilities. Be encouraged that God created your purpose with you in mind. And there is no shame in obedience to Him- even at the expense of not doing what everyone else is doing. Today I pray that you will lay your life down to the only One that matters and find yourself to be lifted up.
Love,
Rachel
"You are worried and upset about many things, but only ONE thing is needed." Luke 10:42
"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. " Proverbs 4:25-27
Today will be a short post (okay- in retrospect it's not short at all- ha!), but hopefully a meaningful one as I share a thought with you that has been burning in my brain for days now.
A friend of mine (who I have mentioned before) who has an awesome blog, business and love for Jesus, wrote a post recently that I want to share with you.
Before I link you to it, I want to tell you what stood out to me most. I don't know that these were her exact words, but they are close. Here's what caught me eye (and what I can't get out of my head) from her post.
Wake up each day and do what God wants YOU to do. Don't wake up and look at what another blogger, pinterester, friend, etc is doing and then wonder if you are doing enough. Wake up and figure out how YOU are supposed to live YOUR life according to God's plan for YOU. Period.
Here's the link to the Post: Little Bit Funky, A Resolution For Us All!
In general, I don't play the comparison game. I don't look at Crystal's blog and think "She does so much and I feel insecure today, so I think I'll decide that she and others like her must not have her priorities straight." Ummm.... no.
However, I DO fall prey sometimes to looking around at what others are doing and think... "Maybe I should be doing that too? They are obviously amazing at following God and serving their family, so maybe I should follow their example!"
I forget that instead of modeling my life after really great people and all the great things they are doing, I should be modeling my life after ONE person.
Each day that I am given has a purpose and a plan. And at this point, believe-you-me, it looks different than most other people's lives I know! I am semi- housebound with a low immune-system child and 30 weeks pregnant with twins which makes me feel like a big walrus lumbering around. I am realizing that in order to do what God wants me to do to serve my family in this season, it takes doing a very little bit at a time with a LOT of focus.
What kind of terrible trap would I be setting for myself if I compared my list of *four things* I must do today to another person's of 10, 20 or 50 things to do today? What have I gained if I spend my time chasing and trying to achieve what other people are doing if I am neglecting my own purpose in life?
So for Inspire Me! Monday today, think about God's purpose for you and you alone. Take one step at a time no matter what your life looks like and know that God's plans are greater than what everyone else might be doing. If we as Christians all focus on the His purpose for our lives, that is how we function as one body. All of us have different roles, jobs and amounts of work to do based on our own special abilities. Be encouraged that God created your purpose with you in mind. And there is no shame in obedience to Him- even at the expense of not doing what everyone else is doing. Today I pray that you will lay your life down to the only One that matters and find yourself to be lifted up.
Love,
Rachel
"You are worried and upset about many things, but only ONE thing is needed." Luke 10:42
"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. " Proverbs 4:25-27
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Coordinating Diaper Bums
Won't these be so cute on a little baby boy and girl twins?!
Can't wait!
xo,
Rachel
Twins & Diapers & Super-Pregnant
You would not believe how many things are rolling around in my head (okay maybe you would) as I think about how on earth we will get prepared for these twins.
Thoughts about childbirth for twins (want to try to attempt a natural delivery), wondering if I should re-take birth classes at our local hospital, thinking about all of the things to organize and clean, paint, etc... and diapers!
This is one thing I think I've finally made a decision about. Right now my two kids are currently in disposable diapers. Hopefully Melody will potty train sometime soon and there will be no more diapers for her (she is approaching three years old in March) and with my foster son, he has so many doctor's appointments and family visits, etc, I have just never found the motivation to switch him over to cloth. I am also buying clothes for him as I go along and we all know (if you have done cloth) that clothes need to be bigger to fit cloth diapers and I haven't been able to coordinate buying bigger clothes with a time I can also do the necessary laundry to switch him over to cloth.
When I think about what is coming down the pipe with twins (3 kids for sure in diapers, possibly 4!) I just can't imagine cloth diapering all of them.
But the idea of PAYING for HUNDREDS of diapers per week has me shaking in my boots a little too.
So we are headed right down the middle.
I just got done ordering a dozen more prefolds, 2 cute coordinating Thirstie duo covers (they are my favorite!), and some snappies for the twins.
Yep, I am going to cloth diaper twins right from the beginning and let my other two kiddos continue on in disposables as we have been doing. This way I am not overwhelmed by dirty diaper laundry (or the idea of changing 3-4 cloth diapers in a single outing) OR by the amounts of money we would be spending on disposable diapers for 4 kids.
Maybe I am overly optimistic, but I also hope to feel MUCH better after these twins are born, so that I am not intimidated by the laundry situation for four children and two in cloth diapers.
I am chalking up my lack of laundry skills at the moment to being pregnant, having been VERY busy the last six months and still busy even now and being super-pregnant.
In fact, that is what I think I'm going to refer to being pregnant with twins as from now on. When you are pregnant with multiples, you aren't just pregnant.... you are SUPER pregnant. :) It's akin to having a super hero power. In fact, I think handling pregnancy is a super power no matter who you are or how many babies you are having!
Okay, off to be a super hero momma of the twin baking variety. Donning my cape to handle some laundry for a family of four while Baby Peanut naps. Here's hoping he stays asleep long enough for me to accomplish sorting and starting a load!
:)
Love,
Rachel
Thoughts about childbirth for twins (want to try to attempt a natural delivery), wondering if I should re-take birth classes at our local hospital, thinking about all of the things to organize and clean, paint, etc... and diapers!
This is one thing I think I've finally made a decision about. Right now my two kids are currently in disposable diapers. Hopefully Melody will potty train sometime soon and there will be no more diapers for her (she is approaching three years old in March) and with my foster son, he has so many doctor's appointments and family visits, etc, I have just never found the motivation to switch him over to cloth. I am also buying clothes for him as I go along and we all know (if you have done cloth) that clothes need to be bigger to fit cloth diapers and I haven't been able to coordinate buying bigger clothes with a time I can also do the necessary laundry to switch him over to cloth.
When I think about what is coming down the pipe with twins (3 kids for sure in diapers, possibly 4!) I just can't imagine cloth diapering all of them.
But the idea of PAYING for HUNDREDS of diapers per week has me shaking in my boots a little too.
So we are headed right down the middle.
I just got done ordering a dozen more prefolds, 2 cute coordinating Thirstie duo covers (they are my favorite!), and some snappies for the twins.
Yep, I am going to cloth diaper twins right from the beginning and let my other two kiddos continue on in disposables as we have been doing. This way I am not overwhelmed by dirty diaper laundry (or the idea of changing 3-4 cloth diapers in a single outing) OR by the amounts of money we would be spending on disposable diapers for 4 kids.
Maybe I am overly optimistic, but I also hope to feel MUCH better after these twins are born, so that I am not intimidated by the laundry situation for four children and two in cloth diapers.
I am chalking up my lack of laundry skills at the moment to being pregnant, having been VERY busy the last six months and still busy even now and being super-pregnant.
In fact, that is what I think I'm going to refer to being pregnant with twins as from now on. When you are pregnant with multiples, you aren't just pregnant.... you are SUPER pregnant. :) It's akin to having a super hero power. In fact, I think handling pregnancy is a super power no matter who you are or how many babies you are having!
Okay, off to be a super hero momma of the twin baking variety. Donning my cape to handle some laundry for a family of four while Baby Peanut naps. Here's hoping he stays asleep long enough for me to accomplish sorting and starting a load!
:)
Love,
Rachel
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Verse of the day...
"Then He said to them, 'Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
Luke 12:15, NASB
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Thoughts about twins...
I'm just going to say at the outset of this post that I have no idea where it is going...
There have been so many thoughts rolling around in my head lately about how our life is going to change though that I really feel the need to get SOMETHING out on "paper".
I just finished directing part of a Christmas show at the local dance studio where I teach and now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, my mind is practically exploding trying to take in all the ways our lives are about to change. Going from two kids to four all of a sudden- and having those two additional be twins- is just something I am having a hard time grappling with.
I keep desparately searching the internet for someone who has been in our situation. A family that has a special needs child and twins. A family with four kids and the twins came last. I wish there was someone who could say they've been exactly where I am and this is how you get through it.
I told my sister today that I am superwoman. That I have to think of myself as a superwoman, otherwise I might crumble in this stage. For a few weeks I will have FOUR KIDS AGE TWO AND UNDER. Then when Melody turns three at the end of march I will have four kids age three and under and THREE KIDS AGE ONE AND UNDER.
I often ask myself "Am I insane?" and then I remember... I didn't chose this! Yet even still, I don't mind being chosen for this challenge because each of these children is already the GREATEST GIFT I could ever have in my life. They give me so much joy... I can't imagine life without them.
So I guess what worries me is the HOW of it all. HOW am I going to manage a one year old's schedule (who will still be functioning like an 8 or 9 month old) and also manage two newborn's schedules? HOW will I keep my daughter feeling loved, nurtured and special when I have SO MUCH else going on?
And I guess now that I have felt so tired and so not like myself (from being pregnant) for SO long I wonder, will I ever TRULY feel back to normal? Will I ever actually get my energy back? Will breastfeeding twins completely deplete my energy? Or will I bounce back and feel like everything is easier once I am no longer pregnant? Will I have enough help?
The unknowns are getting to me. Not knowing what life will be like is killing me. It's like having "senior-itis" when you are pregnant. It's not time for these babies to be here yet (and they can definitely stay cooking in there until 38 weeks if they like!) , but I am still anxious to meet them and begin meeting this challenge and making it happen.
*Insert Big Sigh Here*
Now I've gotten some worries off my chest, here are the things I can actually do something about...
1. Plan an overnight for Christian and me away from the kids and chaos of life.
2. Clean out the clutter from our house and make room for two more babies.
3. Tie up as many loose ends as possible before babies get here.
4. Pack a hospital bag and solidify plans for our kids in case of early delivery.
5. Pre-register for birth at the hospital and sign up for birthing classes, making sure I know the hospitals policies about twin birth since I want to do it naturally.
Wow. I guess I have a lot to do before these twinsies get here! Surely it's enough to keep me occupied for the next nine weeks!
Just praying that I have the focus and energy (in spite of being exhausted because of being pregnant with twins) to get prepared for all of this.
*Insert another deep breath here*
I guess I will just need to change my thinking to match the little engine that could... "I think I can. I think I can!" and pray for grace... lots and lots of grace.
Thanks for listening.
Love,
Rachel
There have been so many thoughts rolling around in my head lately about how our life is going to change though that I really feel the need to get SOMETHING out on "paper".
I just finished directing part of a Christmas show at the local dance studio where I teach and now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, my mind is practically exploding trying to take in all the ways our lives are about to change. Going from two kids to four all of a sudden- and having those two additional be twins- is just something I am having a hard time grappling with.
I keep desparately searching the internet for someone who has been in our situation. A family that has a special needs child and twins. A family with four kids and the twins came last. I wish there was someone who could say they've been exactly where I am and this is how you get through it.
I told my sister today that I am superwoman. That I have to think of myself as a superwoman, otherwise I might crumble in this stage. For a few weeks I will have FOUR KIDS AGE TWO AND UNDER. Then when Melody turns three at the end of march I will have four kids age three and under and THREE KIDS AGE ONE AND UNDER.
I often ask myself "Am I insane?" and then I remember... I didn't chose this! Yet even still, I don't mind being chosen for this challenge because each of these children is already the GREATEST GIFT I could ever have in my life. They give me so much joy... I can't imagine life without them.
So I guess what worries me is the HOW of it all. HOW am I going to manage a one year old's schedule (who will still be functioning like an 8 or 9 month old) and also manage two newborn's schedules? HOW will I keep my daughter feeling loved, nurtured and special when I have SO MUCH else going on?
And I guess now that I have felt so tired and so not like myself (from being pregnant) for SO long I wonder, will I ever TRULY feel back to normal? Will I ever actually get my energy back? Will breastfeeding twins completely deplete my energy? Or will I bounce back and feel like everything is easier once I am no longer pregnant? Will I have enough help?
The unknowns are getting to me. Not knowing what life will be like is killing me. It's like having "senior-itis" when you are pregnant. It's not time for these babies to be here yet (and they can definitely stay cooking in there until 38 weeks if they like!) , but I am still anxious to meet them and begin meeting this challenge and making it happen.
*Insert Big Sigh Here*
Now I've gotten some worries off my chest, here are the things I can actually do something about...
1. Plan an overnight for Christian and me away from the kids and chaos of life.
2. Clean out the clutter from our house and make room for two more babies.
3. Tie up as many loose ends as possible before babies get here.
4. Pack a hospital bag and solidify plans for our kids in case of early delivery.
5. Pre-register for birth at the hospital and sign up for birthing classes, making sure I know the hospitals policies about twin birth since I want to do it naturally.
Wow. I guess I have a lot to do before these twinsies get here! Surely it's enough to keep me occupied for the next nine weeks!
Just praying that I have the focus and energy (in spite of being exhausted because of being pregnant with twins) to get prepared for all of this.
*Insert another deep breath here*
I guess I will just need to change my thinking to match the little engine that could... "I think I can. I think I can!" and pray for grace... lots and lots of grace.
Thanks for listening.
Love,
Rachel
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
My Personal Political Pep Talk
Last night, I got really sad about the election.
Really, really sad.
Not because I hate all the candidates for presidency, or because the world is going to h*ll in a handbasket... not any of those things at all.
I was saddened by knowing that no matter which candidate I voted for, I felt I was sacrificing. Sacrificing really important values. I repeat... no matter which candidate I voted for I felt I would be violating some of my most valued principals that I wanted represented in Washington.
I feel this way less because of the actual candidates this time around and more because of where the party lines in our nation fall on certain issues.
I know a lot of Christians feel that one side represents their values very well (one way or the other), but I am not one of those Christians.
As I was researching about the candidates yesterday- still a little undecided- I found this article.
And it reminded me of this...
So this is my personal pep talk to myself after voting the best I could before God today.
I voted for a president today (and some other people), but when all is said and done tomorrow (or whenever we find out the results of the election)... this world will still not be my ultimate Home. Our nation, the world and every person in it will still be in need of Christ's incredible sacrifice to cover the stain of our sin and sinful natures. Tomorrow, I will still live my life in light of God's priorities the same way I did yesterday, irregardless of who our next leader is or what policies are voted into being. I will always serve Christ my King above any other and be a citizen of the one Kingdom that "cannot be shaken." (Hebrews 12:26-29)
My identity will never be found in a nation, a political party or even in a stance on a moral issue.
And I can rejoice in that.
This is my identity... A citizen of heaven. A life that is bought (and saved!) with a price. God's adopted child. A "co-heir with Christ". A friend of God.
No matter if a nation rises or falls, if a democrat or a republican is president, You are my God, and I am your Child. You love us and will continue to rescue us from our own selfish, prideful selves. May we never forget who we really serve... and that we can serve you in any environment... be it in freedom or in slavery, in abundance or in want, in joy or in sorrow, in any language, in any place and in spite of any government. I am Yours.
In His Grace,
Rachel
Really, really sad.
Not because I hate all the candidates for presidency, or because the world is going to h*ll in a handbasket... not any of those things at all.
I was saddened by knowing that no matter which candidate I voted for, I felt I was sacrificing. Sacrificing really important values. I repeat... no matter which candidate I voted for I felt I would be violating some of my most valued principals that I wanted represented in Washington.
I feel this way less because of the actual candidates this time around and more because of where the party lines in our nation fall on certain issues.
I know a lot of Christians feel that one side represents their values very well (one way or the other), but I am not one of those Christians.
As I was researching about the candidates yesterday- still a little undecided- I found this article.
And it reminded me of this...
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ..."
Philipians 3:20
I love that the article I mentioned above points out that "the only Christian nation in this world is the church, the holy nation that transcends all human-made walls, boundaries and borders."
So this is my personal pep talk to myself after voting the best I could before God today.
I voted for a president today (and some other people), but when all is said and done tomorrow (or whenever we find out the results of the election)... this world will still not be my ultimate Home. Our nation, the world and every person in it will still be in need of Christ's incredible sacrifice to cover the stain of our sin and sinful natures. Tomorrow, I will still live my life in light of God's priorities the same way I did yesterday, irregardless of who our next leader is or what policies are voted into being. I will always serve Christ my King above any other and be a citizen of the one Kingdom that "cannot be shaken." (Hebrews 12:26-29)
My identity will never be found in a nation, a political party or even in a stance on a moral issue.
And I can rejoice in that.
This is my identity... A citizen of heaven. A life that is bought (and saved!) with a price. God's adopted child. A "co-heir with Christ". A friend of God.
No matter if a nation rises or falls, if a democrat or a republican is president, You are my God, and I am your Child. You love us and will continue to rescue us from our own selfish, prideful selves. May we never forget who we really serve... and that we can serve you in any environment... be it in freedom or in slavery, in abundance or in want, in joy or in sorrow, in any language, in any place and in spite of any government. I am Yours.
In His Grace,
Rachel
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