LOVE Anne!!!! One of my favorite books of all time, ever ever ever. I don't like the rest as much, because I kind of hated seeing her growing up....but that is my own weird issue. Definitley read!!

thanks all...that is about what I thought too. They have been trying for 8 cycles now....sigh. I am thinking she needs to encourage him to be checked, but will suggest the ovulation tests too.

I have heard of some moms putting down a small area rug, or using a table, and saying that anything that fits on that rug or table can stay out, everything else has to be picked up. Does that work?

My friend has given me permission to share, in hopes someone has some ideas.

I think you were fine other than the comment about Dad not being much fun. That was over the line.

YES! The dancing just seems so effeminant. I've been to to male strip shows. One I walked out on minutes into it. It was gross, and the men were obviously flirting with each other anyway...and had breakouts on their rear ends from all the baby oil they shined themselves with. ick. The other was in Vegas, and was actually made up of men that were gymnasts and martial artists. They did AMAZING things, which was really really fun to watch. But the dancing part..eh. Not my thing, and now that I'm married I would NEVER go to something like that again. I don't want my husband doing that with women, and I won't do it with men.

What would short/light periods be indicative of? My friend got her period today...so still not pregnant. This is her 10th cycle since coming off birth control . I noticed that her periods are short....2 medium flow days at most, often a light day and a medium day and a day of spotting. Could this be indicative of a problem?

Well thank you, because now I'm realizing that the OP might have meant the Eucharist, not the communion of believers.....so I hope my post was helpful. As for communion sustaining us, in the sense of the Eucharist....it takes Jesus into us, in some fashion that is a mystery. And having Jesus become more a part of you can only help you.

If you don't want to do the crockpot you can boil it. I like it better boiled, as the extra liquid means it is less salty in the end. But I do add the beer, for sure!

1. The church is meant to be a community. I take great comfort in knowing that on any given sunday there are others in the Anglican communion saying the same prayers, reading the same scriptures, as I am. It is comforting, and helps sustain an individual when their own faith is sagging. Jesus wanted the Church to be a community, and that doesn't just mean the community of people in your neighborhood church, but around the world. Or at least, it can mean that. 2. Well, i was baptized in the Episcopal church, but then moved away and attended all sorts of various churches. Going back to the Episcopal church was liking going home, but again, it was my church of origin. The call and response though are definitely not empty ritual. I take GREAT comfort in them. When the Priest says "The Lord be with you!" and we respond "And with your spirit!" I know that I, at least, am saying it with feeling and joy. It is participatory, and I love it.

Yes, that branch is actively seeking to join up with the Roman Catholic Church. So no, will not ordain women. Meanwhile, the Episcopal Church has a woman as the Presiding Bishop in the USA.

The mini birth pool in a box or the La Bassine are the two we are down to. The La Bassine has two interior handles, for grabbing if you are semi sitting. The BPIAB mini has 6 handles on the outside, for grabbing when leaning over the side, or for when getting in and out. The BPIAB mini has a seat. They are about the same size. The BPIAB has a 2 inch floor, the La Bassine has a 3 inch floor. They hold about the same amount of water. Any thoughts?

OH, as for the different people contributing, not just the Pastor, in both the Lutheran and Episcopal churches there are Lay readers, who read the gospel, and there are "prayers of the people" which are read together, then people can add on their own prayer requests, silently or out loud, as part of that prayer.

In the US the Anglican church does NOT ordain women. The Episcopal Church does. Saints are mentioned in the Episcopal church (as in, most churches are named after them, they have stained glass windows depicting them, etc). Beliefs on Mary are varied....but generally you won't find groups doing the Rosary or whatever. In other words, there are some very Anglo-Catholic parishes that have people that are very into Marian devotion, but most are not. It isn't something that is mandated one way or the other in the church.

Yes, they definitely can hold all positions.

Some Episcopal churches would fit.

Treat it as normal and they will to. They take their lead from you. This is your chance to imprint on them how to support their wives one day! My son was 10 when his sister was born, and he had no issues with it. I mean, he wasn't staring at my breasts, but he didn't seem put off either. And if he had been, I would have talked to him, and helped him get over it. Now, I generally wear loose t-shirts, and lift the shirt so that it covers my breast, but not the baby. So there really isn't much to see. I'm sure he got accidentally flashed a few times in the early days, but he just learned to look away I guess? It just never was an issue. Good for you, and seriously, don't worry about it. If they think it is "gross" than this is a great chance to educate them that it certainly is NOT gross, and is how mammals feed their children/how God designed babies to eat. Your friend would have done better by using it as an educational opportunity, or at least on in manners (don't look women in the chest, look them in the eye), rather than covering up and confirming to them that it is gross.

My son had a UTI, just the one, no other issues. Right about that age I think.

Ok, I looked at her chart and I wouldn't be surprised if she ovulated 2 days later than Fertility Friend is saying...but either way, hoping hoping hoping!

I think they should use that credit to host a party after they get back, to celebrate the wedding.

That was my initial plan,but then I looked at the actual book at the state convention. It seemed every place I looked it was bashing OE/Evolution. The examples of poor science were all about OE, etc.

I'd find cool historical fiction that tied into the places you are going. Get a big map and have them mark places after visiting them. Maybe put any historical sites on their timeline. And that would be it. Maybe math if they have a lot of driving time. Oh, and have them each write one letter a week to a friend back home, or to DH or whomever.

I posted recently about her. She has been trying to get pregnant for 8 months this month, since she got married, and is SO wanting a baby. She comes from a big italian family, and her SIL just gave birth 2 days ago, which I know was hard for her. And of course, I'm very pregnant. Anyway, today is 15 days after ovulation according to Fertility Friend...her longest luteal phase in the past was 14 days....and her temp went up a bit today. I'm hopeful, and praying as hard as I can that there is a baby in there!!! She had a negative test yesterday, but I don't know what time or what brand. If you feel led, please pray. She will be an amazing mom, and I'd love to see her get that chance.

oops....although I did take a nap yesterday (yay!) I also did the grocery store and Babies R Us with a toddler, and vacuumed and mopped and made a pie....plus took care of the toddler all day while Hubby did dry wall. Honestly, I'm amazed it wasn't higher just due to stress...we are finishing up repairs/remodeling from a flood and yesterday he COVERED the whole house in drywall dust. I HATE drywall dust. Today will be spent cleaning as much up as I can, and catching up on the laundry I didn't do yesterday as I didn't want dust all over the clean clothes. Sigh.

Thanks! I'm sitting at the computer now to make a little log, so I can keep track of any trends. But I'm having a LOT less swelling than last pregnancy, so that is good too. Even in this horrid heat.