I was told I couldn't nurse my baby in public today!

While attending the Tulsa Home and Garden show today (Sat. 3/14) my family was looking forward to attending a cooking demonstration by Kitchen Craft (http://www.cookforlife.com/). We actually own several thousand dollars worth of their product and I was hoping to get some new tips on cooking with their products. When we found their booth, they were at the end of a cooking demo, passing out food on a plate for attendees to sample. I sat in the very back row after removing my 4 month old baby from the stroller with the plan to quietly nurse her and watch the demonstration. BEFORE I EVEN STARTED to feed my baby, a very rude woman associated with Kitchen Craft approached me and immediately demanded that I leave if I was going to feed my baby. I calmly told her that I was going to watch and nurse at the same time and she informed me that it was against health code regulations...keeping in mind, that while she says this - a single plate of food is being passed around with people picking food off of it. My nursing baby nor my breast milk would be any where close to any food or food items. When I refused to leave, and informed her that the state of Oklahoma allows nursing mothers to breastfeed in any public location, she stormed off to get security. (see www.ok.gov/health/organizations for further info) Bonnie J. Polak, Special Events Director for the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa arrived shortly thereafter, offering me a private area in their lounge. While she was incredibly supportive, I replied that I didn't need a private location. However, I did choose to leave and visit her office in order get her business card and to file a formal complaint against the demonstrators of Kitchen Craft. I will also be writing to the president of their company with my extreme anger at being put in a very embarrassing and humiliating situation. The women there were incredibly rude, ignorant of state law, and made a huge scene about NOTHING. I left in tears and quite frankly, a very bad taste about the products they are selling.

Then Came the Morning...

Life Lessons

My sister has recently done a post on lessons she's learned in her life - so I'm going to follow suit...

Five things I've learned in my lifetime, age 31 years...

1. Kindness for others trumps being right. Several years ago, after some rough experiences in ministry, I learned that it is just not worth it to try to be right. Rather, it's better to be kind to others, always considering their feelings first. As background - the situation that taught me this well...
I was on staff at a medium sized church, and the pastor really wanted me to have a good "program." Meaning that he wanted me to produce an excellent musical group - utilizing only volunteers. Well, being fresh out of college, and completely sure of my abilities, I treated those volunteers like students in high school, demanding perfect standards, attendance, and allowing no leeway for "life." Bottom line - I ended up really alienating many folks and now, years later have realized that feelings always need to be taken into consideration. Now, if I were in the same situation - I would use empathy and caring, rather than harshness and demands.

2. I value health! While being in ministry, one of the things that grated on me was when people were chronically sick. I guess in my mind - I felt that they needed to have a "cope and deal" attitude, rather than always complaining, or even talking about their issues. God used that in me, though, and allowed me to experience a chronic pain that has lasted years - and I now understand a bit better what people go through. I also never take my good health (that has now been restored) for granted! So even though I couldn't stand eating my veggies growing up, I willingly crave them now and eat as healthy as possible and take my vitamins, and have a chemical free household. Health is something that I do feel that we should never take for granted.

3. Being a mom is a great calling. I have always wanted to be a mother, and I am thankful that God has laid it on my heart to let that be my highest priority, next to being my husband's wife! I have never struggled or been conflicted over whether to work or to stay home - I know I'm right where I'm supposed to be! And it is wonderful to be right in the center of God's will for our family.

4. Marriage is hard work. But if you're willing to sacrifice and make a daily decision to love, it is all so very worth it. It's also something that shouldn't be taken for granted. I learned just this last year how very fragile relationships can be and through walking through a rough experience with a friend, it taught my husband and I that what we've got just really ain't all that bad! I'm so thankful to have been shown this perspective - right at a time when we desperately needed a breath of fresh air in our relationship. He is so my choice for me - every day, even when he is ornery or irritating!

5. I've learned that I really love to entertain and be hospitable. I thrive on it - even though it wears me out. I love the planning and preparing, hunting for recipes, cleaning the house, getting ready, having everything "just so..." and just the fellowship of chatting with friends. My dream house isn't really about me and my family wanting a larger space for us - we want a larger space in order to be able to give more to others! Someday!!!

Sweet baby boy

My sweet Micah,
Today you are 6 months old. I cannot even believe how quickly time has flown by. You are a precious little guy. From the day you arrived, you've done nothing but bring our family joy. I guess part of that comes from your birth order - being the 3rd kid, you've learned to adapt. No, we don't have you on a perfect schedule. No, you're not sleeping through the night. But yes, you are more than willing to flash your big ol' grin at anyone who simply looks at you. Everyone always comments about what a happy baby you are. This past week or two has brought some pretty big milestones for you, as well. You got dropped (bad momma) but you are OK! You cut your first tooth - starting rolling around like a pro - and lately, the "words" you say are becoming more prolific. I think for sure I heard a "mama" this morning - but we'll just wait and see on that one. You love all things corded - especially the phone cords at Gramma and Papa's offices. Momma's headset cord is a favorite for you, too. And as I type this - you're playing with daddy's network cable on the floor! Your big brother and sister adore you. They are so excited to peek into your crib each morning and talk to you. Tobin asks all the time when you get to sleep together in the bunk beds that you'll have in a year or so. And Shira - well, she's just a perfect little momma. She loves to hold you - and we've even let her carry you a time or two. You're just so easy going...and we are so thankful to have you as a part of our family. I love you, my sweet Micah boy. Grow strong!!! Love, Momma

just a few hours old

One Month old

about 6 or 7 weeks old - first smiles

3 months old

falling in love with his activity center and

falling asleep holding the toys hanging above him

5 months old - cracking up with daddy


6 months old - TODAY!!!

beautiful.

THIS was awesome. Go and read it for yourself.

Crown Him Faithful

We've been participating this spring in a Crown Financial Course. It is designed to teach us the principles of stewardship and a godly management of the money that God has provided to us. While it has been tedious at times, it has yielded some great opportunities for us to see God at work around us. Today was a great example - one that was so special to me that I wanted to cry tears of joy - and Kevin just laughed in joy! Since I can't tell any story quickly, here's the rundown:

As part of our experience with Crown, we were invited to meet with a financial planner in the area who offered us some assistance with our budgeting. We excitedly agreed to meet with him - because honestly, who couldn't use more help in the area of finances and stewardship?? In meeting with him, he helped us with the budget plan that we already had in place and helped us tweak it just a bit until we had a plan that both Kevin and I were pleased with - in fact, really excited about - because we could see some real progress toward reaching some of our financial goals! One area that is personal for me is the grocery budget - since I'm the one to do all the grocery shopping. He helped us set a reasonable amount for our groceries, and it has been part challenge and part game to make my grocery list "fit" within the given amount.

Part of the reason for my motivation behind starting this blog was so that I could participate in Meal Plan Monday. For years, I have occasionally done my meal plan and then shopped accordingly - and the fact that I could easily share my plan with others was appealing. I've also known all along that we tend to spend much less on groceries when I have a plan in place. So, on Monday of this week, we deposited our paycheck and I knew that I needed to grocery shop for the upcoming two weeks. I spent Monday morning scouring through my recipes and organzing a plan for the next two weeks...made my grocery list...and looked at the budget.

Now, at this point, I really can't tell you the full story without going over the specifics, so please don't think I'm trying to divulge all our financial details, just trying to share the full story! I took baby Micah and left Tobin home with his Daddy so I could shop in relative peace. Since I fight hypoglycemia, I knew I needed to grab something to eat before heading into Walmart, so I stopped at McD's on the way. Being that we're trying to stick to the budget, I wanted to get something really cheap - so I got just a double cheeseburger and ice water. $1.09! So I grabbed the rare $5 bill that was in my wallet and searched for $.09. Didn't have it exactly - but I did have a dime! So my change was $4.01 - and I then had exactly 2 pennies in my change purse.

Once I got to Walmart, I went over my envelope category for groceries. The night before, I had been to Sam's to get some staples, and had already spent $85 of our $215 budget for groceries. We had also already purchased some milk and other small things from Braums, so I just was figuring in my head that I should probably allot only $100 to keep our grocery budget intact.

Micah and I head into Walmart and I'm doing all my shopping. His car seat had to sit down in the cart, because it doesn't fit in the kids seat area, so my space to put groceries was incredibly limited. As things piled up - and Micah had two bags of bagels on his legs, I started to pray. "Lord, this cart is filling up fast. Lord, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to keep it in budget. God, you're going to have to work a miracle. I know that you can make these groceries cost what you want them to. Please help me to have enough money at the cash register. God, please make this work!" Can you hear my desperation?? I sooo want to honor Him, and I want to achieve financial freedom, and I know that one of the ways I can help with that is in being a good steward of my grocery budget.

So the checker was bagging my groceries, Micah was crying - it's always a frantic time at the checkout. And of course, she wasn't bagging my groceries to my liking, so I was rebagging everything as she went along. So it was with great surprise that she suddenly muttered something that I didn't quite hear. I looked up and said "Pardon?" I saw that she was done scanning my items - and she had actually said my total. She repeated herself, at the same time I looked at the readout. My total? Exactly $100.02!
$100. Exactly what I had in my grocery envelope.

$.02. Exactly what I had after a snack at McD's.

THANK YOU LORD!

Oh, He is sooo good. And as I walked out the van, a woman was walking by and saw me open the trunk and said "Oh, I wanted to get your number off the sign about working from home!" You see, I have a sign advertising my business on the back, and she was interested! We chatted, I gave her my card - and I praised God for the potential of another business builder!

And then.

And then, I got in the van, turned it on - and one of my favorite songs of all time came on. I've been playing Selah's God Bless the Broken Road, and "Faithful One" was set to repeat. I really don't need to say anymore, because the words are so poignant in and of themselves. Go get yourself the album. You won't be sorry.

I find no hope within to call my own
For I am frail of heart, my strength is gone
But deep withn my soul is rising up a song
Here in the comfort of the Faithful One

I walk a narrow road through valleys deep
In search of of higher ground on mountains steep
And tho' with feet unsure I still keep pressing on
For I am guided by the Faithful One

Faithful, faithful to the end
My true and precious Friend
You have been faithful, faithful
So faithful to me.

I see Your wonded hands, I touch Your side
With thorns upon Your brow You bled and died
But there's an empty tomb, a love for all who come
And give their hearts to You, the Faithful One

And when the day is dawned and when the race is run
I will bow down before God's only Son
And I will lift my hands in praise for all You've done
And I will worship You, my Faithful One