Happy Easter!

The Easter Story: The Resurrection

Written by Holman Christian Standard Bible

This Scripture selection from Matthew focuses on the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28:1-20

Resurrection Morning
¹ After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. ² Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. ⁵

But the angel told the women, "Don't be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell His disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.' Listen, I have told you."

⁸ So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. ⁹ Just then Jesus met them and said, "Good morning!" They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus told them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there."

The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
¹¹ As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹² After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money ¹³ and told them, "Say this, 'His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.' ¹⁴ If this reaches the governor's ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble." ¹⁵ So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.

The Great Commission
¹⁶ The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Scriptures taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

For more information on The Easter Story visit LifeWay Christian Resources.

The Frazzled Female

Ok, the time has come to face the reality that every woman will be "frazzled" at some point in her life. Mine just so happens to be now. I would have never thought to say it, but it's been named and it's time to be claimed.

I am a "Frazzled Female"!

Author Cindy Wood, defined it best when she wrote the book The Frazzled Female. In her book, a "frazzled female" is defined as 1: a woman of the twenty-first century who is stressed, frayed, challenged, frenetic...and totally dependent on God to keep all of those segments of her life together; 2: YOU?

Wow! I couldn't find a more perfect way to describe ME at this moment (or for the past few weeks)

I came to the realization after having several people in one week mention how busy I am and how much stuff I have going on in life. Besides the fact that I am a wife and new mom, I am also working outside the home full-time, I run a part-time business from home, I am finishing my second bachelor degree on campus at the university, and I also manage to blog.

I never thought about it until it was brought to my attention. These are just the things that I do. All of us women do a lot of things at a time, it's called multi-tasking right! Well, the thing is that in the midst of all this multi-tasking, hustling to and from here and there, dropping off and picking up baby, going to the office, making travel arrangements for clients, and studying for an accounting exam, something is being neglected. It is probable that many things are being neglected.

How do I know? Because an instructor told me so. Not directly. She didn't say, "Hey Tonia (she has no idea I'm Chatty Momma), you have a lot on your plate and your neglecting something important!", but what she said, or rather asked was, "Are you really busy with life right now?"

"Whoa", I thought, "How do you know? Is it written on my face? Can you tell by my actions? Do I look exhausted?"

Obviously I didn't ask her the answer to my thoughts. The truth hurts sometimes.

Besides, I already know the answer. The answer is, yes- it is written on my face, my actions show it, and I do look exhausted! It's sad, but true, and then not so bad. It's sad, because I've let myself get busy with so many things that I have not been rejuvinated properly in a while, but it's not so bad since I am admitting my "frazzled" state now.

Everyone knows the first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem!

Well, my problem first and foremost is the first appointment of my day needs to be spent with God (alone). Instead of dragging Him along thoughout my day asking for advice at the moment I need it, instead of asking what I need to do right before I need to do it, and instead of asking how to accomplish all of these things at the very moment they need to be done, I need to keep the standing meeting with him at the start of my day so we can work these things out then. I need to receive his guidance and peace in order to get through each day. Everything else will fall into place. I have to admit, with a new baby to dress in addition to myself in the morning after a long sleepless night, an extra twenty minutes in bed is all I think will get me through the day sometimes.

I am mistaken. My quiet time with God alone will always get me through the day and it will reflect on my face, in my actions, and in my energy level!

As the book states, I am ready to find God's peace in my daily chaos.

I'm starting today!

Journey with me as I "de-frazzle" and reclaim my stress free, fun, vibrant, high-energy, and confident self. If you are "frazzled" too, join me!

March for Babies

I would like to announce the start of our 2008 fundraising effort to help The March of Dimes March for Babies Campaign.

Please visit "The Sanders March for Babies Blog" at www.thesandersmarch.blogspot.com, to join us on the journey.

Along the way you will hear all about our prematurity story as well as receive a lot of great information related to the March of Dimes and prematurity.

Please donate to the campaign using the official link on the sidebar of this page or at:

www.marchforbabies.org/isabellareneesanders

Thanks for your support!

New Friends Aren't Hard to Find!

This weekend during a trip to Publix we ran into a familiar female face. The first thing she said was, "Wow, I see you guys everywhere I go!", and I thought, "You're right. We had birthing classes together, we visited the same lactation boutique, we attend the same church, our babies even go to the same nursery class on Sunday!"

The sightings first started back in September 2006 when my husband and I were taking birthing classes and preparing for the final stretch of pregnancy. She and her husband were in our class along with many other couples, who just like them were already 31 weeks and beyond. I was only 26 weeks, very sick and just a teensy-bit jealous that they would all be having their babies so soon. Especially since they were so happy-go-lucky with no complications. (I attended class twice a week, religiously spitting in my cup and throwing up everything as a result of hyperemesis and ptylism.) I was so miserable and sick that I never thought about meeting or getting to know any of the couples in there. All I could think of was getting home every evening and back into my bed, not to mention I felt as though all of them would be enjoying their babies long before mine would ever be born.

Well fast forward about seven weeks, long after the class has ended and we would start seeing each other again. Unexpectedly, at 33 weeks I delivered Bella. Since she was so tiny and pretty much in shock, the nurses immediately took her to the NICU where she remained for two weeks. I was discharged from the hospital after three days and my husband and I would visit her several times a day. One random evening after we visited Bella we stopped by the well-baby nursery, and there she was. The woman from our birthing class. She too had delivered her baby, and she was in the hall peeking at him through the window. We swapped birthing stories and wished each other well before we said goodbye.

Several months and brief encounters later we met again this weekend, but this time we acknowledged how strange it is to see each other all of the time and still not really know each others names. Well in swapping names we also found out that we are neighbors. So we swapped addresses too. What a small world! We have decided to get together at home with the kids for a playdate.

Well, as you can see in the picture she is due to deliver again really soon (eight weeks to go to be exact), and guess what she's having...

A GIRL!!!

The perfect little "princess" playmate for Bella. Well, it's never too soon to introduce them either. When I told Bella that our new friend was having a baby she immediately reached out and shook hands with the baby as she rubbed our friend's belly.

New friends aren't hard to find!

Spring Fruit Trifle Recipe

Prep Time:

15 min

Total Time:
45 min

Makes:
15 servings, 2/3 cup each

36 NILLA Wafers

2 Tbsp. orange-flavored liqueur or orange juice

3 cups seasonal fresh fruit, such as sliced peeled kiwi, blueberries and/or sliced strawberries

3 cups cold milk

2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling

1 pkg. (6 squares) BAKER'S Premium White Baking Chocolate, melted, cooled slightly

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

BREAK wafers coarsely into 2-1/2-qt. clear glass serving bowl. Sprinkle with liqueur; top with layers of fruit.

POUR milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended. Refrigerate until pudding starts to thicken. Add chocolate; stir with wire whisk until well blended. Gently stir in half of the whipped topping. Spoon over fruit; top with the remaining whipped topping.

REFRIGERATE at least 30 min. or up to 24 hours before serving. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator.

For more great family recipes, visit Kraft Foods.

A Chat with The Bump's CEO and Founder

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with Kara Forney, founder and CEO of The Bump Website and magazine, a one stop guide to the best maternity and baby resources.

"Chatty Momma": What was your inspiration for the bump?

Kara: Being pregnant in Phoenix with no guides to know where to shop or what to buy. “Pregnancy is very personal and emotional experience and I wanted something that knew my community.”


“Chatty” Momma: What is your background?

Kara: I’m an Arizona girl and a graduate of University of Arizona. I worked at IBM in marketing for 8 years. I received my MBA from Thunderbird in Phoenix. I have also worked for Del Web doing marketing for the Sun City brand.


“Chatty” Momma: What are your plans for The Bump in the future?

Kara: Since being acquired by The Knot Inc, we now have resources of a highly profitable company with a lot of finances behind them and we will be able to do more local events and have bigger and better PR.


“Chatty” Momma: What is so exciting about The Bump that moms and parents should know?

Kara: The Bump allows them to have a best friend throughout their pregnancy. They have a guide to take with them and it talks to each mom where they live (meal delivery services, baby gear, etc.).


“Chatty” Momma: What are some of the best resources that you recommend for new and expectant moms?

Kara:
Books:
Nesting – by Wendy Bellisimo (Design expert for the Bump)
The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine
The Complete Organic Pregnancy by Deidre Dolan
Baby Bargains by Denise Fields

Baby Gear:
Giggle.com Ali Wing (Baby gear expert for The Bump)


Mom’s Needs:
Spa trips (at least once a month)
Your Perfectly Pampered Pregnancy


“Chatty” Momma: What advice do you have for new and expectant moms?

Kara: Go to a spa once a month, pamper yourself, ask for help, take care of your needs, and schedule appointments before you have the baby.


“Chatty” Momma: You recently just returned from the Mom-to-Be trade show in Las Vegas. Can you give us a short list of some of the cool things that you saw?

Kara:
1. Intelligender – A baby gender prediction test is coming out soon
2. The Pouch Dress – Versatile dress you can wear six different ways
3. Susan Brown’s Baby – All natural skin care, moisturizer, moisture beads, and handsanitizers for mommy and baby
4. Mother Love – All natural herbal products


For more information, check out The Bump website, and in the future look for The Bump Magazine in a city near you.

Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets Revealed

Ever wonder what lies beyond the excitement and hype of pregnancy and think about the next step, the actual birthing process?

Well, Canadian author, Gail L. Dahl, provides that insight for you in her internationally acclaimed book, called Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets.

This book is inspired by her own experience with the birthing process twelve years ago, when there wasn't any information or resources devoted to this topic, and she had no clue what to expect.

Dahl then over the course of twelve years, sought advice and stories from women's real life accounts of childbirth and compiled them into a resource that provides an in depth guide that women could benefit from and relate to.

In Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets, you will find ready-to-use tips,techniques, and guidelines for the birthing process.

"Women trust other women--it's just natural", Dahl says. "When you
give your own experience as a mother, others feel more confident."

Is this woman a "Chatty" Momma or what?

This will definitely come in handy for my next childbirth. Especially since each birth is different. I was very fortunate as a first-time mom to have had a co-worker who shared some of her birthing experience with me, and I can honestly say that it REALLY helped.

For more info, or to purchase:

Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets

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Happy Birthday Baby Gavin!

I have just received word that another buddy that I have met through Sidelines has delivered.

Praise God!

She had such a rough pregnancy and suffered hyperemesis for so long for this huge reward wrapped in the tiniest little package.

Her new baby is so adorable, and well worth the battle she faced.

It might sound weird to some when I refer to her pregnancy as a battle, but believe me it couldn't be a more appropriate word. I think anyone would agree that having a feeding tube, taking meds, and still being confined to one section of your home for nearly nine months is a battle. It's a battle of the mind (it drives you crazy), as well as the body (it's so debilitating).

She is a true trooper!

Well, I'm happy to say that we'll be getting together in May with my other HG buddy and her new baby and family, and we will meet with our husbands and babies together for the first time.

I'm very excited that we have all laid HG to rest. At least for now. I think they are through having kids, but there's no telling what will happen when I have my second child. I'm preparing for the worst, but praying for the best.

Currently, I am assigned to another buddy and she is only 16 weeks along. I'm hoping she will join us the next time we all meet!

(Just a day at a time SB, remember that!)

Well, as always I provide links to the sites that relate to this awful creature of a disease that is most commonly known as hyperemesis gravidarum.

If you or someone you know is suffering or has suffered from HG and need help or would like to help others, a great place to start is here:

The Sidelines Organization
The Hyperemesis Foundation




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Test Can Detect Preterm Labor

I read an interesting article in the El Paso Times today about the ability to detect preterm labor with a simple test.

Although available, many expectant moms don't even know it exists. It is said to prevent many women from having to be hospitalized for long periods of time unnecesarily or from worrying about going into preterm labor if their not even at risk.

Wow, where was that darn test when I was crying and worrying desperately, 11 days prior to even delivering Bella, with the fear that I was already in labor?

After suffering more than 6 contractions within an hour, I rushed into my OB/GYN's office and was given a digital exam. I had a high risk pregnancy, so I spent countless days and hours in the doctor's office anyway.

The result: Negatory (I think my husband made that word up!)

Basically, we were told that I was not near labor and my cervix was doing great, but that the doctor would be ready to induce me in 6 weeks just to alleviate some of the symptoms I had been suffering from as a result of my hyperemesis gravidarum and ptylism.

Nevertheless, Bella was born 11 days later at only 33 weeks.

Like I said before, "Where was that darn test?"

To read the El Paso Times article click here:

http://www.elpasotimes.com/living/ci_8515267

For more info on hyperemesis gravidarum, check out:

www.hyperemesis.org

For info regarding preterm labor or high risk pregnancies, go to:

www.marchofdimes.org
www.sidelines.org

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Multilingual Children

Foreign language immersion for kids, in my opinion is the way to go, if you've ever thought twice about your child being multilingual.

I did it as an adult, studying in both Guatemala and in Spain.

There are many languages to choose from such as French, Spanish, Italian, German, Mandarin, etc...

Since Spanish is my second language, I choose it first for Bella. Within the next year or two we will begin French or Italian together.

Recently, I subscribed to Baby First TV for her, and I am enjoying being able to switch the audio to Spanish instead of English. It helps with making sure she is hearing enough of the language since my husband only understands and speaks English. I also get lazy and speak in English to her sometimes.

This morning was the perfect test of Bella's comprehension. One of her favorite shows came on in Spanish called Harry Conejito (Harry the Bunny), and he was talking about his abuelos (grandparents) and his padres (parents). So, I told Bella, "Yo soy Mama, y el es Papa!" (I am Mommy, and he is Daddy!), as I pointed to each of us. She then looked at my husband and said, "DaDa".

She got it!

Then when Harry said, "Adios!" (bye-bye), she turned toward the TV and waived.

Oh, I love it!

For great info on raising multilingual children, check out: www.multilingualchildren.org

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5 Things No One Ever Told Me About Having a Baby

1. The days of watching my own television favorites would soon be replaced with children's programming.

2. The pretty pink diaper pail we received would one day smell worse than a room full of dirty diapers.

3. Labor and delivery pains are nothing compared to the pain the nurse inflicts on you as she pushes on your belly after birth.

4. Babies can root even in the dark and with their eyes closed.

5. It's possible to call the pediatrician's office more times the first year than all of the times you called your husband when you were dating.

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"Bella" Button

There's nothing cuter than when a baby discovers her body parts. It creates hours of wonderment for her and enjoyment for mom.

It was this time last year that Bella discovered her hand and made an intentional fist as she studied it closely. My mom called me on my way to work and sent pictures over the phone. I just couldn't wait to get to my desk and blow the pictures up. I emailed them to everyone as if it was breaking news. It was so much fun for me to see her developing. I had to share it.

Well, Bella's latest discovery...her belly button.
...or as I like to call it, her "Bella" Button!

(and she's discovered mine too)

; )


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Refusing to Nap

Lately Isabella has been protesting her naps and I feel like pulling my hair out when we get to the part of the morning when everything turns onto a tantrum throwing situation all because she is fighting her sleep.

During the week I don't really have to deal with the nap battles, but come Saturday and Sunday she puts it down!

My remedy...quiet time!

She may not want to nap at the moment and I've learned that you can't make her, but what I do enforce is an hour or two of quiet time with the lights out and very little if any sound.

Normally, this does lead to a decent morning nap, although it wasn't her intention.

Clever me, eh!.

I know every parent has their views on naps and sleeping and how they enforce it or don't enforce it, and I believe you should do what works for you and your child.

All children need rest whether it is a nap, quiet time, or both, and we as parents have to make sure that they get what they need when they need it.

If your child needs one nap as opposed to the neighbors three naps then so be it. Put them down for one nap!

A great resource regarding napping as well as comments from other parents can be found at babycenter.com.

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