Have you been taught a lie??

Have you been taught the LIE of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture? Did you even know that it is a lie? Many, many, many believe they will be secretly whisked away by Jesus before the tribulation occurs. However, the King James Bible teaches an entirely different doctrine. Watch for free, share and make this viral. The truth of the Bible and the rapture that only occurs, immediately after the tribulation.

Happy 14th Birthday, Girls!

My sweet babies are 14!

Kiley and August turned 14-years-old last week. This past weekend we celebrated with some of their friends, and friend's mom's at a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant, followed by a sleepover at our house. The dinner was a blast. Many of the girls had never experienced the teppanyaki-grill entertainment before. The food was absolutely delicious. 

My husband and two little girls got out of dodge for the evening and packed up to go to Oma and Opa's.

The sleep-over was very low-key to my amazement. All of the friends' mom's were invited to sleepover, but only one decided to party with us. The girls made a craft, got their sleeping mask party favors, sang Happy Birthday, and played some Apples to Apples. A few of their friends even got to have their hair done by a professional hair stylist (my mom).

Around 2:00am, I walked around the entire house to check on the girls and found 3 already asleep. This is unheard of for any sleep-over I had ever been to. August and a friend were in her room knitting scarves and the other two girls were in the kitchen having a conversation with the other mom. I sat on the couch and fell asleep.

I awoke in the morning to a clean kitchen (what fantastic girls), and 8 sleeping girls.

Pictures of our evening:

E and Haley

M, Kiley and our Spare Kid

My Mom

M and Kiley

Two of my good friends.
One brought her daughter and the other is a mom to only boys
so we invited her over to come hang with us and have some fun girlie time. 

My Pastor's wife, me and my mom

Onion volcano after the fire went out. The food was awesome.

Our sleeping mask party favors. We bought the masks
and then  customized them with our own personalized  labels. 

The whole gang. 

Their craft was making dry-erase memo boards from picture frames with pretty
 scrapbook paper inside.  I found mini dry-erase markers and magnetic mini erasers.

Finished frames

Finished frames

Drug testing for welfare and public assistance?

Should there be drug testing for Welfare or other Public Assistance recipients?

I see this question often on Facebook. Most people answer with a resounding, "YES", of course they should. Mostly the claimed reason is that the employed person, having been drug tested themselves to maintain their employment, is paying taxes that contributes to the welfare system. The fact that the welfare system is wrong and shouldn't exist is another post for another time. Since it does exist, and this drug-testing-issue is important to many people, I want to elaborate on why I say, "No, they shouldn't be tested". I'm sure I'm in the minority here but I'll type it out anyway.

First and foremost, I believe doing drugs is wrong. The Bible tells us we are to be sober, but you will not find prohibition there.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8 

That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. Titus 2:2
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. Titus 2:6; 

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, Titus 2:4 

This is my list of reasons/concerns and oppositions on this issue.

• It's discriminating against a specific group of people. Drug testing for a job is at the discretion of that employer, it is not the same thing. Welfare and public assistance are intended as a temporary help for those who are facing hardship. Singling them out for testing is discrimination against poor people. That being said, I do not believe that employers should drug test anyone either. What is the purpose? They already have the right to terminate the employee if they do not meet the performance requirements. I wonder is it only because drugs are illegal? Or do they also test for legal drugs like, alcohol and prescription narcotics, cigarettes, which can be more dangerous than illegal street drugs. If an employee comes to work sober, on time, works their scheduled shift and follows the requirements for the position why should the employer be so concerned with what they do in their free time?

• Privacy is invaded. The government wants us to believe that they set up Welfare/ PA to aid those in need, correct? Are these people no longer entitled to security and privacy because they have asked for help? This forces them to relinquish their 4th Amendment rights! Yes, I understand that they are receiving the benefits of another person's labor and paid taxes. Not everyone on welfare is refusing to work. If they are working, they are also having taxes deducted from their paychecks. The argument that only non-welfare/PA individuals are paying all the taxes, is false. Many of them have the same taxes withdrawn from their paychecks. This is what the people have allowed our government to do. I believe our government makes it extremely difficult to survive without asking for aide. They have taxed the people to the hilt, robbed them of their hard-earned incomes and then offered back their own money in the form of assistance. Wouldn't that technically be drug testing before returning their own money to them?

• The automatic assumption that families accepting welfare/PA are drug addicts is appalling. This is a slippery slope. It's a common assumption that people on welfare/PA are lazy drug-addicts who refuse to work while happily sitting at home getting one over on hard-working folk. In a time where "tolerance" and "equality" are shoved down our throats, this type of stigmatizing the poor is surprising.

• Where is the same concern for other recipients of our tax dollars? The same demands to test public and government employees paid through tax dollars doesn't exist. How often have we heard of their immoral financial choices? Are members of the Senate and Congress drug tested? Is the President? Maybe they all are, I don't know. If they all are I'll retract this part of my post. Why are we not adhering to "what's good for the goose is good for the gander"?

• Drug testing is extremely expensive and doesn't yield results that would be expected. Florida already implemented this at an exorbitant cost to tax payers. Passing such a thing will only lighten the pockets of tax payers while lining the pockets of drug-testing companies. At the price of drug tests it could very well add more than $4 million dollars to the annual budget in most states. This is not cost-effective at all.

• Most drugs, save Marijuana, are out of a person's system in 24 to 72 hours making it extremely difficult to detect. I wonder if the real issue at hand is to catch those using pot? I do not use Marijuana. I do not consider Marijuana a harmful drug. Actually, I don't consider it a drug at all, but a very beneficial plant when used appropriately. It has many, many healing and disease curing abilities. It is 100% less harmful than any illegal or legal drug/alcohol. No one has EVER died from an overdose unlike all other "drugs". It would be perfectly acceptable for a recipient on welfare/PA to receive morphine, antidepressants or benzodiazepine's even though all of those are harmful and addictive and have caused many deaths. All recipients would need testing several times each month to "catch" them. Can you imagine how much that will cost?

• How can we be sure that the test was accurate? They can give false results. What happens to a family, who has not used drugs, and then the test shows positive in error? They lose their assistance and all credibility through no fault of their own.

• The children of those people would be hurt more than the recipient of the assistance. If you have no experience with drug addicts you should know that forcing one to quit never works out well. An addict of anything will only quit when they realize they need or want to quit. Taking away the means to feed their families will not force them to stop using drugs.

• Those who are fortunate enough to not need help during a tough time become dictators of those receiving help. This is a problem with forced charity. It's no longer giving, it becomes forced taking and redistributing; in turn this causes animosity in the tax payer. They now insist that they control the way the welfare recipient uses their tax dollars.

Again, I think drugs are wrong. They, more often than not, destroy lives and families. But, they should not be illegal. The government should not have the power to tell anyone how to run their lives. As we allow them the power to tell us what we can/can't put into our bodies, it will get out of control and they will eventually start forcing their poison vaccine injections or consumption of their genetically modified garbage. You can't force people to do what you think they should do. They are just as passionate about how they believe; they want to live their lives just as anyone else.

The 4th Amendment in case you are unfamiliar: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, SHALL NOT BE VIOLATED, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Peanut Butter Cups

Don't you just love them? We do! A few weeks ago I was cruising around on Pinterest and found a blog. I quickly decided I loved this new blog I found. It is filled with tons and tons of DIY laundry soap, and cleaners and some very yummy looking recipes. I came along a recipe for HOMEMADE Peanut Butter Cups at One Good Thing by Jillee.

I followed all of the same instructions except, I used a long stiff-tipped paint brush to coat the sides of the muffin cups.

Please forgive my pictures in advance. I was using the camera phone.

Coated cups. The paint brush made it much easier.

Half peanut butter filled and half are done.

Fresh from cooling. 

Fantastic!!

Cancer strikes our family again

This post is about my middle sister, Kathryn. Her Hodgkin's Lymphoma has returned after being gone for a year. I know everyone is struggling at this time, if you can help, that's wonderful. Prayers and sharing the link are just as wonderful. We love her, we don't want to lose her. Her baby girl needs her Mommy. The site is set up to help her while she is receiving her treatment, her relapse is considered stage 4. She can no longer work, and gets no disability from her job because it's a government job. Thank you for whatever you can do.

My step-daughter, Haley, lost her mother to the same cancer 8 years ago. I'll write her story here one day. 

This here is the link to Kathryn's story and her donation site. 

My sister Kathryn and my niece. 

What is Hodgkin's Lymphoma?

Hodgkin's Lymphoma is characterized by the presence of a special type of lymphatic cell called a Reed-Sternberg (RS) cell. These cells are giant lymphocytes derived from B-cells. Because they are larger than healthy B-lymphocytes, and they often look like "owl's eyes," diagnosis is easily made when cells are examined under a microscope.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma can affect the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and other internal organs.

Turtle Power!

I have been crocheting for about two years. My grandmother taught me when I was younger and then I forgot how. I re-taught myself with a book and good ole' You Tube. I've been mostly making dishcloths (which I love), scarves and an afghan here and there (I have two half done). Most recently I've discovered the Amigurumi animals. There are so many I want to make. I have done a few now, and they are just way too cute.

I just made these Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I found the pattern on Pinterest linked to here. I altered the original pattern a bit to fit the way I wanted it to look. I used her arm instructions for my turtles legs and then following the style of those legs I made smaller ones for the arms.

Aren't they fun??

Heroes in a Half-Shell

I have a bunch of other fun crochet projects I'm working on for gifts for this year. I'll be sharing as I finish. 

Weight loss progression photos

I don't notice it too much myself, but I can definitely see it in the pictures.

180 pounds

163 pounds

and the Lord hath taken away

.................the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21b

Yesterday the loss of the baby started. I thought I was prepared for this again; I knew it was coming. But I was still holding on to some hope that it could still work out. Seeing the evidence that the loss had begun threw me into reality. I had horrible contractions this morning. It did not hurt like this last time. I had to take something for the pain because it was so intense. I'm feeling a little better with the medicine but it's still quite painful. I'm hoping this doesn't go on for too long. 

I had a sobbing crying breakdown this morning. I want to understand what is going on with my body and why this keeps happening. I am going to continue on with my organic diet and weight loss quest, but am planning on putting forth a greater effort to eliminate all GMO's from my diet. I watched a documentary on the GMO foods and studies have been done on rats and mice and they have lost fertility after consuming GMO foods. I think I was able to finally conceive again because of the organic diet and health choices I have been making. 

Why am I blogging about this? Because I have spent a lot of time searching for and reading about other women's experiences with Tubal Reversal and trying to conceive afterward. I am often encouraged by others' experiences. I hope that somehow these posts may be helpful for a woman experiencing the same as me and she will feel like she is not alone. I also do hope to update someday soon with the delightful news that we have overcome the TR challenges and have a healthy baby on the way. 

I am planning on starting a diet aimed more toward fertility hormone healing also. I don't think it is just coincidences that all 3 losses happened at exactly 5 weeks and 6 days gestation. There is something either hormonal wrong with me or there is something effecting the health of my eggs. 

I have appreciated your prayers and the kind words I've received. I'm hoping my emotional recovery will be minimal this time around. I can't decide whether this is getting easier each time, or harder. 

Update

Update from yesterdays post found here.

My Dr called a little while ago with the result of my blood tests today. My beta numbers went from 139 on Thursday to only 186 today. They are supposed to double every 48-72 hours, but mine are doubling at a rate of every 9.51 days.

The Dr is going to keep up with 48 hour blood draws because she's worried about ectopic pregnancy again.

For now, I continue to wait until the pregnancy miscarries.

I appreciate the prayers, and hopefully next time will have a better outcome.

-Kimmie

The Frustrating Side of Tubal Reversals

Two years ago today, September 15th 2010, I had my tubal ligation reversed. It has been a very long two years with no babies yet to show for this surgery. I really had naive expectations that I would just become pregnant and that would be that. However, this is just not so. In December 2010, just 3 months after the surgery, I conceived, our due date was set for September 15, 2011, wasn't that just perfect! We were very surprised to be expecting as we had not really been trying. That pregnancy ended as an ectopic pregnancy a few weeks later. This absolutely shattered me. That loss still hurts me and I assume it always will.

It took us 7 more months to become pregnant again. August 28, 2011 we found out and were a little nervous be excited, too. Sadly on September 15, 2011 (see a pattern here?) I miscarried. This was just as devastating. I went into a depression with an obsession to become pregnant again, I put on 30 pounds in the process. It used to be so easy for me to have babies, I can't believe it is now so hard.

I blogged a few months ago about having a procedure done to check the status of my tubes. One appeared to be fine and the other appeared blocked. In May, a month after this procedure, I had several positive pregnancy tests but then began bleeding shortly after that. I didn't even have enough time to inform my Dr.

I gave up trying and obsessing and started changing my eating and exercise habits. I had resolved myself to the fact that another child is just not in God's plan for us. For the last 3 months I have focused on my health and weight. My journey to lose 50 pounds was interrupted last Sunday when I discovered I am pregnant yet again. Adam and I were thrilled, surely this one has to work out. Perhaps my depression and obsession was preventing me from becoming pregnant.

I went in to the lab on Wednesday to have blood drawn to check my progesterone and hcg beta. The beta came back great 124 for 4w2d, but they didn't test the progesterone like they were supposed to, this is what I was more concerned with. Low progesterone can be the cause of early pregnancy loss. I went back on Thursday for the progesterone draw and they checked the hcg again. It didn't increase very much, only to 139. My heart is shattered again, it should be increasing more than that. My progesterone was at a scary 7.9, it should be closer to 20. All signs point to losing this pregnancy, too. I'll be 5 weeks along on Monday, and am now on progesterone supplements twice a day. I don't know if this will save my baby or not, but my faith is hopeful. I am trusting God that he knows what he is doing. It's hard still, I just want my baby. This is hard on me and Adam as well. The kids are upset and I'm sure the few family members we've told are sad as well.

I have tubal reversal friends who have had babies with no problems, others who are similar to me - with several unexplained losses and then ones who haven't been able to conceive at all. I'm desperate for your prayers, that God would allow us to keep this sweet child.

I have another blood draw on Monday. I'm praying for a miracle.

I haven't told a lot of my family (just parents) and I'm not sure if any of them ever read my blog. I hated having to call everyone before to tell them we lost our first baby, I can't do that again.

If you're a family member, and read this, please don't take it personal that we haven't told you. We are trying save ourselves form all of the, "I'm Sorry-ies" It's hard to hear. I'm writing here because I need some outlet. This waiting is enough to drive anyone crazy. I just want to be able to see a little heartbeat on the ultrasound. That would make me so happy.

Update to follow after my tests on Monday.

Another one bites the dust

Another pound that is. No sooner did I update about my plateau did I check my scale and see I've hit the 15 pound mark. DID YOU READ THAT??? I've never lost 15 pounds before in my life, except for the days I gave birth. This is EXCITING!!!!!!

Okay, I'll calm down, sorry for the extreme punctuation.

I have a feeling the increased exercise has helped me get past these discouraging last 3 weeks of no loss. Hopefully we are back on track.

My stats:

MY GOAL: 130 pounds

July 1: 180 pounds. 

August 1: 169 pounds 11 POUNDS LOST! yeah!

September 1: 166 pounds 14 POUNDS LOST!

September 5: 165 15 POUNDS LOST!

Weight Loss Progress

I'm still truckin' along but for the last 3 weeks I've been stuck at the same weight. I've been sticking to my 1200 calories for the most part, but I think the plateau is due to not enough exercise. I've upped my treadmill time to walking/running 1 mile as quickly as possible regardless of how long it takes. Whew! That is a bit of work.

I regret to inform that I don't have an updated photo, yet. It's coming, eventually. 

For now the status is: 

My stats:

MY GOAL: 130 pounds

July 1: 180 pounds. 

August 1: 169 pounds 11 POUNDS LOST! yeah!

September 1: 166 pounds 14 POUNDS LOST!

Eeek! I forgot the graduation.

Uhhh, I forgot to post about the girls' graduation in June. A few days before the Disneyland surprise trip we had a  ceremony at our church for the kids who were being promoted or graduating from high school. I had four of our girls participating.

Kiley and August were being promoted from 8th grade to high school and Emily and Julia were graduating from Kindergarten.

Is that the school bell, again?

Julia, Kiley, August and Emily

We started back to school, yesterday, the 10th. I still can't wrap my mind around starting school so early, but I don't get to choose. Fortunately for us homeschoolers it doesn't make too much of a difference. We can do school anywhere.

I stayed up very late the night before making four of the girls a schultuete for their first day.  My husband's mother is from Germany and I want to incorporate some of that culture into my children's lives. I had more elaborate plans for these originally, but my procrastination wouldn't allow for that. There really are some amazing ones out there on the internet. The girls were thrilled with them, so that makes me happy. Traditionally, in Germany, the schultueten are given to 6-year-old children starting first grade, but I had to make them for the older girls as well, since they had never had one. 

My mother-in-law on her first day of school. Isn't she just darling? 

All set up for the morning surprise.

First day of 9th Grade

Kiley's first day of high school

Julia's first day of first grade

Emily's first day of first grade

August's first day of high school

Juila and Emily, holding their first day of Kindergarten photo. They've grown so much!

Opening the goodies

Who could resist?