Noble Nuggets

You NEVER know....

2011-08-10T07:13:00.001-07:00

I try not to get caught up in the "if I won that" that goes on in our world today. But I have to say that I would love to win the new The Children's Place contest. It is a chance for my kiddos to be in a commercial and win a gift card to give them a new wardrobe. I know I am partial, but I do have 2 of the cutest kiddos around. Come on just take a look:

Please go vote for my kids!! Their entry numbers are: 6252 and 6350

Make sure you share and
have everyone you know vote too!

CLICK THE TITLE OF THIS POST TO VOTE!

The cutest cows EVER

2011-07-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

If you are a fan of Chick-fil-A then you know that this month they celebrated Cow Appreciation Day.

Seeing as we live in Georgia and have 2 Chick-fil-A's within 5 minutes and 5 within 15 minutes, we are HUGE fans!! Rarely, do we miss out on an opportunity to get free Chick-fil-A. Back in June we went to Chick-fil-A and the guy who rang us up said, "dress like a cow and get free chicken". Junior Mint heard "dress like a cow" and I heard "free chicken". Now, if you know my son you know he is deathly afraid of the Chick-fil-A cow, however dressing like a cow is a whole other story. From then on, about once a week he would ask when he got to put on his cow costume. Right before Cow Appreciation Day I decided we would make the boys' costumes. Junior mint had so much fun helping and they turned out wonderful. I took the boys for their free chicken and then Junior Mint wanted Mommy and Daddy to dress like a cow too. So, we went back home and made Mommy and Daddy shirts and off we went to Chick-fil-A for dinner too!! The kids thought they were in heaven!

We did discover that Twix LOVES the cow and Junior Mint is still highly scared of him, however he has kindly decided he can hide his face from him so his Bubby can touch the cow.

The boys had SO much fun and it took me 3 days for Junior Mint to understand that Cow Appreciation day isn't every day! He is already asking "when is it cow day again?"

Aren't these the cutest cows you have EVER seen??

Our not so little man!

2011-07-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

Our littlest man isn't so little anymore. We just celebrated his 1st birthday! He is 19.5 lbs and only about 8 inches shorter than his 3 year old brother! Side note: He is only about 11 lbs away from his brother too!

He is walking...really running everywhere! He is into EVERYTHING he can be. He sleeps SO well and loves to nap. He plays hard and sleeps harder! Twix loves his Bubby; loves to annoy him too. He likes to get him into trouble now. If Junior Mint touches him he will look around to see if we are watching and if we are, he will cry. I think he is starting to understand that isn't going to get Junior Mint in trouble.

Twix loves to cuddle and give kisses. He isn't speaking more words, but I think that is because his wonderful brother decides to talk for him most of the time.

They both are a handful. Twix can be into everything and Junior Mint can be a typical 3 year old, but they couldn't be more of a joy!!

Big change...B-I-G Change!!

2011-06-02T06:42:00.000-07:00

Well...we have a major change happening for us. It isn't completely official, but it is pretty much said and done, barring any unforeseen things happening. No one knows except the 4 of us (well, I guess 3 since I'm pretty sure Twix has NO clue what we are talking about).

Junior Mint will start preschool August 29, 2011. He will attend school 3 days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00-1:00pm.

We visited this morning and loved it. He just keeps saying "I just can't wait to go to my school". He will be in class with 8-12 other 3 years olds with 2 teachers. He will spend his days rotating centers learning numbers, letters and writing. He will have creative play and arts and crafts. He will have Chapel, Bible stories and Bible verses to learn. He will have a party every month focusing on something different. They encourage parental involvement, which we love! Example, they celebrate Dads in September so Mr. Goodbar will have doughnuts with him one morning. Even grandparents can come be a mystery reader when they are in town! They are so wonderful, nice and flexible there!

This was a hard decision for us. Junior Mint has been home with me since he was born. We feel like the time has come for him to get a little more socialization and structure outside of the home. We didn't want him somewhere 5 days a week or all day. This way he will gain new friends and new skills. We are very confident in the school we have chosen.

Now, comes the preparation for him to be gone. This is very sad but very exciting. I know he will flourish and love it. I am confident they will take good care of him!

Please pray that the transition goes smoothly for him (and me)!!

I'm ALIVE!!!

2011-05-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

It's true, I'm ALIVE!! I haven't been sucked up by aliens or fallen into a deep dark hole! Things have been so hectic around here!

We did go on vacation to the beach. Twix experienced the ocean for the first time and I will do a post of that as soon as my wonderful Mr. Goodbar surrenders the pictures to me!

I had surgery on my head right before Easter to remove a bone lesion from my forehead. It came back benign and it was a pretty quick recovery. The only "bad part" was my head was hurting really bad after they removed the stitches and Mr. Goodbar looked at it and found they had missed one of the 15 stitches and it was healing over it. He removed it and then it was great!! They didn't shave any of my hair but you can see the scar in the front part of my hairline and I assume that will be there for awhile, but it's no big deal!!

I think I had written about our ENT appointment with Junior Mint where they wanted to test him for allergies. Well, we went yesterday and there were no significant allergies. He did pretty well considering it was 32 pricks. I think us holding him was the worst part. He suggested a new combination of medicines to ease the problem and we go back to the ENT on June 16th. I guess at the appointment we will discuss nasal surgery to reduce the tissue in his nose. I think that is much better than a lifetime of allergies and allergy shots!

As for Twix, he is growing up so fast. I am in major planning mode for his birthday. The little monkey turns 1 on June 17th!!

I promise to post pictures soon!!

Not just any other day....

2011-04-17T16:47:00.000-07:00

Today is not just any other day in the Noble household!! He did it, he finally did it! Twix took his first little steps.

Twix is 10 months old today and he did it! It was just two little steps but they happened. He has been "cruising" for a while now. We worked on walking the other night but he couldn't stop laughing long enough to keep balance. That is what happened today, he gets so excited and falls down. He is such a happy baby and he really was laughing out loud when we were trying to work on walking.

It will only be a matter of days before he takes off. Then, I really will get NO rest when they are awake!! He already crawls so fast he is hard to keep up with and him and Junior Mint play and you have to keep an eye on them every second so Junior Mint doesn't get too rough!

On another note, my surgery is scheduled for Friday to remove a bone lesion off my forehead. I will be out of commission for a few days but should be pretty quick and easy recovery (with the use of some good pain medication). Please pray the results are benign and everything goes smoothly.

A great shopping day...

2011-03-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

As some of you know we are well into the midst of party planning for Junior Mint! He turns the big 3 on Sunday (I can't believe it), the same day Twix is being dedicated!! We have a good ol' fashion cowboy shindig planned for Saturday, complete with fire ring for roasting hot dogs and cornbread sticks!

With all that I had to get started shopping for the food! We talked about how I was going to save money on the stuff I needed when I didn't stock up weeks ago like I do with everything else when it was on sale. So...I hit the internet and used my brain a little (and some friends) to come up with a plan. I was going to try out the new coupon policy at Wal-Mart. I am NOT a Wal-Mart fan, as anyone who has spoken with me about it knows. They are usually rude and have always seemed to treat couponers poorly and I can get better deals elsewhere these days. But, with a little planning I did great today!! Check it out:

3 Rootbeer
1 Dr. Thunder
1 Diet Dr. Thunder
3 bags Northern Beans
1 Dial Nutriskin Lotion
7 packs Purex 3 in 1 sheets
10 packs Bar S Hot Dogs
1 Mini Oreo can (just for Junior Mint being so good)

TOTAL: -$1.94 (YES, That is negative. They PAID ME $1.94 for all of this!!!)

Here is the breakdown of coupons: the Purex sheets were 97 cent a pack and there is a coupon for $3 off that earned me $2.03 each and the lotion was $1.97 and there is a coupon for $2 so I earned 3 cent. That gave me a total of $14.24 to spend on other stuff I needed or I could have gotten the cash back but I needed stuff. The hotdogs were 88 cent each and I had $1 off 2. I got all that for free plus profit!!!

I then had to go to another Wal-Mart to get the other free plus profit thing to help with other things for the party. (We have 2 Wal-Marts within 5 minutes) Check this one out:

2 25ct. cups
1 2lb. bag of powdered sugar
1 50ct. plates
1 48 ct. forks
6 boxes Gain dryer sheets
5 individual Millstone coffee
2 packs sucker sticks and wrappers (for the favors for the party)
1 Mini Oreo can (this one was for being patient while I drug him to another Wal-Mart)

TOTAL: $3.80

Here's that breakdown:
The Gain dryer sheets were $1.87 and there is a coupon for $3 off, so I earned $1.13 on each, $6.78 total. The Millstone coffee was $1.67 each and there is a $2 off coupon, so I earned 33 cent on each, $1.65 total.

The total I actually spent today was $1.86 for everything above!!

Not bad I say!!!!

I really enjoyed Wal-Mart's new policy. Will I fore go Publix and Food Lion...NO but I may have to make more of an effort to check out the Wal-Mart deals each week!!

Breathing a little easier....

2011-02-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

Back to the doctor we went this morning for Twix! Saturday night he was coughing most of the night, that barking cough that no parent likes to hear. Sunday morning was a much dreaded sound in our household...wheezing!! We are having a cycle effect happening, he will be fine for 4-5 days then we will have coughing "fit" followed by a little wheezing. We do a breathing treatment and the wheezing goes away and the coughing last for a couple of days then we are back to fine for 4-5 days.

We went to the doctor and she did exactly what we thought was going to happen, a maintenance drug called Pulmicort. We do it one time a day, every day (by nebulizer) for a month and at his 9 month checkup we will see if that is enough, if not we will go to 2x a day until his birthday to get him through the cold/flu season and the spring allergy season. Hopefully, by that point he will be breathing a little easier and he can come off the medicine and we will be fine!!

Right now, it seems like a hassle to do it once a day but I would rather take 5 min. a day than have him on major steroids and the breathing treatments 4x a day!! He's just now "slimming" back down from the last round of steroids that made his little face so puffy and round. As cute as those cheeks were to kiss, I would rather have my healthy little boy back to normal!!

Just wanted to give an update on his "condition", which is what we are calling it now instead of an illness (not really sure that is a good thing) but it is what it is and we are just praying this takes care of everything!!

Another Couponing Post....

2011-02-22T11:45:00.000-08:00

I'm sure some of you don't want to read another couponing post, but I KNOW there are several of you who do!! I am very excited about yesterday's trip to Publix!!

Here is the rundown:
1 10lb bag of rice
12 Jars of Bertolli Pasta Sauce
4 cans of Green Giant Vegetables
4 Green Giant Frozen Vegatables
3 cans of crescent rolls
1 can of french bread
2 boxes of BC brownie mix
4 boxes of Progresso Chicken Broth
2 boxes of Progresso Beef Broth
2 cans of Progresso Italian Bread Crumbs
3 LARGE cans of Hunt's diced tomatoes
2 cans of Muir Glen organic tomato sauce
4 bags of Kraft Homestyle Macaroni
2 bags of Ricola Throat Drops
2 packs of Ball Park hot dogs
1 box of Blue Bonnet margarine
1 Berts Bees lip balm
1 Glad Force Flex trash bags
3 Lipton tea (100 ct each)
1 Kraft Parmesan cheese
1 Listerine Total Care
1 5lb bag of flour

The total was $148.60
The savings was $107.59
Yes, I actually only paid $41.01 for EVERYTHING!!!

That's a savings of 72%

Sick Babies

2011-02-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

I am thankful that we have made it halfway through the cold weather with only the "minor" issue of pneumonia with Twix back at Christmas. Then our house got hit again this weekend.

Last week, Mr. Goodbar got sick with a sinus infection and "junk", he had a pretty high fever to start. They put him on antibiotics and everything was looking better. Then, Saturday morning Twix woke up and felt incredibly hot. His temp was 102 and he had a barking cough....so off to the doctor we go (we are blessed to have a doctor that is open Saturday mornings). They checked him and ears and lungs were good. She then thought he had croup. From there they sent us to the children's hospital for a chest x-ray and blood work. Since he just had steroids less than a month ago for the pneumonia they didn't want to just give him a shot of them. I spent most of the day dealing with that. The x-ray and blood work were normal! Thank goodness!! She said it was viral and focus on keeping the fever down. That's exactly what we are doing. Motrin is keeping it down but as soon as it wears off it shoots back up...well, until this last time. It was only a low-grade fever of 100 now. He has added a runny nose but I assumed that would happen. Twix is doing well, happy, playing, eating....he's fine!

With Twix feeling that way I didn't make it to church yesterday. Mr. Goodbar took Junior Mint and then I met them for lunch then back home we went. By 4pm Junior Mint felt warm. I took his temp and found it to be 101.5. Motrin it was!! He went to sleep at 9 and then woke up at 10:30 and came into our room. I didn't have the heart to make him go back to his room being so hot so he slept on the floor beside me. I use the term sleep very lightly there. He tossed and turned ALL night and never really slept well (I think). He didn't get up until 8:30 and was still burning up so I gave him more medicine and it brought his temp down to 99 so he is good. His cheeks are red but other than that I think his is fine. When he got up he came up to me with his hand on his head and said "Mommy, I have a fever and need medicine". It was SO cute!

On top of that, last night before we put the kids to bed I wasn't feeling very well and started a fever. Mr. Goodbar said I was burning up when he kissed me good-bye this morning. My main issue is my sinuses. They are killing me. I feel like an elephant is on my face. I am off to the doctor at 2 pm so we shall see. Do kids get sinus infections? Are my kids feeling this too? They seem to be handling their illnesses a lot better than Mr. Goodbar and I!

Anyway, we are all okay, sick but okay. We will be. I told Mr. Goodbar there is nothing like a trip to the children's hospital to make you sad and feel so blessed and grateful!! I saw the parents pulling their kids in the wagons around the hospital and moms visiting their babies in the NICU and children with cancer telling their parents bye. It's funny how a simple illness gets me down, I can not imagine what it is like for those parents!!

Thank you God for my family and their health!!!

Crazyville Update

2011-02-03T03:30:00.000-08:00

I thought you might like an update on this crazyville we have going on around here. Right now we are in the midst of toddlerhood and I DON'T like it! Junior Mint turns 3 in a month and a half. I was trying to convince myself that when he turned 3 the terrible 2's would magically disappear and we wouldn't have anymore issues other than the typical minor incidents. Who am I kidding? Everyone keeps telling me..."forget terrible 2's, here come horrible 3's". YEA!!

Junior Mint is very 2 right now! He gets frustrated when he wants to do something and can't. We have major breakdowns because he thinks he doesn't need to nap or go to sleep but he is extremely tired. He has an abundance of energy but with it being cold and/or rainy ALL the time there is really no decent way of burning that energy so he is very hyper most of the time. He does love his brother, most days. There are some days he tells me he doesn't love him anymore and take him away but that is always very short lived!! He plays with him and constantly tries to make him laugh and man does he ever!! He does try to tackle him every now and then and sometimes Twix even cracks up at that. While we are having toddler issues...he is so sweet. He will randomly say things like "you're my favorite girl" or "Daddy is my favorite, favorite". He has starting saying "aye aye Captain" when we tell him to do something...that's from Veggie Tales I think. He will spend at least an hour a day singing, singing songs he knows, songs he makes up, singing what he is doing, singing names...anything that he can think of. He is also incredibly smart and he remembers everything!!

Now, Twix....he's something else right now. He is starting to really show his personality. He is almost always happy and laid back. He is working hard on those first teeth and that is causing some fussing. His biggest frustration right now is he wants to stand, all the time. He is standing and standing well, but he never wants to sit down. If you sit him down or he falls over he cries, eventually giving in to the fact that he has to sit. He has figured out how to stand up in the bath tub and never wants to sit in there...which is very hard with a soaped up little baby! He also is waving bye-bye. He has added some "words". Bub-bub and bye-bye, we thought were the same thing for a while until one night he kept saying "bub-bub" and we would respond by saying "bye-bye" and his frustration kept growing and he just kept saying it with increased volume and irritation. Finally, I said it sounds like you are trying to say "bubby" (what he calls his brother) he got all happy and went back to normally saying "bub-bub". It's like he was SOOOO happy that I finally figured out what he was trying to say. When he says bye-bye it is usually accompanied with the wave and when he says bub-bub he is usually looking at and smiling at Junior Mint so we are starting to understand the difference. He is also saying "Da Da", especially when Mr. Goodbar has been playing with him and he walks away and Twix wants him to come back. He's said "Ma Ma" a couple times but that's about it. He gets mad when Junior Mint takes a toy away from him and he "yells" at him, but man does he love his brother. He always looks for Junior Mint and laughs at him no matter what Junior Mint is doing (even if that involves being not-so-nice to him). He gets VERY mad when he runs out of food or he drops some. He is eating pretty much any baby food or I take what we are having and puree it up for him if it isn't anything spicy or odd for him. He loves when I make him pasta with chicken and carrots, that's probably his favorite "meal" but his absolute favorite thing right now is bananas. That child could eat 1o bananas if I let him. He is eating puffs and animal crackers (the natural kind, don't worry no trans fat here). His favorite snack is Baby Mum Mums. He can't get enough of those!! He is drinking well out of a straw and loves his cup. He is a great napper with 2 great 2 hr. naps a day and sleeps well at night. We have the occasional interruption when the dog goes crazy or Junior yells until he wakes up or the delivery man rings the bell 4 times like this past week which causes ALL of that to happen!! Twix is so sweet and is in such a discovery stage right now. He will give the best kisses and laughs all the time!!

So you see....it may be crazy around here with a 2 year old and 7 month old but they are incredible boys and we are SO blessed!!!

Couponing..an amazing thing

2011-02-02T10:26:00.001-08:00

For those of you who have been asking or wondering if couponing really works...take a look at these: (these are the past 3 weeks)

This is 8 boxes of waffles, 4 boxes of soft pretzels, 3 boxes of Jimmy Dean D-lights, 3 bottles of juice and 4 bottles of baby bath. This was $71.82, but I paid $14.41. That's a savings of 80%

This is 4 boxes of feminine products, 1 pack of feminine liners, 2 boxes of oatmeal, 4 tubs of butter, 4 jars of spaghetti sauce, 2 packs of slice cheese and 2 bottles of vitamins. It was $50.36, but I paid $9.88. That's a savings of 80%

Now...yesterday I didn't get a picture of all my stuff because it was WAY more than would fit in the picture and I was in a hurry to get it put away! But I got:
13 boxes of pasta (4 spaghetti, 5 rotini, 4 small shells), 10 bags of Kraft Homestyle macaroni, 2 bottles of Flintstone gummy vitamins, 3 packs of feminine liners, 2 boxes of Contact Cold & Flu medicine, 1 Red Baron Pizza, 1 French's mustard, 2 bottles of Kraft bar-b-que sauce, 2 Juicy Juice boxes 8-pack, 10 lbs white potatoes, 10 lbs sugar, 1 box Kellogg fruit snacks and 2 gallons of milk. It was $110.26, but I paid $26.04. That's a savings of 76% BUT...I also have a $5 rebate on the pizza to make it only $21.04 which will be a savings of 81%!!!

Movie Star....

2011-02-02T10:12:00.001-08:00

Twix could have starred in Toy Story 3! It would have been PERFECT!! Anyone else think this scene looks crazy identical to the daycare scene!!

Nothing runs like Deere!

2011-02-02T08:08:00.001-08:00

These are self-explanatory! They both had a blast! I'm sure the fact that it was 70 degrees for the first time in months and months helped. I can't wait to see how they play together as time goes by!

FINALLY GOT IT!

2011-02-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

Well...I finally found the time to use my Blackberry cord to directly upload pictures to my "new" (hubby's old) laptop, since mine died a while back! It wasn't hard, it was just finding the time to do it. I put aside some much needed housework to bring you these:

Bad...Bad...no wait...Good...Good....

2011-01-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

It seems like all I've done lately is complain. Complain to Mr. Goodbar, complain on Facebook, just complain out loud to anyone who was listening (and sometimes to just the air). It seems like I can manage to pick out the "poor pitiful me" in every situation, but I think that is human nature. I think all of us, and I do mean ALL, have tendency to do just that. We think about everything that is going on and want to focus on what we could have more of, better of, better situation, etc...

We've had our share of issues within the last month. Our Twix had pneumonia and an ear infection, Junior Mint had a horrible cold and we were supposed to leave for Disney in a few days. Junior Mint is acting very "toddlerish". Our hot water heater broke on the last day of the year and we had to buy a new one, we had 5 1/2 inches of snow and the city shut down for a week and we couldn't go anywhere or do anything.

As I sat here and was thinking of how crappy our month has been I was checking out Facebook. I saw someone who was at a funeral for a young person that died of cancer, I read a friend's blog who had childhood cancer and she spoke of the people she knew with cancer who either survived or didn't. All the sudden I realized my life is pretty awesome!

My kids were sick, but I have amazing boys that just had a little junk, they are healthy and happy. They don't have major illnesses and I pray daily that they are healthy and safe! Junior Mint may be acting a little crazy but he can walk and talk and hear just fine (notice I said hear and not listen, ha ha) Twix couldn't go to Disney because he was so sick, well, I have WONDERFUL family that could keep him and still allow us to take Junior Mint. Mr. Goodbar has a great job where we were allowed to tag along so we could go to Disney! Our hot water heater broke, but we have running water, hot water, clean water!! We also have the ability to replace it without having to worry too much about it. The snow...well, I love snow so I was so happy to get some but wasn't happy about not being able to go anywhere for a week. Thankfully, my husband has a job where he will get paid for not working. We have wonderful neighbors that kept Twix so we could at least go out with Junior Mint. We were safe and warm in our home. We had plenty of food to last through the "storm". We have an awesome life!

It's really easy to get caught up in the "why me's" and the "why not me's", but that's not what we are called to do. God tells us to stay the course, focus on him and not get distracted. We can't get caught up in the things we don't have or the things that are happening to us now. We are blessed far beyond what we deserve! We deserve death, but God sent his son to die for us so we don't have to spend eternity in Hell. We have been given life, that's so much more than money or comfort here!!

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Matthew 6:19-34
I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

A NEW, more committed year!!

2011-01-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

Well, no you didn't miss anything...this is the first post in, well...FOREVER!! It's amazing how crazy life gets with two kids and just not finding the time.

I am committed to making that change in 2011! I don't believe in resolutions, so I'm not going to say that, I'm just making an effort to get back on track with the blog.

I will catch you up right quick and there WILL be more to come SOON!!

Our little Twix had his first Christmas and loved it (as much as a 6 month old can). I'm sure to him it was just another day. He is as cute as ever!! He did get sick on Christmas Eve. We were out of state so he couldn't get to the doc til we got back home on the 29th. He has pneumonia and an ear infection. They put him on a nebulizer and antibiotic, hopefully that will get better SOON! He even missed playing in his first snow fall. We had about 8 inches on Christmas day/day after. Junior Mint on the other hand took FULL advantage of the snow fall. He was sick too....that didn't stop him. He had a horrible cold but seems to be pretty much over that.

I will post pictures soon....well, how about now (after all that is the whole point of this post to get back on track and stop procrastinating)....

Christmas Day

The ONLY time he got even near the snow!!

This is Junior Mint thanking his "Bubby" for his caboose that plays music for Christmas!

Remember, this is a new year, start if off RIGHT..with GOD!

Fun Size

2010-11-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

With Halloween just happening, I couldn't think of a better way to put this.....

My little "Fun Size" candies are not to "Fun Size" anymore!! They are almost full size candy bars, I realize it won't be long before they are movie size!! Ha Ha!!

Check out my little, not so little, candy stash:

Why I've been MIA

2010-11-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

So, I haven't totally forgot about my blog, I promise!! You see, my computer died. It didn't just run the battery dead or even get a virus and stop for a while...it actually died; as in it belongs in a laptop landfill somewhere! We aren't sure what happened, Mr. Goodbar thinks it is the motherboard.

Anyway, he has so kindly let me borrow one of his computers, but of course NONE of my files are on it. At least I got my files backed up before my computer was completely gone, I just can't upload them to his computer!!

So, I hope you understand that I haven't decided to let the blog go or to leave anyone hanging on how my little candy stash is doing!!

Slow Fade....

2010-09-23T16:45:00.000-07:00

I'm sure most of the people reading my blog know the song "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns. It says:

The journey from your mind to your hands

Is shorter than you're thinking

Be careful if you think you stand

You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

Daddies never crumble in a day

Families never crumble in a day

That is so true! I was having a conversation with my wonderful, Mr. Goodbar the other day. We were talking about money, like I'm sure most couples do quite often! Don't get me wrong, we don't have tons of money to spare or are just "raking it in" but we do okay. We can pay all of our bills, we can buy food, we can enjoy some luxuries that a lot of families can't, especially right now, but we were talking about how people we know can afford luxury cars or huge homes or lavish trips. I asked how can these people afford these things but we just can't seem to be able to find the extra cash to take a small vacation?

Mr. Goodbar had a good answer...it explained everything! He said....honey, if we didn't tithe we would have a lot of free cash? (Now, I'm sure here is where some of you will argue what the Bible actually says about what we are called to give. I believe in the old Testament and that it still applies, but that is not where I think it stops. We can discuss this if you like, send me a message) Then I had the thought that probably most people have had. I thought well, if we didn't tithe so much, we could get that new car or take that cruise. Then I spent a split second (well, to be honest way longer than that) thinking about all the things we could do with that money!!

After those car thoughts, vacation thoughts, shopping sprees, updates to the house that we could accomplish over an extended period of time I realized....it's not like the Bible forces us to tithe! We do it out of obedience, just like we do everything. Mr. Goodbar once told a friend, who recently reminded me of this, "the Bible isn't a list of things you have to do, it's a guide on how to avoid heartache and pain". The Bible doesn't force us to do anything, it lays out ways we are called to be obedient and tithing is one of them!

If we start there and stop tithing, where will it end? Will I then begin to think that all that time we devote to church could be better spent cleaning or shopping? Will I start to believe that certain lifestyles are okay because it's generally accepted and the Bible doesn't force me to believe that way? You see, it's a SLOW FADE!! Something so small as not writing a check or even writing a smaller check can quickly turn into skipping church or deciding to not get involved in church. It's so easy for a thought to quickly make it to your hand, like the song says!

Next time you have the thoughts of disobedience (or if you are in a state of disobedience) think of the slow fade and how easily things can degrade!

My NOT so little nuggets...

2010-09-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

My little nuggets aren't so little anymore!!

Junior Mint will be 2 1/2 on the 20th of this month, WOW! He is growing so fast, well growing but not really getting "big". He went to the doctor a few weeks ago and he weighed only 26 lbs. I find it funny that he could still fit in the infant car seat! He went back to the doctor yesterday with a belly ache. I have strep throat and my doctor said that in kids that age they often only complain of a belly ache when they have strep. Mr. Goodbar was home (because he is an amazing, wonderful hubby that took off to help me) and took Junior Mint to the doctor. Sure enough....he has strep too!! So, more antibiotics for this household! At least, that isn't an illness babies get!! But he is doing amazing.

We are having some behavior issues, he is SO strong willed. I found a book that Babywise talks about Parenting the Strong-Willed Child. I will let you all know how it works out. It is a 5 week program. I can honestly say I do see a difference after just doing the first step (they say not to read or skip ahead). You do each step for 7 days, master it, then move on. Like I said, I will keep you updated on how it works.

As for Twix, he is growing like a weed!! I think it won't be long before he catches up to Junior Mint. When he had his 2 month check-up two weeks ago he was 11 lbs. 2 oz. I'm sure by now he is close to 12 lbs! That's almost half of Junior Mint!! He is such a happy baby. He is very scheduled and does great with it!! He has been sleeping through the night since 6 weeks, 3 days and has done so every night since!! He likes to talk to you and smile! He loves to just look around and take it all in. I think his favorite thing is watching his big brother and talking to him!

Enjoy a little bit of our little man, with our big man trying to take his picture in the background!!

Black and White

2010-08-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, at a meeting for our new mom's program at church we decided on a theme of "Black and White". We talked about how things are black and white, not gray.

I've heard a lot of people saying "well, it depends or depends on the situation". NO, really it doesn't!! There is no gray area in life, well, in the life of Christians there is no gray area!! There is no, maybe I should do this because it is what is right "right now". There is no, well...the Bible isn't clear on that. There is no, there's no right or wrong here. Everything has a right and a wrong. Everything is BLACK OR WHITE!!!

I understand that people want to think there is a gray area in life. Life is a whole lot easier if there is gray area where we are left to decide what is wrong and right, or that there is no morality attached to it all. In all honesty, there is morality attached to almost every decision. Stick with me here....I know you are saying there are certain decision that are amoral. Is that true? Maybe, like which bathroom stall to use; but the bigger decisions are the ones I'm referring to. Our motives behind the decision are usually where the morality issue lies. Going to a certain grocery store doesn't seem like a moral issue, but if we choose that store because the guy who carries our groceries hits on you....it has now become a moral issue. If you are choosing to drink because the Bible doesn't clearly lay it out (which, I will disagree there) that's a morality issues. Why are you drinking? Do you have more fun when you drink? What does "fun" mean? Do you hang out with different people when you drink? Are they Godly people? I know people can say they make all kinds of decisions without having to place morality behind it...but what happens when you really look at why you are doing something?

Say, you choose a certain grocery store because it saves money (the decision can stop there if it is to truly just save your family money). What are you planning to do with the money? Are you buying things you shouldn't be buying or spending money some where that you shouldn't? Now, don't get me wrong...I am ALL about saving money!! Don't take that the wrong way...but check the places in your life that you could be cutting to save more money! Do you need to search for money at the end of the month to pay the bills but your fridge is stocked with alcohol and your purse with cigarettes? Do your receipts show a lot of movies that you probably shouldn't be watching anyway? What about the time you spend clipping the coupons? Does the time you spend doing that amoral thing take time away from your husband/wife or kids? Does it cut out the time you have to read the Bible or spend time with God? If not, that's great..cut away!!

My point to all this is that life is really BLACK or WHITE! The so-called gray areas are really black or white that we have thrown the other color in just to suit what we want to do when we want to do it. Every decision can be made easily if we rely on Godly wisdom and the life instructions he has given us...the BIBLE!!

Take a minute....Really LISTEN!

2010-08-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

DON'T FORGET TO PAUSE THE MUSIC IN THE LEFT COLUMN!!

You've patiently waited for it....HERE HE IS!!!

2010-08-16T11:31:00.001-07:00

Our newest addition is officially two months old (well, tomorrow he will be)!

I wanted to wait until we "got to know" the little guy before we gave him his blog name, especially since it will be immortalized in the cyber world!! I don't want him to be 20 years old and ask why in the world we would have called him "Goober" or "Whatchamacallit" on the blog!!

Anyway....after thinking and talking it over we want to introduce our little

TWIX

I was trying to find just the right candy to describe him. As his little personality is developing, I am noticing that he seems to ponder things over. He will stare at you, as if he is thinking it over before he smiles. He will get those eyebrows scrunched up like he is giving you a "hmmmmm..." look! He's "chewing it over" like the Twix slogan says!!!

He is a wonderful baby. He started sleeping through the night at 6 week 3 days!!! He is on a great schedule, eating every 4 hours starting at 7 AM!

I will post more updates on his growth and such after his two month check-up on Friday! (WOW...has it really been that long?)

Hopefully, I will be back in the full swing of things here soon and will get back to my cathartic writing!! It's amazing how much better you feel when you write out your thoughts. You should try it.....start a blog, about whatever it is you love or can't stand!!! (Don't forget to let me know so I can follow you)

A new addition....a new look!

2010-07-30T04:48:00.000-07:00

Please bare with me over the next week or so as I attempt to find a new look for our blog!

As some of you may have noticed, Google shut down my blog for a while. They said they suspected suspicious activity?? When I finally did get it back up and running several of my elements were gone. I knew I needed to change things but I guess that just confirmed it!!

You may see the progress, so don't be surprised if it changes several times a day!!

Please check back and see the changes that are being made. Hopefully, you will like the change!!

A week in review...

2010-07-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

I try to write more profound thoughts with a few updates here and there....however, lately it is all updates! This is totally our...

WEEK IN REVIEW:

Last Thursday night (1 am feeding, so technically Friday morning) I noticed I was itching and realized my arms and belly were covered in hives...lots of hives! I took Benedryl and no response... they just kept getting worse. I went to Urgent Care when they opened. They said it was an allergic reaction and gave me 4 pills of Prednisone and that was about it. The hives and rash stayed but I was doing pretty well Friday night, considering! Saturday morning I woke up with hives COVERING my whole body!! It looked like my skin was boiling off there was so much redness and so many bumps. I then added a fever to the symptoms and it hurt to breathe. Sooooo... off to Urgent Care again! They looked at me, gave me a shot of steroids and sent me to the ER. There, the doctor thought it was an allergic reaction too, and gave me an IV of stronger steroids, Vistaril (like Benedryl) and Pepcid (which is an anti-histamine too). They ran test to check for a bacterial infection and look at some blood counts. Everything looked good. They sent me home with a steroid pack, Vistaril and Pepcid. I started to get better. The rash was going away and the itching was getting better. Sunday was a pretty good day! That's where that ends and it gets odd!!

Monday I woke up and couldn't move! Literally, my hands didn't work, they were COVERED with bright red spots. I was throwing up and in the bathroom. My arm and shoulder hurt to move; it was excruciating pain! My jaws didn't really open and it hurt to move them. My lips were swollen and my hives were returning. So, I went to my PCP doctor. They were NO help!! They had NO clue what it was and had no clue where to even begin. She got another doctor who looked at me and had some ideas. He thought thyroid problems or Lupus. They ran TONS of blood work and sent me home. I was miserable. I couldn't hold the little nugget; the weight of him in my arms was too much to bear. After that, the pain moved to all my joints and muscles. It hurt to move anything. I couldn't get my clothes off and I couldn't stand. Mr. Goodbar had to help me to the bathroom, but there was no where he could touch me that didn't hurt! I was miserable!!

Tuesday, was a little better. My joints and muscles were still aching. I was still itching and hurting. The pain was SO odd, unlike anything I had ever experienced. It would move from joint to joint and one minute it would be fine and then like a tidal wave it would hit!

Wednesday, about the same as Tuesday. Spent most of the morning trying to make a doctor's appointment for an Allergist/Immunologist.

This morning is what most of you are awaiting. Well, it was a good news day! We saw the Allergist/Immunologist this morning (He was great, by the way). We explained everything and he instantly said it was an allergic reaction. He looked at the pictures I had of me from Monday and explained the horrible pain. He said that was part of a severe anaphylactic reaction. I didn't know that meant more than breathing issues, but it does! He said whatever I am allergic to was causing a reaction inside that couldn't come out. The skin was getting better because the medicine was semi-working. The meds they gave me weren't strong enough to really get rid of the anaphylaxis, just suppress it for a little while. He doesn't know what I am allergic to and said we may never know. Right now, he has to work on getting it all out of my system! He thought it could be a reaction to the drugs from labor and deliver. He said it can be a couple of months before the drugs work their way through a person's system.

I did get all the blood work back, finally!! Everything was normal!! Prayers were answered there!! I can handle an allergic reaction compared to all the auto-immune disorders they were considering!

I go back to the allergist in a month. In the meantime, I am on a stronger, longer steroid to try to completely knock out whatever it is causing it. If I have the symptoms again, I have to do steroids again but hopefully, can get them sooner so the reaction won't be as severe. This new doctor is going to review my blood work just as a double check! I am still hurting though, and I get tired easily, especially my muscles. The pain moves from joint to joint... as I type this it is in my thumb, making it INCREDIBLY hard to type! Today, it seems to be effecting my eyes too. They are really tired and achy! Overall, I'm getting better, just dealing with the symptoms as they come and go. Hopefully, this new drug will work quickly and effectively and I can avoid another outbreak until I go back in August!

Thank you SO much for all the prayers. Please continue to pray that things get better and the pain continues to ease up. Also, please pray that I can avoid another breakout!!

Learning from our kids....

2010-07-06T16:39:00.000-07:00

WOW....that's still odd to say..."KIDS". That takes some getting used to!!

We strive to teach our kids the right and wrong things and how to be a morally sound person. We strive to teach them all the physical things they need to learn. We strive to teach them to read and write. I think we often forget to stop and take the time to learn from our kids.

This week I've had two lessons from my babies! The first was from the little nugget. At two and a half weeks he's already teaching Mommy some things. Ever since we brought him home from the hospital I was dying for the umbilical cord to fall off so he could have a REAL bath. Finally, Sunday morning (about 2 am to be exact) it happened. Then all the sudden I got kind of sad and emotional about it. Now, it could have been the lack of sleep or hormones taking over, but that doesn't change what I got out of it. I thought about what that little black thing meant. It was the last reminder of the time he spent in me, the time he spent directly connected to me, getting what he needed without needing to ask for it. Now, he is in a cold, harsh world where he has to cry to express his needs and often longs for being back in his comfortable place that he was so happy in. I thought about how we have a connection to God like that. He can give us EVERYTHING we need! We have a constant link between Him and us. We are in the same cold, harsh world crying for someone to listen to us for what we need, we often forget that we don't have to do that. We have the same kind of tie to God that my little guy had to me for nine months, a comfortable place to get our needs met. It is incredibly comforting to know that the connection we have to God will never be cut or fall off. No one can sever that bond. We can forget it is there and think he has left us, but that bond is never broken and we can always rely on God!!

The second lesson was from my incredible 2 year old, Junior Mint! We have a few Gideon Bibles laying around the house, Junior Mint got one and asked us to read it. Every night for about a week now we have read a few chapters with him. On Friday, he picked up the Bible and wanted me to read but I couldn't at that moment. He started flipping through the pages and page after page he said "God loves me". He told me that is what it said. I just looked at him and said "Yes, it does". I wish we all could remember that! Every page of the Bible is covered with "GOD LOVES ME!!" We want to point out the do and don't of the Bible and all the "rules" of church or being a Christian, when really every page says "God loves me!"

It amazes me the lessons I can get from my kiddos. The innocence that is behind some of the conversations we have and the joy that is in his heart takes my breath away!! We need to take the time to stop and listen to our kids sometimes. Sometimes, they can teach us things no one else can!!

Getting back in the swing of things....

2010-07-06T14:54:00.000-07:00

It's really hard getting back into the swing of things...or finding a "new swing" is hard!

The little nugget was diagnosed with GERD; Junior Mint had the same thing soon after he was born! He is on Zantac, hopefully it will soon pass! They usually grow out of it in a few months. It is making getting on schedule harder than it should be, but we can do it!! I'm trying to stay positive to the fact that sleep WILL return to our household soon enough!!

Junior Mint is adjusting wonderfully!! He LOVES his baby brother. The first thing he says when he wakes up is "Where is ______?" and then he has to kiss him goodnight before he goes to bed. He is such a big helper!! He is like a little set of extra hands, which I could use about 5 more sets of hands these days!! We are SOOOO proud of him!!

Overall, we are doing well. The little nugget is growing like crazy! I'm feeling a thousand times better than when I was pregnant, just tired now!

The house is a mess, we are all tired, it's a lot louder around here....but we are loving our life!!

2010-06-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, June 17^th (one week ago today) we welcomed our newest little nugget to the family!! Our beautiful baby boy weighed in at 7 lbs. 7 oz., 20 inches long!

It was a long process to get him here but once he decided to come…it was shorter than we EVER expected!!

Tuesday, I went back to the hospital with the same torn muscle pain I had been having, only this time I couldn’t get my pain meds down. The doctor decided to induce earlier…Thursday! We had to call at 6:00am to get our time to come in. The nurse told me to be there before 7:30am. We stopped at Chick-fil-A for breakfast and then we were off for what I thought would be a long day! We checked in at 7am and got all changed and hooked up. I was still having the same small contractions as normal (sad that had become normal). They started pitosin…A LOT of it!! The doctor broke my water about 10:45 or so and we were off. I was 4 cm. About 20 minutes later I asked for my epidural before the pain got too bad…well… the anesthesiologist was in another room so I had to wait. They sat me up and got me all ready and something about the movement caused things to go crazy! Instantly, I felt horrible back and pelvis pain, not really full blown contractions. I don’t think the nurse believed me because my contractions were only registering in the 20s. She kept saying “another one already??” At this point, I yelled at Mr. Goodbar, got mad at the nurse and started to think I wouldn’t make it until that anesthesiologist got there! But, as you guessed, I did make it! He came and started my epidural, set up the pump and we waited (I never got to the point of needing to press the button for more meds).

About 10 minutes later the nurse came and moved the monitor for the baby because they couldn’t get a heartbeat. They turned me about 20 times, 20 different directions. I had to flip and flop and turn and twist. They propped me up and dropped my head below my belly and still, couldn’t get a heartbeat. Mr. Goodbar, my mom and I all had this horrible feeling that a c-section was coming. Finally, she decided to check me saying “we will just see if this is it, but it can’t be already.” Sure enough, she said “well, there’s the baby and we are ready to go, NOW.”

My doctor said he would come back at noon to check on me. When he got there they told him we were ready. I started pushing at 12:10 and our newest little nugget arrived at 12:22pm. It was a total of about 1 hr 45 min. The baby nurse almost didn’t even make it there, the doctor called for her twice because it was so fast. It was truly an answer to prayers, because with the torn muscle I wasn’t sure how long/hard I could push.

Everything went great!! He did have a lot of fluid because of having such a quick delivery. He would gag and couldn’t get it up and start to turn blue. On Friday, they had to fill his little belly full of saline and flush it out. It made a HUGE difference and things were much better by Saturday.

We got released on Saturday and have been home ever since. Things are going well. We are trying to find our new normal! His weight is great, he’s eating great, he’s sleeping well and he is incredibly cute (looks just like Junior Mint did)!!

We are so excited and ready to see what the future holds!

(Just in case you were wondering, no we don’t have a name for him yet to add to our little Candy Store on here, we want to see how his personality develops first)

Attack of the Torn Muscle!!!

2010-06-16T04:39:00.000-07:00

We were hit again....the attack of the torn muscle!!! I feel like I need that horror movie music playing! Dun....Dun....Dun...(just doesn't have the same effect when you read it).

Yesterday was another very eventful day for us!! The morning was pretty normal, other than this new phase that Junior Mint is going through (that I sure hope passes fast)! He asks for what he wants over and over and over and over....you get the point. I think he is trying to wear me down to give in but it really just ends in time out for him, so hopefully it will be quick lived!!

Anyway, I was hurting around lunch but made lunch (which is very hard because our new fridge stopped working last Thursday and they can't come until tomorrow). We ate and I decided I needed my pain medicine cause it was getting worse. By the time I got to the bathroom to get the pills I could barely move. I dropped my pill (a narcotic) and it went under the couch. I got in the floor to try to find it and the evil torn muscle monster attacked in full force!!! I sat there crying and couldn't move!! All I could think was that I couldn't get my medicine and the dog would eat it and then that would be a whole other issue!! Junior Mint got my phone for me and I called our neighbor to come over. He came and got me my medicine and found the lost pill!! Him and his wife waited with me until the pain eased up! Luckily, it was nap time for Junior Mint so he went down and I sat down.

You can imagine what I was like with 2 pain killers in my system!! I laid down and was good for about an hour. THEN....I got this over whelming feeling of being sick. I threw up and threw up and threw up some more! I couldn't keep anything down, which made me dizzy and shaky. Mr. Goodbar came home early to try to help me out. My mom had called him worried and he called my doctor. The nurse wanted me to go to the hospital to double check everything.

When we got to the doctor it was about 5:30. They hooked me up and sure enough, contractions!! But that's nothing new!! The doctor did some more blood work (God knows what he is doing because I should be out of blood by now)!! They gave me IV fluids and medicine for the nausea--that knocked me out. Around 9:00 he came back and said everything looked okay...except my potassium was about a banana low! He told me to keep the induction on Monday. Well....given everything Mr. Goodbar was NOT okay with that! He asked why I had to continue with the pain if the baby was okay. He called the other doctor and they agreed to induce as soon as there was an available spot. (They can only have so many beds occupied by inductions because of people going into labor naturally) The first spot was Thursday...with the doctor I LOVE!! YEA!!! So, I have to call at 6 AM Thursday morning to see what time I can come!! Until then, I am very drugged up!! I have my pain medication plus nausea medication that makes me sleep!! Today, Mr. Goodbar has to go in for a few hours to finish up some things and Junior Mint and I are going with him! We are going to have lunch as a family of 3 one last time!!

Right now, we just need everything to calm down. It has been a CRAZY ride for weeks now! We are SO tired and run down. I actually think things will be calmer when the baby gets here as opposed to now!! Our house has been a revolving door and nothing has gone right! We are just ready to find our "new normal".

Please pray that everything goes smoothly tomorrow and

that we can find our "new normal" easily and quickly!!!

End in sight???

2010-06-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

Today was the same ole', same ole' thing! Up early and off to the doctor!

First, let me update on what has been going on!! Last weekend, we were back in the hospital, but not for labor pains (at first). I had a horrible pain in my side and wasn't sure what it was. The midwife and doctor thought I may have a problem with the placenta or an infection, so after several blood tests, ultrasound and pain meds they discovered that they are pretty sure it is a torn uterine muscle!! NOT FUN when it is the size of a beach ball!! They can't really confirm nor deny it until after I have the baby, seeing that you can't have any scans while pregnant! But, good news is it will heal on its own after I have the baby! While I was in the hospital I started "hard labor contractions" so much that the doctor and nurse were both convinced that it was labor and the doctor said 48-72 hours til we had a baby.....well, that came and went with NO LUCK!! They sent me home with pain medication to wait some more. I've had contractions about every day for 2-3 hours a day like that, I just have to suffer through them until they go away. Two doctors and the midwife told me to wait until 38 and 1/2 weeks and we would discuss what we could do!!

With that being said, we were more than anxious to make it to the doctor today!! I had already told myself not to get too excited. We were seeing the one doctor we haven't seen at all during this pregnancy. We went through everything we have been through in the last seven weeks. He said that for the baby's sake he wouldn't induce until next Monday! NOT the news I needed today!!

So, right now we are waiting on confirmation from the hospital that Monday is all set up! I'm still hoping that we don't make it there. This is getting unbearable! I am pretty much in constant pain of some sort, either contractions, pelvic pain or the torn muscle pain. I can only take the pain medication when I have someone here to watch Junior Mint!!

I know I've become "less than friendly" to most. I'm so tired of the same old questions with the same old answers! I know Mr. Goodbar is over all this!! He has done everything for 7 weeks now!! He has been Mommy and Daddy, done the laundry, done the cooking/cleaning and still had to work 50 hrs or so at work, do his consulting work at home and keep up with his commitments at church!! He has done an amazing job (especially considering he doesn't get much sleep because of me)!!

So....we know there is an end but I'm not quite sure it is in sight for us yet!!!

Waitin' it out....

2010-06-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

I went back to the doctor yesterday to check on the little nuggets. Sadly, there wasn't really any change in the news from last Thursday!

He told me that nothing had really changed with my dilation and there was really nothing they could do for me right now! It's still too early to think about inducing. This was NOT the news I was hoping for yesterday!! I'm sure my disappointment was due to the fact that my pain was the worst I have had yet. My contractions were about every 4 minutes or less but they weren't getting any stronger, just strong enough to hurt but not do anything. The abdominal cramping was what was so bad...I couldn't really walk! The doctor told me the only thing to do was stay off my feet at this point for what little relief I could get, but there was no way to stop or ease the pain!

I was really disappointed all afternoon, but like I said, I'm sure the pain had a lot to do with that. I kept reminding myself all day that that was probably the answer I would get, but I guess I was hoping for better news! Not to mention, there is still the wedding on the 12th; it looks like Mr. Goodbar will be traveling by himself unless this little guy decides to come before the weekend!!

So now, the only thing is to wait! More waiting!!! I'm trying hard not to get discouraged! I know people reading this are thinking "you're only 36 1/2 weeks", but after having pre-term labor twice and all the medicine and constant pain/contractions for days, it's kind of hard not to want this baby to come NOW! I woke up this morning deciding that I would just go about everything as normal as possible, because it won't be long before we have a "new kind of normal" around here! I'm going to rest when I can, get off my feet when Junior Mint will cooperate (which he has been AMAZING lately), take a warm bath when the pain gets bad and try not to be impatient!!

Are you SERIOUS????

2010-05-28T15:18:00.001-07:00

Well....yesterday was another day of "are you serious?" I went to bed Wednesday with some cramping and back pain. I thought if it wasn't any better by the morning I would call the doc and ask. I woke up Thursday morning and the pain was much worse!!

I went to the doctor and the midwife said I was "in limbo", she couldn't tell if I was actually in labor or not, because I had dilated some but it was only a little! She sent me to the hospital to get monitored and left me with the thought that "you may have a baby today". When I got there I was having contractions about every 4 minutes. They were consistent and regular, I had dilated to 3 cm. The doctor came in and told me since I was only 36 weeks they wouldn't help me along. They won't break my water until 37 weeks--so this doctor says! I wonder if I had my regular doctor if the answer would have been different!?!

They sent me home, with contractions every 5 minutes or so, gave me a shot for pain and said to come back when my water breaks or they are 2-3 minutes apart!!

So.....where are we now, you ask?? I am home, having contractions about every 5 minutes or so, some are more painful than others, having back labor, and cramping (for you ladies, like the worst menstrual cramps ever). We are waiting, trying EVERYTHING to get this baby to come!! I have an appointment on Tuesday, where we will have to have a discussion about how I can't have contractions every 5 minutes with back labor for another week!! It is hard to walk at points and definitely hard to accomplish anything!!

Well...that's about it. Yesterday was a CRAZY day to say the least!!!

The light at the end of the tunnel....

2010-05-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

WOO-HOO....I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

We went back to the doctor today and got some good news!! He wanted to get another ultrasound, he said he trusted theirs a little more than the hospitals since they do them all day, everyday on just babies! I'm so glad they did one!! The wonderful thing is they could see that his lungs are doing well and he is breathing well on his own!! The steroids did their job!! They also know his bladder is developed and working (he had to pee while she was looking at him). He is actually measuring on target with my due date, not two weeks ahead. I know that seems to be a bad thing, but it's a good thing! It means we don't have a gigantic baby and we don't have to worry about the things that could be wrong when your baby measures big! He has gained weight so they know he is growing (not shrinking). He's weighing in at 5 lbs. 5 oz.

I, on the other hand, have lost 3 more pounds! I am now only 3 lbs. heavier than when I got pregnant!! They aren't worried because the little nugget is growing and gaining weight, it's just me. That seems like an awesome thing, and it is to a point. He is running out of room to move and grow, so I need to gain weight. Here is the awesome thing...I have to consume more calories and gain weight!! That means all those fattening foods most pregnant women avoid....I get to indulge in them!!! That's pretty exciting! My wonderful Mr. Goodbar has promised milkshakes at night!!

I asked about coming off the medication and he said one more week....ONLY ONE MORE WEEK!! I get to stop taking the meds next Monday! It makes me hot, dizzy and sleepy so I am SO excited! Not to mention, I have to set an alarm at night to take it, so I will get to sleep through the night! I know it's preparation for the next couple of months, but I would like to get a few full nights sleep before he gets here!! He also seemed optimistic that I could come off strict bed rest on Monday too!! That's great!! It's exciting to know that in just a couple of weeks he could be here, safe and healthy!!!

We got some great news today!! I'm much more upbeat now! It makes it a lot easier to handle when you know it's only one more week of bed rest and meds!!

Please continue to pray for our little nugget and his growth!!

Not much to report...

2010-05-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

Well, there isn't a lot in the way of new news. I went to the doc this morning to check on the little nugget! I haven't dilated anymore, which is GOOD!! I had a test called a fetal fibronectin test. It is supposed to predict premature labor in the next two weeks or so (medicine is amazing)! The test won't come back until tomorrow (which we knew that).

Outcome of today: I am still on bedrest, I am still on my medicine and I have lost almost 2 more pounds! He isn't worried about the weight, as long as it starts to come up soon!! I have to go back in a week for another check-up.

Still waiting....and waiting....and waiting, but that's a good thing right now, he needs to stay put for a little while!

Please pray that the little nuggets stays put until he's fully developed, that my contractions/pains don't come back, my family who is watching Junior Mint and our two dogs and for my poor hubby that has to put up with me while working and doing EVERYTHING around here (all while I freeze him out cause my medicine makes me incredibly HOT)!!

This week has been a roller coaster!!

2010-05-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

Let's see if I can even remember all that has happened to us in the past few days!!

First, Monday Junior Mint has a little stomach bug but it seemed much better and gone by Tuesday. Wednesday morning we all 3 woke up with it. Mr. Goodbar stayed home from work (which he has to be VERY sick to do). We realized that Junior Mint hadn't peed in about 13 hours, so we called the doc and of course they wanted to see him. By the time we got there he was throwing up every 20 minutes or so and couldn't keep anything down. They sent us to the children's hospital for dehydration to try to make sure he wouldn't get any worse. He was so tired and sick when we got there they decided to try oral meds first. That seemed to do the trick (they were very strong). We had to wait until he could keep down fluids and solids before we could leave. Eventually, everything was good and he seems to be back to about 99% now!!

That's the easy part to explain!! Now, for me!!! I've been having contractions since week before last and the doc was going to do a test this coming Monday to try to predict if anything was going to happen soon. We didn't make it that far! When I got sick Wednesday I couldn't stop throwing up either. I hadn't kept anything down, including liquids. So, I began to get dehydrated, which I called my doc to go see them but I wanted to get Junior Mint taken care of first, we thought he was worse! While at the children's hospital, I started having bad contractions, the kind I couldn't talk through. Off to the doc I went!! When I got there they checked the baby's heartbeat and told me I had to get to the hospital NOW! The ketones in my urine were incredibly bad, which meant my body was eating stored fat. If you read my last post you will see that I have only gained 8 lbs...well, by the time I got to the doc I had lost 1.4 of that. I thought I would be going in for some IV fluids then home. They hooked me up to the monitors and ran some tests. I was definitely in pre-term labor! My contractions were rather strong. They gave me some medicine for the nausea and pain killer which helped me sleep. I had started to dilate and they were concerned. They also gave me steroid shots to help the baby develop faster. They admitted me and I had to stay to get fluids and to monitor my contractions, which at that point seemed to be diminishing with the fluids (or so we thought). About 2 AM they came in and woke me up (they gave me something to help me sleep) and said my contractions had picked up and they needed to advance to the medicine to make them stop.

Thursday morning, I woke up and the doc came in and ordered an ultrasound to check on the baby and my progress. The baby is actually measuring two weeks ahead so that's good! Everything looked good. I had two more shots to stop contractions and they had to change my nausea medicine to something stronger. I then had the medicine orally to stop contractions and one more steroid shot (they REALLY hurt by the way). They said I could go home if I kept something down and my contractions slowed. Thankfully, both of those happened! They sent me home last night with some strong nausea medicine and Tributeline (to stop contractions) by mouth. I take that every 4 hours...EVERY 4 hours so I have to set an alarm to get up and take it at night, but it seems to be helping...I WILL NOT complain about that! I did get sick again last night but so far so good today. I kept half a bagel down so far! So what does all this mean....

Well, the baby needs to stay put for a couple more weeks at the earliest!! So, I am on the medicine (one of which is not normally covered by insurance and it is VERY expensive, but thankfully our insurance covers it) and I go back Monday to check on everything. I have been put on bed rest! Seeing that Junior Mint is a two year old...that's difficult! But God has a way of working everything out!! Unfortunately, my sister lost her job last week, however that is the ONLY way this is possible for us! She is going to keep him for me until we know more. Then, hopefully she will be able to come to our house for a little while to keep him too (they live 4 1/2 hours away). My mom came down to care for him and me for now. God has a way of working everything out!!

Right now, we are just waiting and I am resting! Hoping this baby decides to stay put for a while!!!

Wait...How did this happen?

2010-04-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I went to the doctor to check on the newest Noble nugget. The doctor walked in and said, so you are 30 weeks and 2 days, I thought "What?? Wait!! How did this happen?" I know I often complain that pregnancy is way too long. In fact, this weekend Mr. Goodbar and I were having a conversation with some friends about how God can do anything He wants, so why did He choose 9 months, why not shorter...then Mr. Goodbar replied "at least He didn't treat it like an elephant"..Thanks!

Anyway, what happened? Where has the time gone? I have 9 weeks left. WHAT??? We still have to paint Junior Mint's new room and move him into it (which includes moving the guest bed to the basement and the basement couch to the office), paint over the name on the wall in the nursery and get it ready, drag out all the baby stuff from the attic, pack the bags and finalize plans for Junior Mint when the time comes! (Hopefully, the rooms will be done next week.) Not to mention, a wedding Mr. Goodbar is in 2 weeks before my due date and he just found out he has to go to Connecticut June 2nd (at least it's only a day). So, if you haven't figure it out by now...I'm starting to freak out!! I suddenly feel like we are in a race against the clock!

Good news is the little nugget is doing great! Everything looks good! I've gained a total of 8lbs so far (which is surprising the way I look in the picture) but we figured out it is ALL baby! I asked if this baby is huge or does he just feel huge, and the doctor's response was "Well, he's definitely a BIG baby, not a giant, but big, very healthy for this stage." Thanks...I think! He assures me he is not too big, just healthy! Which I am VERY grateful for... but with Junior Mint being almost 9 lbs when he was born, this worries me, because this baby feels (and looks) that big NOW!

The biggest problems now are I'm still having a little pain from the pulled groin muscle 2 weeks ago, but it is diminishing, the aches are getting stronger in my back and lower abdomen, and he is on the move 24/7 which makes it very hard to sleep or rest! Overall, things are good. Oh yeah...I have been having some dizzy spells, and the doctor thinks it is probably an inner ear issue from drainage from my sinuses with all this pollen and no allergy medicine!! That's easy to deal with though, sit and rest!

So....time is counting down, much faster here towards the end it seems!! The nugget is doing well, Junior Mint is well, Mr. Goodbar is well and so am I...we can't ask for anything more!!!!

No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible.

2010-04-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

Monday morning I was searching the internet for a mom’s Bible study….one that I could either follow online or download. In my quest, I came across several little devotional sites but never really found exactly what I was looking for, however I did find something interesting. I began to notice a trend…every devotion I looked at was about forgiveness! I thought was odd, so I looked at just devotionals for women and then just devotionals…all of them had the same theme, FORGIVENESS. At that point, I figured it was worth passing on!

It was even more interesting that we had just had a brief conversation with someone the day before about forgiveness. This person mention knowing someone whose husband had cheated on her four times, Mr. Goodbar and I both had the same response. “How do we know it is his entire fault?” I know for many of you, this is where you think we are crazy, but hang in there!! The thoughts behind that were maybe after the first time she said she forgave him, but never really did. Maybe, every time they went to bed she had a comment or maybe she would flip out and question him if he was even speaking to a woman? Don’t get me wrong, I am in NO way condoning him cheating, but why are we so quick to judge people who do something wrong but think nothing of the people that don’t truly forgive and keep drudging up the past?

We’ve all done things that we would rather forget and things that we are truly sorry for….what if God had that same mentality that we get sometimes? “I’ll forgive all right, but don’t worry, I’ll never forget”. I understand that we can’t truly forget, that’s human nature, but we can actually put it behind us and move on. When we hang onto it and keep bringing it up, that’s called a grudge, which is just as wrong as the thing that happened in the first place!

The Bible tells us:

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Matthew 6:14-16
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

I know that is a lot easier read than done (ha ha) but I believe God rewards effort. He knows we are human, after all He created us! He understands that we are filled with emotions that hinder us from a lot in our lives, but He also knows we are capable of striving for better.

Forgiveness is a choice, not something that just happens. We have to CHOOSE to forgive wholly, not partially. We have to CHOOSE to move on and not hold it against someone. God has chosen to forgive us; God has commanded us to forgive!

In the case of the cheating spouse, why should he strive for better if he is always guilty in her eyes, always cheating, never quite able to overcome what he did? I’m not saying this is the case in this situation, I don’t know, Mr. Goodbar and I just feel that you can’t always blame others for things that happen over and over and never look at yourself a little.

There is always going to be someone that does something wrong towards you or hurts you, that’s life, but sometimes we don’t stop and put ourselves in their shoes, think of the situation, and MOST OF THE TIME we don’t whole heartedly forgive them when they are sorry! I understand a lot of people say “they aren’t truly sorry”, that’s not for you to decide, just like the Bible says in Luke, our job is to forgive, not judge! God can take care of the true repentance, we are called to forgive.

Next time you are quick to bring up the past to someone who has hurt you or to hang onto their sin….think of how you would feel if God hung onto everything you have done wrong and brought it back up each time we sinned!!

TO BE or NOT TO BE?

2010-03-30T06:59:00.000-07:00

Not long ago, I was riding with a friend having a conversation about some mutual people we know, people who say they are Christians but we were discussing how if a stranger sat down with them and didn’t discuss the topic directly would they know they were children of God!

That made us start talking about people who say they are Christians and even go to church, some even every time the doors are open, but does their life really reflect a change?

(Yes, I have written on something very close to this before but not exactly!)

It doesn’t mean that I doubt everyone that does questionable things, because we ALL sin and do stupid things!! I mean the people that blatantly disagree with some basic truths of the Bible. Can we doubt the Bible in certain areas and still be a complete follower of Jesus? How is that any different than Jewish people, who we don’t call Christians, but they follow the Bible, just don’t believe in the New Testament? What if I said I didn’t believe in one little thing? I know some people will argue that you can disagree with the little things, as long as you are on the same page with the (what our pastor calls) “the non-negotiables”.

Don’t get me wrong, I agree that there are some things that it is okay to have a different opinion on, for example: Premillennium, Amillennium, or Postmillennium (if you are unsure what that means, I suggest an internet search here). That difference doesn’t really matter; our pastor puts it best….

“I’m not on the Time and Place committee; I’m on the preparation committee!”

So where is the line? Where is that defining point of disagreement verses non-believing? How do you decide what the “important things” are and what you can disagree with? I’m not going to pretend that I have some deep philosophical answer (maybe you do??) but I can say that I do think there are things that you MUST agree with! Part of being a Christian (TO ME) is you have a fundamental belief in the a few things…this website is the BEST one I have found that lays it all out (with reference verses)!!

The Baptist Faith

(even if you are not Baptist, please take a few minutes to read it, it is a statement of faith for Christians, I am aware that there are minor differences such as total immersion vs. sprinkling, etc. I chose this one because it is reputable source; you have to be careful where you get your faith statements!)

We have a book, A Time To Clash, by Doug Giles. We do NOT agree with everything in the book, there is one thing that I am starting to see more and more, especially in light of our new “leadership”. He has a chapter entitled, “A Christian Can Be a Christian or a Liberal, But He Can’t be Both”. (Not a Democrat, a Liberal, there is a difference) This website explains that chapter in a short, to the point kind of way. I do recommend you check out the actual book and this chapter (if nothing else) because it gives REAL examples of the kind of thing he is speaking of!

Check it out!

Now that I am sure I’ve made several of you mad with that….

Back to the conversation with my friend….we talked about if you discussed the current American situation with a person, would they know you were a Christian? If your answer is….probably or maybe, then you need to rethink where you stand on some issues! When we discuss the “major” issues on the table there should be a difference with what we say/believe and what “mainstream America” says/believes! We know that Christianity is no longer promoted as “mainstream” so therefore, we can’t go with mainstream America. We have to stand up and make a stance!

There WILL come a time when we have to defend our faith, it looks like sooner than later, so are you ready to stand up against the masses and defend what you believe NO MATTER WHAT? Do you believe in your faith enough to change the way you think socially and politically??

2 Yr. Check-up

2010-03-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we had Junior Mint's 2 yr. check-up. It went GREAT! Dr. Andrews (amazing doctor, by the way) said he was doing great for his age and "ahead of the game" on most things.

He is weighing in at barely 23 1/2 lbs. That's in the 5th percentile!

He is measuring at 33 1/2 inches. That's in the 10th percentile!

Both of those are consistent with the way he has been growing over the past year, so he's just little!

He only had one shot and that was because his 18 month check-up was a little early to get it. He did great, no crying! He got upset when they wanted to put a band-aid on it..he kept saying "don't do that". He didn't need a band-aid, he's a big boy (that's what he told me).

All the nurses kept saying how cute he was and how "advanced" he was in his speech and understanding skills. Dr. Andrews asked how old he was and Junior Mint proudly stated "TWO"! He showed all his teeth and happily let them do everything to him!

We even went potty before we left the house, got there and I asked if he need to go, he said "yes" so we went, he peed and was DRY! We tried again before we left and he was dry and didn't need to go. We left the doctor (about 30 minutes from home) and stopped by the bank then home and he was dry the whole time! We had NO peeing in his pull-up! He peed once in a pull-up while we were at the ball field while Mr. Goodbar practiced with the church softball team. There was no bathroom and he hasn't learned the joy of being a boy and being able to go anywhere...we haven't gotten the standing thing yet!

The appointment went great...the potty training went great!!!!

Potty Training Day 1

2010-03-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

Well...it really isn't Day 1, it is Day 1 of "high gear" potty training!!

Today went really well!! He got up with a wet diaper and we put on underwear (real ones). He picked them out and I told him not to get them wet, he said "okay" and that was it!

He went to the potty all morning, we had NO accidents. He went about 3 hours between peeing (obviously, we went several more times than that). I put him in a pull-up for nap, about 10 minutes in I heard, "Mommy...pee pee in the potty". I ran upstairs and by the time we got to the potty he had JUST finished!! We put on a new pull-up and he went down, slept 3 hours and woke up dry and peed and peed on the potty! He put his undies back on and we have been good ever since now! It is right at his bedtime and we have had NO real accidents today!!! I don't consider the one time in the pull-up an accident cause he told me he had to go and he tried SO hard to get there in time!

SO....today has been a GREAT day! Hopefully, it will continue to be more consistent and good. We have to go out tomorrow, so that will throw a wrench in things but we should still be good. He can do it!!

Quick Update

2010-03-15T08:04:00.001-07:00

I wanted to give a quick update on the little nugget!

I went today and am measuring good. The heartbeat was 145!

My iron was low and my blood pressure was high. They gave me a list of iron rich foods to eat. They checked my blood pressure again and said I was okay to leave, they will just watch it.

I go back in 3 weeks to get back on normal schedule then start every 2 weeks!!

I also had my glucose test today...YUCK! Everyone else in there got the orange, I, of course, got the fruit punch, which is HORRIBLE! It was okay, I got it down, waited my hour, had my blood drawn and then I was on my way. Now, I am in the waiting game.

Mr. Goodbar was able to keep Junior Mint while I went, thank goodness!! He would have hated all the sitting and waiting!

So...everything is good with the little nugget!!

I know..I know...

2010-03-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

So, I know this song is NO where near new, but it is on my Junior Mint's praise and worship CD and we were listening to it. I thought....this is the perfect song for EASTER! Yes, Easter.. remember that holiday?

Mr. Goodbar and I were watching the Family Feud the other day and they asked what people associate with Easter, the number one was Easter Bunny and number two was eggs...where was JESUS or even church?? People have Easter ALL wrong! Please remember what Easter means and why we even celebrate it. So, as you consume those chocolate bunnies or marshmallow Peeps...read your Bible!!

In Christ Alone lyrics

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fulness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Even better check out this video:

In Christ Alone

A LONG Overdue Update...

2010-03-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

It seems like FOREVER since I did an update! I'm sorry for that. Hopefully, this will explain a little of that!

First, I hope each one of you are still taking part in the 40 days for Life!! Don't forget about the change prayer can bring!!

Now...I went for my major ultrasound a few weeks ago (again, I'm so behind). Everything went great! You can see from the pictures that he is growing and healthy!! Just in case you think you have missed something, NO we have not said his name on here and I won't (just like Junior Mint) but we have not given him a "Blog Persona" yet either. We have decided to wait and see his personality first!!

The baby is good, but Mommy not so much. This pregnancy is way more difficult than Junior Mint's, it seems. I am HUGE...which I hear is normal for baby #2! My "morning sickness" (otherwise called can't keep anything down sickness) has subsided, I'm only getting sick occasionally now, which is such a relief!! I am however, having Braxton Hicks contractions, which are completely normal at this stage, I just have to be careful and count/time them. I'm supposed to rest more and drink more, which I am trying to do. When they are bad, I have to get off my feet, which isn't easy with a 2 year old! My swelling is worse this time, but I'm sure that is because I am on my feet more than I was with Junior Mint. I have horrible heartburn....they say that means he'll have hair, we shall see!! I don't sleep well...mainly because of heartburn or the party going on in my belly. It appears as if I have the same problem I had with Junior Mint of having a lot of amniotic fluid. This pregnancy is just so different from Junior Mint!

Well...I know it appears as if I am complaining about everything, I'm sorry! I want to make sure to update everyone and try to explain why when I do get a free moment I'm usually spending it resting or catching up on housework.

Our baby boy is growing and healthy...that is ALL that matters!!

Look at those little feet!

Daily Devotionals

2010-02-19T05:59:00.001-08:00

So...I have changed what I want to do. I decided not to copy and paste the daily devotionals here. Instead I'm going to make a link to the main site and to the daily devotionals that way you can go there on your own and browse if you like. Also, they have a special link for printable devotionals....in case anyone wants them that is a much better way to get them printed out!

40 Days For Life

40 Days For Life Daily Devotionals

Day 2 of 40 Days for Life

2010-02-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

Day 2 - February 18

Intention:

May the King of the Universe, who entered this world as a helpless infant, give us the humility to be healed.

Scripture:

My power is made perfect in weakness.

--2 Corinthians 12:9

Reflection:

The great mystery of the Humility of God is very near and dear to the mission of those serving in pro life and in a special way, post abortion ministries across this nation. For those wounded by their participation in abortion, the door to healing often feels like crossing an abyss of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being torn apart by the pain, by self hatred and rage at those who hurt and abandoned you, and manipulated you in your time of temptation. For men in particular, entering the unknown waters of emotional vulnerability, so necessary to healing calls for a different kind of courage that feels deceptively like weakness.

The door to healing is humility. It is born in the inability to no longer control the pain, to live with the consequences of that tragic decision to reject life. The hearts cries out, "I have committed a grave offense against my Creator and I am consumed by regret, grief and sorrow!"

During these forty days let us pray for all who have participated in abortion and with love call them to healing and reconciliation. With healing these women and men can become as John Paul II proclaimed in the Gospel of Life, "the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life."

Jesus proclaimed, "I am the Vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5). To bear the greatest fruit, the branches must be pruned. Each level of pruning of the vine requires a deeper level of humility so that we can abandon ourselves to His will. This is not a lofty theological concept as much as it is an earthy experience of pulling weeds, tilling rocky soil, pruning and healing the vines. "If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in my footsteps" (Matthew 16:24).

Prayer:

Lord, during these forty days, we ask that with each day of this sacred vigil, everything in us that separates us from your perfect will would be pruned from our hearts and souls. In this blessed freedom may we experience a powerful anointing of your Holy Spirit. Filled with confidence and trust may we proclaim with the mother of Jesus, "Let it be done to me, according to your Word."

Kevin Burke
Executive Director, Rachels Vineyard Ministries

WOW...what a day!

2010-02-17T06:51:00.000-08:00

All I can say is WOW!! Yesterday was probably one of the worst days Junior Mint and I have ever had....that's bad!

He was an angel day before yesterday...so of course, me being the proud mom I am, bragged forever to anyone who cared that he was so good and behaved so well for me. WELL.....then it hit yesterday! Mr. Goodbar said I bragged too much and he thought he would even it out for me...and that he did. I can honestly say that Junior Mint won the battle yesterday, which is my fault! I realize that I had given up, by the time the afternoon came we had had the following:

Dog food dumped out 3 times and picked up (by Junior Mint)
Dog water dumped out 1 time
Junior Mint took his clothes off
Junior Mint took his diaper off and peed in the floor twice before I could get to him (then laughed)
Dumped out the dog treats and fed them to the dogs off and on ALL day because he hid them in places where I didn't find them
Cried through nap (which NEVER happens)
Counted 1-2-3 and jumped off the couch about 20 times
Sprayed the dogs with air freshner
Used his picnic table like a jungle gym
Pulled the dog off the couch by his hair

And I'm sure the list goes on and on! Where was I you ask....well, right behind him. I told Mr. Goodbar I was putting out fires all day. There was instruction and correction, but yesterday he just didn't seem to care! Not to mention, this little nugget in my belly had me feeling yucky and I didn't sleep the night before...which I know is NO excuse! I was just so done by the time Mr. Goodbar got home.

I realized this morning, Junior Mint had won! He was trying my patience and trying to see what he could do to bother me and he won! I let him win a battle...one that I can't let him win again. I know there will be bad days, and some really bad days, but that doesn't mean that I can just give up and let it happen! I forgot the most important thing....I'm not a single parent, I have Mr. Goodbar but I also have someone much stronger than him, much more patient than either one of us, much more capable of handling these stressful situations...GOD! I forgot to seek help and guidance when I needed it most. I forgot to lean on him for understanding and answers! But I know that even though I failed yesterday, I can start over today. I can lean today where I didn't yesterday. I won't make my failures Junior Mint's and I won't allow him to be disobedient to me because I was to my God...I gave up and I won't allow him to give up on listening and obeying. I will remember that I am not alone...none of us are!

No matter if we decide to check out as a mom, dad, child, worker, follower....we have to remember that we have someone much more capable to handling all this on our side, ready to advocate for us, ready to help us...we just have to call out His name!

From Hugs for New Moms book:

"When motherhood is draining the best of you and you feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped for the responsibilities of caring for your family, look up and remember that I'm your ever-present helper! Come to Me, and I'll refresh you and recharge your emotional, physical, and spiritual batteries. You'll find that with My help you can accomplish amazing things you could never do alone.

Energizing you
Your All-Powerful God"

~from Psalm 121:1-2, Matthew 11:28 and Philippians 4:13

Day 1 of 40 Days for Life

2010-02-17T06:43:00.001-08:00

Day 1 - February 17

Intention:

That we may use these 40 Days for Life to plead for God's mercy and grace upon all those involved in the sin of abortion.

Scripture:

Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation. Assemble the elders; gather the children and the infants at the breast… Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare, O Lord, your people."

-- Joel 2:15-17

Reflection:

The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded in abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and fathers of these millions, as well as the grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living shattered.

It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in the midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection - His victory over death that opened the gates of heaven to those who believe in and follow Him.

The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me… Give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing spirit sustain in me… O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14, 17).

We are called to be God's messengers; or as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). That is the true message to all we encounter at the abortion centers and in our communities who have been deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring condemnation; we bring God's good news.

Prayer:

Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom, determination and stamina to carry out this mission according to Your will. Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your truth, always doing so with a spirit of love and compassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, amen.

David Brandao
Communications Director, 40 Days for Life

Preparation for 40 days of Life....

2010-02-16T10:13:00.000-08:00

So....the website for 40 days of Life has a daily devotional that begins today with a preparation devotion. Please check back daily....I will do my best to post the daily devotional every day! They are short and won't take long. Please take 5 minutes out of your day!!

Day of Preparation - February 16

Intention:

Pray that our nation repents from the sin of abortion and turns back to God.

Scripture:

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.

- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Reflection:

Not unlike God's chosen people of Israel, we must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, if we expect God to hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. The need for repentance has not been greater since the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade in 1973. The number one cause of death in America is the needless sacrifice of our children at the altar of convenience called abortion. Conservative estimates put the number of deaths at nearly 48 million.

And lest we think this is an issue outside the church walls, 43 percent of women obtaining abortions identify themselves as Protestant, and 27 percent identify themselves as Catholic. One in four women has at least one abortion by the age of 45 -- both non-Christian and Christian alike. Where was the voice of Truth -- the church?

Mary Comm of In Our Midst Ministries, Inc. sums up the issue best as she writes, "We (the church) have been an unintentional accomplice to the millions of lives lost and to the multiplied millions of lives devastated by abortion. We didn't want them to abort. We didn't mean for them to abort. But, because of our lack of knowledge, because of our fear, we have continued to stand by and do nothing. We, God's hands and feet in this dark and hurting world, have been unintentional, unknowledgeable accomplice, but an accomplice nonetheless."

May today mark the beginning of change within the church, as God's people, in unity, seek His forgiveness.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we have turned our backs on you and your principles in your Word. We have allowed man to usurp Your role as God over life and the number of our days. But we come to you in brokenness and repentance over our sin. We cry out for Your mercy and ask you to remove the scourge of abortion from our land. Use us as your vessels, Lord, to bring the light of Your Truth to our nation once again. Because of Christ we pray, amen.

Carmen Pate
Co-host, "Point of View" talk show

(These are copied directly from http://www.40daysforlife.com/getinvolved.cfm?selected=devotionals)

Can you give 40 days??

2010-02-16T06:42:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow begins a very important period for Christians....yes, it is Ash Wednesday but it is also day one of the 40 Days for Life campaign!

40 Days for Life is a campaign focused on making communities aware of the consequences of abortion through a peaceful approach! The 40 days follows the example laid out biblically where God used 40 days to transform people. This campaign calls for 40 days of prayer, fasting and vigil. Seeing as I am pregnant....fasting won't be involved but I will be taking part in the prayer! All of us can do that. Devote a few minutes of your day to praying for the innocent lives that are lost every year to abortion...and those numbers are shocking!!

Check out some statistics:

Since 1973, there have been over 47,000,000 abortions in the United States.
That's 1,300,000 babies every year
That's 108,333 babies every month
That's 27,083 babies every week
That's 3,735 babies every day
That's 155 babies every hour
That's 2.6 babies every minute
That's 1 baby every 25 seconds!

· 88.1% of abortions take place in the first 3 months of pregnancy; over 50% of all abortions take place in the first 8 weeks

· Approximately 12% of abortions take place in the second or third trimester of pregnancy

· 78% of women having abortions report a religious affiliation

· 61% of women having abortions have one or more children

Reasons Woman give for having an abortion:

· 3/4 say that having a baby would interfere with work, school, or other responsibilities.

· 23% say they cannot afford to have a child.

· Over 90% say they are having an abortion because of some type of "social" reason (convenience, money, not ready for a child, etc)

Rape and incest consist of less than 0.5% of all abortions

I know 40 days is a lot…we as Americans can’t seem to commit to 40 days of anything…but lets make a commitment to these 40 days!!

Take a few minutes every day to ask God to end this attack on innocent children, talk to your friends about the statistics and educate them, take action to let everyone know your stance, if your stance is Pro-Choice, evaluate your faith and remember:

Psalms 139:13-16

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.

If you have had an abortion, take this opportunity to ask forgiveness.

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Remember, God forgives ALL!! He will cast your sins as far as the East is from the West!

Take this 40 days to make a difference….in the lives of others, babies and yourself!

Can you give 5 minutes a day for 40 days…that’s just 200 minutes, just 3 hrs. 20 minutes?? That’s less than 3 and half episodes of most TV shows!!

Check out the 40 Days for Life website!!

It's A Boy!!!

2010-01-21T05:43:00.000-08:00

Well, yesterday wasn't quite the appointment I expected. We thought it was just the normal check the heartbeat and measurement appoint, so Mr. Goodbar decided to keep Junior Mint at home so I could go and get in and out. We will have the detailed ultrasound in 3 weeks to check all the anatomy and measurements of the baby! But, while I was in there, the doc wanted, what he called, a peek ultrasound. It was a very short and just enough to make sure the baby looked good and to see what the sex was...and I did!! As soon as she glided across my belly I knew, there was NO guessing involved. We are welcoming another little boy in June! I think of how wonderful it will be for Junior Mint to have a little brother to play with that is close in age...plus I guess I already know how to handle a boy! : ) Junior mint is excited, he keeps saying he's going to be a "Bubby" and he's getting a "brudder". Plus, he is soooo cute when he tries to say his name!! We've gotten a lot of compliments on the name, which is always a good thing too! ; )

Here's the new baby boy...

Don't think you know me....

2010-01-14T13:33:00.000-08:00

Don’t think you know me because I am a mother, don’t think you know me because I am a wife and CERTIANLY don’t think you “know me” because I am a CHRISTIAN!!!

People have some serious misconceptions about Christians, but it isn’t their fault. Christians have caused these misconceptions and will continue to foster the false ideas that so many Christians have given people!

I’ve always noticed this off and on, but lately I’ve come to realize how WRONG some Christians have it, even how wrong some churches have it!! Mr. Goodbar and I are lucky enough to be part of a church that can seriously foster the right attitude towards our community and the people in it. Our pastor doesn’t shy away from the “taboo” issues that a lot of churches are (for lack of a better word) scared to discuss!!

What gives Christians the right to misquote the Bible or twist its words to suit them? What gives them the right to only accept part of the truth and not the whole truth? What gives them the right to sit by while other Christians loose their way and not try to help them? Then all the sudden the Christians who stand up against this or try to help others get “a bad name”.

I’m so tired of people acting like I am “one of those Christians”…the kind that will talk down to you or condemn you for your life/beliefs. First, I’m not the one that condemns, God is!!! Second, I believe all people falter and all people fail….if we didn’t what would have been the point of Jesus Christ coming to Earth? All people sin, sin is separation from God and the penalty for sin is death…that’s just the way it is. Why can’t Christians tell people that? (Now, I do understand there has to be compassion and tact) Why can’t I tell someone they will go to Hell if they choose not to accept Jesus Christ as their savior?

Secondly, I am not “one of those Christians” that will idly stand by while you choose to live a life not becoming of a Christian but claim to be one! That doesn’t make me less of a Christian or bad Christian nor does it make me a poor disciple of Christ! I don’t understand why Christians have sat by and let the world be overcome with non-Christians or (in my opinion even worse), false Christians or luke warm Christians!

I believe that not being a Christian is one thing and a person will have to answer for that, but claiming to be a Christian when you lead a life contradictory is another, and a person will have to answer for that too; as will the person who makes them think it is okay to do so!! I believe that there are Christians who claim to be Christians that are only that in name…or as I have pointed out before they wanted a “get out of Hell free card”. You can’t choose to live a life contradictory to the Bible and firmly believe that it is okay to do so (or twist the Bible to be what you want) and think that is okay with God.

God wants a relationship with you…not a one time commitment! If I got married then lived every day as if I didn’t know “the rules of marriage” and not committed to that marriage, what kind of marriage would I have? Why would I take on such a HUGE commitment if I wasn’t willing to live inside that marriage and work daily to make it better? Just the same, why would someone become a Christian, make that commitment, yet not live in that commitment daily? Why would a Christian allow another Christian to make that commitment and yet not help them see they have to live in that commitment daily?

What kind of pastor would our pastor be if he spoke with someone about salvation but told them that he can’t tell them how to live and they need to change their lives to live FOR God, not AROUND God?!? I’m sure most Christians believe that pastors should feel that way….however why are pastor held to a different level of responsibility than every other Christian? We are all called to serve God, live for God, so why are we not telling people the same thing?

1 Timothy 6:11-12

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses

If you are a Christian, first, think of your walk with Christ. Are you living by his word….every part of it, or are you “finding ways out” because it’s a “gray area” or it doesn’t spell it out? Second, think of your attitude. Are you accepting criticism with a Christ-like attitude or are you constantly defending your stance? Are you open to other Christians who are trying to help you grown in your walk? Third, think of how you are with other Christians, especially those who you know aren’t right in their walk. Are you allowing them to believe their way of living is okay? Are you side-stepping things so you don’t hurt their feelings? Are you choosing not to say anything because you don’t want to get involved? You are involved…God has placed you in the path of certain people for reasons unknown to us. How do you know your purpose isn’t to help them change their lives around to live FOR God?

James 2:14-26

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Packing up the Suitcase...

2010-01-12T12:38:00.000-08:00

Don’t you love people who claim they “hand everything over to God” but their lives show differently? This is something I’ve thought about for a few days now. I read a lot of blogs and a lot of Facebook posts and I even catch myself doing it!!! It’s that thing we, as Christians, probably ALL do at some point or another.

“I’m handing ________ over to God and leaving it in his hands”, however how many of us pick that back up right after we say amen and try to fix it all on our own? There is an author that talks about unpacking your suitcase and leaving it at the feet of Jesus but when you are done you pack everything back up and take it with you again! Like I said, we ALL do that at some point. I personally think that God understands that, it’s human nature to want to fix it on our own; the problem comes when that is what you are characterized by.

How many times do you talk to a person and they said “God will handle it” or “I’m not going to worry about it anymore” then not long after they are talking about the same thing again? You know…People need to have MORE FAITH!!! I personally believe that when this becomes what you are characterized by; meaning this is the norm instead of the exception, you need to have more faith, trust God more!!

I have people still say “I’m sorry” about loosing the baby or ask if I’m okay, my response is always “its okay, I’m good” and I mean that. Then there are the people who look at me like I am a cold-hearted you know what when I say that…but really people, I AM OKAY!!! Yes, I have bad days and yes, I will probably fall apart a few times come Feb. 5^th but I AM OKAY!! I am okay because I gave it to God and I didn’t pack it back up in my suitcase and carry it around with me!! I’m not saying that everyone who has lost someone should be okay with it…I’m saying if you hand it over to God, it will be okay!

Before you get mad at me….I do understand that there are things that will always hurt and will never “go away” but you don’t have to do it alone! When you leave it at the feet of Jesus that doesn’t mean you won’t be confronted with it again…it means you get your strength to handle it through Him, you don’t have to carry that suitcase all on your own!

So….pack up your hurt, pain and worry and drop the suitcase at the feet of Jesus and let Him carry it for you! There is NOTHING too big or too complicated for God to handle. The biggest challenge is leaving it there. If you give something over to God and then find yourself worrying about it or blogging about it or Facebooking it over and over…you didn’t leave it. Just start over, be honest with God. He knows you didn’t leave it with Him!! Trust Him….he will never leave you nor forsake you! Remember the line from a famous poem,

“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you”

HUGE Milestone...

2010-01-12T12:10:00.001-08:00

Just wanted share a HUGE milestone for Junior Mint and every child in America, if not in the world!!!

HIS VERY FIRST HAPPY MEAL!!

Interesting way to look at things...

2010-01-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

I read this on a friend's Facebook page and thought "how interesting"! Take a moment to really think about it!!! It is so true that we never know what comes next....

Once upon a time, twin boys were conceived in the same womb. Weeks passed and the twins developed. As their awareness grew, they laughed for joy, “isn’t it great that we were conceived? Isn’t it great to be alive?”

Together the twins explored their world. When they found their mother’s cord that gave them life, they sang for joy, “how great is our Mother’s love, that she shares her own life with us!”

As weeks stretched into months, the twins noticed how much each was changing. “what does it mean?” asked the one. “It means that our stay in this world is drawing to an end, said the other. “But I don’t want to go”, said the other, “but maybe there is life after birth.” But how can there be?” responded the other one. “We will shed our life cord, and how is life possible without it? Besides, we have seen evidence that others were here before us and none of them have returned to tell us that there is life after birth. No, this is the end.”

And so the one fell into deep despair, saying, “If conception ends in birth, what is the purpose of life in the womb? It is meaningless! Maybe there is no mother after all?” “But there has to be,” protested the other. “How else did we get here? How do we remain alive?”

How you ever seen our mother?” said one. “Maybe she lives only in our minds. Maybe we made her up because the idea made us feel good?”

And so the last days in the womb were filled with deep questioning and fear. Finally, the moment of birth arrived. When the twins had passed from their world, they opened their eyes and cried for joy. For what they saw exceeded their fondest dreams.

What purpose is there for man to be here on earth if our Lord and God didn't have a purpose for each and every life? God created us to share the good news that He is real and will bless your life if you let Him enter in.

Just like the twins in the story, they had to believe in life...in our case it's life after death. What joy will fill our own hearts if we just believe in God, we too will open our eyes to Jesus' face and cry with joy when we get to Heaven.

Friends, if you don't claim Him as your personal Savior you are missing out on a God of Love and Blessings...but most importantly, eternal life through His shed blood......

I did copy this from her page, it is NOT my own thoughts! (However, I wish it were)

Welcome to 2010!!!

2010-01-01T08:30:00.001-08:00

Well...it's here, a whole new decade. A whole new year to do something good! What will you do with this year? Is your goal to loose weight, quit smoking, have less stress...etc?? What about God in 2010? What is your resolution for him?

We often make resolutions for ourselves or sometimes even our families, but what about God? Shouldn't we be offering more to him than we do? What about spending more time in his word or trying to truly seek his will for our lives?

How about instead of worrying about our weight or stress or even debt, we spend time focusing on God and praying for guidance and wisdom? Everything else will fall into place if you put the right focus at the top...GOD! Truly seeking God's will can never lead you wrong!!

"The will of God will never take you

where the Grace of God will not protect you."

Experiencing Christmas

2009-12-14T18:43:00.000-08:00

Before Mr. Goodbar and I even had children we discussed how we wanted Christmas to be and how we intended on handling it with our future children; we have adapted and added to that plan as our family grows and we grow as Christians.

We want Junior Mint to understand not just the true meaning of Christmas, but the whole concept of the world verses Christians. He needs to understand that just because other people have twenty-five presents under the tree doesn’t mean he needs that many. We feel a few is more than sufficient or that just because someone else has very expensive gifts doesn’t make them better than a gift from the heart! His life will be full of things that we will have to explain that just because someone else does something, it doesn’t make it okay!

A big one for us is gratitude! People have forgotten what that words means, I’m not even sure it is in Webster’s anymore!!! He needs to understand that it is NOT and NEVER will be appropriate or accepted that he gets mad or upset at not getting what he wants!! We want him to understand that presents are not the focus of Christmas! Present are a privilege, not a right!!

I know a lot of parents say they love to see the “joy their kids have” when they open gifts…however I believe they love the joy they feel at picking out a great gift for their child (and I use the term joy very loosely there). We want Junior Mint to understand that there is NO joy that comes in a box wrapped under a tree or comes with a FROM tag. The only true joy that he will feel will be from the Lord!

We want Junior Mint to understand that you don’t behave between Thanksgiving and Christmas because Santa is watching; you behave all year because God requires obedience! There is no “pitching fits” at the thought of having to wait to open presents until AFTER we eat or until Mommy/Daddy take care of a few things. Obedience and patience are requirements from God!

Now, I do understand that there are probably a lot of people reading this thinking that “well, she will see it’s different when he gets a little older and all he cares about is that new toy”…no you see, we feel that isn’t an attitude they develop on their own. That attitude is planted and cultivated! Now…for the half of you that didn’t check out after that…..

We have spent over two years expressing our views/plans about Christmas and how we want our children to experience it. I think that no matter how we put it, we can’t quite get the point across. I heard an illustration used in our sermon yesterday that was perfect. It sums up EXACTLY how we want Junior Mint (and the little nugget and any future children after) to feel about Christmas. I really hope that when you read this you will stop and think…not just about your kids, but about how you treat Christmas!!

Christmas morning a little girl sat in a living room. After opening all the presents, her mom looked at her and asked “Honey, did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?” The little girl responded, “NO, but it isn’t my birthday”!!

Your opinion can only be expressed if you agree with me!

2009-12-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

First off, sorry for the massive amounts of time that seem to be passing between my posts recently. Between the holidays, taking care of Junior Mint, being so tired and housework I struggle to find time to throw up (which is very often at this point)!

Moving on, if any of you are on Facebook and see my comments you will understand where this is coming from, for those of you who aren't, let me give you a little insight! I often post OPINIONS as my statuses and have recently come under fire for some of those. It started with a comment about Grey's Anatomy and more recently started a "firestorm" with a comment about Thanksgiving being a day to thank God. This all has really made me extremely frustrated with our country.

Why is it that Christians seem to come under fire for personal opinions but (for lack of a better term) liberals* seem to be able to say anything they want and we have to accept it? (Just for the record I don't believe you can be a true Christian and a true liberal at the same time.) Why is it what they say is "being politically correct" but what we say is being judgmental?

It really bothers me that they can degrade our holidays and traditions and mold them into what they want but we can't even say that Christmas is about Christ. Mr. Goodbar and I recently heard the news interview someone about the Gap ad (refer to my previous post if you don't know what I am talking about) and they said that "we" (Christians) need to understand that Christmas is an "all-inclusive" holiday now and more than Christians celebrate it and we shouldn't exclude non-Christians. Please explain that to me....without Christ there would be NO CHRISTmas!! How has Christmas become an all-inclusive holiday? Why do we, Christians, have to be the ones to concede to everyone else?

I'm so tired of the message that "Your opinion can only be expressed if you agree with me" that is being sent out by liberals (and I really don't like that term, but what other term would be better here). Why is my opinion so wrong but they are so right? Why can't I voice my opinion without being attacked as being judgmental? What has happened to our nation?

What has happened to Christianity?

*I do not use the term liberal and democrat synonymously. The term liberal is used with beliefs that typically contradict Christian beliefs.

America Speaks, Gap Responds...

2009-11-25T11:53:00.001-08:00

After AFA called for a boycott of Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic, the support poured out. People stood up for what was right and spoke out against the company and Gap listened! Check out this link to the Gap response:

Gap Response

Make sure you keep an eye out for this new commercial! See....standing up for what is right does have some influence!!!! Now, if people would stand up for more things maybe this country could show some improvement!

What happened to Christmas?

2009-11-19T06:58:00.000-08:00

Have any of you heard the new Gap commercial? Here are the words:

2, 4, 6, 8!

'Tis the time to liberate!

Go Christmas!

Go Hanukkah!

Go Kwanzaa!

Go Solstice!

Go classic tree, go plastic tree, go plant a tree, go without a tree!

You 86 the rules!

You do what just feels right!

Happy do whatever you want-a-kah and to all a cheery night!

Really???

This commercial bothered me the first time I saw it...but ever since it bothers me more and more!! What happened to Christmas, where has it gone?

Christmas is disappearing before our eyes and no one is doing anything about it! How many Christians are going to be lining up at Gap, Old Navy or Banana Republic? This is crazy!!

Christmas isn't about the presents anyway! I think we are forgetting the true meaning of Christmas....the birth of Christ!

Santa doesn't matter, presents don't matter, decorations don't matter, food doesn't matter...who cares about the lights, bows and glitter? Without Christ it is all pointless anyway!!

Okay..I know this is going to hit hard with a lot of people (including myself) but check out this list of "Companies against Christmas"

Companies against "Christmas"

updated 11-18-09

Advance Auto Parts

Aldi

Banana Republic

Barnes & Noble

Braum's Ice Cream

CVS Pharmacy

Dick's Sporting Goods

Gap Stores

Harris Teeter Stores

Home Shopping Network

Kroger

Limited Brands

McDonald's

Nordstrom

Office Depot

Old Navy

Olive Garden

Outback Steakhouse

Radio Shack

Staples

SUPERVALU

Victoria's Secret

I know how that looks...that is a hard hit for some of us!! This is a list put out by the AFA! Please consider what buying from these places does for the meaning of Christmas!

In case you want to know the whole list including the "Companies for Christmas" check out:

Naughty or Nice Christmas List 2009

Can't have too much prayer!!!

2009-11-09T17:40:00.001-08:00

After a lot of discussion around our house, Mr. Goodbar and I have decided that there is NO topic that can have too much prayer (okay, that didn't take a lot of discussion but the next part did).

We are expecting a BABY!!! After the last pregnancy, we debated not telling people for a while, but we figured you can't have too much prayer. You can't have too big of a support system. You can't have too many people caring!!

We went to the doctor and the baby is great. No signs of any problems from before! The heart beat is wonderful!!! We go back in two weeks for another ultrasound....the doctor said it is only for my comfort!

We are due in June!!!

Please pray for us and the baby!!! We can't have too much prayer!!!!

We will rejoice in what God has blessed us with now and not worry about the future...for HE is in control!

Horsey.....

2009-11-05T17:39:00.001-08:00

Junior Mint has a horse that he rides when he goes to my parent's house. It is Mr. Goodbar's dad's from when he was a little boy! Junior Mint LOVES to ride...check it out!

Cookie Break

2009-11-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

Time for a Cookie Break...........

Check Back...

2009-10-27T06:16:00.001-07:00

Make sure you check back after Friday and Saturday to see the cutest little boy you have ever seen in his Halloween costume!!!

Christian Responsiblity

2009-10-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

So this week we were watching Grey’s Anatomy and I got SO mad at them using the Bible to defend homosexuals, me being me, then Tweeted about it which sparked several comments. They got me thinking, Christians have NO Christian responsibility today (well, I will say we do when we want to).

If you know Mr. Goodbar, you know that he is pretty strong willed, this can cause some arguments sometimes because I don’t understand why things matter so much. I am now finding myself jumping on the same things that he has been saying for years. In our home, we don’t purchase Pepsi because it is one of the “Official Sponsors” of several gay pride parades around the nation. We don’t eat McDonald’s because of the same things, we don’t buy Campbells Soup because they are adjusting their advertising to “appeal to the ‘modern’ family” including homosexuals. The latest boycott is Susan G. Komen…this one FLOORED ME!!! They give money to Planned Parenthood! More babies are killed by abortion than women die of breast cancer each year. This is so contradictory to me….their sole purpose is to save lives yet they give to an organization whose biggest thing is killing lives!! Explain that to me!!!

Anyway, all that made me think….here I am boycotting these companies with my hubby (reluctantly on the Pepsi thing, seeing as Mtn. Dew is part of that), and I sat there and didn’t turn off Grey’s when they were spewing out that crap!! I had just had a conversation with a friend about a radio show here in Atlanta that Christians need to stop listening to so they will stop talking about all the junk and yet I sat there watching Grey’s because I like the show! Now, here I am thinking about my Christian responsibility.

We have a responsibility to strive to live as Christ lived. We have a responsibility to be in the world not of the world!! Several people jumped on my Tweet about Grey’s saying that Jesus never condemned homosexuality and he preached love, that’s what we should do, love them, I agree we should love them. You love the sinner, hate the sin! But homosexuality is no different than any other sin. Why do we excuse people who cheat on their spouses (or better yet, not excuse them but excuse homosexuals)? No, I don’t think this sin is any worse than any other sin, but I do believe it is a sin, as I do most of the story lines on Grey’s Anatomy!! I realized I am mad about them twisting the Bible but not about the constant sinning that they portray as normal in today’s society.

We have a responsibility to stand out, stand out from the non-Christians, more like STAND UP!! We have to stand up and take this country back!! What happened to the days where TV didn’t show a couple in the same bed, or allow even the word crap on TV…now they bleep out God but leave in the “f” word!! If we, as Christians, would stand up and take the responsibility of being a Christian, we could take this world back!! It has worked…Ford pulled their sponsorship of gay pride parades because their sales plummeted when AFA (American Family Association) told us to boycott them! What about all the stores that stopped saying Christmas but yet we had no issue shopping at them? Why can’t we change the channel or find a new store to shop at or a new place to eat? Is being a Christian to inconvenient? God never said it would be easy to be a Christian!

We have the responsibility to turn off the TV, change our drink, shop somewhere different, or just stand up to our friends when it comes to GOD!!! Or even better, get on the computer and send letters, letters and more letters to the shows and companies that are doing these things! (This is what I am going to do with Grey’s, my letter may not do anything, but I bet a million would!) If I loose a friend because they don’t like how I stand up for God, I’m okay with that, but if I have to answer for not standing up for God when someone was speaking against Him or His teachings….which would you choose??

You see, I am so tired of people getting irritated over conversations about homosexuality being wrong or people getting mad because we as Christians don’t like what’s going on in with our nation! I personally believe I have a responsibility to voice what the Bible teaches and to try to avoid sin. Do I believe homosexuality is any worse than any other sin, NOPE…but it seems to be the “sin of today” that everyone thinks is okay!! It has become the norm instead of the exception so we have to accept it! This is just a crazy concept to me! I believe in God’s love and I believe that His love can move mountains, so why can’t it help this nation find God again?

It’s time to STAND UP instead of SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!

Really??

2009-10-08T17:23:00.000-07:00

So, where do I start? You know those days where you should have just hid under the covers and not gotten out of bed? Well, today was one of those days!!

Where do I start? How about the fact that from the moment Junior Mint (side note: he doesn't like Junior Mints at ALL) woke up he was out to destroy our home. He walked out his bedroom door and refused to go downstairs without his Cookie Monster book, considering that the big blue cookie hungry monster has now taken over the Noble lives. We can't go anywhere that Cookie Monster is without hearing a loud little "COOOOKIE" in the famous Cookie Monster voice! So after 10 minutes of trying to get down the stairs with a book in tow (which he is determined to do by himself because he is so incredibly independent) we make it to breakfast. Breakfast went well! Then playtime rolled around.

He pulled EVERY toy he had that he could get to out and just left them, didn't play with them, just left them. He then got a stuffed ball and threw it to the dogs and when they started tearing it up, he thought it was funny. Every time the dogs stopped he took it back to them to tear up some more, leaving me with a pile of white fuzz in the floor that looked like our dogs ate a bunny in our living room!

I then decided that being inside for the 3rd straight day was too much for one little boy...so off to the park we went. That's where it got really bad!! We got to the park and ate lunch then played for about 30 minutes. Then, Junior Mint went up the stairs about 10 feet from me and he started stomping his feet and staying "Mommy, ouchy, ouchy". I ran to him and he was brushing his legs. I looked down and his feet were COVERED with fire ants! I jerked his shoes and socks off and ripped his shorts off. I was screaming inside but trying to stay calm on the outside so Junior Mint wouldn't cry. He DIDN'T!! He hung in there like a big boy while I stripped him down on a picnic table. All the bites started to swell. They are mostly on his ankles and wrists and knees. I have counted 17 so far and I know that's not all. The doctor said to watch him for a couple hours...his breathing was fine and no major problems other than local reactions. The bites swelled up and he kept telling me they itched. I gave him Benedryl and Motrin and he has been fine other than the itching, which will hopefully subside after the baking soda bath. They said that fire ant bites look worse the next day...so that should be interesting. If you have ever seen Junior Mint with a mosquito bite you understand why this worries me! Mosquito bites swell up like golf balls! If the bites swell or look really bad they want us to come in tomorrow and they may have to give him an oral steroid...but I don't think that will happen!

As if that wasn't enough, we get the mail this evening and we have a letter from the IRS saying that we owe money from 2007. There was a W2 turned in that we didn't claim on our return. When we looked at the information, it is a company that I have never heard of! There was a W2 issued to the IRS in my social security number! YEA!! Now, I get to call that company and try to get them to send a corrected W2 to the IRS. I could have had the IRS do the leg work, but it's way more complicated! I have to get all this done by November 4th!

Then we went to Chick-Fil-A...Junior Mint deserved it after the day he had and Mommy needed a break! I open my sandwich and there is a hair in it. I took it back and they were so amazing about it. I got a new sandwich, another sandwich free for a later visit and a personal apology from the owner! I LOVE Chick-Fil-A!! For those of you who don't know...I also LOVE my CFA tea!!! I was on my second cup and I went to take the tray and knocked my cup on the floor, where it then exploded EVERYWHERE!! The owner cleaned it up for me and was awesome about it, while I was completely embarrassed!!

So...that is the Noble Nuggets day!!! Now, you can see why we all should have just stayed in BED!!

Psalm 18:1-3
I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

Something's not right....

2009-09-29T06:56:00.001-07:00

Something just doesn’t seem right this week, I feel off somehow! I’ve been thinking and I’ve figured it out!!

It’s because I’ve missed church for two weeks in a row!!! We were out of town on both weekends. We usually try to make it when we are away, but it just didn’t happen this time.

Anyway, since I feel weird I was thinking about church and what it means to me and why I feel so “off” when I don’t go!

Church isn’t about the building…it’s not the brick and mortar that I miss when we aren’t there, and yes to some extent it is the people, but it’s mainly an act of obedience. So really, not going to church is an act of disobedience. You know that feeling you used to get when you did something wrong as a child, that’s kind of like this…I’ve been disobedient and yet God loves me the same.

We are commanded to set aside a day for the Lord. That day is Sunday for us. Sunday is the beginning of the week!! If you don’t get off on the right foot, how can the rest of the week go well?

There are several thoughts about church, many people don’t feel the need or think that if they semi go that’s good enough, or what about the people who attend a Bible study somewhere and think that’s good enough? God gives us spiritual gifts, gifts to be used to minister. How can you grow and nurture your spiritual gift if you don’t go to church and share it with others who are trying to nurture theirs too? The Bible says we are to meet with other Christians to use their gifts to strengthen us. The Bible also talks about the church meeting the needs of others. It is the church’s responsibility to take care of the needs of others, if we don’t see the need to go to church, what will happen? What if everyone decided not to go, there would be no need for a church? I Corinthians 12:21 expresses it this way: "The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you." Neither can a Christian claim to be self-sufficient today.

I also believe that the church is a place of accountability. It is really easy to rationalize sin if you (and your group of friends) are the only ones that are “in the sin” and discuss it. How many times have you gone in church and felt like you were getting your toes stepped on? That’s an awesome thing when you think about it! That means you obviously got something out of the service!

I believe that we are the body of Christ, the church is within us and we carry him where we go, but the “corporate gathering” is a necessary part of your Christian walk. The Bible tells us to praise God with a song…do you lift up praises to God on your own? It’s not just the sermon that you get out of a church service…it’s the whole package. I love my Sunday School, but it isn’t the same as church, neither is our Bible study. Church is somewhere you praise God with music, hear a sermon instead of putting your two cents in like Sunday School. Church service is also where most conversions happen. I’m sure they have happened in Sunday School or Bible studies, but most of the ones that happen in church happen in the service. You wonder what that does for you….it gives you a renewed sense of witnessing. It reminds you that sharing your faith can produce results. This is also where you witness baptisms and dedications and communion (which is also an act of obedience). It’s amazing what all you get out of a church service!! This verse should be enough for the argument of going to church: Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

So you see, the week just isn’t right if I don’t go to church. I will leave you with this thought from our preacher (by the way, this came from a church service).

If you don’t think you get anything out of church service, just remember:

You have to take the top off the tank to fill it up!!

Wait for it...

2009-09-28T19:03:00.001-07:00

Don't worry...I'm not M.I.A.

I'm planning a new post...hopefully, tomorrow if Junior Mint cooperates!

OCD???

2009-09-14T19:05:00.000-07:00

Can we say OCD?

Yes....all that because his hands are dirty! We go through this about 15 times during dinner now. For about 5 days now it takes 15 or so napkins or a wet washcloth to get through dinner. He will NOT continue eating until his hands are clean. It doesn't matter what is on them either! We did this with toast this morning! Let's hope this is just a phase!

Like Father, Like Son.....

2009-09-14T18:48:00.001-07:00

I now realize that there is NO denying the phrase "Like Father, Like Son". I think the pictures say it all!!

Dedication Sunday

2009-09-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

We FINALLY got the little man dedicated on September 6th. This is my two favorite men on the morning of the dedication, waiting to "have our moment in the spotlight".

Yes, I know that most people have their child dedicated not long after the baby is born. We had some extenuating circumstances at our old church and decided to hold off until we were more comfortable. (If you want to know more...email me and I will share all that.) After we left that church we didn't want to have him dedicated in a church that wasn't "our church". We have found the right church for us with an amazing Pastor, Associate Pastor and congregation!

For those of you who don't understand this....it is a time when we as parents choose to dedicate our lives to raising our child in the ways of the Lord and the church dedicates themselves to helping that in any way they can. It does not do anything for the salvation of the child!

If you want to check out all of photos from that day, you can! Click the album: Dedication Sunday

You can see the progression we made from a little boy who was just enjoying looking at everyone to a little boy who got very bored and just wanted down to play. Now I know why parents opt for this when the child is a baby and doesn't really move around! Needless to say, he had NO problem heading back to the nursery to play with his friends!!

Update....

2009-09-04T16:39:00.001-07:00

Some of you know that this week has been crazy for us. I thought I would give a quick update as to what I know.

I have had these horrible headaches since last week. I tried everything I could think of, but nothing helped. I ended up at the doctor on Tuesday, who then sent me to the hospital for a CT scan on my brain!

As of today, I was told the results hadn't come back yet, and if it was something bad they would have called right away, so I can assume it's good news. (Odd, I know)

I also had my post-op appointment today. We found out that the problem was "product of conception"...basically something went wrong at conception. It was NOT my hemorrhage or the placenta...which is GREAT news. He said it was just something that happened and probably would never happen again. We chose not to do the chromosomal testing....does it really matter if the baby had a disease? He told us to wait a month or two more before trying again, but he doesn't foresee any problems getting pregnant.

So...good news from the OB/GYN and no news from the CT scan. I still am having the headaches...they gave me two different things, but one I don't want to take unless someone else is here to take care of Junior Mint...maybe I will try it tomorrow if the headache is still bad.

I will post more updates as things change!

P.U.S.H

2009-08-31T10:56:00.001-07:00

I know we have all seen those bracelets...Pray Until Something Happens. Well...I thought about that bracelet yesterday as we discussed prayer in Sunday School.

We were talking with our preacher on Saturday and then again on Sunday. He said "have you ever prayed and felt like your prayers aren't going further than the light?" Think about that for a minute. I'm sure we have all felt like that at one point or another. Then I was thinking how people say...just keep praying. Well...maybe that's not how we should handle things.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying don't pray by any means; what I am saying is maybe just praying until something happens isn't the right answer either. We talked about how sometimes when you pray there is "static", like a radio station that is fading out. Maybe your prayers aren't getting further than the ceiling because you are "out of touch" with God. Maybe your prayers aren't being answered because God is testing your faithfulness. Maybe your prayers aren't genuine. Maybe you are selfishly praying. Then maybe, it's just you are not focused, you're not praying to God but praying at God. What I mean is you are praying but not really wanting the truth.

Then I was thinking about something that Charles Stanley had said when we went to his church here in Atlanta. You don't keep praying for the same things over and over again. That shows a lack of faith in God. Do you think that God doesn't hear your request the first time or that if you keep praying it will change his mind? You come to God in genuine prayer with the request of your heart, however you need to be praying that his will be done in that situation and leave it at his feet and leave it alone. You walk away with faith that he will answer your prayer, which is true faith. However, that doesn't mean that you will get what you want, that means that you will accept His answer to that prayer, no matter what it is.

If we all would get a little closer to God...(which you get closer to God by getting on your knees more) and lift up our prayers with a faithfulness in His will and we pray that His will will be done and He will reveal that will to us, we may all be hearing a little less static in our prayers.

Instead of praying until something happens, we need to pray that something will happen...happen in us!

Famous Question....

2009-08-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to blog about this for a while, but little things kept distracting me...I know they shouldn't!!!

If you are a Christian I know you have heard this question and if you are not I am pretty sure you have asked this question:

How could such a loving God send someone to hell?

A very dear, loved friend (and associate pastor) explained it to someone at our house recently and I thought about how AWESOME his explanation was and how I wish I had heard it much earlier in my life, so I thought I would share it with all of you!

Q: How could such a loving God send someone to hell?
A: It's like this.....you go somewhere and someone wants to give you a gift of M&Ms (cause they are great) and you refuse to take them. They keep wanting to give them to you but you keep saying "NO". It is a free gift of something that could give you some kind of satisfaction, but you don't want it.

Well...God is like that person, he has a free gift to give you and it can give you satisfaction in life, but you don't want the free gift. So, you see God doesn't send people to hell, people choose to not except the gift of life and send themselves to hell!

Now, next time you hear that question you can offer a little piece of insight!!

**Sorry Larry if I didn't get it verbatim**

Hiatus...

2009-08-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that I've been M.I.A lately. Well, it is because the whole Noble Nugget crew has been on vacation. We went from Atlanta to Savannah to Tybee Island to Hilton Head to Ormond Beach, FL to Daytona Beach, FL to Cape Canaveral, FL to Cocoa Beach, FL and back! We visited a LOT of beaches but we stayed two nights in Savannah and then seven nights in Ormond Beach. That place is AWESOME! Check out some of the pictures from our vacation by clicking the link. And don't worry....I'll be back to my writing soon! : )

The Noble Nuggets Hiatus

I do....

2009-08-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

I recently sat and listened to my husband telling a friend that he alone could not satisfy me, nor could I alone satisfy him, but if we place our faith in God and let him be the source of our joy, we have everything we need to satisfy each other!

I thought about that for a while, and coincidentally enough, while I was thinking about it I heard these facts:
70% of people live together before they get married
Of those 70% you have a 50% greater chance of getting divorced
and over 50% of marriages end in divorce.

And I thought about how all that fit together (and it does, stay with me here)! I thought, if only people could think about marriage from a more biblical standpoint. My wonderful hubby bought me a new Bible while I was away, The Message, (you should check it out). The way it states the common "love verses" from Corinthians is interesting to me. It is easily understood by everyone...maybe this should come with every engagement ring!!

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

I thought the way that lays it out is so simple!! Why can't people understand these simple concepts? Why can't people understand that marriage isn't some complicated concept that God doesn't understand?

Even Christians seem to have a problem with that one...for example:
We've been told (by Christians) that things are different now than when the Bible was written, and the concept of "no divorce" was outdated!?! Mr. Goodbar and I are very forthcoming with the idea that we will NOT end in divorce, we tell people divorce isn't an option for us...and they don't seem to get that! People ask me, "how do you know that" or "what if he cheats on you" or "what if your husband hits you, are you saying you would stay with him?" Now...I will answer every one of those right now:

"How do you know that"--because my marriage is a covenant between my husband, me and God...not just a piece of paper with the state! We have taken it seriously and we understand that just because we would get a new piece of paper saying we have dissolved our marriage doesn't mean that the covenant with God has been dissolved. That's like saying if I make a promise to you, I don't have to keep that promise if I don't want to do what I promised anymore. The Bible is clear about divorce, check out this article).

"What if he cheats on you?"--well, this kind of goes with the next one so I will answer more in a minute...but--IF (and that isn't really an IF, because he would NEVER do that) I believe we could get through that, with God and forgiveness...if God can forgive me for all the sins I have committed, why can't I forgive the man whom he sent my way for me (and yes, I believe true repentance is needed)?

"What if your husband hits you?"--I can say he would NEVER do that...because I married a Godly man, he was a wonderful, Christian man when I started dating him but we have both grown by leaps and bounds in God since we got married! Now...if I married a man who wasn't a Godly man then I would have to ask myself that question, however I married a Godly man who believes in the word of God and this is what the Bible says about the marriage relationship.

(Ephesians 5:21-28 (The Message))

21. Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.

22-24. Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ
does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise
submit to their husbands.

25-28. Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the
church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant
with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage.

Now...if a man truly believes all that and chooses to follow God with his heart, how can he hit his wife, how can he cheat on her, how can he divorce her and visa-versa?

You see...I don't understand how with the odds like I posted in the beginning, you can afford NOT to approach marriage from a biblical standpoint! Marriage is hard...anyone who has been married longer than 48 hours knows this! There is NOTHING we can't handle if we focus on God. If there is such a high divorce rate in this country, why aren't people willing to do anything to save their marriage.

There are people who do all kinds of things to save their marriage...they sleep in separate rooms, they have separate lives, they go to numerous therapist, they seek advice of their friends, they go outside their marriage to find pleasure and they open their marriages up to other people, but yet they won't open a book that tells you EXACTLY how to have a great marriage. And for those of you who automatically jump to the bedroom...the Bible even addresses that (just
check out 1 Corinthians 7:1-9).

My point is...my husband hit the nail on the head...we alone can't satisfy each other...but with God, we have every tool we need to satisfy and make the other happy! People need to understand that the only way to get closer to each other is to get closer to God (just take a look)!

If people would focus more on how marriage was created to be instead of making themselves happy...they won't end up just another statistic!

Obedience in a Disobedient World

2009-08-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

While Junior Mint and I were out today I observed some things, therefore causing me to remember past experiences that have happened to us. You see, we are in the middle of a very big "lesson" with Junior Mint that won't end anytime soon....obedience. Not just obedience, but first-time obedience. That seems like such a simple concept to you and I, however to a 16 month old, this is the hardest thing he has to do right now and it shows!

The Bible says "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH." Ephesians 6:1-3. We try to teach Junior Mint that he needs to obey Mommy and Daddy because it makes God happy. Of course, we want him to obey us, as it makes everyone's life easier, however, the main goal is to teach him to be obedient overall-Obedient to us, which grows into an obedience to authority figures and in turn an obedience to God (as we all should have).

Teaching obedience has proven to be a challenge for us (as I'm sure it is for all parents). I am finding that it is increasingly hard to impart the concept of obedience to Junior Mint. I stopped and looked around today and realized that it is incredibly hard to teach obedience in a disobedient world!

You see, we are all born with a predisposition to sin, we have to overcome that with obedience, obedience to God! While we will never become "sin-free" we can choose to obey God's commands and follow Him and ask for forgiveness when we fail. I'm sure all Christian parents would say this is what they are trying to teach their children, to obey God and when we fail we have to ask for forgiveness. However, this world makes it very hard to teach this lesson!

I have noticed many things that are happening in this world that make teaching obedience to our son so difficult! I try to teach Junior Mint to walk appropriately and hold Mommy's hand while he walks, yet there are children running across parking lots and through stores. I try to teach him to sit in his seat until every person is done eating and until he is excused from the table, and yet there are children running to the playground at Chick-fil-a with food in their mouths while the rest of the family is still eating. I try to teach him appropriate playground behavior (ie...wait your turn, use the equipment appropriately, etc...) and yet there are kids pushing my son out of the way to walk up the slide. I try to teach him to respond when he is spoken to and yet everyone says "oh, it's okay don't worry about it" or doesn't respond when we speak to them. I try to teach him not to hit, scream or cry when he is frustrated and yet you see temper tantrums just about everywhere you go these days.

You see, I understand that these things are going to happen, this is the decline in our world today! We explain to him how these things are disobedience and disobedience makes God sad. (And you say "you say this to a 16th month old...yes, and it will get more in depth very soon and does at times...disobedence is sin and sin is separation from God to be exact). Anyway....while we explain this to him it is still difficult....he is in that monkey see, monkey do stage! He sees these things and wants to duplicate them.

With all that being said, it's okay....we still will hold steadfast to what we are doing, cause we know that it WILL pay off. In Proverbs 22:6 it says "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it". I FULLY believe that!! We will continue to train our son in first-time obedience and pray that God will guide us through the process cause you see, it is increasingly hard to teach obedience in a disobedient world!!

A New Found Love...

2009-07-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

I'm sure all of you know what all has been going on in the lives of the Nobles. It has been a sad week here! While I understand that God has reasons for everything and I may not understand what has happened, but I do accept it. I cry one minute and am fine the next...that seems to be the cycle here in our home this week. You see, we saw our little baby 3 different times, all wiggly and heard the heartbeat, strong and normal, then there it was nothing. It was devastating and still is.

However, with all that being said I have discovered a new found love during all this. I love my husband more than I can even express, however over the past several days I have discovered a whole new love for the man whom I have committed myself to.

He has washed dishes and cleaned house and done laundry and even scrubbed poop out of cloth diapers! While all that is wonderful, that isn't the reason I have this new love. I realized this man loves me and our son SO much! I am constantly asking if he is okay and his response is always "I'm okay if you are okay". He has held me through the breakdowns and shed tears along side me. He has reassured me and encouraged me like only he can. As for him being both Mommy and Daddy this week....

As I was coming out of the shower I caught sight of something that I have never seen and will never forget. I saw my wonderful hubby dancing around the living room with Junior Mint. He was laughing and holding onto his daddy with such love. I just stood there watching, I couldn't move as it brought tears to my eyes to watch the love that is shared between the two most important men in my life! Then I had a chance to see it again as I watched them through our front door as they played outside with their ball caps on and writing with chalk on the sidewalk. I thought..."there's my everything". I realized right then that I am okay. I am so blessed right now and everything else is OK!

So, you see my new found love is for a man who wipes my tears, holds my hand, comforts my heart, takes care of me, talks to me, reassures me, encourages me and loves me!

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!!!

What is happening???

2009-07-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

I know many of you know by now what is happening in the Noble family, but for some of you I'm sure you are asking "what is happening?" And right now, I find myself asking the same thing.

I will start at the beginning. For the back ground to all of this you can check out the post "God is Great...God is Good!" Yesterday morning I woke up with some pretty heavy bleeding, if you read the above post you know this is not unusual, but I wasn't sure when it was too much bleeding and should worry, so I called my OB nurse, Brooke, who is amazing. She decided I needed to come in for an "immediate ultrasound". The sound of that was worrisome but I tried to stay calm. We have a wonderful associate pastor who was able to keep Junior Mint and our awesome neighbor drove me so I could ride home with Mr. Goodbar (who was meeting me there).

Well, as soon as my ultrasound started we both knew there was something wrong...then came those dreaded words "Honey, I am so sorry". It took a few seconds to set in and when it did, it hit hard! So, there we sat in the ultrasound room crying, more so balling our eyes out. Then we had to move to the room to speak with the doctor. There it became even more real as we had to discuss our next options. It all was a blur, I just wanted her to hurry up so we could get out of there, but that wasn't the case. They gave us 15 minutes to get to the hospital (which wasn't a problem because it is directly across the street) so they could work me into surgery. You see, I was 12 weeks and 5 days and the other options were not something I wanted; the idea of "wait and see what happens" wasn't happening in my book, I knew I couldn't handle that.

So, off to the surgery center we went. We went from home, to the doctor, to the hospital, to pre-op to the OR in a matter of hours. There an amazing doctor (Dr. McLendon if you EVER need a wonderful OB-GYN) explained how something wasn't right from the beginning, between my placenta and the hemmorhage. He held my hand as they put me to sleep, reassuring me that I would have more perfect babies just like my perfect son I have now! Everything went well, I guess if that's how to describe everything. I was home by 4:30 and resting.

Yes, I am okay. Surprisingly, okay. Yes, I have cried but over all I'm surprisingly good. I have faith in my God. I will find a way to glorify Him. I don't know why this happened. I know there is no reason for me to be angry, who is there to be angry with? I know my God didn't do this out of "retaliation" for my sins or because he enjoys his children hurting. I know my God has reasons for everything, while I may not understand it, I know there is a reason. I had a wonderful person, Angela, send me this yesterday:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (she sent 1-13 but that's really long)

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

It came at such a wonderful time. As I was laying in bed last night, a song kept ringing in my head:

I will serve You, Lord always

For You are my strength when I am weak

And I will never be afraid

For You are my rock and You protect me

But I'll praise You, for You are Holy Lord

And I'll lift my hands but You are worthy of so much more

For You are awesome God of the Nations

Lion of Judah, Rock of the Ages

Alpha, Omega. Worthy of all praise

More than these hands I raise

You see, I am fine, I will be fine. I know my God is right beside me, you see, if I lean on Him I can't go wrong! He IS my strength and He IS my rock!!

Thank you for all your prayers and support!!!

Just Because....

2009-07-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

Just because he is so darn cute:

Oh the things....

2009-07-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

So, as we are raising our son we are trying to teach him right and wrong and good and bad and as many other parents out there we are trying to teach him manners and good hygiene. In our quest to teach good hygiene we try to teach Junior Mint to brush his teeth, wash his hands and not let the dogs lick his hands then eat off of them. Take a moment to check out how well it has all sunk in!!

Cool Dude....

2009-07-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

Check out the coolest dude around...

Long Live the King

2009-07-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

“Long Live the King”…that’s the statement that Madonna used to describe Michael Jackson. When you hear that statement what do you think? I will tell you what you should think…and it’s definitely NOT Michael Jackson.

There is only ONE King, that King is Jesus Christ. Our pastor made a statement that couldn’t ring more true today of all days: “When you stand before THE KING, you won’t be the king of anything”.

You can’t turn on the TV without a flood of images of Michael Jackson or hearing his songs or plans for his funeral. Every time they show a group of people there is, undoubtedly a large number of them crying, sobbing really, for a “King” they never knew. You see people holding prayer vigils for the “biggest influence on this generation”. You see people talking of “an icon” that will live forever. Does this bother anyone but me? Yes, I understand that he made a big impact on the musical community, but ask yourself, “what did he really do for ME?”

What if I told the story of a King who walked this earth without the fame and fortune, died a horrible death and does LIVE FOREVER. It really bothers me to watch the tears flow from people, including Christians, who say “it just isn’t fair” or “how could this be”. There is something that is far more unfair than that! Think of a man who was beaten and killed by the people he wanted to save. How can people sob at the thought of a human, a man destined to die, leaving this earth and yet not shed a tear when they see Jesus hanging on a cross left to die? How can these people shed more tears for a man they never met and never will, than they do for a family member or for the King of Kings? How can they hold prayer vigils for someone who they know nothing more about than what the media has told them but yet turn away and refuse to prayer to a risen King?

I do feel saddened by people living this earth tragically, and yes, I believe Michael Jackson’s death was tragic. However, I’m not going to put my life on hold for a man who is just a man. There are people who are quitting their jobs in order to attend the funeral services but yet would those same people give up a weekend on the lake for an Easter service? Christians need to wake up in this world…..wake up and realize we serve a risen King, not a fleeting person who had a brief walk on this Earth and will face the same judgment we will ALL face.

Please don’t read this and think I’m callous to the fact that a family lost a son, brother, father, etc….but I can honestly say I didn’t loose a king of anything. My King is living, I am serving my King, my King will live forever, my King is there for you too.

So despite what you think of Michael Jackson, please remember that if you are a Christian, he is NOT your king and he will NOT be there for you like the King you have chosen to serve. If you are not a Christian, please know that Michael Jackson is not a king to be worshiped, there is a King that wants to be there for you, a King that never dies, a King that will reign supreme!

Remember: When you stand before The King, you won’t be the king of anything!!!

Noble Nugget Update....

2009-06-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, we had a follow-up ultrasound today to check on the little Noble Nugget. Everything looked good on the ultrasound. The little nugget was very wiggly. The heartbeat looked great too!

They did find either a new hemorrhage or the one from two weeks ago is still there. They said I may have more bleeding but my doctor seemed to think everything was okay.

We go back in 4 weeks and they will take yet another look at that cute, wiggly, little nugget!!

Thank you so much for all your prayers and please continue to keep us in your prayers as we go through the pregnancy!

Oh..this is a BIG deal!

2009-06-20T17:33:00.000-07:00

I know you've been holding your breath and checking my blog every hour or so just waiting for the BIG change that was coming to our home today!

Well...we did follow through with the plan and things did make a BIG change today, especially for Junior Mint.
Junior Mint made a big step...up to a TODDLER BED! Our little escape artist had become an expert at getting out of his crib and not falling...somehow climbing down without making noise and playing in his room. I was worried that he would fall and get hurt. We had already decided that he would make the change before the newest Noble nugget arrived, however we hadn't intended on it being this soon!
I know this may not seem like a BIG change to some of you...if not, you must not have kids : ) It's always a big deal when a little boy gets a big boy bed. So, if any of you see the little guy, please make sure to tell him how cool it is to be in a big boy bed!

Now....I may have a much different post tomorrow. We will see how tonight goes. He did pretty well with nap in it this afternoon and he fell right to sleep tonight.

The funniest part is now the dogs can get in his bed and he thinks "Puppy", otherwise known as Apollo, should get to sleep with him! (Apollo thinks he should too, I had to kick him out tonight)

Hopefully, there will be no problems tonight and it will be an easy adjustment. Please keep us in your prayers as we make this change!

Tomorrow...Tomorrow

2009-06-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

Okay...so a big change is coming to our home tomorrow (as the plan stands now). Check back tomorrow night to see what is happening in the Noble household!!

I know that's mean...you thought I was going to spill the beans right here and now, didn't you?

God is Great...God is Good

2009-06-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

So, I’m not really sure where to start this post…so I’ll start in the beginning. Stick with me, I promise you will want to read the info that will slowly begin to make itself known!

When Mr. Goodbar and I decided to start our family we thought it would be like you always hear….you go off birth control and bam 6 months to a year later, there you have it, a baby. But God had different plans, his timing was WAY better than ours…God is Great, God is Good!

After two and half years of trying and blood work after blood work and appointment after appointment, we were pregnant with Junior Mint….God is Great, God is Good!

However, when I found out I was pregnant, I instantly had horrible pains that put me in the hospital where they thought I was having an ectopic pregnancy. Come to find out it was a cyst that ruptured on one ovary while the baby came from the other…God is Great, God is Good!

So, the pregnancy progressed well and delivery came. I was supposed to be induced but found out I was already in labor when I got there. After a fairly quick progression, I started to push, and push and push. I pushed for 5 hours and nothing was happening! Junior Mint ended up having to be vacuumed out. It was a miracle that his heart rate never dropped and that he was born without anything broken…God is Great, God is Good!

Moving on, Junior Mint is an amazing little boy that is growing so fast! Mr. Goodbar and I decided that we want our children close in age a long time ago. We had decided to start trying to get pregnant this summer. Well, the first month we decided to stop trying to avoid pregnancy, you guessed it…we found out we were PREGNANT…God is Great, God is Good!

Everything was going well, until this morning, the day of my first OB appt. I woke up with bleeding…and if you know anything about pregnancy, that’s NOT good. It got pretty bad and very, VERY, scary! So off to the doctor we go, praying and praying and when we thought we were done praying, we prayed some more! They started the OB questions and I interrupted her and told her about my bleeding, I didn’t want to go through all that just to find out something had happened to the baby. So off to the ultrasound we go. That felt like the longest probably 2 minutes ever! As I lay there waiting for that black and white image, I don’t think Mr. Goodbar or I took a single breath. And there it was, the little baby, with a strong heartbeat, looking perfect…God is Great, God is Good!

To sum it all up, the Noble Nuggets are adding a little nugget! I have to go back for another ultrasound in two weeks and “take it easy” until then. They are pretty sure I had a something, something hemorrhage. Basically, during implantation a piece of the uterus comes off…or something like that. I am still having some bleeding but taking it easy thanks to an AMAZING husband and WONDERFUL friends…God is Great, God is Good!!

(UPDATE: it was called a Subchorionic Hemorrhage)

Please keep us in your prayers over the next few weeks and months. Please pray that this baby will grow healthy and strong. Most importantly, please pray that HIS will be done and we will accept His will and not loose sight of what is important, that GOD IS GREAT, GOD IS GOOD!

One of Those Days...

2009-06-11T18:29:00.001-07:00

No pictures, no philosophical insights, no deep thoughtful discussions, just a little insight to "One of Those Days".

I'm sure we have all had those days, you know the ones where you wish you had just stayed in bed...well for me that was today!

I'll just make a list cause that's all I feel like doing:

Let's start with Junior Mint waking up 30 minutes early when I really needing that sleep

Junior Mint decided to play in the dog water...over and over and over again, despite correction...over and over and over again. (and yes I removed him from the situation, several times)

JM them decided to feed the dogs their dog food piece by piece, and they took it that way for over 15 minutes

Went swimming, so I had to blow up JM's float...turned on the air compressor and it blew a breaker

Had to find my way through a dark garage to come up stairs to get a flashlight to go back down into the pitch black garage to reset the breaker

Still had to blow up the float so I had to use a foot pump--SLOW

While I am doing this, Junior Mint pulls the beach bag off the chair and my plastic water bottle lands just right and cracks, leaving 32 oz. of ice water in a puddle on my carpet

Went swimming and I got way more burnt that I thought

Swimming lessons are going great, however my son has NO fear of the water and just wants to jump in every 2 seconds

On the way home, his bug bites started driving him crazy so he started crying

Junior Mint was into EVERYTHING before dinner and I had to pick up blocks from everywhere around the house

He didn't want to eat dinner, yet once again, so no dinner before bed again tonight

I had to argue with Waste Management to get our trash can back that they picked up that didn't belong to them

I had to argue with FedEx cause they have supposedly tried to deliver a package but didn't leave anything saying they were here and they were 3 hours late for their delivery time

Now, Junior Mint is in bed and awesome friends brought me a chocolate milkshake (which made all that a little better) and it's time for me to hit the sack. Mr. Goodbar comes home tomorrow after a week long conference.

Tomorrow will be a GREAT day!!!!

Family.....

2009-06-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

This is our new family photo that we had made a couple of weeks ago! There is also the picture of Mr. Goodbar and me, I realized that is the first photo we have had taken since we got married in 2004! That got me thinking…..

I’m sure that after this post I will have some people that have some harsh things to say to me and some major disagreements with me, that is okay. I want to hear all you have to say!

Now for the thinking part….I realized that we called the picture of the three of us our “Family Photo” but then I realized that our “Family Photo” was just as complete with any photo of Mr. Goodbar and me before we had Junior Mint.

Now, let me explain. We believe that God created the husband and wife relationship to be a family. To us, that means that the family is complete when we got married, any children that we are blessed with are additions to our family.

Don’t get me wrong, Junior Mint is such a big part of our family and our family NOW wouldn’t be complete without him. But God completed the family with the union of husband and wife. I think far too many people forget this.

The most important relationship in a person’s life is that between you and God, after that comes the husband/wife relationship, THEN the child/parent relationship. Only when the husband/wife relationship is okay, can the parent/child relationship be okay.

When a child is put in a place where they are the center of the family, that is exactly what they become, the center! They come to believe they control the family. By this I mean, that they start to control what gets done and when. The child’s schedule will adapt to fit yours, not the other way around. We, as adults, have to continue living in the world while we raise our children, therefore they have to adapt to our schedules! (Of course…using God given parental wisdom to create a workable schedule for parents and children)

I understand the randomness of this….however; I look around and realize that there are so many families that are “child-centered” families! What happens to the parents? What happens to that preciousness of that relationship? What happens to the structure set forth by God? What happens when the child is all grown up and leaves, what is left?

Swim Lessons....

2009-06-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

Today was Junior Mint's first day of swim lessons! Who would schedule a swim lesson at 9:00 am on a Monday morning...definitely not me ; ) Anyway, the place we are going is pretty cool. You can walk into the pool like the beach and they have this "river" that is a small circle that has flowing water!

We started out by having them get used to just being in the water and practice kicking and then moved right into jumping off the side! Junior Mint needed a little "help" with the jumping part, but he soon was good to go! Then, he got a noodle and I held the noodle while he floated around the "river", learning to maneuver in flowing water. After that, we moved to blowing bubbles--Junior Mint is a pro at that! Next, they blew bubbles and practiced kicking! Junior Mint (being on his tummy) laid over on my arm and wanted to take a nap, apparently all that swimming tired him out! And that, my friends, rapped up the lesson!

We will do it all over again on Wednesday....except supposedly with songs and more going under the water! This will be our 9:00 am activity every Monday and Wednesday for the next three weeks! Hopefully, ending with a little 15 month old swimmer!!!

Summer Has Arrived....

2009-06-01T17:09:00.001-07:00

Well...Summer has arrived in the Noble household! Now, I know that Summer doesn't "officially" begin for a few weeks, but here it has already begun. If the past few days are any indication of how hot it is going to be this summer, we are in for some trouble!

Junior Mint loves the pool! We even threw our two little dogs in with him and he loved that! You have to check out the great pictures that Mr. Goodbar snapped of him enjoying his "swim".

Splish-Splash

What is the indication that summer has arrived in your household?

Oreo Anyone?

2009-06-01T11:27:00.001-07:00

Check out the rest of our Oreo adventure!

Now that's one cute little bum!!

2009-05-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

If you have read my blog, you know that I was going crazy (many of you probably think literally) over trying to decide what cloth diapers to use!

Well....my search is over! Over this past weekend, I went to buy some AIOs to try and ended up with Bummis. You really need to check them out!! I went with the cotton cloth diapering system.

There are two versions, here are what they came with:

8-15lbs
36 UNBLEACHED prefold diapers
6 Super Whisper Wrap
1 roll of 100 liners

15+ lbs
24 UNBLEACHED prefold diapers
4 Super Whisper Wrap
1 roll of 100 liners

We bought both versions so we could go ahead and plan for any future babies, plus we found them on sale!

I know that when people see the word prefold they check out....but just wait and read, PLEASE!!

I washed the diapers 3 times and they became so "fluffy" and soft, and super absorbent! You fold the diapers just like you do when you go to put them away and they lay in the wraps perfectly. The wraps even have a "pocket" that the front slides in to keep it in place.

We also bought 3 AIOs for church and for babysitters, while they are very cute, I have found that they are actually more "complicated" than my Bummis. You see there are no pins, no snaps, no anything to deal with on the Bummis. I folded all the diapers and put a liner on them before I put them away and now I just grab one and lay it in the cover! Don't get me wrong, the AIOs are good, but I can fold and line about 3-4 prefolds by the time I stuff one pocket diaper (and I have multiple brands so it's not that). It took me about 5 minutes to fold and line and put away 18 prefolds this morning! I also love the fact that you can pick up the liner and flush away the poo with it!

Now, for the only drawback: Some background info: I have found is my son is a VERY HEAVY wetter. We have some disposables left (and me being the crazy OCD person I am, I wanted EVERY cover and diaper clean) so I used one while I was doing the wash yesterday. He peed through that disposable and all over his shirt and shorts in about 3 hours (which was a nap no less). In the Bummis he pees and the cover has gotten wet 3 times in 5 days so I had to use a new cover....but it DID NOT get on his clothes!!! I will change that cover every time if his clothes stay dry! I think if your child isn't a heavy wetter you won't have the same problem!

I did try a prefold someone had given me in the Bummis wrap...it worked, the wrap kept his clothes dry but the prefold wasn't NEAR the same quality as the ones from Bummis!!!

I know that prefolds have a "bad wrap" so to speak, but my experience has definitely sold me on them! The Bummis wraps works GREAT! So, if you are looking for a cloth diapering system take a minute to check out BUMMIS!

In Control?

2009-05-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

To give you a little glimpse into our household over the past week or so...
Went on a trip to NC, husband got a rash and we thought it was shingles but turned out to be pityriasis rosea, changed over to cloth diapers, attempted to shave the dogs, went to a Memorial Day swim, and many, many more things!

So, now I bet you are wondering what the point to all that was. Well, I'll tell you! I was talking to some friends yesterday about planning for baby #2 and we were talking about what I call "the fear factor". The fear factor is when you get freaked out by the possibility of 2 children to be responsible for, twice as much food, twice as much laundry, twice as many boo-boos and midnight feedings all over again. Even though Mr. Goodbar and I are sure we want more children, I still have those moments. When I get all mentally prepared and say "I can handle more children, no problem" I get freaked out and think, I can't do that! I can't handle breastfeeding a baby ever 4 hours while trying to keep up with a toddler!

But you know what keeps me sane....knowing I don't have to "handle it". I don't have to do it. I don't have to deal with everything. Why, you ask....because I have someone who will handle it for me, NO not a nanny---GOD!

I know that God has promised that he won't give me more than I can handle, he won't leave me! I look back on Junior Mint's life and realize I didn't get him to this point....God did! God gave me the knowledge and ability to handle everything that came my way.

There were many nights that I thought "I'm so tired I will never hear him wake up", but I always did. There were days I thought I couldn't get up, but I did. There were days I thought "if I have to breastfeed one more time today I will scream", but I never did. There were days I thought that if I had to scrub baby poop off of one more outfit I would loose it, but I didn't.

You see, I quickly realized I wasn't in control of my life. Many people tried to say, you don't control your life anymore, you live for your baby! Don't get me wrong....I love my family beyond belief, but that isn't what I live for. I live to bring glory to God! I am not in control of my life, because God is in control of my life! God knows what I can handle and what I can't, he knows where my breaking point is and he knows me better than I know myself!

Mr. Goodbar and I decided a long time ago that we would put our family in His hands and let Him guide our lives. We realized if things had gone according to our plan, things would be A LOT different, and not in a good way!

So, you see whether it is thoughts of another baby or new job or a potential spouse...put it in His control, happily! We always tell our son to obey without whining, complaining or arguing.....do you do that with God? Do you put him in control? Do you obey the first time, all the way, with a happy heart? Just remember God will never give you more than you can handle....if you allow him to handle it for you!

Remember the song: "Cast all your cares upon Jesus"

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.--Isaiah 41:10

¨But God is faithful, and he will not let YOU be tempted beyond what YOU can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out in order for YOU to be able to endure it.¨--1 Corinthians 10:13 . . .

Snip....Snip

2009-05-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Junior Mint experienced a big milestone...his very FIRST haircut. Mr. Goodbar wanted him to have his first haircut where he had his, so that's what we did. Back in our home state of NC there is a little barber shop with a great man named Joel! We called and planned for him to cut his hair. Now, I was VERY worried about Junior Mint flipping out, between the sounds and the gigantic chair I thought he would get scared and cry. It was just the opposite!

Junior Mint LOVES to have his hair combed/brushed so for about 5 minutes leading up to the big event we prepped him. We asked if he wanted his hair combed and he constantly said "yes" and then we said "now Mr. Joel is going to cut your hair like he is cutting that man's" and he said "yes".

Then the time came....Joel put a "seat" in the chair to lift him up and there he sat, big and tall! He sat so still the WHOLE time, even with the clippers and the sound! The only time he cried was when Joel got the blow dryer out to blow him off. (He's cried at the blow dryer as long as I can remember, not sure why...if you are a psychiatrist maybe you can help me out there).

Junior Mint had an AMAZING first haircut, thanks to Joel and his wonderful way with kiddos! If you are ever in Maiden, NC I know a great place to get a guy/boy's haircut!

If you want to check out the whole experience, check out the album here: Mason's First Haircut

Quick Rant

2009-05-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

I thought I would take a quick moment for a quick rant!

As you have noticed, it has been a while since I have posted here on the blog. Our family went to NC to visit our parents for Memorial Day weekend....we had a big milestone while we were there. Check out a future post!

Anyway, I have been having blog withdrawals! I was so ready to post some updates and write out some stuff last night. I got all ready, pictures on the computer, baby in bed and uninterrupted time...finally!! Then, I logged on to post and guess what...BLOGGER WASN'T WORKING!! I couldn't get my Blogger to work for ANYTHING! I was SO MAD!!

Anyway....I'm over that. I just wanted to share my frustration for a moment. Thanks for ~~listening~~ reading!!

I've been diagnosed with CDIO....

2009-05-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have officially been diagnosed with CDIO, aka Cloth Diaper Information Overload. For several weeks now I have been researching cloth diapers.

Yes, I know Junior Mint is a little over a year old...but hopefully we will have more babies and their cute little bottoms will need to be covered as well.

Yes, my mother tried to get me to use them with Junior Mint and I would not.

Yes, I know they are better for the environment.

Yes, I know they are better for the little tushy.

Yes, I know they are cheaper.

Now, with all that out of the way...I want to change over and use them in the future.

The cloth diapers now are not "your momma's diapers"! They range from the ones like I wore as a baby to ones that are literally just like disposables except you wash them. However, they are more expensive initially...hence why we want to start buying now and buy a few at a time and hopefully by the time we are ready for another baby we will have a full stash ready to go!

So now, I'm sure you are asking why I am saying I have CDIO...if you haven't caught all the information floating around, let me introduce you to the little unknown world of cloth diapering!
There are AIO (all-in-ones) the closet to disposable, there are pocket diapers, there are pocket AIOs, there are AIT (all-in-twos), there are overnight ones, there are prefolds, there are fitted and there are flat. Now, several of these don't need covers, some of them do. Now, you ask "how many types of covers can there be?". Well, there are nylon, PUL, wool, cotton and fleece to name a few. Then, there are the sized ones or the one-sized, meaning do I get ones that can be used from newborn until potty training?

I often wonder what does a newborn look like in a diaper that fits an 18 month old? I'm guessing we would be able to save on clothes, because with that diaper the poor newborn wouldn't need a shirt, it would be like a tube top and diaper in one!

So, after weeks of searching, talking to friends, seeing some of the name brands in action, researching, researching and more researching....I am no where CLOSE to picking "my" brand! I need some cloth diapering expert to come look at my baby and say...you need X kind, X number, X inserts and etc...

So you see folks, my CDIO is about to get the best of me, I'm about to have a mental melt-down!

So…if any of you have “cures” for my CDIO, please let me know; or if there are any CDIO specialists, please send some info my way; or if you just want to make fun of me, that’s okay too!

Terrific Tuesday...followed by some Terrible Decisions!

2009-05-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

Today was a Terrific Tuesday (like the alliteration?)! We woke up early and headed to a Scholastic warehouse sale...if you aren't familiar with them, you need to catch up! They are the people that put on the book fairs for school, they have AWESOME deals at these things. Check it out: We took that trip with Lar-ly and the cutest little red-headed boy you have ever seen! When we got back the two little boys had a great time tackling the toys! After that we had some always awesome Chick-fil-A! We decided the boys needed a nap so we headed home...straight to NAP! We had a TERRIFIC TUESDAY..that is where that ended!

Mr. Goodbar went to wake up Junior Mint after 2 1/2 hours of nap (we always do this, it isn't new) and he was NOT happy! He cried because he wanted to sleep, so we laid him back down...then more crying, this time to get up. Junior Mint came downstairs for snack, this went pretty well, until he threw it to the puppies! Then, came the Terrible Decisions!

Junior Mint has it in his head that standing in the dog water dish is a good idea, and has for some time now. He has gotten in trouble and we have tried to correct this behavior several ways, and yet he still ends up with a wet foot everyday! Today...not only did he play in the water, he took the lid off the dog food and played in it, he stood in the dog food dish, he shut the door on one of the puppies, he pulled my NEW, CLEAN hand towel out of the kitchen and put it on the very dirty dog, he pulled EVERYTHING off a chair and now he is throwing his cup to see how it sounds with ice in it!

Don't roll your eyes and say "if they had control of that child" or "they must not be handling it" or "they must have let him do that at some point"....cause we have NOT EVER let him act like that, and we are not today. He is getting in trouble every time, however he is determined to keep doing something he isn't supposed to do.

So, even though we try and try and try...we have bad days, we have moments of correction, we have moment of tears, we have screams of anger and a lot of bumps and bruises to show for not listening.....but we move passed it, we love on him after correction, we thank God for him and we continue to bask in the joy of our Little Man!

What we have here folks is nothing more than a Terrific Tuesday followed by some Terrible Decision!

Tomorrow is a new day and full of unknown blessings!

Weekend Update...

2009-05-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

I know that several of you saw my Tweet last week about having a great weekend planned. I thought I would share what we did and how it went.

We made plans to have a double-date with a great couple (our associate pastor's daughter and son-in-law). They have a son that is 9 months..the cutest little red-headed boy you have EVER seen! Larry (or as Junior Mint calls him Lar-ly) is amazing with kids and Junior Mint absolutely adores him!! So, the boys were going to stay there Saturday evening to play while we went out. I wanted Junior Mint to be comfortable at his house so we visited on Friday, so he could "get to know the joint" and boy did he! He LOVED it. He loved playing on their deck and doing "laps" through their kitchen. We got ready to leave and he didn't want to go..that's when I realized he would be JUST FINE!

The other mom and I planned a day trip to the awesome outlet malls in North Georgia, that went amazing. The boys hung in there and just enjoyed some Chick-fil-A and some cruising in the strollers. It was great!

After that, we traveled back here to Marietta to drop off the kids for some adult fun...that included going to the gun range (which I haven't been since before I got pregnant and the other dad hadn't been in about 9 years and the other mom had NEVER shot) then off to Japanese! The range was fun..as always, it's a great way to relieve stress! Then we went to the Japanese restaurant and had a blast...I decided we don't get out near enough as just a couple!

Anyway, when we got back to Lar-ly's the kids were playing away and we found our neighbors (which Junior Mint is convinced they are his grandparents too) there and playing with the kids as well. We were getting ready to leave and the boys were having NONE of it...they were NOT ready to leave. So, we decided to hang out for some ice cream cake (from Trader Joes and it was awesome!). Junior Mint was up way passed his bedtime but he was good and didn't want to leave. I promised him he could go back soon!

It was a GREAT weekend! We planned a play date for tomorrow at our house with Lar-ly and the most adorable little red-headed boy you have ever seen! I know they are going to be best buds!

Junior Mint made a new friend, Mommy and Mr. Goodbar made awesome new friends and the "Atlanta grandparents" got to play...what better way to spend a weekend!!

Excellent Post....

2009-05-14T14:17:00.000-07:00

Please take the time to read MckMama's latest post on Free Willy. It is excellent! I think with this post I'm just going to let you enjoy reading it...I sure did!!

(Hint:click on the title of my post to head over to MckMama's blog)