I have HOPE and a FUTURE.

I am finally getting back into my blog.  I was looking at the date and it has been since right after my first son was born that i have posted something. Yikes! Life has taken over and now that I have finally looked up, here I am over 3 years later posting something.  Nevertheless, there is HOPE for me yet.  I wanted to focus on something that was important to me in hopes that someone else will find it important or encouraging to them in their day to day life.  

I still love my life of being married to the amazing man I call my husband and to hear my adorable two little boys under the age of 3 to call my name: "mama...."  Where I am constantly on my knees about and unsure of, is what our FUTURE holds and what God is doing with our life. In the last year we have struggled with finding balance between a commuting job, change of job, change in income, a newborn now 1 year old and so on.  On all counts, if I stop and take the time to think, I know that we have earnestly sought after our LORD Jesus Christ for His will of our life and what decisions to make, when to make them.   Nevertheless our current life reality can be twisted by the Enemy to trick us in thinking we have made a wrong turn, missed what God was "really" trying to tell us what to do or that we are on our own.

Regardless there is no HOPE left after a couple of wrong turns.....our minds take when looking at life and misses a detail here or there.  We then proceed to overlook God's hand on our life.....therefore not truly see the Reality of our lives. 

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

This verse has been a breastplate of Truth for our marriage and our family for 3 years running.  To constantly remind us of when something in our lives appears to be of disaster and holds no hope, then we are not hearing from our LORD but are listening to the whispers of Satan in our ears. We are not holding true to God in Faith and like Peter walking on the water, we are now worried of sinking in the stormy waters around us.

But then today (through good ole Facebook) I was reminded to look again on passed this verse (12 - 14):

"In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you." says the LORD.  " I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land."

Talk about HOPE!  All i have to do is with my best of intentions and WHOLEHEARTEDLY seek Him and he will be there!  I will find HIM! My God is not a God of technicalities.  He isn't going to say, "well you were only about 90% wholehearted" and then leave me high and dry.  He is faithful to those who are faithful to Him! His Word does NOT return VOID!  And has he Clearly states, He is found when we pray and seek Him.....period! He will be bring me home!


So when Satan feeds me lies (like "maybe you missed the mark" or "you miss understood what God was trying to tell you); then it is my duty to remember the truth....

• That we did Wholeheartedly Seek Him. And not only by ourselves in our own Quiet time but with one another together and with other Godly people praying with us.
• We waited and waited for God's timing.
• We sought after Him and he gave us peace in the moment we made the decision/change in our life at that time.
• We are now in a period of waiting again to see what God is doing but the verse tells me I have H-O-P-E and a Future.  In other Words, God is in control and even though my human mind may not see what is to come, HE DOES!

So to those who Believe in our LORD, take HOPE in this Promise in God's word.  That when you seek Him and seek to Glorify Him with your life,  You will find Him in  your presence.  He will be there to guide you to your Future. He will Bring you Home and He will lead you to your future!  So take Hope, lean on your faith and Rest in God's Peace knowing you are in His Hands! 

Let it Snow, let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Northwest Arkansas got Record breaking and all-time amounts of snow this last week and for the year!  We got 2 feet of snow!  The last time it snowed that much here was in 1905!  All week the temperature was below ZERO!  One morning it was -20-Degrees!!! That is an ALL-TIME RECORD! It has never been that cold here since they started recording weather back in the last 1800's.

Now with being Pregnant, my sweet husband swept all of the stairs and patio area so I would not slip and so nothing would become ice as it packs!  He also shoveled a path for me to the car! Here is pictures of him in actions! My Hero!

Here are a few pictures we took on the first day it was (what they called it) "Blizzard like conditions"....we did get 10 inches in just a couple of hours!

Our First Home....Constien Igloo!

So with all the snow NorthWest Arkansas has gotten, my sweet husband has been inspired to build our first Home....

Come on in!!!!

 Here is our Entry way...

....and the rest of it!

 What great curb appeal!

Meet Baby Constien!

We had our first big appointment with our first Sonogram where we got pictures of our wonderful little, or big, bundle of joy!

Alex asked our Doctor how big he or she was, so she measured the baby and laughed.  I wasn't sure what that meant but overall it was just that were probably further along than originally expected and moved our due date up to Aug. 8th from Aug. 15th.

How we told our family, we were Pregnant!

When we found out we were pregnant, it was December 10th and the Doctor appointment to confirm was December 15th.  So it donned on us that we could surprise our families for Christmas!  What a treat!  Especially when both mom's had requested for Christmas for us to confirm we were "Trying"....hehehe!

So, after us "Googling" and dreaming up ways to share the good news, we came up with some great ideas and all were great but the winner was....

We made these cards at Walmart.com.  The Photo Center online had all of these options and one of which was to make your own Christ Card. So the above was the front of the card and below was the inside of the card.  The wrote in the personal name for everyone that got one (i.e. Nanna Sue, Aunt Rachael, Paw-Paw) Here is ours for the Scrapbook!

Then when all the family was together (for each family Christmas) we told them we had made Cards this year and one for everyone.  So they all opened them at the same time and it was such a treat to see they faces and hear their responses!

Your First Doctor’s visit, what you need to know

This first visit, and every visit from now on, you WILL pee in a cup. They will also do some blood work but that’s mostly the first visit.

Next they will ask a lot of question about your family health history as well as the baby’s dad’s family history.  So it is best if both of you can come to answer all of these questions.  They will also give you a due date as well as tell you how far along you are!!! (This was the best part for me! It made it so real for us!)  They will go over what to expect in the next couple of weeks and how often you will be visiting the doctor for the next 9 months or less. (see below for timeline)

Prenatal Doctor visits:

*First one to confirm!

*Next in 5 weeks  (when you are at 10-11 weeks to check your pelvic for birthing and possibly here the heart beat! I teared up for a moment thinking about that! So precious! (First Sonogram and first PICTURE!)

*After that will be a visit 1 per month until your 28^th week (when they test for diabetes)

* Then you go to visit every 2 weeks

*The last month, you go to visit every week until you go into LABOR

Insurance and finance plan. Then someone there comes to talk to you about your insurance, what it covers and what you will be left with to pay for (FYI: this person has called your insurance Provider and asked all the questions needed to know what all you can get out of your policy.  So great!)  This amount covers (at least for us) pretty much all of the prenatal stuff and the delivery.  There are still some other bills you will occur while you are in the hospital such as for Anesthesiology, pathology and Baby Bills. 

(Baby Bills: after you give birth, there is a nurse that is assigned to your baby to take care of and examine.  You can actually request this person to be your family doctor if you so chose.  I don’t know which is cheaper.  Nevertheless, this bill covers this persons expenses charged)

NOW, Before you Get Pregnant!

Here are a couple of things I have figured out within the first couple of months of this Pregnancy.  Hope they help out other women as they begin their journey through becoming a mommy!

A.) Take a prenatal vitamin now! 

And If you can, take a fish oil supplement as well.  You never know when you are going to get pregnant or if you going to have an “Opp’s” and you want your baby getting that nutrition ASAC (as soon as conceived).

B.) Starting asking questions now!

You might have friends that are having babies so ask them questions about what books they read, who is their doctor and how do they like them, what were the expenses like and how much did insurance cover? 

This helps you learn more about the process now (while you have time) and start to see what are the important questions to ask when it’s your turn.  Plus this might help you find the right doctor for you,  your husband and your baby. 

C.) Read Now!

Again, you have time now!  When we found out I was pregnant we were thinking “YAY! in 9 months we are having a baby!”  Then we go to the doctor a couple of days later to find out I am 5 weeks and 3 days.  So now all the sudden we are 7 months 2 weeks.”  IN OTHER WORDS, 9 months turns into 7 months like that; it goes quicker than you think!  Having as much knowledge now, while you have time, is a good idea!

D.) Workout  NOW!

I am currently in the “overweight” category so my weight is not ideal.  And Now that I am pregnant I can’t over do it by any means NOR can I try losing weight right now. 

So if you wanting to be in good shape (because you bounce back better after giving birth AND it’s safer for you and the baby) and you don’t want to be huge during the pregnancy…..start trying to lose weight and get in shape NOW!

E.) Save NOW!

For us, the first Doctors appt we were told, the  charge would be $100 to cover what the insurance didn’t cover or go to your payments for the prenatal – labor charges. 

Also at that first appt they go over what your insurance does cover and what you will be liable for after that. (Monthly payments and such). 

Most offices will sit down with you about what your insurance will cover and talk numbers with you from now until you give birth

We are Pregnant!!!

Earlier this December I started a series of blogs where I would write where I found God in each day until until Christmas.  However I stopped writing where I found my Savior after December 12th. The reason being was everywhere I found God was in this great news that Alex and I got on December 10th.

Alex and I stopped not trying (taking birthcontrol) back in October.  We were not trying but not "not trying" either.  Early December, I started to feel different. I was due to start my monthly cycle around December 5th.  My Chest was more tender and swollen than usual.  My stomach felt tight but now from the working out.

December 5th came and went.  Before I knew it, it was Thursday, December 9th.  While I was googling the symptoms of pregnancy, Alex walked up to me and said, "o.k., I have to say this but I think your pregnant."  I said, "I think you might be right!"

So the next day, we had already planned to go to Walgreens to get "as seen on T.V." gifts for a Christmas party.  We were pointed to this aisle where most of these gifts were.  What else should be on that aisle were the Home Pregnancy Tests.  Next think I know I see Alex is asking me which one is a good one and he is picking one out for us.

We went home and I took both test.
Directions:
Urinate for 10 seconds on the stick, lay down on the counter for the test to do it's job for the next 30 seconds to a minute.
By the time I was done, laid the sick down and go to flush the toilet, the stick was done blinking and now showed a result,

I couldn't believe how quick that was, so I had to go for round two.  This time I let it sit in a cup for 20 seconds and again didn't take the whole time needed to again have the same results,

TWO FOR TWO

So then wanted it to be official so we ran to my family doctor (since my OBGYN was closed already for the day).  The did an official Lab work up on me and within 20 minutes we were 3 for 3!  We were Officially PREGNANT!

We just couldn't believe it!

So needless to say, where I have found God in my life since December 12th is in me!

We have to keep this to ourselves since December 10th, finally telling Alex's family the weekend before Christmas when they were all together and then Christmas Day, we told my family!  I'll post a blog in a couple of days with pictures and stories for each.  

We had a doctors appointment with my Gyno on December 15th which is when they told us (at that time) I was 5 weeks 3 days along (which is about the size of an Orange Seed).

Due Date is August 15th!

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas From us to you!  Thank you to all of you that read my blog, add comments and make requests for future Blogs!  I enjoy all of your company and insight as well as your own blogs!  I wish you all, and your loved ones, a Very Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Canton

I realized I haven't posted pictures from the trip to Canton with my mom and sis.  I loved being with them.  It was the first time since I got married (July 2008) that it was just the girls for a road trip.  Mom and Rachael had never been so we decided we go primarily for the experience.

Here are some crafts we saw, admired, wondered if we could make or just thought were fun/pretty!

Here are so fun pictures we took...just because:

And Here is what we bought:

{Sorry they were saved for Christmas and as we all know...}

Marriage Tip #7: Communication, KEEP Trying

My last tip started with the top reasons Relationships fail: one was COMMUNICATION.

For years we have tried new forms of communications, there are countless languages out there to learn and none of that is including our body language, tone, cultural influences.  COMMUNICATION is one of the most complicated things you will learn to do.  Even if you speak the same language as someone, live with them for years...you are still bound to has some form of MIS-COMMUNICATION.

So 1st thing to LEARN for your marriage (or any relationship you have) there WILL be a time you mis-communicate something to someone.
If you go back to my post on Marriage Tip #6, I gave an example of how Alex and I had different definitions in our heads of what "SAVINGS" is causing us to mis-understand each other.

#2, is know Communication takes time, patiences and TALKING.  You CANNOT stop talking to each other or you'll never learn how each other's minds work. This helps you learn how to talk to each other.

#3 the more you talk, the more you know.

So don't be completely discouraged when this happens. Don't start thinking "He/She doesn't get me!"  My Parents are celebrating their 34th Wedding Anniversary December 23rd and they still have moments of Miscommunication.  But they know it happens, they work through it, learn something about each other/themselves and move on.  They are more in love today then yesterday!

Michael Buble Concert

I'm finally posting pictures from the Michael Buble Concert we went to on December 7th in Little Rock, AR, at the Verizon Arena!  It was a wonderful night and one of the best concerts I have ever been too!  He was so funny, entertaining, personal and talented all at the same time.  If we had not won the tickets and if we had the money to buy tickets it would have been worth it for the experience.

The Opening act was Natural 7, who where these 7 men vocally sang accapella all the songs while using their voices to make the instrument sounds as well (cello, bass, drums, screaming guitar...which was the best)!  I included those pics as well.

Sorry this slide show is a little long. I tired cutting down the amount of pictures to about 1/3 of what I took.  ENJOY!

Marriage Tip #6: Debt, Money, Budgets

The Top 3 reason for failed marriages are: Communication, Sex and Money!

Today I am referring to the Money.  You could be amazing with budgets but when you combine two people who have done things differently and then try finding common ground, there can be lots of room for issues.
When Alex and I first started working out a budget together, we got to the point where you set aside money for "Savings".  Alex would say, "I have that covered because I have a 'Savings' Account." I would respond with "great, that is a good place to build upon." Alex would be confused because he didn't know why I would want to add more to his savings account.  Cutting to the chase: to Alex, "Savings" was something he had set aside for rainy days and then had 401K for retirement.  For me, "Savings" was for retirement, down-payments for big purchases, etc.  Then I had "emergency fund" for rainy days.

All of that is to say, you HAVE TO TALK about this with your spouse and come to an agreement!

A great TOOL for this TALK is DAVE RAMSEY with FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY!

This is a LIFE CHANGER!  DUMBING DEBT! BEING DEBT-FREE! HAVING SAVINGS! COMMON GROUND FOR BUDGETS!

MY PERSONAL FAVORITE IS ENVELOP SYSTEM.
This is a tool you use after setting a budget (which there is a form to help you with this).  You put cash in each enevelop every month (food, gas, etc). And that is what you spend for the month. WE pay EVERYTHING in Cash....NO CREDIT CARDS to depend on!  This has saved us and our finances!

TESTIMONIES
Go to HERE to hear Sucess stories of people who are going and have gone through Dave Ramsey's Finnical Peace University (FPU).

HELP WITH BUDGETING
To help you get started on a Budget, go HERE for the online form OR there is a new tool you use HERE.

IMPORTANT: 

if you should want to do the FPU, know that the program/Classes is not cheap (about $100) but the INVESTMENT will be RETURNED  in being DEBT FREE AND HAVING SAVINGS.....IF.....you follow the program and trust it!

DAVE RAMSEY

Marriage Tip #5: Be Flexible

This tip perfectly follows Tip #4 (Command Central), where trying to find organization in the chaos of life.    Know that NOTHING is PERFECT!  Things are going to go wrong, people need time to adjust to change and know what battles you truly should fight for.

I remember our first year of marriage and we were trying to plan the Holidays with family.  Trying to see as many relatives as possible, squeezing every minutes out of everything.  We had this "Plan" but when it came time to execute, disaster.  I was expecting one thing and something else kept happening! I know you all who have been married longer are laughing at me for having a "plan".

Well it can be comical but what I LEARNED was that you can have a plan to help things a long or in my case to get something out of the answer "I don't know" to every answer. 

1.)  Work on a "GENERAL" Plan 

       *Don't get carried away with a lot of Details. My dad says all the time, "The Devil is in the Details."

       *I learned this one from our Wedding.  There were all of these details left to handle and only a week to go.  There wasn't a lot of time and I wanted to enjoy the week of festivities, so I let them go! Crazy I know, but I didn't want to remember being cranky or tired before the wedding. Instead, I remember a great time with the ones I love.

       *If you too many of these, you will be so focused on the Details that you will miss out of the Joy of the Event. 

2.) Have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. 

       *Have in the back of your mind, things will vary and don't get attached to something that later on you could be disappointing when it doesn't happen.

3.) CHOSE your BATTLES.

       *If there is something you really, really want to happen, PICK 1 and then be ready to make it happen.  But just 1!  Too many more than that & you are fighting an up hill battle.

4.) This all leads to FLEXIBILITY.

      

So when you work on the Command Central for the family, be general as possible to make things simple but functional. (i.e. there are more ways than one to vacuum a room or wash the dishes).

When you plan a trip, be realistic you may leave 30 minutes later than expected. 

When changing routines be PATIENT with people. It takes 30 consecutive days for someone to develop new habits which then can lead to them remembering without being reminded.

On the 12th day of Christmas..."As Seen on TV" Christmas Party

Do you have a Christmas Party Coming up and need good ideas for themes or Gift Exchanges? Well you need to do a Dirty Santa Gift Exchange with Gifts only as....

My in-laws last year did a Gift Exchange but several people didn't bring gifts so they ran to the local Walgreens to get some gifts. Almost every single gift was a "As Seen on TV" gift and it was a blast!

The ministry i work with is having a Christmas party with this idea and it was a blast!  

Here is a link to the following stores that you can find the items year round!

BED BATH & BEYOND

WALGREENS

WAL-MART

TARGET

On the 11th day of Christmas...Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking has been my way to record memories, as well as a release for me for years. I love to enjoy moments, record them and then revisit them over and over.  Today I got the chance to do some of just that.

Thank you God for the memories with family that you give me, friends to enjoy time with and a husband to spend my life growing old with!

Where did you find Joy today!?

On the 10th day of Christmas...Snuggies

Our first year of marriage, Alex gave me a Snuggie (Razorback like the one above) as a Christmas Present.  Then one time he washed and tried it with about 3 dryer sheets.  It still smells ever-so-clean and feels ever-so-soft!  I love to snuggle up and stay warm, so the Snuggie has become my friend! In fact, I am "snuggled" up right now!

My Joy I found today was taking time to snuggle up under a snuggie to be still and know that My Lord is my God!

Where did you find your joy today!?

On the 9th Day of Christmas...Chicken n Dumplings

This isn't a picture of mine.  We ate it before I could take a picture.  I was more hungry and thinking "blog photo opt."
But this picture is pretty close to where I found Joy today for this Month of Christmas.  I made Alex, for the first time since we've been married Chicken n Dumplings; and just like Chicken noodle soup, this have the magical touch of making you feel better than before.
The way those dumplings just melt in your mouth and the chicken is completely moist with that homemade broth.  God you are so Good!

I will be sure to post on the recipe and pictures as I go, next time.

On the 7th Day of Christmas...Michael Buble

Michael Buble! A couple of weeks ago, life was a beyond just challenging. I felt like the more I tried to proclaim 1 Peter 5:7, the more Satan through more Worries at me. And just when I was what felt like a breaking point, my Lord sustained me (Psalms 55:22) and we were blessed with something wonderful!

Michael Buble (there is an italic above the E) is a favorite of mine due to the style of singing. I am a romantic at heart and I have always loved the era of the Rat-Pack. I believe Michael's vocal talents and performance captures the same presences. However tickets are outrageous!

So when I heard that Magic 107.9 was giving away tickets I thought I would take a shot at it. I got to listen to the morning show, waited for the song "HOME" (which one of the songs I played a lot when I hoped God would bring Alex and I back together when he was in Chile) to be played and called in hoping to be Caller #5. By only the Grace of God....I WAS CALLER #5!

I have never won anything like this.....ALL THE MORE TO KNOW THAT THIS WAS ALL GOD'S BLESSING!

So with all that said, tonight is the Concert and Alex and I are headed there right now! Today I revisit a moment of where my God heard me yet again and answered by His own will and timing!

I found Joy is Seeing my God work in mysterious ways and enjoying the musical talents of Michael Buble with my one and only Earthly LOVE, my husband, Alex Constien. Who also is making a sacrifice of STudy time to go with me!

"Cry Me a River" is a great classic by Arthur Hamilton in the 50's.

"Kissing a Fool" is another Classic. I love the drama of this song at 2:30. Listen to at least that part!

On the 8th Day of Christmas...Surprise!

Surprise

SURPRISES!!! Today's Joy of Christmas for me was a 'SURPRISE"! Alex and I went to Little Rock yesterday and to save on gas, my dad allowed us to swap our Honda Accord for his Toyota Prius. But when we got home, I was surprised to see we had a full tank in our car. It was a great reminder that God provides in mysterious ways!