How to Take Care of Your Pet While Traveling
4 years ago
Home sweet Home
After 67 days in the NICU we are finally home. Our family of 6. We've been home 3 days and we are no where near being organized, settled, or even used to all the changes. All of the kids are dealing with everything changing again and they each act out in their own ways. Lexi has become very dramatic and highly sensitive. Caylee has resorted back to her whiny, disobedient self who needs her pacifier ALL the time. Josiah is being a normal almost two year old BOY. He's crazy, one minute he is loving all over his sisters and the next he is beating them up. I have a feeling it will be like this for the rest of his life.
Hosanna is doing quite well, aside from having to pump and bottle feed she is just like a normal newborn, you can't even tell she was a preemie aside from the fact that she is a little on the small side, (6lbs 4oz and 19.5in long). She is now almost 2.5 months old and her due date hasn't even arrived yet!
While she was in the NICU we were staying at the Ronald McDonald House. It was so nice to have that place to stay. We met a bunch of new friends who also had babies in the NICU, most of which are at home now adjusting to their life with their new baby just like we are. One or two of the good friends are still up there, waiting for their time (which is coming soon!)
We talked a bit about having a little NICU reunion next spring, I hope we do! It will be fun to see everyone and their babies!!
Beyond exhaustion
I don't think I realized just how exhausted I could get until this week. I have only been getting between 5.5-6 hours of sleep a day, it's making me want to get a grind and brew at coffeemakers.com. Seriously, it's hard to even explain to someone how crazy life is when you have a child in the hospital and three more to care for. I have been waiting to find some routine, waiting for life to just calm down, and today I realized it's not going to until we can take Hosanna home. Our day is full of pumping, visiting Hosanna, playing with the other three kids, eating, more pumping, more playing, more visiting and more eating. Throw in there the fact that my husband is trying to get some stuff done that he had committed to, and the fact that we are all in one room and you've got my life for the next few months.
It's hard to not feel guilty when we miss a care time with Hosanna, or if I'm getting to hold Hosanna then i feel guilty that I'm not with the other three kids. I made the decision today to skip Hosanna's 10:30 care time in an attempt to get a little more sleep. I know I am going to have a hard time not going as it gets closer and closer to 10:30. That's just how I am. But 6 hours of sleep is not enough for me, and I've been trying to fight off a sore throat, I cannot get sick, i will be absolutely useless then.
So for now it's eat, pump, visit play. repeat. every day for the next who knows how long.
It's hard to not feel guilty when we miss a care time with Hosanna, or if I'm getting to hold Hosanna then i feel guilty that I'm not with the other three kids. I made the decision today to skip Hosanna's 10:30 care time in an attempt to get a little more sleep. I know I am going to have a hard time not going as it gets closer and closer to 10:30. That's just how I am. But 6 hours of sleep is not enough for me, and I've been trying to fight off a sore throat, I cannot get sick, i will be absolutely useless then.
So for now it's eat, pump, visit play. repeat. every day for the next who knows how long.
Central Air
We have not had central air conditioning in years. I have to be honest, I really hate it now. I am just so used to the warmth that when we have air conditioning I FREEZE! We have air here in the Ronald McDonald house, which is nice, but I am afraid I'm going to get used to it and then when we go home I'm gonna be so hot all the time! I wish we had a nice hunter ceiling fan in the room, we could open the windows on this wonderfully HOT day here in Roanoke and feel like we were at home. he he.
Adjusting
Hosanna is one week old today. The week has been quick, but slow at the same time. There is a lot going on and my body doesn't really know how to process it all. The kids are gone camping with my family for a few days so it's giving me a few more days to heal, my mind wants nothing more than a good run, but I KNOW my body is not ready for that. (and don't worry, yes, I love running, but I will not be doing that till i get the ok from the doctor).
My husband was hopeful that his work would be willing to let him work remotely over the next 9-11 weeks while we are up here, but they said no. He was offered a temporary lay off, and after prayer and talking we decided that was the best option. We know he could always go back home during the week and work, and the kids and I could stay here, but I would be unable to go back and see Hosanna because Josiah is not old enough to go back there and the other two can only be there or 15 minutes. We thought about having someone come stay with me while he went home to work, but i am not the type of person who can handle a different person around. It would be way too stressful on me, even if the person here WAS a big help. So now we are going to try to do what we can to get in some extra money, whether it's selling stuff, trying to find a little bit of side work, finding a place that would buy silver coins, (if we had any) or just about anything! The good thing about the Ronald McDonald house is that we will be saving some money by being here. They provide so much and are so wonderful, hopefully that will help make up for some of the money will will be losing.
My husband was hopeful that his work would be willing to let him work remotely over the next 9-11 weeks while we are up here, but they said no. He was offered a temporary lay off, and after prayer and talking we decided that was the best option. We know he could always go back home during the week and work, and the kids and I could stay here, but I would be unable to go back and see Hosanna because Josiah is not old enough to go back there and the other two can only be there or 15 minutes. We thought about having someone come stay with me while he went home to work, but i am not the type of person who can handle a different person around. It would be way too stressful on me, even if the person here WAS a big help. So now we are going to try to do what we can to get in some extra money, whether it's selling stuff, trying to find a little bit of side work, finding a place that would buy silver coins, (if we had any) or just about anything! The good thing about the Ronald McDonald house is that we will be saving some money by being here. They provide so much and are so wonderful, hopefully that will help make up for some of the money will will be losing.
Get away
There are days I am just so overwhelmed all I can think about is wanting to run away. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by my dirty house, sometimes the kids are crazy, sometimes it's just life.
Sometimes you wake up , or as the day goes on you realize you want nothing more than to find obx foreclosures and move to the Outer Banks. The problem i've found with running away is that the stress just follows you. Well, the messy house might not, but if you moved, you'd just be packing up the mess and taking it with you he he.
This weekend is mixed for me, My three older kids are up camping with my family while my husband and I are here, 2 hours away from home and 5 hours away from the kids, trying to adjust to living in the Ronald McDonald house as well as spending as much time as we can with Hosanna. It's hard though, because the kids have only been gone since 9am and i miss them like crazy!! I'm sure they are having fun, and hopefully we actually take some time this weekend to try to get some rest when we can.
Sometimes you wake up , or as the day goes on you realize you want nothing more than to find obx foreclosures and move to the Outer Banks. The problem i've found with running away is that the stress just follows you. Well, the messy house might not, but if you moved, you'd just be packing up the mess and taking it with you he he.
This weekend is mixed for me, My three older kids are up camping with my family while my husband and I are here, 2 hours away from home and 5 hours away from the kids, trying to adjust to living in the Ronald McDonald house as well as spending as much time as we can with Hosanna. It's hard though, because the kids have only been gone since 9am and i miss them like crazy!! I'm sure they are having fun, and hopefully we actually take some time this weekend to try to get some rest when we can.
One rooming it
For the next 8-11 weeks we are going to be living at the Ronald McDonald house while Hosanna gets the care she needs in the NICU. I am very grateful for this place, we wouldn't be able to survive without it. They were kind enough to allow my mom and step dad to stay here in our room for a few nights as well. They have food available for breakfasts and lunches, and different organizations/ministries provide dinner every night. It's a HUGE blessing. There is a play room downstairs for the kids, a little library and even a small playground out side.
Our room is like a hotel, it has two queen beds and a couch that pulls out. We even have a little tv with cable! and our own bathroom of course. The only thing we're trying to get adjusted to is having all of us in one room. Eugene has been trying to work on some flyers and stuff he has to get done (he brought his desktop computer up here) but little fingers keep finding the wrong buttons to push... We need a monitor mount up on the wall and a locked box for the tower I think. Bed time is also going to take some getting used to, Josiah likes to wake everyone up as soon as he wakes up, and getting to sleep can be a bit of a challenge too. These are just minor adjustments we have to figure out because there is no way we're going home without Hosanna.
Our room is like a hotel, it has two queen beds and a couch that pulls out. We even have a little tv with cable! and our own bathroom of course. The only thing we're trying to get adjusted to is having all of us in one room. Eugene has been trying to work on some flyers and stuff he has to get done (he brought his desktop computer up here) but little fingers keep finding the wrong buttons to push... We need a monitor mount up on the wall and a locked box for the tower I think. Bed time is also going to take some getting used to, Josiah likes to wake everyone up as soon as he wakes up, and getting to sleep can be a bit of a challenge too. These are just minor adjustments we have to figure out because there is no way we're going home without Hosanna.
the good, the bad and the ugly
I faced two of my biggest labor and delivery fears with this last blessing of mine. For as long as I can remember when i thought about having a baby I said I'd want a natural delivery with no pain medication. At first that was just the stubborn, strong attitude in me, then when I got pregnant I started some research and decided yes, a drug free birth was what i wanted for my little one. One of the reasons was because the thought of a needle of any sort going in my back scared me to death. and when people talked about c-sections- that was like a cuss word to me. NEVER! When I went into labor with her at 34w 4 d, I held my position even through the pitocine contractions. Recovery was a little rough, I tore and I remember being really sore for a few days, maybe a week. It wasn't as bad as some mothers who break their tail bone and need donuts or chair pads, or have horrible tears and require tons and tons of stitches.
Baby # 2 came along, and I stood my stance on pain medication. No drugs for me! This was by far the best labor and deliver and recover I've had with all 4 kids. I kept waiting for those terrible contractions I remembered from my first delivery, and sitting on the couch at 2am I started to feel the urge to push, we barely made it to the ER when I delivered my second daughter. I didn't even have an IV for this one. I had a 2nd degree tear, got some stitches, but within hours I was up and ready to walk the halls. No pain and no discomfort.
Baby #3 came and again, a natural child birth was what I wanted. I still hated the thought of an epidural and c-sections scared me to death. I made it through the labor and delivery fine, drug free. We had some complications afterwards that required medical intervention and caused my recovery to be longer than i would have chosen, but as far as the labor and delivery, it was great.
So naturally, when we got pregnant with #4 I was going to aim for a delivery like #2. staying at home as long as possible and having a great, natural labor and delivery in an attempt to have a quick, easy recovery. After all, I had 3 kids at home to care for. I was still scared to death of a c-section, women I know who have had them I thought were amazing and strong, I knew I'd pass out if there was mention of me needing one. After all, that required a needle in your back AND being cut open...
I am so glad I had no clue what God had in store for us. Being informed at 27w5d that there were issues with your pregnancy and there was a small chance they'd have to deliver the baby within the week if they couldn't resolve the problems was not on the birthing plan. A week of doctors appointments was not scheduled. Three ultrasounds later (within 5 days) we were informed I was going in for a c-section that very day. There was nothing natural about this. and there was no labor. I wasn't sure what to think or do.
They decided to wait till morning for the ultra sound so they could get some blood in case I (or baby) needed a transfusion. I had a whole night of monitors, IVs and thoughts. I had a million doctors talking to me about procedures, what they might expect, what might happen, what was worse case scenario, best case scenario. I had OR doctors, NICU doctors, anesthesiologists... the list goes on. Yes somehow, even knowing I was about to face my two biggest fears, I had peace. for the most part.
When morning came I went in for my c-section. first came the spinal. I think i was more afraid of that at that point. Within an hour I was wheeled into recovery waiting for my legs to regain feeling. I had survived, and it wasn't AS bad as I had thought. but I would still never wish a c-section on anyone. mostly because recovery completely stinks.
Baby # 2 came along, and I stood my stance on pain medication. No drugs for me! This was by far the best labor and deliver and recover I've had with all 4 kids. I kept waiting for those terrible contractions I remembered from my first delivery, and sitting on the couch at 2am I started to feel the urge to push, we barely made it to the ER when I delivered my second daughter. I didn't even have an IV for this one. I had a 2nd degree tear, got some stitches, but within hours I was up and ready to walk the halls. No pain and no discomfort.
Baby #3 came and again, a natural child birth was what I wanted. I still hated the thought of an epidural and c-sections scared me to death. I made it through the labor and delivery fine, drug free. We had some complications afterwards that required medical intervention and caused my recovery to be longer than i would have chosen, but as far as the labor and delivery, it was great.
So naturally, when we got pregnant with #4 I was going to aim for a delivery like #2. staying at home as long as possible and having a great, natural labor and delivery in an attempt to have a quick, easy recovery. After all, I had 3 kids at home to care for. I was still scared to death of a c-section, women I know who have had them I thought were amazing and strong, I knew I'd pass out if there was mention of me needing one. After all, that required a needle in your back AND being cut open...
I am so glad I had no clue what God had in store for us. Being informed at 27w5d that there were issues with your pregnancy and there was a small chance they'd have to deliver the baby within the week if they couldn't resolve the problems was not on the birthing plan. A week of doctors appointments was not scheduled. Three ultrasounds later (within 5 days) we were informed I was going in for a c-section that very day. There was nothing natural about this. and there was no labor. I wasn't sure what to think or do.
They decided to wait till morning for the ultra sound so they could get some blood in case I (or baby) needed a transfusion. I had a whole night of monitors, IVs and thoughts. I had a million doctors talking to me about procedures, what they might expect, what might happen, what was worse case scenario, best case scenario. I had OR doctors, NICU doctors, anesthesiologists... the list goes on. Yes somehow, even knowing I was about to face my two biggest fears, I had peace. for the most part.
When morning came I went in for my c-section. first came the spinal. I think i was more afraid of that at that point. Within an hour I was wheeled into recovery waiting for my legs to regain feeling. I had survived, and it wasn't AS bad as I had thought. but I would still never wish a c-section on anyone. mostly because recovery completely stinks.
Fresh Veggies
Being in Roanoke has been so nice. We've enjoyed having so many choices for shopping around, it's much nicer than living in the small town we've been in for awhile. (Small towns have their advantages, but we are city people).
The other day on the path from the parking garage to the hospital there was a little table set up with fresh fruit and veggies, as well as local, grass fed meat and eggs. I was so tempted by the freshness of it all.
I can't wait to reap the benefits of my mother in law's garden later this summer, I think I'll purchase some nice tillman gloves to help pull weeds. he he. Then she can pay me in cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans and anything else she chooses!
For now though I think we'll be finding more farmers markets around and enjoying the fresh produce.
The other day on the path from the parking garage to the hospital there was a little table set up with fresh fruit and veggies, as well as local, grass fed meat and eggs. I was so tempted by the freshness of it all.
I can't wait to reap the benefits of my mother in law's garden later this summer, I think I'll purchase some nice tillman gloves to help pull weeds. he he. Then she can pay me in cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans and anything else she chooses!
For now though I think we'll be finding more farmers markets around and enjoying the fresh produce.
Change of plans
My ways are not your ways, My plans are not your plans. That's what God says. and boy is He right.
Saturday morning I went in for a c-section where they delivered my baby at 28w4days. There are a lot of details behind it, but the doctors all agreed at that point she was better off in the hands of the NICU doctors and nurses than in my womb.
Now we find ourselves almost two hours from home in a Ronald McDonald house with a tiny 2lb 4 oz daughter in the NICU. Luckily there are no major complications, other than being so early, She has had 3 blood transfusions and is slowly losing all the extra fluid that was building up around her. She's dealing with jaundice- something quite common (no spray on tanning needed for that tiny girl).
Trying to adjust to all of us in one room is interesting, as well as trying to balance time with the three bigger kids and still making it over for Hosanna's care times at the hospital. It's quite an exhausting life. I find my comfort in the verse that tells us God wont give us more than we can handle. I just wish I saw myself like He does.
Saturday morning I went in for a c-section where they delivered my baby at 28w4days. There are a lot of details behind it, but the doctors all agreed at that point she was better off in the hands of the NICU doctors and nurses than in my womb.
Now we find ourselves almost two hours from home in a Ronald McDonald house with a tiny 2lb 4 oz daughter in the NICU. Luckily there are no major complications, other than being so early, She has had 3 blood transfusions and is slowly losing all the extra fluid that was building up around her. She's dealing with jaundice- something quite common (no spray on tanning needed for that tiny girl).
Trying to adjust to all of us in one room is interesting, as well as trying to balance time with the three bigger kids and still making it over for Hosanna's care times at the hospital. It's quite an exhausting life. I find my comfort in the verse that tells us God wont give us more than we can handle. I just wish I saw myself like He does.
Keeping busy
Josiah is almost a year and a half old now, and getting things done is getting harder and harder. Nothing seems to keep him busy! The best thing I've found is a container with a lid. He likes to try to put the lid on, then he likes to find things that fit in the container. We also have some stacking blocks he enjoys playing with. Sometimes little jigsaw puzzles keep him busy for a short period of time, and sometimes nothing works. While I was trying to do school with Lexi sometimes we had a hard time, he would climb and scream and fuss. Boys are really different than girls. He's crazy!!!
Yta positive
Does Yta positive mean anything to anyone? no? that's cuz I don't have very many people reading this blog. That is the antibody I have in my blood. The one that caused the hospital lab to scratch their heads, then the regional lab to scratch their heads, then they sent my blood all the way to MD to the National Institute of Health where they pinpointed what it was in my blood. Not sure if it would have taken any less work if I had the lab testing in San Francisco, but I'm glad it got identified, or my doctor might have kept scratching his head for the rest of my pregnancy.
There's not a ton of research out there on this great antibody, but what little is out there doesn't show it affecting pregnancy or babies in anyway. The only issue will be if I need a blood transfusion after delivery, then they will have to search down some A+ blood out of the 1% of American's who share this antibody with me.
There's not a ton of research out there on this great antibody, but what little is out there doesn't show it affecting pregnancy or babies in anyway. The only issue will be if I need a blood transfusion after delivery, then they will have to search down some A+ blood out of the 1% of American's who share this antibody with me.
End of 1st grade
Well, this week we finished first grade with Lexi. I am still stunned that my little girl is getting so big. She's done great with everything so far, even the days she does throw fits. I can't imagine having sent her off to public school and not having her here with me during the days. She's a big help with Josiah and Caylee too. I'm sure she'll be the perfect little mama's helper when Hosanna comes. She's got a very mothering nature about her.
So in the fall Lexi will start 2nd Grade, Caylee will start some form of kindergarten, or a k4 program of some sort, Josiah will have to learn to sit still and be entertained somehow at the table, and Hosanna... well, I'm sure she'll be content hanging out in the sling or bouncy seat while I teach the girls. At least I hope she will be.
We've decided not to do the home school coop next year, although we all enjoyed it and the girls learned so much, I'm not ready to tackle teaching two girls, having a newborn, a 20 month old and the responsibility of the coop. I think we'll do good if we all are fed and washed. :) Also, I don't want another winter full of sickness like this year, we were just way too sick in the past 4 or 5 months. I can't take the chances of getting another bad winter with a newborn.
So in the fall Lexi will start 2nd Grade, Caylee will start some form of kindergarten, or a k4 program of some sort, Josiah will have to learn to sit still and be entertained somehow at the table, and Hosanna... well, I'm sure she'll be content hanging out in the sling or bouncy seat while I teach the girls. At least I hope she will be.
We've decided not to do the home school coop next year, although we all enjoyed it and the girls learned so much, I'm not ready to tackle teaching two girls, having a newborn, a 20 month old and the responsibility of the coop. I think we'll do good if we all are fed and washed. :) Also, I don't want another winter full of sickness like this year, we were just way too sick in the past 4 or 5 months. I can't take the chances of getting another bad winter with a newborn.
furniture
Like most women I dream about matching furniture and having a house that looks put together and nice. I hope to one day have some furniture that is new, not just new to us. Maybe even some good furniture, maybe not
Horchow, but better than Big lots. With Hosanna being due soon I've been thinking about maybe finally getting a nice chair, a rocking recliner. Something big and comfy, but still useable. we had an old wooden rocking chair when we had Lexi, but i didn't use it much, with each child I wish more and more that I had a nice comfy spot to sit while I nurse the baby, or work on putting them to sleep.
I've also been thinking about a love seat, or just more seating in our living room. All we have is a normal size couch, which our family is outgrowing, and when company comes it leaves no room for anyone to sit. Also, after a few weeks of being sick I've realized sometimes more than just one of us want to lay on the couch, which isn't possible. It's not even possible for one of us to lay on the couch if the kids want to sit on it!
Hopefully one day I'll be able to stop dreaming and just start enjoying. :)
I've also been thinking about a love seat, or just more seating in our living room. All we have is a normal size couch, which our family is outgrowing, and when company comes it leaves no room for anyone to sit. Also, after a few weeks of being sick I've realized sometimes more than just one of us want to lay on the couch, which isn't possible. It's not even possible for one of us to lay on the couch if the kids want to sit on it!
Hopefully one day I'll be able to stop dreaming and just start enjoying. :)
HDM what?
So my husband is an electronics geek as you already know. I have to be honest, I don't see much difference from one gadget to the next. I'm sure it shames him to hear me say "hun, I just don't care how many watts the sub woofer puts out" i don't even know if sub woofers put out watts, so yah...
I am also not a gamer, We had an xbox way back before the Wii came out and i was upset with the games, they were all either war games, driving games, sports games or music games. So when Nintendo came out with the Wii i got excited because I enjoy Mario, I also enjoy family games. The Xbox had no family appropriate games at the time. Fast forward 4ish years and The xbox comes out with Kinect and suddenly has family games. Which just made my husband beg even more for an xbox. He somehow ended up with one with this tax return, i'm not sure how, he brought it home one day and that was it. I really don't see the point, but that's me. One thing he just keeps talking about, and has been since we got our tv 4 years ago was HDMI. I really don't know what it means or what it does other than he keeps saying you can put an HDMI in here or connect it via HDMI. honestly... I don't get it, but I'm sure he says the same thing about me and all my rants about running and running shoes...
I am also not a gamer, We had an xbox way back before the Wii came out and i was upset with the games, they were all either war games, driving games, sports games or music games. So when Nintendo came out with the Wii i got excited because I enjoy Mario, I also enjoy family games. The Xbox had no family appropriate games at the time. Fast forward 4ish years and The xbox comes out with Kinect and suddenly has family games. Which just made my husband beg even more for an xbox. He somehow ended up with one with this tax return, i'm not sure how, he brought it home one day and that was it. I really don't see the point, but that's me. One thing he just keeps talking about, and has been since we got our tv 4 years ago was HDMI. I really don't know what it means or what it does other than he keeps saying you can put an HDMI in here or connect it via HDMI. honestly... I don't get it, but I'm sure he says the same thing about me and all my rants about running and running shoes...
Sensative little ears
Lexi got her ears pierced when she was about 4.5, it was a deal we made with her after she got an ear infection, we bribed her into taking her medicine every day by telling her she'd get to get her ears pierced if she did. She had been wanting them pierced for a year by that point. It worked, she took her antibiotic with no problems every day for the full 10 days. She fights with us about taking medicine so it was nice to not have that issue!
I don't think she realized it was going to hurt as bad as it did, we tried to explain it to her but she didn't get it. She cried and cried when she got them done. But her reward was the nice Hello Kitty earrings that her ears were pierced with. They were special piercing earrings but apparently they weren't as good as most because her ears would not heal. We found a few pairs of supposedly sensitive earrings at a place where there was a bunch of jewelry online cheap, but those hurt her ears too. Finally at Christmas we got her a pair of earrings from a local jewelry shop that is owned by one of my running partners. These earrings are not bothering her ears that I can tell. Every once and awhile she still gets some gunk from them, but nothing compared to the ickiness that would form with her other earrings. I have a feeling she's one of those girls that is just going to have to wear solid gold or silver! Her poor husband better have lots of money. :)
I don't think she realized it was going to hurt as bad as it did, we tried to explain it to her but she didn't get it. She cried and cried when she got them done. But her reward was the nice Hello Kitty earrings that her ears were pierced with. They were special piercing earrings but apparently they weren't as good as most because her ears would not heal. We found a few pairs of supposedly sensitive earrings at a place where there was a bunch of jewelry online cheap, but those hurt her ears too. Finally at Christmas we got her a pair of earrings from a local jewelry shop that is owned by one of my running partners. These earrings are not bothering her ears that I can tell. Every once and awhile she still gets some gunk from them, but nothing compared to the ickiness that would form with her other earrings. I have a feeling she's one of those girls that is just going to have to wear solid gold or silver! Her poor husband better have lots of money. :)
Sleepy
Yesterday all three kids took wonderfully long naps, it was so nice to have that two hours of peace and quite. The odd thing was I wasn't tired at all! Normally i try to sneak in a 30-45 minute nap while they sleep, just to get me through the day. They wake up between 6-6:30 (sometimes earlier) and some days I wake up earlier to go run. Then I'm up till 11 most nights so by nap I'm sleepy.
Today I'm exhausted and could really use a nap, but Lexi is refusing to sleep and Josiah took a nice long nap at coop so there is no rest for me today! I can't even sit on the couch cuz Josiah climbs all over me, or goes and gets into things. guess I'll just be a sleepy momma today!
Today I'm exhausted and could really use a nap, but Lexi is refusing to sleep and Josiah took a nice long nap at coop so there is no rest for me today! I can't even sit on the couch cuz Josiah climbs all over me, or goes and gets into things. guess I'll just be a sleepy momma today!
Camping
As the weather gets warmer I can almost smell the scents of camping. the tent, the bug spray, the dirt, the grass, the pine trees. the air mattress, ok so the air mattress isn't a nice smell, but it's part of camping. We only have one camping trip scheduled this year, but i really hope we get more than that in. I'm due in the end of July, so it is making this year a little more challenging. Camping with a few week old baby doesn't seem like much fun, and neither does camping while 36 weeks pregnant. Although, I supposed if my brother in law who has had back surgery (not minimally invasive spine surgery either) can camp on an air mattress, someone who is 36 weeks pregnant can camp on one too right?
Our planned camping trip is our annual Memorial Day weekend camping trip with my family. It's fun to gather together with my sisters, mom, step dad, and some of my aunts and uncles and cousins. I wish we saw them all more than just once a year, but at least we get to see them this much. We keep hoping that more and more family will join us as the years go on, but it's always the same group, maybe one year we'll be blessed with the presence of one of my brothers, or another aunt or uncle. Some family traditions are nice to have. Especially ones that involve tents, swimming and good camping food!
Our planned camping trip is our annual Memorial Day weekend camping trip with my family. It's fun to gather together with my sisters, mom, step dad, and some of my aunts and uncles and cousins. I wish we saw them all more than just once a year, but at least we get to see them this much. We keep hoping that more and more family will join us as the years go on, but it's always the same group, maybe one year we'll be blessed with the presence of one of my brothers, or another aunt or uncle. Some family traditions are nice to have. Especially ones that involve tents, swimming and good camping food!
The Battleground
Last year we, along with a few other people, started a youth outreach called The Battleground. Twice a month we meet at a local youth hang out. We bring in a band or two and open the doors for the youth from around town, just to give them a safe place to hang out and see Jesus.
Not long ago we bought a sound system, just one of the many things that we will need as we grow, and one day get our own place. I was amazed at the expense of the different things we needed for it, even the used one we bought seemed a crazy price to me. A few months into using the sound system and two of our amps blew, so we had to go buy some new ones. We got better ones this time, they might be Pro Audio, I don't remember. but I know they sound a lot better than the old ones. What is the most amazing to me is that every time we have needed something God has provided either the money for it, or what we needed. It just makes me all the more excited to watch as God keeps his hand in this ministry and furthers his kingdom here in our little town.
Not long ago we bought a sound system, just one of the many things that we will need as we grow, and one day get our own place. I was amazed at the expense of the different things we needed for it, even the used one we bought seemed a crazy price to me. A few months into using the sound system and two of our amps blew, so we had to go buy some new ones. We got better ones this time, they might be Pro Audio, I don't remember. but I know they sound a lot better than the old ones. What is the most amazing to me is that every time we have needed something God has provided either the money for it, or what we needed. It just makes me all the more excited to watch as God keeps his hand in this ministry and furthers his kingdom here in our little town.
Time
Growing up the days seemed so long, a year was like forever. The older I get the faster the days, weeks and years go by. I feel it is important for mothers/fathers/husbands/wives to spend some time doing the things they enjoy- having time for themselves.
With me, that thing is running, and my husband is good to help me work out a way that I can run 3-4 times a week. My husband's stress relief time is playing drums. unfortunately, he doesn't get to do that very often. His drum kit is set up in our room, but in order for him to play i have to take all the kids and go somewhere. I've thought about how nice it would be if we could get him a Pintech electronic drums it would take up less space, plus he could turn the volume down and the kids might not know he was playing.
He really loves music, and i really do want him to be able to have that time to decompress and do what he enjoys. Maybe some day we can have a room that is a little detached from the rest of the house so he can go in, close (and lock) the door, and have some time to himself!
With me, that thing is running, and my husband is good to help me work out a way that I can run 3-4 times a week. My husband's stress relief time is playing drums. unfortunately, he doesn't get to do that very often. His drum kit is set up in our room, but in order for him to play i have to take all the kids and go somewhere. I've thought about how nice it would be if we could get him a Pintech electronic drums it would take up less space, plus he could turn the volume down and the kids might not know he was playing.
He really loves music, and i really do want him to be able to have that time to decompress and do what he enjoys. Maybe some day we can have a room that is a little detached from the rest of the house so he can go in, close (and lock) the door, and have some time to himself!
Supposedly the economy is getting better, try telling that to the people in small towns like the one I live in who are still unemployed, or are working jobs that pay half of what they are used to making. I know people who have been looking for jobs for a long time and can't even seem to get a sears jobs, or walmart job.
I saw a thing on the news the other day that even the fast food restaurants that used to be a place where teens got their first jobs are now a place where adults who have lost their jobs are working more than a place for high school students to start their job experiences.
I know it's not as bad as it could be, and I'm glad about that, but I'd like to see things really pick up.
I saw a thing on the news the other day that even the fast food restaurants that used to be a place where teens got their first jobs are now a place where adults who have lost their jobs are working more than a place for high school students to start their job experiences.
I know it's not as bad as it could be, and I'm glad about that, but I'd like to see things really pick up.
Babies
Several new babies have joined the world in the past month. It's so sweet to see the new lives being born, seeing families grow, seeing daddies with their Swisher Sweets as they celebrate the birth of their sons and daughters. It makes me so happy to see them, also makes me happy to know that each week that goes by I get closer to holding the new life that's growing in me.
Several of the new babies that have been born lately are to first time mommies and daddies, which makes things all the more exciting to see husbands and wives take on new rolls as mothers and fathers. It certainly changes your life when you have your first child, of course, every new addition to your family makes life more interesting. I'm wondering how hard it's going to be to go from 3 to 4, guess I'll find out in a few months!
Several of the new babies that have been born lately are to first time mommies and daddies, which makes things all the more exciting to see husbands and wives take on new rolls as mothers and fathers. It certainly changes your life when you have your first child, of course, every new addition to your family makes life more interesting. I'm wondering how hard it's going to be to go from 3 to 4, guess I'll find out in a few months!
Pregnancy Hormones
I love being pregnant, I am one of the lucky few who has fairly easy pregnancies (when I get pregnant and stay pregnant, I do have a history of miscarriages). There is one thing about pregnancy that I don't know is talked about much, the hormones! you're happy, you're sad, your angry, you skin breaks out and looks terrible (I have never experienced that "pregnancy glow" that others talk about). The hormones are crazy. I have been told that if you take your prenatal vitamins it's supposed to help, as well as a healthy diet, but neither of which have helped me much. I wonder if you can get bio identical hormone replacement therapy for pregnancy hormones. :) just kidding.
Seriously though, the hormones are interesting. That and being tired. and the weird combinations of foods you want.
Seriously though, the hormones are interesting. That and being tired. and the weird combinations of foods you want.
Natural living
I'm slowly (and I mean very slowly) working towards a more natural life. I'm trying to avoid processed food, crazy chemicals and unnecessary unnatural things. I've been looking at natural deodorants, toothpastes, soaps, even shampoos like seaweed shampoo. I have yet to take the total plunge though, the costs always hold me back.
I'm just seeing the increased amounts of sicknesses, diseases, even things like ADD and Cancer. The rates of those are on the rise and I can't help but associate them with the increased intake of processed foods, chemicals being used on things and junk we are feeding our bodies. And don't even get me started on all the natural cures for things that other countries are using that are working, but our country refuses to accept.
I'm just seeing the increased amounts of sicknesses, diseases, even things like ADD and Cancer. The rates of those are on the rise and I can't help but associate them with the increased intake of processed foods, chemicals being used on things and junk we are feeding our bodies. And don't even get me started on all the natural cures for things that other countries are using that are working, but our country refuses to accept.
Political propiganda
I have to be honest, I don't get into politics. Not that I just sit back and let everyone else decide what laws we have, or who runs the government. I vote. and I don't vote blindly, i educate myself. However, I do not care to see people's campaign yard signs or debates on the news. I hate that the media gets into everyone's business and changes the truth, I hate that lies are all over and called the truth.
I was very excited when I found a site that just lists the people running and everything you could want to know about them. Their background, their view on just about every topic. That's where I'll form my opinions from, not from the news, or my neighbor.
I was very excited when I found a site that just lists the people running and everything you could want to know about them. Their background, their view on just about every topic. That's where I'll form my opinions from, not from the news, or my neighbor.
Parenting
This blog
a friend shared has got me thinking a lot about parenting. It's called
Motherhood as a mission field. It has a lot of good points, things I
needed to be reminded of, things i probably need to remember daily. I
don't resent my kids that I am at home with them, but I do get feeling
like they are an inconvenience to me. I get irritated when they act
their age and do childish things from time to time. See, for the most
part i have great kids, but they have their moments where the actually
act like kids. And those moments throw me off and I get irritated. It's
little stupid things that push me over the limit. It's those moments
that I need to remember A) they are kids, MY kids whom I love very much.
B) I am their mom, I wanted kids so badly, and kids are dependent. They
are supposed to be, they are KIDS. Now don't get me wrong, there are
things a 3 and 5 year old could and should be doing alone. like wiping
their own bottoms.
But as a mom, i should not feel inconvenienced by my children. I should not be upset that I have to spend 5 more minutes with them when all i want to do is lay on the couch and take a nap! Being a mom is a sacrifice, sometimes it's more of a sacrifice than others, but we are investing in people. We are helping them become who they will be for the rest of their lives. We are showing them what being a mom is all about. *GULP* We should be modeling Christ, so they can see Christ in us, and then in turn display Christ in their own lives. I fail miserably at this, most days more than others...
Also, I've been reading a lot of verses about Love lately, what love is supposed to look like. It's impossible to fully love without Christ, if you read 1 Corinthians 13, it gives you the guidelines for love, it's some heavy duty stuff! no human can accomplish that. patient- maybe. kind- yah, does not envy, does not boast, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps NO record of wrongs, does not delight in evil, rejoices with truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes always perseveres. I don't know about you, but i have a hard time living up to just one of those characteristics, let alone all of them. It's only through Christ that we can fully love someone.
I am so glad I love and serve a perfect God who can help me love my children and husband the way He intended me to love them. As long as I daily ask for his help and admit that I cannot do it alone. Which is something I need to remember. It's all quite humbling honestly.
But as a mom, i should not feel inconvenienced by my children. I should not be upset that I have to spend 5 more minutes with them when all i want to do is lay on the couch and take a nap! Being a mom is a sacrifice, sometimes it's more of a sacrifice than others, but we are investing in people. We are helping them become who they will be for the rest of their lives. We are showing them what being a mom is all about. *GULP* We should be modeling Christ, so they can see Christ in us, and then in turn display Christ in their own lives. I fail miserably at this, most days more than others...
Also, I've been reading a lot of verses about Love lately, what love is supposed to look like. It's impossible to fully love without Christ, if you read 1 Corinthians 13, it gives you the guidelines for love, it's some heavy duty stuff! no human can accomplish that. patient- maybe. kind- yah, does not envy, does not boast, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps NO record of wrongs, does not delight in evil, rejoices with truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes always perseveres. I don't know about you, but i have a hard time living up to just one of those characteristics, let alone all of them. It's only through Christ that we can fully love someone.
I am so glad I love and serve a perfect God who can help me love my children and husband the way He intended me to love them. As long as I daily ask for his help and admit that I cannot do it alone. Which is something I need to remember. It's all quite humbling honestly.
Children
We've had this odd bug going around our house for a few weeks, it's really annoying. Especially since the girls have been driving me nuts because they've only been around each other not other kids. They're fighting like crazy.
They've been playing more too, but the fighting is driving me nuts!! Today they were kinda cute though, Josiah was playing on the drum, one girl was making up guitar songs and the other was playing on the keyboard. It was nice, until they started fighting about who was allowed to sing and who wasn't!
Let's just say I was very happy when we accidentally ran into my husband's sister and her family tonight and they decided to take the girls for the night. It will be nice to have a little break. Josiah and I will just chill and spend some time together (and clean the house).
They've been playing more too, but the fighting is driving me nuts!! Today they were kinda cute though, Josiah was playing on the drum, one girl was making up guitar songs and the other was playing on the keyboard. It was nice, until they started fighting about who was allowed to sing and who wasn't!
Let's just say I was very happy when we accidentally ran into my husband's sister and her family tonight and they decided to take the girls for the night. It will be nice to have a little break. Josiah and I will just chill and spend some time together (and clean the house).
Following your dreams
When I first met my best friend, Beth, in college I had a dream that we lived next to each other and we were ice skating on our driveways. Since our freshmen year of college we haven't been together, aside from a visit or two. It's quite sad to me, but we've managed to stay connected with skype, IM, facebook, texting, emails, blogs... you know all the ways technology makes life easier. We skype with each other almost daily, it's just like stopping by and saying hi.
At some point over the summer/fall her and her family will be moving even further away. To California to be exact. I don't think you can get further away. It makes me sad, even though I know we don't really see each other all that often with her in Indiana. It kinda makes me want to become a doctor and follow her. Just so we can have houses next to each other like in my dream (i don't think ice skating in our driveways in California would be possible though). I say I would be come a doctor because we probably can't afford CA unless we're doing something high paying. and I'd have to get some amazing insurance because it's probably full of people wanting to sue doctors. ok, maybe not. But I'd love to be able to be closer to her! I guess until we can go visit we'll just keep skyping and texting and pretending we live next to each other.
At some point over the summer/fall her and her family will be moving even further away. To California to be exact. I don't think you can get further away. It makes me sad, even though I know we don't really see each other all that often with her in Indiana. It kinda makes me want to become a doctor and follow her. Just so we can have houses next to each other like in my dream (i don't think ice skating in our driveways in California would be possible though). I say I would be come a doctor because we probably can't afford CA unless we're doing something high paying. and I'd have to get some amazing insurance because it's probably full of people wanting to sue doctors. ok, maybe not. But I'd love to be able to be closer to her! I guess until we can go visit we'll just keep skyping and texting and pretending we live next to each other.
Missing packages
Since we've moved we've had several missing packages. Also, people have a hard time finding our house unless they are familiar with the area. Then we noticed there is no house numbers plaque or numbers in general! Also it's hard to read the numbers on the mailbox because there is another mailbox right next to it which blocks it.
It will be a fun way to "spruce" up the outside of the house. and hopefully eliminate some lost packages!
It will be a fun way to "spruce" up the outside of the house. and hopefully eliminate some lost packages!
Time for a Change
no, this has nothing to do with Obama.
It has everything to do with eating. Mainly the way my children eat. The way I let them eat.
It all started when Caylee was about 18 months old or so. maybe earlier. She is really picky and instead of making her eat what we were eating, i would make her what i knew she’d eat. Lexi caught on and stopped trying everything we put on her plate, because we never made Caylee try anything.
Caylee takes stubborn to a whole new level. We tried the “this is what we have, eat it or go to bed hungry.” i can’t tell you how many nights she went to bed hungry, which resulted in her waking up screaming every hour through the whole night. for multiple nights in a row. So we went back to giving her what she’ll eat.
Now we have three kids, with three levels of pickiness. There’s Lexi, who will eat a lot, and will try ALMOST anything. Although she is stubborn on some things, which I believe she doesn’t really like. or she forgets she likes. We normally make her try a bite of everything i cook.
There’s Josiah, who is still young and will eat what we put in front of him, although he doesn’t seem to like spinach.
And Caylee, who will eat about a handful of things. and some of those things she wont eat every time they are put in front of her.
Every once and awhile i get overtaken with guilt. it’s normally the days when I realize they have had chicken nuggets and french fries a few days in a row, or a few meals in a row. Or I realize Caylee has had nothing but junk for a week straight. Today was one of those days. And once again we’re going to try to put our foot down.
Only this time we are going to take a different approach. Supper time is going to be one meal (some nights i make 3 variations of dinner). I will make sure there is at least one item that Caylee eats at each meal. Eugene is not a fan of making them going to bed hungry, so in order to eliminate a special meal or not eating all together, this is the way we will have to go.
What I am not sure about is lunch. Lunches are our easy meals, normally sandwiches, nuggets, fries, hot dogs. nothing healthy really. at least not what Caylee eats. I’m not sure what we’ll do there. I’d appreciate any and all ideas on picky eaters or lunch ideas. She is gluten free, or is supposed to be.
So here we go. a week detox. no nuggets. no fries. no hotdogs. we’ll see what happens.
It has everything to do with eating. Mainly the way my children eat. The way I let them eat.
It all started when Caylee was about 18 months old or so. maybe earlier. She is really picky and instead of making her eat what we were eating, i would make her what i knew she’d eat. Lexi caught on and stopped trying everything we put on her plate, because we never made Caylee try anything.
Caylee takes stubborn to a whole new level. We tried the “this is what we have, eat it or go to bed hungry.” i can’t tell you how many nights she went to bed hungry, which resulted in her waking up screaming every hour through the whole night. for multiple nights in a row. So we went back to giving her what she’ll eat.
Now we have three kids, with three levels of pickiness. There’s Lexi, who will eat a lot, and will try ALMOST anything. Although she is stubborn on some things, which I believe she doesn’t really like. or she forgets she likes. We normally make her try a bite of everything i cook.
There’s Josiah, who is still young and will eat what we put in front of him, although he doesn’t seem to like spinach.
And Caylee, who will eat about a handful of things. and some of those things she wont eat every time they are put in front of her.
Every once and awhile i get overtaken with guilt. it’s normally the days when I realize they have had chicken nuggets and french fries a few days in a row, or a few meals in a row. Or I realize Caylee has had nothing but junk for a week straight. Today was one of those days. And once again we’re going to try to put our foot down.
Only this time we are going to take a different approach. Supper time is going to be one meal (some nights i make 3 variations of dinner). I will make sure there is at least one item that Caylee eats at each meal. Eugene is not a fan of making them going to bed hungry, so in order to eliminate a special meal or not eating all together, this is the way we will have to go.
What I am not sure about is lunch. Lunches are our easy meals, normally sandwiches, nuggets, fries, hot dogs. nothing healthy really. at least not what Caylee eats. I’m not sure what we’ll do there. I’d appreciate any and all ideas on picky eaters or lunch ideas. She is gluten free, or is supposed to be.
So here we go. a week detox. no nuggets. no fries. no hotdogs. we’ll see what happens.
