Weekend Links, Vol. 15
It’s been four months since I posted links! Here are some gems I’ve come across lately:
- Homeschooling and the Changing World :: The Happy Housewife
- a few things i’ve learned. :: a beautiful journey…
- How My Wife Prays for Me :: Thabiti Anyabwile
- Go to Sleep! :: Shepherd Press
- Can Romance Novels Hurt Your Heart? :: Moore to the Point
“Praise God for His Word that alerts me
If I confess my sin then I obtain mercy
Proverbs 28:13, James 5:16, He’ll turn me
I used to hide all the time till it burned me
Now I confess to the Lord it’s the first thing
Then I confess to my fam that I walk with
Every nook and cranny, have I lost it? (Nope)
I just want to live in light of what the cross did
Ain’t just trying to look Christlike – I’m trying to walk this”
-Trip Lee
I Want to Be Like Her
In my imagination, I lived in India and China and Africa growing up. Reading biographies of faithful women impacted my heart. I still resonate with their stories today, even more in some senses.
Who are some of your favorite Christian women to read about?
A Simple Way to Give… With Your Words
I love the work of Compassion International. Last week they sent several bloggers on a trip to the Philippines. I followed the writing of Kat, Lindsey, and Tsh as they shared about a bathroom-sized home, mothers who don’t name their babies, and living in a putrid marsh.
I wish (and so do you, I’m sure) that I could sponsor a million children. But here’s one takeaway I was left with from the week – many Compassion-sponsored children don’t receive letters from their sponsors, but letters are powerful. You can become a child correspondent by signing up to write letters to a sponsored child who doesn’t receive them – no financial obligation required.
Photo by annilove
Happy and Kicking: 24 Weeks
Here’s a little prenatal update using questions I found from Michelle and Sarah.
Size of baby: 1 lb. 6 oz. as of last Friday.
Total weight gain/loss: Holding steady at 9 lbs. so far. I suppose it’s considered socially acceptable to publicly announce weight gain when you’re pregnant!
Maternity clothes: I’m still hanging on to my pre-maternity dresses and leggings, but I’m going to have to retire them soon. Otherwise I’m wearing maternity tops and capris.
Movement: She moves a lot; even more than Christian did, I think. She’s moving while I’m typing this.
Sleep: I’ve been crashing after exercising and sleeping really well. Last night I had a little trouble though. I’m so glad Christian is sleeping through the night. Sleep deprivation is much easier to handle when you’re not pregnant.
What I miss: Not having a baby bump, although I love the reason.
Cravings: Fruit, candy, and Arby’s roast beef sandwiches.
Symptoms: Soreness, swollen fingers, and an incessant need to talk to A.J. about labor and delivery.
What I am looking forward to: Enjoying these last four weeks of the second trimester.
Milestone(s): Viability! 24 weeks is considered standard for the baby having a chance of survival outside the womb.
Best moment this week: Getting an ultrasound on Friday for a view of her heart they couldn’t get at 19 weeks. I love getting a peek inside.
Having a baby, working out, and other miscellany.
Good morning, Monday! It’s almost afternoon already and it’s been a productive day so far, which I love. I thought I would join Miscellany Mondays today.
1. Labor, delivery, and pain relief.
There’s a nice, cheerful topic to start out your Monday! I wrote about pain relief during my first pregnancy. I thought I would “try going natural,” but I wasn’t 100% committed to it, and being barely progressed for 6-7 hours of hard labor, I got an epidural.
I’ve been trying to educate myself a little more this time around. I’ve watched The Business of Being Born, and last week I read the filmmakers’ book, Your Best Birth. Now I’m reading Easy Labor.
My conclusions so far: I will always be most comfortable giving birth in a hospital. Labor pain is more manageable when you realize that the pain is working for you, not against you. Epidurals and Pitocin are hard on your body, your baby, and increase your chance of a C-section, which is the last thing I want. I would like to delay pain relief and have a natural birth if possible, but I am open to an epidural if my labor is long.
2. Prenatal exercise revisited.
Amazingly I’ve been sticking to my workout plan! I read Reshaping It All and it was very motivational. I also read a great article called 33 Reasons to Exercise While Pregnant, and seriously, an easier/shorter labor, a healthier baby, and better sleep? Sign me up! I have been sleeping wonderfully and feeling great, and I am controlling my weight gain. I officially love exercise.
3. Too perfect to last.
I’ve been through so many changes over the past three years – college graduation, a long-distance relationship, engagement, moving to Florida, getting married, my first pregnancy and baby, and now a second pregnancy. It’s been a roller coaster ride, and there have been seasons of upheaval and chaos throughout.
I’m in a season of relative calm right now – second trimester, feeling great, a toddler who still takes two naps many days, and a good routine. These seasons feel so rare that I start being afraid of the future with a newborn and lack of sleep. I don’t want to descend into chaos again. It’s a fear I need to give over to the Lord, and cling to Him as He teaches me that I depend on Him and not on outward order and peace.
How I Make Iced Coffee
There are some fancier, probably better-tasting ways to make iced coffee, but if you want quick and simple, here’s how I do it:
1. Brew a cup of double-strength coffee.
I use four scoops of coffee (one regular and three decaf) and two cups of filtered water.
2. Mix with desired sweetener(s).
The sugar/Splenda will dissolve more easily if the coffee is hot. I go ahead and add creamer or half-and-half while it’s hot, too, along with a little vanilla.
3. Pour over ice.
I use a full glass of ice. This is why you brew the coffee double-strength – because the ice will melt and would make regular-strength taste weak.
4. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.
I wait until the ice is mostly melted, then stir and add a dash of chocolate syrup.
So delicious… how do you make iced coffee?
[photo]
P.S. Thank you for the comments on Stay-at-Home and Working Moms: My Thoughts. I need to reply to some of them. I’m sleep-deprived and don’t have the mental energy right now… but I plan to soon!
