Small Fryday Contest

Hello world, my name is Small Fry and I am one the four beautiful children that MckMama and Prince Charming are lovingly and fearful raising. And yes, we are all ages 4 and under!!! Our newst brother just got here three weeks ago and I just can't seem to keep my hands off him! By the way.... he's our little MckMiracle and you should come see his sweet face over at My Charming Kids Blog!

There is a contest going on on one of my favorite blogs and this post is my entry in that contest. You have a few minuets to spare you should really click over to this fabulous blog! It will make you cry, laugh, think, share and be thankful!

Opinions

This struck me today like a bolt of lightning. I have not had arguments, per say, with anyone about these issues.... but I do come home to Kyle and say, "So-and-so thinks this about __________, isn't that ridiculous" or in my head think "these people are crazy" when they start in on something that I "totally" disagree with. But, like my feelings on birth control have changed (dramatically) this past month, so can any of my other many opinions at any moment and this blog just really reminded me that it is OK, but to not push them on anyone else, and to remember what it is we SHOULD be passionate about! Way to go Girl Talk!

"Epidural vs. Natural Child Birth. College vs. No College. Breast-feeding vs. Bottle Feeding. Courtship vs. Dating. Child Immunizations vs. Homeopathic Medicine. Home Schooling vs. Private or Public Schooling. Birth Control vs. No Birth Control. Organic Food vs. Processed Food.
Have an opinion, anyone?

If you’re a woman and you’re alive, at least one of these words probably triggered a visceral response. You instinctively reached into your mental files for the appropriate legal brief, fully prepared to argue for the prosecution or the defense.

Mention a topic such as this and—cue the super-hero music please—we morph into “Super-Lawyer-Woman,” ready to save the world from the risks of formula or the perils of public school or the dangers of processed food. All in a days work.

And we tend to travel in packs. Wherever we are or wherever we go in life, we find these kindred spirits—women who feel as strongly about our cause as we do—and we become fast friends. Pity the poor woman whose opinion differs from ours, or worse yet, hasn't formed an opinion. She doesn’t stand a chance against “Super-Lawyer-Women.”

But as comical as this image may be, it really isn’t funny.

Because it’s all too true. We as women are inclined to adopt a pet issue and express our opinion far too forcefully, sending other women running for cover. I’m sure I’m guilty, even more than I realize.

As D.A. Carson observes:

“So many Christians today identify themselves with some ‘single issue’ (a concept drawn from politics) other than the cross, other than the gospel. It is not that they deny the gospel. If pressed, they will emphatically endorse it. But their point of self-identification, the focus of their minds and hearts, what occupies their interest and energy is something else” (The Cross and Christian Ministry, p. 63).

The fact is that all of the aforementioned topics fall into a category Scripture labels “disputable matters” (Romans 14:1, NIV): an issue that is not central to our faith or a prerequisite for fellowship in the gospel. And this entire chapter of Romans insists that we are not to “pass judgment” on these kind of matters, or, as the ESV puts it, “quarrel over opinions.” Rather, we are to “welcome” or “accept” one another (v. 1), and pursue “what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (v. 19). Why? Because the person who disagrees with us is, “one for whom Christ died” (v. 15). "

Just when I think it is all going well...

Just as I am feeling like I have things under control and we have a really good schedule going.... boom.... the train crashes and it is a major de-railing!

Last night everything was going accordingly. Playtime after dinner, story time with dad, and bed time by 9:30pm. Then.... the train crashed! Ryland for some reason woke up at 12:30am and that was no big deal. I rocked her and nursed her a little (she is now biting with her top teeth and we are not having such a good time with that) and she feel back to sleep. I put her in her crib and bing... wide awake. We played this game for about 3 hours!!! Finally at 3:30ish I gave up and called for backup!

Kyle went in and it took him about 25 mins and he got her to sleep and in her crib soundly. Only to find that 15 mins later she was up again! So I fought with her for a little long and then I just gave up.... we got up and went to the living room at about 4:45 and I turned on the TV and made a pot of coffee. She played and ate breakfast at 5:30 and was ready to go for the day. Not me.... I had gotten a total of 40 mins of sleep and now the sun is coming up..... what has happened to my little world!

6:15am she is beginning to look at little tired, I take one more stab at it and she actually falls asleep and stays asleep for about two hours! But, when 8am rolls around and she is awake again I am dead. I have never had a hang over, but I'm sure this was worse!

Kyle graciously called into work and said he would be running late and he got up with her, played with her and put her back to sleep around 10am. So, she finally woke up at 11:30 and I felt much better. I got almost 5 hours in, so who can complain right!?!

She is now down for another nap.... who knows how long this one will last, I have thrown the schedule out the window for today!

Poem, written by Kyle

I found this poem that Kyle wrote sometime while we were dating. Man, how could I not fall completely in love with this man!

Sitting alone, my heart whisked upon her, and like a star from heaven she fell into my life.

A love that healed more passion then the world around, captivated my soul.

Her eyes beheld the love of all the angels, and her soul the likeness of Christ.

Her hands are like the touch of fire, that burned my inner being.

Her gentleness envelopes me, and a warmth captures my heart like nothing ever before.

Offering to be a candle in my darkest nights, she shelters me from the angry world around.

She is the blessing that heaven bestowed on me, and the desire that floods my heart.

Her ears listen to my hearts cry, and she comforts me when the pain is unbearable.

She reaches in and fills the void, that once left my life longing.

Her presence causes me to be oblivious to the sound of anothers voice.

Her voice soothes the tears that once kept me chained.

She is my fair maiden, and she is God's plan for my life.

On top of things

Alright, I don't want to speak too soon, but I really feel "on top of things" this week. OK, there have been days in the past 10 months that I have "felt on top of things" but those days just never seem to turn into weeks. And right now I can say for the past two weeks I have actually stayed on top of all my house work and was actually dresses and put together before noon every day! I am not really sure where to pin point the change, but there are a few things that I have changed that help me to not feel so overwhelmed:

1. We cleaned out our closets two weekends ago, and for some reason it seems easier to keep my house clean with the closets organized. Its amazing when everything really does have a place to go.
2. I am taking long, hot, candle lite showers at night after Ryland goes to sleep. First, this completely relaxes me and second, it allows me to just do my hair and make-up in the morning. Most days taking a shower was so overwhelming to me. I hated to try and figure out what to do with Ryland and I also hated wasting a nap time to do it.
3. I am waking up when Kyle does in the morning. I used to sleep in as long as I could and that was just plain laziness. Actually waking up before 8am is really nice because I feel like I have a whole day, not just a few hours of sunlight.
4. I do a load of laundry a day. This really helps me stay on top of it and it is a whole lot easier to put away in small amounts!
5. TURN OFF THE TV!!!!! I have officially turned the TV off until Kyle comes home. Well, Ryland watches a little in the morning with breakfast and then its off. This is great for me... I am no longer sucked in and I feel so much more productive! If you know me at all, you know this was a hard one for me, but I love it now that I have done it!
6. Playtime outside! Ryland and I play with our neighbors, Laura (the mom) and Zach the baby in the pumpkin pictures almost every day. The sunlight and fresh air really do wonderful things for all of us!
7. Reading my bible. OK, this probably shouldn't be #7 on the list, but I am just going in order of my thoughts, not priorities. :) I have been spending an hour every morning in Rylands room. We turn on worship music, she plays on the floor and I read my bible. I LOVE this hour and I feel so fed right now, its a great spot to be.
8. I spend a lot of time thinking about ways I can bless Kyle. I can easily get consumed with Ryland and housekeeping that I forget my husband in the mix. So, I have come up with a list of ways to let him know I am thinking about him. But I would LOVE some more things to add to the list! Do you have any suggestions?

Picnic at White Rock

Vote!

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! :)