Happy 6 months, little boy!

My little boy is 6 months today! I can't believe how fast the time has flown already. Soon he'll be in school, then out of school, then in college, then married...

Okay, getting carried away, I know. But still--the time truly does FLY.

Here are a few photos to recap the first 6 months of William's life!

Enjoy below...

Warning: the following is a slideshow of an overly doting mother who loves to take photos of her child...if you feel this will in any way bore you, feel free to pass!






























































Happy 6 months, little boy, I love you...
(Goodness, I wonder how many photos I will put up at his one year mark...kidding).

Playgroup Halloween Party!

Yesterday our playgroup decided to have all the kiddos get dressed up for Halloween!
(Okay, so it was for us moms to oogle and coo over their adorable cute-ness but STILL, so fun!). Here are a few photos of the little tykes all decked out!

From left to right: Zander Bishop, Liam Baumhover, Lili Helwig, Claire Schumacher, Lydia Anderson, Maya Leckliter, William Kampman.



Will and his buddy Sebastian, I mean Zander--ha!



Maya the ferocious lion and Will the fire-breathing dragon. Okay, neither of them look very intimidating...but adorable! Will had a thing for Maya's tail. Hmm.



Bridget and her little bear!



We all decided Maya's constume was the winner of the day!



Elise the bovine wonder.



Isabella the cat showed up a little later but I nabbed a pic of her feline fabulousness!



I have to admit, though, I love my little dragon :)

More thoughts on health :)

After re-reading my last post I've decided to write another for clarification purposes, and to further explain my thoughts.

Please don't think that I am against vaccinations. As I said in the previous post--if I were, I would not have vaccinated my son for the normal, bi-monthly infant shots. He has gotten all of his. I also have vaccinated myself when traveling overseas to protect against various diseases (yellow fever, diptheria--sp?, etc). I also took an anti-malarial drug while I was pregnant overseas (much to my own chagrin I have to admit) because many people stateside were urging for it. However my normal inclination would have been to NOT take a preventative because there has been so little research done on the effects of anti-malarial drugs on fetuses. So, to appease family and friends, I took it--but prayed fervently for the health and safety of my son. Daily.

My mindset was focused on the power of prayer not the protection of the drug. And again, I did not see one mosquito. Not one.

Regarding H1N1, I realize that some people are in a high-risk category due to already weakened immune systems and because of this, opt to take the vaccine. To this I say, DO it! I don't say "do it" because I feel God cannot protect you, He can. However if you are prone to getting sick, it is in your own best interests to protect yourself and your family the best way you know how. This is your priority.

However I DO have a personal theory (and it's 100% my own) that those who tend to get sick often, can often use their chronic illnesses as an excuse to live soully on meds and place the majority of their trust in them. I have know many people who have been med-ridden and have decided, one day, to go off whatever drug they took daily (for the sake of trusting God and relying on prayer) and have been 100% healed. My stepmother is one of these people. She relied on thyroid medication for much of her life and a few years ago decided that she was not going to be hindered by a crutch any longer. She prayed before doing it, daily, asking God for clarification of this decision and to bless it if she carried it out.

He did; She no longer needs her medication.

Now PLEASE hear me. If you are on live-saving meds that you NEED TO FUNCTION daily. I don't advocate just dropping them! This is a serious thing that requires MUCH prayer beforehand. You also need to have full clarification from God beforehand, receiving His is blessing about this decision. It requires MUCH listening and confirmation. If He doesn't provide a clear answer, don't stop taking your meds--He obviously has a reason for remaining silent or saying no. However I know that He is able and willing. He only asks that we step our faith up a notch and fully trust in his healing power--and to be persistent in asking.

Sidenote: I am also fervently against the idea of not taking your child to the hospital if there is a medical emergency. I often read about parents who decide not to call 911 when their child is either choking or having an asthma attack because "God and prayer will help heal him/her." I'm sorry, this is ridiculous. God gave us ambulances and emegency phone numbers for a reason! Tap into those resources and PRAY on the way to the hospital!!

I'm not trying to sound hoaky or fundamentalistic. I merely think the minute we limit God's ability is the moment we fail to fully trust in Him. The moment we worry, fret, or fear is another foothold for Satan to use. I only speak this because I have been (and often continue to be) in a position of fear. I don't naturally seek God first. It's not my nature. I wish it were!

All this to say--I am trying wholeheartedly to trust God more. I am challenging myself to do this. I count every day a blessing that I am not sick or drug-dependent. I have to admit to you all--I haven't had to take any sort of drugs consistently in my life, ever (minus birth control, ha--that's a whole diff issue!). My son has also never had any health issues in his short 6 months on this earth, not even a cold. His worse health issues have been dry skin and a scratchy throat at one point (but I think that was from his constant chatter!). Trust me, this isn't to brag or be proud, it's all been by God's grace and serious prayer.

I guess all I can say is it works. Prayer works. God works.

All he wants is for you to ask Him,
to trust Him,
to seek Him,
to know Him.

Do all of these things wholeheartedly, without doubting, and you will be amazed at the abundant blessings He pours forth on your behalf.

Vaccination Nation

Why in the world do we, as the American people, put all our trust in vaccinations? Let me be clear first in saying that I am not against ALL vaccinations, I've had them administered to my son and myself, but when it comes to H1N1, I am NOT following suit.

I am SO incredibly tired of hearing about H1N1. Good article HERE:

I read today about a child who started having seizures after getting it. Media frenzy...it's amazing how much manipulation they have on our lives!

H1N1 hasn't truly "killed" that many people. Only 5 in Iowa over the past 4 months have died because of it. I wonder how many people have died of cancer, or car accidents, or other illnesses? Those deaths aren't being reported. In addition, the test to find out if you have H1N1 is only 60% effective so many of the "documented" cases out there right now may not even truly be H1N1, but rather normal, seasonal flu strains.

I hate how the media has so much power over what we believe. Shouldn't our trust rest in God alone?

Let me tell you a little story about why I lean on 1 Peter 5:6-8.

When I was in Africa, pregnant, and many many people around me were getting either malaria or German Measles (both diseases fatal to pregnancy) I prayed daily, on my knees, the above verse. I prayed mostly against malaria since it was more prevalent and carried by mosquitoes (you dont get it from people) and harder to steer clear of. I prayed, cried, worried, and prayed some more. And guess what? I never saw ONE mosquito in Africa while I was pregnant. Curt saw some, other friends nearby saw loads of them (and many contracted malaria), I didn't see one measly mosquito. Not one.

Our God IS THAT BIG. He is.

Please remember this, rest in it. We believe in a big God who loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. If we DO get sick, He will use that too--but the power of prayer is unprecedented. It is powerful and effective.

I think a lot of times we tend to worry first and seek God later. However, if we worry--isn't that a sign that we are lacking trust in the One who is ultimately in control?

Many people have told me that I dont worry enough. Oh ye of little knowledge--I am THE BIGGEST worrier, I just don't let it eat away at me. The minute I begin to worry about something, I give it back to the Lord. I cannot allow fear and doubt to cross my heart because they will rip it to pieces.

I've allowed this to happen before (pregnancy, anyone?!).

However, now, I thank God for each day I have with my husband and son. I thank Him for each day I have on this earth to be a light for Him. If He chooses to take me tomorrow, so be it. That's His decision, not mine. But I pray that I get many more days with my little growing family and thank God for every moment shared.

Thinking this way makes my life (and mind!) a tad bit more sane and put together.

So, no, I do not put my trust in vaccines or any other thing of the sort.

I put my trust in God alone.

SAHM: A Day in the Life

So I was watching Oprah the other day (YES, I watch Oprah sometimes--don't judge me). It was actually a GREAT episode in which a single man followed around a stay-at-home-mom all day to see what she really did--then, the following day, he took over everything while she had a day to herself. It was incredible to watch, and appreciated. I know many people who wonder what we SAHMs do all day. The episode revealed great insight into what it's really like to never get away from the madness!

Lately I've been realizing how incredibly exhausted I am at the end of the day--and wondering WHY. I mean, really, I stay at HOME! Why should I be this wiped? Well, it wasn't until I wrote down every single thing I did during the day, that I became aware--I have justifiable reason to be tired! Granted, sometimes I substitute teach to get out of the house (like I did today) but most days I'm at home.

In lieu of that Oprah episode, I decided to share a typical day in the life of me. I encourage all SAHMs to do the same on their blogs--it's a great way to appreciate each other and our many daily feats/tasks!

Here goes:

5:30-6am Get up, shower, get dressed, start coffee
6-6:15 Pump
6:15-6:45 Bible Study/eat breakfast
6:45-7 Wake Will
7-7:20 Feed Will (bottle & fruit/cereal), burp, change diaper, get him dressed
7:20-7:30 Make my lunch, put Curt's lunch in his bag, get diaper bag ready, load up car (Curt's still in bed, haha--he usually gets up around 7:30, leaves around 7:55)
7:30 Leave for sitter
7:45 Drop Will off
8-11:45 Sub for Kindergarten class (this is a feat in itself--I have utmost respect for Kindergarten teachers. You couldn't pay me enough to do that full time! It was organized chaos for 4 hours...goodness gracious).
11:00-11:15 Pump (at the school!) while kids are at Music class, while praying nobody comes in the classroom!
11:45-11:50 Fill up car with gas
12pm Pick up Will from sitter
12-1 Run errands (return something to Hobby Lobby, visit bank)
1:15 Put Will down for nap
1:25 Start day's first load of laundry, vacuum
1:30-3 Take a much-needed nap (most days this isn't a luxury I get to partake in, thankfully today it worked out!)
3:00 Get up, get Will up
3-3:30 Feed Will (bottle & veggie/cereal), burp, change diaper
3:30-4:30 Walk with Will at the rec building
4:40-5pm Browse the Library, return books, get new ones
5-5:30 Play at home with Will (read him books, chat together)
5:30 Put Will down for nap
5:30-5:45 Pump
5:45-6 Get Curt's supper ready (we eat different things--because we have diff taste buds--that is putting it kindly--and we usually eat at different times--it's no fun right now, hopefully when Will gets older and is eating at the same mealtimes as we are we can eat as a family!)
6-6:30 Chat with Curt while he eats, while also doing laundry & preparing my supper
6:30-7 Get Will up, take him downstairs to watch Curt fix the garage door while I prepare his bottle, load dishwasher
7-7:30 Feed Will (bottle), burp, & change diaper
7:30-8 Daddy time, Will & Curt hang out--my alone time! I peruse cookbooks, work on mentoring prep stuff, read book we are doing in our small group, read leisure book, or dink online.
8-8:30 Put Will down, get his things ready for tomorrow (I'm babysitting for a friend at her house all day)
8:30-9 Transfer loads of laundry, fold, put away
9-9:20 Look over cookbooks/recipes to decide what to prepare for next week's suppers
9:20-9:30 Empty dishwasher
9:30-9:45 Pump
9:45-10pm Grind coffee for tomorrow morning, make Curt's lunch for tomorrow
10-10:30 Bible study
10:30 BED!

This is just a normal day, usually--unless of course I have other weekly things such as meeting with the girl I mentor, meeting with our small group, Tuesday night Ladies Night, meeting with friends, playdates, waking up with Will when he happens to arise in the middle of the night, grocery shopping, Target runs, car maintenance, etc. Also during my free moments I check email, favorite blogs, facebook, and occasionally get to blog myself! (Like now, while Will naps).

Also: this is all with just ONE child. I can't imagine how it will be with two, three, or more (I'm sure I'll get many Moms posting on how I have no clue what it's like...please don't say that--trust me, I'm well aware it's a TOUGH job!). However, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love time with my son. I love having the ability to stay at home. Though some days it's trying and frustrating--I have remind myself that not everyone gets to do this and I am thankful.

However, I thought this entry was appropriate for those who wonder what "Stay-at-home-moms" really DO all day. They do quite a lot, actually.

Now I realize why I'm exhausted at the end of the day.

Off to do more laundry...

Separation Anxiety

So today is my first day back subbing in the schools, which of course means my son is not with me. My gracious mother & father-in-law offered to watch him while I partake in earning a bit of income.

I drove Will to Kesley last night (Bob and Dort are watching him overnight and all day today--the first overnight we've ever done), dropped him off as quickly as possible, and proceeded to cry the whole way home.

Yes, I'm the one who cried.

My child was all smiles and happiness upon leaving and I'M the one who bawled like a madwoman.

I got home later in the evening and tried to find something to do, something freeing to bask in my childlessness.

I folded laundry.

And lo-and-behold, what do I come across? A onesie. Which, of course, caused my eyes to well-up yet again.

As Curt and I sat in the living room, watching television, both of us kept looking at each other, as if to say, "What do we do now?" I kept waiting to hear Will talking in his crib or fussing for us to come play with him--but no child was there.

It was weird. I didn't like it.

It's funny how you don't consciously realize how much this little person has become such a significant part of your life until he/she is not there. Heaven help me if I ever lose my little boy--I'm going to be more than distraught--I'll cease to be me. I'm a wreck just thinking about it.

Oh Lord, please give me many more years with this little guy, thank you for blessing my life with him. Thank you for his smiles and his willingness to be loved by everyone and not freak out when he's with someone other than me (though I'm sure that will come). Thank you for his precious chatter and big eyes. Thank you for giving him to us for this little while on earth. He's pure joy in my life.

Love you, son,
Your Mommy :)


PS--On the flip side, I'm LOVING being in the school system again :) I'm one of those dorks who really misses school when I'm not there! Oh the pungent smell of halls and cafeterias, how I adore thee...

Fall Flavors!

Check out what me and my Tuesday night gals made last night!

CLICK HERE for deliciousness.