Parenting decisions, random thoughts, etc.

I have lots of random thoughts today...a lot of what I am thinking about now is all the decisions that need to be made once we actually have a baby. Not even decisions about HOW to have a baby, which is a whole other topic which I will talk more about after I actually have had a baby and went through that whole process. But I'm thinking about the things that are usually decided right after they are born. Such as: circumcision, vaccinations, choice of diapers, breastfeeding, choice of pediatrician, etc. In many of those things you could just do what the "norm" is and not put in too much thought. I probably would've done that a few years ago, and I'm not criticizing those who do that. Yet I don't want to just do what is normal because it is normal... I want to at least learn a bit about the options and do what seems best to me/us. Granted, my choices will in no way be perfect, and often it is hard to know the fact from the myth in some of these topics. And of course it also comes down to asking God for guidance and trusting Him that he'll take care of our baby whether we do the "best" thing or not. But still I want to be informed.

Vaccinations are the big thing that I've been thinking about lately. Do babies really need ALL those vaccinations? Do they need any? What are the possible positive and negative effects of vaccines? What about all the rumors about a preservative in them causing autism? Maybe some of you out there can give me some feedback on this, and what your choice was for your child or children. I don't believe that all vaccinations are necessarily bad... yet I also don't believe that babies need all the vaccinations that are recommended today. I mean, what's so bad about getting chicken pox? That vaccine really seems like just a way for pharmaceutical companies to make money. So, just thinking about all these things. Just being amazed at how many decisions there are. And yet God's grace covers us and our decisions and our mistakes. I am so thankful for that.



Now some other random things...
Recent favorite quote:
"For as long as you can remember, you have been a pleaser, depending on others to give you an identity. You need not look at that only in a negative way. You wanted to give your heart to others, and you did so quickly and easily. But now you are being asked to let go of all these self-made props and trust that God is enough for you. You must stop being a pleaser and reclaim your identity as a free self."--Henri Houwen

I think that describes me a lot and where I am at. God is teaching me not to look to please others for my security, but to look to Him. It is a painful process sometimes. But I know it will be worth it in the end.

My recent favorite song is called "Shadowfeet" by Brooke Fraser. You can listen to it here. The video is not the greatest, but just listen to the song. Some of the lyrics are below:

Walking, stumbling on these shadowfeet
Toward home, a land that I've never seen
I am changing
Less and less asleep
Made of different stuff than when I began
And I have sensed it all along
Fast approaching is the day

When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
When time and space are through
I'll be found in you