Getting Oily with It

Well, I started a new adventure...this journey dives into the world of essential oils (cue the eye rolling).  What you need to know before I continue is that I actually began this journey almost a year ago and have waited to share until my journey proved to be one I wanted to continue...and it has.

A little over a year ago, you are well aware, I gave birth to my precious twin girls.  Now, even though they had to spend the first few weeks of their lives in the NICU, it was still important to me to proceed with breastfeeding (or exclusive pumping in our case).  I could go into all of the reasons why I felt so strongly about this, but I will safe my soapbox for another time or perhaps another topic.  Anywho, with the girls being an hour away from home for the first two months, returning to work myself, and the stress/sleep deprivation that came with our NICU journey, my milk supply while steady was not quite enough to keep up with ever-increasing demand of TWO growing infants.  Desperation kicked in...I tried everything (oatmeal, lactation cookies, "yellow" gatorade, mother's milk tea, kind bars, water, vitamins, etc.).  I exhausted every suggestion I received.  One of these suggestions was to try fennel oil...what would be my very first essential oil!  Now, I cannot confirm that this was just the trick, but I will tell you that it certainly did not hurt.  Alright, I'll bite...I kind of even surprised myself, but as a new mother, you are willing to try almost anything and everything!  Hence, the next oil on the all-star lineup...DigestZen.  What do you do when those sweet babies come home and are experiencing reflux after consuming that liquid gold that you worked so hard to increase?  In addition to our traditional medicine (for which we absolutely still advocate), we rubbed a little of this essential oil blend on their tummies for a little extra something.  Again, no miraculous end to the reflux, but I believe it helped.  I could go on an on about the various oils we have used for the girls from the OnGuard protective blend to help shield their little immune systems to lavender essential oil to soothe and help them sleep.  However, Chris and I have benefited from the oils ourselves whether it be through the protection of our adult immune systems through the OnGuard toothpaste and hand soap with both of us working around hundreds of kiddos each day to the soothing of our achy muscles with the DeepBlue lotion and PastTense roller. 

Anywho, all of this to say, our experience on this new journey has been a positive one so far and due to this fact, we have decided to invest a little more time and energy into essential oils to see how they can continue to benefit our little family.  Now, I have not "quit my day job" to dive head first into pyramid marketing/oil sales, but I would love to share our experience with anyone who is interested.

As always, thank you for joining our journey!

Stephanie

Our Story - March of Dimes

Even the best laid plans often go awry...this seemed to be the theme quote of our pregnancy and childbirth experience.  As a family who wears many hats...every little thing has to be planned just so for it all to work out well...or so I thought.  In June 2014, my husband and I decided it was time for us to expand our family.  To our surprise and great pleasure, the ball got rolling very quickly.  We found out not long after that we were, in fact, expecting!  So far so good, our plan is now in motion.  After receiving news that my blood tests were showing very high numbers, we were called in for an ultrasound to see if I was, perhaps, farther along than originally thought by my doctor.  Well, of course, I was not, as that was not in the plan, but the actual answer was something very much unplanned...we were expecting TWINS!

With twins, of course, everything now gets dubbed “high risk” by the doctors, and I was sent to specialists in conjunction with my normal doctor visits just to be sure the pregnancy was going smoothly and the twins were developing as planned.  Visit after visit went by, and always the same reports…”your fluid levels are perfect, they look great, at the rate you are going, we will deliver around 38 weeks!”  Everything was going so much as planned that one doctor, the specialist, said he did not need to see me again.

The weeks passed, and soon we found out we were having two little girls!  Talk about once again, not in the plan.  I was the only sister of two brothers, and my husband also had only one sister among three brothers.  Thus, two little ladies seemed very unlikely and a little daunting.  The gender reveal came and went, and everyone was getting more and more excited to meet the gals that were already rocking everybody’s world.  But, we had a very busy season ahead of us.  My husband had just started a new job, and I was right in the middle of finishing a semester with my 8th graders, coaching my girls’ basketball team in the city tournament, and coordinating the childcare for the Christmas services at our church.  It was a hectic time to say the least, but my latest check-up revealed that everything was going beautifully and developing nicely.  However, that began to change the very next day.

It was a Thursday, and I started noticing some minor changes in my day to day function, but being the busy bee I am, it was not in my plan to go to an unscheduled doctor appoinment, so along I went coaching Thursday night, Friday night, and coordinating nursery on Sunday.  Monday rolls around, and it’s another night of Lady Jaguar basketball.  Finally, Tuesday, I woke up, headed to school, and just knew that something was not right.  I called the doctor, and they told me to come on in to the clinic to be checked out.  That’s when we found out...my water had been broken for six days.  I was admitted immediately and put on bed rest.  After a steroid shot to help our littles’ lungs grow, the girls were checked via ultrasound, and once again, everything looked great.  We were told it would most likely be a few weeks until the girls would make their appearance...after all, I was only 29 weeks along at this time.

Fast forward a few hours, and one little twin did not take the news that she would be stuck in there with her sister a few more weeks very well.  Before I knew it, I was being whisked away for an emergency c-section just 14 hours after coming in to be checked out.  Sara Katherine and Charlotte Anne Jordan, who were planned as our March 2015 babies, entered the world on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 3 lbs 2 oz and 3 lbs 1.5oz respectively at the not so ripe age of 29 weeks 1 day gestation.  Just one little brush of the cheek each, and they were whisked away to the NICU.  Above all of the other surprises, this was certainly the most “not in the plan”!

In the NICU, our sweet little dolls transitioned from a giraffe bed to isolette to an open crib.  They started with a ventilator then moved to a C-PAP to a nasal cannula.  They went from feeding tubes to bottle and breast feeding.  They received antibiotics, caffeine, and Tamiflu.  They had their hearing tested; their eyes checked; and their bodies conditioned by a physical therapist.  After six weeks and six days for Sara Kate and seven weeks and five days for Charleigh Anne, our little miracles by the grace of God and much thanks to the March of Dimes for their research and therapies were able to come home, where they are developing on track with no complications from their prematurity.

Needless to say, so many aspects of our pregnancy and childbirth were unplanned, but we learned to trust in a greater plan, God’s!   We are also so very honored that our journey and the girls’ already impactful testimonies has led us to raise awareness, in their honor, of prematurity and how you can help through the March of Dimes!

How can you help the March of Dimes continue their research to prevent prematurity? See the link below:
https://www.marchforbabies.org/Fundraising/Team?teamId=1268119&teamEventId=2706287&

Like a ton of bricks...

Have you ever just had something hit you so hard...literally (well, actually figuratively) like a ton of bricks?  I have...many times, but especially tonight (or rather, this morning).  I mean, why else would a mommy of 7-month-old twinsies (who are both asleep) be awake at 2:00am, you know, when sleep is so hard to come by these last few months (not even taking into account pregnancy sleep woes)?  Can I get a witness, anybody?  Again, it has been a minute since I have shares...yada, yada, yada.  I could give you the same old excuses every time I post what seems like my few-and-far-between blogs.  However, I feel so strongly right now to put this out there...here it goes!

Our little family has been sick going on a week now.  We made our second ER trip since the girls have been home; our blessed Nana has come to stay the week with us (don't get me started...I could blog for days on her virtue alone); we've missed work appointments; etc.  I am sure many of you can attest to this, but it is SO very frustrating, especially for little miss Type A over here!  But in the midst of it all, my precious Lord has given me a knock-you-down kind of revelation...1) SHUT UP and LISTEN, STEPHANIE!  2)  PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST  3)  CUT OUT THE DISTRACTIONS!  I mean, He has been incredibly patient with me...um, my entire life, with my headstrong disobedience, but tonight, for whatever reason, it has become painstakingly clear that I have been forging my own path for so long that I have gotten ridiculously off course...which (full circle here) comes back to this little family of ours.  I have let so many things (television shows, social media, etc.) take precedence over all of the most important things in my life...my relationship with Christ, my relationship with my husband, my relationship with my daughters.  It's funny how things seemingly so innocent can be such a vice for some...mine:  Days of our Lives (not ashamed to admit it), Pretty Little Liars, Instagram, Facebook...the list could go on and on.  All pretty innocent, right?  Yet, when those things become the majority with which you fill yourself, the overflow isn't too pretty.  God makes it very clear in Proverbs 4:23  "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (NIV)  Could it be any clearer???  First of all, how do you miss the phrase:  "ABOVE ALL ELSE"?  You may not, but I sure do!  He says "above ALL else."  Second of all, He proceeds to say "EVERYTHING" you do flows from it.  Wow!  Now, do not get me wrong...all of my aforementioned vices can be perfectly fine in moderation, but when you let them consume your time and focus for as long as I have, then it can become a problem.  It can weaken your spirit, strain your relationship with your loved ones, and get you distracted enough that the enemy can creep in and cause some damage.  Only you can decide what you can handle, and please, know there is no judgment coming from over here.  I just felt this on my heart so strongly to share tonight (this morning, HA!) because maybe, just maybe, there is someone else out there that has the same struggle as me.  I am not saying that I am through with social media or those silly television shows, but what I am saying is that I am going to guard my heart a little more closely and do my best to stay in tune with what the Lord is speaking to me.

Thank you for joining our journey!
Stephanie

It's been a minute...

Well, as you learned from my last post, even the best laid plans go awry...this can even be applied to my plans for blogging and sharing our story.  To be honest, motherhood has brought an entirely new set of time commitments that I never realized, so sitting down to blog with twinsies at home (yes, they are home!...I'll fill y'all in on our NICU stay when it is perhaps not so fresh) is a rather difficult task.  In spite of those new challenges, I still have a yearning to share.

Today, I will include you on my quest to become a "Hands-Free Mama."  You see, God has been dealing with me for months...no, make that years...on living a less distracted life.  I believe it all started in the early years of Chris and my relationship...back at ole' Etowah High School.  I have always been someone who sought my identity in the praises and recognition of others (ouch! the truth can hurt).  While I am slowly, but surely now seeking that identity in Christ, this is something I have dealt with for most of my life.  With that said, I joined teams and clubs; worked a few jobs; and basically, committed myself to roles and responsibilities that I felt gave me worth.

Then, my wise "boyfriend" asked:  When are you going to stop being so busy and have free time?

My response:  Hmmm...college, yes, college.  I will have lots of free time in college because we are going to the University of Alabama, and it's just so BIG.  I'll never be able to be involved in college like I am in high school.

Wrong!  Before I'd barely moved into my dorm, I was headfirst in sorority formal recruitment, then SGA, then College of Education ambassadors, and it only snowballed from there.  I would be busy from 7:00am-10:00pm most days with classes, meetings, work, etc...of course, my "man-praised" self soaked it all up, but I knew that something was missing, so did that wise boyfriend.

Wise boyfriend:  Remember in high school when you said you would not be so busy in college?  What happened to that?  When are you going to slow down?

My response:  Well...when I start teaching, that's all I will be able to do.  There won't be so many opportunities to join clubs and what not, so yes, that's when I will slow down.

Wrong again!  Immediately, I began coaching and sponsoring (in addition to lesson planning, grading, professionally developing), then I began advising, coordinating, counseling, supervising, and a few other verbs OUTSIDE of my work commitments.  While I honestly, LOVED, every one of these things, my days and nights turned into now 6:00am-11:00pm ones more often than I would have liked OR more often than my family needed.  But did I listen?

Wise husband, colleagues, family, and friends:  Do you need to maybe slow down?  Don't you think you're doing too much?  What are you going to do when you have a baby (or babies in our case, ha!)?  The list went on and on.

My response:  No!  I really love all of these roles, the people with whom I interact, etc.  I mean, I'm tired, but, they NEED me, right?!?!

Three strikes...WRONG again!  Truth be known...and again, I tell you the truth can hurt...we, as humans, are replaceable.  If something were to happen to us, we could be replaced in our jobs, in our voluntary roles, etc.  BUT, we cannot be replaced as daughters/sons, mothers/fathers, sisters/brothers, husbands/wives, and friends.  We cannot be replaced in the path/life/plan that God created uniquely for us.  Wow!  Talk about an eye-opener.  I started to come to this realization when I found out I was pregnant, but was still holding out planning to continue life as usual, THEN I found out we were having TWINS.  I began to think, there is just no way to continue at this pace.

On December 16, 2014, I was admitted to the hospital and told that I would be on bed rest until the babies were born, which could have been another five or so WEEKS!  I immediately panicked thinking...what about my benchmark tests at school...that basketball game on Friday...the Christmas services at church next week...family functions for the holidays!  Didn't they know that this was the busiest time of my year?  I had to be there...I NEEDED to be there for each of those things...WRONG!  That night, my very sweet and very wise nurse gave me some hard truth (with my blessing).  She said, Stephanie, God doesn't NEED you for anything (not any of those things you mentioned), BUT He does WANT you...so do all of those other with whom you play an irreplaceable role.  Talk about a pride-buster...I realized I'd still been seeking my identity in others through my time commitments and responsibilities.

For YEARS, I have been living an overcommitted, distracted, wired life.  Instead of seeking those roles and responsibilities that God had planned for me (Jeremiah 29:11), I was signing up for, volunteering for, committing to all of those things that I believed gave me value.  I purchased this book, Hands Free Mama:  A Guide to Putting Down the Phone, Burning the To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters! by Rachel Macy Stafford (from Birmingham, AL) (http://www.handsfreemama.com/) months ago, but with this new irreplaceable role as "Mommy," I am now committed to trying out some of its principles.

Consider this my public declaration, I am going to TRY to become more of a "hands-free mama."  While I am still committed to MANY of the same roles and responsibilities, I now am seeking Christ in how to manage those time commitments while putting first things first.  Please, if you know me and love me, by all means, encourage my accountability in this new factor of our journey.

As always, thank you for embarking on our journey with us!  Until next time...which I hope is not months ;)

"Even the best-laid plans..."

I cannot attest for anyone else, but I am a "planner."  I plan everything...little, big, and everything in between.  From the ripe old age of six, I "planned" to be a teacher. At age seven, I "planned" to receive my degree from the University of Alabama.  At age twelve, I "planned" to marry shortly after graduation from said University of Alabama...even  though there was not yet a groom.  I could continue, but let me not yet divulge all of my neurotic tendencies over the years.  Needless to say, when it came time to "plan" motherhood, I constructed what I believed, to date, to be the "best-laid" plans of my life.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

When Chris and I decided that we would like to proceed in growing our family, I "planned" a window of time in which I felt most comfortable.  He was more enthusiastic about getting started in parenthood, while I was more hesitant, so I was actually ok if it didn't happen in this first window...my original "plan" had another year or so to go before becoming parents.  Well, (in hindsight, praise God) we were able to start this journey quite soon into this potential window. -- Not exactly according to "planned"

We were thrilled!  God had been so faithful in allowing us to begin our journey.   Even though, it was not in my original plan, I knew there was a reason it happened when it did.  Thus, I could not have been more excited.  After the first couple of weeks, we received some interesting test results, so they called us in for an ultrasound.  My mom jokingly introduced  the idea of twins into the scenario, but of course, that was not in my "plan."  However, sure enough!  When we went in for the ultrasound, not one, but TWO little ones made their debut on-screen appearance. -- Again, not exactly according to "planned"

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Wow!  Doubly blessed!  Chris and I were speechless.  I immediately went into panic mode, as all I could think about was whether or not we could adequately parent, provide for, and nurture TWO children.  God quickly reassured me through prayer and precious friends, that He was their provider, AND that He would equip us.  At this point, several things had not gone as "planned," but I was finding myself more and more excited inspite of the unexpected detours.  As the weeks progressed and anticipation for the long awaited gender reveal grew, I was asked many times what I thought.  Well, of course, I thought this was planned, too.  Without a doubt, a boy and a girl.  Even two boys will do...but, two girls...I don't think I can handle that.  The day of the ultrasound came...two little ladies.  At this point, I thought, "My, God has such a sense of humor.  What's he doing with all of my great plans?"

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Ok, so two girls.  It's going to be a challenge, but God has great plans for this little family.  Chris was in for some "trouble" with me, two girls, and our female Labrador, Ruthie.  This is going to be fun!  The weeks progressed, and we continued to prepare for our precious little girls' arrival.  We entered the busiest season of our year.  Chris started a new job in September, so he was getting the hang of new hours, new co-workers, and a new job description.  For me, it was a season of teaching, coaching, sponsoring,  and coordinating.  Time was passing so quickly that it seemed like the girls would be here before we knew it...

On Tuesday, December 16, 2014, after a few days of some interesting things happening within my body (nothing seems too unusual during pregnancy, I have come to learn), I decided to leave school early and have the doctor  check me and the little ones out...because I had eleven weeks of teaching, coaching, planning, preparing, etc. left to do, and I did not "plan" on any more interruptions.  Well, so much for that plan!  Apparently, my water had broken several days before, and the solution:  bed rest...IN THE HOSPITAL...for the next few WEEKS until my sweet little ladies decided to make an appearance...an estimated five weeks later, as there were no signs of contractions, premature labor, etc.  As the day wore on and still no sign of the ladies, I sent everyone home.  After all, there was no need for my family to hang out in hospital for weeks in waiting  -- Gosh, where went my plan??

Several events transpired over the next few hours, and before I knew it, I was being whisked away to the operating room...no family or friends within an hour travel time, and those little ladies were coming. Born 3 lbs 2 oz and 3 lbs 1 oz via emergency Cesarean section, Sara Katherine Jordan and Charlotte Anne Jordan burst into our lives about eleven weeks early.  Since that day, Sara Kate and Charleigh Anne, as we have so affectionately named them, have been spending their days in the NICU at St. Vincent's. -- SO NOT IN MY PLAN!

Through it all, I have learned so much.  The main point that I am highlighting in this oh so wordy post is this:

We can make plans all that we want.  We can plan out each and every detail of every aspect of our lives. We can drive ourselves crazy when things go even the least bit awry.  However, the fact of the matter is, there is a greater plan.  A plan that we have no part in planning.  That's the plan of our Creator.  He has a plan so delicately and intricately devised for each and every one of us that we cannot even begin to fathom. He knows EVERYTHING what has been, what is now, and what is to come...things we will never know and for which we would never have planned.  Thus, our plans are flawed (even when we don't even realize it), while His plans are perfect.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

This is a lesson that I am learning through this experience...however hard that it is being learned.  Only God knew what was going to happen within those remaining eleven weeks.  As much as I have racked my brain with the "what ifs" and "whys," I have no idea.  Everything was going smoothly and heading toward a 38-40 week delivery, but God knew better.  So, now I know, God's plan for our family has taken a detour from my plan, but now I also know, that He is in control, and we can rest in His plans for us, for they are perfect.

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

Psalm 71:6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb.  I will ever praise you.

Isaiah 46:3(b)-4 ...you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried you since you were born.  Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you;  I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Thank you for joining our journey,
Stephanie

Life is a Journey...Chronicle It

Writing a personal blog is something I have now considered for a while...for many reasons.  First, God has blessed my family and me far too greatly to remain silent about the things He has done in our lives.  It is time that I share those blessings and give credit where credit is due.  Second, too many things have happened to me (or us) that make you think..."how in the world?" or "you can't make this stuff up."  Third, Chris and I have embarked upon the newest chapter of our lives...albeit in the most unexpected of ways, and I feel that "chronicling" our story will not only serve as a constant reminder of the faithfulness of Christ, but that it may serve as an encouragement to others who have faced, are facing, will face similar circumstances.  So, here it  is.  Don't take the title of our blog for its mostly closely associated meaning...these will be true stories of a truly tall family (wink).  Join us, if you would like, on a journey that we have tried to map out ourselves, but could have only been orchestrated by the One who created us all.

Thank you for joining our journey,
Stephanie