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A Few Things to Share

Valerie Basham

October 7, 2010

Hello, friends! I wanted to post a few little nuggets that I’ve found on the web. I thought they might interest you.

This first link is for other “bishop’s wives” out there. A fellow blogger/writer/facebook friend is working on a book. She is needing some information from other pastor’s wives, so if you have a minute, please stop by and fill out this survey for her. It won’t take but a few moments of your time. Thank you! I know she will appreciate it.

The second link is for other home schoolers out there. There is a book giveaway over HERE. If you are a history lover, or if you’re needing a good history book for your family, please check this out. 🙂

Lastly, may I encourage you to visit Home School Enrichment magazine and order a free sample copy, or check out their free goodies! This is a Christian home schooling magazine and it’s full of useful information.Yes, I write for them occasionally, but I enjoyed it long before I ever got published there. 🙂

Thanks so much for reading and have a great day!
Valerie

The Many Faces of PPD

Valerie Basham

11 comments

October 5, 2010

I realize that I’m opening myself up for a lot of criticism by writing this. But, I simply have to. It has always been my number one goal to keep things real here, so I’m doing it now – no matter what the cost. I pray that, somehow, this post will be a blessing to you.

When I endured PPD the first time, I experienced deep sadness and feelings of despair and worthlessness. I didn’t want to get out of bed. I held my newborn daughter and wondered if God had made a mistake – not that I thought He really did – but I just couldn’t understand why He made me a mother! I was not worthy of such a task and, moreover, I didn’t feel that I could do the job. I sat and cried in my walk-in closet in the dark. Finally, I tried to take my life.

I am currently battling PPD -Postpartum Depression – again. I have been on the watch for its symptoms with each pregnancy since my first. You see, I didn’t know I had PPD the first time until it was all over. Looking back, I can see that I had symptoms for a year after giving birth. A year! I vowed to myself that I would not make that mistake again – I would be aware of the symptoms, and I would get help.I would do it for my husband, for my children, and I would do it for me.

I was surprised when just recently I realized that I was dealing with this again. This time has been so different. I rise early each day. I don’t feel sad or blue. Instead, I have severe mood swings. I go from being “normal” one minute, to angry the next. I have not hurt anyone or anything, but I have spoken words in anger that I sorely regret. Then, when the emotions are past, I have felt dazed, wondering what just happened. I have also experienced panic attacks. After my son’s two month checkup, I worried that he had quit breathing in the car seat. I couldn’t see him while driving, so I had to pull over and check him. I experienced the same rush of adrenaline and heart rate increase that one might have if your house was on fire. Only, nothing was happening. Well, nothing was happening for real, anyway. Plenty was happening inside my brain! That day, the day I pulled over to check the baby, was the day I remembered what my nurse told me at my six week follow up visit. “If your emotions begin to affect your life, you have a problem.” I began thinking about the ridiculous heated arguments I was having with my husband. I always apologized and we made up, but why was I even upset? Why the heart palpitations and fear over nothing more than a greasy stove or a pile of laundry to fold? Then, after the panic had subsided, I dealt with immobilizing guilt and sadness. I had to face the facts: I had PPD again, with a different face this time, and it was affecting my life. I walked with the Lord through Bible reading and prayer, so I knew this wasn’t a spiritual problem. I did what I promised I’d do if I ever had this again. I called my doctor.

I made the appointment with some trepidation. I wasn’t sure what to say? “I think I’m losing my mind. Please save me.” Well, that sounded good to me! My wonderful OB/GYN nurse, Lyndsey, knew exactly what I meant. She explained to me that I had a hormonal imbalance that was the root of all my problems. She also informed me that 70% of women have un-medicated depression issues – these are women who should be on medication, but aren’t! I was shocked at that statistic! My doctor prescribed some medication for me to start that very day. It isn’t addictive, it doesn’t affect my nursing the baby, it doesn’t knock me out and it doesn’t make me “high”. It simply returns me to normal – whatever that was. 🙂

I don’t know why I was so afraid to call the doctor and take something. On the way home from my appointment, I had an asthma attack due to the pollen and dust outside. I didn’t hesitate to grab my rescue inhaler and take two puffs. As soon as I did, I could breathe again! Why wouldn’t I want to be free of the hormonal imbalance that was plaguing me? I don’t know – I think the hormones messed with my decision maker, too! lol!

I don’t get an increased heartbeat over a messy kitchen now! I don’t worry that my baby has stopped breathing every hour! I don’t panic over spilled milk! I’m me again! I have gotten upset, but I haven’t lost control since starting the medicine. And that’s so nice – I usually didn’t lose control before getting pregnant. It’s so comforting to be myself again.

I’d really missed me.

Laci’s Violin

Valerie Basham

2 comments

September 29, 2010

A couple of weeks ago, Laci showed me her newest creation – a violin! She had designed it herself. I was happy to see how creative she had been with a broken hanger! 🙂

Valerie

Confessions of a Wimpy Christian

Valerie Basham

no comments

September 26, 2010

Every time I read through the book of Daniel, I feel so wimpy. What an amazing Christian this man was! Captured from his homeland to serve in a foreign country, he did not grow bitter or angry! He stood strong first in his beliefs to follow God’s laws regarding food, and later in his resolve to walk with God even when it displeased others.

I wanted to jot down a few notes from my reading today, more for myself than for you. This blog is a handy-dandy notebook for me, since I know I will never lose it! lol!

Daniel 6 – Darius takes the throne after Belshazzar dies. He sets up 120 princes over the kingdom who dislike Daniel because he was “preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” I want to have an “excellent spirit.” I have a long way to go. 😦

Verse 4 – The princes look for a way to get rid of Daniel.

Verse 5 – The only “fault” they can find is that he worships God by praying three times a day facing Jerusalem with the windows open. Verse five says “We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Wow.

Verses 6-9 – They convince Darius to sign a law stating that no petition can be made of any one except the king for the next 30 days. If Daniel had stopped praying for merely a month, he would have been spared any punishment. If he had closed his windows, his prayer time wouldn’t have been so obvious. But he didn’t.

Verse 10 – Daniel does right. This verse says “he went into house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Daniel did not change. Not only that, but he gave thanks to God. How many things I take for granted and fail to thank God for! How many times I have failed to be a faithful testimony and witness!

Verses 11-15 – The king is told of Daniel’s breaking the law, and King Darius is heartbroken. He loves Daniel, but after laboring all day, he cannot seem to find a loophole to save him from the den of lions.

Verse 16 – Daniel is thrown into the den of lions, but we see Darius is trusting that Daniel’s God will save him. His words were, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”

Of course, I’m sure you know the ending of the story. God does deliver Daniel. Verse 22 says “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me:..”

I want to be faithful even when it’s hard to do. I want to pray more. I want to thank God more. I want to trust Him more. I don’t believe I will ever achieve the Christian character and strength that Daniel had, but I want to try. After all, I serve the same living God that he did! I’m a wimp, but I don’t want to stay that way.

Lord, please help me to be faithful. It’s easy to do right when others are standing with me or when things are going smoothly. Help me to stand strong, like Daniel, even when adversity comes my way and I’m all alone. Help me to fall at Your feet when I fail, and get back up and start again.The devil wants to get me discouraged so I’ll quit, but don’t let me give in. Thank you for your forgiveness and mercy. I love you, Lord!

Valerie

One Proud Brother

Valerie Basham

no comments

September 25, 2010

Our oldest son, Mitchell, has been so thrilled to have another boy in the family! He was praying for little Matthew long before I was even expecting! I wanted to share a few photos of Mitchell and Matthew. I especially like the two photos at the bottom. I took those just last night when I saw Mitch reading his Ranger Rick magazine to Matthew! They are already spending some quality time together!

I thank the Lord for both of my handsome boys. 🙂

One thankful Mom,
Valerie

Matthew at 10 Weeks

Valerie Basham

1 comment

September 25, 2010

I don’t know how I missed week nine, but somehow, I did! Anyway, here is week ten. We finally captured some smiles! He smiles and even laughs now, but I have a hard time capturing it on camera!

Thanks for watching! 🙂

Valerie

God’s Amazing Creation

Valerie Basham

1 comment

September 24, 2010

My husband has been so kind to mix up hummingbird food for me and keep the feeder above my kitchen window filled. I have really enjoyed watching the birds come in for food. I saw five fluttering around it at once just last week! I’ve been trying to capture them around the feeder, but they are so fast, it’s hard to do so. About two weeks ago, I finally snapped a few photos of the birds. I hope you can see them, I’m sorry I’m not a better photographer!

Here, the bird is sitting at the feeder getting a drink.

In this one, there is a hummingbird fluttering to the right of the feeder.

I have been so busy, that I haven’t had time to worry about the hummingbird feeder, but I have enjoyed watching them while I do housework. I appreciate my husband’s act of love in mixing up the nectar and keeping it filled for me.

A common recipe is four parts water to one part sugar. Stir in sugar until dissolved and fill feeder. You don’t need to add food coloring, but we have been. (I just learned that recently!)

I sure have enjoyed watching them and will be sad to see them moving along in the winter. I love the amazing world God has created.

Marveling at God’s handiwork,

The Blessing of Friends

Valerie Basham

1 comment

September 24, 2010

Daniel 2:17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions.18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

God’s Word never runs dry! There is always something new to learn! When reading through Daniel again, I noticed the verses above. What jumped out at me was that Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are called Daniel’s companions. I knew they knew each other (obviously), but I hadn’t realized that the Bible actually called them that. (Yep, I’m kinda slow.)

I thought how wonderful it was that Daniel had friends to turn to during a time of adversity. He has someone to join him in “desiring mercies of the God of heaven”, or in other words, someone to pray with him. Daniel and his friends had been removed from their homeland and taken to Babylon. Talk about hard times! They were in a foreign country which did not serve the living God. However, this didn’t stop them from doing right. Daniel, and his friends, stayed true to God despite great obstacles.

I was thinking about how wonderful it is to have friends like that myself. I have been blessed to have Dixie, Audri, Amanda, Kristy R., Ava, Melody, Pamela, Rene, Micki, and many others in my life! They have prayed for me, encouraged me, or done kind things to keep me going during some very dark days. I have also had the blessing to meet many new friends through this blog. I’m thankful to have Kristy Jo, Tori L., Mary L., Stephanie A, Christiana K., Rachel S., Alice F., Laura T., Wendy B., and many more of you that are kind enough to visit! And, of course, I am so thankful for my flesh and blood family: my mom and my sister, Melanie.

What a blessing to have so many “companions” to lean upon for prayer and strength during this journey called “life”. Thank you for being my friend.

With a heart full of love,
Valerie

Little Photographers

Valerie Basham

4 comments

September 22, 2010

I was recently downloading my photos from my camera and discovered a few pictures that I did not remember taking…hmmm. I started to worry about my memory (Me? Worry? Nah.) I was relieved to see some indications that this was not my photography! This is what happens when a five year old and a three year old play with Mom’s camera!

Enjoy!

Behold, an empty bouncer!

Followed by an empty bassinet! Come to think of it, they should photograph all of the contents of our home for insurance purposes. I bet my furnishings alone are worth at least $200. 😉

The blurry and messy nightstand!! 🙂

Interesting view of Matthew. Leslie’s finger is nicely placed, don’t you think?

After seeing this one, it was hard to correct them for what they’d done. So, I didn’t.

One blessed Mom,
Valerie

Salt and Seeds

Valerie Basham

1 comment

September 21, 2010

I have been so pleased with the science experiments that A.C.E. has included in the 3rd and 6th grade science Paces (workbooks). Lauren has done several projects that I have not been able to share here. I was able to purchase some litmus paper for her to test various acids and bases. She has loved that! I have found her testing many different things, and even mixing things together to see what result she gets.

Another project was taking baking soda and placing it in a cup. Then, pour vinegar over it. While it bubbled up, strike a match over the cup. The match is extinguished because the mixture in the cup produces carbon. Without oxygen, a flame cannot burn! Isn’t that neat-O?! I thought so! I have really enjoyed helping the kids do these little projects.

This week, Lauren did an experiment to show how salt makes it easier for items to float in water.

First, you stir in three large spoonsful of salt into a glass of water until salt is dissolved.

Next, place an egg into the mixture. Observe – it floats!

Next, slowly pour in fresh water.

Tada! The egg is staying on top of the salt water, not on top of the fresh water! We see it’s easier for things to float in salt water rather than fresh water. We discussed the Dead Sea and how easy it would be to swim or float in it due to the massive amount of salt it has!

Mitchell’s PACE is all about plants and seeds. His project is to plant some bean seeds (we used kidney beans) in a clean plastic container. We were told to line the container in cotton, place the beans on the cotton, and then place more cotton over the beans.

Yes, our beans are under that little blanket of white. 🙂

Next, we placed it in a sunny window. He is supposed to check it each day and keep the cotton moist. We are going to see how long it takes the little beans to sprout. 🙂

I know you’re sitting on the edge of your seats waiting to see what happens next! Never fear, I’ll keep you posted!

Valerie