The other day I went to a book study. Part of the study is sharing personal stories. The more I share, the more I realize how exciting my life has really been. A lot has happened! And I got to thinking. I have wrote most of these stories down. Maybe I should compile them and make a little testimony book?
A few stories I would want to tell.
How our marriage home, was a room in a basement...
How God healed two cysts on my ovaries and gave me a child.
How God protected us during a shooting.
How I went through a painful skin condition that limited my ability to function or touch anything...
How I battled depression, three times.
And many more... The question is, should I do it? It will take a lot of time and energy. But it might be worth it.
Thoughts...
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
My Adam - # 2 soon
I love my little baby Adam. He is 8 months old now and looking so handsome. Most people say "pretty", his long eyelashes and huge hazel-brown eyes make him so lovely. My favorite sound in the world is his little cackle-squeak laugh! And those huge dimples. I love how his smile lights up his face and how he smiles with his eyes. I love spending time holding him close when he wants to cuddle. I love it when he kisses my cheek or blows raspberries on my tummy. I love listening to him sing. I love hearing him call me mamma and knowing that he loves me. I love watching his daddy play with him and toss him around. Adam has no fear. Adam is a party boy; loves to be surrounded by people and music and roam free to play, and dance.
I am so excited to meet my second little baby; to see what beautiful personality emerges. I forgot about the up-side to pregnancy. Feeling that little baby move inside me. Knowing there is a life being formed within. Being excited to know if it's a boy or a girl. There has been so much peace surrounding both my pregnancies that I am blessed! And my delivery went so smooth with Adam that I have no fear of labor this time around. I'm 10 weeks along and feeling great!
I know it's going to a be a challenge with two little ones and I can't say I look forward to that everyday. But I know this will be amazing for Adam. And eventually it will be a huge blessing to have children who are so close in age, to play together, create together and learn together. What can I say? I am fertile beyond my wildest dreams! And I don't take that for granted... It is a huge blessing not to have that struggle. God be with those who struggle conceiving. I can't imagine. I am ready for the next step in our lives. June holds so much promise. I have a baby, Seth graduates and I turn 27, all in June 2014. What exciting times to live in!
I guess that is all I have to say today.
-A proud mamma
I am so excited to meet my second little baby; to see what beautiful personality emerges. I forgot about the up-side to pregnancy. Feeling that little baby move inside me. Knowing there is a life being formed within. Being excited to know if it's a boy or a girl. There has been so much peace surrounding both my pregnancies that I am blessed! And my delivery went so smooth with Adam that I have no fear of labor this time around. I'm 10 weeks along and feeling great!
I know it's going to a be a challenge with two little ones and I can't say I look forward to that everyday. But I know this will be amazing for Adam. And eventually it will be a huge blessing to have children who are so close in age, to play together, create together and learn together. What can I say? I am fertile beyond my wildest dreams! And I don't take that for granted... It is a huge blessing not to have that struggle. God be with those who struggle conceiving. I can't imagine. I am ready for the next step in our lives. June holds so much promise. I have a baby, Seth graduates and I turn 27, all in June 2014. What exciting times to live in!
I guess that is all I have to say today.
-A proud mamma
Monday, April 29, 2013
Stay at Home Mom
I have a desire to be the ideal housewife, a modern day June Cleaver. A woman with a well kept house and happy children. But my desire isn't strong enough to get me motivated. I only have one child, but between changings, feedings and comforting him, I am either eating, sleeping or trying to relax. I rarely find myself with the extra energy needed to clean. I put away dishes. I pick up. But I rarely do laundry, vacuum or dust. It's easy to condemn myself for NOT being June Cleaver. Or for not living up to my own hallow expectations. But self disappointment isn't profitable. I will end up feeling inadequate if I focus on what I didn't have time for. In stead, I must find joy in spending time with my baby and remember that he is my priority, my house is not. The problem is, that it is much easier to relax and enjoy myself in a clean environment. Finding the balance is the key. I love spending time with my son, as long as I keep that in sight, everything else grows dim in comparison. Relearning to enjoy my day with this new little person, and changing my expectations for myself is my new adventure.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
I Dance
I move fluid, feeling the music surge through my body, like light shooting out my finger tips. I glow.
My feet feel the floor and become one with stability. I balance. When leaping I feel the floor is leaving me; I am not leaving it. I fly. I reach to the edges of my heart and soul through my finger tips and toes. I express my feelings. My whole self is thrown into the music, becoming an instrument itself. I sing. I spin and shoot across the floor. I travel. Some steps I know and choose into, others my body remembers. I create. As if a powerful wind takes charge I am thrown unto the floor and dipping, I come up again. I roll. Like the waves of the sea I dance up towards the sky, and down towards the earth. I want to be dynamic as my limbs weave in and out from my center. I use the space. My every desire is expressed in deeper ways than words can tell. My heart meets the beat of the music and tells the story. I speak. Every whimsical note tingles through my every part.
I stop and breathe, my breath is heavy and my eyes are closed. My heart feels free, flying, soaring above all trouble. I am in step with my self, at peace in my soul, and one with God and his creation.
I am new.
As if I've been drenched by a waterfall, I feel clean. All the stresses of life have fallen, now heavy, to the ground. And every time I wonder, why don't I do this more often?
That is how I feel, when I dance.
My feet feel the floor and become one with stability. I balance. When leaping I feel the floor is leaving me; I am not leaving it. I fly. I reach to the edges of my heart and soul through my finger tips and toes. I express my feelings. My whole self is thrown into the music, becoming an instrument itself. I sing. I spin and shoot across the floor. I travel. Some steps I know and choose into, others my body remembers. I create. As if a powerful wind takes charge I am thrown unto the floor and dipping, I come up again. I roll. Like the waves of the sea I dance up towards the sky, and down towards the earth. I want to be dynamic as my limbs weave in and out from my center. I use the space. My every desire is expressed in deeper ways than words can tell. My heart meets the beat of the music and tells the story. I speak. Every whimsical note tingles through my every part.
I stop and breathe, my breath is heavy and my eyes are closed. My heart feels free, flying, soaring above all trouble. I am in step with my self, at peace in my soul, and one with God and his creation.
I am new.
As if I've been drenched by a waterfall, I feel clean. All the stresses of life have fallen, now heavy, to the ground. And every time I wonder, why don't I do this more often?
That is how I feel, when I dance.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Adam David Guerra LeJeune
My baby boy was born 3 days after his due date. The delivery took about 9 hours and with all the contractions I have had over the past few weeks, there was no pre-labor. From the moment the contractions started till the moment Adam was born they were only a couple minutes apart and very intense! I've got to say, labor was every bit as painful as one might imagine. But I am so thankful that everything went smoothly and naturally. The birthing center was great, although I only spent 2 hours in labor there. Almost all the laboring I did at home. My mom, Seth and my dula Andrea were my amazing support.
When I held Adam for the first time it seemed so unreal. We didn't even check to see if he was a boy or girl till after he was on my chest. I looked down at him and there was no mistaking, we had the boy we had imagined. Seth and I felt sure he would be a boy, although we didn't find out his sex prior to the birth. I'd have to say it didn't feel real till a couple days later... He really is my son and I am his mamma and he is the cutest baby in the world. I am a proud mamma.
He was born at 8:09 am on March 9th, 8 pounds 6 ounces, 20 inches long and beautiful.
His name is very special. Seth and I loved the name Adam and agreed it fit our first son, the first man. David (his first middle name) was chosen in honor of my "brother" Paul whose birth name name is David Paul. When I think of what an adventurer Paul was as a boy (and is today) I can only hope that Adam embraces the world with such courage and joy. Paul loves the Lord with all his heart and will be a good example of a man for Adam. Adam's second middle name is also my maiden name, Guerra. It means war in Spanish; and that is what I hope for Adam, that he become a warrior of light. Also, my father never had a son, in his honor our little boy carries on his name. Also Adam's father has two middle names and the second one is his mothers' maiden name. So in a special way he is also named after his father.
I thank the Lord daily for such a precious gift He has trusted us with. A sweet little person to love and hold and teach in the way he should go. Our little family has grown. I look forward to many new memories...
When I held Adam for the first time it seemed so unreal. We didn't even check to see if he was a boy or girl till after he was on my chest. I looked down at him and there was no mistaking, we had the boy we had imagined. Seth and I felt sure he would be a boy, although we didn't find out his sex prior to the birth. I'd have to say it didn't feel real till a couple days later... He really is my son and I am his mamma and he is the cutest baby in the world. I am a proud mamma.
He was born at 8:09 am on March 9th, 8 pounds 6 ounces, 20 inches long and beautiful.
His name is very special. Seth and I loved the name Adam and agreed it fit our first son, the first man. David (his first middle name) was chosen in honor of my "brother" Paul whose birth name name is David Paul. When I think of what an adventurer Paul was as a boy (and is today) I can only hope that Adam embraces the world with such courage and joy. Paul loves the Lord with all his heart and will be a good example of a man for Adam. Adam's second middle name is also my maiden name, Guerra. It means war in Spanish; and that is what I hope for Adam, that he become a warrior of light. Also, my father never had a son, in his honor our little boy carries on his name. Also Adam's father has two middle names and the second one is his mothers' maiden name. So in a special way he is also named after his father.
I thank the Lord daily for such a precious gift He has trusted us with. A sweet little person to love and hold and teach in the way he should go. Our little family has grown. I look forward to many new memories...
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Back to Blogging
My Bird. My Baby.
Our new home is much better than our last.
Although the stories were hilarious to recount, the experience was less than desirable. We had neighbors with the stamina to fight with each other (loudly I might add) for over 12 hours. Impressive. I felt like I was eavesdropping with our cardboard thick walls. Another joy of our apartment was, "our pets". At least, that's what we humorously called them. We had a least two small creatures living in our attic. They liked to claw, and tumble around. I'm not exactly sure WHAT they were doing up there. But a wrestling match with a trampoline for hurling their furry bodies at each other was not out of the question. There were times when the thumps were so loud I was sure they would fall through ceiling and land in my house.
The worst thing about our old place was how common the sound of gun fire was. At least 2 or 3 times a week we would hear shots fired. And the really disturbing part was that we got used to it. We were so used to it, in fact, that we stopped calling the cops. And more often than not the shots were followed by silence, instead of sirens.
Our new house is a new experience altogether. We can't hear our neighbors at all. Haven't once. In fact, most of the time it's a quiet neighborhood. (I haven't heard a single gun shot, thank God). We have upgraded in so many ways. We have two bedrooms now instead of one, the kitchen is bigger, the windows are nicer. But one of my favorite things about our new place is our bird. I began calling it that after it's third or fourth appearance. You see, there is a bird couple residing near our house. They are adorable little things that are obviously in love (as much as a bird can be).
They fluttered about like they were twitterpated and the lady bird was obviously full with eggs. The mommy bird liked to perch her chubby eggfull self on the ledge of our deck. Which is how I first noticed her cuteness. I was sitting on the chair by the sliding glass doors when she looked at me. She likes to just sit, look in, bob around a bit and flutter away. Sometimes she uses her perch to rest for a few minutes and we look right at each other. If she could talk I'm sure we'd be friends.
It snowed nearly a foot and I didn't see my bird for a few days. At first I was concerned. But then, there she was, she managed to sit in the snow on that ledge. Her tiny body was covered in the mess, so she didn't stay long. The last time I saw her perch was a few days ago. I don't think she'll have as much time for me as she used to... Because she wasn't chubby anymore. She must have laid her eggs.
Maybe the reason I was so enamored with that little eggfull bird is because of my own pregnancy. It was a journey we were both experiencing. I am 1 day past my due date and I am desperate to have this baby! I've eaten spicy food, taken a walk, done squats and more. Most first-time moms are late. My mom was 10 days late with all three of her kids. And I know I don't REALLY have a choice when this baby will come. And it's not as if I need to rush... The baby will be more of a challenge than my uncomfortable belly ever was. But....
I'm ready to hold my baby.
I long to hold this new little person in my arms and tell my little one how much I love it. I long to see my husband's tear stained face at becoming a father, and I long to be a mother. I can't wait to know if it's a little boy or a little girl.
I feel so honored that God has entrusted us with this special little person. I know so many struggle to get pregnant and many cannot conceive at all. I don't take this for granted. We are blessed. Undeservedly blessed. And I am thankful. Everything about the pregnancy has been pretty normal. No reason to think they'll be any complications with the birth. We will be at a birthing center with no conventional pain killers, just all natural remedies; that's my style. Any hour now I hope to go into labor. Or as I tell my belly, "bring it on baby!"...
Please pray that the baby comes swiftly and everything goes well. Pray that God gives me the strength and endurance for labor and pray for speed and ease.
Thanks for reading...
-Leah LeJeune
Our new home is much better than our last.
Although the stories were hilarious to recount, the experience was less than desirable. We had neighbors with the stamina to fight with each other (loudly I might add) for over 12 hours. Impressive. I felt like I was eavesdropping with our cardboard thick walls. Another joy of our apartment was, "our pets". At least, that's what we humorously called them. We had a least two small creatures living in our attic. They liked to claw, and tumble around. I'm not exactly sure WHAT they were doing up there. But a wrestling match with a trampoline for hurling their furry bodies at each other was not out of the question. There were times when the thumps were so loud I was sure they would fall through ceiling and land in my house.
The worst thing about our old place was how common the sound of gun fire was. At least 2 or 3 times a week we would hear shots fired. And the really disturbing part was that we got used to it. We were so used to it, in fact, that we stopped calling the cops. And more often than not the shots were followed by silence, instead of sirens.
Our new house is a new experience altogether. We can't hear our neighbors at all. Haven't once. In fact, most of the time it's a quiet neighborhood. (I haven't heard a single gun shot, thank God). We have upgraded in so many ways. We have two bedrooms now instead of one, the kitchen is bigger, the windows are nicer. But one of my favorite things about our new place is our bird. I began calling it that after it's third or fourth appearance. You see, there is a bird couple residing near our house. They are adorable little things that are obviously in love (as much as a bird can be).
They fluttered about like they were twitterpated and the lady bird was obviously full with eggs. The mommy bird liked to perch her chubby eggfull self on the ledge of our deck. Which is how I first noticed her cuteness. I was sitting on the chair by the sliding glass doors when she looked at me. She likes to just sit, look in, bob around a bit and flutter away. Sometimes she uses her perch to rest for a few minutes and we look right at each other. If she could talk I'm sure we'd be friends.
It snowed nearly a foot and I didn't see my bird for a few days. At first I was concerned. But then, there she was, she managed to sit in the snow on that ledge. Her tiny body was covered in the mess, so she didn't stay long. The last time I saw her perch was a few days ago. I don't think she'll have as much time for me as she used to... Because she wasn't chubby anymore. She must have laid her eggs.
Maybe the reason I was so enamored with that little eggfull bird is because of my own pregnancy. It was a journey we were both experiencing. I am 1 day past my due date and I am desperate to have this baby! I've eaten spicy food, taken a walk, done squats and more. Most first-time moms are late. My mom was 10 days late with all three of her kids. And I know I don't REALLY have a choice when this baby will come. And it's not as if I need to rush... The baby will be more of a challenge than my uncomfortable belly ever was. But....
I'm ready to hold my baby.
I long to hold this new little person in my arms and tell my little one how much I love it. I long to see my husband's tear stained face at becoming a father, and I long to be a mother. I can't wait to know if it's a little boy or a little girl.
I feel so honored that God has entrusted us with this special little person. I know so many struggle to get pregnant and many cannot conceive at all. I don't take this for granted. We are blessed. Undeservedly blessed. And I am thankful. Everything about the pregnancy has been pretty normal. No reason to think they'll be any complications with the birth. We will be at a birthing center with no conventional pain killers, just all natural remedies; that's my style. Any hour now I hope to go into labor. Or as I tell my belly, "bring it on baby!"...
Please pray that the baby comes swiftly and everything goes well. Pray that God gives me the strength and endurance for labor and pray for speed and ease.
Thanks for reading...
-Leah LeJeune
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)