Our First Born is in Heaven...

 Raymond and I have recently suffered the loss of our first child. I was pregnant for six weeks and five days. It was very exciting. We confirmed it the morning of July 7, 2014. It was our fifth pregnancy test due to one positive (but if it's faint is it really positive?!) two negatives and one test fell in the toilet - something to do with cat litter... Anyway, we were excited, scared, elated! We were parents. We started talking to our baby and calling it 'he' because I was sure it would be a boy. We prayed for him and started reading about the do's and don'ts of being pregnant (there are a lot of things to NOT do that you would have no clue about if you didn't read up on it). I had all the classic symptoms - nausea, exhaustion, a bloated tummy, a crazy sense of smell, some slight cramping (normal they say). 

On Saturday, July 12, 2014 I noticed a little blood and freaked out as any newly pregnant mom would. I called the nurses hotline but was told it could be completely normal and I didn't have any of the symptoms on the long list of "you may be miscarrying." On Sunday I had a Dr appointment and was set up to get an ultrasound and blood work on Monday - all normal stuff. But I knew it was wrong. I didn't feel right and my symptoms were less or off.... I was nervous. I was crying on and off, I was laying down, not moving, I was talking to God and to Samuel... I had peace, lot's of peace. I knew that no matter what the outcome, it would be okay - that I would be okay.

I woke up Sunday morning around 4 AM and it wasn't okay. By 5:50 AM Raymond had called an ambulance and they were on their way. It was agonizing pain. I kept saying "I can't do this" and then all of a sudden I could. The pain didn't lessen or go away but there was that peace again. We got to the hospital, Raymond helped me get blood work and my first IV (I have a fear of needles so that was hard for me). He held me in my hospital bed while we waited and encouraged me through the tests.

He got me home and napped with me for the rest of the day...

God gave my husband something really special for me. God gave Raymond the ability to be what I needed, when I needed it. I cannot even come up with the right words to describe how perfect Raymond was. Another blessing I've gotten from this tragedy was the closeness to God and to Raymond that came about. God has met me in my pain. He has been there every step of the way and on Sunday he showed me something beautiful. I will always hold it close to my heart until I get to heaven and see my son and hold him in my arms.

Now you may be wondering why the name Samuel. While Raymond and I waited for some tests the question was asked (by a friend dropping items off for us as we didn't have a car) "are you going to name the baby?" The night before when I had been praying God had reminded me of Hannah and her son Samuel that she begged God for. She was given her son and after he was weaned she gave him back to God as promised. Samuel means "God hears." Raymond, after hearing why I thought perhaps Samuel for the babies name told us that God had given him the name Samuel for the baby a couple of weeks prior but that he hadn't told me because he thought that I would think it was silly. I was then able to tell him that I had been asking God to give him a name for the baby. What a blessing for us to name our baby the name God had chosen weeks before and see all of those prayers answered and have our faith built even while waiting for our loss to be confirmed.

So here's our news. It's not joyful like the regular "we're expecting" announcements but it's ours and it's beautiful in itself. For everyone expecting or newly delivered I am so excited for you! I now know what it feels like to be pregnant, to hold that joy and excitement in, to keep it a secret (so hard) and to giggle about it with your husband. To fall in love, no matter how long or how short the time you have together is.

ANNOUNCING:

Samuel Oosterom
May 28, 2014 - July 14, 2014

Six weeks and five days I got to cary you, we love you, we wanted you, we miss you and we are very happy you are in heaven with Jesus.

"I'll love you forever
I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living my baby you'll be...."

I miscarried July 14, 2014 at the Richmond Hospital. Raymond and I were taken by ambulance and it was a very hard day for us.

Raymond was amazing. Exactly what I needed, when I needed it. I know God enabled Raymond to be that for me. Even when Raymond didn't know what to do he still stood by me and encouraged me or held my hand. He was right there to walk me through every step.

Working Out - 5 days and counting

Everybody starts somewhere, so I made a decision, hopped on my treadmill and did just that.

Day 1 I ran 1 mile in 10 mins and 6 seconds. I lifted weights for my arms, added in squats and finished with sit ups done at various angles.

Day 2 was similar but with time shaved off of my mile as was day 3 and day 4 (I ran 1 mile in 9 mins and 28 seconds).

So today is day 5 and I ran 1.44 miles in 14 mins and 30 seconds.

It was hard, I was huffing and puffing. I ran at a 6.0 miles per hour pace the whole time. Needless to say I am making progress. It's small but it's there. I'm going for total body health, cardio, muscles, etc. I want a healthy body, organs and mind! I am excited and determined.

Stuffed Chicken - When you're bored of your normal food fair!

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts (this allows one each for dinner or left overs if there are only 2 of you)
2 slices of Bread (home made on plan)
1 purple onion cubed
6 slices of well cooked bacon
bacon fat
1 large spoonful of goat cheese


Directions:

1. Pound your chicken breasts flat.
2. Take the next 4 ingredients and put them in your food processor. Process until it's a fine mix (really fine, not chunky)
3. Take the last ingredient and in a bowl add to the processed 4. This will make a paste.
4. Spread the paste onto the chicken breasts
5. Roll your chicken and stick it together with tooth picks
6. Fry chicken on both sides
7. Pop in oven at 350 degrees until totally cooked (about 20-30 mins)

Serve with a side of Brussel sprouts and Salad with home made dressing (honey mustard is good).

This was super yummy and half eaten already - haha
Over Eager!

Tomato Soup - from scratch

Tomato soup:

•2 cans of whole tomatoes
•3-6 fresh tomatoes
•1-2 cubes of chicken broth
•Salt and pepper
•3 cups if water (may use less or none if adding chicken broth vs. boullion cubes)
1-2 onions diced and sautéed in butter
1 cup of almond milk

Boil all the ingredients with bullets for about 30 or so mins.
Meanwhile sauté the onions then add once soft and keep boiling for at least another 10-15 mins.
Purée everything till smooth
Add in milk and bring to simmer
Add s/p to taste (lots if pepper)

Cool, serve and enjoy!

A WEEK IN THE FOOD LIFE OF LAURA (and RAYMOND)

TITLES AND PICTURES

A WEEKS WORTH OF MENU ITEMS AT THE OOSTEROM HOUSE

I had a request for a week of titles and pictures of what I'm eating (maybe it will help you with your weight loss journey or give you some creative ideas on meals, snacks, or examples of different foods that you wouldn't have thought to try before).

Anyway as I am just starting the week (today is Sunday, May 19, 2013) there won't be any pictures with titles until the end of the day!

I hope you enjoy and have fun following along with me as I give a little insight into my world of food!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Lunch & snack — I was so full!

BREAKFAST: One cup of tea and two cups of coffee (this isn't normal for me but I was on the worship team this AM and we had to be there super early and so my usual breakfast didn't happen - ladies and gentlemen, don't do this to yourself... PREPARE!)

LUNCH: SALAD ON BREAD!

DINNER: SALAD ON BREAD cont. IT WAS TOO MUCH FOOD          THE FIRST TIME TO FINISH AT LUNCH!

SNACK 1: APPLE PIECES AND PEANUT BUTTER

Monday, May 20, 2013

BREAKFAST: 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter and apple stropp
one mug of warm apple cider



LUNCH: 1 Huge Salad: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, shaved roast beef, cheddar cheese, and avocado - I added home made mayonnaise and mustard for the dressing
1 Large Glass of lime water



DINNER: Honey Garlic Chicken (fry the chicken in garlic and butter then drizzle honey over when serving).
Steamed broccoli and cauliflower with butter and melted cheese

SNACK1: Apple slices with peanut butter

THE REST OF THE WEEK INCLUDED THESE MEALS!

Home Made Taco Shell
with Cheese and Almond Flour

Home Made Butternut Squash Fries
and
Honey Mustard Mayo Dipping Sauce

Home Made Tacos
(turned into more of a salad)

Raymond made Fried Chicken
Carrots and Cauliflower
One night

Stir Fry (honey garlic)

Home made chips with
guacamole dip

Salad!

SALAD

Cheesey Onion Omelet 

Waffle (Almond Flour) with
Yogurt and fresh pear and
cinnamon on top with honey
drizzel 

Apple Pear (Yummy)

Coffee with honey and
Cinnamon Drizzle
(home made almond milk)

Peanut Butter and Apples!
My favorite snack.

Pineapple chicken stir fry

Breakfast:
Coffee, Shake, Toast with
Home made Jam and
Clean Peanut Butter

MORNING SHAKES!

This Message is for EVERYONE

this message is for EVERYONE

if you have ever bought, stashed or thrown out product (skin care, or beauty) because it was the WRONG COLOR or not for your SKIN TYPE or only worked for ONE WEEK, ONE MONTH or NOT AT ALL then you weren't using mary kay!

MARY KAY products are ALWAYS the right color and formula for your skin type. the products last and do what they say they are going to do because THEY ARE 100% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!

Shop with me online and DON'T PAY for shipping and handling.

you can SHOP WITH ME at:
www.marykay.ca/loosterom

BREAD (grain free - tastes good)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of coconut flour

1 1/4 cups almond flour

1/4 cup ground chia seeds or flax seeds (i ground my chia seeds up in the magic bullet)

5 eggs

1/4 tsp sea salt

4 TBSP coconut oil (heat up to liquid form in microwave then cool off)

1 TBSP apple cider vinigar

2 Tbsp honey

1/2 tsp baking soda

*This makes a smaller loaf of bread so you will want to double it if you're hoping 

for a normal sized loaf

Directions:

1. Blend all dry ingredients in a bowl and in a separate bowl all the wet ingredients

2. Make sure to blend the eggs till frothy, about 3 minutes THEN stir the honey and vinegar into the eggs.

3. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet

4. Scoop your batter into a well greased loaf pan

I cut the loaf in half and then sliced the wrong way

5. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes (until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean)

6. Cool and Serve

This recipe enables you to have sandwiches, buns for burgers or toast in the morning while on the SCD