Pretty Pregnancy


Click on Image for Full-size

I've been wanting to blog specifically about pregnancy for some time now, covering helpful tips like maternity wear and fun topics like nesting, but just haven't found the time or entirely the inspiration.  

I remember how I felt during my first pregnancy when my body was going through all these awkward changes and I was going through a gamut of emotions about morphing into a mother; almost like reliving my 12-year-old pubertal growth spurt.  Sometimes pregnancy was a spiritually glowing experience, and other times it was an emotionally gloomy one.

As for my second pregnancy, having already gone through the cumbersome maturing female changes and not having to go through some of the previous discomforts like retaining water, causing my feet and hands to swell, I've felt a lot more comfortable in my own skin.  I was able to wear my regular jeans up to 7 months of my pregnancy.  My shoes never got tight and even towards the end I've been able to wear my wedding ring.  And some of my regular shirts still fit!  And for the days where I feel like being more comfortable than fashionable, I have a set of hand-me-down maternity clothes that fit!  This time around, it has felt possible that pregnancy can be pretty.

Well, as I was browsing through my friend's blog reading list, I came across this one woman's blog that has a whole page dedicated to her pregnancy!  She sure had a way of making hers look pretty!  I learned a new trick from her Dressing the Bump: (2nd Trimester) post on how to wear your favorite jeans longer (for the next one).  I'm excited about checking out her other posts on this page as well!  So, until I get something up myself, be encouraged and inspired by all the things you'll find on Aurajoon: baby!

Change of Seasons


What a beautiful, cool, crisp morning to begin the Fall season.  It makes me feel like having a warm mug of hot chocolate (or enjoying the next best thing I have available in my pantry: Ovaltine).  In fact "warmth" is what I think Fall brings.  The warmth of delicious things being baked in the oven.  The warmth of family and friends being brought together to celebrate the holidays.  The warmth of the season's spicy scents like apples and cinnamon, pumpkin and ginger, cider and cloves.  The warmth of bundling up in a cozy jacket or slipping your feet into a pair of soft slippers.  I love the changes this season brings.  

Q.  What does Fall bring to you?  I would love to read your comments about what traditions you celebrate this time of year!

Speaking of celebrations, a couple days ago we celebrated my daughter's second birthday.  This has been a new season I have enjoyed as well.  I love hearing the new words Leala is able to say every day or watching the things she's able to accomplish all on her own.  And speaking of traditions, I started one with Leala last year on her birthday.  She got this really cute little pink crown with one of her birthday presents and I had a 12 month size dress that I had been holding on to for a special occasion since it was given to me at a White Elephant Gift Exchange the December of the year before.  So on her first birthday, September 21, 2010, I dressed her in that special dress, put the cute crown on her head, and took the first of her annual birthday pictures.


Click on Image to Enlarge

This year, when I was shopping for notebooks for my Women's Bible Study group, I spotted these really cute princess tiaras at the Dollar Tree.  I was able to go back for it after I was given some birthday spending money.  I also had a hand-me-down dress I had in the back of Leala's closet that I had saved to be worn for her birthday.  So on Wednesday, starting at noon, the time she was born 2 years before, I shot her second annual birthday pictures.


Click on Image to Enlarge

As I mentioned in my last post, Discovering the Mission of Motherhood, I loved Sally Clarkson's suggestion at the end of chapter 1 in her book The Mission of Motherhood, to start a book for each of your children, writing their story in it and adding to it each year as they grow.  It reminded me of the opening scene in What a Girl Wants and when I found the movie stills online to give you a visual of what I was talking about, I forgot that Amanda Bynes's character, Daphne Reynolds, got dressed up each year on her birthday too.


When I finally do get Leala's little book started, I'll make sure to post pictures of it on here for you all to see.

Discovering the Mission of Motherhood

As I posted in My Mom ♥ Matters back in February, I discovered The Mission of Motherhood when a friend and mentor gave me the book by Sally Clarkson before I gave birth to Leala almost 2 years ago.


Those last couple of weeks before Leala's due date were precious as I prepared my heart as best as I could to be a mother.  Sally's words were encouraging, inspiring, affirming and confirming.  Finding a kindred spirit blessed my heart and my spirit so much!  I wanted to share her message with other women but felt inadequate at the time since I didn't have any mothering experience yet.  I felt my intentions were good, but that it probably wasn't the right season yet...


Since then, I got to go to a Mom Heart Conference at the beginning of the year with 5 other women from my church who after wards, got inspired to start a Mom Heart Group.  We started meeting once a month at the end of spring and I've gotten to meet 2 new moms through that group.  And now, about 2 years later, I have been given the opportunity, with another woman from my church, to lead a weekly Women's Bible Study through The Mission of Motherhood!  Now 6 other moms are being introduced to the book for the first time and I've found more like-hearted women to fellowship with and learn from! 


Introduction:  Hearts and Hands

Last Tuesday was our first meeting and I wanted to make something special for our ladies.  After reading through the Introduction to The Mission of Motherhood, I got inspired to design a keepsake bookmark from one of Sally's quotes on page 3:

"...the fundamental mission of motherhood... to nurture, protect, and instruct children, to create a home environment that enables them to learn and grow, to help them develop a heart for God and [H]is purposes, and to send them out into the world prepared to live both fully and meaningfully."


 Click on Image to Enlarge

I printed the schedule for our study on the back of the bookmark, laminated them, and included them with hard covered notebooks I found at the Dollar Tree.  Both my co-leader and I wanted to make our table feel homey since Sally is always writing about creating an inviting environment with lit candles, a bouquet of flowers, hot tea, yummy treats, etc. (and I remember the Mom Heart Conference being set up that way too), so my co-leader bought a bouquet of flowers to adorn the middle of our table.


A Journey Like No Other:  Discovering the Mission of Motherhood

Today chapter 1 was discussed.  The plan was to share what stood out to us from the chapter, go over the 4 questions in the Something to Think About... section at the end of the chapter, and see if any of the women did one of the suggestions in the Something to Try... section.  I personally liked:

"Put pictures of your family or favorite snapshots of the kids in a prominent place where you can see them during your prayer times.  Use these pictures as a joyful reminder as you pray for your family or as you plan the priorities of your life."


Click on Image to Enlarge

I had read a similar suggestion in another book, so I finally got around to setting something up.  I used a frame I had lying around, a piece of fabric, and some lace to make a bulletin board.  I attached a quote I like about love and a couple of my favorite pictures of my husband and daughter.  I hung it up on the wall where I would see it first thing in the morning, next to my bookshelf that holds my alarm clock, and the Bible and books I'm using for devotions, study and spiritual encouragement.  I'm looking forward to adding a picture of the baby once she's born in a matter of weeks and maybe an updated picture of Leala after she turns 2!

As for buying a blank book and writing the child's story in it, adding to it every year as they grow, I would like to do that, but have never gotten around to starting Leala's.  I bought a book for her I think before she was born, but I'm not very good at sitting down and doing scrap booking.  Maybe the task seems so big and overwhelming that I don't even know where to start.  But I love the idea and before too much more time passes, I hope to try this suggestion.  The birthday scrapbook the character Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes) has in the movie What a Girl Wants is an inspirational start.

Yesterday, while reading through chapter 1, I got inspired to create a centerpiece for our Women's Bible Study table from Sally's following quote:

"... I have come to picture the heart of each child as a treasure chest.  Each chest is empty and needs to be filled with the riches of unconditional love, spiritual nurture, and the emotional heritage of family and traditions; with mental stimulation that comes from excellent sources of truth, morality, and inspiration; with a sense of physical and emotional security; and with guidelines for all of life, including purpose, relationships, and proper behavior.
Each child whose treasure chest is full will have abundant resources on which to draw in the midst of life's demands."
 


Click on Image to Enlarge


I signed up to do the childcare this morning so I don't know what was discussed in the group concerning the chapter.  However, I went ahead and wrote down what stood out to me from the chapter and answered the questions.  Since I've already written down highlights from chapter 1 in my notebook for my once-a-month group, for this weekly study, I decided to write down a list of affirmations I noticed this time. So here's a glimpse into my notes:

Affirmations:

"... motherhood, while demanding, is one of the most fulfilling and meaningful roles a woman can fill." (p. 8)

"The mother who reaches the heartfelt needs of her children by helping them feel loved and secure, by believing in their dreams, by noticing when they stray and gently steering them back in the right direction, and by teaching them what they need to know to live full and meaningful lives accomplishes a great work for the Lord." (p. 14)

"... those foundational years in the life of a child - those same years when I sometimes thought I was accomplishing nothing - have a lasting effect on almost every aspect of the rest of that child's life." (p. 14)

"A mother's relationship with her child is one that will encompass a lifetime.  How blessed is a child who has that anchor of strength and support." (p. 14)

"The mission of motherhood is strategic in providing the next generation with wholehearted, emotionally healthy, and spiritually alive adults.  It is not simply a lifestyle choice.  It is a divine calling that will indeed affect eternity... in my acceptance of [H]is call, my children can rest in the peace and security of my commitment to them." (p. 16)

"God had a design in mind when [H]e created the family.  When we follow [H]is instructions and design, we emerge as a productive, flourishing family.  God's Word gives us the instruction manual to [H]is design." (p. 17)

For Thought and Reflection:

1. (Psalm 127:1) The success of a godly family is that the LORD builds it.  Anything we do that's not following God's path is done in vain (having no real value or significance; worthless, empty; without force or effect; futile, fruitless).

2. (Psalm 127:3) God views children as valuable as an inheritance (a heritage) and He has meant them to be a reward (a gift) from Him.  This contrasts with the view that children are an inconvenience, an extra expense, a burden, an irritation, or a consequence.  This verse is foundational for me as a mother, helping me keep a godly perspective when I'm tempted to feel otherwise.

3. (1 Thessalonians 2:7) The attitude the mother has in this verse is that she cherishes her children.  I really do count it a privilege to get to stay at home everyday with Leala and I feel like I can honestly say that I delight in my daughter daily.  But I have to pray every morning that God would give me the love and patience I'll need to care for Leala that day.  I do get frustrated and tired and have to rely on God for strength and wisdom to parent the way that's pleasing and glorifying to Him.

4. (Titus 2:4-5) The older women are supposed to teach the younger women good things including loving their husbands, loving their children, being discreet (able to make wise choices and decisions), pure, homemakers (managers of the home), good, and being obedient to their own husbands.  When we obey these standards, as I had heard it said once, we make God's Word attractive and I think we prove that God's Word is true like I read in my devotions recently, "As for God, His way is perfect, the word of the LORD is proven..." (Psalm 18:30).


Recommended Resources

I have been blessed over the years by the ministry of Revive Our Hearts, whether through their 20 minute radio programs or True Woman blog.  This chapter reminded me of a few radio programs or blog posts that have ministered to me related to Psalm 127:3 and Titus 2:4-5.  These resources have either encouraged me to be a better wife and mother or challenged the way I viewed having children:

When You're Pregnant and Can't Sleep

You get out of bed to lessen the feeling of all the bumbling your baby's doing inside and make your nightly trip to the restroom to try to make more room.  Since your mind's wide awake running through a mental list of the things yet to be done to prepare for baby, you go ahead and hop online to hopefully provide an outlet for your thoughts, leading to eventual sleepiness.

  • Find affordable, modest nursing cover.  Check.
  • Get driving directions to nearest baby resale store to take advantage of Labor Day sale.  Check.
  • Remind yourself of what you need to pack for the hospital.  Check.
  • Look up ways to relieve labor pain since last time you discovered you had a very low pain tolerance and have imagined that not having the luxury of an epidural this time may be a possibility.  Check.
  • Drowsily finish this post, head back to bed, making another restroom stop along the way...