fertility awareness aka natural family planning

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🔔 TMI ALERT 🚨 ⁣

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It’s NFP awareness week. For my non-Catholic friends. NFP = natural family planning. ⁣

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Key points⁣

🗓 Not the rhythm method ⁣

💡 Best to call it fertility awareness⁣

🌡 We use the sympto-thermal method⁣

📝 Recording temps and symptoms and interpreting the graph⁣

🍭 🌈 It’s not all lollipops and rainbows ⁣

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You probably don’t want to hear what I have to say about NFP or fertility awareness as I have 6 kids already. Lol. ⁣

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Because we practice fertility awareness, we know when five out of our 6 babies were conceived. ⁣

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Yes we had one mishap of interpreting my cycle with one of the babes because I was postpartum and breastfeeding. But once we found out we were pregnant, we were able to pinpoint on the graph - well that was obviously phase II. ⁣

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Phase II means - fertile window. ⁣

If you want to have a baby, go for it. ⁣

If you want to delay a pregnancy, then stay away. 😝 ⁣

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@derrick49ers and I learned the tedious symptothermal method apparently. There’s a class now that teaches simplified way of interpreting the different phases. Once we started graphing and paying attention to my cycle (hence fertility awareness) we were able to predict and then confirm with the basal body temps and mucus observations the different phases. Again breastfeeding can change length of those cycles. So lots of re-learning about my body when breastfeeding.

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There are other NFP methods. ⁣

Creighton method⁣

Marquette method ⁣

Billings method

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PROs of NFP⁣

It takes two to make a baby right? ⁣

@derrick49ers records temps.

I’m aware of the different phases and so is he. ⁣

Once I’ve accepted being open to life, i embraced the hard newborn phase. The babies are the gift! Not everyone like the sleep deprived state, but I endure it. Because I get to kiss a baby! ⁣

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CONs of NFP⁣

💋 Abstaining requires lots of prayer. ⁣

Prayer is not the con. ⁣

Self control or lack thereof is the Con. ⁣

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Just like our bodies are made differently, NFP is different for every couple. One’s family planning may not even include NFP. That doesn’t make them less of a Catholic. It’s one of the hardest teachings (maybe even the hardest period) of the Catholic Church.May this post serve as an awareness post and sharing of our journey. Once we have decided to get off the pill, following NFP gave us peace. I didn’t even learn about NFP until I got married! I truly wish I knew about it beyond the textbook and actually apply it in my own life before I got married.

Here are a few places to learn more about NFP and the different methods and how it has changed and shaped couples and families and their faith.

@youmeandnfp @mycreightonjourney @nfpcoach @nfp_resources @kwhitaker96 has a saved highlights on her stories. My fave blog post EVAH is No H8, educate by my friend @carolyn_svellerella.

Here’s the link. 

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what a week {seven quick takes}

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Did I just have a post everyday this week?

oh yes, I did!

1. Been lucky to have some time last week  that I was able to schedule blog posts. One was easy – photos of my hubs and his twin. I enjoyed going through his scanned photos just to find the right ones! And then another reason to look at our wedding photos again. I told my children – do you guys want to see a princess? …. I am talking about me!


2. It’s NFP awareness week. {and just to clear things up now: NFP is not the rhythm method... not all women ovulate on day 14}...    I attempted to write a post, but decided to share posts and articles I have read instead.  I think it's so cool that hubs' birthday is during NFP awareness week (sign? yeah? yeah?) as usual I try to connect the dots when there are no dots to connect. 

If you'd like more, let me give you Blog posts around the web worth clicking:
NFP FAQs - Spoken Bride Assoc Editor ~ Christina of The Evangelista

lovely series on Women speak on NFP by Haley
NFP and genetic disorder ~ by Kelly
an all time fave of mine ~ no H8, educate by Carolyn {i do love breastfeeding because it helps my children and it helps delay the return of fertility... there you have it!}

or if you'd rather listen to a podcast~
here ya go!

3.  work stuff ~ back to this typing notes thing instead of dictating -- do wrist pads work? anything you'd recommend, my daily-typer friends? how about a foot rest? I already raise the chair up so I am not reaching up to my desk and keyboard. I am short, short, short.

I put the time making templates and saving my own autophrases.  I hope to be more efficient with my typing.

Any physicians out there who use the dragon software? Should I even try it? Our department is new to this dragon thing. One likes it a lot. One just started and was having issues with it.. because apparently for it to be user-friendly, you'll have to train it. use it. get it to know your voice. add terms in the dictionary.

Training the dragon is not the same as the movie, How to train your dragon.

fascinating tidbit (which is true in my case) ~doctors can dictate 150 words per minute, three times faster than using a keyboard. -source

nfp is not the rhythm method {nfp awareness week}

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Top, WHBM
reef flipflops
aviators, dottie couture boutique
earrings, from the Philippines

Girls dresses ~ Gymboree

play date + being open to life

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sweater dress and faux fur vest via hautelook

everyday new styles and brands are marked down for a steal!

I have gotten by 7FAMK jeans, Franco Sarto wedge booties, dresses, earrings, bracelets,

curling wand,  toms for the kids and tons more on hautelook. 

sweater dress via hautelook

boots via zulily

faux fur vest via hautelook

lipstick 

Louis Vuitton Montaigne in empreinte leather

Hubs and I watched The Mystery of Irma Vep at the IRT. The perks of having our parents near us. {thank you mom for babysitting!}
This is the outfit I wore for our day date.



Lisa wrote on her blog that one reason for not going to her husband's party was every time I see these particular people I’m either pregnant or have a nursing baby with me... 
... with pregnancy pregnant questions and comments always follow and sometimes I just wish I could opt out and have a discussion about something entirely different!



Dear Lisa - I am known at work as the person who is always nourishing a human being, either by lactating or gestating. As my co-worker nicely put it: when are you NOT pregnant? When are you NOT breastfeeding? 

That's the truth... And I own it.

Hubs and I will be celebrating our 10th year wedding anniversary this fall. we have been talking for YEARS where and how we will celebrate our anniversary. Italy was our first choice. Then we clearly realized that after having Lucy, there's no way we will have the moolah saved up for a weeklong vacation overseas.

Then we thought about Hawaii.
Maybe island hop. enjoy the beach.

Then expedia showed me that it's $980 per person (!) just for flights.
so scratch that.
no Hawaii...


Then maybe, hubs will just join me for my work conference in Vancouver. Save money and basically pay for his expenses while my CME funds take care of my work trip.
But I do want to go to the beach.
Vancouver in the fall is not really beach-y.

As we talk about our anniv plans, one more thing comes to mind.
Lucy will be over a year by then. My fertility usually comes back soon after my children are weaned. I love having babies. I wish and pray for more than 4. (I say it all the time on my instagram)
But just the thought of telling my coworkers (or our parents), asking for another FMLA paperwork, taking another leave, etc etc, I am embarrassed  (for lack of a better word) to announce such good news. (Of course, i feel awful for saying that)

I am also admitting more and more that I am reaching my limits here.
Call it sleep deprivation. Call it slaving and taking care of little ones. But I do not mind spreading out the age gap here and not having another bambino in the coming odd year.

Hey. we know how this works. it takes two to make a baby.
we also know how to do NFP, problem is we don't follow it.
we cannot say no to love when it's obviously phase 2. {We are blessed and thankful that there was no grave reason to postpone pregnancy. I have had healthy pregnancies, praise God}

so when people ask me: is this it?
I am not sure. some days yes, some days no.
We are open to life.

So, ask me again, in the fall...






Linking up with Holly, Sarah, Doranda, Morgan, Leanne, Elizabeth, Elena,  Madeline,  Jaymie,  Sydney, Danielle, Grace, Brooke.

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Thank you for reading!

Babies, nfp and saving lives {7qt}

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1. My Sebastian is 10 months old!
What?
Seriously?!
He is not crawling yet. He gets places by scooting. I thought he will be pulling up to stand now. But he's such a content baby. Just chilling on the floor and waiting to be picked up or pulled up to stand.







He forgot his signs. He was doing so well until he got an ear infection. His way of communication was replaced by fussiness and crying. I am hoping he will use his 'milk' and 'more' signs more consistently.

2. I'm going cake pop crazy. What did I get myself into? I am no baker! I'd rather cook up a storm than bake a wedding cake.

The things we do for our kids, huh! I promised Daniel cake pops for his party. I sure will deliver!

3. Nfp
I Saw this on the nfp Indy website.











We sure don't look like this when interpreting our charts.

More like this. With a baby!












Via

Nfp is hard for breastfeeding moms. I don't even know how to make sense of my temps and my symptoms (!)

Hence researching the nfp Indy website and looking for refresher courses. I found out there's a postpartum class offered too. I am signing up for that one!


4. Save lives
Have you taken a CPR class?
I encourage you to do so.

I do not need to keep up with my pediatric advanced life support (PALS). Basic life support (BLS) for health care providers would be sufficient for me. I do not work at the ER or ICU.

High quality CPR, which is taught in BLS, is what saves lives. Out in the field, the park, pool, grocery store, airplane.

Recertifying was for my own knowledge. It's nice to keep updated with PALS.


5. Babe born with HIV
NPR did a segment on the babe that was thought to be 'cured' after receiving antiretrovirals right after birth. The virus was undetected for quite sometime. The treating physicians, however, remained skeptical. They tested her routinely. Until recently, lab results showed positive viral titers.

One more thing about this story, the babe was lost to follow up for about 6 months. She was not getting her meds those 6 months.

Cases like that of "lost to follow-up" or noncompliance sadden me.

6. Baby jogger craze
A couple of weeks ago, I found a double jogger on craigslist. I was looking for a Phil and Teds, similar to Grace's.
Nada.
But There were several double joggers though.







The older children like our new-to-us jogger. The weather here in Indy has been pleasant that we are able to jog on the evenings.

7. Picture I'm sharing






Daniel always finds the biggest twigs or branches in our backyard and brandishes them as if they're swords.

Linking up a day late with Jen @ ConversionDiary.

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We do it every night...

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And it's not what you're thinking....

Linking up with Katie @ NFPandMe during this week of NFP awareness.

Here are some amazing posts about NFP that are worth sharing:
NFP sucks by Stephanie
Why do you love NFP: A husband's response by Caitlin's husband
No H8, educate by Carolyn
Don't do what we did... Our NFP story by Mary

Of course, there are tons more out there. I am just highlighting a few that I have read this week.

Now for our reasons why we use NFP:
We submit ourselves, even our bodies to the will of God and his Church. It's something that we do together: Derrick wakes me up in the morning, hands me the thermometer and i take my temp. He records the temperature. Every night, i chart my external observations. we talk about our chart. We interpret it together.

Above scenario is totally different from me just taking the pill every morning.

Once we have decided to get off of the pill a few months after our wedding, we have seen how practicing NFP strengthened our marriage and communication.

You read that right. we were on the pill on our wedding night and few months as newlyweds. We never heard of NFP from our pastor during pre-Cana. I also sought  a few married Catholics' advice and they were ok and comfortable with their decision to use contraception. God is already knocking at the door of my heart, planting a seed but I chose to shut him out and seek the easy way out. Take a pill every morning instead of learn NFP.

One of the people I asked regarding family planning was a non-denominational Christian friend. She shared their story and I found out NFP actually works! I was hesitant at first being in the medical field and all. I relied on the medicine to work instead of my own will power and what my husband and I could do to take control of our fertility.

My husband (my saint-in-the-making) has been the main power who kept pushing me to open my heart and listen to what God is asking of me to do. That's the Holy Spirit working there on both him and me. Derrick is not excited about giving me medicines/hormones to help regulate my cycle, etc. etc.

So we went off the pill. we read our NFP book on our own. we held weekly discussions. we charted. we did not go to a class.... we were brave huh?! My Christian friend and i sent emails back and forth. She is not an NFP instructor but she was very helpful and encouraging.

NFP was successful for us. we wanted to wait until I was done with med school before starting a family. we stuck with it and did NFP. Finally intern year came and after "testing the waters" of life as a resident, we knew after prayer and deliberation that we were ready to have a baby.

NFP also helped us conceive our little ones. NFP empowered us both. I knew when my period is about the start. I was more in tune/aware of my body. NFP also kept an open line between me and my husband. Not just: is it ok to have s3x tonight? but "how are we feeling today?" etc. etc. and I like how we both are active and involved with our family planning. He has his role {temp recorder}; I have my role {symptom recorder}.


NFP is not all rainbows. there are some challenges with NFP:
- Intern year was challenging. I was on-call every 4th night which meant every 4th morning I was up pretty much all night. This means my basal temps in the morning did not make any sense. I had two thermometers: one kept at home with our chart and one in my overnight call bag. We had to rely more and more with the symptoms part of the symptothermal method of NFP {it's basically mucus only method or Billings method}. Some post call mornings, I didn't even have temps recorded as I was seeing patients when I'm supposed to be just waking up and checking my temp.
- I only charted external observations. I am a doctor --- but I cannot do my own cervical check. I just can't.
- Breastfeeding and return of fertility: Thanks to breastfeeding my periods did not start until 9-10 months postpartum. my cycles were 50-60 days long with misinterpretations of charts and temps and mucus changes. It was semi-difficult postpartum with Daniel. Even more difficult the second time around. I have to either re-read our NFP book and/or take an NFP class geared towards breastfeeding/postpartum moms and/or contact an NFP instructor postpartum with Baby D3. I'd love ideas or suggestions for breastfeeding moms, if you have any. More and more we are looking at the Marquette method.


We are open to life and when people ask if we are done with three, we honestly say "we don't know". If we could not handle more than three (like we are going crazy out of our minds) then we better be good NFP charters and interpreters!

For More info:
Iusenfp.com
NFP via couple to couple league
Symptothermal method
NFP classes in Indy
Couple to couple league of Indy

7 quick takes vol 28

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I was MIA last week for 7QT Fridays. You could say blogging break = not much exciting news in my little world.

1.
Congrats to parents Martha and Jacob. I may be Mia writing-wise but I've been following her blog, waiting for the big announcement of their first born son. Oh the waiting... I truly felt for Martha reading her post last Monday. Waiting is the hard part.

And firstborns are notorious for being post-dates.
Except for my little Daniel who came 8 days early! What?!
Totally not the norm.

Which then taught me a lesson for baby D2. The waiting was a little horrible. Especially with the added ligamentous belly pain and knee pain (my fault for gaining >40 lbs)
I was convinced that Isabel was going to be born post-dates just because she didn't come 8 days early like brother. I've heard moms delivering days to weeks early with baby 1, but delivering post dates with baby 2.

The teaching of patience.... God wanted (and wants) me to practice patience....

2.
What a beautiful post by our host, Jen Fulwiler.
Never say never.

I'm only with baby D3 and people already asking if this is my last one.
Answer: I don't know.
Or
We will see after this third one....
Because it's the truth.

Derrick and I are open to life. And since we are, it means for us more babies even with NFP. (I totally agree NFP is great at spacing kids.... That and breast feeding and pumping like a maniac like me)

Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. --Romans 12:2
We can't be pressured by this world... Even by knowledgeable doctors or well-meaning friends. I applaude Jen for not giving in to pressures of sterilization. Her situation is really tough and tricky to say the least, weighing risks of pregnancy due to a blood clotting disorder.

I honestly would not know where to start with my 'contemplation' process if I have a clotting problem or I'm a carrier of a neurodegenerative disorder gene except to pray, pray and pray.

Ask for his will.. To do what is food and pleasing in His eyes.

3.
Now onto a little less heavy material and something more superficial and vain.
Doctors have no sense of fashion.....
I wore my hunter boots last Friday. All day in clinic. They're violet and glossy and super comfy. And yes, I've got courage..
I've had (mostly older) doctors and (young) nurses asked me about my get-up. I had to educate them that they are worn by the Queen of England! And Princess DiCome on now!
And though I was inside seeing patients for 9 hours, without rain or mud, I wore them all day. I was relieved that we had a downpour at the end of the day while picking up the kids.. See: worth the comments I got...

Which by the way started with my son asking in the morning: why are you wearing your boots mummy? It's not raining.
And I answered: it's a gray day! I can wear them.....

And it's gonna rain here in Indy today. Look for someone in clinic wearing violet Hunter boots... It will be me!



{Photo source}

4.
We saw baby D3 on our second ultrasound.
We bit the bullet and did not find out the sex. It's easier than what I imagined of the would-be stress -- not knowing the sex and all. I made such a fuss before because of my super planner attitude etc.
maybe I'm just relaxed now because I've got a boy and a girl. Boy items, girl items......

What I'm truly saying: I'm not freaking out yet.
- that I don't know what going home outfit to bring to the hospital.
- that I don't know what color of extra towels I need to buy
- that I can't shop for cute newborn outfits (Derrick is fine with this)
- that babyd3 will be wearing whites and gender neutral outfits the first few days (which is fine because I'm probably not going to put a load of newborn laundry until I'm in stage 2 of labor)

I'm either just relaxed or just plain lazy now.....

5.
After this month, I have 6 months of residency left. Woohoo!
And I've got a very bad case of senioritis. Burnt out you say?

The first half of my fifth year of residency was filled with reading and researching articles etc..... My mindset was: this is my last year of training before I practice on my own, without an overseer to check my work. I better read more now and ask more questions and learn as much as I can.
Slowly that mindset is slipping away. Maybe the fear has subsided?
I just hope it's the pregnancy related tiredness that's giving me senioritis.
So 6 months of official training with 8-10 weeks of maternity leave in between. It's exciting that ill be seeing my own panel of patients in less than a year.

6.
I finally, finally watched the third season of Downton Abbey.
I cried and cried.
- Mary and Mathew's wedding
- Lady Sybil's death
- Carson singing happily after finding out the news of Mrs. Hughes' benign cyst
- Ethel leaving Charlie
And tons more moments.
Another worth the wait season.

Some fanatics like season 2 a lot more. I disagree. It took me months to get over some twists and turns in season 2. And the war is just so depressing. However for season 3, I watched all 9 episodes in a week.

Was my mind prepared anyway for the season finale? I'd say so..... Still so sad to see Matthew and Mary and their baby during their last hour together.


7.
Picture I'm sharing.




The famous alien shots of babies in utero.
This is Baby D3 saying happy Friday y'all!


Head over to Jen's for more 7qt!

7 quick takes Vol 27

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Hello, hello it's Friday! Another work week almost over!
Joining Jen @ ConversionDiary (welcome back!)

1. Exercise
I am glad to have such a light rotation this month of April. I switched my exercise routine to early morning workouts before I leave the house. I have been working out regularly since I have done that! yes, i do miss Zumba (Mondays and Thurs 7:30-8:30p at a nearby Catholic HS) but I am glad I am exercising more regularly.
My new fave DVD: Jillian Michaels ripped in 30.
Week 1 is already killing me like crazy but I can tell after doing it 5 times I am ready for Week 2. I will do these hard-core workouts till my growing belly cannot handle them anymore!

2. Sharing some meals I made this week:

shrimp Étouffée from Jenna

Braised beef with sweet potatoes (always a winner in our house! very filling!) from RealSimple

Bacon wrapped dates with cream cheese from Grace (addicted here. I made them 3 weeks in a row). Another reason why I gotta work out regularly.

3. eBay virgin
For all those eBay pros out there, I envy you. I have never won an auction EVAH!
And guess what, last Wednesday, I won my first ever ebay purchase via auction. (still waiting for  the item)
I about almost had an anxiety attack as I watch the last few minutes and then seconds on my eBay timer! whoa.... I was ready to be outbidded anytime.
yet, i still won! haha.
I'd love any tips from you all eBay pros!

4. Have you read this NFP article by Dwija?
I am only expecting baby D3 and I am already getting looks.

5. Another addiction to confess
I am crazy, crazy for any show BBC related. Remember my post about Sherlock? I am on season 2 courtesy of the public library. I watched WhiteChapel already (warning: gross,  bloody, pure terror). I have MI-5 series on request at the library (where else?)
Any other suggestions for BBC shows?

6. Kids' Addictions

I purchased the album 25 favorite silly songs
I borrowed DVDs from the library for the kids (and for me to enjoy)


7. Photo I am sharing (already posted on instagram)
Daniel: mommy, let's take a picture
Guess they got it from one of their picture loving, tons of posing parent..... guess who?



Happy Friday y'all!

7 quick takes Vol 15

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1...... I depend so much on my calendar on my iPhone. When I upgraded the software all my calendar entries were erased? Why??!!
We were a week late celebrating Isabel's baptism anniversary! I thought it was the 21st of January! When in fact it's the 15th -- last Tuesday. {I should have double checked using my blog!}
Well, better late than never. Derrick got us flying cupcake treats {cos I worked today}
The red velvet cake is the family's favorite!


Isabel with the look: "Just give it to me, mummy!"

2..... check out this beautiful post by Caitlin about the beauty of NFP. Maybe someday I will also have the courage to post about NFP and my marriage. way to go Caitlin!

3....... My daily shower is a retreat. It's so relaxing and peaceful. I even make plans and such during my 15 minute alone-time. So where am i going with this? My shower head has accumulated so much calcium. Water here in Indy is 'semi - hard'. I finally gave in and bought a new shower head... And I'm in love!
It's definitely worth the $32! This has 7-settings. And my fave s the rainfall!

Picture source

4....... Workout: besides going to Zumba once a week, I play just dance on our wii. My dance partner: Lil D.


The workout is not as intense and calorie-burning as my Zumba class but its nice to spend time with the kids and exercise with them .

5...... Video I am sharing. They're celebrating! it's gonna be a Harbaugh Bowl!

6...... Now on to more serious topics:
I am joining cathsorority for the #GoDark4Life campaign.
it's been 40 years since Roe vs. Wade and abortion was legalized in the US.
55 MILLION Babies and counting have died.
hence the early 7 QT edition this week.

Tomorrow, no twitter, no FB, no foursquare for me.....
Join us!

7...... One last pict to leave you:
These are the reasons why I am pro-LIFE. Why I pray everyday for the end of abortion.

Certainly sons are a gift from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb, a reward.
Psalm 127:3

Join Jen for more 7qt.

7 quick takes Vol 3

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1. Summer heat. Indy is experiencing record breaking highs -- 102-104F!

2. Countdown begins. 4 more months of in-hospital call. I don't bounce back as easily post-call. Even though in-hospital calls are spread every 6-8 days, I cannot quite get back to my baseline easily. I need sleep...

3. Crazy for designer purses. So addicted "dreaming" of owning a Gucci, Prada or Chanel purse. Decisions, decisions on how I will spend (or waste?) my first paycheck as a "real" doctor. A good friend of mine who has great taste and who is Italian says I should get a Gucci or Prada splurge purse. But I also dream of owning a Chanel purse.... I still have months (and years) of residency left before I even make enough money to pay my loans!

4. NFP:  I have been following Kayla (@alluringworld) and Katie (@nfpandme) on twitter. The conversations have been infornative and interesting. check twitter #iusenfp  their website http://www.iusenfp.com/ is still in the works.

5. NFP buttons: check out these buttons Katie made. Sharing my faves!


 

showed this button to Derrick >> he loved it. Thought it was funny.

6. Zumba: check out pics of my dance workout partner.

7. Fellowship: Asking for prayers as I decide the next step in my career. Hubby has been such good support. "Do whatever would help your career" (isn't he amazing?).  wait for a future post for details of fellowship.

check out Conversiondiary for more 7 quick takes!