Labor!? Who's says it needs to be painful.

So, my husband and I recently began hypnobirthing classes. The focus of hypnobirthing is to make your birthing experience as pain-free and enjoyable as possible. It prepares you to be in tune with your body and do all you can to relax so your muscles can do what their meant to do. A lot of media tells us that childbirth always is a painful, quite dramatic experience. This creates a lot of fear in women and many go into labor not knowing that it can actually be a peaceful, beautiful experience. Fear created in women causes their bodies to go into fight-or-flight mode and the blood needed to loosen the uterine muscles right above the cervix (which allow the baby to come out) actually detracts from them and goes to other parts of the body, such as in the hands, feet, and brain, where they are not needed at the time. :) This causes much pain for women as other uterine muscles bring the baby down. I'm so excited to be learning of a very positive approach to childbirth rather than going into this whole experience with expectations I've been taught in the movies. 

A Good Laugh!

The Hunger Games- A Bad Lip Reading

I have not had this good of a laugh for a looong time! Every now and then everyone needs some comedy in their lives. I'm grateful for people with a good sense of humor who create media like this. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjGk_jU6t5A&feature=player_embedded

-"And that's how baby's grow?" :)

Zoomin' and Groovin'!

 

So, as my husband and I traveled home to Nevada Thursday night it got to a point where we both were bored and about to fall asleep. I decided it would be a smart idea to turn his iPod music on full blast, since my stereo doesn't work, to keep us both interested in the drive and each others' company. One of his favorite songs came on and before we knew it we were traveling over 90 mph. It was funny to see the effect a fun, groovy song had on him. He had no clue he sped up and it kind of took us by surprise. Maybe this experience is similar to the effect upbeat music has on us when we exercise. It'd be fun to look into that. So, next time you guys pump up your music in the car, just make sure you keep an eye on your speedometer. :)

The Perfect Way is the Lord's Way

 Mormon 9:31-34

31 Condemn me not because of mine ^aimperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been.

 32 And now, behold, we have written this record according to our knowledge, in the characters which are called among us the^areformed Egyptian, being handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech.

 33 And if our plates had been ^asufficiently large we should have written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also; and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had no ^bimperfection in our record.

 34 But the Lord knoweth the things which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our language; and because that none other people knoweth our language, therefore he hath prepared ^ameans for the interpretation thereof.

- I love this little story about Moroni and his insecurity of writing in the reformed Egyptian. At the time, this was one of his "imperfections" per se, but it's funny to me that the Lord made everything work out in the end through His translator, Joseph Smith. It was almost as if he had no imperfection. He did what the Lord asked and the Lord prepared a way for us in these Latter Days to understand the Book of Mormon. Sometimes in life it seems like we are far from doing the perfect thing. I think we all need a little reminder at times that if we are doing what the Lord asks (though it may not seem like things are perfect) and do our best, he'll make up the rest and everything will work out! :) 

Unbelievable ULTRA-sounds!

I want to make a post on how amazing ultrasounds are! (actually... I just want to show pictures of our cute baby girl). Haha, no, but really... ultrasounds are so neat! It was such a treat to be able to watch her move on the screen a couple weeks ago and be able to see her heart pumping. It was so comforting to hear that her vital organs looked good, as well as her head, spine, fingers, and toes. Also, I am so glad we were able to find out that she was measuring "on time." Although she couldn't tell us herself that she was doing well, we were able to receive that message through an ultrasound. What a blessing modern technology is! 

(Sorry the photos are blurry. My phone pics. always show up worse on the computer)

I'm a GIRL!

Mom and Dad can't tell who I look like, but I do have a big forehead like theirs! :D haha. 

YOU CAN BE A CHAMPION!

Champion: a person who fights for or defends any person or cause
             So as I was listening on Pandora, I came across the song "Hall of      

                 Fame" by The Script. Have any of you heard of them, or have heard this song? I was surprised to hear such positive lyrics, except one curse word:) But overall, it was inspiring and made me feel good inside. It was good to know that some band out there is going against the norm and writing upbeat lyrics rather than depressing ones. This song focuses on being a champion and that you can become whatever you want! So, I'm wondering... What kind of champion do you want to become? I want to be a champion of motherhood. 

*Watch this video and remember that you can do anything! 

http://www.directlyrics.com/the-script--hall-of-fame-music-video-news.html

Resources, Resources, Resources!

As I've been preparing my Relief Society lesson this morning, I've thought a lot about how lucky we are to have so many resources to help us when preparing any kind of lesson/talk for church. We have all the church lesson manuals (including strength for youth), the scriptures, the bible, the bible dictionary, the Doctrine and Covenants, lds.org, ensigns, conference talks,  videos, and many others I have not listed. These are all such great media sources that better prepare us in sharing the gospel. I look forward to using multiple church resources to enhance my lesson tomorrow and hope they work together to bring the spirit & inspire the sisters. I love accessible, good media!

Is This Stuff Real?

So, have any of you ever heard of mediums? Well, I've heard of them before, but I've never really cared to learn about them. I come from a religion that believes in revelation from God, but to be able to receive communication, or revelation, about those who've passed on anywhere and anytime is not something I thought was possible.. until now. Well, I am not completely convinced yet, but watching this lady (Theresa) on TLC's show Long Island Medium today got me thinking. The things she had to say to people matched closely what I as a Latter Day Saint believe about the afterlife. Some of the things she mentioned to people was that those babies who had passed on either through miscarriage or termination are still alive on the other side, that we look great (our bodies/spirits look perfect) after we die, and that our loved one's (especially our spouses) are there on the other side to greet us when we die. These are some of the truths people were reassured of on this show, and it made me so happy to see them find so much comfort in the afterlife. I am grateful so be able to say that I KNOW that we get to be with our families after this life and that the spirit life is a place of peace, forgiveness, and joy. Our passed on family members love us and are watching over us and only want us to be happy. I love to imagine that there are many connections out there in the world with heaven. I hope to have a neat experience of my own someday.