What in the World???

It is Wednesday and I have not blogged. What in the world????? No, we have not fallen off the face of the earth. We are still here and still living life to the fullest.
We managed to get away to the beach for a few days and try to relax a little. That was so much fun but it never seems to be long enough. It always seems like just as you get settled and you have put everything where you want it, you have to put it all back in the suitcase, pack it up and go back to reality. That is not always a place I want to be. I had rather be at the beach....can you tell???? I have a bunch of pictures and can't wait for Not Me Monday next week. We even have the pictures to prove the Not Me side of it. It was such a stitch. I got so tickled trying to explain it yesterday. Just wait and see.
For all of you Birth Story Junkies out there, I have received e-mails from 3 of my Mom's that I can share their stories. I am soooo excited. They are excited to have it posted as well which is really exciting. I will double check about pictures but the stories are precious and wonderful. Be on the look out for those.
My September Mom is doing great. She actually has an appt today so I am just waiting to hear what the doctor has to say. She was already 3 cm the other day when I was leaving for the beach. I told her to please DON"T HAVE HER WHILE I AM GONE!!!!! Well, the Little One agreed and stayed put. Don't think we will make it to her due date. I think Mom is tired of being pregnant!!!!! I know many of you feel that way. October Mom is doing great. They don't know what their Little Love Bug is. Dad is going to announce it at the birth. Is that cool or what??? We went on a tour of their hospital the other night....SWEET!!!! It's all new, quiet, and just top notch to say the least. Very impressive. We joked about parking in the parking deck and letter her walk to Maternity Admissions. Of course, we soooo will not do that. November Mom is counting the weeks. Feeling great and looking great. They are getting ready to start packing bags and really getting things ready to go. Baby shower this weekend so that will be a blast for them. December Mom is good. We have not really started meeting yet but I do see her when she comes into the office. She is very sweet. We connected the day she came in for her interview. It was clear then!!!!! March Mom is super. She works everyday and even when she doesn't feel like it. She is a trooper!!!! I'm so excited for she and her hubby. This is their first baby. Actually, all of these Mom's and Dad's, this is their first baby. Such an awesome time in their life and at the same time I consider this so much of a privilege. They have invited me to come and share in their most intimate setting. The most personal time in their life. I truly consider it an honor and a privilege. I am still scheduling other deliveries.
I am excited that the YWCA will be starting up their Teen Childbirth Classes again. I have volunteered my services to them in whatever way they need. They are such a treat and trying to remember, they are teens but they are Teen Mom's. They are just precious.
It's time to return to work and get busy with all of the many things awaiting me on my desk. Have a wonderful day and I will try and get some pictures up this evening.

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Super Supper Saturday/Sunday

Hendrix Hamburger Helper

1 Small box of Macaroni (elbow is best)
1 can Tomato Soup
1 can whole kernel corn(DO NOT DRAIN)
1 pound of ground hamburger or turkey
1/2 small onion, chopped fine
1/2 cup shredded cheese (Optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Brown meat with onions until tender Salt and pepper to taste. Drain well. Stir in soup, corn and macaroni. It will be thick. Stir in 1 can of water. Place mixture in baking dish and cover with tinfoil. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover, top with shredded cheese and return to oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve with Green salad and crunchy bread!!!!!! DINNER IS SERVED!!!!!

This was the very first thing that my Mom ever taught me to fix for dinner. I was just learning to cook. It was just wonderful. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Have a great weekend!!!!!

Laboring (and Cooking) with You,

Doula Mama Pam

Thoughtful Thursdays--Don't forget to grab a button and put it on your blog!!!!

There are many thoughts that I could share this morning but I am not sure I can put them all on paper because they would seem so mixed up and scrambled. I'll try and may have to have 2 post for today. The brain is just working OVERTIME!!!!!!

First- I have 2 VERY special people getting married this morning in New York in Central Park on one of the small bridges. Is that romantic or what!!!!???? He picked out the music and made the CD. She is going to be dressed like no other woman this morning at 10am and he will have on a tux @ 10am. These are 2 people that I have watched for many years. Debbie I have know since I moved here almost 20 years ago and him, since he came to work at our office 5 years ago. They have both been through more that anyone can imagine and yet, through His timing He has brought them together. Reminds me of a butterfly. When you think about it, they start out as a caterpillar. Kaleb would call it a worm. Anyway, this thing with to many legs, sometimes prickly, sometimes ugly, brown, creepy, crawly finds it's way into a tree and onto a branch. It begins it's busy work of creating that cocoon. There it sits. Do you ever wonder what goes on in there? Does all of that recreating hurt? Is it painful? What really happens in there? Then if you watch closely when it's close to time for it to emerge, the cocoon starts twitching, moving, shaking on the branch. You would almost think it is about to fall off but He keeps it safe and keeps it on the branch. Then in the smallest of movements, there is one antenna sticking out. Then another. Then a head and legs and then these HUGE wings. And the MOST BEAUTIFUL butterfly emerges. Stretching its wings. Trying them out for the very first time. It has become a NEW creation. The old, yucky, many-legged caterpillar is GONE!!!!! Never to be seen again!!!!! Now, I am sure that if you got VERY close and REALLY inspected this new creation, the eyes may be close, and you may see some resemblance BUT IT IS A NEW CREATION!!!!!!! That is what I think about with these 2 people. They have experienced the ugly. The prickly. The many-legged worm so to speak. They have spent time in a cocoon. They have spent time in that cocoon with THE LORD!!!! Today, on a bridge in New York City at 10am they both will meet on that bridge emerging from their cocoon a NEW CREATION. A NEW CREATION OF ONE BODY, ONE MIND AND ONE SPIRIT. They have been in the cocoon and have experienced the transforming power of the Lord Himself. They are new people and today, they will become a new family. I am having a hard time typing because I had rather be on the floor in humbleness and praising the Lord. The tears are burning my eyes and I'm just sooooo thankful. So excited!!!! So in awe of the Lord and watching Him do what He does!!!!!! OH PRAISE YOU!!!!!!!
Chucky D and Debbie- HAPPY WEDDING DAY!!!!!!!! Love you both so much!!!!!!!
Well, time for work. Can't be late. This is His Day and I will Rejoice in it!!!!!

There will be more to follow!!!!!!
Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Have an AWESOME DAY!!!!!

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Blog Hopping Tuesday!!!!!

Two of my most favorite pictures. We don't have all of Little Man's baby pictures uploaded on the computer. For sure something to work on. Hope you enjoy!!!!
Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Not My Child Monday!!!!!!

Even though McMama is not doing a "Not Me" or "Not My Child Monday", she said that we should go ahead and do ours. Of course this would be the week for the priceless one from my youngest child. There is only one but that is enough, if you know what I mean......

We are trying to introduce the potty and talk about the potty a lot around the house. Daycare is being fabulous with the whole potty idea. They take him every hour and he stands and if nothing happens, he sits. Well, they have the little potties at school. The ones that NO ONE has at home. So at home, we purchased a "Cars" stepstool for him to use in the bathroom. He uses it when he brushes his teeth, washes his hands or is attempting to get in the bathtub on his own. He also uses it when we are "going to the potty". We do just like school. Start with standing and then we sit. Still nothing yet but he is getting the idea.
Last week, I thought I would escape for just a moment and excuse myself to the bathroom. Closed the door and try to be "alone" for just a few minutes. All of the sudden....BAM!!!!! The door flies open and there I sit. Kaleb gets his little step stool. Walks over in front of my and in the sweetest little voice says..."Here ya go mommy". Puts the step stool down and walks out the door. I was absoulutely speechless. All I could say was "Thank you sweetheart". It was just precious. A little embarrassing but precious!!!!!!!!!

Hope you have a GREAT Monday!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama Pam

Super Supper Saturday/Sunday

Mexican Dump Stew

2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 pkg of Taco Seasoning
1 pkg of Ranch Dressing Mix (powdered)
3 boneless chicken breast (not cooked),whole
1 can cream corn
1 can whole kernal corn
1 can pinto
1 can chili beans
1 can black beans
(You can use any mix of beans, just needs to be 3 cans and DO NOT DRAIN)

Open all the cans and dump them into the crock-pot. Push the chicken into the mixture. Cover and put on low for 8 hours.
After 8 hours, remove the chicken and shred. Put the chicken back in and stir to mix in.
Serving ideas
**Serve with Nacho chips
**Drain well and wrap in a tortillia
**Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and or guacamole.
**Great to do before leaving for work or even put on before going to bed and then it's ready in the morning for lunch or dinner. Great to take to covered dish events as well.

This has become one of the favorites in our house. Especially when I don't have time to fix anything. You literally dump it in, stir and cover. It is just wonderful. It will be great this fall and winter when the temp finally starts dropping. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Laboring (and Cooking) with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Fantastic Friday!!!!!!

WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!! We made it to Friday. What a very long, stressful, overwhelming week. It has just been one of those weeks. Ya know what I am talking about.!!!!?????

Well, it's Friday and it's kind of humid and drizzling rain outside. I had rather be at home in the house cleaning and doing other things but work is where I must be on this fabulous morning. What are your plans for the weekend? Even when we don't want to have a lot to do and just spend some time at home, we always end up with a check list that never gets completed but I guess that is just the way that life is.

The Hubby and I got new cell phones so of course we will need to go to the store and get all the numbers transferred. There is no way I have the patience to sit down and transfer over 130 contacts with some having multiple numbers. NOT A CHANCE when I can go somewhere and let them hook it up to a computer and press a button and everything is done. Are we spoiled or what????

Going to a corporate picnic on Saturday afternoon. Train-rides, face painting, clowns, food......hopefully the weather will be good.

Sunday-my favorite day----WORSHIP!!!!!!!! FELLOWSHIP!!!!!! with my Christian Family and Friends!!!!!!! Meet with my November Mom and Dad. They are just precious.

By the way, the BABY BABY EXPO this past weekend with Triad Mommies (http://www.triadmommies.com/) . It was GREAT!!!!! I met more people and met a lot of Mom's To Be and that was probably my favorite part. It was amazing to see some of the same people and then on the other hand meet a lot of new people and vendors. There were some AWESOME ideas and products. I actually left with over 21 Mom's To Be that were interested in receiving more information about Mother The Mother. I am getting my letter ready to send out on e-mail and we will see what happens. What I would love to see is at least 1/2 of them to call me!!!! WOULD THAT BE AWESOME!!!!! Maybe you know someone that is in need of a Doula. Please have them give me a call. I would love to talk with them. I can give them plenty of references as well. Enough about work stuff.....let's move on.

I had a conversation of sorts with a teen. She is really struggling and saying a lot of things that I don't think she realizes what she is saying. Being very casual with situations and discussions and boys. I was driving and there was a song that they play quite a bit on K-Love (http://www.klove.com/) and it talks about "falling in love with beautiful you". Forgive me because I can't remember his name. The song talks about how we need to realize that God made us the way we are and we are His. We are not THIS WORLD!!!! We can not depend on this world, our friends, other people to make us feel important, special, beautiful, lovely.....If we look at ourselves through the tender mercies and the unconditional love of our Heavenly Father, we can see who are in His eyes and THAT IS WHAT MATTERS. Not what the friends say, not what the world says but what He says about us. I've posted the lyrics at the bottom of the post. I pray that this teen would realize that she could, if she chooses to, turn it around, and realize that God has a plan for her. Pray for those precious young women that you know that may have started middle school, high school and even college. They are facing so much pressure to look, dress and behave in certain ways to be accepted. The only One that they need to please is their Heavenly Father!!!!!! Storm the gates of Heaven for these precious women!!!!!
Jonny Diaz - More Beautiful You From the album More Beautiful You
Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine Says she wants to look that way. But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake And she's always felt overweight. Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see That beauty is within your heart. And you were made with such care your skin your body your hair. Are perfect just the way you are. There could never be a more beautiful you. Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through. You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do. So there could never be a more beautiful you. Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done. Anything to get ahead And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan. Only wants what you will do instead. Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come You starve yourself to play the part. But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true And he'll treat you like the jewel that you are. Chorus So turn around you're not too far To back away be who you are To change your path go another way It's not too late you can be saved. If you feel depressed with past regrets. The shameful nights hope to forgets Can disappear they can all be washed away. By the one who's strong can right your wrongs. Can rid your fears dry all your tears. And change the way you look at this big world .He will take your dark distorted view. And with his light he will show you truth And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl.

Have A FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!!!!

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

Thoughtful Thursday

Well, it's Thoughtful Thursday. I am so sorry I didn't make it back in time to finish the post from yesterday. Maybe I wasn't suppose to finish it. Today I just wanted to share something that is on my mind. I heard it yesterday coming home from work.
I was listening to K-Love (www.klove.com) and they had the missions organization on there from Rivers of The World (http://www.row.org/) . I believe it is the director or the president of the organization that makes the little blips that you hear on the radio. It's one of those things when you listen to it, they just make you stop and think. Well, this was one of those that made me think and think again and again.
Ben Mathis is the gentleman that always talks. He has one of those voices that just really catches your attention. Anyway, I know this is not word for word, but he stated that he had received one of the most difficult phone calls that you can receive. A very close friends wife had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer and they were at the hospital. He told his friend.."I am on my way." This should be our response. We can just go and be. We don't have to say anything. Just be. Or, we can talk, we can cry, we can pray, we can laugh, we just need to be there with them. We often hear people say, "I can't do that", "I don't know what to say", "That is not my calling", "I'm uncomfortable in that kind of situation". None of these excuses are worthy of not responding. There are times where we are to be completely out of our comfort zone and do what the Lord has commanded us to do. We need to be active. We need to be sitting at the hospital while someone is in surgery, while someone is getting chemo or radiation, or with that friend at home. I often hear people say "I don't know what to say". We need to remember that sometimes we don't have to say anything. Absolutely NOTHING. For some of us that is very difficult. For some, the only thing we can do at times is sit and cry with them. That would be me. I cry at the drop of a hat. If I even think I saw a tear in your eye, my flood gates are wide open.
I was challenged yesterday. As I listened to his brief 30-60 second blip on the radio, I realized that I need to be more active. I get the e-mails, I get the phone calls and often, I don't "do". I was so convicted. I can do what He has asked of me. I am His and in order to show His Son to the world, it's time for me to be more like Him.
I hope that this is something for you to ponder today. If you have something that you need prayer for, leave it in the comment section. It will be covered in prayer!!!!!!! Have a wonderful day!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing Thoughtful Thursday with me.

Laboring with You,
Doula Mama Pam

"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you." 1 Samuel 12:23

It's The Middle Of The Week

Wow!!!!! I'm amazed and frustrated. I'm amazed that it is already the middle of the week and yet at the same time, I am so ready for this week to be done with. We are counting the days that we will get a few days of rest at the beach. I just love the beach soooooo much. If I knew I could work there and hubby could get a job there, I think we would go. Yet, I'm not sure I could work. I would want to spend all my time on the be the beach and not work. That would for sure be a problem. I have lived at the beach before and it was just awesome!!!!! I loved it. Hurricane season is not fun because you find yourself watching the weather a bit more.

My Awesome Hubby has officially finished the bathroom. It LOOKS AWESOME!!!!!! I am going to get some new mats and seat covers and all of those fun things to decorate with and then we will be posting pictures. He did an AWESOME job. It completely changed the entire look of the bathroom. We have decided to do the other bathroom to but are in no rush right now to do that.
This will be a 2 post day. I'll try to catch up more in a while!!!! Have a great morning!!!!!!

Laboring With You,
Doula Mama