He’s here! Grandbaby number seven, Henry James, made his way into the world through a water birth last Saturday at a whopping 9 pounds. He’s beautiful, and we’re gonna keep him. š
We had the three big brothers with us for a few overnights, and the first night we had a puker. That’s always fun.
The rest of the weekend, he had some loose stools. It wasn’t really that bad except that he already deals with what my son calls EBS (Excitable Bowel Syndrome), and on top of that, he’s like his dad, a worry wort, so he thought he was way worse than he was.
But we survived.
We are in love.
And the little family is adjusting to having a new baby in the house.
Now, here’s the rest of this week’s happenings:
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WHAT I ATE
Since we had three of the Littles for a few days, we’ve had our fair share of junk food, so in the later part of the week, we had this Spinach Artichoke Salmon recipe. I didn’t have any capers in the house, but it was still delish and heart-healthy!
WHAT I’M READING
Speaking of food, which indirectly leads me to my weight, alright, it probably directly relates to my weight; I just started reading Weight Loss, God’s Way by Cathy Morenzie. It’s actually a 21-day devotional that uses scripture as well as practical application to help break our “diet bondage,” get healthy and deepen our faith.
To be honest, I could probably write an entire post about this, and maybe I will at some point. But as much as I struggle to come to terms with being well over 200 pounds, I’m not at all interested in another diet book or counting calories. I told you previously I’m a recovering diet addict.
In fact, I haven’t even gotten to the devotion part of the book yet, and I almost chucked the whole book because, in the introduction, the first of only three practical daily suggested habits is to commit to tracking on a calorie counter app. Ugh, here we go again!
But here’s the deal, I have to give this part of my life (health) journey to God because the Paula Method hasn’t worked. It’s so overwhelming to be the one trying to fix it all. Can you relate?
If you can, and want to read along with me, grab the book and let me know in the comments. Perhaps we’ll start a weekly “support group” in a ZOOM call or Facebook LIVE or something.
WHAT I BOUGHT
one || two || three || four || five
Okay, after the holidays, I’m planning on doing another no-buy shopping month or two, where I don’t buy clothes for that time period. So, I’ve been trying to find a few items on my wish list or replacement list, including a cooler-toned winter dress coat and some long boot-cut and/or flare jeans.
I ordered these flare jeans in Misses size 18. They are KEEPERS, and I hope to get photos of the outfit soon.
That outfit will include this puff sleeve sweater (size XL). It’s so pretty and flattering with almost everything I paired it with.
P.S. Puff sleeves help balance out bigger tummies and hips, and these are not so big that they appear clownish.
As for the coats, they haven’t arrived yet, so I’m hoping one of them will work.
I also ordered this silk pillowcase to have a second one. And we needed to replace our outdoor heated cat house before the weather got too frigid. For a man who hates cats, Mr. Dimples treats our outdoor cat, Pepper, like a queen.
WHAT INSPIRED ME
My daughter-in-law inspired me this week with her incredible strength during labor and patience as a newborn’s mother. Can you believe how beautiful she looks only three hours after giving birth?
What you can’t see in this photo is the pain she feels while she heals and the scars her body forever carries. They are masked by her beautiful glow and the glorious joy of having this new little life added to their family.
Heading into this particular week, it makes me think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her strength and resilience in giving birth in such rugged and crude surroundings after a long, arduous journey to get there and all the sacrifices she made to follow God’s plan – Physical and emotional hardships, being having her reputation and probably her sanity brought into question, and finally, seeing her son crucified.
My friend, as women, we, too, have extraordinary, God-given strength and resilience; it is not unique to Mary.
Not one of us can walk through storms and the labors of life here on earth unscathed and unchanged. But our JOY is knowing that we are daughters of the King and that He promises to turn our mourning to dancing.
So no matter what you’re walking through right now, trust that God has the big picture in mind and it won’t always be this way. He will take the ashes and devastation of the things we think are destroyed and turn them into something beautiful. (Isaiah 61:1-3)
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25
Have a fantastic week!
Congratulations!! What a precious little family!!
Such a great post, Paula. I grabbed the book. I am in the same boat as you and am hoping that I can truly take it to heart!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Author
Thank you so much Alicyn. I sure do love my people. š Hereās praying that we can make some healthy changes this year.
Hugs & Merry Christmas!
Paula
Such a sweet picture! Our 4th grandson, HENRY Michael was born 5 weeks ago, via water birth. But only 6 lbs 14 oz. Like you, I can’t believe the strength and resolve of these mamas! Love that sweater, I may get one too!
Author
Congratulations to you too Cathy! They are so stinkinā precious, arenāt they?
And yes the sweater is so good and the fact that itās cotton is just a big olā bonus for me.
Hugs,
Paula
Wonderful thoughtful post. Congrats on the new baby…
Author
Thank you Elle. Have amazing day.
Hugs,
Paula
Congratulations!!! How exciting to have a new baby in the family again! The pictures are beautiful, I especially like the black and white one! And yes, your DIL looks amazing! Of course, your mini devotional was uplifting. In fact I read it to my husband. We talked about Mary a bit and both is said we couldnāt imagineā¦ā¦.
Iām in for the book you are reading. That will be my January inspiration! It sounds familiar to me, but apparently I never followed through on it, š¤·š¼āāļø
Have a wonderful week with that new grandbaby!!
Author
I feel the same Regina. To be as young as Mary was, just trusting God in such a huge and hard task. But when He calls us, Heāll give us what it takes to see it through. Of course, relying on him in every millisecond is a must.
š
Paula
I have recently found your blog and have really come to love your content. I never comment but today you touched on a subject that I am really passionate about and that is dieting. I read three books that were absolutely life changing for me: More than a Body by Lindsey and Lexi Kite; Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison, and Intuitive Eating (4th edition). These three books have changed me and helped me to see the truth about diet and beauty culture and break up with them for good.
Congratulations on the birth of your grandson! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas filled with love and family!
Author
Hi Summer! Welcome and thanks so much for being here. I have read almost every diet book (at least up until a few years ago) when I broke up with dieting. š I have read intuitive eating, although Iām not sure which addition. But I havenāt heard of the other two you mentioned.
As you probably have learned too, every ādietā makes sense on paper. At one point my head was so full of all the ā knowledgeā I couldnāt think straight. Itās such a cycle and despite how far weāve come, culture pushes skinny as the epitome of health, beauty, and success and of course that makes it hard to break the bondage of our thought processes toward dieting.
Itās a continual journey to self-check and realize the most important things in life.
Hugs to you!
Paula
I’m putting that book in my cart right now! Thanks!
Merry Christmas
Author
Oh good! I donāt want to do it alone.
Hugs,
Paula
Beautiful family! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! I might do the devotional with you too!
Author
Thank you. It would be great to work through it with others. Perhaps it will help keep my attitude in check. š¤Ŗ
Hugs,
Paula
Congratulations on Henry James! What a beautiful family! No, I can’t believe your daughter-in-law looked so great 3 hours after giving birth! She’s incredible. Just the fact that she’s wearing clothes amazes me.\
Author
Ha! Well, she was in a bathtub so she had to get out and put something on anyway. š¤£
Have a fantastic weekend. .
Paula
Congratuations! Such a beautiful family! What a blessing!!
Author
Thank you Kim! Weāre soaking up our days with him as heās āplannedā to be our last grand. š
Have a very merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Paula
Thank you for sharing that verse of Proverbs. My best friend has been struggling with some health and family issues this past year and while it is too late to incorporate that verse somehow into a Christmas gift for her I definitely will be tucking it away for a later date.
Congratulations to your family on the birth of baby Henry. I hope you get to enjoy lots of baby snuggles!
Author
I hope this will be a help to your friend. In the midst of the storms we can be tempted to think weāre not made for the heaviness, and the truth is, on our own, weāre not. But GOD is our strength and sustainer.
Have a merry Christmas!
Paula
Congratulations on the arrival of your beautiful grandson! Four boys — now that’s exciting!
Thank you for the inspirational words today. It’s a much-needed and heartfelt reminder. I’ve printed out those last few paragraphs to keep with me and read during the day. Blessings to you and your family this holiday season!
Author
Thanks so much Beth! We actually now have SEVEN grandSONs! Not one girl in the bunch. š
Thank you so much for affirming the encouragement. You do t know how much that means to me.
Hugs,
Paula
Oh my gosh do I ever need this devotional! My life is so stressful and it’s not just the holidays. BTW granddaughter #7 is due May 2023!!!! I am very interested if you decide to do a zoom
Author
Thatās exciting JoAnne! Our seventh is supposed to be our final so it feels extra special.
Hugs,
Paula
I am 75 years and have dieted since I was 10 years old. Always been up and down. I want to be thinner and stay that way! Every diet that I have ever been on works but maintaining is so hard for me. I gained about 50 pounds over covid. In May a friend introduced me to the Octavia plan. I have lost over 50 pounds on it and am close to goal. I hope to be able to maintain this time. Will be following you closely on this. Congratulations on the new grandbaby. Nothing better than kids at Christmas!!!!
Author
I do know people on Octavia too Janice. Iām glad itās worked for you. For me, Iām not interested in dieting, it makes me think about food all the time. š
Hope you have a fabulous holiday season.
Blessings,
Paula
Congratulations on your new grandbaby!
And thank you for your musings on Mary, Jesusā mom. I have always been amazed at how quickly she agreed with Godās pronouncement on her life …..āI am a servant of the Lordā. Amazing example.
Merry Christmas!
Author
Thatās a very observant thought Kasey. I doubt I would have been so quick and would have thought it in circles. But what a great example of accepting Gods plan for our lives.
Merry Christmas!
Paula
Congratulations on your new grandson.! I love this weekās purchases feature. I am looking for a long dress coat and will be looking at the ones you posted. Merry Christmas to you and your Family š
Paula, I want to get the book so I can be included in the zoom meeting Facebook whatever you do I just love your stories are so inspirational. Specially the one about your daughter-in-law but I love them all merry Christmas & congratulations on the new bundle of joy in your family.. Love you BERNICE.
Congratulations on your new grandson! Such a beautiful family. I have 8 grandchildren (2 girls and 6 boys).
I grabbed the book. I have struggled for years with my weight, up and down, and my way isnāt working. I find your blog and stories so inspiring. Thank you!
Author
Thank you, Brenda. Even number 7 puts us in that newborn euphoria of love. I know you get that with all of yours.
Iām glad you got the book and Iām hoping the we can work through the bondage of diet mentality together.
Hugs,
Paula