Fifteen Months and Another Wedding

It is amazing just how fast time seems to pass. Yesterday, my son turned 15 months old and my husbands youngest brother, Giles, got married. When Peter and I started dating, Giles was only 9 or 10. It was a great wedding and we are so happy for Giles and Molly. Even after such an eventful week (hospital visit, no sleep, both Aram and I getting sick from something we picked up at the hospital, etc) Aram was still the life of the party. Enjoy a few pics from our great day!

An Esther Week

This week started out with a wheezy child, an emergency room visit and then a sleepover in the new Children's hospital. All the while, I was missing my 3rd day back at work and wondering what God was doing in my life. Surprisingly, I was completely at peace during the whole ordeal.
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will," ~ Ephesians 1:11
" for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." ~Philippians 2:13
I felt "worked out" this week. In my study of the book of Esther, it's so apparent that even though God's actual name is not used in the whole book, His hands are all over it. He worked out everything to keep His covenant to His people and fulfill His Kingdom purposes. He chose Esther "for such a time as this" to prove His love to those who were His. He showed me this same thing this week. The 'peace that passes all understanding' was all over me on Monday and Tuesday and I knew my God was with us. God is always on time in his workings even though I felt like the timing couldn't be worse. I had already been so tired and now I was down 2 nights' sleep and worried about my beautiful son. But God is faithful and gave me peace and rest even in the midst of the storm.
Aram is recovering well and continues to improve daily and God continues to show me just how hard He works in my life to transform me into His image, even if it's a little more painful than I deem necessary!

Accountability Update

Hello all...well, all 4 of you who read this... I have been doing great and am continuing to move forward in my plan for health. I'm officially on the week 5 workout (posted below) and have lost 10 pounds. I am following the Weight Watchers plan of eating which has really opened my eyes to all the junk that needed to be cut out of my diet. I'm progressing slower than I planned, but my goal is still to finish the "9-week" plan by Nov 13th, which happens to be my 30th birthday. If you see me, keep asking me about my workouts and keep me accountable to reach my goal!

A Young Mad Scientist’s First Alphabet Blocks

My husband just sent me a link to the most ridiculous, right-up-his-alley, unnecessary baby product I have every seen(http://playgrounder.com/stuff/
a-young-mad-scientists-first-alphabet-blocks/). With a description like this, how can you go wrong?:

"Maybe you have high hopes that your baby will someday take over the world. Or maybe you’re tired of the old standard “A is for apple, B is for balloon, C is for cat”. Either way, A Young Mad Scientist’s First Alphabet Blocks ($40) might be just what you’re looking for. The entire alphabet is represented on five maple wood blocks by laser engraved replicas of original pen-and-ink drawings. With “N for nanotechnology, T for tentacles, and Z for zombies”, these blocks will stand out in any nursery."


Needless to say, if you know anything about my husband, you know that these will be under the Christmas Tree this year... but they might have Peter's name on them, not Aram's.

Enjoy!

Running the Race

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

I continued on my journey last night in becoming healthy. I successfully finished my running schedule as well as an extra 10 minutes of stair climbing. I finished off my workout with some ab work and some stretching. I was totally exhausted yesterday, so it took everything in me to get to the gym... and blogging about it really helped in keeping me accountable. Thanks to all those who are praying for me and checking up on me. It really helps to keep me motivated.
Now, I need to work on eating a little better. Anyone got any easy, healthy recipes that they want to share?? Comment on todays post with any ideas. If you know me well, you know I don't love cooking, so something simple, tasty and healthy (and also something my husband would eat) would be great!
Blessings!

Accountability

So, I need some accountability in becoming healthy and taking care of the Temple God gave me. Over the past 5 years, God has burdened me to deal with my stronghold of overeating. He has done a miracle in my life in that regard, and now I need to get my body where it needs to be. So, I joined a gym in April and started an 8-week running plan about 8 weeks ago. I'm on week 3 of the program; need I say more. So, all you blog readers out there, you are my accountability partners now! Each week I will track my progress and share my successes and failures. I need much prayer and support in this, so feel free to comment or even try out this running program with me. My goal is to run 3x/week and in the next 8 weeks, be able to jog/run for a solid 30 minutes.
Here's the plan (I stole it from http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml):
************************************************
The schedule (each 3x/week unless indicated)
Week 1: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Week 2: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Week 3: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)
Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)

Week 4: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Week 5:
Workout 1: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Workout 2: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
Workout 3: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.

Week 6:
Workout 1: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Workout 2: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
Workout 3: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2-1/4 miles (or 25 minutes) with no walking.

Week 7: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).

Week 8: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).

Week 9: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).
****************************************************************************

So, tonight, I successfully finished a week 3 workout plus 10 minutes on the stair climber. I also worked abs, biceps and triceps using cable equipment. I plan to do the same thing on Thursday evening and Saturday morning. If you see me, ask me about it.
While I'm writing I also want to stress that this is a God thing. This is not my need to look like Barbie or be something I'm not supposed to be. Nor is it an attempt to be a certain size. I really do want to set a healthier example for my son, Aram, as well as make sure I am the woman God created me to be no matter what that size ends up being. I would like to lose about 25 pounds, but am willing to let the Lord lead in that area.
Here are some scriptures I'm trying to memorize as well to keep me motivated:
Romans 12:1-2 " Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

1 Corinthians 6:12-19 "12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. 14 Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! 16 Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, "THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH." 17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."

Pray for me, check up on me, and keep me accountable. Forward this blog to as many people as you wish.
Blessings

Awed and Amazed at Our God

I am so blessed to share this with you. I came across this blog through another blog I read and I am so moved by the goodness of our God. God totally spoke to me words of comfort and peace about our recent hardship in losing a child through this blog. Right now, as I write this, God is blessing this family, who suffered unbearably, with a beautiful baby through adoption. Read and be amazed, knowing our God is bigger than our hurts and bigger than our sorrow. He is amazing!

Go to: http://www.cjbergmenmusic.com/wordpress/ and read from the March entries on. Read about Titus and their heartache, read about their testimony of faith that is beyond anything I could imagine after going through what they did, and read about how God provided for the adoption of Keane in just one week. God is so good. Congratulations CJ and Renee!

c.j. & renee from bradley gregg on Vimeo.

May & June- 10/11 Months and a Big Wedding!

May was filled with lots of activity. It started with a fairy tale wedding at Belhurst Castle. My baby sister, Cheryl, got married to a wonderful, godly man, Bill, on the 3rd. We had so much fun and the day was absolutely beautiful. My family was here from Florida and they all crashed at my place for the week. We had a full house, but it was great to spend time with them and see everyone. The weather was finally staying nice here in Syracuse, so Aram and I spent a lot of time outside. June was filled with first birthday party planning and berry picking, as well as introducing Aram to a kiddie pool and lots of time at the park! Enjoy the pics! Remember, more photos are always posted on my facebook page, so friend me there and you can see more!
Also, here is a link to all of Cheryl's wedding photos. They are absolutely beautiful:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=bbae57f199a3fdeb&sid=0Bcsm7Vu2aMVQW4

March & April- 8 & 9 Months

My Beautiful Boys!





Funny pic from Easter dinner.

Dis-interested at the zoo.

Crawling!

Playing with Daddy's Nerf gun!

Aram is getting really mobile now. He is scooting around pretty good now and just beginning to get up on all fours to move. He still doesn't like to get up on his knees. He's getting better though!! We long for the warmer weather and I can't wait to play outside with him at the park. We ventured to the zoo on Easter weekend, but it was pretty cold and Aram was less than thrilled with the animals at this point. Also, we had his first professional photos done (I know, it's about time) and they came out gorgeous. The first 5 photos above are from that shoot. Check out http://web.me.com/brantleycarroll/Site_6/aram.html for the rest of the amazing shots by one of Peter's colleagues, Brantley Carroll!
I am still getting used to being home with Aram and getting our routine down, and God continues to teach me about patience and waiting on His timing!

The Time In Between

Recently, our family suffered a great loss. It wasn't completely public, as we were immediately faced with nonchalant comments like "Oh, that happens this early sometimes." and "Well, at least it happened early." from those I will not mention by name, and I just couldn't handle telling anyone else for fear of what I might hear.
On July 6th, 2009, at 7:50 am, our second child was still-born at only 7 weeks gestation. I say it this way because the word "miscarriage" just doesn't cover the anguish I felt in my heart. We knew we were pregnant for about a week before this happened, but it was long enough to get us completely excited about adding to our family. I even went out and purchased a cute hat and bib from Gymboree (on clearance of course!), called around to doulas to try for a VBAC this time, and make doctor's appointments. I thank God for allowing me the where-with-all to take precautions that morning and make sure I was able to hold my small child and bury him/her. By 7 weeks, he or she had arms, hands, feet and legs and I could see his/her eyes and nose. Our child was no bigger than a lima bean, but we were able to wrap it carefully in the new hat I purchased and bury it below a beautiful rose bush. Peter and I dug the hole together, in the pouring rain, and prayed over our child and for our hearts to heal. God is so good and He continues to heal my heart.
I was driving the other day and a song by Francesca Battistelli came on that brought me to tears. I couldn't help but praise God for bringing this song when He did, and I wanted to share the lyrics with you all, as they continue to aid in my healing.
****************************************
Time in Between
You were there when your Father said
Let there be light
You obeyed when He whispered
Son, You have to leave tonight
To spend nine months in a mothers womb
Three days in a borrowed tomb

(Chorus One)
But it’s the time in between
That brings me to my knees
Knowing you came for me
And all that I can't be
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank You for the time in between

Don't take much for this crazy world
To rob me of my peace
And the enemy of my soul
Says You’re holding out on me
So I stand here lifting empty hands
For you to fill me up again

(Chorus Two)
But it’s the time in between
That I fall down to my knees
Waiting on what You'll bring
And the things that I can't see
I know my song’s incomplete
Still I'll sing in the time in between

So many ways
Your love has saved the day
And I'm grateful for them all

(Chorus 3)
But it’s the time in between
The middle of two thieves
That says everything
It’s the reason I believe
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank you for the time in between
Oh Lord, I thank you for the time in between
*********************************************
I find myself in the time in between, crushed by grief, but wanting another child so badly. We are waiting for a few months before deciding what to do next. In the meantime, I can be thankful for the time Jesus spend between two thieves on an old rugged cross for me. I can dwell on God's promise to never leave nor forsake me and I can be comforted by the Holy Spirit who dwells in me and "intercedes for [me] with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26-27) I am comforted, as well, in thinking about the day I meet my second child in heaven and wrap my arms around him or her and whisper "I have always loved you."

Relying on Him for each moment,
Michelle

February- 7 Months

Downward Dog... getting more and more mobile by the day!


Waiting for some food at Moe's Southwestern Grill... one of our favorite places to eat.
Aram turned 7 months old and I quit my job! My last day of work was the sixth of Feb and so starts a whole new chapter in our lives, one that includes massive amounts of paperwork for state aid, figuring out new schedules of feeding, eating, changing, bathing, cleaning, Bible study, spending time with Peter, etc, and finding out who I was as a mother and wife. This stay-at-home-mom-thing was never my ultimate dream. I know, tsk, tsk. As a Christian woman, shouldn't it be?? Well, I learned that not all women were created equal. I was a wreck for most of Feb, trying to love being home with Aram (cause I thought that's the only attitude I should have) and trying not to be bitter about leaving my job. Funny thing was, God used this to mold my relationship with my son and change my heart. I"m not saying that I still don't miss working, but I now LOVE being home with Aram. Our relationship is strong and we needed this time to develop it. I still need to get out a couple nights a week and go to the gym (mommy time!) but overall, staying home with Aram was a blessing I never intended to receive. Here are few pics from February.

January- 6 Months

This is me and my good friend Jessica at her baby shower.

This is Aram with his favorite nursery worker at church, Debbie.

Snowsuit fun!

Goofy new hat... this is one of many!

January was difficult, not only was I a full-time mother, but also a full-time employee outside the home. Over the Christmas vacation, God was working on my heart to quit my job after 8 years and lots of security and great benefits. Peter was not eligible for benefits at his job and we had a 6 month old... what was God doing?? Thankfully, He is bigger and more in control than I (even though it took me a while to figure that one out!) and has everything in His hands. On January 9th, I gave my boss 4 weeks notice and finished up my work. The aftermath of this decision hit hard. I loved my job and was devastated to leave it. I felt so insecure as a mother at this point, that I felt like I was giving up the only thing I did well. Over the entire 4 weeks, God continued to work on me and bring me to my knees daily. Here are a few pics from January to enjoy. More to come in the February post!

December- 5 Months

We webcam'd with my parents, who are in FL, all Christmas morning. They just can't get enough of their grandson.

Yes, the ornament was glass; No, DSS was not called; Yes, I took it away as soon as the photo shoot was done!

This was our Christmas card photo... I should have stood on a stool or something.
Aram's first Christmas was a blast. He got an activity jumper from my parents and he practically lived in that thing for 2.5 months (until he was too heavy for it!!)

November 2008

Peter, Aram and I got to visit Grandmere and Papa Worley in Florida for Thanksgiving. Here are some hilights.