Overwhelmed.
Stressed.
Scared.
Those could be a few words to describe the last 6 months. I have been physically not doing well since Finley was born. Actually before that I wasn't doing that great either, but the heat was put on after Finley's birth.
Spiritually I felt as if I was doing okay; yet, I knew I needed to press closer into Jesus. Wasn't sure how. Just kept praying, "Lord, I want to be everything you are. Totally broken and reliant on you. I want your fruit of the Spirit more than anything this world has to offer." "I want love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperence to be a evidenced daily because of you dwelling me." "I want your glory to shine through me."
Answer to this prayer-- total broken-ness. Sitting before God being totally honest: I'm scared. I need you. I want to abide in your glory even in spite of everything that is happening.
I'm broken and totally reliant on Jesus right now.
I got my doctor's report yesterday (right after Adam's grandma's funeral :-).
It was written like this:
Often a diagnosis of problems list is helpful. Such a list for Breann could include:
-Antigenic overload
-Fibromyalgia
-Cortical Adrenal Insufficency
-Poor Digestion
-GI dysbiosis
-Hypothyroidism
-Autoimmune Thyroiditis
-Endocrine Imbalance
-Peripheral Neuropathy
-Depression
-Multiple Sclerosis
Never in my life have I ever taken so many "deep cleansing breaths".
Lord, I'm broken right now. Totally reliant on you. In need of nothing else but your amazing grace. In need of complete direction from your Holy Spirit. I need you Jesus. Nothing else. No one else. Just you.
In essence, this is what I prayed for. Total reliance on you and nothing else. So Lord in all of this shine like you have never shined before.
"Come onto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
the rays of summer slowly fading...
Boy, what a summer.
Having three girls has proven to be a task.
They are the sweetest, but occupy EVERY moment of my day (or at least it feels like that).
We have simply stayed put this summer and enjoyed our home. No traveling, except a small trip to Billings. Finley HATES the car seat, so every moment we can spare her of it leaves our family more sane.
I have chosen to stay home completely leaving behind teaching and subbing for a bit. I want to focus on other passions of mine. Speaking at churches about the love of Christ, teaching the Word to those who are searching, and quietly absorbing every ounce of my children.
Elliott has started kindergarden this week and I can only imagine how she is in the classroom. She said she was able to make her class laugh this week by flipping the "Letter 'F' puppet" upside down...who knows, but I have no doubt it was funny. Mrs. Kuester is in for a run with her...
Carson is enjoying the 2 hrs. and 45 mins. she gets to spend with me daily. She is still very much into being a princess and playing with her dollies. We will be starting her own curriculum soon, but I need to get it all together. She will be a totally different ball game than Elliott with a completely different learning style. She will be a joy to work with and it will be enjoyable to see her learn.
Then there is Finley. Fat Finley is what she has been dubbed by her dear mother! She is so HUGE. Her doctor laughs when he sees her and has called her a line-backer. She is in the 97th percentile for her height and weight (as of her last check-up), which is so the opposite of her two peanut sisters. She is very strong and such a sweet thing. She has been rolling around for quite some time now and this week has started scooting. She gets so mad that she scoots around the living room (quite a tempermental little thing). She has begun to give chuckles to her sisters' delight!
And then there is Adam who is busily and kindly providing for his family. God bless you Adam for all you do for us. What a wonderful husband I have. Enough said.
Having three girls has proven to be a task.
They are the sweetest, but occupy EVERY moment of my day (or at least it feels like that).
We have simply stayed put this summer and enjoyed our home. No traveling, except a small trip to Billings. Finley HATES the car seat, so every moment we can spare her of it leaves our family more sane.
I have chosen to stay home completely leaving behind teaching and subbing for a bit. I want to focus on other passions of mine. Speaking at churches about the love of Christ, teaching the Word to those who are searching, and quietly absorbing every ounce of my children.
Elliott has started kindergarden this week and I can only imagine how she is in the classroom. She said she was able to make her class laugh this week by flipping the "Letter 'F' puppet" upside down...who knows, but I have no doubt it was funny. Mrs. Kuester is in for a run with her...
Carson is enjoying the 2 hrs. and 45 mins. she gets to spend with me daily. She is still very much into being a princess and playing with her dollies. We will be starting her own curriculum soon, but I need to get it all together. She will be a totally different ball game than Elliott with a completely different learning style. She will be a joy to work with and it will be enjoyable to see her learn.
Then there is Finley. Fat Finley is what she has been dubbed by her dear mother! She is so HUGE. Her doctor laughs when he sees her and has called her a line-backer. She is in the 97th percentile for her height and weight (as of her last check-up), which is so the opposite of her two peanut sisters. She is very strong and such a sweet thing. She has been rolling around for quite some time now and this week has started scooting. She gets so mad that she scoots around the living room (quite a tempermental little thing). She has begun to give chuckles to her sisters' delight!
And then there is Adam who is busily and kindly providing for his family. God bless you Adam for all you do for us. What a wonderful husband I have. Enough said.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
May 3rd...
Finley Joy Coughlin
May 3rd, 2011. 10:44 a.m.
8 lbs. 6 oz. 22 inches
Wonderful blessing!
I started contractions at about 2:15 a.m. Slept until around 6:00 a.m. Got up. Took a bath. Did laundry. Walked around a bit. At 9:30 I suggested we go to the hospital just to check to see where I was dialated and shockingly I was already at an 8. It didn't take long to get to 9 cm. Dr. Solberg broke my water and the "horrid" contractions and back labor started. Thankfully I only experienced that for about 40 minutes, which included pushing. So all-in-all it went as well as could be expected. Thank the Lord.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
God's gift--our little princess
April 20th, 2008, we were blessed by God and Carson Ann Benton Coughlin was born at 4:33 p.m. It was the beginning of our adventure with our little Annie girl. She is the sunshine in our house: full of energy, laughter, giggles and funny faces. She is definitely as funny as her name sake!
Yesterday we celebrated Carson's 3rd birthday with her girl cousins Reagan, Lucy, and Abrianna, her little friend Alethia, and of course Elliott. It was themed, "A Princess Party" and each girl dressed up in their best princess outfit. :-) Very cute! I was late to the party for various reasons, but Adam was able to get it moving. I would say in Carson's book it was a success.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Afternoon at the park
We had Abrianna as our guest the other day. The girls love when their cousin comes over for a playdate. We decided the park was a necessity with the temps hitting a wonderful 60 degrees!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Okay, so I'm now not feeling so hot. I'm trying to distract myself right now by posting something...I don't think it's going to work!
I tried giving Elliott a haircut tonight. Not such a good idea at all. Let's just say it was a great deal more difficult than I thought it would be. My dear auntie Coleen will be fixing it tomorrow--Thank the Lord! Luckily Elliott's hair was crazy long so there still is a bit to work with before it hits her shoulders! Dad's going to be shocked to see this:-)
Two things I learned from this:
1. A fabric scissors does not cut hair well at all.
2. There are some things I just cannot do.
I tried giving Elliott a haircut tonight. Not such a good idea at all. Let's just say it was a great deal more difficult than I thought it would be. My dear auntie Coleen will be fixing it tomorrow--Thank the Lord! Luckily Elliott's hair was crazy long so there still is a bit to work with before it hits her shoulders! Dad's going to be shocked to see this:-)
Two things I learned from this:
1. A fabric scissors does not cut hair well at all.
2. There are some things I just cannot do.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Long days put into perspective
Sometimes the days are just long. Starting last Thursday Carson has been fevering and coughing and has continued up till this point. She is such a sweetie-pie its hard to see her down and out. I am so greatful Brook took Elliott today because she is so verbally demanding. She talks and talks continunally and wants immediate responses within a nano-second! She has no clue she is like this; she's just five!
I was so greatful for my devotions this morning. I have been studying the gospel of Mark and it has been so encouraging to reconnect with Jesus in a gospel again. This morning I was at the point past the Mount of Olives into Pilates court. I was tentative to read the cruxification for fear my mind was not ready to contemplate such heavy scripture. I prayed the Lord would put me in the right mind set and prayerfully continued reading the cruxification story. I then read the commentary out of the book "The Desire of Ages" concerning the cruxification (the all-time best book on the life Christ aside from the Bible itself). When I read the words, "It is finished." It hit me again. It really was finished. The work of Christ as our sacrificial lamb and atonement, was complete and sin and death were conquered! With tear filled eyes all I could do was look up and cry, "Hallelujah!"
No matter what each day holds, and there are much more difficulties than my child being sick, I know "It is finished." I can rely wholly and completely on Jesus to carry me through because he silently carried every burden of mine to the cross and conquered it. Praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Hallelujah to the Lamb that was slain!
I was so greatful for my devotions this morning. I have been studying the gospel of Mark and it has been so encouraging to reconnect with Jesus in a gospel again. This morning I was at the point past the Mount of Olives into Pilates court. I was tentative to read the cruxification for fear my mind was not ready to contemplate such heavy scripture. I prayed the Lord would put me in the right mind set and prayerfully continued reading the cruxification story. I then read the commentary out of the book "The Desire of Ages" concerning the cruxification (the all-time best book on the life Christ aside from the Bible itself). When I read the words, "It is finished." It hit me again. It really was finished. The work of Christ as our sacrificial lamb and atonement, was complete and sin and death were conquered! With tear filled eyes all I could do was look up and cry, "Hallelujah!"
No matter what each day holds, and there are much more difficulties than my child being sick, I know "It is finished." I can rely wholly and completely on Jesus to carry me through because he silently carried every burden of mine to the cross and conquered it. Praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Hallelujah to the Lamb that was slain!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
It's been a great weekend. Currently I am sitting in complete silence with Carson napping and Elliott entertaining herself downstairs. Awww!! Refreshing.
The sun has shone for two days hitting the 40's both days. What a fabulous blessing. (We will excuse the unruly wind today as long as it stays in the 40's.)
Brett and I have decided to use Dad and Mom's timeshare in Florida, so we are tramping down to Orlando in two weeks. We'll be there for about 5 days, which gives us plenty of time to relax, go to the beach, and roam Orlando. Both of us are desperate for more sun. Two pregnant sisters + sunshine=fun!
I am now 28 weeks and 2 days! Yay! It is so different this time. I am looking SO MUCH forward to labor because I know I will survive (even though it's terrible:-) and have a beautiful new baby on the other end! I am still convinced this little one is a boy. I'll take a girl too, but Brett and Brook insist because of my insane citric cravings that it is a boy. Is it normal to each 15 oranges and at least 8 grapefruit a week?
We are planning a week long vacation in Glacier National Park this summer with my side of the family. Actually Adam and I still deciding if we want to go with a new little one, but I think we are leaning that way. The cabin has been obtained whether we decide to go or not and it is beautiful and in a beautiful location! So much to look forward to!
The sun has shone for two days hitting the 40's both days. What a fabulous blessing. (We will excuse the unruly wind today as long as it stays in the 40's.)
Brett and I have decided to use Dad and Mom's timeshare in Florida, so we are tramping down to Orlando in two weeks. We'll be there for about 5 days, which gives us plenty of time to relax, go to the beach, and roam Orlando. Both of us are desperate for more sun. Two pregnant sisters + sunshine=fun!
I am now 28 weeks and 2 days! Yay! It is so different this time. I am looking SO MUCH forward to labor because I know I will survive (even though it's terrible:-) and have a beautiful new baby on the other end! I am still convinced this little one is a boy. I'll take a girl too, but Brett and Brook insist because of my insane citric cravings that it is a boy. Is it normal to each 15 oranges and at least 8 grapefruit a week?
We are planning a week long vacation in Glacier National Park this summer with my side of the family. Actually Adam and I still deciding if we want to go with a new little one, but I think we are leaning that way. The cabin has been obtained whether we decide to go or not and it is beautiful and in a beautiful location! So much to look forward to!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Adios January...
I've never been a big January fan. This January I tried not to dwell on the fact that we were in the middle of frigid weather most of the time and focus on things to do with Elliott and Carson. I was so thankful for a reprieve from the cold for a week! The weather looks as if it is going to warm up to the 30's again for the weekend, and I am VERY thankful and greatful!
Today has been interesting. I think I have the "nesting" bug because all I can do is think and act out how I can rearrange everything to maximize the space in our house to accomodate baby number 3. We put up bunkbeds in the girls room upstairs, so now that room will be for all three kidlets! What are we thinking!? Well, Elliott has made it very clear she will not be moving into the basement anytime soon. Also we would like to do a few renovations to the basement before we settle any children permanately down there. Nothing to major--just pulling down some paneling and new carpet. We are in no major rush, but would like to get it done in the next couple of years (did I just write years!?).
I am currently 26 weeks and 4 days along. Yes, I have it down to the days. I am not a huge fan of being prego, so days are extremely important to me! In a few short days I will start the third trimester. I had some major goals this pregnancy. I was determined to get help for my digestive system and I know God led me to the right doctor to do that. Thank you Lord! Also I was determined to keep on my regular workout routine. I have always walked in the past during pregnancy, but now I have restless legs and if I don't absolutely wear those buggers out I do not get any sleep! So far so good. I'm hoping I can keep it up very close to my due date.
I am very excited for the month of February (one month closer to warmer weather:-). I have always liked the randomness of 28 days. The girls are looking forward to Valentines' Day. Adam and I will attempt, like every other little holiday, to make it special to give them another good memory. They are such sweet little girls.
Today has been interesting. I think I have the "nesting" bug because all I can do is think and act out how I can rearrange everything to maximize the space in our house to accomodate baby number 3. We put up bunkbeds in the girls room upstairs, so now that room will be for all three kidlets! What are we thinking!? Well, Elliott has made it very clear she will not be moving into the basement anytime soon. Also we would like to do a few renovations to the basement before we settle any children permanately down there. Nothing to major--just pulling down some paneling and new carpet. We are in no major rush, but would like to get it done in the next couple of years (did I just write years!?).
I am currently 26 weeks and 4 days along. Yes, I have it down to the days. I am not a huge fan of being prego, so days are extremely important to me! In a few short days I will start the third trimester. I had some major goals this pregnancy. I was determined to get help for my digestive system and I know God led me to the right doctor to do that. Thank you Lord! Also I was determined to keep on my regular workout routine. I have always walked in the past during pregnancy, but now I have restless legs and if I don't absolutely wear those buggers out I do not get any sleep! So far so good. I'm hoping I can keep it up very close to my due date.
I am very excited for the month of February (one month closer to warmer weather:-). I have always liked the randomness of 28 days. The girls are looking forward to Valentines' Day. Adam and I will attempt, like every other little holiday, to make it special to give them another good memory. They are such sweet little girls.
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