…which means another post! It’s been so busy and lovely outside that I couldn’t help but take a short hiatus from the blog!

Life has been WONDERFUL. I found out on June 17 that Miss Kyla is going to be a big sister– of a blueberry– at least this week! My tenative due date is March 1, but they will have a better idea when I have my 11 week ultrasound. We couldn’t be happier! I got my betas drawn on June 22, 24 and July 2. [15, 17 and 25 dpo] 777, 1691, and get this 13,000! The baby[ies] are burrowing nicely in my ‘very pregnant womb.’ I have been having a bit of morning sickness coming and going for the past week. Besides that and being a bit winded, there aren’t any problems!

That’s been our life in a nutshell. Enjoying the summer as a family of 4– or 5 if you count Komet! Kyla is growing like a weed and growing cuter every day! I have to get back to watching Food Network– it looks so good and yucky at the same time!

Another food for thought: we went to McDonald’s today for lunch because DH needed a new belt to finish off his mightly handsomeness today. There was a Muslim family and the teen daughter and momma were in full covering, which made me look naked. I was wearing a skirt and modest top, but I almost felt shameful for showing my legs. I contrasted that with the teen in Walmart wearing nothing but daisy dukes and a string bikini top. I’m not judging these women, but I was amazed at the way audacity and reverence constrasted. What did you wear today?

As I sit here listening to some Crabb Family ol’ time music, I can’t help but reflect on the ‘worldly’ and spiritual things that I am utterly thankful.

1. My wonderful husband who graciously took his ‘time off’ this morning to adorn our living room with a spectacular ceiling fan. It is so comfortable in here sans A/C.
2. My adorable daughter who never ceases to amaze me with her giggles, smiles and ‘mummmms’.
3. My spunky dog who drives me bonkers and smells like a foot at this moment. Oh yes, I might add her footness is now on my couch.
4. Pantene Smooth shampoo– first time I splurged on a 5 dollar bottle of shampoo in years and my hair and self-image love it!
5. Pampers hotline– We purchased a large -144- case of diapers which were very defective. The left tab pulled from the baby stretch part. The kind woman is sending me coupons for my troubles.
6. Hubby’s iPod– I can totally ‘lounge around’ while running the vacuum and listen to my guilty pleasure– southern gospel.
7. The baby birds– It may sound silly but I enjoy watching a nest of baby birds who have called our awning home. After the death of the mama bird’s first set of babies, she laid a new set of eggs and is cautiously caring for her new hatchlings. It was utterly upsetting when I discovered her three little ones on the porch a month or so ago. It is a much more cheerful situation out there now!
8. Beautiful flowers– Since spring has arrived and is slowly waning, I am in love with the beautiful captivating flowers. Kyla and I walk around home and at grandma’s and take in the pinks, reds, and other colors and squeal in delight– okay, so maybe that’s Kyla!

The following taken from Voddie Baucham’s blog, Truth In Love:

The news has not been encouraging lately. Between job losses, bankruptcies, and government takeovers, it is hard to be optimistic about the future from a financial standpoint. Even China appears more capitalistic than America these days (see here). As a result, many Americans are making very hard choices. There are even commercials on television depicting families sitting around the dinner table talking about difficult decisions they must make and dreams they must defer. My family and I have had similar discussions as I have had a few events cancelled on account of “the economy”. Things are indeed tough.

One of the overlooked consequences of the current economic downturn is the increasing number of people who have decided to forego having children. All over the western world people are deciding that now is not the time to get pregnant. As a result, the vasectomy industry is experiencing an economic boom. As evidence of this, there was a recent article in Bio-Medicine titled, “With the Economy Down, Vasectomy Rates Are Up.” The author notes that, “Doctors around the United States are reporting a sharp increase in the number of vasectomies performed since the economy soured last year.” The numbers are actually quite astonishing. One article reported more than a thirty percent increase in vasectomy rates in Canada. Things are even worse in some parts of the United States. The Bio-Medicine article reports:

Since November, Dr. Marc Goldstein, surgeon-in-chief of male reproductive medicine and surgery at the Cornell Institute for Reproductive Medicine in New York City, said his practice has seen about 48 percent more vasectomy consultations compared to the same time the previous year.

This is especially discouraging news in light of the already astonishingly low birthrates in the industrialized world (See: here, and here). Russia, for example, is expected to see their population cut in half (from 140 Million to 70 Million) between 2005 and 2050. As Michael Specter of the New York Times put it,

“Driven largely by prosperity and freedom, millions of women — here and throughout the developed world — are having fewer children than ever before. They stay in school longer, put more emphasis on work and marry later. As a result, birth rates in many countries are now in a rapid, sustained decline. Never before — except in times of plague, war and deep economic depression — have birth rates fallen so low, for so long.”

And that was 1998! Things have gotten progressively worse since then. Many European countries have already reached the “point of no return,” and are in danger of becoming Islamic Republics.

Unfortunately, most people view having children as a purely financial endeavor. This attitude was summed up well by Dr. Harry Fisch, a professor of clinical urology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, in New York City, who said:

“The issue about kids is often a financial one, and, if finances are low, it makes sense that people would be less likely to have more kids. And if they’re thinking about it, this is the time.”

Interestingly, things have been good (from a financial perspective) over the past few decades, but birthrates were still in decline. Thus, the current problem is not one of healthy birthrates becoming unhealthy in light of the economic downturn. Instead, greedy materialistic people who already saw children as a burden when they were ‘filthy rich” (which includes Americans at the “poverty line” if you look at things from a global perspective) are now in a panic because they are slightly less rich. But what does the Bible have to say on the subject? Is an economic downturn, or a set of difficult circumstances a good enough reason to stop having children?

I do not believe that an economic downturn is a sufficient reason to prevent pregnancy. I base my argument on four key factors. First, children are a blessing. The Bible is clear on this issue:

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)

I love the ESV translation of this passage. Here we see an important nuance in the Hebrew text. It is not the man whose quiver is filled that is blessed, but the man “who fills his quiver.” In other words, we should seek children. We should desire them.

Second, we are commanded to “be fruitful and multiply.” (Gen 1:28; 8:17; 9:1, 7; 35:11; Jer 23:3) One of the principle purposes of marriage is procreation. Of course, this goes beyond merely having children to actually bringing them up in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4) in an effort to spread the image of God (and the gospel) throughout the earth. As such, it is unthinkable for Christians to attempt to enjoy the benefits of marriage and avoid the responsibility of having and raising children to the glory of God. R. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY said it better than most when he wrote:

Christians must recognize that… rebellion against parenthood represents nothing less than an absolute revolt against God’s design. The Scripture points to barrenness as a great curse and children as a divine gift… Morally speaking, the epidemic in this regard has nothing to do with those married couples who desire children but are for any reason unable to have them, but instead in those who are fully capable of having children but reject this intrusion in their lifestyle.

Third, any decision to avoid pregnancy has to be based on biblical reasons, and a struggling economy is not one of them. While I do not believe that there are many instances where preventing pregnancy would be “biblical”, I do believe that there are some instances where one could make a strong biblical argument for doing so. For example, if a man’s wife breaks her pelvis in an automobile accident, I believe he would be quite wise in holding off any plans for a baby. I know there are some who have argued that it is “never biblical” to prevent pregnancy. However, I disagree. As a pastor, I would advise a man in the aforementioned situation not to impregnate his wife, and I would base that advice on Peter’s admonition to “live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel” (1 Peter 3:7 ESV). I believe this goes directly to a man’s role as protector in the home.

However, that is a far cry from the, “Things are really bad now” line of reasoning. Anyone wondering if the Bible gives any hint as to whether or not God would advise his people to continue having children in the midst of bad economic, or political times need only look at Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles in Babylon. In the midst of conditions that make ours look like a day at the park, the Lord spoke through his prophet:

“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.” (Jeremiah 29:4-6 ESV)

I thank God that my ancestors who were slaves (by the way, that’s worse than an economic downturn) bore children in spite of their difficulties. Had they adopted today’s mindset, there would be no descendants of slaves alive in America today. We would all have been “prevented” in the name of “prudence”.

Fourth, if one has biblical reasons to avoid pregnancy (and this is almost never the case), the next step would be to employ biblical means in doing so. If a couple finds themselves in a situation where avoiding pregnancy becomes necessary, there are other issues to take into consideration. For example, birth control shots, I.U.D.’s, morning after pills, and many birth control pills, are actually abortifacients (they have the potential to cause early abortions when they fail at preventing pregnancy). As such, they should be avoided. Also, bodily mutilation (vasectomy, tubal ligation, etc.) is a serious and morally questionable alternative (1 Cor. 6:19). That leaves barrier methods (though this raises questions of “spilling the seed,” i.e., Gen. 38), and abstinence (which carries with it a whole other set of difficulties; 1 Cor. 7:1-5). In other words, such decisions are far from “cut-and-dry” for those attempting to think and act biblically in this area. We must search the Scriptures (I also recommend resources like Andreas Kostenberger’s book, God, Marriage and Family).

Unfortunately, most Christians never give such issues much thought. Very often we assume that since the practice of preventing pregnancy is so common, it must be biblical, prudent, and ethical. Moreover, most “Christian counselors” actually advise believers to prevent pregnancy in virtually any instance. For example, if they 1) are newly married, 2) already have two or three children, 3) have experienced “difficult pregnancies,” 4) had one or more deliveries via c-section, or 5) are in the midst of an economic “crisis” (i.e., can only afford one new car and a 2,000 sq. ft. house). If you don’t believe me, start listening to call-in “counseling” shows. I know this firsthand. Regrettably, my wife and I fell victim to such “counseling” after our second child was born. Suddenly, we had our girl and our boy (the perfect LITTLE family), and the all-too-common excuse of “difficult pregnancies,” (coupled with a Caesarian delivery) so it was time to shut it down. We hired a doctor to take his scalpel and suture, and tell God we no longer needed, wanted, or trusted him in that area of our lives. I talk about this dark episode in Family Driven Faith.

I believe the burden of proof is on those who wish to prevent pregnancy. Search the Scriptures to see if these things are true. We mustn’t simply assume that the old clichés are true. I know we’ve always heard that the responsible thing to do is prevent pregnancy until you are “ready” financially (and there are no complications, or sickness, or dreaded warnings from physicians), but what does the Bible say? And who’s ever “ready” for a baby? Moreover, who knows what the financial scene will look like nine months from now?

There’s another issue at play here. Many people who prevent pregnancy today and plan on just “getting back around to it” some other time are in danger of, “tempting the Lord their God.” (Matt 4:7; cf. Deut. 6:16) Getting pregnant is not a guarantee. There are plenty of people out there who cry themselves to sleep at night because they’ve been trying for years and God has not opened the womb. People who put pregnancy off until a “more appropriate time” need to bear this in mind. You don’t know when (or if) you will get pregnant. As such, it is quite presumptuous to put it off until you decide you’re ready. Remember, God is the author of life, and every child is a blessing. Besides, who’s going to fix our ethical, spiritual, economic, and political crisis in the next generation if those of us who know the answer (the gospel) shut it down and stop launching arrows simply because they may require a little financial sacrifice in the short run?
Voddie Baucham

After perusing LAF, I happened upon a story of baby Tait and his Daddy and Mommy.  Here’s a reprint of the story over there.

Little Tait was born on November 6, 2008 at 3:29 pm, a 27 week preemie weighing 2 pounds 9 ounces, and 14¼ inches long. He and his family spent several months in the hospital as God used the doctors to help sustain his life. After 3 months he was allowed to go home and is doing very well.

Tait’s parents, Tait and Lauren Zimmerman now have to pay the neonatology bill. It was originally $186,769 but was negotiated and reduced to $51,644.35. If it isn’t paid by June 4th, it will be raised to the original amount. Tait and Lauren have decided not to accept government support, as this would restrict their control in the care of their little boy.

Why don’t you support this wonderful family with a generous gift- big or small? For Jesus called us to minister to the least of these.

Update: they have received all of their goal! Praise the Lord! Now they are working on negotiating a much, much larger hospital bill!

While the baby naps, dear hubby is at work, the walk on the trail is done, and the last piece of birthday cake eaten [feel free to come over and eat the icing!], it’s now time to blog.  We’ve been blessed with a beautiful day– sun shining, birds chirping, and mowers humming [gas powered, of course]. I put my dahlia on the stoop to catch some rays. It’s a vivid scarlet with rich yellow centers. I had a flu on Saturday into Sunday and was not able to attend church and have my flower raffled off. I must admit that I wanted to win my Mother’s Day flower, only I had to be very, very sick to keep it. It’s still pretty. I’m even going to blog outside today and sit next to Komet. Nevermind, the dogs next door are much more interesting than me.

I forgot to mention that I had an eye exam last week and got a brand-new pair of glasses. They are quite stunning and make me look my age, which is quite a feat. I always have people mistaking me for a teen mother or at least giving me that ‘look.’

New ones

Old ones in silver.

Well, I need to recharge the laundry, read a good book, and enjoy the rest of the day. Until next time,  smile and be thankful.

Yesterday I turned 24– and yet I feel 15. I had a wonderful day with family and friends who doted lots of love on me. Hubby and Kyla took me to Walmart for Rain-X latitude windshield wipers and Mother’s Day gifts. He also surprised me with…a CrochetMaster! It contains all of the steel and aluminum hooks I will ever need. I was speechless when I opened it! I am currently using my G to crochet a baby blanket. *squeal* I also received a Sword Study Bible. It is purple and large print and KJV. It is perfect. I have such a thoughtful husband who really knows me. I love him so.

I also spent a bit of the afternoon using some birthday money purchasing some new skorts. I went to Walmart and returned two skirts that wrinkle so badly. It was obviously cheap material. The woman accidently scanned three instead of two and gave me back $12.66 too much. Though I thought it was a nice birthday present, I would feel horrible if her drawer was short, so I returned the money. She was grateful, though with the way she scanned the return, they would have been short a skort, not money. I wouldn’t want 12 bucks to keep me out of heaven. I went over to JCP to purchase a few more quality skorts [great finds I might add] and found a coupon for 10 dollars off a 50 dollar purchase. I praised God since He was so kind to place that in my path. I found a cute outfit for Kyla and left the store with 3 skorts and a baby outfit for 45 dollars. Now we’ll both be stylin’.

So this is post 101. I didn’t realize that until the dashboard told me. Since Kyla is napping late, the dog’s sleeping, and I’m finishing up a bowl of Lucky Charms, it’s time to write post 101. Since I’ve last posted Kyla turned one year old! Yikes, this time has flown by so quickly! We had a party for her decked in pinks, sparkles and love. She had a wonderful time and especially enjoyed her carrot cake cupcake complete with cream cheese icing. It was a beautifully [hot] day to love on Kyla and celebrate a big day in her life. I’ve learned so much in this past year that it’s incredible– more than 16 years of public schooling could have ever taught.

We spent today shopping with my mom. We printed our coupons for Michael’s and JCPenney and headed for some great sales. I had gift cards for JCP and spent $.40 [40 cents] for 2 shirts for Kris. They were $6.00/each! I used a 40% off one item coupon on doily yarn. 2 skeins for $4.00. I bought it for mom so she could use her coupon as well.

I suppose I should get into the groove of writing some more inspirational lessons, stories, or something more jazzy than deals. Until then– go home, love your hubby, and stimulate the economy with babies. They’re natural, right?

In the Bible, God clearly speaks that some have more than others. In a natural [not manipulated] capitalistic system of economics, there are inevitably rich and poor people. However, there are poor rich people and rich poor people. Both rich and poor are a state of mind. Though the widow had but a mite, she was a wealth of blessing, and though the rich man had all, he had nothing– without Jesus. God calls us– okay, demands — that we use our talents and money as good stewards. He desires that we are good managers of the 90% of our goods and services. He takes care of the 10% and usually– okay all the time– increases it a hundred-fold. He would not condemn bad trees and vines for not producing fruit and then do the same Himself. He does the best with what He has and blesses us. Why don’t we do the best with what we have been given.

I’m not talking about living a life of poverty and give everything away. I’m speaking about being wise with things. Don’t waste the water because it wastes money– not because ‘Mother Nature cries when you do.’ Get the best deal at the grocery because you don’t know what expenses might arise– car breaks down, etc. Consolidate trips to the store and errands because it wastes gas– not because the earth is going to boil over. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul tells about a man putting away childish things. A good example of childish behavior is wasting. Children [undisciplined, of course] don’t care about the little bit of cereal left in the box or if the water runs while brushing teeth or even that candy is going to rot their teeth and cost hundreds in dentist bills. They simply don’t care about those matters. Instill the value of saving and cherishing into your children’s hearts. Don’t teach them to be stingy and selfish, but giving and compassionate and respectful. You will be teaching them to be mindful of their things, your things, and God’s things. However, the best way to teach them those values is to live them– day in and day out– with the rising of the sun to the going down of the same.

Life has been wonderful lately. Though, I say that most days, it doesn’t make it any less true. I decided to throw together a blog post while the little one naps. She was in desperate need of a nap for some reason. She has this new cry where she is unconsolable unless I put her in the crib and close the door to let her nap. Kyla is much more active at this age and requires a few cat naps– dog naps around here– to get through the day. She will be a year old next month and I cannot believe how time passed so quickly. I learned so much about God, my hubby, and myself in the past 2 years and more specifically 11 months and a week. I’ll be thinking of twelve profound lessons for a special post next month in celebration of her first birthday. We take the car on April 6 for repairs. I scraped the side from the passenger side back door to the bumper when pulling around a turn in our narrow alley. I still feel foolish that me, a frugal nut, has to spend $500 on a deductible to repair our car. I understand that life happens even when we are careful and mindful of our surroundings. The Lord has given me much peace about the situation and has provided for us time and time again– this time included. That may mean no Wendy’s after church this week and next, but we’ll make it work and fit in the budget!

Great frugal find: last.fm If you are looking for a great internet radio with amazing music selections, scoot on over. At the moment, I have an Andrea Bocelli station playing. Your playlist revolves around an artist that you enter. Most [okay, 99%] of the music played is something that I enjoy. Thanks to hubby for finding this station.

Oh, yes, last but not least, our dear Komet had her spay on Wednesday. She is pathetically needy, but so sweet.

I believe that I have heard that about 1.5 million times since Kyla’s birth. Actually, I think most asked me that question while I was 9 months pregnant. The ignorant [sorry for a lack of better word] majority of America and the world, for that matter, think that dear hubby will look at me and PRESTO! my womb is filled with 18.84 children overnight. While it is encouraging that people think that I will make a good momma to the aforementioned 18.84 children, it’s is discouraging that it isn’t that easy. However, God did not promise that it would be easy. He did promise that He would see us through it, and better yet, carry us through it. Can you remember your momma or daddy carrying you when you were so weary and tired and sick and could not carry on? Looking back, not too far , I know that our parents and God, for that matter, desire and provide the best for us. Mom didn’t want you to go out with so and so because she knew he was bad news. She was right. Absolutely right. Back to the original topic, We have tried since July 2008 [when PPAF showed] to extend the size of our family, yet this is not God’s plan YET. I am finally okay with that. I had taken me until last week to get to that point after I was teased with 3 positives. After two early losses [ 4w and 4w3d], it’s still not easy to not be upset with God, yet He is sovereign. This cycle I’m avoiding temping, checking cm, and all of the other behaviors that I become so easily obsessed. They are all natural means, but not necessary. I have given my all to God– now that includes my womb. A quiverful begins with a willing heart, even if that quiverful includes one baby. We have been blessed beyond measure with Kyla and we could not ask for more and that includes not coveting another blessing from the Lord. I ask the Lord to bless us, but one cannot be mad and angry at God for withholding that blessing. It will happen in His time. I even threw out those tests and have moved on. It doesn’t mean that you forget those tiny, tiny miracles, it simply means that you treasure what you have and not envy what you do not. When God told us not to covet our neighbor’s things that meant babies, too.