Sugar Rey Funny

Yesterday when Rey came home from school he looks at me and says " So mom How was Gracie today? LOL. I said to him that she has been a little kicker. His response? GOOD!
He is so into her and can't wait for her arrival. I am so touched when he comes over to me and rubs my belly and kisses it. He always prays for her every night " Dear Jesus help Gracie and mommy to have sweet dreams. He is such a sensitive soul.

Sweet Potato Update

Have I mentioned lately that I am SO SICK OF THROWING UP!!!!! This morning sickness has got to go! I don't know how Bulimics can do it. I thought I was in the clear after not getting sick Saturday and Sunday morning but BAM yesterday morning and today I got hit. I shouldn't have even thought I was in the clear! Baby sweet potato has been very active lately at night. She likes to kick away. Can't wait for my next Ultrasound to see how big she has gotten.

Question of the Week

What do you feel is your biggest Challenge as a Parent?

Busy Like a Bee Weekend

Boy am I tired today but blessed. We had such a busy weekend. Friday we got our grill and planted some flowers. It was such a beautiful day. Saturday the kids had their classes at the Arts Academy and then we had some friends over for a mini cookout. We enjoyed a meal of brats, hot dogs, baked beans, and Homemade Macaroni Salad ( it was mighty yummy if I might say so myself). We topped it off with Strawberry Shortcake. It was a nice evening of fellowship with friends.
Sunday was an awesome service at church. I was so blessed by the message. It really encouraged me to get closer to God and to NOT make compromises. I will write more about all of that later. Jim went with our Senior Pastor to minister at another church so I was at service myself. I was blessed with many people that helped me with my kids. If any of you are reading this " Thank You". We had more friends over last night. I am really so happy that we moved where we did. We made sacrifices for this move but what we have gained far outweighs the losses.
Today I am hoping to get the house cleaned alittle and then have some down time. I need to spend sometime doing my devotions and need to try and fit in a nap.

New Foster Parents

I have friends from church that are in the final stages of becoming licensed foster parents here in New Jersey. If you get a chance can you stop over to Michele's Blog to say hi and to offer some encouragement? Thanks

KiKi Funnies

We were walking to pick up the boys from School yesterday and Kiarrah had something in her shoe and says to me " Mommy I have something Spicy in my shoe". I think she meant to say Spiky.

I asked Kiarrah to go in the bathroom and get her spray for her hair so I could style it. She says " You mean the one that makes my hair perfect?

Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine

What another beautiful day outside. I am going to go buy some flowers and window boxes and do some planting. Kiarrah is very excited about the whole process. I will be sure to take some pictures. We need some sprucing up around here.
I can't believe that next week I will start my third trimester. It amazes me. Tonight I get to go to a baby shower for a friend from church. They do things alittle different around here. They invite the whole family. The theme is The Hundred Acre Woods. I can't wait until my baby shower. I have actually already registered for items at Target and Babies R Us.
I need to go buy some paint today also. We are going to start painting Kiarrahs room and them Rey and Gracie's. We are doing Kiarrahs Room in lavender on two walls and yellow on the other two. Rey and the sweet potato's room is going to be sage green. Dom has a neutral wallpaper on his room so we don't need to paint in there. I would like to have Jim paint a picket fence with flowers on Kiarrahs wall but I don't know when he would find the time. Maybe they have a Wally like that. I will have to look.
Enjoy your day everyone.

Thursday Blahs

I just can't seem to get motivated today. It is gorgeous out but I have been stuck inside with morning sickness that doesn't seem to want to let up today. I am sooo tired too. Why? I had a good night sleep. I hit my 6 month mark yesterday and my stomach looks like a watermelon. It was funny because I wanted to sleep on my left side yesterday and Gracie wouldn't let me. She seemed to be all curled up on that side and it put too much pressure. I have been dealing with tingly and numb wrists and hands that past few days. They are especially bad after waking and if I have had them under my pillow at night.
This weekend we are going to get some window boxes and Kiarrah and I are going to plant some flowers. I would also like to plant some in the back yard. We are also going to finally get a grill tomorrow. I am looking forward to that. I love outdoor grilled food.

Private Blog

I have decided to start a new blog for some of my more innermost thoughts about things. This is an invite only blog. If you would like to be a part of this please email me privately mademombygod@comcast.net and let me know what your email address is so I can invite you. There are just some topics and thoughts I don't want broadcasted all over the web. I don't know who all my readers are. I will be still writing on this blog almost daily and that will be for more personal issues and my poems.

Need I Say More?

Cravings

I have a new craving. Granny Smith apples. I just love the tartness. Kiarrah even wanted one because I have been eating all of them and she thinks she is missing out on something yummy. Think it will work if I started eating a lot of spinach?

Allergy Eyes

Yesterday was such a busy day. My "worlds famous Soccer Player" Reynaldo woke up with his eyes swollen almost all the way shut. Poor guy was suffering from major allergies. I kept him home and took him to the Dr.'s for some much need meds. Give the kid a little Claritin, eye drops and nose spray and he is back to himself. Now we have to up the Asthma maintence meds. I guess it is that time of year again. Today is another appointment for him. I am beginning to hate visits to the Dr. I have an appointment with my Endocrinologist. Gonna have to take Dom and Ki with me. Dom was not feeling well this morning but this is an important appointment that I have already had to reschedule once before. Got to keep that sugar under control and under the careful eye of the Dr.
I slept really well last night. Baby Gracie actually took it easy on my bladder for the night. I am ready to face my day.

Update on the Sweet Potato

I apologize for not posting this sooner. I so appreciate all of the emails and comments that you have sent my way. Believe me, the prayers have been felt and were heard. My amniotic fluid is on the rise. Still on the low normal range but better none the less. The Dr. just said to keep doing what I have been doing. At least it isn't hospital bed rest. I do have a new concern but I have come to the conclusion it will always be something. Gracie is after all the wonder baby. I have very low placenta that has to be closely monitored so that it doesn't turn into Placenta Previa. The Dr. is pretty certain that I will have a scheduled C-section and more than like have her a little early at 37-38 weeks. My blood pressure and sugar are in excellent condition and I am still 2 pounds under my pre pregnancy weight. Hopefully I will end up smaller than before after she is born. God knows I need to drop the weight.

Cloud Nine

Yesterday my husband arranged a babysitter and took me out to dinner to a very nice restaurant called the 3 Forty Grill to celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary. It was such a beautiful night and we sat outside to eat overlooking the NY skyline. We weren't sure where to go and eat but after this place came highly recommended to us we decided it was just what we were looking for. ROMANTIC but yet only 5 miles from home. For an appetizer we enjoyed a Mozzarella Tower which was piled with roasted portabella, sliced house mozzarella,red bell peppers, basil, extra virgin olive oil with grilled focaccia on the side. Even Mr. Anti mushrooms ate the portabella. For dinner I had an Asian Steak Caesar Salad that was made up of seasoned hanger steak, spicy cashews,crispy wontons, romaine lettuce and topped with a Caesar dressing. Jim had the special 3 Forty Burger which was a 10 oz char grilled burger topped with Wisconsin cheddar,hickory smoked bacon, brioche. Everything was so delicious. We ended our evening with coffee and we shared a dessert of Death By Chocolate Brownie which was a mouth watering chocolate explosion of ice cream,chocolate fudge, caramel and white chocolate shavings. Afterwards we walked along the water for awhile and talked. I still feel like I am walking on cloud nine. I even got the ultimate kiss while overlooking New York. :)

Question of the Week?????

If you go go back and change one thing in your life what would it be and why?

13 Years

I can't believe that my husband and I will be married 13 years tomorrow. Where has the time gone? I am so blessed with the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with. He goes above and beyond and always makes me feel like a princess. To think 13 years ago tomorrow we were 23 and 25, nervously sharing our vows among family and friends. My husband had sang ( or should I say cried) the song " I will be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman to me.

I Will Be Here(Steven Curtis Chapman)

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear
'Cause I will be here
I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
I will be here
Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here
I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here
I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me
Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here
Oh, I will be here.

I thank God for Jim and for husband and father that he is. Pooh Bear, I will love you always and forever. Happy Anniversary! Also Happy Birthday to my Niece Elizabeth who shares this day with us. One of the best Anniversay Presents we could have gotten.

Here Comes the Bride

Yesterday was such a nice relaxing and fun day. I went to a bridal shower for a young lady who used to be in our Young Adults ministry. I hesitated about going due to the bed rest but since I would basically be sitting, I decided to go. I took the "butterfly" with me and she had a blast. I will admit I was a bit nervous because it was at my old church. I was greeted with open arms and I felt loved. I didnt expect anything different but I get so anxious about things. I am so happy that I dealt with my feelings and emotions when I left the old church and didn't harbor any bitterness. I talked things out and resolved things. My family was sent off in love when we left despite our differences in opinions. Bitterness can eat away at you until you are just not a caring person anymore. It changes you. I have seen it happen so many times in my life and it can ruin a persons walk with the Lord. I am not gonna say I didn't have hurt feelings and I am not gonna say that I have super close relationships with everyone but I have learned and grown from it and feel closer to God due to it. My sister in law and husband have shared stories of churches being split and torn apart due to hatred and bitterness. The Bible speaks so strong about it. A few of the verses that I found in the Bible are

• Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
• Ephesians 4:31-32Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you
• Matthew 7:1-5"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye
• Hebrews 12:14-15Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

I know there are many more verses that speak on this but these stuck out to me.

It was so nice seeing everyone. I can't believe that Jessica is getting married. Her future extended family were so warm and loving and beautiful Christian people. She was blessed with some amazing gifts. Kiarrah was a hoot. She helped open everything and ran the bows and ribbons to Auntie Frances ( aka Hat Maker) At one point Jess was trying to open a delicate gift and told Ki that she would open it herself and Miss Bossy pants says to her " I have an idea, why don't we open it together" She is so persistent.

Needless to say we had fun. I won a game prize. I got a yummy grapefruit scented candle. I just so happen to be all out of candles so that was a little blessing.

I will try to post so pictures later.

Verses To Mediate on

I need to surround myself with Positive verses that are going to keep me focused in the right direction.

1. Ephesians 1:17-23 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
2. Hebrews 11:6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
3. 2 Chron 16:9For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
4. Jeremiah 33:3'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
5. 1 Peter 5:7-9Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
6. Phil 4:6-10Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
7. Nehemiah 8:10This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
8. Psalm 91:1-2He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
9. Psalm 139:13-18You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous — how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
10. Isaiah 49:1Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth He has made mention of my name
11. Psalm 27:1The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
12. Psalm 31:24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
13. Psalm 46:1God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
14. Psalm 59:16But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
15. Psalm 105:4Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
16. Psalms 43:5Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
17. " For I know the plans I have for you," saith the Lord, " plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29: 11

Prayers

Dont really have the energy to blog today . I could just really use your prayers regarding Gracie. Had my echocardiogram today and now I am even more worried about my amniotic fluid. Her heart looks good but I have to go back because they can't seem to get good images. One of the major causes of that is low fluid. They wouldnt confirm if it was still low. I hate when they put all this fear and worry in you.
Could use some scripture verses to lift me up

Day of Relaxing

Today was such a nice relaxing day. I really enjoyed the time I spent with the twins. I can't believe they are 13 already. Where has the time gone. I was their nanny for 8 years and I feel like a second mom to them. They are so excited about my pregnancy and told them they can come to one of my later ultrasound appointments if their mommy said it was alright. That gives them something big to look forward to this summer.
When I took the boys to school this morning Dominic looked at me and said " mommy you can be calm today". He said that after realizing that Kiarrah was going with daddy to work. Kiarrah had a great time and was very well behaved at Jim's work and got spoiled by everyone.
I came home after picking up the boys and I am so exhausted. I was very relaxed today and off of my feet for the most part but it still took its toll on me. The Dr.'s office called and they rescheduled my fluid check for Monday because the Dr is on vacation tomorrow. He wants to be there when it is done to assess what to do if the level is still low. I am trying really hard not to worry about it. I was just hoping to have an answer by tomorrow. I do have to go for part two of my Fetal Echo cardiogram tomorrow. At least that will be done and over with. Please pray that everything is ok. I know my sweet potato is a miracle baby. I just need to stop worrying and trust God.