Chisum’s Birth Story {Part 1} Patience

On Sunday, September 8, 2013, Ronny and I loaded our bags, took one last baby bump picture and looked at our house one last time as a house of two, before heading to the hospital to have our little one. Earlier that afternoon, we both took naps and watched a little football, trying to relax knowing that our lives would soon be changed. We seriously had no idea.

We hadn’t saved much time for dinner, so on our way to the hospital in Lincoln, we drove through McDonald’s for dollar-menu burgers and scarfed them down on the drive to the parking garage. We excitedly walked into the hospital and went to the 4^th floor for Labor and Delivery knowing that soon enough we’d get to hold our baby in our arms.

Up to this point, I was 41 weeks pregnant. I had had a very healthy pregnancy with just a little scare at the beginning from a hematoma in my uterus. Around 36 weeks, Baby Pope decided to be breach, but at 37 weeks had turned down and all was looking good. When September 1^st – my due date – rolled around, I didn’t get too anxious because I had a feeling I would go past my due date. But I was very eager when Labor Day came and I was in labor!

Or so I thought. I was having consistent contractions in the morning which got stronger as the day went on. And then they just stopped. I was a little concerned, except I could still feel Baby Pope moving, so I figured if they were strong enough at night they would wake me up. I woke up the next morning to nothing. I had a doctor’s appointment that day and Ronny went with me. Baby Pope was perfectly fine, just very content and not dropping. So we went home pretty disappointed. I took off of work the rest of that day – Ronny and I got coffee and took a walk around Holmes Lake in Lincoln to talk and try to distract ourselves from being too anxious.

That next morning as I was doing my daily Bible devotional at breakfast, I prayed to God for patience. I did my devotion and then opened up my Bible to read through Romans. I started reading this book earlier in the summer and was working my way through it. God sure knew that I needed to read Chapter 5 – Developing Patience.

“We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.” Romans 5:3-4 (The Message)

How good is God?! He knew I was anxious. He knew all I wanted was to not be pregnant anymore. He knew I was so ready to meet this baby. Yet, He had a plan. And part of that plan was to teach me that through whatever situation and “whatever God will do next” for me, was to show me that He is truly in control.

I worked the Wednesday and Thursday of that week, then took off Friday so Ronny and I could do something fun together – again to distract ourselves! We decided to go to Branched Oak Lake for a picnic lunch and to do some hiking/throwing the ball around for Hank. It was a hoooootttttt day. July was the coolest July on record – very nice for this pregnant lady! But August came back with a vengeance and some hot days remained. Nevertheless, we found a shady spot by the lake and enjoyed time together. But still no baby.
 

Meanwhile, my doctor had called and wanted to set a time for an induction. Baby Pope was measuring big and at the last ultrasound measured around 8 pounds 6 ounces. She didn’t want this first-time mama to wait too long on this little one to make his/her own appearance. So we set it for September 9^th.

Through God’s plan of teaching me patience, I leaned on Him like never before. Sure, everyday someone would ask if I was ready to have the baby. And it didn’t bother me. God settled my heart and anxiety. I gave my worries to Him and allowed Him to work through me.

Continue reading Chisum's story:
{Part 2} Strength & Miracles 
{Part 3} Meeting Chisum
{Part 4} NICU & Healing

A Kansas-kind of weekend

Much like our long weekend in Colorado before the baby shower with my family, Ronny and I had a great weekend in Kansas this past weekend spending time with his family, celebrating birthdays and baby showers!

The guys, of course, had to get some pony-time in to doctor a cow.

Hank was thrilled to practice his skills. Although part of those skills are getting tired of walking and riding in the saddle with Ronny. I’m glad Stormy the horse was tolerant of this with both of my boys in the saddle!

Later on at the ranch, Ronny and his brother, Russell, decided it would be fun to get all of the family instruments out. And boy, it was quite the concert!

Silly Uncle Ronny!

Then this little doll showed up, and we were able to celebrate her first birthday!

All of the cousins helped her blow out her candle.

And she so enjoyed the antique pedal tractor that Uncle Ronny restored for her!

She thinks he is pretty great. And I agree with her!

Update from the baby shower to come…

High five for Friday.

The last two weeks ran together for me. Here are my top five highlights:

5. Travel to St. Louis – I just love this city. Especially when I can enjoy a baseball game.

4. Coming home to my favorite guys. I love that they have the same expression. :) / Hank is so happy the weather is warmed up and he can spend time outside. He is such a weeny in the cold.

3. Spending time with one of my favorite pregnant mama’s – yeah for September babies!

2. Speaking of baby, I thought it humorous that my baby app popped up with the baby being the size of an ear of corn this week – since I work for corn farmers and all. One of my counterparts has nicknamed my babe, “The Cornflake”. :)

1. Garage sale! I made $60 bucks and between the 8 families that participated, we totaled $680. I got rid of these crates, but still looking for someone who needs a desk. Ronny is glad to have his garage back, however.

high five for friday.

Details 2013

I am a shoe person.

And when I say that, I mean I don’t like walking around barefoot – I wear shoes all the time.

It could be because my parents are shoe people and always wear shoes around the house, although I don’t believe my siblings do…(I’ll have to ask them). Or it could be because I have extremely high arches in my feet and it just hurts them to walk barefoot without my orthotics.

I preface my story with this because as I was putting on my house shoes (aka Crocs) this morning getting ready after I put my socks on, I felt like there was a large lint ball in my sock, but I figured it would move enough when I put my boots on later.

It didn’t. But I needed to get out the door so I just walked on it. Walked on it 4 blocks from parking to work. Walked on it around work in the morning and walked on it to a lunch meeting 4 blocks away and back.  I finally took the time to take my boot off to get the large lint ball. To my surprise, I found this pin. Yes, I was walking on that all day.

My first thought was to call myself an idiot. I was! That was an idiot move – why didn’t I take time to just figure out what the problem was this morning when it first bothered me. I didn’t take the time.

I wasn’t going to resolve to do anything this year (except drink more water – more of a health goal than anything), so I decided this was a good lesson that teaches me to pay attention to details – and take the time to get something done at the time it needs done.

I also want to do things that are meaningful to people I care about. I recently received a subscription to Taste of Home’s simple & delicious magazine from my friend Lori. She didn’t’ have to do this, but she did because she is such a great friend.

Lastly, I want to dig into to God’s Word and focus my heart on Him.

So here’s to 2013!

Christmas cookie weekend

I had such a great weekend with some of the best friends I could ask for. On Friday night, I met up with two of my Theta college friends, Patricia and Melissa in Lincoln. Pat lives here now in a beautiful new home and Melissa came up from her home in Dearborn, Missouri.

We enjoyed the evening with dinner at Tico’s, then talked the night away – it was a like we lived in Theta again chatting in the dining room! One of the best parts was falling asleep listening to the rain.

We started good time the next morning making over ten types of Christmas cookies and candies. Here is Melissa with her cookies.

Mel made:

Paula Deen's Monster Cookies
Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
White Chocolate Rice Krispie Balls

Here is Pat with her cookies:

Pat made:

Stained glass cookies (fam recipe)
Peanut butter blossoms
Andes cookies she found on Pinterest

I made:

English Toffee
Christmas Hug Thumbprints
Pepparkakor (Swedish cookies that my Grams always made)

It was fun to use new technology – who needs cookbooks when you can use your tablets?!

The kitchen sure was bustlin’, but we had a great time and shared lots of laughs! Thanks gals for the get-together! This should definitely be an annual thing!

Read Melissa’s recap of the weekend on her blog.

Home office | my favorite things

I wanted to highlight my favorite things of my new room.

First, I obviously LOVE my chair. It is a Flexsteel swivel/glider and so comfy to sit and read/write. I’m also a fan of paisleys – which is why I chose the print.

All of the pieces on the wall are special to me. This first one was a 4-H project I did with paper and string when I was little. I found this digging through some things at home. I found a frame that is double glass with an easy edge that slides on to display the piece.

The “mola” above my desk is a quilted piece of art that Mom found for me when we were in Panama. Since it is turquoise and I love quilting, this one is special.

The pallet shelf is rustic and fun that it came from the ranch. I also love it that Ronny and I made this together. Other favorites about this is that it has our brand, and star, and a picture of Hank.

The chest is Ronny’s show box made in High School. His mom refinished it last year and I love the dark brown accent it adds to the room. It also stores extra quilts and blankets.

Our picture stand. I used to have this in the living room, but since redecorating, I brought it in here. This was a hand-me-down shelf from the Pope’s, but I love that we have all of our family pictures in one place.

On that shelf is also one of my other favorite pieces of art. This was made by Aunt Sue, in which she took our wedding invitation and added beautiful paper flowers. She knew I loved turquoise (probably from our turquoise wedding invitations!) and the flowers match perfect to my room.

Thanksgiving InstaFriday

I’m thankful for …

My hilarious little puppy who is always making life interesting and making me get out of the house on nice evenings.

Beef (food in general). I’m glad to be able to raise beef and consume this protein powerhouse – and have an exciting job that I get to advocate for ag!

Family. These pictures were from a family get-together – it is so wonderful to me that my little niece gets to know her grandpa and our three generations get to spend time together.

Our house. Even though it is easy to dream of better places to live and things I wish I had, we are very blessed for the house that we have and the awesome community we live in with awesome friends!

My husband – yes he may be silly and sarcastic, but I love him more than words can say. Thank you for fulfilling my life, honey! (even if it is with your “cute” little milk jug.)

My faith in Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.