So in my effort to attempt to be a Greener mother and leave this place a better place for my children. I decided to read Vinegar Fridays put out by Hana Haatainen Caye. She's a member of my church and someone I've personally gotten to know. I enjoy her blog, Green Grandma, and I'm a fan of her Facebook page also titled Green Grandma. I read this book, not really sure what to expect. But I figured I would try out cleaning my microwave, I had heard a glowing review about it also. Well, I am happy to report that one week later after cleaning our microwave and deodorizing our kitchen drains with the leftover Apple Cider Vinegar Mixture our microwave is still clean. I cleaned both the inside and the outside with the Apple Cider Vinegar mix that was suggested. Mind you in our old house the fact that the outside is still clean is amazing all considering that it's mighty dusty in our house.
I honestly can't wait to try some of the recipes in the book, as it's not just about cleaning with Vinegar. But it has a children's story and cooking recipes. Green Grandma is seriously my go to for green products or if something is possibly hazardous to my child or family. If you aren't a fan of Green Grandma, you should be especially if you are a green parent, while you're at seriously buy her book too. It's worth every penny you'll spend on it and then some.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The Many uses of ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar)
So this week, on Monday, our Joyful Joannie had her 2-year old check up. I so despise waiting in a waiting room with sick children. Something about a sitting in a confined space with two healthy children under three years of age, and there being about 2-3 children in the same office with head colds and GOD knows what other ailments. Seriously people bring the sanitizer with you when you bring your child to the pediatricians office or don't let your children touch toys that you know healthy children will be playing with. As of Monday when we left the pediatricians office, the Joyful Joannie was healthy except for her usual shots that she was behind on getting. So Tuesday night rolls around and what starts do I hear as I'm making dinner, cough cough achoo achoo. I start thinking to myself and praying, "Dear God, so far you've kept her healthy please don't let this be a head cold." Then all night long and all day yesterday, it was a runny nose, coughing fits, and a low grade temperature. I say low grade, because Joannie takes after mom, our normal body temp is not 98.6 as it should be but rather it's usually 94.something to 96.something. SO if we are running a fever our low grade fever is generally 98.something.
At this point last night, I had to change the dinner plans to be something without dairy so it wouldn't produce more mucous in my sweet daughter. I sent a message to the Vinegar Queen aka Green Grandma on her Facebook page asking for an all natural remedy for cough syrup. I honestly love Green Grandma she's filled with invaluable information on how to treat things all naturally. Which odd enough, I try to be as organic as possible. Somethings I'm honestly not so green about, I'm sorry but I use Kirkland disposeable Diapers and Kirkland brand Baby wipes. I've used them for Joannie, and we are doing the same with Joannie. It's generally for convenience honestly, but I do my best to dump and flush the poop out of the diapers in the trash can. So getting back to Green Grandma, she provided me with recipe for making cough syrup for Joannie which GOD BLESS her worked in only two doses. It is as follows:
1 Part of ACV (ORGANIC RAW Apple Cider Vinegar is the BEST!)
1 Part Honey (DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE OF BOTULISM GIVE
TO AN INFANT UNDER THE AGE OF 1 YEAR)
2 Parts Filtered Water
Place all ingredients in a bottle and shake until combined. Appropriate directions are: 2 TBSP every
2 hours
I gave Joannie two does and she didn't fight me to take those doses, she actually came running to me for them. Odd but true, this doesn't smell yummy at all but the taste isn't at all as it smells.
I grew up having ACV, honey, lemon, and warm water for sore throats when I had to sing the next day, that and gargling with salt water. This also works, I'm posting the recipe here also for that as well.
8 oz of Warm Water
2 - 3 TBSP of honey
1-2 capfulls of ACV (ORGANIC AND RAW - Again this seriously works best)
1/2 lemon squeezed
Place all ingredients in a mug stir until well blended, sip or guzzle it down that's your preference. I tend to drink this pretty face because it doesn't taste so good once it gets to be room temperature.
For the flu I suggest another all natural concoction that I grew up having especially when I was throwing up, this is basically best if you sip with a spoon also serve warm as it again doesn't taste so good when it cools down to room temperature.
8 oz of water (Boiling for tea, then allow to cool until warm before adding the last 3 ingredients)
1 tea bag of Chamomile tea
1/2 lemon squeezed into the mug with the tea
2 - 3 TBSP of honey, or to taste
1 - 2 capfulls of ACV (ORGANIC AND RAW - Works best TRUST ME)
Combine all the ingredients and drink by the teaspoon, until symptoms subside.
Joannie is napping and has been napping now for 2 hours, which has given me enough time to publish this article for all your viewing pleasure. I hope that everyone finds some use for these recipes, as I know I will be soon needing Green Grandma's ACV Cough Syrup. I try my best not to heavily medicate my children, we generally use Tylenol and Ibiprophen to treat fevers. I try and stick with the old home remedies that are tried and true. These are home remedies, that I know work. Beside the new tricks, like Vick's rub on the bottom of your feet for head colds, and 94.5% all natural cold/flu bath soak/salts that you can pick up at WalMart. Please feel free to send me any questions and I'll try to answer them as best as I can. If I don't know, I know I always have Green Grandma who can help me out!
God's Love, Peace, Blessings, and Grace to Everyone!
Jennifer Cormier
At this point last night, I had to change the dinner plans to be something without dairy so it wouldn't produce more mucous in my sweet daughter. I sent a message to the Vinegar Queen aka Green Grandma on her Facebook page asking for an all natural remedy for cough syrup. I honestly love Green Grandma she's filled with invaluable information on how to treat things all naturally. Which odd enough, I try to be as organic as possible. Somethings I'm honestly not so green about, I'm sorry but I use Kirkland disposeable Diapers and Kirkland brand Baby wipes. I've used them for Joannie, and we are doing the same with Joannie. It's generally for convenience honestly, but I do my best to dump and flush the poop out of the diapers in the trash can. So getting back to Green Grandma, she provided me with recipe for making cough syrup for Joannie which GOD BLESS her worked in only two doses. It is as follows:
1 Part of ACV (ORGANIC RAW Apple Cider Vinegar is the BEST!)
1 Part Honey (DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE OF BOTULISM GIVE
TO AN INFANT UNDER THE AGE OF 1 YEAR)
2 Parts Filtered Water
Place all ingredients in a bottle and shake until combined. Appropriate directions are: 2 TBSP every
2 hours
I gave Joannie two does and she didn't fight me to take those doses, she actually came running to me for them. Odd but true, this doesn't smell yummy at all but the taste isn't at all as it smells.
I grew up having ACV, honey, lemon, and warm water for sore throats when I had to sing the next day, that and gargling with salt water. This also works, I'm posting the recipe here also for that as well.
8 oz of Warm Water
2 - 3 TBSP of honey
1-2 capfulls of ACV (ORGANIC AND RAW - Again this seriously works best)
1/2 lemon squeezed
Place all ingredients in a mug stir until well blended, sip or guzzle it down that's your preference. I tend to drink this pretty face because it doesn't taste so good once it gets to be room temperature.
For the flu I suggest another all natural concoction that I grew up having especially when I was throwing up, this is basically best if you sip with a spoon also serve warm as it again doesn't taste so good when it cools down to room temperature.
8 oz of water (Boiling for tea, then allow to cool until warm before adding the last 3 ingredients)
1 tea bag of Chamomile tea
1/2 lemon squeezed into the mug with the tea
2 - 3 TBSP of honey, or to taste
1 - 2 capfulls of ACV (ORGANIC AND RAW - Works best TRUST ME)
Combine all the ingredients and drink by the teaspoon, until symptoms subside.
Joannie is napping and has been napping now for 2 hours, which has given me enough time to publish this article for all your viewing pleasure. I hope that everyone finds some use for these recipes, as I know I will be soon needing Green Grandma's ACV Cough Syrup. I try my best not to heavily medicate my children, we generally use Tylenol and Ibiprophen to treat fevers. I try and stick with the old home remedies that are tried and true. These are home remedies, that I know work. Beside the new tricks, like Vick's rub on the bottom of your feet for head colds, and 94.5% all natural cold/flu bath soak/salts that you can pick up at WalMart. Please feel free to send me any questions and I'll try to answer them as best as I can. If I don't know, I know I always have Green Grandma who can help me out!
God's Love, Peace, Blessings, and Grace to Everyone!
Jennifer Cormier
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Gabriella
So, this past Sunday, was Gabriella's debut and Baby Shower. Yes, I know a little odd to have the baby shower after the arrival of the child. But if you know my past pregnancy issues, I believe you would understand why this was decided by both Chris and myself. As a gift from Kelly Lowry, we got a journal for me to write in for Gabriella along with the attendees to write their wish/dream/hopes for Gabriella.
I read them all and they all brought me to tears, I couldn't read them without crying. So I decided to let Gabriella know a little bit about the person who was writing their wish/dream/hope to her. I promise nothing negative was written because I'm not the kind of person to be negative. Upon completing that task, I started writing to Gabriella. I'm not sure how many of you know what Gabriella's name means. It's a Hebrew name and it means God's gift, to Chris and I both her and Joannie are truly God's gift to us. I was told when I was 24 years old to stop trying to have children because I'd never be able to have them for medical reasons. The doctor who told me this, I'd love to go back to and show him the error in his prognosis. Chris got tested before we got married to see if he could ever have children and well he was also told he would never be a father. I don't think I need to tell anyone that God's plans aren't what medical science dictates, but what His' will is. Needless to say, we didn't listen to our doctors, and we tried. Our first miracle, was Joannie surviving her twin's early miscarriage. The second miracle was Gabriella, her name only seemed fitting to both Chris and myself.
I've told very few people, my only two desires for my children are to the following:
1. For them to know that God and their parents love them unconditionally and abundantly.
2. For them to know God, as their Lord and Savior, and to have a relationship with Him.
My children will always know they are loved, by my actions and how I talk about them. I've experience what is like to be loved unconditionally as a child and to be loved conditionally. I choose unconditional love because no matter what I do or what mistakes I make, I know I am loved. I'm not perfect, I am far from perfect. I am a follower of Christ and I follow my Lord's examples. I feel that while I am here on earth, I have been entrusted with the health, safety, and well being of my children here on earth. While I may make decisions that some may question regarding the health, safety, and welfare of my children know that these are my decisions to make as God's servant to these precious gifts that God has entrusted me with. My children are and will always be gifts from God to Chris and myself. I hope that anyone reading this will see their children if they have any as God's gift also. God bless and keep you and yours!
I read them all and they all brought me to tears, I couldn't read them without crying. So I decided to let Gabriella know a little bit about the person who was writing their wish/dream/hope to her. I promise nothing negative was written because I'm not the kind of person to be negative. Upon completing that task, I started writing to Gabriella. I'm not sure how many of you know what Gabriella's name means. It's a Hebrew name and it means God's gift, to Chris and I both her and Joannie are truly God's gift to us. I was told when I was 24 years old to stop trying to have children because I'd never be able to have them for medical reasons. The doctor who told me this, I'd love to go back to and show him the error in his prognosis. Chris got tested before we got married to see if he could ever have children and well he was also told he would never be a father. I don't think I need to tell anyone that God's plans aren't what medical science dictates, but what His' will is. Needless to say, we didn't listen to our doctors, and we tried. Our first miracle, was Joannie surviving her twin's early miscarriage. The second miracle was Gabriella, her name only seemed fitting to both Chris and myself.
I've told very few people, my only two desires for my children are to the following:
1. For them to know that God and their parents love them unconditionally and abundantly.
2. For them to know God, as their Lord and Savior, and to have a relationship with Him.
My children will always know they are loved, by my actions and how I talk about them. I've experience what is like to be loved unconditionally as a child and to be loved conditionally. I choose unconditional love because no matter what I do or what mistakes I make, I know I am loved. I'm not perfect, I am far from perfect. I am a follower of Christ and I follow my Lord's examples. I feel that while I am here on earth, I have been entrusted with the health, safety, and well being of my children here on earth. While I may make decisions that some may question regarding the health, safety, and welfare of my children know that these are my decisions to make as God's servant to these precious gifts that God has entrusted me with. My children are and will always be gifts from God to Chris and myself. I hope that anyone reading this will see their children if they have any as God's gift also. God bless and keep you and yours!
Monday, August 1, 2011
A Mom Again
For those of you who don't know, Chris and I recently became parents again to a beautiful baby girl. She reminds me a lot of my husband and my first daughter. Her complexion and facial features are all her daddy's, while her temperament thus far is so much my sweet little Joannie. Gabriella Christine Cormier, was born on the 21st of July via c-section. This was not the way I had envisioned having my second child, I had planned on having a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section), but unfortunately God or Gabriella had other plans. She was transverse breech which meant that a VBAC was no longer an option, while another C-Section was and would need to be scheduled.
The first week of little G's life as we call her has been pretty eventful. First, not even 24 hours out of the hospital I ran a fever which wound up being due to me being engorged as we were trying to breast feed G but had to give it up due to me not producing enough milk. It had been roughly 8-12 hours since I had G on either one and well just say both G and I were doing well at it but I was unable to produce enough to keep her satisfied. She's on a really good schedule now and gaining weight as she should be, so we will be sticking to formula. No matter how much I wish I was able to breast feed, I found myself way too exhausted to even keep up with it. I know, the benefits for her is that my breast milk is the best, I just don't produce enough unfortunately. I did try, and Chris' Aunt told me that she was very proud of me and that some women just don't make enough. Chris also supports me in this decision, which was made when I was crying and trying to go to sleep and upset that I couldn't give my daughter the best thing for her.
I know while not everyone may agree with me for the reason(s) I chose to give up breast feeding, in the end I had to do what was right for me and my sweet little miss G. She's sleeping on a better schedule, gaining the weight she should be gaining, and honestly seems to be happier this way. I even caught a glimpse of her laughing in her sleep this morning as she was laying next to Chris in our bed. Usually she sleeps in her own crib right next to our bed, but this morning Chris let her snuggle between the two of us. It was truly a sweet sight, if you're lucky you may even see these photos on Facebook.
Little G truly is a blessing to all of us and she makes our family complete. I would not trade her for anything in the world. I often wondered when she did come out if I would love Joannie any more or less, I find the answer is no I love both my girls the same, as unconditionally as I possibly can.
The first week of little G's life as we call her has been pretty eventful. First, not even 24 hours out of the hospital I ran a fever which wound up being due to me being engorged as we were trying to breast feed G but had to give it up due to me not producing enough milk. It had been roughly 8-12 hours since I had G on either one and well just say both G and I were doing well at it but I was unable to produce enough to keep her satisfied. She's on a really good schedule now and gaining weight as she should be, so we will be sticking to formula. No matter how much I wish I was able to breast feed, I found myself way too exhausted to even keep up with it. I know, the benefits for her is that my breast milk is the best, I just don't produce enough unfortunately. I did try, and Chris' Aunt told me that she was very proud of me and that some women just don't make enough. Chris also supports me in this decision, which was made when I was crying and trying to go to sleep and upset that I couldn't give my daughter the best thing for her.
I know while not everyone may agree with me for the reason(s) I chose to give up breast feeding, in the end I had to do what was right for me and my sweet little miss G. She's sleeping on a better schedule, gaining the weight she should be gaining, and honestly seems to be happier this way. I even caught a glimpse of her laughing in her sleep this morning as she was laying next to Chris in our bed. Usually she sleeps in her own crib right next to our bed, but this morning Chris let her snuggle between the two of us. It was truly a sweet sight, if you're lucky you may even see these photos on Facebook.
Little G truly is a blessing to all of us and she makes our family complete. I would not trade her for anything in the world. I often wondered when she did come out if I would love Joannie any more or less, I find the answer is no I love both my girls the same, as unconditionally as I possibly can.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Pregnant Woman's Ranting
So, I spent my day today, trying not to let my daughter and husband get the best of me. At this point, I'm 8 months and 1 almost 2 weeks pregnant. I'm reaching the point of starting to know my limits, I went to put on my tennis shoes last week and a pair of socks, it took me 30-45 minutes to get this accomplished. I huffed & puffed, shoved & tugged. I've reached the point where I'm doing my best not to complain when people ask questions that are relatively repetitive. I half want to reply with nonsensical answers that don't make any sense and are extremely sarcastic, but I'm good and I don't.
Joannie is having a rough time right now, she's been missing her Great-Aunt Marion. Plus to add to matters, she's teething! Her two-year old molars are coming in and it's not a pleasant picture. She's still better than most children who are enduring the "Terrible Twos." But I also find myself, amused by the fact that even when I am frustrated with her and feel at the end of the rope with her, she finds some way to make me laugh. Maybe it's my hormonal pregnant state I am in right now, but incisive crying from Joan right now is not something that I enjoy listening to and it tends to get on my last nerve. But then I see her crying, the part of me that wants to make her life better for her wants to wrap her up in my arms and tell her everything will be okay. I find myself wanting to tell her as my mom told me many of times, "This too shall pass my love."
I find myself wondering what advice my mother would give me at this point in being a parent. I find myself questioning what advice my mother-in-law would have for her name-sake grandchild. I miss having my mom around and the advice she may or may not give. I miss not having ever met my mother-in-law or knowing her personality and advice that she would or would not have given. I wonder if my mom and my mother-in-law would drop everything to be here right now to help out with things. Don't get me wrong, I love my in-laws but I seriously miss the tradition of having my mother here or my mother-in-law. I truly do feel spoiled by my father and father-in-law, maybe not by earthly wares and goods, but I am spoiled by their immense love and devotion to me and my family. I know without a doubt they both love me and my family.
I just wonder what advice my mom and mother-in-law would give me and how they would advise me to proceed with the delivery of our second child. I'm quite often asked if I'm nervous or scared, my response so far has been this. I'm not so much scared for the delivery because I know what to expect. It's the recovery process that I'm nervous about, I don't want what happened with my daughter to happen with this delivery & recovery. So far, I'm good as far as the MRSA cultures are showing, now the next hurdle will be to find out how Baby Cormier is developing and if our due date is changing. So far for the last month or so we've been measuring about 2 weeks early which would then change our EDD from August 10 to the last week of July. I'm excited because I'll get to meet another one of my in-laws that I have not met, as Chris' Aunt Marion and Uncle Roy will be in California during that time frame. So about that time, Chris' Aunt Noreen will be coming up from Virgina to help out with things just in case I go into labor. Hopefully the two days, I'm alone Baby Cormier doesn't decide to make their appearance.
Either way, this is all in God's control and this being therapeutic, I am now going to let it all go. I will place my trust in God and hope for the best, along with trying not to think of the worse case scenario. Take care everyone and God Bless.
Joannie is having a rough time right now, she's been missing her Great-Aunt Marion. Plus to add to matters, she's teething! Her two-year old molars are coming in and it's not a pleasant picture. She's still better than most children who are enduring the "Terrible Twos." But I also find myself, amused by the fact that even when I am frustrated with her and feel at the end of the rope with her, she finds some way to make me laugh. Maybe it's my hormonal pregnant state I am in right now, but incisive crying from Joan right now is not something that I enjoy listening to and it tends to get on my last nerve. But then I see her crying, the part of me that wants to make her life better for her wants to wrap her up in my arms and tell her everything will be okay. I find myself wanting to tell her as my mom told me many of times, "This too shall pass my love."
I find myself wondering what advice my mother would give me at this point in being a parent. I find myself questioning what advice my mother-in-law would have for her name-sake grandchild. I miss having my mom around and the advice she may or may not give. I miss not having ever met my mother-in-law or knowing her personality and advice that she would or would not have given. I wonder if my mom and my mother-in-law would drop everything to be here right now to help out with things. Don't get me wrong, I love my in-laws but I seriously miss the tradition of having my mother here or my mother-in-law. I truly do feel spoiled by my father and father-in-law, maybe not by earthly wares and goods, but I am spoiled by their immense love and devotion to me and my family. I know without a doubt they both love me and my family.
I just wonder what advice my mom and mother-in-law would give me and how they would advise me to proceed with the delivery of our second child. I'm quite often asked if I'm nervous or scared, my response so far has been this. I'm not so much scared for the delivery because I know what to expect. It's the recovery process that I'm nervous about, I don't want what happened with my daughter to happen with this delivery & recovery. So far, I'm good as far as the MRSA cultures are showing, now the next hurdle will be to find out how Baby Cormier is developing and if our due date is changing. So far for the last month or so we've been measuring about 2 weeks early which would then change our EDD from August 10 to the last week of July. I'm excited because I'll get to meet another one of my in-laws that I have not met, as Chris' Aunt Marion and Uncle Roy will be in California during that time frame. So about that time, Chris' Aunt Noreen will be coming up from Virgina to help out with things just in case I go into labor. Hopefully the two days, I'm alone Baby Cormier doesn't decide to make their appearance.
Either way, this is all in God's control and this being therapeutic, I am now going to let it all go. I will place my trust in God and hope for the best, along with trying not to think of the worse case scenario. Take care everyone and God Bless.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sanctity of Life Sunday - 1/24/2011
As I sit here thinking of the ultimate choice that my mom made to give my two sisters and myself life. I also think about the children who weren't given that chance or that choice to live. I think of the many of other women, who ache for a child and can never have a child of their own. In being that I'm in a poetic and thought provoking mood, I am going to pen a poem in my attempt to get the joy along with sorrows of being pregnant and losing a child. While I've never had an abortion, I do know what goes with losing a child. In writing this, I am praying for God's guidance and help.
She Cries
By Jennifer Cormier
She was just 19 years old, a life was beginning to grow inside her.
She was engaged, he wasn't the man God had for her.
She loved him, but he beat her and cheated on her.
Until one night, enough was enough, she ended it with him.
He broke her heart, her body, and the life growing inside her.
She cried for days, months, and years mourning the one life that should of been.
Some years, later she was older and wiser or so she thought.
There was a new man in her life, she told all he was different he loved her.
Soon again, she saw wedding rings and the promises of a new future.
He broke her heart, he was married and had children of his' own.
She soon found, there were two lives this time growing inside her.
The stress of this new man, his wife, and everything was too much for her to bear.
He broke her heart, her mind, and the life growing inside her stopped.
She cried for days, months, and years mourning the three lives that should of been.
In 2008, she married the man who God had planned for her.
He loved her, and she loved him.
They lived in a tiny apartment with two cats.
Soon they found out their was a life growing inside her, they kept it a secret knowing the girl's past loss.
Two days, after the girl's birthday, her heart broke again.
This time it wasn't the man who broke her heart, but the life who was no more.
They asked the doctor "Why?" and underwent test.
She cried for days and months mourning the four lives that should of been.
But God had a miracle in store for them, there was still a life growing inside her.
The life was the smaller of the two lives, the one she was mourning, crying, and yearning for.
The doctor's said, "Your both healthy, strong, and we'll keep a close eye on you two."
They kept a close eye on her and the life growing inside her.
The first time, the man and woman saw their child, they cried tears of joy for the life that was there.
The ultra-sound tech said, "The fetus appears to be healthy with a good strong heart beat."
She corrected the tech, "It's not a fetus, please don't call our baby that. Please call our child a baby."
The man and woman, went to every appointment together and always called their child "Baby"
The life growing inside her, would never be a tissue, a blob, a fetus, or anything else the life could be called.
The life growing inside her was a child, a baby, and a human.
The life was soon grown enough to survive in our world.
The delivery was hard and long, a surgery was needed to save both mom and child.
The man was there in the Operating Room, when the life was born.
The baby was perfect, with almost perfect Apgar scores, with her twelve toes that the doctor forgot to count.
She cried this time, for joy of the life that was, is, and would be.
Their baby was born, a family was born, the life began at the moment of conception.
They were as complete as they could be.
She still cries for the four lives that could of been, but mostly she cries tears of joy for the life that is.
She Cries
By Jennifer Cormier
She was just 19 years old, a life was beginning to grow inside her.
She was engaged, he wasn't the man God had for her.
She loved him, but he beat her and cheated on her.
Until one night, enough was enough, she ended it with him.
He broke her heart, her body, and the life growing inside her.
She cried for days, months, and years mourning the one life that should of been.
Some years, later she was older and wiser or so she thought.
There was a new man in her life, she told all he was different he loved her.
Soon again, she saw wedding rings and the promises of a new future.
He broke her heart, he was married and had children of his' own.
She soon found, there were two lives this time growing inside her.
The stress of this new man, his wife, and everything was too much for her to bear.
He broke her heart, her mind, and the life growing inside her stopped.
She cried for days, months, and years mourning the three lives that should of been.
In 2008, she married the man who God had planned for her.
He loved her, and she loved him.
They lived in a tiny apartment with two cats.
Soon they found out their was a life growing inside her, they kept it a secret knowing the girl's past loss.
Two days, after the girl's birthday, her heart broke again.
This time it wasn't the man who broke her heart, but the life who was no more.
They asked the doctor "Why?" and underwent test.
She cried for days and months mourning the four lives that should of been.
But God had a miracle in store for them, there was still a life growing inside her.
The life was the smaller of the two lives, the one she was mourning, crying, and yearning for.
The doctor's said, "Your both healthy, strong, and we'll keep a close eye on you two."
They kept a close eye on her and the life growing inside her.
The first time, the man and woman saw their child, they cried tears of joy for the life that was there.
The ultra-sound tech said, "The fetus appears to be healthy with a good strong heart beat."
She corrected the tech, "It's not a fetus, please don't call our baby that. Please call our child a baby."
The man and woman, went to every appointment together and always called their child "Baby"
The life growing inside her, would never be a tissue, a blob, a fetus, or anything else the life could be called.
The life growing inside her was a child, a baby, and a human.
The life was soon grown enough to survive in our world.
The delivery was hard and long, a surgery was needed to save both mom and child.
The man was there in the Operating Room, when the life was born.
The baby was perfect, with almost perfect Apgar scores, with her twelve toes that the doctor forgot to count.
She cried this time, for joy of the life that was, is, and would be.
Their baby was born, a family was born, the life began at the moment of conception.
They were as complete as they could be.
She still cries for the four lives that could of been, but mostly she cries tears of joy for the life that is.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Preparing for life
I often find myself these days, wondering how my birth mom did it. How did she raise my sister Amanda while pregnant with Annette and I? I have some insight, which my mom was able to provide me with before she passed away. She would say, "Honey, baby girl, you won't understand until your a mom. You just do what you need to do." Now that I'm a mom and we are expecting baby number two, I do find myself doing things that I never thought I would be able to do. I find myself being the better person that my mom always saw in me.
I now know that I am a stronger person than most people think I am. I have the ability to put on a happy face, even when my world around me maybe crashing down. I've got the inner strength from my past that would surprise many people, but my past has made me stronger. I am an emotional woman, and I've been emotional since my daughter, Joan's birth and the rough road of recovery that we (Chris and I) had to go through. A lot of people have heard me say, almost dying gives a person a different look at life. I have a different look on life and what's important because of this. I find that the stupid trivial stuff, isn't as important as the big stuff. This however, doesn't mean that I don't let sometime the stupid trivial things upset me; because unfortunately when it comes to my nieces and nephews things that affect them and their well being often does upset me. But I remind myself that I'm not the parent and the only thing I can do is raise my children to be better human beings and help them to be prepared for the life that is ahead of them.
In preparing my children for the life that is ahead of them, I know that it will not be an easy life especially in the world that we have around us and their views on what being a Christian is truly about. I do my best to use the Bible as my guidebook for raising a God-loving child. Notice I say God-loving, because as much as we should fear God, I believe in all my heart that we should teach our children about His' unconditional love for us. How many of us in life can say we have experienced unconditional love from any individual? I'm thinking that not to many of us can actually say that we do or have. I consider myself lucky because my birth mom, believed in the unconditional love for me as her child. I was lucky yet again to find the unconditional love of my husband Chris, who shows me each and every day, some days more than others that he truly does love me and our family unconditionally. Unconditional love is truly amazing, I find myself many times talking now to our unborn child about how precious he/she is and how loved they are. I did this same thing with Joannie, and I believe my children are my greatest treasures. No amount of money, gold, or jewelry could ever buy the price of my children, I wouldn't give my children to just anyone to care for nor will I leave the responsibility of caring for them should anything happen to Chris or myself to just anyone.
I feel privileged that God has allowed me to even have my children, God knows my children with him in Heaven how much I would of loved to care for them and raise them. But they weren't meant to be here with me on earth, instead they are with my mom, my husband's mother, and my nanas in Heaven with their Heavenly Father. Until I see, kiss, hold, and love them, I know they are safe and with God. While this may not have provided me with the peace that I needed when I lost them, it does now provide me with some peace of mind and comfort. This by no means, doesn't mean that I don't miss them and love them any less than I do my children who are here on earth with me. But for now, I am at peace and happy. I am content and blessed beyond all measures to have a wonderful family that is growing and expanding!
I now know that I am a stronger person than most people think I am. I have the ability to put on a happy face, even when my world around me maybe crashing down. I've got the inner strength from my past that would surprise many people, but my past has made me stronger. I am an emotional woman, and I've been emotional since my daughter, Joan's birth and the rough road of recovery that we (Chris and I) had to go through. A lot of people have heard me say, almost dying gives a person a different look at life. I have a different look on life and what's important because of this. I find that the stupid trivial stuff, isn't as important as the big stuff. This however, doesn't mean that I don't let sometime the stupid trivial things upset me; because unfortunately when it comes to my nieces and nephews things that affect them and their well being often does upset me. But I remind myself that I'm not the parent and the only thing I can do is raise my children to be better human beings and help them to be prepared for the life that is ahead of them.
In preparing my children for the life that is ahead of them, I know that it will not be an easy life especially in the world that we have around us and their views on what being a Christian is truly about. I do my best to use the Bible as my guidebook for raising a God-loving child. Notice I say God-loving, because as much as we should fear God, I believe in all my heart that we should teach our children about His' unconditional love for us. How many of us in life can say we have experienced unconditional love from any individual? I'm thinking that not to many of us can actually say that we do or have. I consider myself lucky because my birth mom, believed in the unconditional love for me as her child. I was lucky yet again to find the unconditional love of my husband Chris, who shows me each and every day, some days more than others that he truly does love me and our family unconditionally. Unconditional love is truly amazing, I find myself many times talking now to our unborn child about how precious he/she is and how loved they are. I did this same thing with Joannie, and I believe my children are my greatest treasures. No amount of money, gold, or jewelry could ever buy the price of my children, I wouldn't give my children to just anyone to care for nor will I leave the responsibility of caring for them should anything happen to Chris or myself to just anyone.
I feel privileged that God has allowed me to even have my children, God knows my children with him in Heaven how much I would of loved to care for them and raise them. But they weren't meant to be here with me on earth, instead they are with my mom, my husband's mother, and my nanas in Heaven with their Heavenly Father. Until I see, kiss, hold, and love them, I know they are safe and with God. While this may not have provided me with the peace that I needed when I lost them, it does now provide me with some peace of mind and comfort. This by no means, doesn't mean that I don't miss them and love them any less than I do my children who are here on earth with me. But for now, I am at peace and happy. I am content and blessed beyond all measures to have a wonderful family that is growing and expanding!
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