Thankful

Psalm 106:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

I am thankful each and every day for a God who loves me, the opportunity to serve Him, and the blessings He has given me. All I am (at least the good parts) and all I have I owe to my God and Savior.

The Greatest Deal Ever!!!

I just ordered this car seat for $47 with free shipping!!!!! This is one of the top rated (I actually think it is THE top rated) car seats on the market. When we were looking to buy Elias' "big boy" car seat I REALLY wanted this one, but we could not afford the $280 price tag. I cannot believe I just bought it for under $50! It holds a kid from 5 to 65 pounds, so we will be using it awhile. Here is the link if anyone is interested in getting in on this amazing deal. WooHoo!!!!

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=huc_ic_1_txt/601-4059712-2607333?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B000YSNMG2&nodeID=&merchantID=A1VC38T7YXB528

*****UPDATE***********
Never mind! Target contacted me to say that the price was an error and the order has been canceled. BOOOO Target!!!!

Finally! It's over!

I think no matter how everyone voted, we can probably all agree on one thing: We are glad it is over! I'm glad to see the election process is over, but I feel the divisive attitudes and feelings are far from over. I truly hate politics. I think it brings out the worst in people and causes such divisiveness. (I have fallen prey to this at times!) I think I finally came to a realization of why I hate politics so much. I hate the fact that no matter who had been elected there will be people (many who call themselves Christians) waiting like eager vultures to see the elected president fail. They will be watching his every move ready to pounce and proclaim "Look! He screwed up! I told you he would! If everyone had just listened to ME then this would not have happened!" That is the exact opposite of the attitude we should have, as Christians and as Americans. God commands us to respect our authorities in government (Romans 13). I must say that I was impressed by McCain's speech last night, but I was VERY disappointed in his crowd's reaction when he mentioned Obama. They boo-ed every time he said the name. That attitude is going to get this country nowhere. I agree with Obama on some issues, and I disagree with him on others, but he will have my respect. (If McCain had won I would have made the EXACT same statement). How amazing would it be if instead of waiting (or wanting) him to fail Americans encouraged and helped him succeed? I do not consider myself a Democrat or a Republican. I was not a staunch McCain supporter or an avid Obama supporter. (Although I have been called a Obama supporter like it was a derogatory statement.) I never felt like there was a "clear" Christian choice or that God had given his holy stamp of approval to either candidate. I supported both candidates for various reasons, but in the end I had to vote for only one. I knew that I would not be crushed no matter what the outcome. I say that because neither would/will prove to be a great "savior" to the country.
I will still continue to serve God. He never changes no matter what the political scene. This election has also left me with a deep desire to see people changed, not changes in politics. Policies may change, political figures may change, amendments may change, but none of this will truly CHANGE people's hearts! I believe God has called us to love people so that He can cause a heart change, not a policy change. A heart change is what makes the difference. I'm tired of arguing and spending my time and energy on politics. I believe God has called me to spend my time and energy on PEOPLE! And here is the bottom line: If people experience a heart change (through God) THAT would effect policy changes! Why are we trying to do it the opposite way?

Picture Time

The cutest Buzz Lightyear ever!

We took a ton of pics at the pumkin farm (or pumpkin patch as Elias calls it), but this was my favorite.

This one is cute too!

The family at Elias' birthday party.

My favorite picture from his party.

Explain this to a 2 year old!

This year Elias really notices all of the Halloween decorations and stuff in all the stores and houses. He has started to become scared of skulls, masks, witches, etc. Part of his fear has to do with the fact that Gus put on a very scary mask one day in Party City that made Elias literally try to jump out of the shopping cart. Now when he sees a skull or something scary he says "mask, mask!". When he started to show fear towards these things I told him that we don't have to be scared. We can just say "In the name of Jesus, I'm not scared". I have said this to him over and over again. I thought it would be a good way for him to learn to call upon the name of the Lord when he is scared. Turns out I am not so sure he understands. Now EVERY TIME he sees something scary he screams out "Jesus! Jesus!". Down the aisles of Walmart and Target I hear "Jesus! Jesus!". Passing Halloween decorations while driving I hear "Jesus! Jesus!". Looking at the Judgment set at the church I hear "Jesus! Jesus!". I am not sure if he is really calling upon the name of the Lord, or if he thinks those things represent Jesus. I think I need to work on clarifying the matter to him. I've had to explain this subject to many people that have heard his exclamations of Jesus as we pass Halloween decorations. It is not easy to explain things to a 2 year old!

Elias Update

-We had Elias' 2 year checkup, and of course he is a happy and healthy boy! He is only 26 pounds (which is in the 23 percentile) but is 36 inches tall (which is the 90th percentile).
-He has become rather obsessed with pumpkins after our visit to the pumpkin farm. He points them out everywhere we go.
-His speech has just exploded in the last few weeks. He has really began to use full sentences all the time, rather than just occasionally. He is growing so fast! I think I am finally ready for another baby, but we still plan to wait another year.

There are so many other things that have happened lately, but this happens to be a very busy time of year for us, so it's all I can do!

Elias is two!

Elias turned 2 today. 2 years has flown by, and we have enjoyed this little boy so much. I decided to finally write out his birth story. It is very long, and I wrote it not so much for others to read but for my own records. I don't want to forget even the painful details of that day! Don't worry, it is not graphic.

I was scheduled to go to the hospital to be induced on October 4. We got to the hospital about 9pm to get things started. I had been on bed rest for 2 weeks because I was showing signs of preeclampsia. One symptom was that my blood pressure was a little high. However, my blood pressure was perfect the entire time I was in labor. Anyway, as the nurse (who was WONDERFUL) put my IV in I began to have a slight panic attack. I HATE needles. It actually made Elias’ heart rate drop a little. After we both recovered everything was fine. At about 11 pm they gave me something to prepare my cervix for labor. When I went to be induced I was not dilated at all, and my cervix was not effaced. My body was showing NO signs of labor. My chances of having a vaginal birth were not really high considering my body had done nothing on its own to prepare for labor. So about 11 pm they give me a drug to prepare my body for labor. I sleep fairly well until about 6 am, and then I began to feel cramping. At about 8 am my doctor comes and breaks my water and starts me on pitocen. Things begin progressing well, and the pain is not too bad. About 11 am I get a shot of some drug that took away the pain, but it made me feel very loopy. I got another shot about noon, but it did not work. At that point I asked for the epidural. The anesthesiologist came in the room with a great air of arrogance and acted as though I was an inconvenience. As he begins to place the epidural I feel cramping in my back and say “ouch”. He replies with “You feel that? You are not supposed to feel that”. Very comforting. He has some trouble, but finally gets it placed correctly. I anxiously wait for the pain to magically disappear. I continue to wait and NOTHING happens. The pain does not disappear or even fade a little. He comes back in and tries to readjust it with no success. Then, the head anesthesiologist comes in and does it all over again. At this point I am freaking out a little, because I want the pain to end. Gus ends up getting stressed and almost faints. That actually made me laugh a little even though I was hurting. Long story short, the epidural only numbs my right leg. A lot of good that does. I feel EVERY single contraction. Due to the pitocen they are long and very strong. I have a breakdown and begin to say that I can’t do this. I really start FREAKING out. It was so very painful. After a good 20 minutes of this I finally buckle down and tell myself that I HAVE to do this. It will be painful, but I have to get through it. Honestly in that moment seeing my mom in the room gave me such strength. She had 2 out of her 4 labors without drugs, and she was still alive! At that point I knew I would not die. (Yes the thought of death crossed my mind. I was also about to request a c-section.) Through it all Gus and my mom were so great. I could not have made it without them both there. With every contraction I would grip the bar of the bed and begin to pray in the Holy Spirit. It was the only thing I knew to do. I had NOT prepared for natural childbirth. I could hear Gus and my mom praying too. Finally right at 4pm the nurse told me I could start pushing. What a relief! Pushing actually gave me relief from the contractions. I pushed for 38 minutes, and then our sweet baby boy was here! I could not believe that I had just given birth to him. I could not believe that I was holding my son! It was overwhelming to say the least. He was perfect in every way. Praise God! The pain (and complete agony) were absolutely worth the reward of having him!