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...
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.
Buying a new car
Each time we rent a new house we discover something new to look for, seems the same holds true for buying used cars. In July we were so eager to trade our 2003 Taurus for a van that we jumped the gun and ended up with a lemon of a van. Before the first 12 hours of owning it were over the check engine light was on. We got it checked out at AutoZone and told the car dealer we bought it from. A small local dealer near a motorhome repair shop. They told us that since it was "as is" the best they would do is order the parts for us at dealer cost. The code that came up was a few cheap things so we didn't think it was that big of a deal. We didn't fight it any. turns out we should have, because after fixing the part that should have turned off the code, the light was still on. we got it checked by a garage, and they told us a list of things that needed fixed. almost $500 later we have a van that barely runs. Needless to say, there's not much we can do this time around, but we definitely learned a few lessons about buying used cars! and it was an expensive lesson to learn!
Spoiled Americans
I like to watch HGTV the rare moments when the kids let me watch what I want. I've been realizing more and more just how spoiled young American's are. These people buying the houses are between 22-32 probably, and have wish lists a mile long. Things they "need" in their house. things that make it "liveable" I wish these people would have to go to a 3rd world country for a week before deciding what is necessity. Maybe they will be ok with a little bit of a dated bathroom sink, or the fact that the appliances don't match. Oh, and don't forget the walls aren't the exact color they want, and the floors, although they are in great condition aren't the right kind of tile so they will need to be ripped up. Why is it so hard to change a few things as time goes on? work on the important things, like a swimming pool safety fence and worry about changing the counter tops until you have the money saved up. It's ridiculous. I guess I have lower requirements, I haven't been spoiled by mommy and daddy my whole life, things weren't just handed to me, I don't think you should go into debt so you can have everything you want the second you want it. I'm just not ok with that. Seriously people, just having a house with running water, heat and appliances is more than most people in the world. Get over yourself.
Free clothes
Lately a lot of clothes have been making their way to my house. Different people have given me a few bags of clothes, unfortunately not too many have been the right size, but I also got a bag of clothes for Josiah to grow into. My husband's almost 4 year old nephew decided to finally get rid of his coat that was a few sizes too small for him, and he decided Josiah needed it. :) It will be a year before it will fit Josiah, but it was cute that eli thought of him. Eli was lucky enough to be given hand me down carhartt coats (which look very cute on him). He also gave Josiah a few pairs of pajamas that will fit him next year too. :)
Christmas parties
I went to two Christmas parties this weekend, Eugene's work one Friday night and his family one Saturday night. We had fun at both parties, We did gift exchanges at both parties, one was a dirty santa game, and the other was a left right game. I had never done the left right one before, pretty much what happens is you stand in a circle, holding the gift you brought, and as the story is read when you hear the word "Left" you pass the gift left, and when you hear "right" you pass it right. That one was fun, and interesting too, the story had us all confused at some points. I ended up with a basket of bath stuff. There were different gifts everything from gag gifts to cakes! Nothing fancy like pandora bracelets, they were a "little" over the price range. he he
