*~*~* Anne's (abkinsey) Birth Lodge *~*~*

Happy Thanksgiving to all the U.S. folk up here!

I am so grateful because I usually cook a big feast for lots of people and this year it is just Allen, Will and me. Mom is off visiting my aunt in California until December 7th. We've really been enjoying our privacy and all the sexy romance that comes with it :lol: . Anyway, Allen has cooked himself a free-range local chicken and I'm making a lentil loaf (I'm vegetarian) and then we'll have green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls and sweet potato pie for dessert. Nice and simple this year -- no more than 45 minutes in the kitchen or so. I can't remember the last time that happened! LOL!

Anyway, I said I would talk about furbabies. We have two litterbox-trained bunnies that we adopted from a rescue. They live in my Mom's room and they are sooo sweet. Meet Leo (brown) and Winnie (white):

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...gs927/Leo2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...927/Winnie.jpg

We also have two cats, 14-year-old Snowball (Allen's before we met) and 5-year-old Suki (my rescue cat):

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...aphotos069.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...aphotos068.jpg

Here is a family photo. From left to right: Mom, me, Will, Allen. This was taken back in July. I don't have anything more recent at the moment.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...7/IMG_1026.jpg

Allen and I always love our date nights and going out for special occasions. Here's us on our anniversary (January 2010) just a couple of months before I got pregnant:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...7/IMG_0894.jpg

I don't have a recent belly pic yet. I'm still in my jammies with messed up hair :lol: . I've got to get cleaned up and run out to the store for a couple of things. I'll have Allen take a belly pic later today and see about getting it up here. :cool:

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Originally Posted by Allie01979

Welcome to your lodge, what an incredible story. I'm so sorry for your loss and all the troubles you've been through, but it sounds like life is really turning around for you and your family :D

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Thank you! Yeah, we've been through a lot. But, one thing I've noticed is that even when things are rough, God always makes sure that we have more good in our lives than bad. It's helped us to get through a lot by focusing on that and remaining grateful for what we have. The Lord has really seen us through and continues to do so. I'm so excited about so many things that are going better right now with Mom being in remission and Lily about to be born. YAY! :party:

Welcome to your lodge. Your story is incredible, I have read bits and pieces other places on PO - you are an amazingly strong woman and I hope Lily's birth is a wonderful, peaceful one.

BTW - Lentil loaf sounds yummy - would you be willing to share your recipe?

Welcome to your Lodge, Anne! I am so excited to be able to keep up with your family and your birth adventure :D I love the family pic and am so excited with the peace and happy surroundings you have for this birth. Enjoy the tub, it's an amazing experience! (((HUGS)))

Wow! You've had quite a journey! Thank you for sharing it was very moving to read :) Yay! for loving your midwife. I hope you get the amazing birth you are searching for. :)

I hope everyone has been having a wonderful Thanksgiving. My family enjoyed our little meal together and then watched "The Last Airbender." Great movie! Looking forward to a relaxing evening and family phone calls.

Here is my 36 week belly pic. Allen took it today. Don't mind the baggy maternity clothes. They're from a prior pregnancy and I've lost some weight. But, I figure that baggy maternity clothes are better than tight ones, so I haven't bothered to go out and get any new ones. These are comfy. :)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...7/IMG_1193.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by faeriecurls

Welcome to your lodge. Your story is incredible, I have read bits and pieces other places on PO - you are an amazingly strong woman and I hope Lily's birth is a wonderful, peaceful one.

BTW - Lentil loaf sounds yummy - would you be willing to share your recipe?

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Absolutely. I looove lentil loaf. Here's the recipe I use....

2 cups cooked green lentils
1/2 cup cooked wild rice
6 slices whole wheat bread, torn into small pieces
2 eggs
1 cup veggie broth
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried sage
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 packet vegetarian onion soup mix
1/3 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 400F. Mix all ingredients except bread crumbs and Parmesan in a large bowl. Butter a glass bread loaf pan and then pour the lentil batter into the pan. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the top and sides appear to be golden brown (you can see through the glass). Top with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese and bake for another 10 minutes, until golden brown.

I like to serve this with vegetarian gravy and mashed potatoes. Yummy!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by krispsmith

Welcome to your Lodge, Anne! I am so excited to be able to keep up with your family and your birth adventure :D I love the family pic and am so excited with the peace and happy surroundings you have for this birth. Enjoy the tub, it's an amazing experience! (((HUGS)))

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(((((((Kris))))))) I am so happy to see you!! :jumpingbeans: ...thanks for checking up on my lodge. I'm glad to know you're following along. Thanks for your support. Can't wait to experience the tub for myself. Yay! I'm sooooo close now. :D :bighug:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lil Momma 1991

Wow! You've had quite a journey! Thank you for sharing it was very moving to read :) Yay! for loving your midwife. I hope you get the amazing birth you are searching for. :)

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Thanks, Kendra! I feel very lucky to have the midwife I do. It's so amazing that she does what she does here in NC, especially since it's not legal. She says that she will obey the call of God to midwifery and trust that God will protect her. Amazing! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by abkinsey

Thanks, Kendra! I feel very lucky to have the midwife I do. It's so amazing that she does what she does here in NC, especially since it's not legal. She says that she will obey the call of God to midwifery and trust that God will protect her. Amazing! :)

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:eek: Did I miss something in a previous post on your lodge... Or am I just understanding this wrong. Home births are illegal in NC???