Wordless Wednesdays (With an Explanation)

This was Palm Sunday in Sunday School
The brown line down the middle is the road to Jerusalem

Their hand prints represent the palm branches that people were waving in the air and singing "Hosannah!"

The most exciting part is listening to the kids tell their Mom and Dad about what it meant when they were leaving!!!!!!

Doula Mama Pam

This Twas The Weekend!!!!

Guess who has a bike now?
And it even has a horn!

Daddy bough it when he was 3 months old.

We did pretty good.

It is just hard to steer AND blow the horn.

Kind of like talking on the cell phone and driving.

HaHaHaHaHa!!!!

Doula Mama Pam

Happy Anniversary!!!!!!

How do you like the cake topper????
Our Cake was AWESOME!!!!!

This was the fun part of the reception!!!

My brother Jeff and Kyle

Me and My Dad(Daddy). He and Mom had a stomach flu.

Kaleb and Ta-Ta (Tara). His Other Mother.

Bo and The Ring.

Kaleb and Daddy

Me and Kyle (Boy! has he grown up)

Me and Tara

Me and Marsha (Oh how I miss you!)

I gave Bo a rose in memory of his Mom.

On of my favorite pictures

Another favorite.

Simple and elegant.

Happy Anniversary Bo!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Pam

Thinking and Thankful Thursday

This is going to be a bit of a ramble but that's ok. I'm not worried about it.

Thinking Part
Talking the other day to Ashley (my Mass Cooking Buddy) and we had both had one of those weekends when it just did not happen because life got in the way or we had a sick child or we were sick. When that happened we were comparing notes on what happened. For both of us it was just plain hard. We have been doing it long enough to really get into the routine of having everything in the fridge ready to go when we get home and just add either bread or a Steamer side to it and it's time for dinner. When that doesn't happen, we end up having to start from scratch and cook an entire meal and we aren't out of the kitchen until 7pm and a little one has to be in the bed by 7:30pm and there was NO time for family time or play time. That is really difficult and to think that we were doing that all the time!!!!
Well, not the case any longer. We are back on track. It's only happened once I think. I guess it is all in what you get used to. I would love to see a lot of women try it.
Try it for one month. Just one month and then tell me what you think.
Just think about it....to help you think about it, here are some of the benefits....
You know what you are having for dinner and you don't have the question "What's for dinner?"
You know that what you prepared is good for your family.
You are saving money (we can all do that)
You don't have to run by the drive-thru and get who-knows-what
You have family time at the table.
You are done and out of the kitchen before its bath and bed time.
You could actually take a walk because the sun is still out.
Are you convinced now??????

Ok, let's move on to the Thankful part of the post.....

This coming week, actually on Monday, Bo and I will celebrate our 2 year anniversary. Of course, there will be a post for that. You will not want to miss that. Anyway, I was thinking the other day. I am thankful for my husband. He puts up with a lot from me. He laughs with me and at me and of course, neither one of us is perfect so of course that always throws some curve-balls but we do just fine. I have been the single Mom. I know how hard that it. For you that are single, my hat goes off to you. It is hard and it's a lot of work and it never stops. Please ask us "Married-People" for help when you need it!!!!!!!!!! Feeling thankful for my husband today and thought I would let him know.

Have an awesome rest of the day. If you want to jump in on my challenge for Mass Cooking or you have questions, please post them and I will be happy to answer them for you. Trust me, it will change your family!!!!!!!!

Laboring and Cooking with You,
Doula Mama Pam

New Food Idea!!!

Posted something new on my cooking blog......Looking for something to cook this weekend.

This sound soooo good!!!!!!!

Click on the Doula Mama In The Kitchen on the right side-bar or you can click here

YUMMY!!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wordless Wednesday's Pictures

This is why I do what I do!!!!!!

Laboring With You,

Doula Mama Pam

Cayden Has Arrived!!!!!!!

Scott, Ericka and Cayden

I met Scott and Ericka at the office. What a pleasant and sweet couple. She had discovered they were pregnant and had come to office. They had a lot of questions and I tried to answer everything that I could. Dr. Delcambre was to be there primary physician. This was going to be a great match.
Ericka had no problems with her pregnancy. She is a beautiful young woman that has the most beautiful hair and a basketball for a belly. She had the awesome support of Scott who I don’t think missed hardly any appointments. He was right there with her through everything.
Cayden had chosen to stay where he was until he was ready. It had nothing to do with the date on the calendar. It didn’t even matter that it was going to be a scheduled induction. He was going to arrive when he was ready. Everything was set for his arrival BUT Cayden had other plans. He chose his time.
Scott and Ericka had done exactly what they were supposed to do. Stay home until it was time to go to the hospital. When they arrived, she was ready to be admitted. It was perfect. Once she and Scott were settled in their room, I arrived. She looked relaxed, focused and ready. Scott was ready to do whatever she wanted and whatever she needed. It was just so awesome to watch this young couple turn into a family. Ericka chose an epidural so that she could get some sleep and rest through the night. She was comfortable and resting. Dr. Delcambre was on call which was exactly what she had hoped for. Everything was perfect. We all got some rest that evening awaiting Cayden’s arrival. The time finally came. We were so exited.
Ericka, even with her epidural, pushed like a champ. She did a great job. It was the most relaxed atmosphere. Dr. D was calm as always. He’s an awesome doctor. He doesn’t breakdown the bed for delivery. You deliver in the bed in whatever position. We all pushed with Ericka. We relaxed in between and even shared some laughs in the process. When Cayden was born, it was absolutely beautiful. He was on Ericka chest and we were all talking pictures and just amazed at what had just happened in that hospital room. That morning, Ericka and Scott and now Cayden became a family.
They are all doing beautiful and I am proud and so privileged to be apart of what happened on that beautiful day!!!!!!

Thanks for such an awesome experience!!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Not Me Monday

Well, it is Monday again!!! Where in the world did the weekend go????

I am so glad that you all enjoyed my Chick-Fil-A Theme song. That just made my week.

So, let's get started.....

I DID NOT stand and laugh at my hubby when he literally slid into the bathtub while waiting on Little Man to potty and somehow got himself wedged. It was funny, but then I felt bad for laughing.

I DID NOT leave on Saturday morning to go for a "Get-Back-Into-It" run at 7:30am to only figure out when we got into it that we were running 5 MILES!!!!!!! Not exactly what I had planned but it was a BLAST!!!!!!!

I DID NOT allow Little Man to play with Markers to realize that he was NOT coloring the paper but his legs, his hands, his toes and even his face. He was just to cute and I was to busy trying to get it off and forget to get a picture.

Have a great week!!!!!! What have You been up to????

Laboring With You,

Doula Mama Pam

Theme Song!!!!!

Whether you like Chick-fil-a or not....this is just fun!!!!!!!!!!

Five Question Friday

1. Have you ever had a celeb sighting? I have never seen anyone. I even lived outside of San Francisco for a couple of years and never saw anyone. I'm not sure what I would do if I did. Hopefully not embarrass myself.


2. What temperature do you keep your house? We typically keep it around 70 in the winter and summer is usually around 75 I think. I am one that is willing to have all doors and window open and ceiling fans going until I can't stand it before I will turn it on. Fresh air is just awesome!!!!!!


3. Do you notice dust at other peoples homes? I am usually to busy trying to relax at someones house over inspecting if they have dust or not.


4. What's the worst job you ever had? I worked in a glass shop in high school. Not just any shop but one that had 2 of the biggest cases ever seen full of little tiny blown-glass figures. They were pretty to look at. What I hated was that it was usually given to me to DUST IT!!!!! That meant getting on a shaky ladder and taking them all off the shelf, dust it and then put them all back. 5 WHOLE SHELVES!!!!! in EACH CASE!!!!! There was no such thing a Swiffer Duster!!!!!! It was the most nerve racking experience!!!!! Oh, yeah, If you broke it, You bought it!!!!!


5. What is your most sentimental possession? I actually have a couple of things. I have these "Garden Fairies" that my Grandmother had. They are just little fairy looking things sitting on a flower. They are stamped on the bottom "Made in Occupied Japan". They maybe worth a lot of money but they are a prize possession for me. I would go into her totally white living room, also known as the "No-No" room and snag them off the table and run like a mad child away from my parents. My other possession is my Grandmother's ring. It's a solitaire diamond. BEAUTIFUL!!!! I would sit and hold her hand and twirl it.

Jump in and Link up!!!!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Thoughtful Thursday

I have some awesome friends. One couple that I love dearly are serving in the Ukraine. I miss them so much. You can visit them here. Now, another couple from our church are leaving to serve in Spain. You can visit them here. God is on the move and sending His people. She posted this video on her blog. IT IS POWERFUL!!!! It is worth the 10 minutes to watch. Watch, Listen and Pray!!!!




Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wordless Wednesday(Almost)

Daddy comforting Mom

Doing so great!!!!!
First hat, just waiting

What a beautiful little girl.

Those precious fingers holding Daddy's hand

What a smile!!

Dr. D and Summer

The New Family!

Thank you so much to Phillip, Ashley and Summer!!!!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Summer's Arrival!!!!!!

I am so excited this morning to share this story. This is a great friend and an awesome Mom. This is the arrival of their precious little Summer!!!!!!

I met and worked with Ashley in the office. She and Phillip are a precious couple. I not only knew her as a co-worker but also as a friend and now as a client. It has been exciting watching she and Phillip grow over the last 9 months. A couple that would at the drop of a hat go here and there or go out and play sports at different hours. This was all going to change once this little blessing arrived.
Ashley had no problems or issues with her pregnancy. She was always doing exactly what she needed to do to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Phillip was right with her all the time. He came to her appointments and ultrasounds and whatever she needed, Phillip would do it for her. They grew so much as a couple.
Phillip, Ashley and I had talked on several occasions about how they wanted this delivery. She was very sure and firm about what was to happen and not to happen. They were very specific. One thing that I was most impressed is that Ashley wanted this to be totally Organic. That is the best way I know how to describe it. Little to no intervention and totally drug free. I told them I would support them in whatever they wanted to do. I would be there for them.
They went to childbirth class. They read. They researched. They had listened. They were very prepared for Summer’s arrival. Summer had a due date on the calendar but that doesn’t mean anything to Summer. She had her own plans.
Early on Wednesday morning I got a text from Ashley. Contractions had started and were more like cramps than the painful contractions. She and Phillip stayed home. They ate, rested, and went for walks. I was ready to leave the office at the drop of hat but nothing yet. That evening as the contractions had progressed; she and Phillip made the decision to go to the hospital. She was almost to point of being admitted but they told her to go and walk for a couple of hours and come back. They did and it was perfect. They were admitted and settled in their room. They had an awesome nurse named Christina. She listened to what they wanted and did exactly what we had hoped for. Dr. Delcambre was to be there for her delivery and that was exactly what we had hoped for. Phillip texted me to find out when would I arrive. I told him, whenever she needed me to come, I would be there. It made my day when that text came over that read “She needs you”. I was dressed and out the door at midnight headed to the hospital. She and Phillip were in a hot bath when I arrived. PERFECT.
She labored wherever she wanted to. On the floor, in the bed, standing, squatting, walking, dancing, and whatever else seemed to help at that point. It had been a very long day but they were ready for Summer. It was going to be awesome.
She pushed and pushed while standing. Beautiful primal sounds that came from her toes. She was focused!!!!! Phillip was right there with her.
We opted to lie down in the bed. She could push effectively, see Summers head and rest in between contractions. She pushed so well. Once Summer was out, she was on Ashley, skin to skin and the pictures were going off. It was fabulous. She was beautiful and looked just like her Mom. I am not sure there was a dry eye in the room. It was just like they had planned. Beautiful!!!!!!! Summer is home. Phillip, Ashley and Summer are a beautiful family. God Bless you!!!!!!!!! What a privilege to watch a family be born.
Thank you again Phillip and Ashley for allowing me to be apart of such a precious time in your lives!!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Not Me Monday

It's Monday again!!!!!! Where in the world did the weekend go????? Yes, it was an hour shorter but didn't think it would make that much of a difference. Ok, let's get started....

I did not wake up this morning at 5am (was 4am) and panic that I had overslept because the birds were singing so loud outside my window and the windows were down!!!!!!

I did not actually lay in the bed til 8am on Saturday morning. I NEVER do that unless I am deathly sick!!!!!!

I did not have a brief "Jillian" moment while running yesterday with 2 great friends as I ran up behind one of them and tried to get her to sprint the last few yards.

I did not give into my Little Man at Target when he got in trouble and then looked at me with THOSE eyes and said "I sorry Mommy". My heart just turns to mush!!!!!!

Have an awesome Monday and jump in!!!! It's great!!!!!

Laboring with You,

Doula Mama Pam

Five Question Friday

So excited about today. These are great questions!!!!!!!! Want to link up and get more information about how to join in on the fun? Go to Mama M's by clicking here or just click on the button above. So let's get started....

1. How much time do you spend on the computer a day? I am on the computer probably about 6 out of 8 hours at work. When I get home, maybe about 45min. to an hour but it depends on what time Little Man is down and how tired I am. I try to pre-post when I can and read other blogs and get caught up on e-mails. If Little Man is up, he gets the attention, not the computer.
2. Will you pay for your children's college or raise them to pay for their own way? My oldest is being paid for by us. I am praying that the cost doesn't continue to rise and we are going to pay for Little Man's. Not sure what he is going to do in college due to the fact he is only 3 but it will be a wait and see. I just want them to be able to focus on passing classes, good grades and studying really hard to get that degree and not have to worry about the finances.
3. Have you ever been in a car accident? I was only in one. Kyle was 1 year old and riding in his car seat in the front seat, if that tells you how long ago that was. Snowing like crazy and Jim and I were moving to Greensboro from Cherry Point. Coming down 40, the car in front of me chose to stop in the middle of the highway. I hit my brakes out of reaction, slammed into her and then jerked my wheels to the left to get in the median. Jim was driving a U-Haul right behind me and I just knew he was going to drive over the top of us. Never been so scared in all my life.
4. What is your favorite book? Scripture would be to top of the list. Other books would have to be........this is hard........Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti, and Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. BUT, above all(other than scripture), Mimosa by Amy Carmichael.
5. Do you make your bed everyday? FOR SURE!!!! Isn't that what you are suppose to do? Always taught that you never leave your house in a mess because you don't know who may come by or what you may experience before you get home!





Link up with Mama M and join in!!!!!!! Lot's of Blogs to visit!!!!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Thoughtful Thursdays

Oh my goodness.....2 post in one day..........I must be feeling like writing....what a pleasant treat!!!! Well, don't get to excited. This is actually a copy. A copy of a post that I posted on my Church's Women's Ministries Blog. You can go check it out here. One of my great friends named Tara and I do the postings and come up with whatever the focus is. Tara and I share it so it's not so hard. I chose to go ahead and post this here so that I could share this with you.

Good Morning! Good Afternoon! Good Evening! Depending on when you are reading this. If you are a member of Cornerstone, you heard this on Sunday. If you are not, please let me give you a little bit of introduction. Pastor Rick is preaching through the book of James. Probably one of my favorites and it has so much in it. He was preaching on James 4:13-17. He was talking about boasting.
How many times have I studied this book?
How many times have I heard these particular scriptures shared?
Have you ever had something happen where you are brought to familiar scripture and the Lord just flips the switch and you see it and read it and it jumps off the page at you? I call it an "Ah-Ha" Moment. So he posed this question. "What do you boast about? Well, that question has stuck with me the entire week. I keep going back to it. Thinking and pondering what I boast about and listening to myself and others talk.
So..........What do you boast about?
As a wife and Mom, my first and immediate thought was.....
My children and my husband.
I thought about things like....
I have a roof over my head.
I have a job.
I have some education.
I have a family that loves me.
I have a few dollars in the bank.
I have medical insurance.
What about you?
What do you boast about?
The house you live in.
The money you have.
The car you drive.
The education and degrees that you have hanging on the wall.
Then Rick said something that was my true "Ah-Ha" moment. ALL OF THOSE THINGS CAN BE TAKEN AWAY. OH my goodness!!!
The ONE THING that we should be bragging about....
The ONE WHOM we should be bragging about.....
JESUS!!!!!
God loves us!
God sent His Son to die for us!
We can have a relationship with Him!
He cares for us!
He wants so much for us!
He is alive and active!
Think on this today.What do you brag/boast about?When was the last time you bragged on the Lord

Laboring and Thinking With You,
Doula Mama Pam

I am shocked!!!!

I can not believe it. I am totally shocked!!!!! I love reading blogs. I love reading and praying for the families that I read. Some of your stories just bring tears to my eyes and some have me laughing until I think my sides are going to split.

There is one that I try to read very often. His button is on the sidebar. Praying for Ryan. He is so cute and such an amazing little boy. It is clear that the Lord for sure has a plan for him. His Mom, LeighAnn blogs and shares her struggles, her funny times, her fears and her praise. She is an amazing woman. Please stop by and visit with her. You can find her here. You will be hooked when you start reading.

Anyway, she was doing a Give Away. Of course, I commented on what I liked in the catalog. I can't tell you how many times I have done that and nothing happened. I went in today and found out I won. REALLY!!! I was totally stunned!!!!! You can see it here . I still can't believe it. I have e-mailed her. So exciting. I just wanted to share with you this precious family.

Thank you so much!!!!!!!! I will continue to watch Ryan grow and continue to pray for your family. You are so sweet!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Wordless Wednesday