On Balance ~ Nigel Marsh

Nigel Marsh is author of the bestelling book, "Fat, Forty and Fired." I am reading am in the process of reading it now!

This man has some awesome and (very funny) insights into work/life balance.

On Balance ~ Katrina Kenison

I've been thinking, praying, and striving to have a more balanced life. I think finding the right balance means different things at different seasons. I also think this is a challenge for many people, particularly women.

 Here is a great quote by Katrina Kenison on the subject:

“A balanced life has a rhythm. But we live in a time, and in a culture, that encourages everyone to just move faster. I'm learning that if I don't take the time to tune in to my own more deliberate pace, I end up moving to someone else's, the speed of events around me setting a tempo that leaves me feeling scattered and out of touch with myself.

I know now that I can't write fast; that words, my own thoughts and ideas, come to the surface slowly and in silence. A close relationship with myself requires slowness. Intimacy with my husband and guarded teenage sons requires slowness. A good conversation can't be hurried, it needs time in which to meander its way to revelation and insight. Even cooking dinner with care and attention is slow work. A thoughtful life is not rushed."

― Katrina Kenison, The Gift of an Ordinary Day: A Mother's Memoir

My Little Models

"Who are those child-fashion models?" you ask? Those are my babies, Noelle and Bella!

 Tiffany, from Meek+Chic used them in a photo shoot for her Tutu Sweet Backpack Tutorial and they really got into it! You can see more beautiful photos of my girls and read the backpack tutorial here.!

Nothing Just Happens

This is such a great sermon. Especially, for someone who may be is trying to make sense of something that has happened in their life. I should know -- I do this often.

Wordless Wednesday

Source: Uploaded by user via Emi on Pinterest

Halle's Birth Story ~ Part 2

About a week before going into labor with the baby, I began to take all my fears about having another posterior birth to the Lord in prayer. I felt as if the Lord gave me a scripture to hold on to. It said;

"Be strong and of good courage, fear not nor be afraid of them. For the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee. He will not fail thee." -Deuteronomy 31:6

I was so encouraged when I read this verse that I wrote it out and began to speak it everyday! I also wrote out other scriptures and spoke them out loud. I kept saying, "This will be my easiest and fastest birth."

The day before I went into labor was a Sunday, so I went to church. Our pastor got up to take his text and began to read out loud;

"Be strong and of good courage, fear not nor be afraid of them. For the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee. He will not fail thee." -Deuteronomy 31:6

I couldn't believe it! This brought me so much peace because I took it as a confirmation from the Lord that my birth would go smoothly. By the next afternoon, I was in labor. And by about 2am the next morning, I was on my way to the hospital. 

My contractions were coming about 5 minutes apart by the time I got close to the hospital and I was focusing very hard to keep my mind on the promises of God that I wrote out. I was doing the hand and knees position in the backseat of the car, trying to ensure that Halle was turn the right way by the time I had to push. My contractions felt strong, but manageable!

I entered the hospital at about 3:30pm and hubby was helping me through each contraction. After about an hour, the nurse was still registering me into the hospital. The midwife checked me and said that I was about 6cm dilated and we probably had time. She told me that she was going to change her clothes and would be right back. 

At that point my contractions were really strong, however I was still talking in between them. I was still actually laughing and talking to hubby in between them. But, secretly I really felt as though I had to push. I thought to myself, "I'm only 6cm. Maybe I'll push just a little bit." When I did that, my water totally broke and the baby came all the way down!

The midwife came running back in the room and could see the baby crowning! Hubby kept saying, "Are you pushing?!" I felt like a kid who was in big trouble! I replied reluctantly, "A little." Needless to say, about 4 pushes later, Halle was born. It was 4:13am and the nurse laughed and said, "I never  even finished registering you!"

God answered my prayers and was my birth with Halle was truly my easiest and fastest birth!