Our Little Pumpkin

Our next door neighbors have a son that is about 5 weeks younger then Ryland. His name is Zach. They are so cute together and really enjoy playing with one another. A few days ago we went to the Dallas Arboretum to visit the pumpkin patch. They had so much fun touching the pumpkins and the hay and watching the big kids run around. Here are some shots from the day.

What 9 months looks like

Ryland is actually almost 10 months,

but here is her 9 month update:

• She weighs 18.3 lbs (40%) and is 29 inches tall (97%)
• She crawls like a mad-woman, super fast
• Is pulling up and cruising everywhere she can
• She loves to eat, her favorite things are puffs, yogurt, and peas
• She has THREE teeth! Two bottom and one top that just poked through yesterday

Here are some snap shots of this month:

My view of her in the back seat, she LOVES the car!

Aunt Tal playing in the front yard with Ryland while Kyle and I were cleaning out closets, thanks Tal, you rock and Ryland love you!


Ryland in the rent-a-stroller and Northpark mall.... really, supposed to be one of the nicest malls in Dallas, think they could get better rentals, ghetto!

Ryland with her Nini and Pawpa watching Kyle play softball. She loves them!

Peace

OK, I know its been several days, but Kyle and I have been praying and really researching this whole BCP thing. After doing lots of research and getting my mom to research too (thanks mom!) I have come to the conclusion that they aren't exactly sure what the BCP does. They have theories and ways to know how it affects the woman's body, but to test the actual rate of abortions caused by the pill would be near to impossible. There are those who are highly convicted one way and those that stand for the other and here I am kind of in the middle.

I believe this is a personal choice. I think it is important for women to know what they are taking and the possible effects of that medicine, not just taking it because that is what they should do. I am guilty of that. I had no idea what the BCP pill was capable of, even after 6 years of taking it.

I also believe that God can stir things up in our hearts for a reason. He wants us to grow and change and become more like Him. He doesn't want us to be stagnant in any area of our lives. He wants us to be moldable. So, here I am one day reading a blog about something totally different then BCP and boom.... I'm hit with this convicting thought and deep desire to do what God wants me to do. I also believe that God is the God of peace. If we are searching, than He will give us peace about our search. He will let us know, in His way and by His timing, what it is that He wants us to do.

So, as of now, we have chosen to stop taking the BCP. We are convicted at the possibilities of what this pill could have done over the past 6 years and do not want to be held accountable for that in the end, especially after gaining knowledge about it. I am not saying this is something every woman should do, I am not saying that all birth control is wrong. I am just saying that this is the choice we feel God leading us to make and we are at peace with that decision.

Thank you for the emails and comments you have left. I have learned a lot over the past two weeks and I am encouraged to know that I am not the only one who has dealt with this issue or was prompted to research it for themselves.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." Psalms 127:3

Muddy Waters.... BEWARE!

OK, let me first start by saying the following blog is just thoughts that I need to get out! I have been introduced to some thought provoking information over the past few days and I am searching. I am searching for evidence, opinions, beliefs, and reasons.... so please share! Please prepare yourself, I know that what I am about to get into is muddy waters and I don't want anyone to be offended, again, these are just thoughts I am having and I am searching. Thanks!

Lets just jump right in... I have been using birth control pills (BCP) for the past 6 years. When Kyle and I knew we were getting married I got on them several months before our wedding to ensure that I would not have a honeymoon baby. The only thought I had before getting on BCP was that we were 19 and we did not want to have a baby yet. I did no research as to exactly how they work nor their possible implications, I just started taking them.

Before Ryland was conceived I was on the Nuva Ring, it works just like the birth control patch, in which your body absorbs the hormones from the ring or patch through your skin or vaginal wall. They are proven to be as effective as the BCP, maybe even more because there is less room for human error (forgetting to take the pill daily). So, I was on the Nuva Ring for about 2 years and then one month my normal menstrual cycle never came. I took a pregnancy test and sure enough, I was pregnant. OK, so I know this might have been way too much information to share, but I share it only to prove the point that God is in control of life. Since the beginning of time He has been opening and closing wombs and He chose to open mine for our sweet little Ryland.

Now, over the past few days I have been provoked into researching exactly what the BCP and any other non-barrier method of birth control actually does. I read a blog, Minnesota Mom , which her opinion is clearly stated as to her beliefs about birth control. And then started reading some of the articles she has linked to prove her opinion. One article, http://www.pregnantpause.org/abort/untold.htm, lays it out very clearly:

The Pill is taken orally, usually every day. There are two kinds of Pills. The "combined Pill" contains both estrogen and progestin. The second type is a progestin-only Pill sometimes called the "mini-pill". Both kinds have three ways of working:
1. They prevent ovulation by suppressing the part of the brain which signals for ovulation to begin,
2. They change the lining of the cervix to make it more difficult for sperm to pass through, or
3. They prevent implantation of a newly conceived human life on the lining of the womb.4

OK, so my belief is as with most pro-lifers, life begins at conception, when the egg is fertilized by the sperm. So, if I believe this, then what do I do with #3? If the first two preventative measures of the BCP do not work, then am I preventing a fertilized egg from implanting into my womb?

As a pro-lifer, what do I do with the fact that if I am taking the BCP, I am telling my body to abort a fertilized egg? Am I choosing to prevent a life from thriving when God has allowed it to begin?

Whew..... I know, I know.... really big thoughts here and highly controversial, but I am searching! I am striving to do the right thing and do not wish to be hypocritical in any way. I have never contemplated BCP in this way and I am not exactly sure where I stand, but one thing I know is that every night this week, I have had reservations every time I put that little pill in my mouth.

Help - I desperately want to surrender to God my life..... yes, even THAT part!

Not me! Monday

So I missed last week, but here you go.... some more honest things about me! This idea comes from a blog that I am following, http://www.mycharmingkids.net/, please take a min and read their story. Their family covets your prayers for the birth of their son, Stellan. He is joining this world any day now and is expected to have major complications.

I do not sit in my bedroom for three hours on Monday nights watching TLC, first Little People Big World, then John and Kate Plus 8 followed by 17 Kids and Counting. These are not my favorite shows on TV and I do not wish they were on every night. I also do not tell Kyle, as he watches Monday night football, that I will be back to watch it with him, only to never return. Not me!

While watching 17 Kids and Counting, I do not secretly wish that was me and my family. I would never want to dress like that, have that many kids and live that kind of life. Really, never. Wait, would I?

I never receive text messages on my phone and think I will answer them later and never do. Nope, not me, I am the best at getting back with people.

I did not jokingly ask my in-laws to paint the bathroom this weekend and they actually did it. I would never make them work on my house while they are supposed to be playing with their grand baby. (But it looks awesome, thanks a ton!!!)

Playmates

Ryland and her sweet friend Annabelle are finally playing together! Annabelle and her family are in our small group and she is around 18 months (I think... oh man, I feel so bad, I know she turns two sometime in the spring, but I can't think of when). For the longest time Ryland just watched her play and Annabelle just wanted Ryland's toys, but now they are actually playing together! It was really sweet to watch them share and Annabelle show her toys to Ryland. I am so thankful for her and her family in our lives. We cherish them and cannot wait to see them grow up together! :)

Look, Kyle is in a golf game!

Kyle made himself in his new golf game, kinda scary! :)

Wishing I had more to post

I have been sitting here checking email and facebooking all the while trying to think of something, anything to post. And still, nothing. So I thought I would just start typing and see what came out. :) (Could be scary!!!)

So, our life has been really full these days. Full as in, we are so busy and loving every minute of it! We have been hang out with the people from our small group a lot lately and it is so nice. We have been apart of this small group for quite sometime now, but there is something about adulthood that I never knew until we moved to Dallas.

You see, my whole life has been spent in school where your circle of friends is right there and its easy. We moved to Dallas and become adults (essentially) and friendships have not been so easy anymore. Now that the convince of school (and work for me) is gone, I have realized that I have to put in the effort to make friends (and keep them). What? No one told me this... I thought friendships would be easy and life long, really I did. Its really a strange phenomenon that I am realizing.

So, back to our small group, we have been meeting for quite some time and I love all of them and even though I've heard their testimonies and such, sometimes it felt like we still didn't really know each other. But, now, after spending more and more time together I truly feel bonded to these people. I love them. I cherish them. I look forward to Wednesdays and weekends. Its great to feel connected to people.

On another note, our marriage is great right now. I mean, its always 'great' but right now its GREAT. We are totally clicking, like I know what he's thinking and well, he'll never really know what I'm thinking, but he's good at guessing. We are friends. We play cards and hangman and look at million dollar houses on the Internet after Ryland falls asleep. We love doing things together and for one another.

Kyle is doing so great at his job right now and he is really enjoying it. God has really gifted him with the ability to talk to people and truly care for them. He has compassion for those that sit at his desk day after day. He enjoys the people he works with and his boss knows exactly how to motivate him, even if that means getting him a video game (hi Jackie!) ;).

Ryland is just the best baby we could ask for. I am so in love with her I can't stand it! Everyday she just amazes me. She plays all day long just talking to herself and laughing at things. She is crawling all over the house and pulling up on everything. She is even cruising along the couch. She has one tooth poking through and has found her screaming voice (not been so fun). She is just wonderful! I already can't wait to have another one (well, I can wait... I am waiting... but who knows for how long). :)

Thank you Lord for these good times and thank you for the not good times that we will have, because you are the giver and the taker. You have woven our lives together for Your glory. May our laughter and our tears praise your name!

Wordless Wednesday

"Not Me!" Monday

OK, here goes another round of truths about me or "not me." Hope you have fun doing your own "not me" Monday!

I would never buy a house and want to paint the bathroom so bad, and two years later, the bathroom still sits unpainted. Not Me!

I would not have all week to clean my house to get ready for company and inevitably wait until the very last minute and 'stress-clean', Not Me!

I would never sit and watch two whole hours of Wife Swap almost every afternoon! But, if I were to do this, I would clean during commercials, wouldn't I?

I would never buy all the vegetables I needed to make homemade baby food and then actually let some of them go bad before making the food. Not Me!

I would never lie to my neighbor because he needed to use our computer but my house was such a wreck that I didn't want him to come in (not to mention that he is a little creepy) and the first thing that pops in my head is a lie... and that's what I do, just flat out lie to him. No, not me, I would just tell him the truth or just not answer the door next time.

Laughing Baby

Just blink

I'm 4 years old and in the kitchen in our apartment in Albuquerque. I know that I need Jesus in my heart, I know that I am a sinner and I will not go to Heaven. My mom leads me in a prayer and I am born a new.

Blink

I'm 15 and Kyle is sitting on a hill outside a church in Berthed, Colorado. He is telling me that he loves me and that he thinks I'm the one he is supposed to marry. I am shocked and probably not ready to hear his words. He is pouring his soul out to me and I am not ready to drink.

Blink

On my 17th birthday, I'm ready. Kyle asks my Dad if he can court me and hopes to marry me one day. We are sitting around the dinner table, My parents, sister, Kyle's family and Grandma, all listening to Kyle talk about his love for me, and we were only 17.... what did we know about love!?

Blink

August 24, 2002, Kyle asked me to marry him. Beautifully and perfectly he again told me all about his love and why he could not live without me.

Blink

June 14, 2003, we pledged our lives to each other. Forever our souls would be united as one. This was the first day to the rest of our history.

Blink

Memorial Day Weekend of 2007, WHAT? We are pregnant?

Blink

January 10, 2008, the day could not have been more perfect. Our sweet Ryland Shay took her first breath and was laid on my chest. Her sweet cry. Her small feet. Her beautiful face. Her life has changed ours forever.

Blink

...

McKinney Ave Street Cars

Ryland's Grammy and Paparino (Pop-Pop-Pop-Papa-Rino as he calls himself, and Ryland smiles EVERY time) came into town for a short weekend trip. Sunday we went on the McKinney Street Cars, free and so much fun, ate at a great Tex-Mex restaurant in Uptown and then had to-die-for Italian Gelato. What a great day and Ryland couldn't have been more perfect! I love you mom and dad... come again soon!

For Today...

Another blog idea... these are so much fun! :) Click the above picture to visit this site, it is very inspirational to me and my quest to being a homemaker.

FOR TODAY...

Outside My Window... It's warm, but there is a hint of coolness in the breeze. It makes me wish it was feeling more like fall and less like Dallas.

I am thinking... sleeping babies are oh-so-nice, as well as, what the heck will I cook for dinner?

I am thankful for... my sweet husband and all the hard work he puts in to give me the life of my dreams.

From the kitchen... dirty dishes piled high and no inspiration to do them quite yet.

I am wearing... a great pair of jeans, an old brown and peach striped tee and brown flip-flops (I wear only flip-flops until its below 65*).

I am creating... not a thing right now... I need to dust off that crafty bone I have and put it to use!

I am going... to be a better housekeeper and wife... one of these days!

I am reading... "What's the difference? Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible" John Piper

I am hoping... that Ryland sleeps through the night tonight.

I am hearing... silence... nothing is on in the house right now and all my babies are sleeping (Ry, the dog and the cat).

Around the house... recovering from wonderful company (my parents) this weekend so my motivation to do anything is slim to none.

One of my favorite things... a tall glass of lemonade would be great right now.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: birthday parties and wedding showers this weekend, so this week will entail shopping... yeah!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Not Me! Monday

Another great site I am following does this "Not me! Monday" thing and I really like it. You can click the picture to visit her site and pray for her family. Feel free to have your own "Not Me! Monday" and enjoy reading some honesty about me...

I would never nurse Ryland at night, every time she wakes up, even though she should not be nursing at night anymore. Not me! Sometimes in the middle of the night, its not about the right thing to do... its about doing what works!

I would never waist money on washing a load of laundry because I forgot to take it out of the washer from two days ago.... and I would never do this like every week. Not me!

I would never shove my cat into the garage every night because I refuse to be woken up by her in the middle of the night. Not me!

I would never hope that my husband would play on his Xbox so that I could blog or read other peoples blogs and then actually make him feel guilty for not spending time with me (sorry kyle). Not me!

I would never be the wife that refused to take the trash to the garbage can and actually take it for the first time to our garbage can just a few weeks ago. Not me!


See you next Monday for some more things that are so Not Me!