Last night Kyla and I went to revival service at mom’s church. It was a very good “old time” sermon on the parable of the soils– most specifically the seed that fell on the wayside. In these days, it is very easy for the message, gospel, and inspiration to fall on deaf ears and then into a ditch thus growing rancid. We must keep the word of God in our minds, hearts, and tongues so regularly that they have no opportunity to grow sour or old fashioned– deemed unnecessary. Distractions from daily life- internet, relationships, crises, worldly pleasures, and sin can all cause us to in effect give up on Christ and His life changing way. Though some of those distractions are a very needed substance in life, we must prioritize them behind the Jesus whom we call Saviour. I find in my personal life that technology i.e. internet to be the most distractive idol in my life. It can be used for good [devotions and information], yet it is destructive when I go link hopping and message boarding for hours. I know that most times I can spend my valuable time more wisely and that is what I intend to do.

Keep in mind that babies are not expensive. Sure, you can have all the bells, whistles, toys, and “necessary” things, but they will stay on the shelf, in the box, and not used. Below are the things we have found to be the best in the past six months. You can also use it as a guideline as what you might need in the early and not so early days with a little one. Love, a tender touch, and lots of kisses go much further than the newest fad!

Kyla

diapers- Pampers and Gerber vinyl pants (when necessary)

shampoo/wash- Neutrogena RainBath or Avalon Organics Wash and Shampoo.

I was going to buy Dr. Bonner’s Baby Wash but mom had a bottle of organic wash we use now.

wipes- Huggies sensitive, Pampers unscented, Parent’s Choice unscented

rash cream- coconut oil

We find it unneeded to use A&D or zinc oxide each diaper change.

cereal- Beechnut [mommy likes it better because no soy is added]

food- Gerber [as long as no soy or additives are included]

bottle- Playtex dropins [only bottle she can successfully drink from] Link to a free bottle!!

clothing brand- Carter’s [and Carter's from Walmart]

toy- plastic links from Baby Einstein and Bright Starts Activity gym

The simpler, the better. Kyla found the tags on the gym to be most interesting for the longest time.

pacifier- Mam [likes the best because was first introduced and was easy to use with tongue tie] and Playtex

safety kit- includes nail clippers and everything needed to give little ones medicine Safety 1st

Mommy

nursing bra- Walmart clearance rack for 6 dollars

nursing pads- Curity, Playtex, or Lansinoh [I don't leak much and never did.]

PP pads and care- Always Maximum Protection, Tucks, coconut oil, listening to doctor pertaining to refraining from intercourse [especially if you have an episiotomy or tear] Although. I know the last thing I wanted was a more torn perineum. teehee

pump- Medela Pump in Style [I got an older model-2001 for 75 dollars on eBay.] I would check out eBay before buying a brand new $300-400 pump unless you need a medical grade pump.

Note:Quantities are in brackets.

Sleepers with snaps and zippers [5-7] are wonderful to use during the fall when days are warm and nights are cool. Lots and lots of outfits are not needed. Buy onesies [10] in various sizes. Only buying a handful of preemie, newborn sizes because they are not used for very long. Also keep in mind that your little one may be on the chunky, slender, short or tall side, so pay attention to the measurements on the clothes, not the months. But, if your little one is on the tiny side, use discretion. Mittens are are a good investment if you have a scratcher. Buy only a few pairs of socks [5-7]. Keep in mind that some babies are born with bigger feet and will not stay in newborn/0-3 socks very long. Have a box or package of diapers [50-100] on hand. Although, watch for sales and coupons for your favorite brand(s). Have a large box of wipes [bulk packs are wonderful and cheap] in your nursery and where ever you will change [changing table is not necessary- bed, floor, table work just fine.] the little one. A few nice outfits [5] are good for church or photo sessions. When the little one starts drooling from teeth and starting solids, bibs [5] are great to have. Depending on the season and child, hats come in handy. Kyla hated hats [1-2] when she was newly born, but does not mind them now. Buy a few coordinating pairs of pants [3-4] and cute shirts [3-4] to match the onesies.

Good luck and God bless with your little one!

Sorry that it has been a few days for a post. Hubby has been sick and we’ve been busy around the house. In the meantime, I worked on some CLT credits for church and looked around the net for good deals and good blogs.

I went to Kroger today to buy buns for the Harvest Party and… there was a buggy full of baby food. Most of it was 2 packs of Gerber and Gerber w/DHA for 33 cents a piece and BeechNut for 25 cents. I purchased 18 containers of food for $2.00 give or take a few cents worth well over 15 dollars. Praise the Lord. I was talking to a lady at church and she said… look how the Lord provides. He certainly takes care of His children- most certainly the littlest ones. In the past two times I purchased baby food I found 18 this time and 34 last time for a grand total of $6.50. Now talk about frugal shopping.

I am still going to buy some frozen butternut squash to give to the Bug before we do fruits again. I’m starting her on sweet potatoes and carrots this week (with 3 days in between), butternut squash and peas the following week, and then green beans. Then we will work on fruits [applesauce, peaches, pears and bananas]. After we have those, then it is off to stage 2 and so forth. All I know is she is growing too quickly!

[with the little one on my lap]

I was deciding what to write today, and nothing came to mind. I was looking for something a bit deeper and meaningful. God sometimes uses the simplest of things to catch our attention. In my case, it was snacking on a cookie. When we look at life in a positive light, we can say it is like a totally yummy chocolate chip cookie. However, a good cookie takes work just like life. We must find the perfect good quality ingredients: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, temperance, and meekness. Before you say this is starting to look like a fruit cake, picture the gentle balance of sugar, salt, flour, vanilla, egg, baking soda/powder, chips, and [espresso powder]. If we do not follow the recipe and add whatever we please, most likely the cookies won’t taste well. Such as life, we must follow the Lord and His word and add only those good things in our lives. Moreover, we must cook the cookies to the exact temperature. In life, we must allow ourselves to be refined in the fire of God’s Holy Spirit. In addition, we must also cook the cookies for the right amount of time. Life can bring us down, up, and all around, but the right amount of time in God’s word and Spirit will make for a sweet life- certainly not burnt.  God desires for our lives to be as lovely and yummy as a perfectly baked cookie [with a big glass of milk- for the calcium of course haha].

And for the best recipe I have found:

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 1 cup light brown sugar 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 large egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips Directions 1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds) 2. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds. 3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips. 4. Using a 1 ounce scoop or a 2 tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2 inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie. Yield: 2 dozen cookies

We have been doing so well lately. Kris is back to his normal schedule this week, which makes it easier on him and me. Kyla ate her first serving of oatmeal today and absolutely loved it. She is napping now– 2 hours! I’ve been keeping the house tidy, meals cooked, family loved, all the while making time to work on devotions [almost] daily and plenty of thinking/praying time. I thought about posting a few things I’ve learned since Kyla has been born from reading blogs, reading books, or talking to people.

• start solids at 6 months [or when the pincer reflex is well developed]
• babies sleep/nap best in their own crib [or next to momma in the early morn ]
• homeschooling seems to be the best option for us– it’s never too early to learn/start
• homemade baby food is going to be a fun endeavor
• ’sposies [disposable diapers] work just fine for us– maybe CD next time
• Kyla does so well sitting in church with us– actually pays attention to the preacher
• a beautiful smile from the bug goes a long way
• modesty is a lifestyle not only a way of dress
• entertainment can come in the form of a box, tag or shiny object
• Babywise is good in moderation and tweaked to individuals

I may add some more later, but the baby is stirring and it’s time for waketime.

It is for want of meekness that we are so impatient of contradiction in our opinions, desires, and designs; that we must have our own saying, right or wrong, and everything our own way; that we are so impatient of competitors, not enduring that any should stand in our light, or share in that work of honor which we would engross to ourselves; that we are so impatient of contempt, so quick in our apprehension and resentment of the least slight or affront; and so quick to imagine injuries where there are none or none intended…In a word, the wilful doing of anything to disquiet others, slandering, backbiting, whispering, tale-bearing, or the like, is too plain an evidence that we are not ourselves rightly disposed to be quiet. Matthew Henry

“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:4

It should be desirable to be of a meek and quiet heart. We have been taught in this postmodern culture, that to be quiet and meek is “whimpish” and certainly not something to be desired. It is more important to be wild, abrasive, and obnoxious especially amongst the young, feminist crowd. The more attention we [as women] attract, the better. It does not matter if that is positive attention. That is purely the fleshy prideful nature that rares its ugly, ugly head. We must willfully die to that disgusting nature every moment of life on earth. I am also very guilty of allowing that sin nature to show through instead of the Light of Christ.  I have slandered, backbit, told lies, gossipped, amongst other nasty sins. However, it is now my goal to please Christ in this very important part of my life. We must strive to honor the one, true God with our quiet and meek soul, for it is an ornament of praise. This calm, unhurried attitude is certainly not the norm in our culture, but we are a chosen generation, holy priesthood, called out among the world. We are not supposed to be the norm [yet, we should flee as quickly as possible].

On an aside– Look on almost every TV station and you will find commercials for energy this, energy that. Remember that the Lord does not want a group of busybodies. It was once frowned upon to act like that. He wants us in the stillness of spirit to consciously complete tasks in life. [in the case of life-threatening cases, use your brain ] Some people are quicker than others to finish jobs, so do not compare yourself to others regarding productivity. It is a different story to be lazy or ignorant of required tasks. Take your time, be purposeful, don a smile, and glorify God in everything you do. That does include changing [super poopy] diapers, cleaning snotty hands, and waking at 2am to a squawing child.

I was listening to the radio on the trip to Mom’s yesterday and there was a segment pertaining to David Jeremiah’s new book What in the World’s Going On.  He mentioned some end times scriptures, opinion, prophecy, and all those fun words. One profound statement I heard was, “If you know who the Antichrist is, you’ve been left behind.” I found it very, very interesting because the Antichrist will be hidden until his time. Everyone, I mean everyone, wants to take a stab at predicting who he might be. However, I’m taking it upon myself not to worry about any of it. The Lord will protect His children from anything that might happen including the institution of a New World Order, One World Government, and from Satan himself. The funny thing is… we win. No worries, hands down, we win. The Lord prevails and asks us to cast our burden upon Him. The scriptures tell us that tomorrow will worry about itself and He has not charged us responsible for it. I’m also not taking it upon myself to stock my pantry to high heaven, buying lots of shoes and coats, packing my survivalist kit, or anything like that. The Lord has told me time and time again to trust Him and that’s it. Although it is good to be prepared, it is even more important to trust the sustainer of life with our lives. Be of good cheer!
On a side note, no candidate in this presidential election will be able to take us out of this financial and economic mess. The ones who might have a small chance, wouldn’t be allowed to succeed in their endeavours anyhow. It was created for the foundation (or another gradual change in the world) of the need for the nations to rise together. Please don’t base your vote on that one reason. The men will promise us the world and everything in it, but beware of those socialist wolves.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

While the little one naps, I’ll sneak a few moments for a post about the fortieth chapter of Isaiah.

31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

[please no pity ] Especially with a little one who still requires nourishment at dawn, I can become run down, plain exhausted at times. It is not nearly as significant as it was when she was a week or two old. I couldn’t think straight, talk straight or even sleep straight. I remember when hubby and I went out to dinner when she was a week old and I thought, “I could really sleep for three hours rather than eating this dinner (which had no taste because I was too tired to taste ).” It’s quite comical now when I think upon that first month or so of her life. I thought there was no way that I was prepared to be a mother- certainly not a good one. However, in those crazy moments, I clung to God, for He was the only one who gave me strength and courage to press on. I was running, running, and nursing, and God gave me every morsel of endurance that I required- even if it was three hours a night. I recall on a Sunday night during that first month, I sat there and wept to God asking Him to help me, give me rest, and allow me to have peace about all of it. And guess what? He kept His promise that He gave way— back in Isaiah and again in Matthew 11.

30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

We can trust that the Lord will never give us more than we can handle. He will certainly never give us anything that He will not carry us through. He does not require that we go through life alone. Even if we have no one [I certainly had people who cared. ], He is still there. When we are yoked by God, He steers us where we need to go at exactly the moment when we need to move. As you think about your burden [life], trust that God will see you through anything whether it be exhaustion, poor economy/poverty, turbulent times, or anything you can imagine. Here’s an encouraging video originally performed by Don Moen.

I’ll be sure to post a deal I get when I go to the grocery or to Walmart.

$2.59 at Kroger

I had a $.50 coupon and it is double coupon days, so I got 77 baby wipes for $1.59. Also, Lansinoh breastpads:

Regularly $9.00+ I got them for $5.50 for 66 pads.