Carrie has answered my latest question in our cross blog conversation which was

“What did you see yourself becoming as an adult, as a teenager, and are you where you thought you’d be today?”  over at her blog.  She also gave me a new question -

“If your babies both napped at the same time or if you went out for the evening, what would you do?”

Carrie,

Honestly, I would choose an evening out, preferably alone with my hubby.  Greg and I rarely get much one on one time anymore and this is about to become even less or nonexistent with the third baby on the way.  I love to spend time with him alone, and I prefer a nice dinner and a drive because I like this time to talk to him uninterrupted and for him to talk to me.  It’s nice and it’s what I crave.

One of the things hubby and I would like to do before the baby comes is take a cruise. We’ve been wanting to for several years now and I just told him, we’d better or we won’t get to, even grandparents won’t take care of 3 babies at once.  So, I’m hoping to schedule something for early 2008 before I get too big pregnant to enjoy it.

Now, I for your next question, with all the thoughts of food the last week,

“What is your favorite meal?”   

I am really enjoying this.  Thanks for sharing.

Alyssa

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I am loving having this CBC (cross blog conversation) with Carrie Lauth .

It is so much fun and Carrie had answered my most recent question, “How do you juggle 4 kids and a business?” Go here to read her answer.

Now, Carrie asks me “How has having children changed your life? Is motherhood different than what you imagined?”

Carrie,

Wow! That’s a question I had to sit here and go “hmmmmmm” for a while on. I have to say that this answer requires some background information about me because you and many of my reader’s might not know my “life story” so I’ll give you a shortened version. I have always been a person who attempts to juggle many things, hence why you called me “the juggler” in your last post and why I dubbed myself that name here on my blog. At the ripe old age of 19 (I know that’s not old, I’m kidding about the old part), I got married. I was fresh from my first year of college, had met the man of my dreams one year prior, and he had asked me that sweet, sweet question, “Will you marry me?” He is 7 years my elder and was ready for such things. Of course, I thought I was as well, always being a bit mature for my age. Even though my marriage is a “young one” it has been a fabulous one. Sure we’ve had financial strains and trials as every young couple but man have we learned to work as a team. Ok, now I know you didn’t ask me about my marriage, but “first comes love, then comes marriage, then here comes Alyssa with the baby carriage” at least that’s the way I was taught it was suppose to go and I am sooo glad I followed that little rhyme.

My husband and I waited approximately 3 years before having our first child. I was actually 23 when I gave birth to my son, Baker. I found out I was pregant with him, the Friday before I graduated from college on a Saturday. My goal had been to wait till after college to have children. I cut that one close huh?

Even though I was finished with college, I had plans to attend seminary and I did indeed in the fall, very pregnant, but I wouldn’t quit! I also attended classes with my 2nd child, my baby girl, Lily who was born almost 3 years later, in March 2007, I was 26 at the time of her birth. Now to better answer your question. Well, I never really thought I was ready for motherhood. My husband was the one who wanted children so quickly because he was the older one. I always thought, “shouldn’t I get this school stuff out of the way and get a good job?” As you all know my school and my “good job” working outside of the home is no longer my “top priority”. Having my children made me realize that I wanted them. I did not even know how much I would want children or could want them until I had them, now, I am like, how can people put other things in front of or ahead of their children in their priorities. How can mommas drop their babies off at a daycare every morning to go and pursue that all mighty dollar. I just do not get it. I would rather be poor than have someone else care for and love on my babies all day. I have come to realize just how special and precious and valuable this gift that has been placed into my life is, it is PRICELESS!

So, there you have it Carrie, motherhood has changed my priorities, and made me a better person, realizing that GOD’s plan is perfect and my babies were HIS blessings to me!

Now for your next question, “What did you see yourself becoming as an adult, as a teenager, and are you where you thought you’d be today?”

Thanks girl,

Alyssa

Becoming a mom soon? Check out these signs of pregnancy and early pregnancy signs by using our pregnancy calculator to find out when you’re due!

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Well, Carrie and I continue our conversation this week. She has answered my question “What is it like to be a natural mom?” over at her blog. I learned a lot from her post.

Now, She asked me, “You’ve recently launched a ghostwriting business. Have you always enjoyed writing and what sparked that interest?”

Carrie,

I am thrilled that you asked this question because I have been so excited lately about this new opportunity. For the first part of the question, “Have you always enjoyed writing?” the answer would be, “yes”. In junior high I had a great English teacher who had us journal and write a great deal. I found out then how much I loved to write. All through High School actually I was blessed with awesome English teachers and the opportunity to take many college prep classes that allowed us to write more, rather than just learning grammar we learned how to use it too. This prepared me for college more than you’ll ever know. My friends and I always say, our high school English teachers were harder than those we had in college. Once in college I was the geek who actually took extra English classes such as Creative Writing, and Beginning Fiction Workshop in the summer mind you! I even minored in English. I love to write and so yes, to answer that first part of the question.

To answer the second half, “What sparked that interest?” Well, to be honest, I always wanted to do this sort of thing. I just didn’t have the knowledge I needed to do so. I thought, naively that I would have to send in articles to every darn magazine around and wait weeks on end to see if they would be published in order to actually make money writing. I did not really know about ghostwriting or exactly what it was until I became a member of Mom Masterminds earlier this year. Even then, I still didn’t have the courage or the confidence to begin a business and I worried that I needed to totally focus on my ministry. Until, (this part is a big embarrassing, but hey it does happen to most of us at some point) my family and I were in financial crisis, and I thought I’ve got to do something. I was making a desperate plea online for someone to tell me what I could do to make some cash.

The phone rang shortly after and it was Shannon Cherry on the other end calling me from New York, being a small town Mississippi girl I was a big blown away, especially by the conversation that followed. Shannon was offering to hire me to write some articles for her. She even complemented me by saying, “I’ve seen your writing and you’re a good writer.” (blush) I just didn’t know what to say but of course I agreed to write for her, and then a light bulb went off in my head, hey maybe other people would pay me to do this too. Luckily I had my friends at Mom Masterminds to help get me going and now only approximately 3 weeks later, I am in business and have a list of clients. Though, I do have room for more (hint, hint) to those of you out there who might need some writing done.

So, there you have it that’s the SCOOP! Now, Carrie, tell me “How do you juggle a business and 4 kids?”

Loving conversing with you on the blogosphere,

Alyssa

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I got this idea from Kelly McCausey and loved it so much I am doing two cross blog conversations. One over at Writer for Hire, with Regina Baker and one here now with Carrie Lauth. Here is my first letter to Carrie….

Hey Carrie,

Thanks for participating in this cross blog conversation with me. I’m trying to remember just how you and I met and I want to say it was when I joined Mom Masterminds. Am I right?

Regardless I think you’re an amazing mom, entrepreneur and lady. I enjoy listening to you on Mom’s Money, and reading your blog. I was excited you agreed to join me in this conversation and I hope as a result we can get to know each other a little better.

My first question for you is about natural parenting. Carrie is the host of Natural Mom’s Talk Radio so I know she practices this, but frankly I have never really understood all the ins and outs so I know that Carrie can clear this up.

What is it like to be a “natural mom”?

Thanks again Carrie, looking forward to your reply.

Blessings,
Alyssa

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