tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17098943104265129752024-03-04T21:39:49.994-08:00Daughter of Destiny~A blog from the heart~ By Caitlin NarwoldCaitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-81757571381310463312018-12-20T06:50:00.000-08:002018-12-20T06:50:04.320-08:00The mom life and the Christmas season<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I know I don't post on here often. Truth is, raising two kids has been taking up a lot of my time. Trying to figure out how to nurture and train them up in the ways of the Lord, while trying to keep up with a house that's warm and inviting. My husband is on a specific diet, so trying to find recipes and things he might like has been on my priority list.<br /> As Christmas quickly approaches, I'm reminded in this season of life to slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy the little things. During Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, I feel like so many people are in a rush (myself included) that we don't often stop and smell the roses.<br /> We're always going from one party to the next. Wrapping gifts, caroling, having cookie exchanges. How do we interact with people during this season? Sometimes I feel like scrooge, and say, "bah, humbug" to myself. It's a stressful time of the year, isn't it? I also think we tend to forget what this season is about. It's not about the Christmas gift exchanges, or the gift giving, or the parties. It's not even about setting up the Christmas tree and lights. It's about Christ... the time of the year when we take time to remember about Christ's birth. The time of the year when we read the story of baby Jesus from Luke; when we ride around in the car looking at Christmas lights that say, "It's all about Jesus." and when we have our nativity set set-up with baby Jesus in the manger... reminding us of the real reason for this season.<br /> So, take a deep breath this season. Slow down. Say no to party's because you just need to breath and spend time with your family . Remind yourselves of the real reason for this season. </span></div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-14665832802022972632018-09-04T10:35:00.002-07:002018-09-04T10:35:57.696-07:00Happy Birthday Husband<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy Birthday to my man, my main supporter, my partner in crime, my love, my best friend, my fighter, and my husband. You're so amazing in every way. Every day that I wake up, I thank God for you. After 3 1/2 years of marriage, my love for you has grown even stronger. Through every thing we've been through, and boy it's been a lot the last couple years, the good, the bad, and the ugly, you've always been there, right by my side, as a shoulder to cry on, an encourager, my lover, and my friend. Our pre-marriage relationship was long-distance, and I can testify that long distance relationships work... at least for me it did. In fact, it made me even more grateful for when we were actually together. Going to bed with you every night, waking up next to you every morning... man, I love that... I love you. I'm so grateful for you... not just because you're amazing, but because I still can't figure out why you're still with me... but I'm grateful that you are. I'm an emotional roller coaster, and at times, a very impatient wife and mama. You know this about me, and you're still right there, by my side, encouraging me that I'm doing great, and that you love me.<br />
Talking about you is easy. You're the love of my life. There've been many days when I've called you while you're at work, in tears, and you, being the man you are, leave work without question because you know that I need you. I can't imagine a better friend and partner than you.<br /> So, in closing, my husband, know that you are the best. You're the best father to our children. You are patient with them, even when I'm not. You are a Godly man for our children to follow, and I can't imagine a better father for them. Watching you become the father that God's calling you to be is the best. It's the best because I know that God is pleased with you. It's the best because you help me to strive daily to be a better wife and mother and to serve God with everything I have. To not be discouraged because I'm doing the best that I can do and serving Christ even in the little things.<br /> Happy Birthday my husband! Here's to many more years, praying that I'm right there by your side, spending them with you. I love you! <3<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dress rehearsal the day before our wedding. <3</td></tr>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-19342171886112575172018-06-27T18:58:00.001-07:002018-06-27T18:58:26.505-07:00To my son... on your 1st birthday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiz6B_qf3pERDNzrjIr5dkrGxsPezRGiFTZR3GlHNcwmyk3vYOjkVAlwt1jWUL-Giu4U4ipaXmAKoukeDtur4d0uQmNSfGFTBsXqQGrY1gLPs1I-UP-feRz8Ouqd6_gVHuYCA3nn3yH8/s1600/B3F8B120-2A50-4D95-963B-0067DF28DB4B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiz6B_qf3pERDNzrjIr5dkrGxsPezRGiFTZR3GlHNcwmyk3vYOjkVAlwt1jWUL-Giu4U4ipaXmAKoukeDtur4d0uQmNSfGFTBsXqQGrY1gLPs1I-UP-feRz8Ouqd6_gVHuYCA3nn3yH8/s320/B3F8B120-2A50-4D95-963B-0067DF28DB4B.JPG" width="240" /></a> <span style="text-align: justify;"> To my second born, on your 1st birthday... How are you 1 already? I remember finding out that I was pregnant with you, and feeling overwhelmed. How can I be pregnant again? I barely had this mom things figured out, how was I supposed to add a second child? But God knew exactly what he was doing. Labor and delivery went very well, and figuring out life with you was pretty simple. You were my easy baby. Your brother had a hard time realizing he wasn't an only child anymore, but that didn't last long before he absolutely adored you... and now he can't stay away from you. ;-)</span><br />
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Ezra, you are our ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. You were/are always full of smiles. Ezra, even though you are only a baby, now getting to that toddler stage, you've taught us so much. You are so content with only a few toys in front of you. You play by yourself so well, and then come to mama for snuggled, which I absolutely love!!! </div>
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You are my snuggle bug. I can always count on your snuggles during the day, and I don't want that to ever end, but I know it will one day, so I treasure each time I get that. I've enjoyed watching you grow and learn new things in the last year. Your first smile, your first laugh, your first steps... I've enjoyed each of these. </div>
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I was so excited when you learned how to crawl, because I knew that meant you'd be content a little longer, and if you ever needed me, you could/can always crawl to me, snuggle for a bit, and then go back off to play. Happy Birthday my son from your mama, who loves you dearly! I can't wait to see what God has in store for you this next year of your life. Love you! <3 </div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-42570804312780127332018-05-31T19:09:00.000-07:002018-05-31T19:09:38.710-07:00Happy 2nd Birthday James!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX370rwEI0ORT7Z8PeBSGHRcR8nAiJrPJp7eA32IFoysI815FWVYOYJk_PrkYpxQW1YTsdNElm4xR3mUBr-LWgXkUx5eruoxToj9PZwDret6qmBhxuJKZNCgScsa697lpgpJoN_YrEJ7c/s1600/171C3A6B-D809-4813-BE8F-F2715F28CF3A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX370rwEI0ORT7Z8PeBSGHRcR8nAiJrPJp7eA32IFoysI815FWVYOYJk_PrkYpxQW1YTsdNElm4xR3mUBr-LWgXkUx5eruoxToj9PZwDret6qmBhxuJKZNCgScsa697lpgpJoN_YrEJ7c/s320/171C3A6B-D809-4813-BE8F-F2715F28CF3A.JPG" width="240" /></a> My first born son, is now 2 years old! Where has the time gone?! James has been quite the tough child to figure out. With him being my first born, I was a new mom. I had no idea what to do with anything. I thought I had things together. Little did I know how much God was about to (and still continues to) teach me patience.<br /> James had all kinds of issues when he was a baby. From tummy/reflux issues, to dehydration and weight issues. It didn't help that I got pregnant again when James was only 4 months old. But, God knew what he was doing. I didn't think that I could do this mom thing. I wasn't cut out for the job. How could I be a mom to 2 when I couldn't even take care of 1 without falling a part and crying.<br /> God had mercy on me, and gave us Ezra who was an easy baby in almost every way, giving myself more relaxation and feeling like I can do this mom thing after all.<br /> While James still continues to be his strong-willed self, every day I find that God gives me more patience and endurance to get through the day.<br /> I have good days and bad days. When it's a good day, it makes me treasure them all the more. James is starting to actually say words now, making us sooooo happy! We taught him some basic sign language so that we can communicate a little bit before he learns to talk. He used to be such a shy child, and always disliked when other people held him or spoke to him. He's starting to come out of his shell a little bit. He takes a while to warm up to people, but when he does, he gives you all kinds of smiles and giggles. James absolutely adores his daddy, and will usually choose to be with my husband over myself, which usually works out since I have another little boy to take care of.<br /> James loves his little brother who's almost 1. They're starting to interact a little bit more. You can usually hear a giggle from Ezra when he sees James round a corner.<br /> James loves to be chased around, and for you to run while he chases you. He loves Almond Butter, cheerios, eggs, and healthy muffins as his favorite foods. We love our little boy and are excited to see what the Lord does in his life this year. Love you little boy of ours!</div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-49679316060975738482018-03-29T20:12:00.000-07:002018-03-29T20:12:02.846-07:00I'm back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi all! I know, it's been a while.<br /> I've been trying to get into the new rhythm of things, now that we're done with sickness... for now, and now that I feel like I know how to be a mama to two boys, I feel like like is starting to feel normal. Summer is coming, and I get to be outside more. Perks of us having a park behind us... we can go out and have fun without driving anywhere. ;)<br /> James is almost 2 years old now. He still isn't talking yet, but he says a few words, and signs a couple as well. He's been a tough child, and still is, but there are days when we're outside, and he splashes in the puddles or runs in the field making noises, that make me grateful that I'm his mama. I get to see him discover things, and handle situations on a daily basis. I get to see him be a big brother to Ezra, and oh my goodness, how he loves his little brother! <3<br /> Ezra is... well, the face that makes us all smile in the morning. He's 9 months old now, and always full of smiles. He reminds all of us to be a little more joyful. Ezra loves his big brother, and often times if he's fussy, and I bring him over to his big brother, he calms down. Ezra loves playing with Lego's, spoons, books.(when he gets his hands on them) He sits up really well, and is so close to crawling! He scoots a little bit, depending on his mood.<br /> I tell my husband often times, "God knew what He was doing when He gave us Ezra!" Ezra is seriously my laid back happy baby.<br /> As far as myself goes, I'm back to teaching piano lessons, in between naps, making dinner, and keeping up with the household chores.<br /> This last week, was the starting of some ladies in our church doing a group Bible Study during the week, which gave myself some fellow-shipping with like-minded mamas. Along with starting the group Bible Study, my mom and I are trying to do a book study together on Psalm 117. I have to admit, I don't have as much time to do this as I'd like. But, I love my mama, and this seemed fun to do as a mother/daughter thing. Plus, I always love the Psalms. ;)<br /> This season of life has been a growing period for me both spiritually and physically. Having a son who knows how to test my patience on a daily basis, has reminded me how faithful my Savior is to constantly forgive me and to be patient with me daily.<br /> So, that's what's new for me lately. I'm hoping to write on here a little more often, but we'll see. I like to publish things when I have a picture of my kiddos to go a long with it, but my computer isn't always wanting to do that.<br /> What's new with ya'll? Any summer activities you're looking forward to? </div>
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<img align="Center" src="54489-320-4E4EF4E0D2100FB0F9CE04C48467D1EF" style="border: 0;" />Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-77790505086879894632017-11-22T10:16:00.001-08:002017-11-22T10:16:19.185-08:00Thankful for the mess<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Life has been tough lately. My son developed whooping cough a couple months ago, which meant lots of weeks of constant throwing up because he was coughing so hard. James has had a lot of things going on with him that we're trying to figure out. But boy, he's such a cutie, and I love him. <3<br />
This week is supposed to be a week of Thanksgiving, and to look back at what you're grateful for. So, here's my post of thanks.<br />
Despite so so many hard days of Temper-Tantrums, messy house, dirty dishes, lots of laundry, snotty noses, baby spit up, and coughs, I'm thankful. You know, it's so hard to be grateful when you're in the moment of complete chaos. It's so hard to be grateful when you've barely gotten any sleep, you haven't taken a shower in a couple days, you've got a pile of tissues that need to be thrown away from snotty noses, and you don't remember when the last time was that you ate some food.<br />
But, looking back through the past couple weeks, months, and years, I am so truly thankful. I'm thankful for the mess my older son makes throughout the day, because it means that he's got an imagination, and that he kept himself occupied through part of the day. I'm thankful for baby hiccups, because it means that my baby has had enough to eat. I'm thankful for a messy kitchen, because that means that we have food to eat, and water to drink. I'm thankful for a dryer, because who knew something so small had such a significance in my life, and with all my dirty laundry, I'm thankful to have a working dryer again!<br />
I'm thankful for a husband who loves me despite my many sins and weakness, and my many days of lack of patience. I'm thankful for my two boys, because despite those hard days of their mommy having little patience with them, they love me, and trust me to take care of them.<br />
I'm so very thankful for those little phone calls and texts from friends and family, just checking in. I'm thankful for the ability to drive my husband to work once a week so that not only do I get extra time with my hubs in the car, but also so that my son and I can go to the Chiropractor on a weekly basis.<br />
I'm thankful for yummy meals that I've found on Pinterest, which makes diet restrictions so much easier to handle.<br />
I'm thankful for coffee!!!... something so small, but so delicious.<br />
So, that's only a small portion of what I'm thankful for, but it's good for me to get a different perspective every once in a while, and realize that I have so much to be thankful for!<br />
What are you all thankful for? Comment below.</div>
Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-4153788209240893812017-09-25T19:24:00.001-07:002017-09-25T19:24:51.069-07:00Finding Calm in Chaos <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As I write, the house is quiet. Both my boys are in bed, and my husband is getting back into the routine of getting some side-work done. The dishes are done, my living/dinging room is somewhat clean, and I feel like I can finally take a deep breath.<br />
It's been a long couple of weeks/months. James has the whooping cough, so it's been a long road of Vitamin C, staying away from people so as not to spread it, and throwing up from coughing so hard. In the midst of the whooping cough, he's got a couple other health things going on with him that we're trying to figure out. Being a mama to two cute little boys can be hard at time, and I wonder how other moms do it with more kids than what I have. However, with how difficult and stressful life can be with my two boys, they are an absolute joy to my husband and I!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hViYaydVOoBcY3A2YgeF7QxBNk4wG5_ruFh31zORv5mmY7mB2e2IhppwQ_zy47c2an2K5MtNAaKvEjKHVMG-IOHwU_nrdRY7OlMxitd-m5SQKrnPqHsx-G7rtw4fR-ib2VBSorRjBY8/s1600/IMG_1411.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hViYaydVOoBcY3A2YgeF7QxBNk4wG5_ruFh31zORv5mmY7mB2e2IhppwQ_zy47c2an2K5MtNAaKvEjKHVMG-IOHwU_nrdRY7OlMxitd-m5SQKrnPqHsx-G7rtw4fR-ib2VBSorRjBY8/s320/IMG_1411.PNG" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWJk2v2dzauY5Nh1yh5ryLWXs8EwiMguGPN3LBSpQz4AO0lOOWEkcaHKqfYUsIzcDojCrs9QSj6Fe0qrpEwsST-vldW0a5B1-vFdrfwDqWr6Iu-1lXdb57YsBy0-cTsNR87bqEZPECq4/s1600/IMG_1365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWJk2v2dzauY5Nh1yh5ryLWXs8EwiMguGPN3LBSpQz4AO0lOOWEkcaHKqfYUsIzcDojCrs9QSj6Fe0qrpEwsST-vldW0a5B1-vFdrfwDqWr6Iu-1lXdb57YsBy0-cTsNR87bqEZPECq4/s320/IMG_1365.JPG" width="240" /></a> My husband and I have learned a lot about marriage, parenting, and how stressful life can get. It's hard to take a deep breath and find calm when life is so chaotic. There have been several times this last week when I'm taking my husband to work so that I can have the car for the day, and we've prayed on the way to his work. We've prayed when we've got one baby screaming because he hates the car-seat, and another baby who's making his own happy noises in the back of the car. It's funny; the sounds of the baby's are in the background, but somehow my husband and I are able to focus on praying. It's hard for me to personally remember to pray to God when life is so chaotic, that I can't even remember what I bought to make for dinner that week, or when my oldest son woke up from his nap.<br />
Finding calm in Chaos... it's hard, isn't it?! There have been several nights recently that I'm just in tears at the end of the night because I feel like I'm at the end of my rope, and there's nothing left of me to grab onto anything. It's in these moments that I need to hold tight onto Christ. After all, his power is made perfect in our weakness. (2nd Corinthians 12:9)<br /> Another thing to remember when you're in the middle of chaos, is to stop and smell the roses every once and a while. Find joy in the little things. God knew what we needed when He blessed us with little Ezra!... he smiles all the time! He literally only cries if he's tired or in the carseat. His smiles remind me to find joy in the little things, to take a deep breath, and find calm in Christ during chaotic times.<br />Have a blessed week! </div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-91687692000923308662017-09-01T21:11:00.001-07:002017-09-01T21:11:33.734-07:00A letter to my husband on your birthday...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M9p8eXs-4JpXkPIAzdh9SvP86IO8fbfSQMqVS13YiylDQPbkXWQt28gz-Ybb4LORD7nSzzzCtMCDTHYQ8HlAV2HjOpj8CRNMxBWjxhPsBgXlbS4Q-ETdy_ulk2_n8h3tLefVQp8HyfQ/s1600/IMG_0958.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8M9p8eXs-4JpXkPIAzdh9SvP86IO8fbfSQMqVS13YiylDQPbkXWQt28gz-Ybb4LORD7nSzzzCtMCDTHYQ8HlAV2HjOpj8CRNMxBWjxhPsBgXlbS4Q-ETdy_ulk2_n8h3tLefVQp8HyfQ/s320/IMG_0958.PNG" width="180" /></a><span style="text-align: justify;"> To my dear husband who works so hard and is so faithful at being a daddy and husband, thank you! Thank you for being you! Thank you for loving me through all my crazy days when I'm crying for no reason. </span><span style="text-align: left;">We’ve lived some lean, hard times interspersed with grace notes of abundance, but our years have been fruitful and God has blessed us with 2 children to show for them. Our faith has been tested, sometimes hope hard to hold, and we can testify that parenthood is certainly not for cowards. Oh, my word, no! We've had many trials in our life just with being parents, but all I can say through it all is, thank you! Thank you for not giving up on me when it's been a tough day of baby screams and grumpy's all day. Thank you for always cheering me up and for always being a shoulder to cry on. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"> This is a letter to you on your birthday, to recognize in public the things you do and the things you stand for. Often times, you and I tell each other the same thing, "I don't know how you can love me, but I'm grateful you do!" Josh, from the bottom of my heart, I want to scream to the world how much I love you! I love the absolute Joy on your face when you come home from work, and see James smiling at you and wanting you to hold him. I love the joy on your face when you make him laugh, and you know that you have a special bond with him. I love the smile baby Ezra gives you when you talk to him. </span></div>
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I love those times when we've held each other and cried over how to take care of our children, or how to raise them up. I can always count on you to cheer me up, and to encourage me when I feel like I've failed at being a mother and a wife. You're my constant friend, and the love of my life!<br /> There's not a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for you. I am more in love with you today, than I was when we were first married, and that love continues to grow every day!<br /> When I look back and see everything we've been through in the last year especially, I can't help but love you even more. You're so loving and hard working. You know how to make my day better when it's been a rough day. You know how to put a smile on James's face when he's been all but grumpy all day. You know how to remind me calmly that it's okay, and that tomorrow will be better.<br /> I am so in love with you, and that love grows even more every day. I love you to the moon and back! <3</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><br />Happy Birthday!<br />Forever and always yours,<br />Caitlin </span></div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-15846053034665996912017-07-11T10:58:00.000-07:002017-07-11T11:02:54.529-07:00Introducing... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Wednesday, June 28th, our 2nd son, Ezra Mark made an entrance into this world at 9:47a.m. <3 Weighing 7Ibs. 15oz, and measuring 21 1/4" in length. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /><br />The Birth Story:</span><br /><br /> It was Tuesday, the 27th, my sister-in-law, Ashley, and I had our midwife appointments together. (Ash and I had done this from the beginning because she was due 2 weeks before me.) At this point, she was 1 week overdue, and I was 9 days from my due date. Our appointment was great. Our midwives suspected that Ashley would go into labor any day, and that I could possibly be another week. Ashley had texted the ladies of our church later that evening, saying that she was having signs of early labor, and to pray. Ashley's husband, Jonathan, texted the "Narwold Clan" a couple hours later saying that the midwives were headed over since Ash was starting to progress in her labor. I was thankful for that, as I hadn't gone into labor at that point, and was hoping that Ash would have her baby before me, so that both midwives would be able to attend both of the births. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-2Gxm_3mgppzT_rzM65_5XQAwFyyWumnDmPilA0EeBCSavzYCeDyXCNv8aAjAk9n3teq6qqE8BzuKwyjqJ9q73R0CSsSwZRx7INmVWQh9CUc9oS8fK1cLmpYPrrAswSJmlnDMaxV40pO/s1600/IMG_9922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-2Gxm_3mgppzT_rzM65_5XQAwFyyWumnDmPilA0EeBCSavzYCeDyXCNv8aAjAk9n3teq6qqE8BzuKwyjqJ9q73R0CSsSwZRx7INmVWQh9CUc9oS8fK1cLmpYPrrAswSJmlnDMaxV40pO/s320/IMG_9922.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Around 4:00a.m., I woke up to go to the bathroom, and looked at my phone to see if there were any updates on Ashley's labor. I couldn't get back to sleep, and around 4:30, I had a little cramping. All I could think about was, "oh no, what if this is early labor?" I tried to fall asleep, but around 5:00 I was still having some cramping, and so I finally texted my midwives and told them that I was having signs of early labor. They told me to keep them updated if things progressed, to try and get some rest, and that they were right around the corner at my sister-in-law's house if I needed them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I continued to have cramping, and knew that early labor was definitely in progress. I didn't want to wake Josh up quite yet, as it could still be a while, and wanted him to get some rest while he could, knowing it'd probably be a long day ahead of us. Around 6:30, Josh woke up, and saw that I was up. I told him that I was in early labor, and he asked if he should set up the birthing pool. I told him to try and get more sleep, because he wouldn't have the chance when I went into active labor. He tried, but was too anxious/excited to get any more sleep. At 7:00, my cramping was starting to get slightly worse, so Josh asked if I wanted to go downstairs and watch something to get my mind off of the pain. James woke up around 7:30, and Josh tried to keep him occupied while I was starting to get really uncomfortable with the contractions. At this point, contractions were 8-10 minutes a part. We tried to call our friends who were on call to take James, and couldn't get a hold of one of the families, so we called the other family that was on call, and they said they were on their way.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMf4ehbSq6KIUQjZzzyY6HjC53dH_JJVAUrWEzHTLFgFYYawbxEAPCT6-i09ri8jrNADchl6LCSvb1bdLPmsMf7g0IPuaXn39jYJVQlol2SLGtftjqQGipxVCT1mWd6CH_asfrXUcbI8/s1600/IMG_9961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMf4ehbSq6KIUQjZzzyY6HjC53dH_JJVAUrWEzHTLFgFYYawbxEAPCT6-i09ri8jrNADchl6LCSvb1bdLPmsMf7g0IPuaXn39jYJVQlol2SLGtftjqQGipxVCT1mWd6CH_asfrXUcbI8/s320/IMG_9961.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I asked Kathy and Hannah (my midwives) if Josh should fill up the birthing pool. They said to wait until my contractions were 5-6 minutes a part. At 7:45, my contractions were 5-6 minutes a part. I let my midwives know, and Josh and I headed upstairs so that he can fill up the birthing pool. At this point, contractions went immediately to 2-3 minutes a part, and were intense. I had to pause at the top of the stairs because the intensity was so much to bear. My midwife (Kathy) said she was headed over. While Josh was trying to fill up the birthing pool (with James in tow) Kathy arrived at our house around 8:00-8:15. At this point, I was on my hands and knees on the floor, trying to hold onto something since Josh was occupied with trying to get things together. Kathy checked to see how far dilated I was, and she said, "There's not enough time to fill up the birthing pool. This baby's coming now." Josh grabbed some things out of Kathy's car for her, and our friend from church, Becky, arrived with her girls to take James. She passed James over to her girls to have them play with him at the park behind our house, while Becky came inside to see if Kathy needed any help. Because Hannah (my other midwife) was over at my sister-in-law's house, Kathy needed help, so with that, Becky climbed onto the bed next to me, grabbed my hand, and kept telling me that I was doing great. While Kathy was continuing to get set up, Josh and Becky were there, holding my hand, and telling me that I was doing great. Because of how quickly labor came, and how intense the contractions were, I was sweating like crazy. Becky went to get a cold washcloth, and patted my face with it, and boy was that nice! I think at this point, it was around 8:45-9:00. Kathy told me to listen to my body, and to push when I felt the need to. So, with every contraction, I pushed. Becky continued to wet my face with the washcloth, while holding my hand, and Josh continued to hold my hand, while saying, "Babe, I'm so proud of you! You're doing great!" During contractions, all I kept saying was, "It hurts!" And while I was waiting for the next contraction to come along, I was wondering how Ashley was doing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDSHf21Z9enzDni-yzGbA-tF7XirlJtIETwAsQxhCrN4LABIivd143mPm7D-52V_oIHr1cv-UTFDPMw5z4mQx6jrH0yOmdk4lITuw_a5w05hIr2BV7vn4FMuj3P8jfe6tnVeMsY6klYns/s1600/IMG_9924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDSHf21Z9enzDni-yzGbA-tF7XirlJtIETwAsQxhCrN4LABIivd143mPm7D-52V_oIHr1cv-UTFDPMw5z4mQx6jrH0yOmdk4lITuw_a5w05hIr2BV7vn4FMuj3P8jfe6tnVeMsY6klYns/s320/IMG_9924.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Kathy, Becky, and Josh said, "There's the head! He's got a ton of hair! The next push, and he'll be out!" And with that, I had my last push, and baby Ezra was out of my womb. He was born at 9:47 weighing 7Ibs. 15oz, and measuring 21 1/4" in length. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /> It's hard to think that Ezra's already 2 weeks old! We love our little guy, and find him absolutely adorable to stare at! <3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> James is adjusting to not being the center of attention... although each day holds it's new </span>challenge<span style="font-family: inherit;">. We love seeing James interact with his little brother, and hope that they become best of friends as they grow up together. </span></div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-37796798476662058642017-06-01T08:34:00.000-07:002017-06-01T08:34:29.744-07:00To My Son...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYPxlfqmqML7vly3_RjJtIRBtD5QI0zHhFUnHdohR-IcrZXx6FBn5kpec4Ck9jhmFcHLRv8pbtQBPR76CFkNlHeMnvvdEpcfZJ-KgwXh709zk1CBsbuWCsEI_WBKSZvOC_1zcDew3uyA/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYPxlfqmqML7vly3_RjJtIRBtD5QI0zHhFUnHdohR-IcrZXx6FBn5kpec4Ck9jhmFcHLRv8pbtQBPR76CFkNlHeMnvvdEpcfZJ-KgwXh709zk1CBsbuWCsEI_WBKSZvOC_1zcDew3uyA/s320/image1.JPG" width="256" /></a> To my son, on your first birthday. I can't believe it's been a whole year since you've been born. You've prepared me for so many things that I didn't think I could do. I didn't realize how tough being a mom could be, but I also didn't realize how amazing it would be either. It's amazing to see your first smile. It's amazing to watch as you figure out how to crawl and walk. It's amazing to see your face brighten up when daddy comes home, and takes you into his arms. It's amazing to see how big you've gotten, and how much you've learned, and still have yet to learn.<br />
When I became a mom, I knew that it would be hard, and full of life lessons, but little did I know how much you'd teach me. In the months following your birth, you'd teach me how I can love someone so much who's so small.<br />
There was many hard roads to follow in the months following your birth. It was though God decided to put a tree in the middle of the road every few yards for us to get around. Your mommy didn't have much patience through this time, but with Gods help, and the loving hand of your daddy, we got through it.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbboMu0h1DKBt2myNb6Kmq57psuNXYnZDd7bMg8VdnVMi8v_5ewM1gvTSEO2j6_2CH_0bSKQkx9l6HxQ2nhegLNIxL1gOo9XqJdLXJeRgLmXJy2AwOl9vrWQitifMNnYaaCbp6OqfVL3I/s1600/IMG_9528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbboMu0h1DKBt2myNb6Kmq57psuNXYnZDd7bMg8VdnVMi8v_5ewM1gvTSEO2j6_2CH_0bSKQkx9l6HxQ2nhegLNIxL1gOo9XqJdLXJeRgLmXJy2AwOl9vrWQitifMNnYaaCbp6OqfVL3I/s320/IMG_9528.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a> My son, there were many hard days of trying to figure out how to be a mommy, trying to keep a house clean, and trying to make dinner, all while trying to keep you happy. But, you know what? Those hard days taught me something. Your daddy was very good and continues to be good at reminding me that it's only a day. It was only that day that maybe didn't go so well. We have other days, and maybe tomorrow will be different. My son, even on a rough day, you made my day turn around when you were all giggly and smiling when daddy came home. The look on your face when he'd toss you in the air, and catch you, as you were giggling.<br />
My son, I can't wait to hear your first words, and to be able to hear your made up stories one day. I can't wait until you watch your daddy, as he's shaving one day, and want to do that too, just to be like your daddy. I can't wait until you can run into the arms of your daddy when he comes home.<br />
But for now, my son, I'm enjoying seeing all the little things you're learning at only a year old. I'm enjoying the excitement you get throughout the day, with various little things. I'm enjoying watching you as you love walking with your walker... the smile you get when you look like you've just found the biggest treasure in the world. You'll be walking soon enough, and holding your daddy and I's hand on walks in the evening. You're going to be a great older brother to your little baby brother, Ezra. I can already see it in your eyes, as you smile when I'm holding another baby. You're so curious, and full of smiles when you see there's someone smaller than you in my arms.<br /> So, on this day that you turn 1, happy birthday!... and remember that your daddy and I love you very much!!!<br />
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-7803123646972870342017-05-19T08:10:00.000-07:002017-05-19T08:11:25.380-07:00Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFkaPY48BgymUanoveD-LoGXOuLNm-PFSaNiUwKGfyDTVPuO56e7FMQoxXk5KWyNv2fN2kcVo9F9jf0pLX33KuNJPfaP8oQ82Rm0EkUn0MImbDQ3uScsr1rq3yTpFTCy9uxpWPjCf8QA/s1600/IMG_8536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFkaPY48BgymUanoveD-LoGXOuLNm-PFSaNiUwKGfyDTVPuO56e7FMQoxXk5KWyNv2fN2kcVo9F9jf0pLX33KuNJPfaP8oQ82Rm0EkUn0MImbDQ3uScsr1rq3yTpFTCy9uxpWPjCf8QA/s320/IMG_8536.JPG" width="256" /></a> It's been a while, I know. Life has been busy. February was full of us buying our first house! James getting his cast off, and Josh and I celebrating our 2nd anniversary. March was full of picking out things for the remodeling of our house... paint colors/flooring/lighting...etc... and April was filled with moving! We have officially moved into our new house!... there's still some construction still left to be done, but it's getting there.<br />
I have to say, while buying the house, remodeling it, and fixing the house up, has been a trying time for Josh and I's marriage, but it's been a good growing season for us. We've had to make decisions about the house, and what to fix or not to fix. There have been many late nights of painting, packing, and crying. I'm so grateful that Josh has been so patient with me throughout life but especially with the house.<br />
Baby Ezra Mark is due to make his entrance around July 6th, so it's been a busy season for us trying to prepare for baby #2. James is finally crawling, standing, and almost ready to walk! He absolutely loves walking with his walker!<br />
I just came back from Colorado a couple weeks ago visiting my family for my brother's Highschool and collage graduation. James is finally back into being himself again after having a rough time adjusting to a new surrounding and such in Colorado.<br />
I broke down a couple weeks ago, and cried. I cried because I was so overwhelmed with everything going on in my life, and the things to happen in the next couple months. I cried because I felt like I couldn't go any further. I cried because there've been some trials in my life the last couple days, and I just felt overwhelmed. God is still good though, isn't he?! My husband reminded me when he got home that night, "Caitlin, it's all in Gods hands. Don't be worried, God's got it!" Even in those times of need/stress/overwhelm, God is right there, guiding us through it all.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonOGuNVcQO3Po4gjaGCK7-_kB4J1S3o6Kqy2yrOng4YvJy8EsnSLWhSpykp7xXMlWLADQRNA3PbTVTK_k5rqIBqiE4MRuTWP924NJjrN3ID4UDRG-5VMAptUzIpzVSDkD_ejD2QbA_D0/s1600/IMG_9314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonOGuNVcQO3Po4gjaGCK7-_kB4J1S3o6Kqy2yrOng4YvJy8EsnSLWhSpykp7xXMlWLADQRNA3PbTVTK_k5rqIBqiE4MRuTWP924NJjrN3ID4UDRG-5VMAptUzIpzVSDkD_ejD2QbA_D0/s320/IMG_9314.JPG" width="240" /></a> Have any of you seen "Facing the Giants"? If not, I'd recommend this movie! In the movie, the main character and his wife go through several trails, and midway through the movie, they realize they need to change the way they think. They need to pray more, trust God more, and have more faith. By the end of the movie, him and his wife find out some good news, and all he has to say is, "God, oh God, I'm overwhelmed". There are many times in my life that I've felt overwhelmed. Although, nothing like I am in the present. God gets us through each individual trial in HIS timing.<br />
While I was in Colorado, a dear friend and sister in Christ at our church passed away after battling brain cancer for months. She left behind her husband and 9 children, the youngest being 10 months. It was a tough death in our church. The first death for many of the young ones to understand. It was very overwhelming for our church to go through, but God was there. It's been a rough season, but a good season, and through it all, we've seen Gods hand at work in the many lives of our friends.<br />
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Isaiah 43: 2-3, "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">When you pass through the waters, I</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">will be</i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">with you; </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God..."<br /><br /> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"> How has your start of summer been? Do you plan on doing anything big this summer? I'd love to hear all about it! </span></span></span><br />
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-38880573069198608372017-02-03T14:02:00.000-08:002017-02-03T14:02:41.091-08:00Burned and burned again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZCt0E1nomTcVQTsyQo09RKONhUfL_p86lu_nD2CP_a5vX28OSu8Y9480Hu_ghTY6kJ15HsgjmNQScEn42IRkgqxfzDXhEVUJ1XeWNAY9BtNhFLPGwlAWhxy5GU3txMEDV-KBVJWOL0o/s1600/IMG_8327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZCt0E1nomTcVQTsyQo09RKONhUfL_p86lu_nD2CP_a5vX28OSu8Y9480Hu_ghTY6kJ15HsgjmNQScEn42IRkgqxfzDXhEVUJ1XeWNAY9BtNhFLPGwlAWhxy5GU3txMEDV-KBVJWOL0o/s320/IMG_8327.JPG" width="180" /></a> Yesterday, I took James to the ER. After Doctors examining him, and giving his leg an X-ray, they found that his Femur was fractured. Yesterday, my husband took a tumble with our baby down our very steep set of stairs, and they fell a couple steps. It was enough for both of them to get hurt. So now James has a cast on his leg for the next month at least. It's funny. I feel like every time we leave the hospital, or get through something, God decides to bring something else into our life to give us a time to practice faith, patience, and perseverance.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGWUJGOH-hG1nm2SqIGATaCWxszhd4ZEl5xLy87n-5ucJdR8HoHCeNZnc0ZPqN0YidPqaDjylJyWGEh842rK2Gv0hVWYSqjhenn7qQER5s_iv1I2YmlkcDXjLCTueQPsktCcrPpcZSY8/s1600/IMG_8329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGWUJGOH-hG1nm2SqIGATaCWxszhd4ZEl5xLy87n-5ucJdR8HoHCeNZnc0ZPqN0YidPqaDjylJyWGEh842rK2Gv0hVWYSqjhenn7qQER5s_iv1I2YmlkcDXjLCTueQPsktCcrPpcZSY8/s320/IMG_8329.JPG" width="180" /></a> In between going to the hospital several times during James babyhood, and just challenging times with our little boy, I feel like I've been burned. I'm burned out quite honestly. I'm tired of getting burned. I'm tired of feeling tired. Every time I think to myself, "This is it! After we get through this, it'll be fine." Quite honestly, it is... just not the way I had pictured. It's funny how different our plans are from Gods, aren't they?!<br />
Every battle that we finally win with James, is a step closer to being who God wants us as his parents to be. But every battle that comes, there's another one to follow. On top of having my son in the ER yet again, we're trying to purchase a house, plus I'm pregnant, and there's constantly things happening throughout our week that make things challenging through one thing or another.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLVL_LIhtUeCuey44lSW_8fizcc5YpXTXJDGVjyYd1niVqcSXvE3KGJGC_64fx_YKLvWkZj78HLDA5qx6WmeRwfINb6SMWsgrzJxi14EAo6wxNMYfKbWHQ99GTcJc1A7yA_eoii7f010/s1600/IMG_8336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLVL_LIhtUeCuey44lSW_8fizcc5YpXTXJDGVjyYd1niVqcSXvE3KGJGC_64fx_YKLvWkZj78HLDA5qx6WmeRwfINb6SMWsgrzJxi14EAo6wxNMYfKbWHQ99GTcJc1A7yA_eoii7f010/s320/IMG_8336.JPG" width="180" /></a> I read this article today- <a href="http://foreverymom.com/family-parenting/walk-slowly-amanda-conquers/">Walk Slowly, Mama</a>, and couldn't help but cry. Cry because this is where I am in life... that and I'm pregnant, so things are a lot more emotional for me. ;) The things we do for our children on a daily basis helps to grow us in many ways. We all get burned in one way or another. We get burned by yet another child sick and you've already had 4 days of restless sleep. We get burned because someone let you down. We get burned because we're tired of doing the same thing over and over again. It's funny though. When I think I can't go on any longer, God brings me the encouragement and will to fight. Today, it was my sister-in-law lending me her car to go to Starbucks while James slept. Some days, it's my husband sending me a sweet text telling me that I'm doing great as a mom, and that he's proud of me, and some days, it's reading a part of the Word of God that you just needed to hear. Whatever it may be, God brings you the energy you need to continue to fight the good fight.<br /> "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." ~2nd Timothy 4:7~</div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-30131091559863620902017-01-07T14:08:00.000-08:002017-01-07T14:08:57.261-08:00A New Year, A new start<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's the start of 2017. Wow, how 2016 passed so quickly! Last year we celebrated Josh and I's first anniversary, had our first baby, bought a house (hopefully we'll be able to close and move in sometime in March) and are also expecting our 2nd baby. I haven't been very diligent about posting on this blog. Life has kept me busy. Our little boy, James, who's 7 months old now, keeps me on my toes. While he doesn't crawl or walk yet; he doesn't like it when I'm not within his sight, or if I'm not holding him.<br />
James started eating solid foods this last month. He's not a huge fan of anything yet, but hopefully that'll change soon.<br />
My pregnancy has gone well thus far! I'm 14 weeks along now and finally out of the first trimester! We'll find out the gender of our baby at the beginning of February. Josh and I are both <br />
kind of hoping for a girl, but we'll be happy with whatever God chooses to bless us with.<br />
December was a busy month for us. After coming back from Wisconsin after Thanksgiving, we were home for 2 days, before James was admitted to the hospital. Because of my pregnancy, he wasn't gaining any more weight. They were concerned, and so after 5 days in the hospital, we finally found something that works. As if being in the hospital wasn't enough, we put an offer in on a house while in the hospital that only my husband had seen. We took a step of faith, and our offer got accepted! Now we're just waiting for a couple odds and ins... and of course the closing day! ;) <br />
After we got back from the hospital, we hadn't been back that long before we set up our Christmas tree/lights..etc... and headed to Colorado the week after that for Christmas. December flew by for me so quickly quite honestly.<br />
December was a long month for me to learn Patience. I hated being in the hospital. Not only to see James being miserable because he's out of his comfort zone, and out of his schedule, but it's so uncomfortable in the hospital. We were constantly waiting for answers... when would we be released from the hospital? Did we get the offer on the house? Would I like it? Will James ever sleep through the night?... these and other questions were on my mind a lot, but all I could do was wait... be patient... pray.<br />
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." ~ Romans 12:12<br />
I don't have a New Years Resolution, except this... pursue Christ more... even in the midst of us packing, moving, and us getting ready for baby number #2. And last, but not least, love others more... put others before myself. <br />
What are your New Year's Resolutions? What were the highlights of 2016 for you?<br />
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-52138098277064990302016-12-01T11:58:00.000-08:002016-12-01T11:58:11.476-08:00Pregnancy Announcement! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> Hello fellow bloggers! Yes, it's been a while since I've posted! Lots has happened in that time! James is 6 months old now!!! Seriously, where did the time go?! He has 2 teeth coming in as well. The biggest news that James has for ya'll?... He's going to be a big brother!!! Please join us in celebration of a new life that God has been so gracious to bestow upon us. :-)</span></span><br /><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVuEjZ_A_UUqq51rtazUNqi-9GsxwqyuxdRX0t9I_AL1OG4vbFGSA6mQPq1uzjfi6m01glFBe79HVP0yDWkKSnL0pYxknIoaP59FMbUH262ITCGQ-fn1emjRROGwN0-yWNxntSt8KYP4/s640/pregnancy+annoucment+2.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-31896955375884252672016-10-11T08:35:00.002-07:002016-10-11T08:35:45.717-07:00Patience is a Virtue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bPxyTfLlXBU-NChqjQ5CeZ-qq4e0VPcDTEcemr716OO0_51WnDmS6s4-_Ml93HquiFqUrR6nm4RwXG1tl0Ib-2WScdDS6WeWLJfDd2lH6Eev7f2SXlqU5Cpk77_hU51g-KzYDCnsE4w/s1600/IMG_6944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bPxyTfLlXBU-NChqjQ5CeZ-qq4e0VPcDTEcemr716OO0_51WnDmS6s4-_Ml93HquiFqUrR6nm4RwXG1tl0Ib-2WScdDS6WeWLJfDd2lH6Eev7f2SXlqU5Cpk77_hU51g-KzYDCnsE4w/s320/IMG_6944.JPG" width="240" /></a> They say patience is a virtue, right? With being a full time momma, I try to remind myself of this quite often. For such a cute and precious baby, sometimes I run low on patience. This last week, it had been a long weekend full of fun activities, but needless to say, I was done. I was low on energy, and just ready to rest. Thankfully, James agreed with me and slept really well the night before so that I was able to get some rest. However, the next day, James wasn't wanting to fall asleep. He kept crying, and nothing I did would stop him. He doesn't normally do that anymore, but when he does, often times I get impatient. My husband is very good at taking him and trying his luck with James and putting him to sleep.<br />
I finally had to just put him in the Moses Basket that he sleeps in, tell him I loved him, and walked away for a bit. I'm usually in tears at this point because I feel like I'm doing something wrong because I can't calm my own baby down.<br />
After about 5 minutes, I walked back up to his room, and he was on the verge of falling asleep. I then put the pacifier in his mouth, and just like that, he was out, fast asleep.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe_CqyO1cyqus-EYAQOsVrH8iLa4jHqDNEYOnqnMFlVb8hEJ8fXRm_Aiau5QnbOabEqPArfV39rlqCk5_aFOaQbAZbOL4_7fe8KhPGsQMqT5RrYusafNt2JM_jiD02UYIVCVoLdCNmMc/s1600/IMG_6946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe_CqyO1cyqus-EYAQOsVrH8iLa4jHqDNEYOnqnMFlVb8hEJ8fXRm_Aiau5QnbOabEqPArfV39rlqCk5_aFOaQbAZbOL4_7fe8KhPGsQMqT5RrYusafNt2JM_jiD02UYIVCVoLdCNmMc/s320/IMG_6946.JPG" width="240" /></a> Last week, it had been night after night of very little sleep for both James and I. I was at the end of my rope. It was a Friday, and my husband woke up 30 minutes before his alarm, to get the baby for me, who was crying yet again. As he walked out of the room with our crying baby, I cried. It had been 4 long nights of very little sleep, and I was at the end of my rope. A few minutes later, I joined my husband downstairs on the couch. He said, "How was last night?" I couldn't speak at all. Tears began to roll down my face, and I was completely and utterly speechless. After a while, my husband said, "Would it help you if I took today off work?" And so, with a quick text to his boss to get the okay, he was off for the day. It was a chill morning after that. Josh decided to make my day better, so he went to grab us some donuts for breakfast from the local gas station, and then later on, we went to the theater to see a movie, out for a Starbucks coffee, and home for pizza and movie night. Thanks to my hubby, the day went from miserable to great! I'm very thankful to have a husband who knows my needs and knows what cheers me up the most. :-)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGcdD19xNL7_horRLCQPw8VdkXpTN41r0s_uSWh7oLn4Z7iIICtWMGt9HfeP7AIKudNt1OjC3zeuMOnmT8ScaG54XvBFBFNapQNxXthbLcWlNlB2lzODO2tmEOLTUdv6w89dMqo6RyPY/s1600/IMG_6953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGcdD19xNL7_horRLCQPw8VdkXpTN41r0s_uSWh7oLn4Z7iIICtWMGt9HfeP7AIKudNt1OjC3zeuMOnmT8ScaG54XvBFBFNapQNxXthbLcWlNlB2lzODO2tmEOLTUdv6w89dMqo6RyPY/s320/IMG_6953.JPG" width="240" /></a> I get mad at myself for getting so impatient with James sometimes. He doesn't realize he's being difficult, or that he just needs sleep. I started thinking about how I must be like that sometimes with God. God has a plan for me, and he knows what's in my best interest, but often times, I go my own way because I feel like it's the right way, or because I'm stubborn.<br />
Patience is one of the things that I can never be "great" at, or even "good" at. Often times, I feel like I've got it, and it's all good, and then BAM, God decides to humble me yet again. I Look at all the characters in the Bible, and see how patient they must've been in those times. Jacob waited a total of 14 years to receive Rachel as a wife! (Genesis 29) Abraham and Sarah waited for God to give them a child, Joseph was enslaved and taken to prison for a crime he didn't commit, and he waited there.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DtizM1LWqzkpDobqQoDnRUix-mZ6ViR7dIdrd9O8prS9Pn7Kl3b-lFa9K92fbirIKdDz0a7jH95Fub8Kd5r-qltaxnwEnYeUDX9Q8OItZ9_Q7JX-KmWhQZ1X3gqjzCMT9oDQV2WS3zo/s1600/IMG_6954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DtizM1LWqzkpDobqQoDnRUix-mZ6ViR7dIdrd9O8prS9Pn7Kl3b-lFa9K92fbirIKdDz0a7jH95Fub8Kd5r-qltaxnwEnYeUDX9Q8OItZ9_Q7JX-KmWhQZ1X3gqjzCMT9oDQV2WS3zo/s320/IMG_6954.JPG" width="240" /></a> I look at the patience that these men and women had in the Bible, and I feel like I lack so much in this area. I pray to God that He would grant me the patience that I need to be a good momma, and wife. God works in His ways, and gives us sanctification through trials He brings our way. In each moment, learn to be thankful, pray, and always seek Gods face... ALWAYS! <3</div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-45126282430753688722016-09-21T14:53:00.001-07:002016-09-21T14:53:36.855-07:00It's Been A While...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKMhhm77KJpU8bfACH_Ho-pRtqbpgogs-C0d_fNOiWuk1SPLhKM53mJPezSf57UJ6t6qomjXe7uM9RYA_g6B6k2FHvGyWY8asvyhVZsi0BVOHC9qMdlvwjm99RvqnzMuVsGxn1tk-Rnw/s1600/IMG_6508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKMhhm77KJpU8bfACH_Ho-pRtqbpgogs-C0d_fNOiWuk1SPLhKM53mJPezSf57UJ6t6qomjXe7uM9RYA_g6B6k2FHvGyWY8asvyhVZsi0BVOHC9qMdlvwjm99RvqnzMuVsGxn1tk-Rnw/s320/IMG_6508.JPG" width="256" /></a> It's been a while since I posted anything on blogs. Truth is, it's been a good break. I needed it. Figuring out how to be a mom, and to still keep up with everything else has had its challenging moments. So, what's the update? Our little baby boy is 3 1/2 months old now! James has been smiling since he was 6 weeks old! He loves to be outside, just sitting on our porch sitting with me on our swing. He can roll over from his back to his side now, and he loves to chew on things... whether that be fingers, blankets, arms. ;) James LOVES being held! He also gets upset when you leave him in a room by himself for too long.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlGSfQvbuxYZEbe9nXnEkyDNpp5VE5DiXp1Fy2jqNN5e8BNBDLZ6-3kA4htrJZhFS8B_FUjegx8Gt4uc3vLnoBIfA7CYwXTxuFAF-nl3gVjiBhUJLCTeCLjfJlfhebox2S02Vm_UMLrw/s1600/IMG_6514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlGSfQvbuxYZEbe9nXnEkyDNpp5VE5DiXp1Fy2jqNN5e8BNBDLZ6-3kA4htrJZhFS8B_FUjegx8Gt4uc3vLnoBIfA7CYwXTxuFAF-nl3gVjiBhUJLCTeCLjfJlfhebox2S02Vm_UMLrw/s320/IMG_6514.JPG" width="180" /></a> Being a mom is amazing, and rewarding, and also challenging at times. At this moment, I'm typing with one hand, and holding my little boy on my lap with the other. ;) I've been slowly writing a post on my blog. I usually get as far as writing a paragraph when something comes up, and my duty as a mom needs attention. So, this posts I've been writing for a couple weeks, little by little, and updating as needed.<br /> James started to laugh for the first time this last week. And oh, it filled my heart! My husband and I were reminiscing last week about how far we've come. How we met, courted, got engaged, married, and now have a baby! A baby who used to sleep and cry all the time, and now he smiles, he's found his thumb, is laughing, and loves brightly colored things. James loves to be outside, so whenever he's fussy and he just woke up, I just take him out there for a bit.<br /> So, that's the update that I have. Life with our little guy is full. Being a momma full time is challenging, and wonderful at the same time. I've been learning all sorts of new things about our little boy. During the challenging moments, my husband is so patient with me, and is always encouraging me and reminding me of Gods blessings that He's given to us, and how every day is a gift that we need to thank Him for.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's going to be a thumb sucker. ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves to stick out his tongue now!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those Cheeks!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t3h9vMUueBJXZ_H9Ng38UGrzQOqG3S7VJqKTXhU373F7D2-Deo419h-325kya0hDhGwo7NxuRvFCKFB_LgbOE7egfS225sT8GUJX2gNxHHqS38s7cyf1NGeNK2kM6SLEoP2e5o4Rad0/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t3h9vMUueBJXZ_H9Ng38UGrzQOqG3S7VJqKTXhU373F7D2-Deo419h-325kya0hDhGwo7NxuRvFCKFB_LgbOE7egfS225sT8GUJX2gNxHHqS38s7cyf1NGeNK2kM6SLEoP2e5o4Rad0/s320/IMG_6542.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what this face was for... I think he was blowing bubbles...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbEVs5bLc3g8OipvkukbV221gm-eEceHDGcdOdtHg6E2QnGt5NLUMzvFHJeVgRj0irYb1635P7rTgsff5JxE0niXheXyvr5yu0-4t1nuwVX1JTM6Upg3VY7hIfgNnpYWYNZtr8vYn7uw/s1600/IMG_6546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbEVs5bLc3g8OipvkukbV221gm-eEceHDGcdOdtHg6E2QnGt5NLUMzvFHJeVgRj0irYb1635P7rTgsff5JxE0niXheXyvr5yu0-4t1nuwVX1JTM6Upg3VY7hIfgNnpYWYNZtr8vYn7uw/s320/IMG_6546.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves tummy time now! :)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_G-pTamLn0PoLNB3qI8mTMYTXc-S6XEcBG9l_lSru7QiUFLxzmor4oW2cf3LmZ0-48W4iEzWi3n9zzzOJ5Ks1RoEqKvCXSQ3C6KVgK8CE0i-VUxMmZ6ghcgZzvTHghe94zJKwKFe-eQ/s1600/IMG_6559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_G-pTamLn0PoLNB3qI8mTMYTXc-S6XEcBG9l_lSru7QiUFLxzmor4oW2cf3LmZ0-48W4iEzWi3n9zzzOJ5Ks1RoEqKvCXSQ3C6KVgK8CE0i-VUxMmZ6ghcgZzvTHghe94zJKwKFe-eQ/s320/IMG_6559.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">What have ya'll been up to this summer? I'd love to hear about it! Leave a comment below...</span></div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-48106860265830135162016-08-09T08:26:00.001-07:002016-08-09T08:32:07.407-07:00Dear New Momma<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Dear new momma,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> You're new at this. You're still recovering from having a baby; I get it! You're trying to figure out how to be a mom and meet the needs of your husband and baby while trying to catch up on sleep and remembering to eat and take care of yourself as well. It's okay to cry. It's all overwhelming, I know, but God will give you the strength to endure every minute. Choose to focus on the precious gift you have before you, and know that you'll get through the day.<br /><br /> I want to encourage you and let you know that it gets better! Pretty soon, you'll have the "mom thing" down a bit more. You'll figure out how to balance out spending time with your hubby, spending time with God, keeping up with friends, and still meeting the needs of your baby.<br /><br /> I promise you, it'll all get better! Nursing will get easier, and you and your baby will soon be in sync with one another. Eventually you'll be able to make dinner with one hand and hold onto your baby with the other. Soon you'll get used to surviving on little sleep, and it'll become easier.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /> You'll have lots of people telling you how to be a mom and what to do. Just stay calm, nod your head, and smile. Some of the information you get, you'll use, and some of it you won't. You're the mom; you decide what works best for you and your baby.<br /><br /> Don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll have days when laundry, dishes, and other household chores won't get done. It's okay! Enjoy those snuggles with your new baby! ... they're only a baby once.<br /><br /> New momma, above all things, seek God and constantly be in prayer! Becoming a mom is challenging but oh so rewarding! You'll soon look back and see how far you've come. You've got this! ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">From one mama to another,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Caitlin (<a href="http://cherishandnurture.blogspot.com/">http://cherishandnurture.blogspot.com/</a>)</span><br />
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-36691539371991668582016-07-23T07:45:00.000-07:002016-07-23T08:27:17.790-07:00New Blog!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello all! I've started a new blog called, "<a href="http://cherishandnurture.blogspot.com/">Cherish and Nurture</a>", which you can find here: <a href="http://cherishandnurture.blogspot.com/">http://cherishandnurture.blogspot.com</a><br />I'll still continue to post on this blog, but not as often as I have been. When I first started my "Daughter of Destiny" blog, the purpose was to encourage and inspire other like-minded Christians. Although, that's still my purpose, my life has changed. I no longer write about singleness and staying content until God brings "the one", because I'm now a married woman, and a mom. My blog posts will start to be about how God has been teaching me in the life of being a wife and mom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd still love to give encouragement to those that are single, or who are still struggling to find contentment where Gods placed them, but I feel like my life has changed quite a bit now. As my precious baby sleeps in my arms, I can't help but praise God for the life He's given me, and for the opportunity I've had to minister and to encourage those that come to my blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />The reason for my new blog is to capture life's little moments - the moments that I cherish as a wife and momma - and to share how God is helping me nurture and raise our little guy into the man that God wants him to be. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-50157225475009151962016-07-20T13:17:00.001-07:002016-07-20T13:17:54.808-07:00A Letter to my Son<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Over the last couple years, I've seen a couple people write a letter to their son/daughter. I wrote this a couple weeks ago, but adjusted it accordingly. I thought I'd share it with ya'll.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mq4RFEqSsf8kkgwv_BMBsK41ky6WUWsUZHdewkQefmk9QiIc5PzIMgrIdEomuO1mbyQhqPTc4JAJGOo_ARi5kI6w2Jm4_T7fAtmb4Ge0O1Wfy1Ja5nLbBiDol1e9PsxjUkc2KGmLNA0/s1600/IMG_5263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mq4RFEqSsf8kkgwv_BMBsK41ky6WUWsUZHdewkQefmk9QiIc5PzIMgrIdEomuO1mbyQhqPTc4JAJGOo_ARi5kI6w2Jm4_T7fAtmb4Ge0O1Wfy1Ja5nLbBiDol1e9PsxjUkc2KGmLNA0/s320/IMG_5263.jpg" width="257" /></a><br />
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A Letter to my Son:</div>
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James, you're only 7 weeks old, and somehow the time is already passing by so quickly. From the moment your daddy and I found out we were going to have a baby, we had already fallen in love with you. With every passing day that my belly got bigger, our dreams were coming true.</div>
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You didn’t know it at the time, but I had prayed for you since I was a young adult. I prayed that when that someday came for me to get married and have children, that God would give me the strength to endure the path that He had for me. </div>
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The days of pregnancy went by fast for me. I had quite the scare in my first trimester when I thought I had lost you. However, God saw fit to bless us with such a beautiful and handsome son. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5w-YaAfYRXUpkbdc2z_fnRm_4tNqubVDRfTsKzd22kbwNVX4hvRhbVK1NEwgUv4qNfHu-rcj4Egq9CK1cDHc1xphMnevHjvUK-GhykSEqNl562RPhEdQp0B6xvQkxKBCtaJ-qbfG5WI/s1600/IMG_5264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5w-YaAfYRXUpkbdc2z_fnRm_4tNqubVDRfTsKzd22kbwNVX4hvRhbVK1NEwgUv4qNfHu-rcj4Egq9CK1cDHc1xphMnevHjvUK-GhykSEqNl562RPhEdQp0B6xvQkxKBCtaJ-qbfG5WI/s320/IMG_5264.JPG" width="240" /></a> <br />
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As my pregnancy with you came to an end, I began to feel excited and nervous. Excited that I was going to be holding you in my arms soon, but nervous with how I was going to be as a mother. Your dad was confident that I was going to be great, but I couldn’t see how someone so little could play a huge part in my role as a mother. </div>
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As the days pass, and you get a tiny bit bigger, I wonder, even now how I’ll be as a mother. I know that I’ll get upset and frustrated with you at times, but I pray that you’ll be patient with me as I’m learning to be a momma for the very first time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrHR91prvr6gpmQbRNaT-nmYZMhzR0GftHMdiOxtRKodKTu1gB7EJQeYnJIwH28gGBvmx48smk1DV3gsGaBgrrVOjPjlNxOpzalySQr4HHqCNfjLdf5dqELsxZJQt2NQKRDbb7aHgtrU/s1600/IMG_5293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrHR91prvr6gpmQbRNaT-nmYZMhzR0GftHMdiOxtRKodKTu1gB7EJQeYnJIwH28gGBvmx48smk1DV3gsGaBgrrVOjPjlNxOpzalySQr4HHqCNfjLdf5dqELsxZJQt2NQKRDbb7aHgtrU/s320/IMG_5293.JPG" width="240" /></a> We've had bad day, and good days, and days that were so rough on me, that I was in tears because of the lack of sleep, but you helped me grow into mommy-hood. I"m very thankful to be married to your daddy, who, during those times was so patient with me, and still continues to be.<br />
Last week, you started smiling for the very first time when daddy and I would talk to you. Every morning, we long to get that sweet smile, and every morning, you melt our hearts with your smile. We are in love with you!<br />
James, as daddy and I train you up in the admonition of the Lord, may you seek Gods wisdom always. Remember to "Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you." ~1st Samuel 12:24. Give God glory for everything in your life, and praise Him through all the trials that will come your way.<br />
Your daddy and I love you very much and we're blessed and honored to be your parents! We're looking forward to watching you grow. We love you James Randal Narwold!!! <3</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6WO13LJbbT6kCMbRBQwokumsmUGJVSRKOu8GJqBx9AVs4SEABc4PLcIOcRgXzAHKe8IaIefRlIf6Yx822YhQCfuF_UgnAwbcYBH27XTwpO-prPCLSwdJasM8wk-vxyaxmr2BZlWE2UQ/s1600/IMG_5281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6WO13LJbbT6kCMbRBQwokumsmUGJVSRKOu8GJqBx9AVs4SEABc4PLcIOcRgXzAHKe8IaIefRlIf6Yx822YhQCfuF_UgnAwbcYBH27XTwpO-prPCLSwdJasM8wk-vxyaxmr2BZlWE2UQ/s320/IMG_5281.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUs6SGzBXD3Eb1u-9yuvZNln9KiKizaEHyNxqz3S99jx3uK5yVgvUBMQ5g5Fl94CBIFrWFYgnRzXOihfTe6xNssA0K_5LzYHI9biCdck3rxzk41HG6Y23ZMhrAX3FW-P4zO3d7CthTJE/s1600/IMG_5271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUs6SGzBXD3Eb1u-9yuvZNln9KiKizaEHyNxqz3S99jx3uK5yVgvUBMQ5g5Fl94CBIFrWFYgnRzXOihfTe6xNssA0K_5LzYHI9biCdck3rxzk41HG6Y23ZMhrAX3FW-P4zO3d7CthTJE/s320/IMG_5271.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-58027680062289774332016-07-06T15:53:00.002-07:002016-07-06T16:12:44.017-07:00A Grateful Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZO-F1eLVgAT4zkmBvhBmTaubxcetGPIqr8cj_93fAE_uzd-IOFYPVXVrstovLDDkmTVCOtjePxQXBqTa1kZldGv3NNa6j1ILzjRrMVWVEiXDiaNsNCVijBraMaU0_iwZqA6gr-zu0_A/s1600/IMG_4939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZO-F1eLVgAT4zkmBvhBmTaubxcetGPIqr8cj_93fAE_uzd-IOFYPVXVrstovLDDkmTVCOtjePxQXBqTa1kZldGv3NNa6j1ILzjRrMVWVEiXDiaNsNCVijBraMaU0_iwZqA6gr-zu0_A/s320/IMG_4939.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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These past couple weeks have been quite the whirlwind. Adjusting to life as a new mom, and meeting the needs of my 5-week old have been great and challenging at the same time. There are times I look at baby James and think, "Wow! How could God be so gracious to give us a baby of our own?!" Every day with my little boy gets better... and yes, I still have good days and bad days, but I wouldn't trade my baby for the world! ;)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzA-a7Q29peBZiCXid0gaUAJVr_DMbRlXwrIA5yN42oKCMDFptN7lhi6bwR-Umf3u08CXXvgmpJ9ynfXmLKyGB1efYXa0gzswColqgwyzZKViGbWbwckaudjkX2Zi0teGGn7a9J33S4c/s1600/IMG_4949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzA-a7Q29peBZiCXid0gaUAJVr_DMbRlXwrIA5yN42oKCMDFptN7lhi6bwR-Umf3u08CXXvgmpJ9ynfXmLKyGB1efYXa0gzswColqgwyzZKViGbWbwckaudjkX2Zi0teGGn7a9J33S4c/s320/IMG_4949.JPG" width="240" /></a> I was thinking this last week about how my life has changed for the better. I was thinking about how God used everything in my life for His glory. It's funny the things that God throws our way to teach us things in order to grow us into the person that He created us to be.<br />
This past week, I was actually feeling pretty confident about being a momma to my little man. I was proud of myself for being able to go in public with a 5-week old, and everything going great... and then life threw me a curve ball... or should I say my son threw me a curve ball and decided to sleep for 3 hours while I got ready for the day!... this was huge! I was thinking to myself, "Hey, this days going to go great!" After I woke him up to feed him, and played with him for a bit, it was time for his nap again. His eyes began to roll back, and he drifted off to sleep... for 2 minutes. James decided to continue to do this for the next hour. Anytime, I'd set him down, or take the pacifier from his already opened mouth, he'd wake up, and cry... sigh. Well, needless to say, my whole afternoon was pretty much spent holding him and trying to get him to sleep. So much for getting things done, right?!<br />
Half of me just wanted me to let him cry himself to sleep, so that I can at least get my lunch and have an hour to myself, and the other half of me, wanted to cradle my son in my arms and let him know that it was all okay, and that mommy was there for him.<br />
I began to think to myself, "Some days are great, and some days are terrible, but I should be grateful that I have a son that Gods blessed me with!"<br />
Motherhood is hard. It's hard to put your selfishness aside every hour of every-day, and focus on someone other than yourself. It's hard to possibly not be able to take a shower, or eat your lunch until later in the afternoon, so that your child can have your love and attention.<br />
I admit, I don't have it all together. I feel like some days I have it all together... that's when God decides to prove me wrong. "...Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good..." ~Psalm 100:4-5<br />
So, what am I grateful for?<br />
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<li>The Chance to Serve.</li>
<li>A Baby that Gods blessed me with!</li>
<li>The love that a mother has for her child.</li>
<li>My mothers Godly example for me to follow as I enter motherhood.</li>
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What are you grateful for?... I'd love to know in the comments below! :-)</div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-47309903613556584182016-06-27T14:00:00.001-07:002016-06-27T14:00:01.901-07:00James Birth Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHP6v9kBMbmYoV0ary-n_HIMqAKR4U4_i_cmPEObsaQjSaX4Q30RiEH3R1CcpY2SQcDzTFC8l0LkQ_krd8Yu3JqeLN7l_j3Gk7j16VaRIZ1mCNNAIdOEAKPqz6o9x3cDtbutYiesIFN0/s1600/IMG_4816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHP6v9kBMbmYoV0ary-n_HIMqAKR4U4_i_cmPEObsaQjSaX4Q30RiEH3R1CcpY2SQcDzTFC8l0LkQ_krd8Yu3JqeLN7l_j3Gk7j16VaRIZ1mCNNAIdOEAKPqz6o9x3cDtbutYiesIFN0/s320/IMG_4816.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Tuesday, May 31st. It started out like any other “normal” day (as normal as it gets for a pregnant mama!). Because of my high blood pressure the last couple weeks, I had been told to take it easy and was basically on bed rest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> On this particular night - a Tuesday, our official “date night” since the start of our marriage - Josh and I decided to see a movie at the local theater. We knew that once baby James had arrived, trips to the theater would be rare for a little while. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I had a bit of cramping during the movie but didn’t pay much attention to it. On the way home, the cramps began to come more often; every 10 minutes or so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Around 12:45 we decided to head for bed. No sooner had we turned off the light and snuggled up in bed than my cramps worsened to the point that I couldn’t sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It was about 1:00 in the morning when I told Josh, “I wonder if I’m in labor.” I texted my midwife Hannah and asked her if the pain I was experiencing was normal. She assured me that it was, told me that it was likely I’d be having the baby within the next 24-48 hours, and encouraged me to get some sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> By 1:15, the contractions were so close together - about 5 minutes apart - that I couldn’t get any rest. By 1:30 they were about 4 minutes a part, and we called Hannah. Josh finished setting up the birth pool, as this was to be a water birth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Hannah arrived at our house around 2:15 to find my poor husband attempting to fill the birth pool with hot water</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.42857em;">without</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">using the hose we had bought for the purpose (the adapter we now realized was necessary to connect the hose to the faucet had sadly gone unpurchased). Boiling water on the stove was not going to cut it given how close together my contractions were becoming, and Hannah decided it was more important to have enough water in the pool than to have perfect-temperature water. Thus began the bucket brigade from bathroom sink to poolside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> When Hannah checked around 2:45 AM, I was 7 cm dilated. Kathy (our other midwife) and Cortnie (“the intern”) showed up around 3:00-3:15. At this point my contractions were every 2-3 minutes apart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I had been on my hands and knees for most of the duration of the labor. Josh had tried to get me into a more comfortable position or at least on the bed, but for some reason the floor felt most comfortable. All I wanted was for the pain to be over. I held Josh’s hand and squeezed it every time I had a contraction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Kathy and Hannah told me that I could get into the birth pool if I wanted to, and I did. The water felt really nice, but my contractions started to slow down almost immediately; so back out of the pool I went!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Over the next few hours I took a shower, got back down on my hands and knees, then switched to the birth pool for a bit before repeating the process.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.42857em;"> I’m not sure exactly when I was fully dilated, but they told me afterwards that I had pushed for an hour and a half. We tried a few different locations and positions for the pushing, and we could see the top of James’s head before I’d returned to the pool. In fact, we almost finished labor without using the pool! It was my offhand comment “So much for a water birth!” that prompted Kathy to suggest I slip back in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.42857em;"> Josh ventured into the birthing pool with me, and I leaned on him, squeezing the folds of his shirt with every contraction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.42857em;"> Little baby James was born at 10:45 a.m. And I do mean little; he was just an ounce over 6 pounds! At 20 3/4", though, we think he’ll be tall like Daddy. The midwives pushed some air down into his lungs to help him breathe by himself since he had so much fluid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.42857em;"> My mom flew out from Colorado later that day, and my dad followed 24 hours after. Josh took the week off and was able to work from home the second week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.42857em;"> Adjusting to mommy-hood has been a challenge, but it’s been great. Having my parents here to help for the first few days made quite a difference. I’m still struggling with nursing, but we’re getting there little by little; and the sleep deprivation, though hard at first, has </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.42857em;">grown easier to manage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.42857em;"> James is just about 4 weeks old now; and while we face fresh challenges daily as new parents, by God’s grace we’re getting through them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.42857em;"> I’m thankful for Josh, a fantastic husband and now father who has been very patient with me while I learn how to be a mom and meet the needs of our 4-week-old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.42857em;"> Our little guy brings us so much joy, and we wouldn’t trade him for the world. <3</span></div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-88686098705986741392016-06-17T10:59:00.001-07:002016-06-17T11:00:02.163-07:00Life As A New Mom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been a little over 2 weeks now since I've had my baby. Life has been full of all kinds of new things. I've come to the conclusion that I'm a very selfish person. Having a baby is full of all kinds of joys, but also many challenges.<br />
From trying to figure out how to nurse, and being sleep deprived, makes mommy-hood all the more interesting.<br />
James is a wonderful blessing and addition to our family, but it's also been a little tough to adjust to having a baby.<br />
What once was nights with my hubby, sitting and watching a movie, playing games, evening walks, or having friends over, is now, time spent trying to feed the baby, or put the baby to sleep. Nights with just my husband and I, are no longer. It's been an adjustment for both of us, but we wouldn't trade it for the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbdBJ5R1aDLehh8KTrTdwFqYR31NgWaSJ5lR0rvi6m7SaBpCcnJcusXLAkBCPHHwdCwEZ688Sf2VK6y0gmfFTt8U_ar7kOIqwlCey7aMSU9q-HadMiWi-CdLRPTKj5HUCK8-uR-frGlA/s1600/IMG_4683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbdBJ5R1aDLehh8KTrTdwFqYR31NgWaSJ5lR0rvi6m7SaBpCcnJcusXLAkBCPHHwdCwEZ688Sf2VK6y0gmfFTt8U_ar7kOIqwlCey7aMSU9q-HadMiWi-CdLRPTKj5HUCK8-uR-frGlA/s320/IMG_4683.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh having some father/son bonding moments.</td></tr>
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I told my husband, "I feel like I won't be able to tell you about my day anymore! It won't be exciting. It'll be, feeding the baby, putting the baby to sleep, and maybe some things in between." ;) It gave us both a good laugh.</div>
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James weighs 6Ibs 9.9oz as of today, which means, he's been gaining an ounce a day for the past week and a half. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He looks so peaceful when he sleeps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaerdVRdg5vdO1syr5N8ukIhVc9uYYhAjc7B620Ny3enkcUUfCZTAOFsMishj-wsoySNfzlrMEmoHqAGNW3EQW37cO_rqQW_3rTq_cIodlfXkhjRFUwG0FUHmMe6oeAVF8yoAOD3QUzs/s1600/IMG_4723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaerdVRdg5vdO1syr5N8ukIhVc9uYYhAjc7B620Ny3enkcUUfCZTAOFsMishj-wsoySNfzlrMEmoHqAGNW3EQW37cO_rqQW_3rTq_cIodlfXkhjRFUwG0FUHmMe6oeAVF8yoAOD3QUzs/s320/IMG_4723.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is James after he finished eating. ;)<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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James is 16 days old, as of today. Every day is full with new challenges/old challenges, and lots of patience to go with it ... Gods working on me with that one. ;)</div>
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I pray that God will give me the patience to endure what lies ahead, and to give me a peace that passes all understanding. Little baby James is a tremendous Joy to our lives, and we couldn't be happier to have him in our little family. We love you James Randal Narwold!!! <3</div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-84250093241231243492016-06-03T14:05:00.002-07:002016-06-03T14:05:32.885-07:00Introducing... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkBlUvmWoktkUTawfKAgttgk37IAorTItiUQn575xq9Gy9HpSNSNw7iElrcD-TTPaG51N-h2i16bzp-NmKHlOB4r9fZxHM0zIOuoNavtLQetyruWl_HzNSf-kT_30D0_VTjaQ2NWSZlg/s1600/13268411_10153517251960718_9093215209691816948_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkBlUvmWoktkUTawfKAgttgk37IAorTItiUQn575xq9Gy9HpSNSNw7iElrcD-TTPaG51N-h2i16bzp-NmKHlOB4r9fZxHM0zIOuoNavtLQetyruWl_HzNSf-kT_30D0_VTjaQ2NWSZlg/s320/13268411_10153517251960718_9093215209691816948_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">We welcomed little baby James Randal Narwold into this world on Wednesday, June 1st. He weighed 6 Ibs. 1oz. and was 23 1/4". He was born 2 weeks early, so he's such a little guy. Our hearts are full! 💕 </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grammy and Grandpa meeting their first grandbaby!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snuggle Time with Daddy! <3</td></tr>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-53906087135927105782016-05-26T08:50:00.000-07:002016-05-26T08:50:52.050-07:00Answered Prayers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On Sunday, our pastor was telling us how quick we often forget answered prayers. We forget the little things that God does for us. Satan likes to attack our lives in every way he can to tear us down. He wants us to forget all the good things that Gods done in our lives, and all the prayers that we asked to be answered, that were answered.<br />
I used to make a list of all my prayer request, and then write down the date when they were answered. I haven't done that in a while... maybe I should get back into doing that. We often forget the little things such as God answering our prayers about finding a job, or a spouse, or giving us a child. I know for me, I've often forgotten to thank God over and over again for giving me what I asked for. The Bible says in James 4:2, "...You do not have because you do not ask."<br />
Even though God already knows what we want/need, he still wants us to ask Him. He wants us to have that deep relationship with him, that we can still go to him with everything. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you..." ~Matthew 7:7<br />
I'm reminded of the hymn: What a Friend we have in Jesus...<br />
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">What a friend we have in Jesus,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">All our sins and griefs to bear!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">What a privilege to carry</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Everything to God in prayer!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Oh what peace we often forfeit,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Oh what needless pain we bear,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">All because we do not carry</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Everything to God in prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Have we trials and temptations?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Is there trouble anywhere?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">We should never be discouraged,</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Take it to the Lord in prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Can we find a friend so faithful</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Who will all our sorrows share?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Jesus knows our every weakness,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Take it to the Lord in prayer.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.24; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Are we weak and heavy laden,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Cumbered with a load of care?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Precious Savior, still our refuge,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Take it to the Lord in prayer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Take it to the Lord in prayer!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.24;">In his arms he'll take and shield thee,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.24;">Thou wilt find a solace there.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.24;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
So, remember to thank God for answered prayers, and to continue to ask him for things that are according to his will. He'll answer... in HIS time.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUuQZ0hOKkAumHsPywRXDKDPLyRrggxq0FsdJj3plCG0pT1BbAVEXUCI2UtuT6kgN-q4X1tEZgjimYk0WEQBu7-0k5Jfm6__bGFq2ENC64HBXP1Ldtw4NtszfMZ540vO1ng0gf2JsamY/s1600/IMG_4626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUuQZ0hOKkAumHsPywRXDKDPLyRrggxq0FsdJj3plCG0pT1BbAVEXUCI2UtuT6kgN-q4X1tEZgjimYk0WEQBu7-0k5Jfm6__bGFq2ENC64HBXP1Ldtw4NtszfMZ540vO1ng0gf2JsamY/s320/IMG_4626.JPG" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thankful and grateful that God answered our prayers,<br />
and blessed us with a baby. We're excited to welcome him<br />
into this world in the next couple weeks! <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1709894310426512975.post-64526673154732703672016-05-17T14:30:00.000-07:002016-05-17T14:30:20.546-07:00Almost There!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-48fzvi4vZSsRR670_RPbXeFm3Pg4FnKyKNArYEhwrGW599qpR96oocXJ2AiQyh3ZuIGEdh27U82EForiYetRa6WC33rutOcs6KMOvYItpc_ayfmJp9Q9h4XtvbFrIXpuLFQghlXte60/s1600/IMG_4536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-48fzvi4vZSsRR670_RPbXeFm3Pg4FnKyKNArYEhwrGW599qpR96oocXJ2AiQyh3ZuIGEdh27U82EForiYetRa6WC33rutOcs6KMOvYItpc_ayfmJp9Q9h4XtvbFrIXpuLFQghlXte60/s320/IMG_4536.JPG" width="256" /></a> As the weeks get closer to my delivery of this little boy I carry, I'm reminded of Gods goodness every day. Gods goodness to bless even me, a sinner, with a child? A child that I can call my own, a child that my best friend in the world, and I can share together? A child who's father is the best man in the world and the love of my life?!<br />
In the preparation of delivering a baby, I've been super busy. Buying things that I'll need for delivery and birth, and getting things ready and "set up" for the labor and delivery has kept me busy.<br /> I'm 36 weeks into my pregnancy now. There's a couple of the ladies in our church, including myself who are all due within a couple weeks of each other, so it's been great to grow with them, and to learn new things from other mommies in the church.<br /> The more I think about it, the more I'm grateful that God has somewhat prepared me to be a mom by the way I grew up. I helped take care of my youngest brother, who's now almost 8, and helping my sister, who's almost 14 has given me some practice that I wouldn't have been able to do if I didn't have them in my life.<br /> Having babysitting jobs throughout my life has also been super helpful, and to know how to take care of things when they go wrong, or merely how to change a diaper... every little piece of my life, God has used in some way or another to help prepare me to be a mother. On top of that, having a mother who's wonderful example has been to lead us all in the ways of the Lord. I feel truly honored and blessed to have everyone in my life who's been able to give me wisdom and advice on what they've learned. I'm thankful that I know what I do, and I know that we still have a ways before Josh and I will feel like we know what we're doing, but I feel like we've got a great start thanks to family and friends. :)<br /><br /> Prayer Requests:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Labor/Delivery will go smooth without any complications.</li>
<li>God will grant my husband and I with patience and perseverance as we learn how to be parents</li>
<li>God will grant me with strength and calmness as I endure labor.<br /><br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Video Below of Baby James moving... at the end. He usually stops moving when I get the camera out, but this time I caught him giving me a kick. ;)<br /></div>
</div>
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Caitlin Narwoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05623810499901309433noreply@blogger.com0