to conceive or not to conceive...

So, I came across this article today which discusses whether or not contraception is a sin. I had already been thinking about this a little...well, not so much whether it's a SIN or not, but whether or not God wants Christians to use contraception for our "family planning". {BTW, I just retyped that sentence like 5 times, in an effort to seem unbiased and to also not step on any toes. I'm still not sure if I succeeded.} I haven't quite come to a conclusion yet on what I believe, except that I'm pretty sure He's not gonna send us to hell based on our choice in the matter. I can see both sides of the argument, so I plan to do some more studying on the subject. ANYWAY...I had already been thinking about it some when I came across this article. What do you think? No, really...I want your opinions! Just keep it friendly please. :)

Christians Reexamine Morality of Birth Control

by Kristen Moulton
Religion News Service

same blog, new face.

For all five of you who actually read my blog {if YOU are even still reading...}, yes, it's still me. I changed the whole look of my blog...cause that's how I roll. I also changed the name of the blog to The Papyrus Basket. You may be wondering what in the world this means. Well...I would be happy to tell you!

Back when the hubs & I were saving up for the adoption of our daughter, I started making & selling some handmade items. I had originally intended to make a huge fundraiser ordeal out of it, so I was trying to think of a name for the fundraiser. Something catchy that represented the purpose of the fundraising, and yet something that would be timeless & still make sense later. I wanted to use something from a biblical story about adoption, but there aren't many to choose from. It's pretty much just Moses & Esther. {Am I forgetting anyone else?} Anyway, long story short, I came up with The Papyrus Basket, because Moses' mom placed him in a basket made of papyrus, and then the king's daughter found him & adopted him, and then he was all famous in the bible all because of God & this wonderful thing called adoption, yadda yadda yadda. {I fully expect my daughter to live up to the hype of Moses, yes.} The only problem I had with this new business name was it's sorta hard to say. {Say it. Now. Papyrus Basket, Papyrus Basket, Paproosebbsskkt. See?} Needless to say, I never "named" my "business" because I didn't have time to make it into the huge fundraising ordeal that I intended...ironically, I was too busy placing orders for Christmas to organize an official fundraiser. :)

So, that brings us back to the blog. I was tired of "learning the facts of life" as my blog title, because it bored me. And it's too abstract. I finally decided that The Papyrus Basket makes sense. I blog about our adoption a lot. Also, if you don't realize that fact, & you just so happen across my blog, you may think that the title is in reference to papyrus paper that people used to write on back in olden days. {And here I am writing on my blog? Get it? Like instead of the papyrus paper?} Well, that's not the meaning, but it also sounds nice, so...double jeopardy. Wait, that's not what that means...

Welcome to The Papyrus Basket. Thanks for stopping by, and please come back! And bring a friend!

the Natalie diaries - part 4: the hospital.

{for the Natalie diaries - parts 1, 2, & 3...click here}

Around lunchtime on Tuesday, March 23, Baron's mom and my parents got to our rental house in Greenville. Obviously they were oozing with excitement & about to jump out of their skin to see Natalie. :) Baron & I ate some lunch and then headed to the hospital, and the grandparents followed us shortly. Their first view of Natalie was through the nursery window as we visited with her. Fortunately, the nursery at the hospital there had a private room {read: closet} set aside that they called the "bonding room". That was where Baron & I did most of our snuggling with Natalie on her first day in this world. We also got to take the grandparents into the room one at a time to hold her.

{holding my daughter for the first time!}

{Baron holding Natalie for the first time}

{Natalie and Granmama (Baron's mom)}

{Natalie and Mimi (my mom)}

{Natalie and Paparoxy (my dad)}

The rest of that day is sort of a blur. We changed, fed, and held Natalie, but all of that took place in the nursery/bonding room. That night we headed back to the house for some much-needed rest.

On Wednesday, we started visiting Georgia in her hospital room, with Natalie. It was awesome to be able to visit with Natalie's birthmother, with Natalie there too. No more tiny bonding room for us; we visited & relaxed in Georgia's room instead. The grandparents were thrilled to be able to meet Georgia too; and the feeling was mutual. We were all like family there in that tiny hospital room. It was an experience I'll never forget! Thankfully we got lots of pictures. :) Georgia's cousin Kelley was especially fond of Natalie. Natalie has several gifts from her Aunt Kelley that she will treasure.

The days spent in the hospital were kind of a blur to us. They all seemed to run together. Georgia's release day was set to be Friday, which meant that was also the day she would sign the relinquishment papers, giving custody of Natalie to me & Baron. That Friday was an emotional day. We were bringing home this tiny life, who we would forever be responsible for here on this earth; we were excited to be able to have Natalie in a more relaxed environment; we were in the midst of leaving our rental house for another one for the second portion of our stay; and we were anxiously awaiting the signing of "The Papers". There was a lot going on this day. I remember the butterflies in my stomach. I remember the mix of emotions in the hospital room while Aunt Kelley fed Natalie for the last time. I remember the overwhelming sense of gratitude I felt for Georgia, who selflessly chose a different mother to raise her child. I remember how strange it felt to hear that Georgia's hospital bracelet for Natalie would be cut once she signed the papers, which would no longer allow her to visit with Natalie alone in her room. And I remember walking Natalie down the hallway from Georgia's room, and breaking down in tears because I felt as if I were taking this woman's child from her. It truly was an emotional time, but overall, so incredible. It was an amazing experience that I will definitely never forget!

{for more pics from our adoption trip, visit my Facebook photo album}

a pure & lovely giveaway!! pun intended.

My friend Ashley over at pure + lovely is having an awesome giveaway! If you haven't seen her stuff, GO THERE NOW. She is such a talented artist. I have lots of her creations in my house, and she even designed the fabric & made prints/frames for my daughter's nursery! Anyway now's your chance to enter her big giveaway and win some cool stuff!! {Ok really I want to win the stuff myself, but you can enter too...I GUESS...} The winner will be chosen Wednesday night, so hurry!!

another upcoming product review!

I recently did a product review for CSN Stores. For those of you not familiar with CSN Stores, they have over 200 online stores where you can find everything from luggage to LED lighting to cookware to baby gear! It's all the buzz in the blog world these days, and for just reason. You can just about find anything you would need to buy online. So, stay tuned for my product review of what's bound to be an excellent purchase! In the meantime, go shop at CSN Stores now!!

yes please.

I am almost certain I need this bag from Amy Kathryn. Diaper bag? Yes. Purse (for whenever I get to carry one again)? Yes. Better still...I can get it on sale through Totsy!! Something to think about & spring on Baron later... ;)

Natalie's favorite mobile!

Remember when I told you that CSN stores contacted me to do a product review? Well, I chose this adorable Sevi B My Prince mobile for Natalie's nursery, and it is so cute! It took me awhile to choose a product, because CSN has SO many to choose from that I wanted. I finally settled on this lovely little mobile, and it is perfect.

The only negative thing I have to say about my shopping experience is that the mobile was on backorder, so it took two months to get here. When I placed the order, the site said it was in stock, but turns out it wasn't. As far as the Sevi line is concerned, they have the cutest stuff! It's a tad pricey, but a lot of their items have free shipping.

As for the B My Prince mobile...I LOVE the product! It's so cute in Natalie's nursery! Check out CSN Stores for more great products, including an entire line of Sevi toys for your little one. {I'll take one of each, please! :)}

{mobile above the changing table}

{Natalie loves her new mobile!}

anyone out there?

Does anyone still read my blog? Doubtful. Sorry I've been neglecting you. It's just easier to post short snippets & pics on facebook than blogger. So, if you're on facebook & you're friends with me, check out all my pics of Natalie over there. If you're on facebook & you're not friends with me, shame on you! :) Friend request me. If I know you, congratulations. If I don't...sorry, no offense but I don't befriend strangers. :) Anyway here are just a few pics of Natalie to show how much she's grown in her short 3 months of life! {Also, I promise to eventually finish writing "The Natalie Diaries". No, really. I will.}

{2 weeks}

{4 weeks}

{6 weeks}

{8 weeks}

{9 weeks, with new cousin Izzie}

{3 months...Daddy's tickling me!}