Birth is....continued....

Here is a reply that I felt needed to be shared! Every mom should feel this way after having their baby :)






"Birth is one of the greatest gifts in a woman's life :)


The only sad thing about a homebirth experience is when it's over. When you work with a homebirth midwife
they offer you so much valuable time. They spend hours with you for prenatal visits listening, loving and supporting you in such a caring way. They become such a friend and great inspiration. They let you lead your own journey into motherhood and respect and honor you the whole way. Homebirth midwives take nothing away from your experience, only make it so much greater! After the hours of labor and hard work birthing your baby, you think, WOW I did it!!! You feel so lucky to have had your midwives there guiding you through this experience in your own way and in your own space. You look into the eyes of your midwives with nothing but complete joy and thankfulness. They did not deliver your baby, they did not have power over you, they let you have your baby in the most sacred and personal way. They hold a safe place , keep their wise watchful eyes open, hold their educated hands ready at an arms length a way, and keep you grounded with comfort and validation. Your homebirth midwife will never leave your side, yet give you all the space that you need. When you think back about the birth of your child it's one of the greatest days of your life. You feel so proud of your midwives for being there and you truly miss them like family when it all over. It makes you truly feel so sad for all the women that tell horror stories of their births in hospitals. There isn't one horrible thing I could even come up with about my homebirth, and I know how lucky I am for that experience. I truly thank God for the strong and courageous work of these homebirth midwives. They truly make a difference in this world for so many generations! I whole heart-idly feel every woman should be allowed the experience to birth their babies in the way that homebirth midwives allow you too! It's such a blessing!"

Love and miss you guys!!
Krista

Another "session"

I had to go to the dentist again today.


After a few weeks of tooth pain I had to give in and go get the filling fixed (it had a crack or something in it allowing cool items to penatrate and casue untold amounts of pain).

Apparently the dentist remembers me (despite not seeing me for over a year)...see story below...and gave me enough numbing drugs to knock out a horse. I am STILL numb (3 hours later) from my eye down my face to my collar bone and around to the front of my chin. I talk funny. I drool. I cannot smile on one side. (my kids are loving it) and I cannot eat. Now, I am wanting to lose baby weight...but not this way!!! Lack of food leaves me cranky... ask anyone in my house right now...

http://flammtastic.blogspot.com/2006/05/drama-drama-drama_24.html
This is from May 2006

Healthy food on a budget

Ever heard of the Urban Homemaker??? Well, if not, you should check out the site.

Below is a link to a long list of recipes to cook on a budget...HEALTHY recipes!!! :)

Many are stew/soups and I know it is almost summer...however, making a stew/soup is a great way to get lots of yummy veggies, beans, grains, etc easily.

Enjoy!





http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=78

Castlewood Canyon

Yesterday we all went on a hike to Castlewood Canyon.
Today we are all red as lobsters.
A great time was had by all! :)







This is a kearn.
That is a man term for "a pile of rocks that lead you down the correct trail so you do not get lost."








Examining the kearn. There were about 739 of them on this trail...which we made fun of all the way there and were quite thankful for on the way back. :)














Kell is ALL BOY.
He walked in front of the family the entire way with his spear/bow and arrow to defend us from all sorts of wild animals, monsters and mean people. Thankfully we met with none of those.
By the way...he hand-made his spear, bow and arrow, knife, sling shot and toy gun with wood he found.
I am impressed! He obviously got his weapon making talent from his Mom.








Ethan helping to defend the troops with the invaluable aid of Presley and his gun.


























Kellen Micah...defined.








That rock looks HEAVY!
Luckily my man is chisled from stone and can lift it...along with 4 boys on the top.
Yeah baby.








Kell and Pres enjoying the view from the top.








Ethan was one of the brave ones that walked out on the rocks to the tip top. It was VERY windy! Mommy was paranoid and did not derive pleasure from seeing him out there. At all.








Daddy and Presley.








E and K


























Kell would walk ahead of us with his spear ready in the case of a chance meeting with a mountian lion. Sweet kid :)


















Kell and his spear/bow and arrow (sans arrow)







Yes, our kids watch "Survivor man" on TV and emulate his actions. Here they are attempting to bite the tip off this plant in order to have a "needle and thread" to repair any clothing/gear that may be damaged.
It worked better on TV.
Thankfully we were not stranded in a canyon 173 miles from civilization...we can take our ruined items to the "Magic Needle" just down the road.



















Josiah thought these looked like the toes of a giant.









Walking back down the trail to the car.






We conquered Castlewood Canyon!!!





A few random shots................







Presley is going to be the ring bearer for my siter-in-laws wedding (Josiah's sister Sarah) in May...so we had to go get him fitted for a tux. OH MY WORD, is he excited!!! He felt quite handsome in this jacket and he loves the shiny shoes.
He says, "I am going to be the ring BEAR. GGGGRRR!!!"
This should be interesting :)






Pres was nice enough to pile all our pillows on top of Laz.







Yes, he IS the cutest thing in all the world!!! :)

Make-Up and Skin care

I have posted about this in the past, but I am inspired to blog about it again!

Having natural skin care and make-up is SO important...especially since these products have been linked ot all sorts of cancer as a result of the ingredients used.

Take a look at the sites below to find a wonderful alternative to the usual products. I have personally used these products for a year and a half and LOVE them! I also went to the Affusion studio for a personal consultation with the maker (a homeschool mom) and had a BLAST! I wanted to know firsthand how she makes the products and all about each one. She did a full facial and make-up on me (and a few friends), we drank some yummy tea and laughed so hard we cried. It was so fun!!! If you live anywhere near Alpharetta- GO!



www.affusionskincare.com/
This is the official site for all the products.


http://affusionskincare.blogspot.com/
This is the blog where she posts all sorts of information and studies regarding cosmetics.

Have fun!!! :)

Birth is........

My dear midwife, Claudia, has a message board on Yahoo with all her clients. We love taking with her anytime we want as well as having a wonderful group of women as support, encouragement and advise.

Claudia asked a simple question of us...to finish this sentence:

"Birth is........"

So far the responses have been so wonderful, I had to share!!! As more come in I will add them in the comment section.


"Birth is….

Normal.
Natural.
Safe.
Like many things, location DOES matter.
Mysterious.
Everywhere all the time.
The beginning.
Painful.
Life.
Connects us.
Controversial.
Strange.
Adventure.
Confidence inducing.
Life changing.
A right.
A privilege.
Not to be feared.
Amazing.
Empowering.
Epic.
A journey.
Defines womanhood.
To be enjoyed.
Emotional.
Not to be missed!"

Georgia Trip

Thursday morning was our flight to Georgia. With our luck (or lack of) the plane was boarded and we sat there for over an hour...and then had to "de-board" the plane for maintanance. Our flight was 3 hours late in departing!!! It was okay, though. We just hung out and relaxed.



Waiting in the airport. Laz slept until we boarded the plane (for the second time) and then was awake the whole flight...of course. However, he was wonderful and did not fuss a bit!









Hi Daddy!!! We were not able to sit together (sniff sniff) but we were close by.










Nate picked us up at the airport...so sorry we ruined his half day off by being 3 hours late!!! This is Nate and Court's new SUV....soooo nice!


We all went to Woodstock to eat at the Kani House (Japanese Hibatchi) and Josiah's mom Stephanie watched Laz for us. Nate, Court, Josiah and I had a wonderful time...and the food was AMAZING.






COUSINS!!!! Lazarus Jude and Hannah Grace.
Actually, we had numerous people say they look alike...what do you think???






So sweet!!! :)




On Friday Court and Tiff began the day by making the rounds at a few garage sales. FUN!!!
After that we got ready and went to La Parrillas for lunch.
YUMMMMM-O.
We met several of our good friends there to hang out and chat.








Court and Hannah






Everyone!!! Thanks to my dear friends Tracy (and her kids Corbin, Tristian and Leila), Tim and Audrey, Mark, Jon, Noelle and Fin, Kerri, Diana, Nate, Courtney and Hannah for coming out to see us!









All the kids loved playing with Laz!







Everyone enjoyed hanging out and talking..we all had a good time.




After lunch Josiah, Laz and I along with Jon, Noelle, Findlay, Nate, Courtney and Hannah loaded up the cars and headed out to Washington, Georgia. The drive is about 2 and a half hours...but with 3 babies with us it took around 4 hours.





A Chick-Fil-A pit stop. All the sweet hubbys are holding the babes...and Josiah is giving me "the look" for making them take a picture! Sorry honey!!! :)







Here you will find a short independent film by Tiffany...her first film of this nature.
A 3 hour car ride with 3 babes...by definition, a good time. (or self inflicted torture...whatever floats your boat.)










As soon as we got to Washington we had to go out and meet the horses!








Jon and Noelle's home in Georgia. They live on several hundred acres in Washington...a beautiful little town east of Athens. This place is simply breathtaking. I know this picture looks like a postcard-but I took it! It really is this lovely.
The home was built in the 1790's and is FULL of stunning antiques, furniture and original pieces.









Hannah loved Charlie!









The big front porch...a wonderful place to hang out and play. Hannah loved running around on it.










Jon holding Fin.








Morning. Coffee. Front porch. Rocking chairs and porch swings. Family. Wonderful friends.
AAAHHH.
This is the life!
We should all quit our jobs, move out to Washington and live on their front porch.










Hannah loved sitting in the hopped up Georgia Bulldog golf cart.











Hannah loved Uncle Josiah!!!









The Washington farmers market. It was so quaint and cute...in the summer the place is teeming with vendors and local folks. I cannot wait to come back again!










Findlay enjoying his shopping trip.








Laz and Hannah in the slings....and loving it :)










Jon's brother Jay and his kill. He went out and got this wild turkey off their land. Actually it was quite beautiful. I had never seen one up close before. And unfourtunately I will not be there when they partake of this bird. I bet it is yummy!








Josiah and his corn-cobb pipe. I made him shower, put on cologne and gargle before I would come near him again.








While the boys were smoking their peace pipes...the girls were in the hot tub! It was heavenly :)










Noelle, Courtney and Laz






Nate and Laz. Two handsome boys :)






Tiff and Hannah







Jenn Bailey, Noelle and Tiff






Noelle and Tiffany






Noelle's garden!!! I am coming back out to visit when everything is ready to harvest...YUMM-O.






Josiah is putting the electric fence back up...yikes! Be careful honey!







Laz being adorable...of course.






IKEA.
Need I say more???
Yes.
I have never been to the store...I was an IKEA virgin. No longer!!! I was in absolute shock as I was walking through the store...it was almost the most fun I have ever had.
Noelle and I filled these bags...well, almost. Remember I am now a Dave Ramsey freak, so I noted that this store must be Dave's greatest nightmare...and I bought some stuff. Cheap stuff we needed and could afford. I was SO GOOD.
Until my next trip there.
I will need a U-Haul truck.









The babies chilin while the mommies shopped.







This is the warehouse!!!!!!!!!
AAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Far to soon, the trip was over. We got home late Monday night and the boys were very happy to see us...and we had missed them terribly as well! Next time we MUST take all the kids!!!