Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

   

I have needed some inspiration these last couple of weeks being a new momma and all.  This video really does encourage you to press on in a work that isn't always easy.  I am so grateful for leaders hear on earth that are called to offer wisdom and support in times when we must endure.

I love my little girl, Addie and would never trade being a mom for anything, but I definitely need angles to help me along the way.  The most worthwhile things in life are always the hardest right!!!!
 
One of my favorite chapters in the Doctrine and Covenants is section 6 verses 36 which says, "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not fear not" and 13, "If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of god"

Two weeks Old!!!!

Tomorrow Our little girl will be 2 weeks old.  The doc said everything is great with her and I am still on the mend.  I have a slight infection and he gave me antibiotics to help me heal faster.  I thought it was all in my head that I was still feeling lousy...not the case thank goodness.

Addie is getting her own little personality.  We love her so much, but mom can't wait for her to get a little older so she will sleep longer at night....I think that is what every mom wants!!!!

Dad is getting the hang of taking care of me.  He has never really been around babies until I came along.  He is better with toddler age and up so I think he's doing a good job.

ADDISON JEAN......................

ON Tuesday July 13 at 10pm Allen and I headed to the hospital to have our baby.  They started to thin my cervix and by 9am the next morning I was dilated to a 3 and ready to continue.  They broke my water around 10 and Wow.....away we went.  I think one of the first things I said after I was having very intense contractions every other minute was, "WHEN IS THE EPIDURAL COMING". 

Anyway the rest is just not that pleasant because the epidural wore off when it came time to push, so we're just going to get onto better things, like pictures of my baby cute baby girl........She really is cute, I'm just not saying it....I would say it if she wasn't.......Ha Ha Ha


 Addison Jean Strickland
      7.14.2010
6Ibs 11ounces 20inches

The Time has come...............

Went to the doctor today and I'm dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced.....So, I'm headed to the hospital at 5pm to be induced.  This could be a long night or a decent one.  I guess we'll see.  I hope it's not bad, but then that's everyone's wish, right.  

How I'm feeling........I would like to think that I'm going to be tough, but I'm a bit nervous.  I don't deal with pain very well, even though I have had a few painful experiences.  I decided though that she is going to come sooner or later and I would rather it be sooner....and I don't want to miss my doctor who goes out of town in 2 days for a week.  So, I know the pain is coming, but worth it right.....I want that fast forward button from the movie CLICK.  No such luck so I guess I will try not to die and wait for the day to pass. 

I can't believe it, by tomorrow about this time we will have a baby.  Allen says that after tomorrow we just can't leave the baby at home like we do the puppy...ha ha!! Yes Allen life is going to change.  He's excited but I know that baby stuff is all new to this guy.  He will be a great dad though, he just doesn't know it yet, but I do!!!!!!!!

Life is good even though I have a bump in the road........

I really shoudn't be traveling, but you know me!!!!

Well....Allen's sister is right in the middle of building a house and he needed to go down and wire the house for music, theater, central vac, and other things before the sheet-rock goes in.  I haven't had the baby yet so .........the holiday weekend was it.

Depending on how I felt, I was going to go because I didn't want to stay home 4 days all by myself.  We went down on Friday evening and stayed until Monday night.  I took it really easy and only had a few contractions.  Maybe I shouldn't have cause it's now Thursday and the baby still isn't here........Grrrrrrr.

You have to walk up a small incline to get up to new house, so I choose to ride...and so did everyone else.

Sierra, Connie's Youngest is 9 months old.  We watched her on Sunday.  Allen needed some practice.

Before we left Pocatello, we went and bought fireworks on the reservation so we could have a good show.  WE wanted some big fireworks and not the small, barley get of the ground ones.  We definitely had a good time.

      

WHAT I've Been Up TOO!!

I have to say that the last weeks of pregnancy are the greatest......and I still have three to go.  Those are the ones that should be miserable, I'm sure they will be. Ha Ha (It doesn't sound like I'm staying positive, but I really am)

I've definitely stayed busy this JUNE!!!!  A wedding, Baby showers, baby's room, blanket making, flower planting, house cleaning and frankly I don't have the energy anymore.  I sure try to have the energy, but lets not kid ourselves....it's just not there!!!

Here are some picture from the last months activities!!!!

BaBy ShOwEr:

I wasn't feeling the greatest at the baby shower but such is life as a pregnant lady right!!!  

 I want to thank everyone that supported me!!!!

  Sarah, my cousin (who is practically a niece) took these pictures of the shower in Utah......

I don't think I can ever look cute PREGNANT......

Getting Addie's Room Ready:

I've had a hard time deciding what colors I wanted for the baby room.  I was going to go with pinkish mauve and brown, then Baby pink, green and a red pattern....but ended up choosing purple and pink.  I'm usually not much of a purple person, but the pattern is really cute.
         

I'm not finished yet, but here is what it looks like so far.....................

 

 

  I'm trying to find a cute shelf to put above the changing table, and we haven't decided on a glider yet but that will go where the swing is now..........

Making Blankets and a few more bows....just cause it's fun!!!!!!

FLOWERS....I love planting every year....but this year.....where is my energy????

My Mama taught me well....but I also took it to heart!!!!!

I rarely watch talk shows but today I turned the TV on and there was Oprah.   She had Jamie Oliver (the food revolution guy) on her show today.  He is trying to convince  America  they need to eat better...Eat real food he says!!! He is a food guy, not a diet guy.  

It was just crazy to me what they showed American's eating and feeding there kids......PROCESSED :( :( :(   That is disgusting to eat that crap regularly. I don't mean to offend anyone, but I just thought it was common sense to make food that you knew the ingredients and to also eat fruits and veggies.  

For Example:         Making mashed potatoes from real potatoes vs. instant potatoes.....there's like 20 ingredients

                              Baking something in the oven verses frying immersed in oil.  

                              Making Chicken Nuggets vs. buying the processed who knows whats in them nuggets

                              Eating apples and string cheese instead of chips and crackers all the time

                              Making Pizza at home and not buying the frozen card board pizza. 

If you can't tell I'm ANTI processed!!!!!   Don't get me wrong, I have it every once in a while and even crave it from time to time....don't ask me why....but I never feel good afterwords.  Therefore I try not to make a habit of it.

I'm so glad that I had a mom that taught me not to rely on processed foods, but how to make things myself.....also to live the law of health. (if we all lived that better, we wouldn't have as many problems)  Everything that Jamie Oliver said on Oprah's show today was common sense to me.  It almost made me feel proud that I have a strong point and someone else agreed with me!!!

Almost Over, Right!!!

Okay, here is a picture at 34 weeks.  I really don't like the picture, but it's the only one I have.  Allen took it of me inside after we went to a wedding for one of his friends this last Saturday.  

I forgot my camera in the hotel room.  What a bummer because the Temple was so pretty with all the flowers and sunshine.  As soon as I can get a hold of someone that actually took some pictures of us, I will post those as well. 

..........Okay now that it's six months later....I have the other pictures.

34 Weeks!!!

Well I went to the doctor yesterday and we are right on schedule, 6 weeks to go.  I was kinda hoping he was going to say that I was ahead of prediction and only had 4 weeks.  I never have the luck.  I have been having braxton hicks like crazy...not so fun.  My cyst on my right side keeps getting bigger and more painful, but the one on  the left side remains small.  I guess that's lucky if you want to look at it that way.  Maybe since I haven't had the easiest pregnancy, maybe I'll have a better delivery???? (probably wishful thinking)

I've been quite busy the last month, driving to Utah for weddings, going and helping friends when they need something or support (I guess it would be nice if they lived in the area of Pocatello, but they don't), keeping up with my calling as RS meeting leader, and the doc is ready to put a stop to that.  He said it's time people come to me if they want to see me!!! I have a sealing to go to on Saturday in West Jordan, Utah but then no more traveling by myself.  I agree with him but needed someone to help me make that decision.  

Really for the most part I can't complain about things.  I am really excited to welcome Addie into our home.  I just hope her Mama can make it that long??...I will...  Good thing it's not hot yet or maybe I wouldn't.  

Allen is going to be a great Dad!!!

We were in Gooding at Allen's mom's house (Sandra's) this weekend.  It was cold, windy, rainy, and even got snow. Are you kidding me, SnOw!!!

Allen mowed the lawn while the girls went into town.  Maggie normally just stays inside, but she really wanted to be outside with Allen.  Sandra doesn't have a fence, so he put her on the lawn mower with him.  This was still going on when we got home.  It was hilarious!!!  I thought I would share because I found this so funny.

I got to thinking though, Allen is going to be a really good Dad.  He has a lot of patience...more than I have.   Most of the grand kids were there and he would sit and read stories with them and play with them....  I don't think he is going to be much of a baby daddy, but more of a toddler daddy which is just fine!!!

Making Hair Bows

I've always wanted to make hair bows but didn't know if  I would have the patience.... Well Saturday I drove down to Logan to see my friend Lisa and we split the price of supplies.  One of her friends was suppose to show us the secrets of making bows, but she wasn't able to make it, so I taught Lisa how to make flower clips and headbands.  
                        Today I went on line and found some instructions on how to make different kinds of bows.....this is my first attempt and I think I did an okay job...ha ha!!!!

Now that I know I've made a few bows...there will be more where that came from.  So far these are the bows and flowers I've made...I'm feeling pretty proud and this bow making business will definitely get easier...ha ha!


I'm always looking for tips and new Idea's so.......

THANKS LISA....IT REALLY PUTS LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE

I don't want life to get away from me.  It's hard.....sometimes money's tight or time doesn't seems to be anywhere around and you are tired of feeling down and or sick.  HOPE, FAITH, AND lending A HELPING HAND ALWAYS SEEMS TO HELP!!!!!!!

Sister Hinckley has always been an inspiration to me.  I've always wanted to be better because of her example and that of President Hinckley.  

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with perfectly manicured fingernails. 

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing my neighbor's lawn.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with the children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

~ Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Finally had the energy to finish the babies room!!

......Before painting, everything was white and blah!!!  Now we have something going.  I'm so excited to put in the carpet and get set up!!!!

Kind of a Difference??

Straight or Curly????

Allen says he likes my curly hair, and whenever I straighten it...he wonders when is it going to get back to normal.  No, he likes it straight, but says it's not me.  I guess he's right since I hardly ever do it.  (it's to much work)

Puppy Door!!!!

Yet Another Project....

A few weeks ago, Allen and I decided to put in a puppy door so I wouldn't have to let Maggie in and out 20 times a day and if we went somewhere for the night, she could stay home!!!!

 

Allen cut the holes, put in the doors and built the ramp.  I'm so glad I don't have to get involved with those things, and that he can just handle it.  

 

My job was to teach the scared little puppy to use the door.  She got the Idea of coming in that afternoon, but still insisted on going to the door to be let out...which is only normal considering I had only taught her that way for 6 months.

Now that a few weeks have gone by, I can officially say.....She gets the puppy door and I am spoiled.  She goes in and out as she pleases.  It's Wonderful!!!