Can I just be really honest here?
(I'm guessing since it's my blog and you aren't beside me as I type this, I can. And, I don't really know why I used that as my opening sentence because it's not like you can answer me and then it would change the rest of this post.)
Well, I'm gonna be honest. And if honesty is something you don't like then you might wanna go ahead and leave now. And, if you read what I'm about to write and you don't agree with me, then that's fine. I only ask that you comment respectfully.
Right now, I love all my children. I love each of them so much that I would die to save their lives, without hesitation. You see, I know that true love is a choice you make. I touched on that previously way back when I wrote this post about my husband. But, what I've realized since then is that even loving your children is choice.
Some women receive their children into their arms and immediately fall in love. Other women grow to love their children over the course of their first weeks and months with them. As for me, I've found both to be true with each of my babies. I loved them immediately but the fluttery emotion of it faded at times and the real choice to love them came later.
Sure, I have moments, several of them a day even, where my children do or say something and my heart swells with pride and adoration. Most days, I can just look at my kids and feel a rush of emotion and feel overwhelmed with how much I care about them.
But, you see, I choose to love my kids. I choose to train them to be responsible, God loving, courteous, family focused people. I choose to give them my attention and affection and somedays, I make better choices than others. But, in my opinion, loving my children is a choice I make, daily.
But lately, there is one of my children that I just don't LIKE very much.
I know. Mothers should never speak such words, huh? Truly wonderful mothers don't speak about when they've had enough of their kids or when they're so sick of them that they dread hearing them wake up the next morning. Or, if they DO mention such things then they ONLY do so while joking. Right?
Well, I'm not joking.
I'm seriously in a state of unlike with one of my kids. Because I'd rather not call out one of my kids and because I'm sure that there will be a day (and there have already been days in the past) where I feel this way about another one of my children, I'll call the child I'm currently referencing "Darling."
Now, please don't misunderstand me. I still love Darling as much as possible. Because I choose to love Darling.
I choose to love Darling despite the fact that Darling is driving me insane. I still love Darling despite the fact that Darling is currently causing me to employ every disciplinary method I've ever wanted/needed/thought about trying.
I choose to love Darling despite the fact that I discipline Darling for the EXACT SAME DISOBEDIENCE several times a day.
But, I'm gonna be honest. When I look at Darling I don't see very much like. In fact, I hardly want to be in the same room with Darling. I hardly want to go out of my way to help Darling find a toy or understand how something works.
But then, Darling will grab a book and crawl into my lap, bat those eyes and I'm hooked. And I smell Darling's hair and kiss Darling's cheeks and I remember that God blessed me with Darling, even when Darling doesn't feel like a blessing.
And I wonder how often my Father feels the same way about me. I wonder how many times God looks at me suffering in the EXACT SAME DISOBEDIENCE and wonders if I'll actually get it right this time.
I wonder how often God looks at me and hardly wants to be alone with me. I wonder if He looks at me and hardly wants to go out of His way to help me or help me understand how something works or how it harm my soul.
Currently, I have 5 children. All of whom I love deeply. All of whom have taught me so much about myself and my God and how much He loves me, even though I'm completely flawed. And I think about this verse,
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" ~ Matthew 7:11
And I am reminded that I am imperfect and yet I can still love my little Darling, despite the fact that Darling is driving me insane. In contrast, God is perfect and He continues to love me, despite the fact that I am driving Him insane.
And suddenly, I have perspective.
So tomorrow, I will wake up and feed all 5 of my children breakfast. I will hand out sippy cups and kisses for boo boos. I will continue to choose to love all of my children, even when I don't feel warm and fuzzy about them. And I will maintain that I am the most blessed woman I know because God has entrusted me with these babies. And gifts like these are not something I take lightly.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Das Not Funny! Friday: Not much and an email rant
Wow! I just realized it's Friday. I mean, I knew it was Friday because we did our normal Friday morning activities already this morning, but I just realized it was Friday. You know what I mean?
I don't really have anything in the way of a Das Not Funny! Friday post because, well, I've been a little busy...
...growing a baby.
...going pee.
...packing up my house.
...searching for a place for us to live.
...going pee.
...calling to check on my Maw.
...and the normal stuff like changing diapers and cooking meals and breaking up arguments and kissing boo boos and tying shoes.
...and going pee.
The only funny things that I remember from this week are two, both from my Ashlee.
She was playing with her Vsmile and changing out the game to play Winne the Pooh and she looks at me, holds the cartridge next to my belly and says,
"Mommy, you and Pooh have the same kinda tummy. 'Sept your tummy has a baby in it and Pooh's doesn't. He's just got honey."
And then this afternoon as I backed our new (to us) van into the driveway Lucas says,
"Let's 'retend that dis is the DINOSAUR TRAIN!"
To which Ashlee replies, "Let's don't. And just let it be a people train, okay Woocus?"
There's always a joy killer in every group.
-------
With the rest of your time, I'd like to discuss with you the aspect of email addresses. As I am calling all over various towns, speaking to several different people, trying to find us a place to live I'm having to give out my email address to strangers.
And, it's got me to thinking. Your email address actually says quite a bit about you, don't you think? Have you ever looked at someone's email address and wondered WHY ON EARTH they'd have chosen that one?
I mean, did they think no one would ever see it?
I mean, what if my email was something like: foxychick@somewhere.com? Um, can you imagine giving that out to someone when you are looking to have a professional relationship with them?
What about: hellzangelinlove@anywhere.com?
Or one I saw not long ago, attached to a Craigslist listing: toohotforyou24.7@idontknow.com.
Seriously?
So I ask you...what does your email address say about you? If it's got the word "sexy" or "love" or some reference to your VERY personal life may I suggest a change is in order?
Mmmkay, I'm done now.
Have a great weekend. If you need me, I'll be in the bathroom.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Hope
Even though our lives seem to be spinning into a world of chaos God is proving that He is, indeed, in control.
On Monday, as we waited for word from the operating room regarding my Maw's surgery, we received another kind of word.
Yes, our sweet Baby Girl is now officially a Beaver!
After sitting in the courtroom just over 14 months ago, listening to all the things her little body endured before she was born, we have no doubts that God mercifully spared her life so that she could one day be our precious daughter.
So, it's with great joy that I present to you:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
Thank you God. Thank you.
On Monday, as we waited for word from the operating room regarding my Maw's surgery, we received another kind of word.
Yes, our sweet Baby Girl is now officially a Beaver!After sitting in the courtroom just over 14 months ago, listening to all the things her little body endured before she was born, we have no doubts that God mercifully spared her life so that she could one day be our precious daughter.
So, it's with great joy that I present to you:
Olivia Hope
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
~ Lamentations 3:22-24
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
~ Lamentations 3:22-24
Thank you God. Thank you.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
He knew our life would be this chaotic. I just wish He'd told me sooner.
Our life is never boring. EVER. Even when it seems as though things are "normal" around here, it's chaotic and crazy and full of energy.
I'm pretty sure that our life is the antonym of boring. And, I'm pretty sure that we are the synonym of chaotic.
But over the next month our lives will prove to be more chaotic than ever.
And, through it all I continue to remind myself that NONE of this comes as a surprise to God. He knew how incredibly chaotic our lives would be at this time and He remains in control.
(And lately, I'm chanting the previous sentence to myself on an hourly - sometimes minute by minute - basis.)
Why is our life more chaotic than normal these days? Let me start with the basics that you probably already know.
I'm about 36 weeks pregnant with our 6th child. Our oldest child is a mere 5.5 years old. That in-and-of-itself is chaotic.
But wait, there's more.
My grandma, Maw, just had major heart surgery. Major, major heart surgery. God is proving, once more, to be merciful and is healing her body unlike anything we expected. Her recovery will last for the next 3 - 4 months and my Mom will be her primary care giver. How does this directly impact our family, aside from the fact that we love my Maw more than words? Well, my Mom usually helps us out several times a week with childcare and dinners and such. With her giving all her effort to care for my Maw, our life will become a little more chaotic.
But wait, there's more.
We found out that Luke's paternal grandfather passed away and arrangements will be made for his memorial/burial in the next week. Luke is planning on attending the funeral, which will be in another state. We are still working out details, but he will certainly be traveling over the course of 2 - 3 days, while his wife is on the verge of going into labor. That makes life chaotic.
But wait, there's more.
Perhaps the most chaotic thing is that we finally sold our house.
Oh, had you forgotten that it was still on the market? Well, it was. Let me catch you up to speed.
We've had a contingent offer on it since sometime around October. However, the folks who are buying our house had to sell their house first. It wasn't looking good and we had agreed that if they hadn't sold their house by December sometime (I don't remember the date) the contract would become voided.
Well, that day in December came and went and we re-negotiated so that our contract would expire if we didn't close by February 28th.
We didn't think it was looking promising. Actually, Luke and I hadn't even spoken about selling our house in several months. We were sorta on auto-pilot with the whole house thing, or so we thought.
Then, randomly (you know if you believe in coincidences) last Thursday, Luke and I laid in the bed and talked about how wonderful it would be if God would allow our house to sell before the baby came.
We talked about the debt we owe on our house and how much of burden we felt over it.
THE NEXT MORNING I got an email from our realtor. The buyers had an offer on their house. At 5:00pm I was on the phone with our Realtor hearing myself say that a closing date of March 3rd would be acceptable.
That's 5 days before this baby is due.
With my Maw still being in the thick of recovery and rehab.
And now we have to find a place to live.
And pack up all ourcrap treasures.
And all the things that come with moving.
Our life is getting incredibly chaotic. More chaotic than I ever thought possible.
But God knew. He knew the before the creation of the Earth that we'd be expecting a baby and moving and dealing with recovery of my Maw and the death of Luke's grandfather.
He knew. Even though we had no clue.
So we press forward, trusting that the Lord is completely in control. Trusting that even though it feels like the ground beneath our feet is spinning out of control. Truly, it isn't.
Truly God is in control. Truly, He knew that when we placed our house on the market back in August, with a new baby growing in my womb, that it would all accumulate around the same time that the baby would come.
He knows what will happen in the next 30 days and I do not. He knows whether or not I will go into labor while my husband is several states away (please Lord, NO!).
He knows how on His own green Earth we will pack, move, settle, have a baby, help as much as possible with my Maw, support Luke's Dad and family and still Homeschool, disciple and raise our children.
He knows. Even though we have no clue. And I am trying my best to rest in that knowledge.
I'm pretty sure that our life is the antonym of boring. And, I'm pretty sure that we are the synonym of chaotic.
But over the next month our lives will prove to be more chaotic than ever.
And, through it all I continue to remind myself that NONE of this comes as a surprise to God. He knew how incredibly chaotic our lives would be at this time and He remains in control.
(And lately, I'm chanting the previous sentence to myself on an hourly - sometimes minute by minute - basis.)
Why is our life more chaotic than normal these days? Let me start with the basics that you probably already know.
I'm about 36 weeks pregnant with our 6th child. Our oldest child is a mere 5.5 years old. That in-and-of-itself is chaotic.
But wait, there's more.
My grandma, Maw, just had major heart surgery. Major, major heart surgery. God is proving, once more, to be merciful and is healing her body unlike anything we expected. Her recovery will last for the next 3 - 4 months and my Mom will be her primary care giver. How does this directly impact our family, aside from the fact that we love my Maw more than words? Well, my Mom usually helps us out several times a week with childcare and dinners and such. With her giving all her effort to care for my Maw, our life will become a little more chaotic.
But wait, there's more.
We found out that Luke's paternal grandfather passed away and arrangements will be made for his memorial/burial in the next week. Luke is planning on attending the funeral, which will be in another state. We are still working out details, but he will certainly be traveling over the course of 2 - 3 days, while his wife is on the verge of going into labor. That makes life chaotic.
But wait, there's more.
Perhaps the most chaotic thing is that we finally sold our house.
Oh, had you forgotten that it was still on the market? Well, it was. Let me catch you up to speed.
We've had a contingent offer on it since sometime around October. However, the folks who are buying our house had to sell their house first. It wasn't looking good and we had agreed that if they hadn't sold their house by December sometime (I don't remember the date) the contract would become voided.
Well, that day in December came and went and we re-negotiated so that our contract would expire if we didn't close by February 28th.
We didn't think it was looking promising. Actually, Luke and I hadn't even spoken about selling our house in several months. We were sorta on auto-pilot with the whole house thing, or so we thought.
Then, randomly (you know if you believe in coincidences) last Thursday, Luke and I laid in the bed and talked about how wonderful it would be if God would allow our house to sell before the baby came.
We talked about the debt we owe on our house and how much of burden we felt over it.
THE NEXT MORNING I got an email from our realtor. The buyers had an offer on their house. At 5:00pm I was on the phone with our Realtor hearing myself say that a closing date of March 3rd would be acceptable.
That's 5 days before this baby is due.
With my Maw still being in the thick of recovery and rehab.
And now we have to find a place to live.
And pack up all our
And all the things that come with moving.
Our life is getting incredibly chaotic. More chaotic than I ever thought possible.
But God knew. He knew the before the creation of the Earth that we'd be expecting a baby and moving and dealing with recovery of my Maw and the death of Luke's grandfather.
He knew. Even though we had no clue.
So we press forward, trusting that the Lord is completely in control. Trusting that even though it feels like the ground beneath our feet is spinning out of control. Truly, it isn't.
Truly God is in control. Truly, He knew that when we placed our house on the market back in August, with a new baby growing in my womb, that it would all accumulate around the same time that the baby would come.
He knows what will happen in the next 30 days and I do not. He knows whether or not I will go into labor while my husband is several states away (please Lord, NO!).
He knows how on His own green Earth we will pack, move, settle, have a baby, help as much as possible with my Maw, support Luke's Dad and family and still Homeschool, disciple and raise our children.
He knows. Even though we have no clue. And I am trying my best to rest in that knowledge.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Update on my Maw
Hey peeps.
Today has proven to be an amazing day. I'm telling you, God has really shown off in the last 24 hours. I mean, He acts like He's actually in control of all things or something. Geesh. ;-)
My Maw is doing fabulous. I just left visiting with her in the ICU and she was eating applesauce and threatening to charge the nurses for every vile of blood they took from her. Typical of my Maw. Excessively typical.
This morning, she walked to the end of the hall and back. Since I just told you about the whole eating thing, I'm guess you could infer that she is off the ventilator. But in case you couldn't, she's off the ventilator. Her heart is also sustaining its own rhythms and she in no longer needing the pacemaker.
She will remain in the ICU tonight, but purely as a precaution. Hopefully tomorrow, she will be moved to the step-down unit.
I probably won't blog about her status and recovery here regularly. However, if you'd like to follow her recovery or leave her a comment you can click here and go to the blog we've set up that will follow her recovery, even after she comes home.
Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughts. I know that they were heard by our marvelous Creator. I am amazed at how wonderful His blessings continue to be.
Today has proven to be an amazing day. I'm telling you, God has really shown off in the last 24 hours. I mean, He acts like He's actually in control of all things or something. Geesh. ;-)
My Maw is doing fabulous. I just left visiting with her in the ICU and she was eating applesauce and threatening to charge the nurses for every vile of blood they took from her. Typical of my Maw. Excessively typical.
This morning, she walked to the end of the hall and back. Since I just told you about the whole eating thing, I'm guess you could infer that she is off the ventilator. But in case you couldn't, she's off the ventilator. Her heart is also sustaining its own rhythms and she in no longer needing the pacemaker.
She will remain in the ICU tonight, but purely as a precaution. Hopefully tomorrow, she will be moved to the step-down unit.
I probably won't blog about her status and recovery here regularly. However, if you'd like to follow her recovery or leave her a comment you can click here and go to the blog we've set up that will follow her recovery, even after she comes home.
Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughts. I know that they were heard by our marvelous Creator. I am amazed at how wonderful His blessings continue to be.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Surgery Day: Update
745pm Update:
We got to go back and see Maw for a few brief moments. I'll be honest, it was really hard seeing her in that condition, although I was expecting it - as much as I could.
She continues to be on the ventilator and has tubes everywhere. She is on medication to ELEVATE her very, very low blood pressure and is also on an external pacemaker. Our understanding is that without these two things she would have no blood pressure or heart rhythm.
The nursing shift is changing now and the new nurse will begin weaning her off sedation within the hour. With that, they will also begin trying to wean her off the ventilator. However, as the doctor said previously, her accelerated lung disease (due to many, many years of smoking) is a big factor in how well she will respond to the decreased level of the vent.
Visiting hours end at 9pm EST and at that time we will be asked to leave the ICU and we cannot return until 9am tomorrow morning. We can, however, call at any time for an update.
Unless there is significant improvement or a significant decrease in her condition, I won't update again until tomorrow.
Thank you all so much for your prayers. Right now we are just praying for her to be strong enough to be weaned from sedation so that her body can begin to regulate itself. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers so very much.
5:00pm Update:
Surgery began about 5 minutes before 8:00am. Maw came through surgery well. The surgeon met with us about 1.5 hours ago and said that they bypassed 4 arteries and replaced her aortic root and valve. He commented that she had more lung disease than we originally thought (due to 60+ years of smoking cigarettes). Additionally, that getting her lungs and airways to dialate properly so that she can get adequate oxygen is going to be important.
We are waiting outside of the ICU now to go back and see her for the 1st time since surgery. I'll try to update again later tonight.
We've got a long 48 hours ahead. Thanks again for the prayers.
Original Post:
Today is surgery day for my Maw. If you're visiting my blog today, please offer up a prayer for her, the surgeons, the doctors, the hospital staff, the nurses and all involved in the surgery.
I will try to update throughout the day via my twitter account, if you'd like to know how things are going.
Thanks for all your support friends. It's going to be a long day and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers more than you know.
We got to go back and see Maw for a few brief moments. I'll be honest, it was really hard seeing her in that condition, although I was expecting it - as much as I could.
She continues to be on the ventilator and has tubes everywhere. She is on medication to ELEVATE her very, very low blood pressure and is also on an external pacemaker. Our understanding is that without these two things she would have no blood pressure or heart rhythm.
The nursing shift is changing now and the new nurse will begin weaning her off sedation within the hour. With that, they will also begin trying to wean her off the ventilator. However, as the doctor said previously, her accelerated lung disease (due to many, many years of smoking) is a big factor in how well she will respond to the decreased level of the vent.
Visiting hours end at 9pm EST and at that time we will be asked to leave the ICU and we cannot return until 9am tomorrow morning. We can, however, call at any time for an update.
Unless there is significant improvement or a significant decrease in her condition, I won't update again until tomorrow.
Thank you all so much for your prayers. Right now we are just praying for her to be strong enough to be weaned from sedation so that her body can begin to regulate itself. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers so very much.
5:00pm Update:
Surgery began about 5 minutes before 8:00am. Maw came through surgery well. The surgeon met with us about 1.5 hours ago and said that they bypassed 4 arteries and replaced her aortic root and valve. He commented that she had more lung disease than we originally thought (due to 60+ years of smoking cigarettes). Additionally, that getting her lungs and airways to dialate properly so that she can get adequate oxygen is going to be important.
We are waiting outside of the ICU now to go back and see her for the 1st time since surgery. I'll try to update again later tonight.
We've got a long 48 hours ahead. Thanks again for the prayers.
Original Post:
Today is surgery day for my Maw. If you're visiting my blog today, please offer up a prayer for her, the surgeons, the doctors, the hospital staff, the nurses and all involved in the surgery.
I will try to update throughout the day via my twitter account, if you'd like to know how things are going.
Thanks for all your support friends. It's going to be a long day and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers more than you know.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Das Not Funny! Friday: I can't think of a clever title because I'm too focused on the nap I'm about to take
Welcome to this week's edition of Das Not Funny! Friday. I don't have much this week so I hope these few give you at least a smile or two.
Lucas has been all about getting himself dressedlately for the last several months. Usually his outfits consist of pants that are on backwards and cowboy boots on the wrong feet. But this week, he emerged from his room after getting ready for bed in the following outfit:
I always knew he was a turkey. Those feet prove it.
-------
Earlier this week Lucas saw my bra laying on the bench at the end of our bed. He casually picked it up and handed it to me saying,
"Here mom. Put your boobies on."
-------
Lucas, from the bathroom: "Bizzy! Ashwee! Come here and wook at my poo poo."
Ashlee and Elizabeth file into the bathroom and I hear the following...
Ashlee: "Shoowee Woocus. You stink!"
Elizabeth: "Lean up Lucas and lemme see." (insert pause) "Yep. You stink alright."
-------
You know you over-rationalize your thoughts to your 20 month old when you talk to him and his reply to you is,
"Mum."
Which means "Yes Mam."
-------
One afternoon this week Lucas changed into a pair of Ashlee's jeans. When I asked him what he was wearing he said,
"Mom, dese are boy jeans too because day have da zwipper in da front for my peenus."
That still doesn't explain why he wears his own pants backwards, with the zipper on his butt.
Y'all have a happy weekend.
Lucas has been all about getting himself dressed
I always knew he was a turkey. Those feet prove it.-------
Earlier this week Lucas saw my bra laying on the bench at the end of our bed. He casually picked it up and handed it to me saying,
"Here mom. Put your boobies on."
-------
Lucas, from the bathroom: "Bizzy! Ashwee! Come here and wook at my poo poo."
Ashlee and Elizabeth file into the bathroom and I hear the following...
Ashlee: "Shoowee Woocus. You stink!"
Elizabeth: "Lean up Lucas and lemme see." (insert pause) "Yep. You stink alright."
-------
You know you over-rationalize your thoughts to your 20 month old when you talk to him and his reply to you is,
"Mum."
Which means "Yes Mam."
-------
One afternoon this week Lucas changed into a pair of Ashlee's jeans. When I asked him what he was wearing he said,
"Mom, dese are boy jeans too because day have da zwipper in da front for my peenus."
That still doesn't explain why he wears his own pants backwards, with the zipper on his butt.
Y'all have a happy weekend.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
My Grand Maw
To the average person, possibly even to my own husband, these trinkets that live on top of the bookshelf in our bedroom are meaningless. They appear to be just junk, possibly some random garage sale finds or some misplaced pieces to a not-so-complete collection.
But when I glance at them I see a passageway to my childhood. These things take my mind back nearly 25 years to a place where I spent my time doing nothing and everything all at once.
Looking at those Pepsi-Cola bottles and that tiny, little teapot, I can almost taste the sweet tea that I spent hours pouring back and forth between their narrow openings. I can smell the distinct fragrance of my Maw's house. I can feel the warmth of her propane heater as I sit at her kitchen table and pour and drink, pour and drink, pour and drink for hours on end.
And that is just how I remember my Grandmother's (Maw's) house from my childhood. Warm, sweet and wonderful.
As I sit here and think about all the things I cherished about her home as a small girl, I can almost hear the music floating through her den as it played from that little, wooden music box, pictured above. I feel my body spinning through her house as I dance and sway and pretend I'm a princess or ballerina or bride.
I remember the scotch tape and cotton ball bandaids she used to make for me when I got boo boos, whether they were real or imagined. I remember her special shelf, where she kept all sorts of interesting things. Most were breakable, like the bottles and teapot above, but all were just for my tiny fingers to touch and hold and enjoy.
I remember her singing to me as I lay in the window seat of her den, the words to "Goodnight Irene" floating through my head as she stroked my hair and I fell asleep on her lap.
I remember ice cream cones from the corner ice cream shop and finally being old enough to walk there by myself and get a cone to bring home.
I remember her neighbor's woodshop, where Mr. Reisner built things from scratch. And swinging on the playset in her backyard and sitting on the stool in her bathroom and playing with her makeup.
There are so many things I remember about my Maw's house. The laughter, the love, the way it was always just there. And as I sit here with tears streaming down my face, I know that in a few days all of the things I love so much about my Grandmother could be gone.
On Monday, my Maw is scheduled to have major heart surgery. My Maw. The woman who always bandaged my boo boos and let me use all her scotch tape. The woman who held me close and mumbled songs in my ear.
Four bypasses, a new aortic valve and aortic root. Someone opening up her chest and assessing a life's worth of damage. Someone who may not ever know just how precious she is to me or how much I still need her here. Someone who may not realize that I've been so very selfish and not allowed my own children to make the same memories with her that I now hold so close.
So I ask you. From today, until late into Monday evening, will you lift up my Maw to the One who can heal all things? Will you pray with me that the Surgeon's hands will be guided by the One who created her very heart?
My Maw, that poured countless pots of tea into that tiny brown pot and endured hours of dancing and music from a tiny little music box, seems so fragile to me now. I almost want to scoop her up into my lap, stroke her hair and sing into her ear.I want her to be able to see our new Baby born and know that 6 little faces adore her just as much as I do. And, I want our kids to dance to the music and drink sweet tea from tiny glass Pepsi bottles. I want them to have scotch tape and cotton ball bandaids and have their hair stroked. I want them to know and remember their Maw like I do.
Because lots of kids have Grandmas. But we have a Grand Maw. And that's something that should never be taken for granted.
My Aunt Judy, My Mom, Me and Maw - 1979
Maw and Elizabeth - Christmas 2003
My Mom holding Lucas, Maw holding Ashlee, My Dad holding Elizabeth - July 2006
Maw and Lucas - May 2008
Maw with the big kids - August 2009Wednesday, February 3, 2010
I'm 50
I just realized I have 50 followers. Which means absolutely NOTHING.
But...it DID make me think of this.
Hilarious.
But...it DID make me think of this.
Hilarious.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Official Eviction Notice: 2 week warning
As I write this, it's late Monday night. 11:39pm to be exact. I'm exhausted. However, I cannot sleep.
It's begun.
That time in my pregnancy when I feel the most exhausted, yet I get the least amount of sleep. Not by choice, mind you.
Oh no. This sweet, darling, (and I'm sure) adorable child in my womb refuses to allow me sleep. It's not the hormones or heartburn or even the inability to get comfortable.
It's movement. Tons of it.
Last night Baby spent about 2 hours turning my belly into various geometrical shapes.
I can tell Baby is going to be genius already. Baby has mastered creating shapes such as triangle, rectangle, oval, hexagon and square.
It's almost artistic really. I'm sure the society of Mensa will be beating down our door as soon as Baby is home from the hospital. I mean, how could they NOT want such a young intellect to join them ASAP?
Baby could teach other fetuses all about prenatal geometry, I'm sure.
At least, Baby could have last night.
Tonight, Baby seems to be into shoving his butt all the way over to the right side of my stomach and then S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G the rest of herself as far up and down as her limbs will go.
I would appreciate the gesture immensely if it didn't make me gasp in pain.
Then, Baby gets hiccups. Which, I mean, are purely a joy. The rhythmic jolting of my body every 3.5 seconds for 30-45 minutes helps me not to forget that Baby is still there, happy as a agitated lark.
Earlier today Ashlee was standing beside me as I sat on the couch. I took in a deep breath as Baby shoved a body part into the wall of my abdomen in an obvious effort to reach through my uterus and touch my elbow.
"Was wong Mommy? Why you breafin' like dat?" Ashlee asked, clearly concerned.
"Oh nothing honey. The baby is just moving inside Mommy and it surprised me." I replied.
Then, Ashlee laid her hands upon me and prayed.
Or at least that's what it looked like as her face became somber and her 3.5 year old hand rested on my tummy.
Then, she skipped into the other room.
So now I sit here and wait for Baby to slip off to sleep. Truth is, I actually love this stage being pregnant. I know that so many women desperately want to be pregnant and feel the things I'm feeling. So, each time I try not to take it for granted or complain.
So, for the record, I'm not complaining.
Still, whatever Baby is doing on the INSIDE of me makes me really think that he wants to be on the OUTSIDE of me. Which I'd totally be fine with in another 2ish weeks.
So Baby, if you can hear me, consider this your 2 week eviction notice. Keep these wild parties up and I will do everything in my power to ensure that your time in "Momma's house-o-fun" is coming to an end.
And that's a promise, not a threat. Consider this your 2 week warning.
It's begun.
That time in my pregnancy when I feel the most exhausted, yet I get the least amount of sleep. Not by choice, mind you.
Oh no. This sweet, darling, (and I'm sure) adorable child in my womb refuses to allow me sleep. It's not the hormones or heartburn or even the inability to get comfortable.
It's movement. Tons of it.
Last night Baby spent about 2 hours turning my belly into various geometrical shapes.
I can tell Baby is going to be genius already. Baby has mastered creating shapes such as triangle, rectangle, oval, hexagon and square.
It's almost artistic really. I'm sure the society of Mensa will be beating down our door as soon as Baby is home from the hospital. I mean, how could they NOT want such a young intellect to join them ASAP?
Baby could teach other fetuses all about prenatal geometry, I'm sure.
At least, Baby could have last night.
Tonight, Baby seems to be into shoving his butt all the way over to the right side of my stomach and then S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G the rest of herself as far up and down as her limbs will go.
I would appreciate the gesture immensely if it didn't make me gasp in pain.
Then, Baby gets hiccups. Which, I mean, are purely a joy. The rhythmic jolting of my body every 3.5 seconds for 30-45 minutes helps me not to forget that Baby is still there, happy as a agitated lark.
Earlier today Ashlee was standing beside me as I sat on the couch. I took in a deep breath as Baby shoved a body part into the wall of my abdomen in an obvious effort to reach through my uterus and touch my elbow.
"Was wong Mommy? Why you breafin' like dat?" Ashlee asked, clearly concerned.
"Oh nothing honey. The baby is just moving inside Mommy and it surprised me." I replied.
Then, Ashlee laid her hands upon me and prayed.
Or at least that's what it looked like as her face became somber and her 3.5 year old hand rested on my tummy.
Then, she skipped into the other room.
So now I sit here and wait for Baby to slip off to sleep. Truth is, I actually love this stage being pregnant. I know that so many women desperately want to be pregnant and feel the things I'm feeling. So, each time I try not to take it for granted or complain.
So, for the record, I'm not complaining.
Still, whatever Baby is doing on the INSIDE of me makes me really think that he wants to be on the OUTSIDE of me. Which I'd totally be fine with in another 2ish weeks.
So Baby, if you can hear me, consider this your 2 week eviction notice. Keep these wild parties up and I will do everything in my power to ensure that your time in "Momma's house-o-fun" is coming to an end.
And that's a promise, not a threat. Consider this your 2 week warning.
Monday, February 1, 2010
It's a chore
We are past the point of no return when it comes to having a small family. I mean, let's face it. Even if Baby #6 is our last baby, we will still have 6 kids in 6 years and that officially qualifies us as a LARGE family.
I mean, we do drive a 15 passenger van as our family vehicle, afterall.
So, how do large families do it? How do they manage their homes, keep their sanity and still love each other at the end of the day?
Truth is, I'm still figuring that out.
I'm still figuring out what it looks like to have all these kids, a house, a husband, homeschool, cook dinners, make lunches, change diapers, give baths, play games, have fun, kiss boo boos and still have the energy/time/desire to clean up my house.
It would be a daunting task for me to keep a clean house even if we didn't have (almost) 6 kids. But we do have (almost) 6 kids and we do do all those things I just mentioned above (I know, I just said do do). And you know what I've figured out?
What works now may not work forever.
It may not work in 2 months. And, I'm okay with things changing, obviously. But, I've figured out that my kids can work. At least the big kids can, and man are they good at it!
So, this past week we re-implemented chores. We did chores in the past and then Mom and Dad got lax on enforcing them and it had not been something we'd gotten back around to doing. And, truth-be-told, the last time we did chores I wasn't creative enough. The same kid did the same chore week after week after week.
But this go round looks to be much better. And, the kids seem to love it. I got our basic chore charts here and then customized them to fit our needs. Even the big kids helping in the little areas helps us BIG time.
Each week each of the big kids has "Helper Chores." These are things they do just because they live in this house. I do things just because I live here and so should they. Because they live here they can make their beds, clean up their rooms, pick up their toys and put their dirty clothes in the laundry room.
Simple huh? And basically, if they truly clean their rooms and pick up their toys, they've accomplished all 4 "Helper Chores" in about 15 minutes. Not to shabby.
Then, they have their "Chore Lists." The difference in their Helper Chores and their Chore Lists is simple.
Money.
They get paid for their Chore Lists and they don't for their Helper Chores. Helper Chores are things they do just because they live here, remember? I don't get paid for diaper changes. But oh how I wish I did.
They receive $0.05 per chore on their Chore List. Saturday is pay day. We keep track of which chores they do with a sticker chart. Each week the chart changes so that the chores for each kid for that week changes. They still do all their Helper Chores as normal but their Chore Lists are different.
I distinguished between Helper Chores and Chore Lists based on one very important principle. Helper Chores are always things they can do WITHOUT MY HELP. Chore List chores are things that they need my help with. I feel that they should pull their weight around here because they help make the messes. Thus, HELPER chores. Their Chore Lists chores are things that they do (work) to relieve my work load. Thus, things they can get paid for.
And, they take SO MUCH PRIDE in those chores, let me tell you. This week one of Ashlee's Chore List chores was helping with the laundry.
Have mercy, you'd have thought she'd hit the jackpot.
Naturally, all she does is either load the washer or transfer from the washer to the dryer. But, she's oh-so-proud of herself. In addition to laundry, Ashlee was also responsible for helping me cook and for checking the trashcans.
Elizabeth's chores were feeding the dog and sweeping/vacuuming under the table after meals. Lucas' chores included dusting (I pick a piece of furniture and spray a little dusting spray on a cloth and let him go to town) and setting the table.
Obviously, we do not expect perfection. I mean, look at this bed made by Elizabeth...
Now, check out her face. Serious pride right there. And you know what? Her sheets and comforter are on the bed and resemble a bed that is made and that's good enough for me!
Here's a shot of Lucas in his all clean room...
Yes, he had help with his bed on this day. Notice that his clean room it's NOT perfect. But, neither am I. And if you've been to my house anytime ever you'll know that I don't expect perfection often.
How could I?
It would stress me out. And, it would stress my kids out. So we go with our best effort?
And, for us it works. Our home is a little cleaner. Our kids a little prouder of their contributions. And we train them, little by little, to do it a little better the next time.
-------
What do you do to make your home run more smoothly?
I mean, we do drive a 15 passenger van as our family vehicle, afterall.
So, how do large families do it? How do they manage their homes, keep their sanity and still love each other at the end of the day?
Truth is, I'm still figuring that out.
I'm still figuring out what it looks like to have all these kids, a house, a husband, homeschool, cook dinners, make lunches, change diapers, give baths, play games, have fun, kiss boo boos and still have the energy/time/desire to clean up my house.
It would be a daunting task for me to keep a clean house even if we didn't have (almost) 6 kids. But we do have (almost) 6 kids and we do do all those things I just mentioned above (I know, I just said do do). And you know what I've figured out?
What works now may not work forever.
It may not work in 2 months. And, I'm okay with things changing, obviously. But, I've figured out that my kids can work. At least the big kids can, and man are they good at it!
So, this past week we re-implemented chores. We did chores in the past and then Mom and Dad got lax on enforcing them and it had not been something we'd gotten back around to doing. And, truth-be-told, the last time we did chores I wasn't creative enough. The same kid did the same chore week after week after week.
But this go round looks to be much better. And, the kids seem to love it. I got our basic chore charts here and then customized them to fit our needs. Even the big kids helping in the little areas helps us BIG time.
Each week each of the big kids has "Helper Chores." These are things they do just because they live in this house. I do things just because I live here and so should they. Because they live here they can make their beds, clean up their rooms, pick up their toys and put their dirty clothes in the laundry room.
Simple huh? And basically, if they truly clean their rooms and pick up their toys, they've accomplished all 4 "Helper Chores" in about 15 minutes. Not to shabby.
Then, they have their "Chore Lists." The difference in their Helper Chores and their Chore Lists is simple.
Money.
They get paid for their Chore Lists and they don't for their Helper Chores. Helper Chores are things they do just because they live here, remember? I don't get paid for diaper changes. But oh how I wish I did.
They receive $0.05 per chore on their Chore List. Saturday is pay day. We keep track of which chores they do with a sticker chart. Each week the chart changes so that the chores for each kid for that week changes. They still do all their Helper Chores as normal but their Chore Lists are different.
I distinguished between Helper Chores and Chore Lists based on one very important principle. Helper Chores are always things they can do WITHOUT MY HELP. Chore List chores are things that they need my help with. I feel that they should pull their weight around here because they help make the messes. Thus, HELPER chores. Their Chore Lists chores are things that they do (work) to relieve my work load. Thus, things they can get paid for.
And, they take SO MUCH PRIDE in those chores, let me tell you. This week one of Ashlee's Chore List chores was helping with the laundry.
Have mercy, you'd have thought she'd hit the jackpot.
Naturally, all she does is either load the washer or transfer from the washer to the dryer. But, she's oh-so-proud of herself. In addition to laundry, Ashlee was also responsible for helping me cook and for checking the trashcans.
Elizabeth's chores were feeding the dog and sweeping/vacuuming under the table after meals. Lucas' chores included dusting (I pick a piece of furniture and spray a little dusting spray on a cloth and let him go to town) and setting the table.
Obviously, we do not expect perfection. I mean, look at this bed made by Elizabeth...
Now, check out her face. Serious pride right there. And you know what? Her sheets and comforter are on the bed and resemble a bed that is made and that's good enough for me!Here's a shot of Lucas in his all clean room...
Yes, he had help with his bed on this day. Notice that his clean room it's NOT perfect. But, neither am I. And if you've been to my house anytime ever you'll know that I don't expect perfection often.How could I?
It would stress me out. And, it would stress my kids out. So we go with our best effort?
And, for us it works. Our home is a little cleaner. Our kids a little prouder of their contributions. And we train them, little by little, to do it a little better the next time.
-------
What do you do to make your home run more smoothly?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Das Not Funny! Friday: Mommies, Daddies, Babies and Hearts
Wow. Das Not Funny! Friday again already? Guess that means if you're here you want some funny stories about things my family said or did. I'm sure that if you're here for a laugh, one of the following will surely not disappoint you.
It's two weeks' worth of funnies, so hold on tight and make sure your bladder is somewhat empty.
-------
The big kids are all into playing Mommy/Daddy/Child anything. Sometimes, it's just regular 'ol pretend play where Lucas is the Daddy, Elizabeth is the Mommy and Ashlee is the little girl. Other times it takes on a different spin where they are all horsies or dogs or kitty cats and they are a Mommy/Daddy/Daughter combo.
One afternoon Ashlee comes into the living room and says to me,
"Mommy, 'retend I am da Mommy and I'm weal-we sad and you gots to make me happy."
Since I wasn't really paying attention, I said,
"Oh Ashlee! I'm sorry you're sad. Please be happy..."
"No Mommy!" she corrected. "I'm a Mommy and I'z sad. Make me happy."
So, I speak to her a little differently, "Oh Mommy! Why are you so sad? Don't cry Mommy!"
She replies, "I'z a sad Mommy because someone killed me."
I look at her, puzzled and say, "Killed you? But you're standing right here talking to me. How are you dead and still talking?"
After looking at me like I'm insane, she replies "I need kisses. Kisses make Mommies feel better."
Yes they do sweetheart.
-------
On Monday, I went and picked up our new (to us) BIG van. (Which still needs a name, by the way, so if you're game for naming a silver, 15 passenger van leave a comment.)
That evening as I was preparing to leave for Bible Study, Luke and the kids were all sitting around the table talking about their evening plans while "Mommy was out."
Lucas asked if they could go out and play in the big van and Luke said that he thought that would be fun. Immediately screams and screeches followed.
"I wanna go play in the big van too Daddy!" Elizabeth squealed.
"Yeah! We can climb in it! I wanna go too Dad!" Lucas yells.
Then, Ashlee chimed in with, "Oooooo! I wanna go! I wanna go!"
(insert pause)
"Where are we going?"
-------
One morning recently the big kids were all playing their hand held V-Smiles. As Elizabeth stepped over Ashlee (who was sitting on the floor of our bedroom) Ashlee reached up and pinched Elizabeth right on the booty.
Naturally, Elizabeth did not enjoy her personal space being violated and Ashlee and I busted out laughing.
-------
On Wednesday I had an OB appointment. Elizabeth tagged along. As we are sitting in the waiting room, she leans over to me and whispers,
"Mom. Come close I need to tell you a secret."
I lean in and offer her my ear.
"Mom," she continues, "your boobies are really a lot smaller than your belly."
Yes, thank you, I know.
-------
We were putting together a puzzle of the human body last night. When we finished, Luke and I took turns reading the different descriptions of the body from the puzzle. After I read about the heart, I asked the big kids if they remembered what we had previously discussed about the size of the heart.
"Guys," I ask, "do you remember what Mommy told you about how big your heart is? It's like what?" After some prompting, Elizabeth remembered that I had told them that their heart is about the size of their fist.
So I ask, "Elizabeth, about how big is your heart?" She holds up her fist.
"Lucas, how big is your heart?" He holds up his fist.
"Ashlee, how big is your heart?" She proceeds to spread her arms as far apart as she can reach.
And, I happen to agree with her.
-------
And finally, I saved the BEST for last....
Elizabeth has always breastfed her baby dolls. So, when I looked over at her during lunch one day this week and saw a baby shoved up her shirt, I knew exactly what she was doing.
But then I see Lucas, who also has a baby shoved up his shirt.
"Lucas, Buddy, what are you doing?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
He responds with, "I'm feedin' my baby with my boobies."
"That's sweet Buddy," I reply, "but you know Daddies don't have milk in their boobies to feed their babies, only Mommies."
As scowl creeps across his face as his eyes dart over to his sisters.
"YOU GUYS TEASD-ED ME!" he yells.
And that's when I learned the importance of an empty bladder when you belly laugh at 34 weeks pregnant.
Y'all have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
A Date
This past week has been pretty exhausting for me. I think being 34ish weeks pregnant and having 5 kids is starting to catch up with me.
Actually, I just think being 34ish weeks pregnant is starting to catch up with me. Seriously, I think God should have rethought the whole gestation thing. I mean, once you've had your 1st baby, I think He should have made each subsequent gestation period shorter. It just makes sense. I know what's coming, why drag it out?
Also, can someone please tell me why EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. for the last 6 weeks I wake up with a soreness that feels like I just rode a horse for the very first time the day before?
How I love my pelvic floor. NOT.
I blame Lucas and Ashlee profusely.
At any rate, I'm tired. I'm tired all the time. I'm tired when I wake up in the mornings, I'm tired when I pour bowls of cereal, I'm tired after I bend over to pick up the whatever I've just dropped for the 4,287th time.
I'm tired people.
But yesterday, for about 5 hours, I totally forgot how tired I was. I woke up yesterday, tired, and waddled to the bathroom. Then I waddled to find our laptop, opened it and found a note inside from my husband.
Tender words were written about how much he appreciated me.
"Awwwww," my little heart fluttered. So sweet.
I round up the troops and head them into the kitchen for breakfast. I pour bowls of cereal and myself a cup of coffee and reach into the cabinet to grab some new caramel flavoring I've fallen in love with. In front of the caramel is another little note, written in my husband's chicken scratch handwriting, telling me how much he appreciates me trying harder to keep the house picked up.
"Geeeee," my little brain thinks, "he sure is being a sweet man today!"
I continue through my morning of Occupational Therapy for Baby Girl and Elizabeth and I scoot out the door around noon to head out to my 34 week OB appointment.
When I get to the OB's office the secretary hands me a little envelope with my name written on it, in my husband's chicken scratch handwriting.
"Really?" I think, "How incredibly thoughtful!"
Did I mention that so far I've gotten a little teary eyed with each note (I blame pregnancy hormones)? Well, when I read the note my man left for me at the OB's office the tears start flowing.
Elizabeth asks me to read it out loud to her so I do, still teary and she says, "That Daddy! He's such a sweetheart!"
We both laugh and I tuck the card into my purse.
After the OB appointment, Elizabeth and I grab some lunch and quickly head over to the hair salon where I have an appointment. When I walk in, my personal beauty consultant hands me another card, again written by my husband.
I mean, he's earned about 1,157 gold stars for the day. I'm just so impressed with his thoughtfulness and care.
After my hair is cut an my face is melted off with hot wax, Elizabeth and I make one last stop for princess shoes and children's benadryl. While in the store, Luke calls and I thank him for his tenderness. He asks to speak to Elizabeth.
As I pay for our purchases (which ended up also including a stretchy plastic snake and a recorder - you know, like a flute) she finishes her conversation with Luke.
When we arrive home I remind Elizabeth of her conversation with Luke and she immediately launches into a full search of our laundry room. She recovers a note, hidden by my husband.
In the note I find directions to get dressed and be ready to leave our house at 4:45pm, ALONE. I spiffy myself up, pass off the evening's parenting duties to my Mom and Grandmother and crawl into mylittle red sportscar 15 passenger van waiting in the driveway.
I meet Luke at his office and think to myself that even if he takes me to Burger King for dinner it's been a wonderful date.
We have a NICE dinner and relaxing evening just hanging out together which also involved me crushing him in a game of NFL football on the Xbox display inside Best Buy. (He was getting trashed talked by a 8 year old who was watching our game. "You're getting beat by a GIRL!" the 8 year old taunted. And I egged on.)
We had ice cream at Cold Stone.
Then we drove home. It was awesome.
And, even though the kids and I skipped CBS today because I was so tired this morning, somehow today, I'm a little less tired.
Actually, I just think being 34ish weeks pregnant is starting to catch up with me. Seriously, I think God should have rethought the whole gestation thing. I mean, once you've had your 1st baby, I think He should have made each subsequent gestation period shorter. It just makes sense. I know what's coming, why drag it out?
Also, can someone please tell me why EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. for the last 6 weeks I wake up with a soreness that feels like I just rode a horse for the very first time the day before?
How I love my pelvic floor. NOT.
I blame Lucas and Ashlee profusely.
At any rate, I'm tired. I'm tired all the time. I'm tired when I wake up in the mornings, I'm tired when I pour bowls of cereal, I'm tired after I bend over to pick up the whatever I've just dropped for the 4,287th time.
I'm tired people.
But yesterday, for about 5 hours, I totally forgot how tired I was. I woke up yesterday, tired, and waddled to the bathroom. Then I waddled to find our laptop, opened it and found a note inside from my husband.
Tender words were written about how much he appreciated me.
"Awwwww," my little heart fluttered. So sweet.
I round up the troops and head them into the kitchen for breakfast. I pour bowls of cereal and myself a cup of coffee and reach into the cabinet to grab some new caramel flavoring I've fallen in love with. In front of the caramel is another little note, written in my husband's chicken scratch handwriting, telling me how much he appreciates me trying harder to keep the house picked up.
"Geeeee," my little brain thinks, "he sure is being a sweet man today!"
I continue through my morning of Occupational Therapy for Baby Girl and Elizabeth and I scoot out the door around noon to head out to my 34 week OB appointment.
When I get to the OB's office the secretary hands me a little envelope with my name written on it, in my husband's chicken scratch handwriting.
"Really?" I think, "How incredibly thoughtful!"
Did I mention that so far I've gotten a little teary eyed with each note (I blame pregnancy hormones)? Well, when I read the note my man left for me at the OB's office the tears start flowing.
Elizabeth asks me to read it out loud to her so I do, still teary and she says, "That Daddy! He's such a sweetheart!"
We both laugh and I tuck the card into my purse.
After the OB appointment, Elizabeth and I grab some lunch and quickly head over to the hair salon where I have an appointment. When I walk in, my personal beauty consultant hands me another card, again written by my husband.
I mean, he's earned about 1,157 gold stars for the day. I'm just so impressed with his thoughtfulness and care.
After my hair is cut an my face is melted off with hot wax, Elizabeth and I make one last stop for princess shoes and children's benadryl. While in the store, Luke calls and I thank him for his tenderness. He asks to speak to Elizabeth.
As I pay for our purchases (which ended up also including a stretchy plastic snake and a recorder - you know, like a flute) she finishes her conversation with Luke.
When we arrive home I remind Elizabeth of her conversation with Luke and she immediately launches into a full search of our laundry room. She recovers a note, hidden by my husband.
In the note I find directions to get dressed and be ready to leave our house at 4:45pm, ALONE. I spiffy myself up, pass off the evening's parenting duties to my Mom and Grandmother and crawl into my
I meet Luke at his office and think to myself that even if he takes me to Burger King for dinner it's been a wonderful date.
We have a NICE dinner and relaxing evening just hanging out together which also involved me crushing him in a game of NFL football on the Xbox display inside Best Buy. (He was getting trashed talked by a 8 year old who was watching our game. "You're getting beat by a GIRL!" the 8 year old taunted. And I egged on.)
We had ice cream at Cold Stone.
Then we drove home. It was awesome.
And, even though the kids and I skipped CBS today because I was so tired this morning, somehow today, I'm a little less tired.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
School at home
I updated the homeschool blog that I co-author with my BFF. Can I still say "co-author" when I've technically only written 1/5 of the posts over there?
I'm gonna say "yes" and if Amanda doesn't agree I'll just delete her comment.
Kidding, kidding...sorta.
So if you care about our homeschooling adventures you can click here and read that post.
And if you don't care, well. Consider this your day off from me. Unless you count the previous 6 or so lines you've just read. Then, consider this an un-day off.
Or something like that.
Mmmkay. Buh-bye.
I'm gonna say "yes" and if Amanda doesn't agree I'll just delete her comment.
Kidding, kidding...sorta.
So if you care about our homeschooling adventures you can click here and read that post.
And if you don't care, well. Consider this your day off from me. Unless you count the previous 6 or so lines you've just read. Then, consider this an un-day off.
Or something like that.
Mmmkay. Buh-bye.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
There's nothing mini about it.
Back before Luke and I ever had kids I SWORE that I would never be a mini-van Mom. I said that I'd never drive a mini-van and that, instead, I'd drive a suburban or some other large SUV.
You know what happens when you say that you will NEVER, EVER do something, right?
God gets humorous.
(Okay, God's always been humorous, but He really shows His sense of humor when we are adamantly opposed to something that is so clearly within His control. Which, in fact, is everything. I get such a kick out of people who think that God doesn't appreciate humor. HELLO? He invented it. If you don't believe me, come to my house for 24 hours. I guarantee you'll either laugh with us or laugh at us. Either way, you're laughing.)
(Wow, tangent much?)
(Anyway.....)
Not only have I formerly driven a mini-van, I've also driven a big, red beast.
However, I no longer drive either of those things now. Both of those could be percieved as cool, or...perhaps, in light of our most recent purchase, even mini.
Nope, there is nothing mini about our newest ride.
Nothing at all.
Hey, at least I'm not a mini-van Mom, right?
You know what happens when you say that you will NEVER, EVER do something, right?
God gets humorous.
(Okay, God's always been humorous, but He really shows His sense of humor when we are adamantly opposed to something that is so clearly within His control. Which, in fact, is everything. I get such a kick out of people who think that God doesn't appreciate humor. HELLO? He invented it. If you don't believe me, come to my house for 24 hours. I guarantee you'll either laugh with us or laugh at us. Either way, you're laughing.)
(Wow, tangent much?)
(Anyway.....)
Not only have I formerly driven a mini-van, I've also driven a big, red beast.
However, I no longer drive either of those things now. Both of those could be percieved as cool, or...perhaps, in light of our most recent purchase, even mini.
Nope, there is nothing mini about our newest ride.
Nothing at all.
Hey, at least I'm not a mini-van Mom, right?
Monday, January 25, 2010
10 Most Random Monday Ever
I don't really have a cohesive way to tie these thoughts together. So I thought a little list might do you good. And, for some reason, I feel the need to get these things out in the open.
1) The "As Seen On TV" section of Walgreens fascinates me. I could stand there for quite some time, taking in all the things that people have thought up to make life "easier." Some are interesting, while others do, in fact, make our lives and bathroom a lot cleaner.
Yes, I bought a Touch-N-Brush. Yes, it works. Yes, there is still toothpaste all inside our sink. But it's no longer on the counters and floor, which I consider a step up for us.
No, I will not photograph it because that would require me cleaning off the mirror and counter tops.
2) I purchased a Neti-pot. Here is proof of my purchase, if you need it:
In the not-so-distant past I claimed that this was the most hysterical thing I'd ever seen. I am officially recanting my less than uplifting statements in regards to the Neti Pot.
However, I continue to claim that it baffles me that water can run through my sinus cavities and pour out of my nostril. More importantly though, I must confess that it FRIGGIN' ROCKS and I will be a Neti Potter for life.
After getting a Z-pack from my midwife, I went to Walgreens, turned in my prescription, found a Neti Pot and stood in the "As Seen On TV" section until my prescription was ready.
After a couple of uses the Neti Pot flushed out ALL OF THE INFECTION in my sinuses before I finished my Z Pack. By day 5 I was feelin' good.
Miracle worker, I tell ya. Mir-a-cle.
And now, for a formal apology to someone very special...
Dear Chris Thompson,
I formally apologize to you for ever dissing the Neti Pot. I see now that you are a man of great wisdom and hair. Please accept this formal apology for what it is worth. And, I will cook you and the Mrs. a dinner really soon. If you can pencil us into your busy schedule. And if I have not delivered a baby by then. And if I am not attending a Neti Pots anonymous meeting.
Sincerely,
Me.
3) We have tentatively decided on a boy name. No, I will not tell you. You can continue to wait for 6 more weeks. However, I asked Luke if we were sure about this name and his response was, "Yes. For now."
I guess that means we are as sure as we cannot be.
If that last sentence makes sense to you, will you explain it to me?
4) Luke and I made another major purchase this weekend, WITHOUT going into debt. It is similar to this purchase we made just over a year ago. And, I can't wait to fill you in on the details later this week.
Be prepared people. When we go BIG we go BIG.
5) 6 more weeks til this baby is due, yet everyone I know thinks I won't make it a full 6 weeks. Most people said the same thing with the twins, yet I was induced at 38 weeks (which is considered 40 weeks with twins).
Who gets induced with twins?
Apparently, I do.
6) I saw some puppy training pads at Walgreens during my visit the other day. I'm wondering if I should get some to potty train Aaron. He poops 7-9 times a day and I really don't want to deal with that in underwear. What do y'all think?
7) I am amazed that a Neti pot cost $8.99 and yet an enema only $2.99. Aren't they basically the same thing?
8) I bought an exercise ball to sit on to relieve the pressure from my back and hips. If you come to my house and I answer the door sitting on a large, plastic ball. Pay me no mind, pay me no mind. It's heavenly I tell you. Like sitting on a large, plastic cloud.
9) Baby Girl's adoption will not be done before Feb 1st. Which bums me out, but I am trusting in God's perfect timing. The 10 day waiting period will begin when the social worker delivers one last piece of paperwork to our house.
10) I have somewhat re-entered the world of Twitter. But, I don't feel it deserves a spot on the blog until closer to time when the baby comes (which is the purpose for me re-entering the world of twitter). If you'd like to see my Tweets you can go here.
And now I feel really dirty for asking "if you'd like to see my Tweets" so I'm gonna stop now.
Happy Monday y'all.
1) The "As Seen On TV" section of Walgreens fascinates me. I could stand there for quite some time, taking in all the things that people have thought up to make life "easier." Some are interesting, while others do, in fact, make our lives and bathroom a lot cleaner.
Yes, I bought a Touch-N-Brush. Yes, it works. Yes, there is still toothpaste all inside our sink. But it's no longer on the counters and floor, which I consider a step up for us.
No, I will not photograph it because that would require me cleaning off the mirror and counter tops.
2) I purchased a Neti-pot. Here is proof of my purchase, if you need it:
In the not-so-distant past I claimed that this was the most hysterical thing I'd ever seen. I am officially recanting my less than uplifting statements in regards to the Neti Pot.
However, I continue to claim that it baffles me that water can run through my sinus cavities and pour out of my nostril. More importantly though, I must confess that it FRIGGIN' ROCKS and I will be a Neti Potter for life.
After getting a Z-pack from my midwife, I went to Walgreens, turned in my prescription, found a Neti Pot and stood in the "As Seen On TV" section until my prescription was ready.
After a couple of uses the Neti Pot flushed out ALL OF THE INFECTION in my sinuses before I finished my Z Pack. By day 5 I was feelin' good.
Miracle worker, I tell ya. Mir-a-cle.
And now, for a formal apology to someone very special...
Dear Chris Thompson,
I formally apologize to you for ever dissing the Neti Pot. I see now that you are a man of great wisdom and hair. Please accept this formal apology for what it is worth. And, I will cook you and the Mrs. a dinner really soon. If you can pencil us into your busy schedule. And if I have not delivered a baby by then. And if I am not attending a Neti Pots anonymous meeting.
Sincerely,
Me.
3) We have tentatively decided on a boy name. No, I will not tell you. You can continue to wait for 6 more weeks. However, I asked Luke if we were sure about this name and his response was, "Yes. For now."
I guess that means we are as sure as we cannot be.
If that last sentence makes sense to you, will you explain it to me?
4) Luke and I made another major purchase this weekend, WITHOUT going into debt. It is similar to this purchase we made just over a year ago. And, I can't wait to fill you in on the details later this week.
Be prepared people. When we go BIG we go BIG.
5) 6 more weeks til this baby is due, yet everyone I know thinks I won't make it a full 6 weeks. Most people said the same thing with the twins, yet I was induced at 38 weeks (which is considered 40 weeks with twins).
Who gets induced with twins?
Apparently, I do.
6) I saw some puppy training pads at Walgreens during my visit the other day. I'm wondering if I should get some to potty train Aaron. He poops 7-9 times a day and I really don't want to deal with that in underwear. What do y'all think?
7) I am amazed that a Neti pot cost $8.99 and yet an enema only $2.99. Aren't they basically the same thing?
8) I bought an exercise ball to sit on to relieve the pressure from my back and hips. If you come to my house and I answer the door sitting on a large, plastic ball. Pay me no mind, pay me no mind. It's heavenly I tell you. Like sitting on a large, plastic cloud.
9) Baby Girl's adoption will not be done before Feb 1st. Which bums me out, but I am trusting in God's perfect timing. The 10 day waiting period will begin when the social worker delivers one last piece of paperwork to our house.
10) I have somewhat re-entered the world of Twitter. But, I don't feel it deserves a spot on the blog until closer to time when the baby comes (which is the purpose for me re-entering the world of twitter). If you'd like to see my Tweets you can go here.
And now I feel really dirty for asking "if you'd like to see my Tweets" so I'm gonna stop now.
Happy Monday y'all.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Bathtime Beauty
Sorry for not doing a Das Not Funny! Friday post. Hopefully the following will make up for any extreme (or not-so-extreme) disappointment you may have and will tide you over til next week:
I'm still learning the exposures and shutter speeds and such on my camera and taking the advice of a photog friend I downloaded Picasa this afternoon and played around with the effects. I'm no pro, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.
Nomatter how photos are exposed or how well (or not so well) she's photographed, isn't this little princess a BEAUTY?
I sure think so. And I love her so much my heart will surely burst one day. She just makes me smile. I love her tender spirit and joy for life. And that toothy grin...geesh, just melt.my.heart.
I found out yesterday that a piece of paper was left out of the paperwork when we filed her adoption and the 10 day waiting period cannot begin until the social worker picks it up at our house and delivers it to the courthouse. So, hopefully, Monday our fabulous social worker will swing by, pick it up and deliver it to the courthouse to begin the 10 day wait.
But you know what? Until then, I'll just look at this sweet face and focus on today. And my sweet Bathtime Beauty...
And remind myself that she won't be the baby for much longer and I'd better soak her up now, while I can.
I'm still learning the exposures and shutter speeds and such on my camera and taking the advice of a photog friend I downloaded Picasa this afternoon and played around with the effects. I'm no pro, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.Nomatter how photos are exposed or how well (or not so well) she's photographed, isn't this little princess a BEAUTY?
I sure think so. And I love her so much my heart will surely burst one day. She just makes me smile. I love her tender spirit and joy for life. And that toothy grin...geesh, just melt.my.heart.
I found out yesterday that a piece of paper was left out of the paperwork when we filed her adoption and the 10 day waiting period cannot begin until the social worker picks it up at our house and delivers it to the courthouse. So, hopefully, Monday our fabulous social worker will swing by, pick it up and deliver it to the courthouse to begin the 10 day wait.
But you know what? Until then, I'll just look at this sweet face and focus on today. And my sweet Bathtime Beauty...
And remind myself that she won't be the baby for much longer and I'd better soak her up now, while I can.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Photos of us...which is not what I said I'd post about but get over it
I am too tired to write about the Neti-pot. The comfy pillows that surround me right now as I sit on my bed are screaming at me to lay on them and slip into a slumber.
Perhaps I'll put something up about the Neti-pot this weekend. Just know that I owe someone a formal apology for dissing it and that it washed more snot/infected gunk from my nose than I thought possible. And, if it keeps making me feel this good I may have to attend a Neti-pots anonymous meeting in the near future.
Before I slip into a mid-afternoon coma, I'd first like to share with you a little something that we did on Monday. My sweet friend Beth came by on Monday and shot some pictures of our family. I don't think she nor I expected much from this shoot because
A) My expectations are extremely low when it comes to family photos since all of our children have such distinct personalities and desires, thus making it next-to-impossible to get at least 1 good photo of each of them on the same day.
and
2) Because Beth was bringing her own 4 kids along and her 4 plus our 5 equals 9 kids ages 6 and under. And all 6 kids LOVE each other thus producing mass amounts of squeals and screams and torrential gun fighting. And although it turned out that Beth's oldest had an opportunity for a last minute play date elsewhere, that still left 8 kids 5 and under. Not much of a difference, I'd say.
Still, the results were AMAZING. See for yourself....
What I love about my sweet, compassionate and patient friend Beth (aside from the fact that she just "gets" me and she understands what it means to have lots of little children and she too has a heart for orphans) is that she took these in about 45 minutes. And, there are about 30 more that are equally as good.
If you live in the area and are looking for a photographer for your family you should really check out her stuff. While I have SEVERAL friends that are photographers (all of them fantastic, I might add), I can say that Beth is supremely patient and will not stop until she is sure she has gotten some good shots.
So hop on over to her site, check out her stuff and book her ASAP. You know, if you want to. And if you live nearby. And if you don't, well never mind.
Okay, I'm off to the land of Nod, at least for the next 45 or so minutes. It's rainy and cold out and I can't think of a better way to spend nap time than curled up in my bed.
Peace.
Perhaps I'll put something up about the Neti-pot this weekend. Just know that I owe someone a formal apology for dissing it and that it washed more snot/infected gunk from my nose than I thought possible. And, if it keeps making me feel this good I may have to attend a Neti-pots anonymous meeting in the near future.
Before I slip into a mid-afternoon coma, I'd first like to share with you a little something that we did on Monday. My sweet friend Beth came by on Monday and shot some pictures of our family. I don't think she nor I expected much from this shoot because
A) My expectations are extremely low when it comes to family photos since all of our children have such distinct personalities and desires, thus making it next-to-impossible to get at least 1 good photo of each of them on the same day.
and
2) Because Beth was bringing her own 4 kids along and her 4 plus our 5 equals 9 kids ages 6 and under. And all 6 kids LOVE each other thus producing mass amounts of squeals and screams and torrential gun fighting. And although it turned out that Beth's oldest had an opportunity for a last minute play date elsewhere, that still left 8 kids 5 and under. Not much of a difference, I'd say.
Still, the results were AMAZING. See for yourself....
What I love about my sweet, compassionate and patient friend Beth (aside from the fact that she just "gets" me and she understands what it means to have lots of little children and she too has a heart for orphans) is that she took these in about 45 minutes. And, there are about 30 more that are equally as good.If you live in the area and are looking for a photographer for your family you should really check out her stuff. While I have SEVERAL friends that are photographers (all of them fantastic, I might add), I can say that Beth is supremely patient and will not stop until she is sure she has gotten some good shots.
So hop on over to her site, check out her stuff and book her ASAP. You know, if you want to. And if you live nearby. And if you don't, well never mind.
Okay, I'm off to the land of Nod, at least for the next 45 or so minutes. It's rainy and cold out and I can't think of a better way to spend nap time than curled up in my bed.
Peace.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Waffle House floors no more!
This morning some amazing women at our church are watching copious amounts of preschoolers to that we "young moms" can have a Mother's Morning Out. Is that not ridiculously amazing?
Guess what my morning out is consisting of (other than writing this post and the Snickers I'm currently devouring like it's my last morsel of food)?
House cleaning.
Yes, I'm serious.
I figured that this might be the LAST time that I will have a chance to clean my house, without my children present for a very, very, very long time. And, especially before the baby gets here. And, since I pretty much confessed yesterday that my floors rivaled those the Waffle House I figured I could use a good 3.5 hours alone in my house with just the mop, broom and windex.
It's been a productive morning. Productive enough to make my lower back hurt like it's not hurt in a long time and my kitchen and dining room floors look 75x better than they did just an hour ago.
I swept up a pile of dirt and hair so large that I wondered if maybe I wasn't mistakenly sweeping off our back patio and then I snapped to reality and remembered it was, in fact, from underneath my table.
It was disgusting y'all. Utterly disgusting.
And now I just remembered the booster seat in our laundry room sink that MUST be cleaned before I pick up my brood of children in 45 minutes. So, I'm off to deal with all things nasty.
But, before I do I would greatly appreciate it if you all would go to this old post of mine and read it because tomorrow I will have a related post and it just will make no sense if you don't go read that other one first.
Or don't and be in the dark. Either way, I'm blogging about a neti-pot tomorrow and I can assure you even watching that video link on the old post will cause you a chuckle or five.
Guess what my morning out is consisting of (other than writing this post and the Snickers I'm currently devouring like it's my last morsel of food)?
House cleaning.
Yes, I'm serious.
I figured that this might be the LAST time that I will have a chance to clean my house, without my children present for a very, very, very long time. And, especially before the baby gets here. And, since I pretty much confessed yesterday that my floors rivaled those the Waffle House I figured I could use a good 3.5 hours alone in my house with just the mop, broom and windex.
It's been a productive morning. Productive enough to make my lower back hurt like it's not hurt in a long time and my kitchen and dining room floors look 75x better than they did just an hour ago.
I swept up a pile of dirt and hair so large that I wondered if maybe I wasn't mistakenly sweeping off our back patio and then I snapped to reality and remembered it was, in fact, from underneath my table.
It was disgusting y'all. Utterly disgusting.
And now I just remembered the booster seat in our laundry room sink that MUST be cleaned before I pick up my brood of children in 45 minutes. So, I'm off to deal with all things nasty.
But, before I do I would greatly appreciate it if you all would go to this old post of mine and read it because tomorrow I will have a related post and it just will make no sense if you don't go read that other one first.
Or don't and be in the dark. Either way, I'm blogging about a neti-pot tomorrow and I can assure you even watching that video link on the old post will cause you a chuckle or five.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Toddlers and my randomness, a recipe for a mediocre post
Hey y'all. Hope you had a nice, relaxing, long weekend. We sure did. This week will prove to be full of stuff, once more, and we are now only 7 weeks away from Baby!
Holy moly. I should probably begin nesting. But, as I told the girls in my Bible Study group last night, I'm not a natural-born housekeeper. I wish I was, but I'm not. So, I'll probably wait until 2 weeks before this Baby is due and dig out 1 boy outfit, 1 girl outfit, the bassinet parts that go on our portable crib and all the things necessary for a new baby.
I should probably also look into getting some new tubes and bottles for my breast pump. Aren't you glad I'm making this post into a checklist of things I need to do? Glad we are in this together.
Today I take Aaron and Elizabeth to the dentist. Elizabeth LOVES the dentist and Aaron, well, I'm sure he'll continue his current attitude of "touchmeandIwillscreamlikeabanshee" for the duration of the visit.
I think his terrible 2's have officially begun. He is the PICKIEST eater and by picky I mean he eats all of 1 thing at dinner then refuses the rest and screams until you acknowledge his disapproval of the other foods.
So, most nights dinner time is a battle. Which I loathe. Because this ain't the Waffle House and Momma ain't a short order cook so you eat what is cooked already or you go hungry.
Call me mean. That's the way we roll.
(And by "this ain't the Waffle House" I intend to imply that I don't cook what you want on demand. The floors of my house may or may not be exactly like the Waffle House. I'm not sayin'.)
The crazy part is that he usually likes EVERYTHING on his plate, yet eats only one thing and rejects the rest. Starches are his favorite. If there is bread withing a 6 mile radius of our table he will scream and abandon all other foods demanding ONLY BREAD FOR DINNER.
Which does not fly with me. At all.
Ahhhh, I love todderhood.
Yes, my 2nd son is proving to be more stubborn that my 1st son. Even though I was sure that Lucas was the most stubborn child on the planet at 2 years old. Guess I was wrong. I've determined that since Aaron has little-to-no control over anything in his life, he chooses to exercise his "perceived" authority at meal times and when I change his diaper. I use the term "perceived" loosely here because truly he has no authority over either of those situations either.
Good thing he's super cute and has big, blue eyes that melt my heart or he'd be in BIG, BIG trouble.
Mmmkay, I think I'm done rambling for today. Except I still need to mention that I plan on responding to your name suggestions soon, so be on the look out. If you care. And if not, then don't look out and I'll post my opinions anyway.
Good day.
Holy moly. I should probably begin nesting. But, as I told the girls in my Bible Study group last night, I'm not a natural-born housekeeper. I wish I was, but I'm not. So, I'll probably wait until 2 weeks before this Baby is due and dig out 1 boy outfit, 1 girl outfit, the bassinet parts that go on our portable crib and all the things necessary for a new baby.
I should probably also look into getting some new tubes and bottles for my breast pump. Aren't you glad I'm making this post into a checklist of things I need to do? Glad we are in this together.
Today I take Aaron and Elizabeth to the dentist. Elizabeth LOVES the dentist and Aaron, well, I'm sure he'll continue his current attitude of "touchmeandIwillscreamlikeabanshee" for the duration of the visit.
I think his terrible 2's have officially begun. He is the PICKIEST eater and by picky I mean he eats all of 1 thing at dinner then refuses the rest and screams until you acknowledge his disapproval of the other foods.
So, most nights dinner time is a battle. Which I loathe. Because this ain't the Waffle House and Momma ain't a short order cook so you eat what is cooked already or you go hungry.
Call me mean. That's the way we roll.
(And by "this ain't the Waffle House" I intend to imply that I don't cook what you want on demand. The floors of my house may or may not be exactly like the Waffle House. I'm not sayin'.)
The crazy part is that he usually likes EVERYTHING on his plate, yet eats only one thing and rejects the rest. Starches are his favorite. If there is bread withing a 6 mile radius of our table he will scream and abandon all other foods demanding ONLY BREAD FOR DINNER.
Which does not fly with me. At all.
Ahhhh, I love todderhood.
Yes, my 2nd son is proving to be more stubborn that my 1st son. Even though I was sure that Lucas was the most stubborn child on the planet at 2 years old. Guess I was wrong. I've determined that since Aaron has little-to-no control over anything in his life, he chooses to exercise his "perceived" authority at meal times and when I change his diaper. I use the term "perceived" loosely here because truly he has no authority over either of those situations either.
Good thing he's super cute and has big, blue eyes that melt my heart or he'd be in BIG, BIG trouble.
Mmmkay, I think I'm done rambling for today. Except I still need to mention that I plan on responding to your name suggestions soon, so be on the look out. If you care. And if not, then don't look out and I'll post my opinions anyway.
Good day.
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