Free Scripture Story Sets

After a six-month break from teaching Sunday School, I am looking forward to once again working with the adorable 4 and 5 year-olds at my church.

And I just want to say that I love the Internet!

Because..

I made an incredible discovery a couple of days ago.

http://keepinglifecreative.com/ 

Anyone interested in teaching the Bible to children needs to see this woman's blog. Her digitized felt scripture story sets are amazing, and what is even more amazing is that you can download several of them for free. I downloaded her story set on Joseph to use in my Sunday School class next week. You can download it as well if you follow this link.

http://keepinglifecreative.com/fabric-and-felt/scripture-story-felts/bible-story-props-joseph-and-the-colored-coat/

 



Weston is 3 Months Old!

Yesterday Weston turned 3 months old! Our pediatrician had told us that the fun of parenting would only increase with time, and so far we have not been disappointed! Weston's smiles have become more frequent and more endearing (though still challenging to capture on camera!). He coos and makes all kinds of adorable vocalizations. He likes to practice standing up and taking steps while we hold onto his shoulders. He enjoys playing simple nursery rhyme games like "This Little Piggy Went to Market." I tell him every day that he is my "favorite baby in the whole wide world," and I think that he understands because he smiles widely and even sort of blushes! And his sleep habits are much better than they used to be! We are thankful for this baby!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Recipes

Funny how discovering a new recipe can make a homemaker's heart sing with happiness. Haha. I just wanted to share two new fall recipes, shared with me by family and friends, that I have tried and loved!

Pumpkin Bran Muffins
http://www.womansday.com/recipefinder/pumpkin-bran-muffins-recipe-wdy1013

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup wheat bran
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup canned pure pumpkin
2 eggs
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup canola oil

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, wheat bran, granulated sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, eggs, buttermilk, and oil. Fold the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture just until combined. Divide the batter among 12 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Turkey, Kale, and Brown Rice Soup
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/turkey-kale-and-brown-rice-soup-recipe/index.html\

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 to 6 large shallots, chopped
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 ounces ground turkey
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice, drained
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 small bunch kale, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, carrots, and bell pepper and sauté, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to brown and soften slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the ground turkey and stir until the meat turns white and begins to color very slightly around the edges, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the herbes de Provence and stir, 1 minute. Add 4 cups broth, tomatoes, and rice. Bring to a boil. Stir in the kale and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.

 

 

When You are a First-time Mom...

• You cannot help staring and smiling at that first good family photo. Wow, you think, we are a FAMILY!
• You have researched so much about pregnancy, birth, breast-feeding, child-rearing, etc., that you feel like you deserve another master's degree!
• Even though your labor was the closest thing that you have ever experienced to torture, you soon learn to join the legions of other women who simply smile and say that "everything went well."
• You listen to mothers squabbling over Attachment Parenting versus Baby Wise, and it is so intense that you feel like you are listening to theologians debating over Arminianism versus Calvinism! You wish that the angel Gabriel would come down from heaven to show you which way is right.
• Your home life is transformed into a musical as you constantly make up silly songs to entertain the baby.
• Finding time for household chores is so difficult that when your husband offers to mop the floors with you on a Friday night, you cannot think of a more romantic gesture.
• You walk into the post office, toting the baby in his car seat, and elderly women literally line up to catch a glimpse of your baby. You feel like a movie star, or rather, the chauffeur for the movie star.
• If the joy of your new baby ever starts to lose its luster, you simply drive to Grandma's house, place him in her arms, and listen as she expounds upon his wonders. You leave refreshed and recharged every time! 
• You flip through an American Girl catalog, admiring the Bitty Baby collection. The little girl who still lives inside of you almost wishes that you had one. Then it hits you: who needs a Bitty Baby when you have THE REAL THING?
• You wish that everybody could know the joy of a new baby, and you thank God for His all-sufficient grace and amazing blessings! 

Weston is Six Weeks Old!

Yes, unbelievable--my baby is 6 weeks old today! Weston has been growing so fast! As of today, he weighs 9 pounds 11 1/2 ounces and measures 22 inches long. Last Thursday he smiled at us for the first time--so exciting! His favorite pastime is eating (of course). Other activities that he enjoys are cuddling, taking walks, exercising his arms and legs, taking baths, and going to Grandpa Bill and Grandma Sandy's house every Wednesday. Big events for Weston have included his first doctor appointment, his first church service, and a special week-long visit from Grandma Kandy.

These past few weeks have been a roller coaster for me. Most days have been full of joy, but there have also been a few exhausting, frustrating days and nights. Praise God for bringing us through the first 6 weeks! When I reflect over this time, I am so grateful for family, friends, and our church body who have blessed us by sending gifts and bringing meals and playing with the baby so that I could sleep, etc. I am so grateful for my husband who is such a fabulous daddy! And I am so grateful for the privilege of being a mommy to this handsome, sweet little boy, who is sleeping in my arms as I type this blog post!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blessing of our Baby's Birth!

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

I love this old hymn. Today, as I tend to my newborn baby, remembering that one week ago we brought him home from the hospital, I think of this hymn and how blessed we are!

Weston Carl Barnett was born on Wednesday, September 4th at 12:14 AM. He weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces and measured 20 inches long. The birth was difficult because I had back labor and Weston was born "sunny-side-up." God showed His goodness and mercy in so many ways, though. My labor lasted only 9 hours, which I hear is relatively short. My husband was an incredible coach, tirelessly applying counter-pressure on my lower back to help relieve the pain. My doctor happened to be on call that day, so we were privileged to have her deliver our baby. She was the best! She followed our wishes exactly, and we were able to have a natural, drug-free, Bradley birth! Finally being able to meet our baby was amazing! He is absolutely adorable, with thick dark hair and thoughtful, alert eyes. We love him! We are so blessed!   

 

 

 



39 Weeks and Graduates of the Bradley Method!

Today I am 39 weeks pregnant. This afternoon my doctor told me that I am 3 centimeters dilated and 90% effaced. Our baby could come at anytime!

Honestly, childbirth has been a big fear of mine ever since I was a little girl. Perhaps I have heard too many horror stories about birth from other women or seen too many dramatic renditions of birth from Hollywood.

Of course, my greatest encouragement is knowing that God will be with me. And my next greatest encouragement is knowing that my husband will be with me! But I also have to say that taking the Bradley Method comprehensive 12-week childbirth education course has given me a HUGE boost of confidence--along with a wealth of information.

You can read about the Bradley Method here.

http://www.bradleybirth.com/

It is a method based on the principles of Dr. Robert A. Bradley, who lived from 1917-1998. His book Husband-Coached Childbirth, first published in 1965, is one of the most well-known books on natural childbirth. Dr. Bradley advocated two main concepts: that childbirth is safest, most efficient, and most fulfilling without the use of pain medication, and that trained husbands make the best labor coaches.

 

 



I read the book from cover to cover, and I would recommend it. However, the Bradley course itself was even more helpful than the book. Ben and I met at our instructor's home one evening per week for 12 sessions. There were two other couples in our class. We studied everything from proper nutrition and exercise during pregnancy, to how the process of labor works, to the benefits and risks of common hospital procedures, to relaxation techniques and pushing positions to use during labor, to caring for a newborn. Our instructor presented information in class in an interesting way, took time to answer our questions, and then gave us various articles to read at home. Occasionally we had to research a topic and give a presentation in class. We even had to go through a "labor rehearsal" during one of the last classes!

A few evenings ago was our last Bradley class, so Ben and I can now say that we are graduates of the Bradley Method! I am so glad that we took the course together so that we could learn everything together. I truly believe that knowledge is power. I feel so much more confident about the labor and birth now that I know what to expect and what I want!

Still, several questions remain. Will Ben and I be able to remember everything that we have learned? Will I be able to give birth without pain medication as I hope to do? And WHEN will our sweet baby arrive??? We are ready for you, Baby Boo!