and I already missed a day...

Stupid lent. Ok. Not stupid, but really...I already missed a day of flossing! AND headweights. It hasn't even been a week. It hasn't even been 5 days! grr..ok, well today I got back on track and did both, so we'll see how the next few days go.

Business name: CHIPPEWA VALLEY DOULA SERVICES, LLC

Ok so this is getting a little ahead of myself, but I was researching online how to make an LLC in Wisconsin yesterday and found that there are only SIX other Doula companies listed in the WHOLE STATE! Gosh I guess that goes to show you how underused doula services are in the United States. Anyways, all of the names were something....nice. I.E. Beautiful birth, TLC, Empowering...I was thinking for my business of using just Chippewa Valley Doula Services, LLC. Simple, basic, tells you where I am, and what I do. I guess when I think of a doula, for me, I don't want someone who is...well...out there. Overly motherly or overly mushy, I want someone who is educated, to the point, understanding and empathetic in a practical way. Am I alone in that idea?

So, any opinions on that title? Would you respond positively if you heard of a service like this?

Chippewa Valley Doula Services, LLC. Providing women with educational, physical and emotional support before, during, and following the birth of their children.

Thoughts?

As an update, I'm still in the works of finishing up the reading. As I keep saying, it feels as though I'm back in college since I'm constantly carrying around these big, class-like books. But slowly I'm making my way through. I'm hoping to have my seminars done by sometime late this spring...then possibly attend a birth this summer!! Ah, makes me giddy just thinking about it.

Lent...to give up or add on?

Since yesterday was apparently Ash Wednesday (I was unaware...maybe I should check my calendars more often?) but I believe that this would be the beginning of the Lenten season. The 40 before the death of Christ. And from what I remember it's to be symbolic of the 40 days and nights Jesus spent in the desert fight the temptations of the Devil. So here we are now, and traditionally during Lent, we are to give up something in order to feel the burden of that temptation Jesus felt. Well a few years ago, someone (I have no idea who) had brought up the idea that instead of trying to say 'no' to something, why don't we say 'yes' to something positive and in line with the teachings of Jesus. In reality you probably would end up giving up something anyways by adding another...its the beauty of the give-take of time.

So this morning I have been contemplating what to 'add'...and I think there are probably a few things I could put on that list. For one, and this I realize is not exactly 'Jesus' teachings' but I'd like to try to FLOSS every day :) I've done it every day since I had my dentist appointment (on Tuesday) (which by the way...NO CAVITIES! a big improvement over the 6 at the last appointment!). I also would like to make sure I'm sticking to the treatment plan set forth by my chiropractor/husband about wearing headweights. For those that are confused, headweights are worn to correct forward head posture...something most people have and is actually developed often by the excess use of a computer...such as the one I'm typing on now. Hm..how ironic. But if you're curious, just google it, I'm sure it'll bring up something. Or use Bing..haha.

I guess I'll have to think more about other things for my list. I know one is that I'd like to take 5 minutes to pray or as I call it have a H2H (heart to heart) with God.

So I pose the question, what are all of you doing for this lenten season? Giving up? Adding on? Nothing?! :)

swim swim little fishy!

We took Keller to the YMCA last Friday and he got to test out his fins! I don't have any pictures of him in the water since Broghan wasn't at the pool yet when we were swimming around, but here are some from just afterwards and then at home after his bath!

The pictures uploaded backwards, so here are the bath pictures!

Someone got sleepy after playing in the water...but then again, I LOVE naps after a nice warm shower too :)

Family shot! Too bad Marv can't come to the 'Y'!

I had to take one like this...just in case he become a swimmer in his future! Then I can look back

and say, aww...you've loved it since you were little!

New blog got buried with the old ones

I just published a post about Christmas that somehow didn't get posted before...I thought it would pop up as a new one, but apparently it isn't and so you'll have to click back into the January month to read it. I'll post pictures and the Colorado trip break-down later!

There is a God...how much proof do you need?

The title of this post is taken from that new LeAnn Wolmack song "There is a God". It's such a beautiful song! And probably to any female reading this it won't seem strange, while to any male it probably would, that pretty much every time I hear it I have to choke back the tears because it evokes so much emotion. If you haven't heard it, google or you-tube it and check it out!

God is a topic that is not often talked about in our current society. Yes, at church or in a serious discussion, but not often is He talked about in daily conversations. To make things clear here, 1) I believe in God 2) I believe that he sent his son to become man and that he lived a life meant to become a source of guidance for us and that he died a very tragic death for our sins (Jesus obviously...making me a Christian) 3) I strive to live a life congruent with the teaching of the trinity (God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit)

I struggle to bring these three truths into my daily life and make them outwardly known. Even though doing so would probably make it easier for me to live the life I should... This is most likely because I'm unsure of how others are going to react and/or its that big social hindrance of making other people uncomfortable.

But anyways, why I'm posting...today while driving home from my in-laws house, I took a moment to survey the landscape and take in all that God has placed on the Earth for us. And the picture posted up top is what I saw. The colors were AMAZING! I actually pulled my car over to take some pictures because I just felt a need to capture it. And really, just for having this moment, this sunset, I have to believe that there is a God. How could something so perfect exist if there wasn't?

BTW: shout out to my dad on this whole idea of taking time each day to just enjoy what is around and taking in all that has been laid out for us. It was his idea and now one of mine too :)

Happy 50th Birthday to my MOM!

Just had to post a shout-out to a woman who unbeknownst to herself is strong, smart, beautiful, caring, selfless and inspirational. 50 years ago today our world became a better place and my future became possible because my mother was born. So HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY MOM! It's really a great accomplishment to reach this milestone and to have made such an impact on the world (and she doesn't even have a clue to how far that impact goes!)

Love you lots! and all of us are excited to get to spend this weekend with you to celebrate you!! Especially Keller :)