I've Got 3 Chickadees and 1 Tiny Rooster

Christmas....New Years.....It's All a Blur

2008-12-28T22:33:00.002-05:00

This fall and Christmas season has flown by I haven't blogged much since school started so I'm going to make one of my infamous lists with events, emotions, milestones and accomplishments....And, if I don't find myself too busy or lazy, I am going to try to post a montage of pictures....I have 3 memory cards that are full that have yet to be downloaded from all Lindsey moments beginning last April, maybe March....I am really bad at that, our computer is slower than the postal service...so I don't make time to fool with that.....
I am rambling, here is my list some relative order of occurrence but don't hold me to it....

Co-leading a fun group of 3rd graders with my girlfriend , both of our oldest children are members of Little Sisters, think ultra conservative Brownie Scout's without the cookie sales.
Chauffeur to Emma, Molly and sometimes Mike for rehearsal to this. Let me tell you they all rocked. Emma auditioned, Mike was needed b/c he is a great singer and can act and Molly got bribed into the show b/c she is little and cute...they all were great. We even got Uncle Pat sucked in.
Because after that show was over, (like 2 days after 5 days of midnight rehearsals and morning school shows (2 a day W,TH, and 1 FR.) and evening shows and early mornings) CALL ME CRAZY...I auditioned for Into the Woods....I didn't get a part but anxiously await the phone call to be recruited for backstage help....it was fun to audition.
We participated in the girls school Christmas Festival fundraiser (baking for the bake sale, set up, running the hot dog stand and attending)
We had a great Thanksgiving with most of my relatives from my moms side....I love them the best, but don't tell anyone....
We, I mean Owen cut his first two teeth, one the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and one Thanksgiving Day.
He is now sitting up and talking and laughing and rolling and SO MUCH FUN!!!! I am not sure how we could have managed without him in our lives...Thank you, Lord!
I am still trying to find the floor in our home and catch up on laundry....like that'll ever happen....
MIKE PASSED HIS SUPER HARD CISCO CLASS!!!! We were really worried for a moment but God answered our prayers....He always listens to us and answers in His perfect time.
I still have two packages to be shipped that I just can't seem to force myself to go to the post office to expedite....sorry baby Hope and little Kole....you might get your baby gifts and Christmas treats before you graduate from college....they are quite nice and festive in their wrappings....What is my deal....
I am determining to make choices and to set examples that I would want my children to inherit....I'd better tackle #10!
We had an amazing Christmas! We had several financial crisis in the last year that set us back ( over $3,000 on car repairs in 3 months, med expenses for one of our girls and catch up from all the extra expenses that came up with mom not home to take care of things last spring) so we had decided to taper our gifting down significantly, but the Lord blessed us through the generosity of dear friends and our kids were blessed beyond what we would have done normally we do our best to put our focus on the Jesus' birthday and giving time energy talent to others...it was as if Jesus had come to each of our girls and personally whispered how much he loved them....They are great kids and very grateful, I am very thankful that they are so content and happy. It was a hard year for them too....
I am having a few health issues related to my Castleman's Disease. I was in remission as of June 18th, but have been extra fatigued and have three lymph nodes at the base of my skull/brain and nape of my neck that are pronounced and bulging and sore...I have also had some low grade fever unexplained and joint pain....so, prayers are needed for healing. It isn't too serious, just a nuisance. They can dissolve, so that is my prayer.
I am planning and getting ready to take pictures for New Years/Epiphany Cards....I am determined to get this done, I never sent out birth announcements for Owen, I was wrapped up in healing for 4 months....which brings me to
MY INCISION WAS OFFICIALLY CLOSED/HEALED IN OCTOBER!!!!
But I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder....just alot of anxiety and junk to deal with that was out of my control.

That is all I can think of right now.....but I will be back....I hope to blog more this year and I hope to get pictures up soon....

Just thought I would touch base....catch me on Facebook....I can catch up with people there in like 30 minutes a day...5 min. here 10 mins. there...you get the idea...my profile id is Dianna Ringel Lindsey.

Peace!

If You Really Want to Know Me...

2008-10-29T22:21:00.001-05:00

http://www.personaldna.com/report.php?k=eUpsoXLnkMgxVaU-OO-ADACA-3ea4&u=f8e9a2503d84
Here is my Personal DNA. It is very interesting and quite accurate, I think...you should try it out.

Craziness It Starts With a Capital D

2008-10-26T17:35:00.003-05:00

...Mike is out of town this weekend, he'll be home around 11:00 tonight. I was determined to have fun with the girls, when I am gone, that's what he gets to do....
Our activities without him have included,
Friday night, taco bell....I asked and everyone ordered their favorites...it wasn't until I sat down with the food and the two younger princesses learned that Taco Bell has KIDS MEALS! And, There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth...so, I went back and ordered a second dinner....our $9 meal had turned into $17....
I was not going to be shaken! I. WAS. GOING. TO. HAVE. FUN! So we went to the dollar theater and attempted to watch Journey to the Center of the Earth, two potty breaks later the movie was over. It was a good movie.
We were home at about 10:15 and it was to bed.
Saturday, we woke up at 8:30-this was heavenly. 9:30 girl #2 went on a little sisters outing and Aunt Lulu came to watch girl #3 and Owen, while girl #1 went to an audition for A Christmas Carol--12:15 I was home and loaded girl #1 and Owen to go to #1's little sisters meeting at the indoor aquatic center here in town for some chilly weather swimming. Back at 3:20....Load everyone at 3:40 go to the dreaded Walmart to pick up all the candy and treats for our childrens portion of our churches Fall Festival 5:10 home again.
Make Salad, bread, load dessert and everyone to go to a dinner with some friends....leave at 6:27, it was three doors away. Relax. Breath.
7:30 load back up throw kids in bed
Feed Owen, bathe, change him 9:00 I was out.
Sunday 7AM
Up, breakfast, load up for church at 9AM
Help arrives at church...Thank you, Lord!!! stuff treat bags. Attend worship, Feed Owen...Set up tables deal with kids on a sugar high. Eat lunch...feed other people kids more sugar send them home:) Clean up. Load up. Stop in at a department store to buy picture day outfits (for tomorrow). Home at 3:38. Baby naps Kids out to play....Laundry, breakfast dishes.
Dinner at 5:30 and now the girls are in the shower and getting ready for bed by 8PM....

Told ya I am crazy....BTW, it has been fun but it is different being the mom left to tend...when I leave, I generally leave meals cooked and things in order...and come home to restore order...maybe that's why Mike has so much fun!

Yummy Fall Recipe....Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins...

2008-10-19T17:49:00.002-05:00

1 cup flour ( I use fresh milled spelt or white wheat)
1 cup sugar (honey is nice, too)
1tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp of baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. of cinnamon
1 pinch of ginger
2 eggs beaten
1 c canned pumpkin
1/2 c cooking oil
1/2 c chocolate chips
In a large bowl combine the eggs, pumpkin, and oil. Then, add the dry ingredients to it. Then dump in the chocolate chips...Spoon the mix into greased (I use Pam) muffin tin. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Becky, your kiddos might like these, they are milk-free:).

Julianna, My Sweet Inquisitor...

2008-10-12T23:06:00.003-05:00

My sweetest Julianna, (written for you for your birthday September 27, It has taken me 2 weeks to complete this)
Happy Birthday! I am so glad that God has charged me with your care. You are a precious gift! I love how you are headstrong, compassionate and avid in everything you do. I love you for the way you love. You are beautiful! You are passionate about your brother, you could spend the rest of your life looking out for him and be totally content. You strive for justice and to show mercy to others. You are a great protector of your sisters, you are the first to be a friend when they can't seem to find one and you don't easily take offense when they do find one and no longer need you. You are humble. You are such a great helper and hard worker. And, for being the middle girl in our bunch, you are determined to break the mold. I understand you all too well! Every time I look into those deep bluish-green eyes, I feel as if I am looking into a mirror, only 22 years ago. You drive me nuts only because you can ; ). Nana would have said the same about me when I was a little girl.
You're anxious but willing to exceed any circumstances...it was so hard for you to be brave while I was away from you this past spring, you felt it most deeply. But, the moment you saw your baby brother safe and sound, I knew by the look on you face that you had made peace with it in your soul--it finally made sense. It was such a hard sacrifice for such a little girl, you did it with utmost grace. It was more than I would have chosen for you to bear, I have great faith that God is going to use that experience to grow you and His Kingdom in ways we can't imagine...I can't wait to see miracles unravel because of His refining fire in you.
I pray that the Lord would use your determination and strong-will to conquer the enemy through spiritual warfare and your knowledge of what is good and true. My deepest prayer is that you would would continue to hunger and long deeply for the Word of God.
Just so you remember, this past summer, you begged for your own 'real' Bible. Daddy bought you one, you cherish it, you feast on it daily--you won't go to bed until Daddy has read with you, I love that! It has called me on, BIG TIME. Julianna, I pray to be just like you when I grow up! I love you with all my heart! I could never be who I am if you weren't here. You are the best 7 year old in the whole world! I am the luckiest Mom in the world! God loves me too much to have blessed me with you.
I love you chicken lips!
Mommy

I have never heard of that kind before....

2008-09-14T17:10:00.002-05:00

Me: Hey Julianna, where do you want to have dinner for your birthday?

Julianna: Cracker Barrel....Oh No, I mean I want a Hot TO-MOLLY from the Chinese restaurant, Vera Cruz.....

I couldn't help but to giggle....

We are Surviving and Hoping to Soon Be Thriving...

2008-09-09T21:23:00.003-05:00

School is back in full swing and with lunches to be made, PE uniforms to be remembered and a new year of PTA, I am officially ready for summer vacation! I am not normally so gung-ho for the girls to be underfoot and I thought I would be ready to send them back, but after my crazy spring and the crazy arrival of our new prince...I have been pining away for the company of my girls. I have been kind-of sad actually.
I had grandiose plans of walking them to school nearly everyday and am working up to it slowly--I have only walked twice out of 6 days so far. I am really out of shape and it is hard work due to my incision still not being healed completely. I am praying that it will be closed and totally healed soon...so, that is not all bad news. I am making the effort, it is just slower going than I had anticipated. I have lost 11lbs. So yay for ME!!!
I am finding creative ways to meet my commitments with a bundle of blessings attached to me all the time. That is interesting for everyone involved. I am starting to doubt God's design in mothers--I think he should have considered making us with 8 arms, like the octopus.
Other new news, both Emma and Julianna are going to be in Augusta Players Youth Theater's production of A Year with Frog and Toad, so rehearsals will be all consuming in a couple of weeks with the show opening in the middle of October...so, if you are in the area, look for the two cutest squirrels.
I am off to the store to buy some bread....I underestimated our sandwich count for this week.

You Wanna See Something Really Cute?

2008-08-12T22:12:00.003-05:00

Under Construction

2008-08-12T10:17:00.002-05:00

I have heeded the advice of several anonymous commenter(s). I changed my profile so the text is easier to see and read. I am mourning the loss of my cute earthy-sunflower profile. I loved it, I just couldn't figure out how to make the blog column a solid color....so here's to you anonymous commenter(s)....

The Hardest Conquest....

2008-08-11T22:03:00.002-05:00

Okay, so here comes my humility, I am back to being plain old me, I have taken off my cape and super-turbo jets.....

I am on a mission to lose weight. A huge amount of weight. I am determined to not count calories, fat grams, and definitely won't be counting carbs. I am NOT going to be paying anyone so that I can stand on a scale and sit through a meeting weekly (not because this is a bad thing, I just can't afford a) gas to get to said meeting b) the $44 dollars a month it would cost and c) a sitter to watch my darlings while I am away). I am going to make sure that I get adequate nutrition as I am feeding my baby and plan to for awhile. My honest to goodness problem is not that I eat huge portions, though I could make them a little smaller, it is that I simply snack all the time...I have eaten like a pregnant person for the last 8 1/2 years or so. I have a head start, I weigh less than what I did when Owen was conceived, but after sitting/laying/lounging about being a baby-growing-bum (as my nurses and husband like to refer to me) at the U.H. for 5 weeks I have NO muscle tone and am still wearing my maternity clothes....my legs tremble when I walk across the shallow end of the pool or if I stand for more than 10 minutes to make dinner. I literally need physical rehab and was warned, but I doubted....now I know my OB wasn't joking me...I pant when I walk up my drive way. I get light-headed if I try to speed walk 8 doors down to my girlfriends house to visit. I am not complaining just laying out my current condition. I would put myself in this condition willingly a million times over to have my healthy boy--I am extremely grateful. I am just saying that I have a ways to go to get my body healthy, so I am around to protect this precious boy from the wrath of all things pink and frilly a.k.a his sisters.
My plan is to lose 10 lbs a month for 1 year, that's 2 1/2 lbs. a week. Not too much, too quickly. I will be closer to my 'ideal size/weight' I am going to exercise, starting slowly. My biggest goal is to walk my kids to school at least 4 mornings a week, that's 2 miles round trip, plus I may try to pick them up doing the same--this will be very good for them as well. I will also be doing some strength training, I am thinking Pilate's at home for awhile until I have my stamina back up a bit (with a friend or two I hope).

Please pray for me, this will be one of the hardest things I've ever done. I think this will be up there with incision re-opening, being away from home for 5 weeks, have a baby in the NICU, missing my little girls events and carpools and not having my husband by my side.....We are all well and whole and I am going to be clinging to the grace that is hovering over me.
Again, PLEASE PRAY for me.

Peace for now...

My Baby Girl has Just Turned 8!!!

2008-08-05T20:55:00.008-05:00

It's a Nancy Drew Mystery Party

I think this may have been the one of the most clever things I've thought up in quite awhile! Emma turned 8 yesterday and she wanted a Nancy Drew Party. I couldn't find that in character party-ware anywhere...so, not wanting my girl dissappointed on her big day...I strapped on my thinking cap and went to work. This my friends is what a sleep deprived, crazy (about my kids) mom of four can come up with...I will work on my humility tomorrow...

The invitation was the first clue with the time and place....clue for what, you ask...The mystery was to find Emma's birthday cake and ice cream. It lead us to our Papa Gary and Nana Sara through the 'woods' across the street, through the backyards...Papa Gary wasn't to blame but we got our disguise glasses and a new clue that lead us to one of the party-participants house up the block, this time her little brothers were the guilty culprits. Then to the girls first grade teachers house, she loves sweets but she didn't steal Emma's cake. There were more clues and other stops. We were successful in breaking the case, Molly Grace was guilty as charged, she only took the cake to decorate it and to honor Emma on her day! It was hidden in the microwave and was waiting for us when we got home. Boy was I exhausted and boy all those girls were soooo NOT! It was so much fun and will not soon be forgotten.

To complete our party experience, we made headbands (Nancy Drew always wore headbands), watched the movie and ate pizza and ice cream. Everyone had a blast or so it seemed. Emma had no idea about all the clues, so this was really a big undertaking. I had so much fun, I am seriously considering copyrighting my idea and selling it to other moms. Like I said, I will work on humility tomorrow and/or read this when I am having one of those "I-am-good-for-nothin" days.

Special thanks to my great and wonderful friend Amy, she really saved the day! I had just under two hours left and no cake made and she pilfered through her pantry and gave us a cake mix and frosting...it really would've been a mystery, had she not offered. And all our special friends who we consider close family for helping me pull this off. Especially for Nana Sara who partied with the best of us and stayed around til the bitter end, you are a wonderful grandmother to my kids! In the words of my kids "YOU ROCK!!!" or as one might say "YOU WOCK!!!"

I love you, Emma and I so appreciate that you keep me on my toes and force blood flow to my brain! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to have fun! I couldn't be more blessed than to have been given you as our first-born! You're stylish and witty, plus,your beautiful and crafty...we need to work on those manners some more. You are just and pure! You want everyone to be treated kindly and you set the bar high with your example. You were so brave even though it was soo hard for you while mommy was in the hospital for those five long weeks. You are a fighter--you are a warrior for life and giving that chance to the helpless. You are so snuggly and cuddly. You are the best, most wonderful 8 year old I know. Your my princess, part of my legacy and if I were gone tomorrow, know that I would be so proud of who you are and what you stand for! You have amazing gifts and I know that you have every intention in using them for the glory of God. I love you, Emmabug....

Mommy

How the 'World' Views the Value of Life....

2008-07-30T08:42:00.004-05:00

Have you heard the story about the runner-up for the Nobel Peace Prize?

Irena Sendlerowa1910-2008

May 12 marked the death of a 98-year-old lady named Irena.During WWII, Irena received permission from the Nazis to work in the Warsaw ghetto as a plumbing/sewer specialist.She had an ulterior motive...Being German, she knew the Nazis' plans for the Jews and smuggled infants out in the bottom of the large tool box she carried. Larger children were placed in a burlap sack in the back of her truck. Also in the back was a dog that she had trained to bark each time the Nazi guards allowed her out of the ghetto and back in.The soldiers, of course, wanted nothing to do with the dog, and its barking covered any noise made by the infants and small children. Irena managed to smuggle out approximately 2,500 children before she was finally caught. When she was captured, the Nazis beat her severely, breaking both her arms and her legs.Irena kept a record of the names of all the children she smuggled out of that Warsaw ghetto and kept them in a glass jar buried under a tree in her back yard.After the war, she tried to locate any parents who may have survived so she might reunite the child with its family. Most, of course, did not survive the Holocaust, and the vast majority of the surviving children were placed in foster homes or adopted.Last year Irena was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, but she lost to Al Gore, who won the award for presenting a slide show on Global Warming. True story. Check it out at http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/sendler.asp True!

If you need a good laugh...

2008-07-29T16:07:00.001-05:00

this is so funny...hope you don't mind pat...i still chuckle at the thought....

http://thewardrobedoor.blogspot.com/2008/07/should-you-or-should-you-not-buy.html

My attempt to Get Back on Track...

2008-07-28T23:17:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Becky at Boys Rule My Life...I am going to try to simply get back in the swing of things and this is a concrete way to start...everyone has to eat supper. I was inspired to start b/c of her and she was b/c of Organizes Junkie.....

This weeks meals are..
_______________

Chicken Enchiladas
Salad
_______________

Crock Pot Roast with Veggies (I put my frozen roast in on High at 9AM and it is perfect by 6!!!)
Salad
Rolls (I have spelt already milled so I'll do some quick rise yeast rolls)
____________________________________________________

Chef Salad
7 grain bread
strawberries and cream
__________________

Honey-Glazed Pork Loin
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Sweet peas
Fruit Salad
___________________

Stuffed Shells
Italian Bread
Salad
Chocolate pudding
__________________

Shrimp Stir-fry
Rice
Fruit Salad
______________

Black Beans and Rice with Turkey Sausage
Corn Muffins
Salad
jello
____________________________________

Fourth of July way late, pics of the girls are soon to come...(I am just able to upload pics!)

2008-07-26T02:13:00.002-05:00

Owen and Nana

Owen at 10 weeks

2008-07-26T02:10:00.002-05:00

The two most handsome men in my life...do what they have professionally mastered. If only you could get a paycheck for such great talent. Sleeping and growing--what a life.

A Midsummer Resolution...

2008-07-24T08:44:00.004-05:00

Yes, it's true. We have been practicing being professional bums. Lounging about in jammies until 1:00, watching movies, sittitng around the house, staying up late and sleeping in late....It has been a bit necessary, or so I'd like to think. Anywho, this is my resolution to get off my behind by 9AM and do things like finish and turn in our summer reading program folders, some laundry, gather school uniforms, and get caught up in general. So, I've said it. I am going to do it...well, I'll try anyway. It doesn't help that I have a baby who'd rather be held all day than spend 'tummy-time' on the floor while I fold a load of laundry...I know it's sad, I am already making excuses and I haven't even started....
I'm going, I'm going....Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday, Molly!

2008-07-21T15:50:00.002-05:00

Love-bug, I am amazed that you are 5 years old! It seems like just yesterday you were born. I can remember the first time I held you and nursed you. Your sweet little cry and your content spirit. Now, you are rambunctious and snuggly...you have to feel everything. You love your sisters more than you'd ever consider acknowledging.
Molly Grace, you have amazing gifts. You have such great generosity--you even let me borrow $2 at the grocery store, so I didn't have to write a check or use my card. You are a passionate dancer, I love watching you twirl in the kitchen and living room in pure worship. You are funny, you always make me laugh. I am so grateful that the Lord chose us to care for you. You are hospitable and gracious...
You are quick to forgive and the first to suggest prayer in times of trouble. You call me to a higher level of holiness, I see Jesus in you and want to do better and lead you in righteousness. You are very creative, the way you re-hung all those pictures in my bedroom when I got home from the hospital touched my heart...there were more than 50 pieces of construction paper covered with prayers and art--you made my room like a prayer garden. You all ways go the extra mile to show love!
You love Emma, Julianna and Owen...you'd rather be with them than with others, even though they get on your nerves. You are a great friend, too.
I love you and pray that I can help you to love the Lord more in the coming year, though it seems to work the other way around...I will still do my best and try.
I love you with all my heart!
Mommy (to be said in a high-pitched, squeally voice)

A Perfect Slice of Heaven!

2008-05-27T17:50:00.004-05:00

Owen Michael Lindsey,

baby rooster among all the chicks

Isn't he perfect? This is what I have been spending, oh, say 20 hours a day kissing, holding, nursing, snuggling, and lots of time in tears of gratitude that I could experience this precious miracle...like, who says I deserve such a blessing?
While I was in the hospital, I devoted myself to earnestly praying for several women in my neighborhood who desperately want a baby and any of them would sign up for the same risky road with faith that their prize would be the same, and I assumed that I was immune to such hardship...doing what I had to do for those 5 weeks and now through my recovery has been nothing compared to the overwhelming joy I experience daily. My God spoils me and loves me so much!
Lord, please give them their hearts desire. I plead your perfection over their bodies and beg you to hear their cries. Amen.

Miracles DO Happen!!! And God is SO Faithful!!!

2008-05-14T21:40:00.002-05:00

Hello friends! I would like to tell you that God is so awesome! Owen Michael Lindsey was born on May 8, 2008, at 10:31 AM, 4 pounds 12 1/2 ounces, 17 1/2 inches long and every bit as perfect as a slice of Heaven on Earth.

The miracle takes place in that my son's amniocentesis came back immature, meaning that life support would be breathing for him until he grew into his lungs. He was born 5 weeks early to a very sick, preeclamptic mommy. God gave me such a peace the night before the C-section. He kept whispering His promises in my ear...I have plans to prosper you (and Owen)...I have knit him together in your womb and I will breath life into his lungs the moment I choose...I will have Glory in this situation!...You will know my promises are real and that my love is never-ceasing for you and the life I have allowed you to co-create with me...This will be a testament to draw people close to my heart.

Thank you for praying! I have had confirmation that tens of thousands of people all over the world have been petitioning God on our behalf...Owen Michael is such a gift and a blessing. He is perfect. He was soo worth all the heart-ache and sacrifice. Our lives would have been incomplete without him. He is home with us after only 5 days in the NICU. He DID NOT need any help breathing, The Lord took care of everything. He just needed a little help learning how to nurse, stay comfy-cozy warm, and to keep his blood sugar up. Everything kicked in very quickly, within 48 hours he was off of IV meds, dextrose and was eating like a champ.

I am so blessed and can't wait to show him off and tell people what the Lord has done for us!

An update

2008-05-02T22:21:00.002-05:00

I have had Urine studies several days this week and I am quickly heading toward toxemia/preeclampsia, the number are consistently climbing and rapidly.
I have an amnio scheduled this Monday AM and have OR/ Delivery time schedule for Thursday the 8th at 9:15. Please pray that his lungs are clear and developed, and that he can be an aggressive nurser. I am most anxious about my baby boy having cords and tubes protruding from every surface of his body. Please pray that I would have peace, I am a very anxious person, and tend to play the 'what if' game, which is useless to everyone.

I am still here...

2008-04-27T21:57:00.003-05:00

I have not fallen off the face of the earth, I promise. I have spent the last 2 and 1/2 weeks in the hospital and will remain here for up to 4 more weeks. I had a catastrophic placenta previa bleed the morning of April 10th. Everything is fine and Owen is growing and developing perfectly. That same morning, I was also made aware of another big problem I have acquired with the placenta previa, I have Vasa-previa. Apparently, part of my placenta tissue has died, exposing a major fetal vessel on my cervix leaving it totally unprotected. The problem with that is that bleed puts your body in labor and I go into labor and dilate at all that vein will likely rupture, allowing less than five minute to safely deliver Owen. I live 15 minute away from the hospital with no traffic, trains, or red lights. So, I lie here in room 408 growing a baby and praying like crazy that my amnio in 2 weeks will show that his lungs are fully developed as they hope to deliver him right at 36 weeks, which is May 15th, I think (whatever that Thursday is).
If you pray, pray for my girls and Mike, they are doing great, but would prefer that mom be at home and normalcy to take over. Pray for baby Owen that he would remain comfortable in my belly for the next few weeks. And, lastly pray that anxiety and feelings of helplessness would not overtake me, especially in regards to my little girls who need me at home.

Pray for the many people who love us and are serving us so selflessly, I will never be able to repay them. I am blessed and pray that I can be optimistic and give God glory in this situation.

I will update as the weak wifi connection will allow.

Peace

Life with Girls...Busy, Busy, Busy....

2008-03-22T09:20:00.002-05:00

It has been a whirl-wind month here! Lots of exciting things have gone on in our lives. I am going to simply list them and you will know why I haven't had the neurons to rub together to produce anything worth reading...so here is the bulk of how we have spent our time...

1) Julianna was an Oompa Loompa in Augusta Players Children's Wing Production of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', which, let me tell you...we spent our entire weeks grocery budget at Chik-Fil-A and Subway over that 7 days of late rehearsal and showtime. (I was worried that I had gained 20 lbs., I only gained two. Thank you Jesus. It was the best thing for Julianna, it gave her something of her own, it helped her to see that her contribution to big projects can be accepted and appreciated.
2) Emma auditioning and accepting a part as a Munchkin in Augusta Players Mainstage Theater, big deal, she will have to miss a week of school because of all the school performances that they will offer.
3) I have done at least 105 loads of laundry, we did have the tummy bug twice....we are all better here-Praise the Lord.
4) I have had 6 doctors appointments in the last month. All good and the biggest blessing, my original OB, the incredible one who sat in bed with me while I labored with Emma and then saved her life and that delivered my other two girls, who just recently decided to quit OB work and only do gynecology, you know, well she has picked me up and is going to deliver Owen in June and made note in my chart that she would oversee any and all OB care I could ever need. Dr. Chance, I love you!!! She rocks and I am soo blessed....not knowing who was going to deliver my baby (by C-section) caused many tears on my part. When she first walked in the exam room, her words were precious and few, 'Welcome home, Dianna!'.
5) My girls have been on Spring Break this past week. It has been so nice to welcome the pollen by sleeping in until 8 or 8:30 every morning. Our week has been fun. Lots of digging up wild onions, cleaning them and distributing them to neighbors (who graciously accepted these fine treasures from the backyard), a fashion show put on by my girls and their friend at a local department store-trying on 20 dresses each and strutting down the aisle, after being announced in such charming spring trends, of course, Easter Egg Hunts and parties and ending everyday scrubbing under toe nails and finger nails because of the hours spent being kids getting filthy in the yard.
6) Making plans to finish our kitchen, we have been walking on sub-flooring for 3 years because of a tile job gone wrong and now we have the financial ability to hire out the job. I am soo excited!
We will be changing all the colors in our living spaces with this venture, too.
7) Prayerfully discerning and making the decision 'to or not to' homeschool in the fall. We haven't decided for sure, but it may be the best thing for at least two of our girls--I am researching and asking for clarity and grace.
8) Making laid back and fun preparations for a Happy Resurrection Sunday! We are going to try those resurrection cookies and egg dying tonight and contributing a 7-layer salad, dirt cake and heading up the great Hunt at Papa and Nana's tomorrow after church.

It has been busy and exciting and I am still trying to put all the pieces back in place so I can see the floor, but I wouldn't and couldn't trade it for the world!

May Christ fill you with wonder and awe as you Rise With Him on Resurrection Day!

Peace

Lord, Bring Your Healing.....

2008-02-28T16:50:00.003-05:00

Last night, after a full afternoon of homework, play, laundry and cooking--good, just busy. The day ended with tears and a very sleepLESS night. Everyone has been kind-of puny because of this respiratory virus that has been going around...then, at around 9:15 Emma came in crying and complaining that her ear hurt. She couldn't get comfy. Nothing helped. She was wide awake, crying and moaning ALL night. Like, no sleeping. It is almost supper time and she is still awake. No sleep in about 36 hours!
Needless to say, I took her in this morning and the other two have been just as snotty so I figured it wouldn't hurt to have the doctor give them a once over while we were on that side of town and catch anything that may be in the making. Sure enough Emma has a double ear infection and one ear is bulging with bloody pus behind it, plus, all three have raw sinuses and throats. We are not on a ten day round, but 14 days of Augmentin ES. Thank God it was bacterial and we are in a place where we can get medicine and help at a moments notice. Lord, heal my family. I am truly grateful for Your provision.

Such great nurses!

2008-02-16T18:45:00.002-05:00

I woke up with the bug this morning. I kept tossing last night, very uncomfortable and mentally talking myself out of getting it. I even stayed in bed, though I HAD to pee, thinking that as long as I don't stand up I won't get it...am I the only one who does this? Mike had to work early and Julianna had play practice at 10 AM, which my sister-in-law, Mary rearranged her whole day to accommodate this...she is an angel!

But, anyway, my girls were so thoughtful! They didn't mind eating Valentine candy for breakfast. They would all walk in my room and rub my hair out of my face and say 'I'm sorry you feel so rotten, Mommy" or "Do you need anything?", and "Do you need the throw up bucket closer to your head?". Then, Mike came home and brought Gatorade and popsicles to rehydrate.

I have a great family!

My Valentine's Mission for My Husband...

2008-02-13T08:36:00.003-05:00

Well, this year I am offering the most UN-romantic gift. It's not new boxers or a box of chocolates, I haven't gotten a sitter to go to a romantic restrauraunt, no reservations at a b&b....I am going to spend the next 36 hours cleaning our home (minus the time I will need to eat, sleep, cook and chauffer my children around town). Our home has become, umm, how should I put this....hmmm, quite unbearably disasterous! I would post pictures, but I fear DFACS might be spying and come take my children away. I'll describe it as accurately as I can...Go in the bathroom and dump 3 days worth of dirty laundry on the floor and add a few damp towels and toilet paper that got too damp to use (but, you have to weave the TP through the pile of laundry)and squirt a whole tube of sparkly barbie toothpaste on the wall and sink, then go in the girls bedrooms and take every tote, every basket and shelf of toys, books, laundry and 'treasure' and just give it a good scattering, don't leave anything in its place, last the kitchen I just can't go there (this is where clorox will come in handy...there is a strange odor that is coming from the disposal...it has made me gag...it must be overcome) It is really that bad...I am not quite sure how I let this happen or why the Housefairies haven't come to give me a good talking to, but I did, so now I must clean it up and find our home sanctuary again. I am going to run and get some Clorox-I'm out and every surface will need a good dose of it's germ fighting power.

My husband is not a clean-freak, in fact he is a disheveled mess--but, it is starting to bother him, more than me...I'll blame this on the pregnancy. Normally, I can't stand clutter, my kitchen is always clean, and things can be picked up in half-an-hour. So, wish me luck! I hope that my efforts will be blessed and multiply and it really honors him. Maybe he'll rest a little more peaceful in a clean and fresh home (one he won't have to worry about tripping over a shoe on the way to the bathroom at 3AM).

All things considered, maybe this is the most romantic Valentine's gift I could give...

MeMe

2008-02-07T11:18:00.000-05:00

I was tagged by Amie. And I tag anyone who leaves me a comment...that just about covers it.

7 things not many people know about me...

1) I love pickles!!! Claussen pickles to be exact. My grocery store is less than a mile away and I can't get the jar home. full. ever. I also, have the same problem with home grown peaches...i will drive 50 miles to buy them from a little, old farmer and eat them all the way home.

2) I am a habitual streaker, in my home. I can't get dressed without a trip to the laundry room for various articles of clothing that usually go under your clothing and I never realize this until I have shed the current clothing I had on. and, my back windows are bigger than a giant-screen tv at a sport bar on superbowl sunday...no curtains, lots of neighbors...yea, thats enough on that one...except, that I have never been caught...well I hope.

3) I am a hippy at heart. I am a feeling based person. I could raise my kids barefoot, on a farm and juice carrots and eat swish chard and be very happy at that.

4) I love to drink diet coke out of the bottle from the fridge in the middle of the night....I also do this with salsa (but, I do use a spoon for it). It HAS to be cold diet coke. Too bad I rarely buy the stuff.

5) I am a bit eccentric. I am constantly wanting to change the colors in my home and rearranging furniture. I am also a slob lately.

6) I like being alone, but am often lonely.

7) I wish I had been a pioneer woman. I think our culture is lazy and has little or no work ethic...we (my generation) wants to be spoon fed from a silver platter...

Today at Preschool...

2008-02-05T16:37:00.000-05:00

Molly: Mom, we got to go in the church today!
Me: You did?
Molly: Yeah, and Pastor Jeff let us sit on the benches and he talked to us.
Me: What did he talk to you about?
Molly: Um, I don't really remember. Besides, you don't need to know. (said very matter-of-fact)

I guess what happens at preschool, stays at preschool.

I Feel Like I am Drowning

2008-01-31T20:23:00.000-05:00

I don't know what the deal is! I have had a very hectic, but excitingly blessed week--then, I had the gall to wake up today. I was tired, cranky, and my home was a disaster! I do not function well when this is the case, which seems to me more than less these days. (Just imagine the city trash collectors backing up to your front door to unload the days findings...that would be my home.) What's worse, I didn't care enough today to fix it.
My next dilemma comes from my two youngest girls. One is in a stage where she is only going to do what she wants, when she wants...don't give this to a cranky, pregnant mom. The other, thinks that she needs to know every minute detail of everyones' drama, joy, chaos, and the likes...and, nothing is fair! So I have one brat and one mellodramatic tally-keeper.
For example, the tally-keeper, who has never gotten her name on the board, always thinks of doing sweet things for others yet wants instant recognition...I should give her a horn to toot so all would know her perfectness...IT IS THIS BAD, I promise. She and my oldest both auditioned for our city's local childrens theather wing and the older got a call back to read for a big part. She didn't and it is not fair!!! (say this repeatedly in the whiniest most spiteful voice) When the cast list was posted, Emma didn't get a part and was totally cool about it....the other DID! Then, proceeded to complain about the part she got..UGHHH!!! Proceeding to whine about how it wasn't fair that she didn't get a big kid part. I wanted to sell her to the circus! She doesn't deserve the part! Emma did great! She was the youngest to get called back by like 3-5 years (she is in 2nd grade and the person who got the part was in 7th). She has auditioned for 3 plays in the last year and has the natural knack, my child who got the part, has only auditioned this once. She has major pride issues and they need to be gently, but swiftly broken...I am praying on it.
The other is about to be booted out of her birth-order of 4 1/2 years and made to assume the role of older sister. She loves the idea of a real doll coming to stay for a while, so she is just testing and seeking security, I think.
I think I would love for everything in my home to disappear, like all but one toy until they can be earned back...respectfully.
The bottom line is I am totally off kilter and having a hard time maintaining peace, order, and sanity...and I have not made it priority to reclaim any of these things. So, please pray for me! Pray that I have lots of energy and a cheerful spirit as I whip my family-life back into shape and seek to make strides to create peace, humility, order and security in my home.

Weattbabyit'saboy.....

2008-01-29T22:37:00.001-05:00

and he'll be here before we know it! Owen Michael is what we plan to call him! He is a mover and a shaker, and a very determined little guy! He looks great and I can't wait to see him and touch him and hear his little voice. I am soo blessed!

So now, we've got three chickadees and one butterbean! I need help with a new blog name:)

Lots of dishes...

2008-01-26T19:28:00.000-05:00

I spent the day cooking for the week...well dinners anyway. After a day in my kitchen I think I need one of these. I think it will make the clean up a little easier...Good night, I am off to scrub and find my counters:)

Free to a Caring Home...(but you'll have to pick them up)

2008-01-26T18:09:00.000-05:00

I have these two lovely houseplants. That were given to me by a great friend...I hope she doesn't put two and two together...
Anyway, I have refused to feed or water them (except twice) in, well since July when they made themselves welcome in my dining room. I don't do indoor plants very well...I don't even know what these are called, but they should be called Famine Plants....
They have grown about a foot since I acquired them, they look like miniature palm trees, kindof...I keep hoping that they will kick the bucket but, oh no...they must not like new soil or H2O or plant food...
If you are interested, come get 'em!

I have a celeb. look-a-like...

2008-01-24T10:27:00.000-05:00

Molly was playing on BARBIE dot com, earlier this morning and she runs frantically into the dining room, where I am reading and finishing my breakfast. Mom, come here quick! You have the same hair as...this.

Thanks, Molly.

Half-way There!!!

2008-01-24T10:23:00.000-05:00

I am officially 20 weeks pregnant! Yay...I am feeling huge....well, I am huge...
I am so excited, I have a little soccer player or dancer who has an affinity for my bladder these days....Sometimes I feel like I am a pin-ball game, with all the bouncing and poking. I love that life is happening inside me.
I am half-way there!

Sorry, Dear, MLK, jr Day is Not That Kind-of Holiday...

2008-01-21T15:55:00.000-05:00

Julianna to me: Hey, Mom....where are all of our treats? You know our presents...
Me: Why was I supposed to get you presents?
J: Uh! It is a HOLIDAY! And on holidays you are supposed to celebrate and feast!
Me: Sweetheart, I don't not buy presents in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.s birthday...We honor him by praying for peace and loving people no matter how they look.
J: Oh....so it is not like Christmas or Valentine's Day?
Me: Nope, sorry.
J: Well can we make dessert for tonight, to celebrate not going to school?
Me: Sure!

Peace and Dailiness...

2008-01-21T12:28:00.000-05:00

I have had a yearning in my heart as a mom and wife to live simply and create order and peace....I fail miserably! This is not a sob session, just my heart recorded so that (hopefully) if, I mean, when I have conquered this battle with my flesh, I will have hard copy proof that I did it!

We are a growing family. We are full of love for each other. We all are content in simple living, small things, little things that just remind us that we are loved.

Example: Julianna last week told me that she was the luckiest girl. I asked her why she thought that. Julianna: Mom, who on earth would let the babysitter for her kids, take them out WAAAAYYYYYY past bedtime to play in the snow, in our jammies? And then call back to tell her to make sure they get cinnamon toast and hot chocolate before bed? And you were stuck packing your friends house and there was no snow left for you to play in.

Emma before school, thanked me for making her lunch and braiding her hair. Then, commented on how some little girls didn't have a mom on earth. I almost cried.

I have never afforded the opportunity to take my girls to Disney World. We have only been on one real vacation since our honeymoon over 9 years ago. They have only seen the ocean once. Some families take cruises or spend weeks in their time-shares. What an awesome blessing, I could get jealous...I choose not to, though. I could pass discontentedness on to my girls...look at them, they get to go here for a week, we can't....I try and say things like isn't it awesome how God is blessing them, He blessed us too, we get to....have popsicles and go to the pool! He is sooo good to us.

I am really blessed in the quiet moments at home, creating with my girls, imagining, learning, fixing their hair, going to the zoo, or Fort Discovery....

I have days that are overwhelmingly busy and full of good things...service, time spent with people I love, cooking, cleaning, running errands, carpool, etc...

My goal is to have days that are well thought out. So each thing I do is deliberate and I have the opportunity to invest myself in doing it...and doing it well. My kids are content and well fed and not feeling like I am putting them for 'just one more minute, please.' I have noticed that these things are not the rule in my home...in my sanctuary. God has given me tremendous gifts. A loving husband, who puts our needs first. Beautiful kids, who are not wrapped up in attaining the latest greatest things, they honor people and show concern for people less fortunate than us. They are doers...I get lots of Mom, can we take cookies to the old people? Can we make a picture for our neighbors? Do you think I could give some of my toys to sick kids?...
They aren't perfect...you will witness whining, and complaining...they are humans...but, they are great kids!

My days now are hurry, get up, eat, brush your teeth, where is your coat?, did you brush your teeth, yet? Why haven't you eaten your pancakes...you are going to make everyone late! I can't find your folder, where did you put it?

If I fold this load now and reload, then maybe when I am home from 1:15 to 1:40 I can get it folded and unload the dishwasher....maybe give the bathroom a quick scrub...
Dinner?!, am I responsible for feeding everyone today, too? Oh, no! Emma forgot her PE clothes, do I have time to run them up?

I loathe this part of my life....I have been reading Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison. It so lovingly captures the kind of home and family life I want. I have adopted a few of the ideas as my New Years Resolutions...I strive to attain them...I think I should have been born Amish. (Not that I have the same set of beliefs) I tend to want to run from my duties instead of embracing them and the peace that Dailiness provides...

So, my prayer is that I could embrace dailiness and love the peace and comfort that it affords us. And, I want God to lead me to say no and to be aware of the choices I make and the impact that they will have in my home and the legacy I am spending my life building...my kids!

God bless~

Grateful!

2008-01-16T08:35:00.000-05:00

My daughter, Emma is home today. She is not throwing up relentlessly, not an ear-ache, no high fever and body aches. It appears that she has pink eye. I have been so blessed this school year with having very healthy kids. Last year, this was not the case. I personally had never experienced any illness like this.
So, I am grateful! I will take itchy eyes over barfing, fevers and ear drum ruptures!
Now we are off to the pediatricians office:)

We've Been Given a New Year...

2008-01-05T08:44:00.000-05:00

...to grow, to be called to change, to experience new things and to recognize our blessings--I have been led to reevaluate how I steward our blessings.

Happy New Years to everyone!

We do have a few goals to attain this year.

We want to slow down and live more simply enjoying what we have.
No T.V., in our home, unless we have planned movie nights very sparingly. We got rid of cable back in July, but our girls have become DVD addicts...I hated it, so we're doing something about it. (Mike did watch the Fiesta Bowl). Oddly enough, our T.V. is in our room--but our kids have to have permission to go in there so it is out of sight and out of mind.
Instead of collapsing in front of the idiot box each evening, I have now pledged that I will read...I love to read, but just couldn't find the time to do it...so now, I have from 8 PM-10PM to do as I wish...that's 350 pages every two evenings or so...I am a fast reader. Anyone have any good reading suggestions?
I want to finish eliminating half of the stuff in every room in our home. Sounds challenging but you'd be surprised. I have done our bedroom and the living and dining room.
Emma is 7, Julianna is 6 and Molly is 4 I have discovered that my girls are capable of way more than I have previously allowed...I have tried to follow FlyLady's advice for about 5 years now and it works!--But not as effectively if you can't get the whole crew on board. So I have established simple routines for my girls and each afternoon after changing out of school uniforms, snacks and homework, all of us do 15 minutes of choring. They can dust base boards way better than I can- they are closer and don't have a cantaloupe size baby in their bellys'. We buy Method cleaners, so I have no fear letting little Molly spray the bathroom sink and wash it out with a cloth...Things are much more neat and way more manageable around here :).
We have household projects that we have to accomplish! First, our kitchen floor is sub flooring:(, the original tile job wasn't laid properly so the day we moved in nearly all of our tiles cracked and popped up...I went to the liquor store, bought the airplane size bottles and made myself a martini sat in the floor and cried. With a new baby on the way and this time next year have him/her crawling...it has to be fixed! I think we are going to lay hardwood. We have to finish painting trim everywhere and I am changing my living room, dining room, kitchen and sun room colors. I want to tone down my colors a little--I love them, I just like change...this is an inexpensive way to get it.
I gave all but a few special baby things away (even my crib and changing table), so I need to start acquiring baby gear. (We weren't done, someone needed them and we knew that when we had the need that God would supply everything...two days after we found out, a friend from church had a neighbor who wanted desperately to get rid of a crib...we got it, for free... it is far nicer than our Jenny Lind crib that we gave away...it is convertible all the way to a full size bed.)
The hardest one...I would like to work on NOT responding to my kids and their childish behavior with haste. I want to strive to loosen up a bit and let them be...I am a perfectionist and have very little patience...I like the Grinch, can find myself in situations where my heart is two-sizes too small. I pray to be like-minded with my Maker when dealing, teaching, loving, disciplining, wasting time with, feeding, cleaning up after, cooking for and living with my precious souls. After all, I am called to lead them to Jesus, it is in large part my responsibility to see them get there. I KNOW I can't make such decisions for them, but I was called to be a mother to steward my children back to the Father's arms--many times I fall short of offering them the throne room, instead, encapsulating them in bondage of fierce dungeons...With God's help I can be changed and renewed. I carry alot of it from my childhood, how I was dealt with and being forced to act as an adult when I was in 3rd grade. God is healing me of my past and has accepted me lovingly and I want to break the chain and allow the Holy Spirit to dictate and have control over me, not harsh words or ugly memories...Pray for me if you feel led.

It should be an exciting year for us!

Talk About an Attitude Adjustment! (which I really needed)

2007-12-30T21:09:00.000-05:00

I just received an email from Laura Anderson, who is a full-time missionary/worker at an orphanage of sorts or boys home. I came across her blog(s) www.clearlyliving.blogspot.com and www.mydarlingboys.blogspot.com, several weeks ago, I think. But I when I thought I had saved it as favorite, the computer froze and shutdown...I never had success finding it...you know the vicious chain of reading comments and clicking on other blogger profiles to scope things out...well, maybe I am the only one who does such things, anywho...
I was so deeply moved on how she spends her life and I made it a family goal to pray for her, though I couldn't remember her name. Well, sometime today, she emailed me from a comment I had left on her blog and it was so good to have that connection back. Now, I know how to find her and have the ability of keeping up with all her boys and praying for them as she posts their needs.
I would also like to gather a care package of sorts to help her with the 43 or so boys that she serves and shares the love of Christ with.
Missions have always been a priority in mine and my husbands hearts. We have offered gifts to several organizations and seek ways to help, but it is so much more meaningful when you have direct contact with the people you want to bless...
I am not at all insinuating that one shouldn't give blindly, without seeing the benefits...but, sometimes giving in situations like this, my kids can see and receive vividly how the Kingdom of Heaven on earth looks...
I responded asking what their needs may be and am going to try to recruit the help of my church and the ecumenical community we live in, the small portion I could give wouldn't buy a hill of beans, or tuna, or produce....but, if I sow my resource gathering resources of the body, then, maybe my efforts will have a tiny ripple in their lives and plant seeds in the hearts of my girls. I hope the opportunity rises. It would be for my own good...I am afraid I would bear far more blessings than I could ever hope to sow...
Anyway, I think I am done with my woe is me belly aching for quite awhile.
I am in awe! How does the Holy Spirit manage to prod me ever-so-gently and divert my eyes from my own whining and feed my soul so lavishly.
Thanks, Laura...I really feel like I have just feasted at the Kings table...
Good Night and God Bless You!

Let it Rain

2007-12-30T21:04:00.000-05:00

I am so glad to have rain! It is kind of dreary out and very wet, but it hasn't rained like this in nearly, well I don't remember the last time it rained for nearly a week almost constantly. I think the gray was making me feel a little blue, but God reminded me that we had been praying for months for a good soaker.
So, thank you, Jesus...once again you reminded me of your faithfulness and you haven't forsaken us or our land!

Lonely...

2007-12-29T22:12:00.000-05:00

I recently went out with some girlfriends for the first time in almost a year. Like the first time of having like real girlfriend time in more than 12 months... It was fun to catch up with women who I used to be so very close to but then as our kids drifted (they are different ages involved in different things) so did we. After that evening, I realized how much of a homebody-loner I have become. I live quite the boring life-I think, it seems the most I do now is run carpools and strive to have my girls in bed by 7:30...I am usually jammied up and ready for bed then myself...
I, also, discovered that I am not a very fun person...I would much rather do nothing than initiate some great event...ie girls night out, dinner parties and the likes. Don't get me wrong, I love(d) people to come over and feel at home and hang out and waste time with me, I have just fallen out of the deep-committed-girl-friend routine that was me for so many years. I have become complacent and satisfied with merely existing. I really need to work on motivation, I kind of lost all sense of self last (school) year following my lymphoma diagnosis and year of scholastic hell I put myself through trying to flee from myself so I could find myself...I wonder what I was thinking.
FYI, I am not in some deep depression or hating my life, by any means...I am just realizing where I was and where I am and discerning where I want to go...I have been in a fog/survival/fearful-of-leaving-my-girls-before-I-was-ready...so-what-do-I-do-about-it-mode--It is quite paralyzing. Now, I am privileged to be co-creating with God another new life and have the honor of choosing to exude Christ to this new little soul...that is exciting to me. (Minus the waking up 10 times to pee, and chronic fatigue that comes with it)
I am going to tuck my girls in (way too late, they are starting to slur their speech) and go to bed myself and pray that I am living life in a pleasing way that would look different and cause people to question my motives...
Crazy Pregnant Person I am...now there is proof of how crazy I really am...hopefully I haven't scared any of the few readers that linger here.
Good night.

On the Down side...

2007-12-26T17:39:00.000-05:00

I have a UTI...bleck! Pray it goes away quick, please. This is the first one I have ever had. Oh yeah, (not that I try to be ugly or mean)but, my OB and ALL of her staff are morons and idiotic! I went in for a culture and they told my I'd have to wait until Monday to get results! I said a bad word (in my head), then calmly asked them if it was normal to have an infection and wait 5 extra days (making 8 total) for relief and treatment for an infection...
They said that they could do a quick culture and the nurse would call me today...5 hours later and after I called her (3 times) and 30 mins. before my pharmacy closed, she asked what exactly I needed and that she had never gotten any message or indication that I had come in (yet she talked to me originally this AM)...
Idiots!

Ugh, I feel better...

I am human having a very un-Christ-like attitude...Hopefully, tomorrow I will be sorry I was so merciless and repent...
Pray my attitude changes and that I feel better...
I feel like one of those GIANT water towers, I would love to be drained...

Merry Christmas!!!

2007-12-24T14:34:00.000-05:00

It is finally chilly about 40 degrees and we are having a lazy day (lazy, cause it is well past noon and I am in my jammies, but I have sorted and milled 20 cups of grain, baked 2 dozen dinner rolls for Christmas dinner, started my 8 dozen cinnamon rolls, and everything is wrapped, constructed and ready to go! Woohoo!!! It has been pretty peaceful, only one tragedy, I think the girls are actually getting tired of being home and playing...playing together, that is.
We have an annual Christmas Eve Chili dinner at my 'favorite Aunt C.C.'s (and Uncle Joe Turkey Toes)' this evening where we will visit with lots of my aunts, uncles and cousins. Then of to church at 8, I love our Christmas Eve service, but I am a bit nervous--I was asked to share about what Christ has revealed to me through this season, I hope I honor Him...hopefully the girls will fall asleep on the way home.
There is much anticipation as to what gifts will be revealed in the morning after their long winters nap:) and boy are they really excited! The suspense is almost over-Molly is under the impression that all we are giving and receiving is basketballs...except for the one unwrapped present that 'the dog' unwrapped and Polly was revealed with too many outfits and accessories to count...
We have a busy day with my family coming over at around 10 for brunch and then dinner at my parents and another dinner at my brother and sister (Mike's side) where we will cheerfully visit and roll all the way home.
I pray that the Savior will reveal His humble power to each of you in a beautifully, tangible way.
I will start posting pics soon...I am a slow learner, but things are quickly clicking:)

Better Keep 'Em Close...

2007-12-21T17:55:00.000-05:00

I saw this on my friend, Will's blog...

Mission POSSIBLE!...

2007-12-20T10:38:00.000-05:00

...Today is our first day off from everything:). In the chaos of the last 3 days, we have lost something huge and it's something very hard to find. The floor! But I am going to turn my sleeves up and be determined to accomplish what seems impossible. I have the kids home today and we are going to be spending about 4 hours picking up, dusting, pairing shoes, rescuing Polly from the Nativity, spraying all the greenery, watering our Christmas tree and trying to remain sane, and cheerful all the while.

The reward for our efforts (drum roll, please) a walk around the block, and a mom wearing a big grin and feeling like I have conquered the world...well, our corner of the world at least.

God bless your day.

PS-Dearest Molly,
I loved that you came in at about 6 to snuggle and sleep for an extra hour in my arms! And when you giggled in your sleep this morning...I knew the day would be great! No matter how mundane things seem, your life, in our family makes washing little clothes a joy, and cutting your sandwich in triangles a gift and purpose for my existence. I love you:)! You are a gift!

It's almost over...

2007-12-19T08:34:00.000-05:00

The past two days has been crazy! Good crazy, I think. Just the hustle and bustle getting to dress rehearsals, making 2 dozen snowman sugar cookies and 2 giant gingerbread men, family coming in, grocery store run, a cake delivery in a neighboring town, and a subway lunch date with Mike<3!>

Today, my ninth anniversary is going to be just as crazy! But at the end of the day...I will have completed my marathon, the girls will be done with school, plays and parties, my shopping is done, wrapping, too, I am going to have a very yummy anniversary dinner with Mike at a local Japanese restaurant (which the baby has been CRAVING for almost a month now;), and quiet adult conversation will replace the loud, loaded kids that are on an infinitely high sugar buzz (free babysitting compliments of aunt tishy, my niece)....

Then, we are home free for 2 weeks! To relax and enjoy each other and those we love.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention....I am no longer operating under complete nausea! I only barf when unpleasant fragrances and food pass me...which, is way better than 10 times a day! So thank you, Jesus, I can enjoy your birthday cake and eat it, too!

Have a good day!

Ode to a GREEEAAAAATTTT weekend!

2007-12-17T08:50:00.000-05:00

Don't you love those weekends when nothing urgent has to be done and you are on a very minimal schedule? I DO!!!! I wish every weekend were like this past one.

To start off, school was canceled on Friday for my oldest two, Emma and Julianna, so we got an extra day together. Although, I did have to work Friday morning, they came with me and helped out some. Then, we came home and watched Frosty the Snowman and had a very relaxing afternoon-NICE! We did do a little shopping that evening, to get supplies to make our teacher gifts...Molly was cranky and was made to stay behind with Mike--it was for the best! Mike made us dinner, it was interesting...he is a great musician, artist, fun and hardworking kind-of guy, but, not the worlds best cook. We stayed up and watched Christmas movies Frosty Returns and White Christmas, well, they did Mike and I fell asleep at about 9 o'clock with the girls heaped around us.

Saturday morning I got 3 hours to myself to finish up my Christmas shopping...I hadn't bought a thing for Emma, but, luckily hit Target and the Family Bookstore. I successfully found everything but a porcelain doll at those two locations, yay. She asked for a bible, rollerblades, MP3 player and a porcelain doll. I, have been collecting things to fill their stockings like a movie, Adventures in Odyssey, and a few pieces of candy for everyone.

After tallying up all my holiday spending, I have only spent $217.58! (This includes my family's name swap 5 gifts, 11 teachers gifts, Mike's family-which is 17 people, and our girls) I am amazed. I shopped sales, ebay and we cut way back this year. We are choosing to die to our flesh and not buy into the commercialism. We want to bless our children and for them to be content, so we are sticking to getting them some of the things that they have asked for. We are spending money on blessing others, being sneaky secret saints (I asked each of the girls to pick someone in their class to bless, the kid who has a hard time or is 'different', we went and bought simple, fun treats and knocked and ran...watching them open the door was so rewarding), and just gueniunely putting others above ourselves.

Sorry, back on track...Saturday afternoon, Emma and I went to her Little Sister's Christmas party (think Brownie Girl Scouts, but it is through the ecumenical community we live in). There the girls made reindeer T-shirts with their handprint, played games, had yummy snacks, did the 'Wright's family gift exchange' with our Bingo winnings and read a beautiful story about a young polish girl who give away her blessings to receive treasure beyond measure. It was quite a memory making time for Emma and all the girls in her group...and me.

Then the rain came!!!! Thank you, Jesus!

We had a meal to deliver to our friends, who lost their 23-year-old son earlier this month. It was good to see them and their eldest son, Eric, who was in our wedding almost 9 years ago, but very sad knowing that Michael wouldn't be answering the door or there to hug my neck...he is in heaven in the full presence of the Father...I am jealous, but sad.

Sunday was a full, but lazy day we went to church and had friends over that we hadn't seen in a long time. It was good, short lived but good! We have an awesome church! Our pastor seeks the Lord with all his might and never wavers from speaking the truth, even when it's hard. It is home and we are fed and grow spiritually.
By evening, it was time to pack lunches and lay out uniforms for another busy week...lots of parties, caroling, baking and anticipating the coming of our KING!

Hope your weekend was a great and relaxing as ours!

Fat Man's

2007-12-13T07:03:00.000-05:00

As we were looking through the Christmas Trees inside Emma comment, 'There are tons of virgins, mom.'
Me: um, what do you mean, Emma.
Emma: Well, there are a bazillion trees in here and they are all decorated differently, with different um, virgins....
Me: Ah, yes there are lots of different VERSIONS or THEMES.
Emma: Yes, that's what I mean....and it's really cool.

Too cute!

The place we went to is really special and there is not anywhere else quite like it. The girls had alot of fun riding the electric train outside among the live trees for sale, buying boiled peanuts, and looking around at all the different virgins of trees...so, next time your in Augusta, Ga. you'll definitely want to visit.

Christmas in July....

2007-12-12T14:37:00.000-05:00

I am blasting the A/C and the Christmas carols and trying hard to keep my evergreen tree convinced that it really is cold season--so she'll stay everGREEN (well at least til New Years).

It is 83 degrees here and feels 95. To really get in the mood, I have decided to put off afternoon chores and do something fun! I have already received Molly Moo and Nanners from school and I leave in ten minutes to pick up my Emma~bug and we are going to head straight for their favorite Christmas spot in all of Augusta...Fat Man's Forest! I am going to surprise them and be their favorite for the afternoon and they will love me dearly and be so sugary sweet to me and just go on and on about how I am the best mom in the entire kingdom, then we will come home and I will force feed them salad and black beans and rice (not their favorite dinner).....Finally, reality will sink in and livin' large will turn into the old mundane 'Are you sure I need a bath and to brush my teeth?' and 'Will you please tuck me in really tight and read me one more story?' or 'I am not really that tired?' all things said while becoming ever-so whiny and rubbing eyes.

Hopefully, they will fall asleep each with a full belly, a happy heart and a great memory!
I know I will!

Lord, thanks for the freedom to waste time with my girls. I am very grateful to have them and watch them marvel in your blessings. Bless every mom who struggles to give her children a life free from fear and afford her every need. Give hope to the hopeless. Make me mindful of the needs of others and give me the grace to show your mercy. Amen!

P.S.--I will tell you how it goes; )

Adventures with Molly...

2007-12-10T07:05:00.000-05:00

So, one week ago today, Molly woke up snotty, coughing, and with a really gross oozy red eye. I knew it exactly what we were dealing with and promptly made an appointment with our pediatrician. Once we were checked in and called back had read everything on the counter that would be of any interest, Dr. Getts came in and started with his flash light.
The verdict, PINK-EYE and the beginnings of a sinus infection! I knew it, I should have M.D. at the end of my name.
The funny part...
Dr. Getts: Molly, you have pink eye.
Molly: Oh no I don't, my eyes are blue.
Dr. Getts (chuckling): Yes, Molly you do have blue eyes, very pretty blue eyes, but your pretty blue eyes have a yucky germ and it made your eye turn pink. I will give you some medicine and it will go away quickly.
Molly (grinning from ear to ear): OOOHHHH, YES! That's okay because Pink is my favorwit color!

We both laughed and about 5 mins after he left the room and as we left, all the nurses were chuckling and in awe at how creatively precious my four-year-old was that day.

Have a good day!

The Truth About St. Nick....

2007-12-09T18:07:00.000-05:00

On the 5th of December, we were talking about St. Nick and how he lived his life in charity and humility for Jesus....Julianna wanted more information than I had to offer, so to the computer we go g-o-o-g-l-e dot com...St. Nick....http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=371. As I read to the girls, we came upon the date that he died. Boy could you see the gears turning in her little head, 'so he died, so he died, so he died...', I wondered how she was sorting all the info. in her head, but didn't say anything and neither did she. We mostly talked about how he lost his parents and was very wealthy and chose to spend his life loving others to Christ through generosity, kindness and gifts to the poor in spirit and needy. Then, we talked about how we could do this everyday and live with the same spirit, the Holy Spirit, in our hearts. We prayed that He would come and help us to see others needs both physical and spiritual and be guided to act on it, instead of remaining complacent and just feeling sad for others.
(Mike and I have followed the tradition of having the girls put their shoes out and waking up to treats on St. Nicolas Day (Dec. 6th), it is usually something simply this year it was small bag of mini m&m's, a lip gloss and another piece of candy. It is a fun tradition and the girls love it.)
Back to the Julianna story, things were great and fine until she got home from school the next afternoon and it was just her and I for awhile...the questions or comments (those things that she decided were truth based on the info. I had read to her)...
Julianna: 'So mom if St. Nick is dead and Santa Claus is just like him then who brings us our Christmas presents?'
Me: 'His helper.'
Julianna: 'The Holy Spirit is everyones helper, so the Holy Spirit brings them.'
Me: 'Not exactly.?.'
Julianna: 'Well you said that we could all be like St. Nick and so I KNOW we can all be his helper, right?'
Me: 'Right'
I couldn't lie...
Julianna: 'another thing, mom, I know that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the only ones that can be everywhere at the same time and Santa was just a man but he had the power of the Holy Spirit--he wasn't the Holy Spirit.' (all said in one breath, very matter-of-fact.
Me: speechless
Julianna: 'So, I think that you and dad are Santa's helpers and we can all be....I know that cause I saw Emma's Easy bake oven in the back of the van last year, I accidentally took the cover off of it and saw it....'
Me: Well, you have it all figured out, don't you?

It was really a relief, we were feeling a little bad about playing into the whole commercialized secular holiday that has become Christmas. We want to follow the example of Christ and St. Nick and to bless others and to see the true meaning lifted up, not the what am I getting, this is my list, is this all I get? mentality...
It would be okay for us to not get a thing and to go serve the lost people who are struggling with addiction, and it would be far more honoring to Christ.
Don't get me wrong, we are going to give our girls a stocking and a couple of presents, but our perspective has changed. I have always felt so guilty at the thought of having a small Christmas spread for our kids, so at the last minute I lay everything out on our bed and it just never seems to be enough--then I go out to Walmart or Target and buy 'filler stuff' with next months money so that the tree won't seem so bare. Shame on me...I was reminded of a simple song, it's chorus is 'I'm coming back to the heart of worship, and it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the things I've made it, cause it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus.'
That's what I want for my girls, I pray grateful hearts and content demeanor'.

P.S. This is not to condemn, it is just where the Lord has brought my heart. There is nothing wrong with gifting loved ones or buying presents for your kids and going along with the Santa tradition. I just pray that through the Advent and Christmas season that all would be blessed by the coming and presence of Jesus Christ and that all would be moved to be his hands and his feet and willing to listen to His spirit as it leads you to show His light to the lost, weary and forgotten.

Peace.

Don't have a Heartattack....I've been really busy....

2007-12-08T09:36:00.000-05:00

So, yeah this is my first blog in about, well, six or seven months.....I think I am back on board....
I have lots of stories to share about my 3 chickadees, their plunderings and ideas that the gears in their little brains crank out...so, I will start with why I have been sooo busy, too busy, in fact to blog....
I have a little bean growing in my belly and he/she has kept me quite busy barfing, craving salsa and instant mashed potatoes (not together), crying at toilet tissue commercials, and playing pacman (which really seems to help my nausea settle).
I have also been adjusting (since September) to the new schedule the kids going back to school... when does barfing fit in with making lunches, breakfast and beds???, yes, I am still adjusting...why can't class start at let's say, hmmm, sometime after noon would work for us....
Mike is not working for WRDW anymore, well since the end of July, it has been awhile, he is still pt at GNC, so go buy vitamins while you're at the mall Christmas shopping, and driving a truck for Golden Harvest Food Bank....I am changing poopie diapers on Fridays at Molly's preschool to off set the cost of her tuition, plus, I get a little spending money. I have been slacking somewhat on my church job, I could be doing better if I weren't puking 10 times a day....
So, this is to you Dottie-Wottie-Stinky-Poo-Poo...I will promise to try to be more on top of things....

T-ball, the pool and then.....BACKING INTO A PARKED CAR.....

2007-06-25T21:52:00.000-05:00

Well, the day was sweltering and t-ball practice was torture, so we stayed at the Y for a quick swim to cool off. After about an hour, I called it quits.

I loaded the girls in the van and got everyone buckled and backed out of my space and into the tail-end of a van that was parked on a yellow curb, right behind me. After mumbling a not so nice word under my breath, I turned back around and pulled back in the same spot. I got out to see the damage, a little miffed at a) myself for hitting a parked car and b) at the lady who parked there illegally. Then I called Mike to find the number for dispatch and he couldn't find it...so I called our policeman friend, Kenny to get it from him. Just then, a very pleasant man and woman came to me and asked if I had called the police and I told them that I hadn't dialed it yet...

The gentleman who was in the van I hit, when I hit it assured the lady that it wasn't a big deal that he and his buddy could fix it--no problem. So she, the driver, who wasn't present when I backed into her van said that there was no reason to haggle with our insurance companies that it was a wash. I was not so convinced, so I kept asking questions and then made the comment to the effect that I could not pay for damage out of pocket, if it ever came to that and that she was illegally parked, so I would rather go ahead and file a report. I did not want her to get a ticket or in trouble or anything of the sort--but, if it was by chance my fault (and, legally it was) I couldn't buy her a new bumper for her van. She was so insulted by this comment. She said that she thought that she was being very generous and kind, and 'this is what the world has come to...you try and be kind and people believe that you're some kind of backstabbing person. Why would she expect me to pay for it if we both walk away'....She was 'appalled that I would say such things about her'. I was merely trying to communicate with her.
I didn't know her from Adam's house cat! For all I knew, she could be a con-artist and parked there hoping that someone would hit her. Or, she could be a wonderful God-fearing woman--I don't and won't judge her....I just had to do what was in the best interest for me and my house. She was a stranger, not my best friend or family member...and even if she were, I think that I still would have opted for a report to protect my friendship.
She just went back to her car and I called my police friend back and asked what I should do and he encouraged me to call dispatch. A moment later, she comes back over assuring me that she was a woman of her word and that yes, she was appalled at my reaction and she was going to leave and be done with it. I vividly communicated to her that I was sorry that she took such offense, that I, by no means meant any negativity by what I said, I was just trying to communicate with her, and to make sure I was covered. She left.
I called dispatch to report the accident. I did learn that if you hit a parked car, even if it is illegally parked, you are at fault. So it was in my best interest to file. But the Good Lord was watching over me, the officer who responded thought it all sounded fishy, and called his lieutenant, who refused to charge me with the accident because I did the ethical thing and reported the accident. The officer took it as Miscellaneous Claim, instead of an Accident Claim. Now, if she decides that she want to report the accident, she will be charged as fleeing the scene and it won't reflect negatively on my insurance.
Emma was astonished, she said "Mom, you mean you turned yourself in? That is the silliest thing! Why on earth would you want to do that"
I responded that it is better to be honest and to take responsibility for your actions than to run and hide when you do something wrong. It is near impossible to receive God's mercy if you won't confess your wrong-doings. This may be precisely why God allowed me to go through this. A character trait physically tangible for my girls to relate to always. Who knows.
What a day--Thank God for the new one He will give me in the tomorrow.
God Bless that woman wherever she is. Protect her and bless her abundantly. Thank you for your guidance through this not so fun situation and convict me and forgive me of any wrong-doing if I am guilty. If I run into her again, no if I ever see her again help Your mercy to shine through me. Amen.

On the way in the backdoor...

2007-06-14T08:10:00.000-05:00

As we walked up the step to the backdoor, Molly said, "It won't open", in her whiniest voice.

Me, "Well, guess what I have?"

Julianna, loud and confident, "The key!"

Molly, "That's because you work here."

Me, "I DO?"

Julianna as she walked through the sunroom, singing, "Yeah, your our slave...."

After much complaining...I find myself abundantly content!!!!

2007-05-23T17:28:00.000-05:00

Jay Leno has the right idea....

JAY LENO..."HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD"

Jay Leno wrote this; it's the Jay Leno we don't often see...."The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking,''What we are so unhappy about?''Is it that we have electricity and running water 24hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful,spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or,worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for- profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek , and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.""With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mudslides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks,"Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"Jay Leno Please keep this in circulation. There are so many people that need to read this and grasp the truth of it all.

Be content!

Why don't we respond with such haste when babies are flushed?....

2007-04-20T14:44:00.000-05:00

I have been glued all week to any source of media willing to give more information on the Virginia Tech Massacre. I have cried tears of sorrow, disbelief and relief--then back to sorrow. My cousin Capers Thompson is a grad student at VT in the engineering dept., I emailed him and got a response--I was so relieved! He said that he was in his basement office in the building next door to hall where the most lives were taken. He didn't hear any of the shots and none of his friends names were on the list of those murdered; although, as he was ushered out of his building he did witness some of the victims being brought out. I am a burden bearer, I cannot help not ingesting the tragedy and mourning with the parents, siblings, friends, teachers, community and country.
Today, as I was thinking about murder, it struck me that we don't band together and grow weary at the number of abortions that are taking place in our neighborhoods, cities, states, and country. We are talking about thousands. I am ashamed of myself! I do grieve and am not trying to make light of what happened in Virginia--I just think that if we all mourned the way we did at the hundreds or thousand of men and women who take life from babies, maybe, just maybe it would stop!

God comfort the families of the victims and if the victims weren't in a state of grace, God have mercy on their souls and draw them to Your side.

God have mercy on Cho Seung-Hui, he was plagued by many demons.

God have mercy on the abortionist, that so quickly take innocent lives.

God have mercy on me, help me to mourn the loss of the millions of children who are stripped of their right to life. Help me to have compassion and mercy on others. God help me and give me the grace to raise my girls to hold sacred the gift of LIFE--both physically and spiritually.

God have mercy and help us to forgive, but to never forget that there will be countless smiles that will never be seen, that the ability to witness all aborted children as they are held, kissed and nurtured for the first time will never exist because they are murdered and flushed away, and saving their first lock of hair or their first tooth will never come to pass.

Help me to show Your mercy and to demonstrate your love and to make life and restoration in You my earthly goal.

In honor of ALL the lives that were taken prematurely on that chilly, gray morning,April 16, 2007.

The Power of a Stamp

2007-03-23T16:41:00.000-05:00

Emma's first grade class at school has been collecting postcards via snail-mail, the idea was that postcards from all over the world would help the children learn geography and map skills. I (b/c, hello how is a 6-year-old going to contract all her distant friends and relatives, I mean really) was very late getting started on this project due to recent illness and was terribly afraid that Emma would be the lonely child with no postcards to place on the map. So, I got this smart idea....I emailed all my relatives and I also have profiles on an open forums, in which I keep in touch with lots of people. I sent them all messages asking them to forward the message to their most trusted friends and family--it became a chain and Emma has gotten so many postcards for MY, I mean her, project that I no longer worry about her crushed spirit, she beams every time I pick her up. We have only run into one problem, we're (I'm) not quite sure about the identity of all the postcard senders.

I was just amazed at how all kinds of people, strangers (to us) mostly, have taken the time on their vacations, gone out of the way to hit up there city/state/country information centers, and put effort into passing the word when I was in a pinch and trying to create lost time. My family, friends and their peeps amaze me!
Then, I started thinking about how humanity as a whole has insurmountable ability to pull together when someone states a need. This was such a tiny thing, but it really makes my little girl feel like she has a connection to every person who spent their time to send her, a little girl in Augusta, Georgia, United States of America, a 4x6 picture with their name and current location.
At that moment, 3:01 PM eastern time, when she hops in the van and her eyes are extra sparkly, I know that in her soul she gets it- she understands that the world has 'got her back'! That people are created to co-exist and to help each other out.
She's my baby girl and once again, I have been reminded of how precious life is and that it is much more exciting to add your thread to the grand tapestry (even with its flaws and irregularities) than it is to hold back, sit on the side, wound on a spool and never be used.
I can't wait for my other children to get that gleam in their bright, blue eyes and know that their little souls have understood something great!

Who Am I?

2007-03-12T21:58:00.000-05:00

I have been in the most disturbing disposition lately. Maybe it was that we have only had 3 fever-free days in about 5 weeks, or that we had a few cold, yucky, wet, YOU-CAN'T-MAKE-ME-LEAVE-MY-P.J.'S, or the giant mess that came with being so sick. Who knows, I am still trying to figure it out. Whichever excuse I pick, while the children are bickering and tired of the walls around them, as they struggle to shake the stomach bug, the flu, nasty Augusta allergies, ear-infections, sinus infections, bronchial virus--yesterday after church, I just could not take one more moment.

I had been hearing and contributing to the whining, crying, screaming and chaos in our home.

I tried HARD!!! to have a thankful heart about modern commodities such as running water--to wash all the throw-up pillows, comforters, nightgowns, stuffed animals, shoes, walls, cracks in the hardwood floors; the medicine to treat the coughs, fevers, aches, infections of various origins; the doctors who were treating all five of us at differing times; my neighbors who so very willingly served me while I was AFRAID TO CLOSE MY EYES, they just stepped right in and took me to my Dr., watched my girls, fed, clothed and snuggled them for the 8 or so days when I just couldn't; my husband who even while sick still worked both of his jobs to provide for us and spent his free time watching me breath....still with all these things to be so very grateful
for. (And, my socks were blessed right off).

Something in my heart was just dying a huge piece was missing. (No, it wasn't the Jesus shaped piece.) I forgot the biggest blessing in my life, just shy of my salvation, God then gently showed me.

It happened last night, I drank a diet coke after 1PM and couldn't sleep, I was blog hopping and found a very beautiful spot and spent half-an-hour reading. The spot I found was created by a lady who has spent many years of her life (with her husband, of course) pleading and begging the Father for a child. She and her husband have grown a Snugglebug in their hearts because her womb just couldn't and are soon going to begin tilling the soil of their hearts to seek another 'wanted' child.
And, this my friend was my problem...I have three precious souls in my tender care and I have been treating them like the couch or the dusty coffee table, maybe even the puked on toilet or snotted up pillowcase. The Lord gave me three miracles-Emmabug, Julianna (Nanna Kat), and Molly-moo and I have spent the last 5 weeks of my life being selfish, childish and altogether rotten in my words, thoughts and deeds.

I had lost all gratefulness for my children! How did this happen I don't know but I was literally heartbroken when I figured it out.

I am eternally grateful for the attitude adjustment and the redemption I sought while reading your page, Overwhelmed with Joy. I admire your desire for children and ask forgiveness for taking for granted what you are begging for-- LIFE, whether grown in your womb or in your heart, God gifts us the miracle, however, He sees fit. It has just taken you and your open heart for me to get back in shape.

And as all three of my chickadee's would say:

THANK YOU FROM THE HEARTS OF OUR BOTTOMS
( ; ) yes, it's supposed to be backwards)

The Princess and the Kiss

2007-03-07T12:46:00.000-05:00

Several years ago, my sister-in-law, Mary told me about a book that tells the story of a princess who saves her kiss for her prince. It is an incredible story that speaks of the precious gift that is given to all princesses upon their birth--their first kiss. The king and queen teach their daughter patience, reverence and truth. They encourage her to pursue godly and righteous love. It is beautifully illustrated and written, a must have for every little princess on the face of the earth.

The fruit of this story is evident in the lives of my nieces. I am so glad that my girls have such bold role-models! I wanted to share how this impacted my oldest niece. I am going to share a blog from her myspace page. She posted this about a year ago and I was reminded of it during my prayer time this morning (remember that this is posted on myspace and keep in the back of your mind all that you have heard about myspace and what it stands for--well to the majority of those that use it). I am so proud of her, anyone who stumbles on her page will know what she stands for. She sticks out like a sore thumb. I have printed this particular blog and keep it in all three copies of "The Princess and the Kiss" (Aunt Murry and Uncle Sam gave all of our girls their very own copy as birthday gifts), so my girls will know as they grow what God expects and what His grace will provide. And the book is very innocent, so you don't have to worry about 'the birds and the bees' coming out of the story. (My own girls think that God delivers babies to moms when daddy's kiss them alot)

So, grab a Kleenex and feed your heart...Read on...

I have a confession to make... I am an 18 year old female who will be 19 in July, and I have never been kissed. Some of you may be shocked that a girl can last this long without even getting pecked! (I'm a little baffled at my situation too). I wasn't allowed to date in high school and I graduated with 24 other people. So... there weren't a whole lot of guys to choose from to begin
with, and most of the other girls were alot prettier than I was. This is probably the biggest factor to my never being kissed dilemma. I have come close to kissing a few guys, but
I don't want to be the one to initiate it. I don't have a
lot of confidence in myself, and I want the guy to step up and take action (not me). Also, the past relationships that I've been in have been wishy-washy and true intentions haven't been clear. I really try to communicate with the other person what I want, but it always seems I am doing all the work in the relationship. I am not a lesbian, dork, or prude. I am just patiently waiting for the right guy at the right moment in the right
circumstances. This brings me to my second confession... I'm sick of waiting. I just want to feel what it is like to be loved unconditionally, and I want to know who I'll end up with the rest of my life.... I don't think that I have met my prince charming yet, and I'm starting to worry if he is even out there. I really hope he is willing to wait for me too!!! Here are some other little reasons why I'm still holding onto my kiss: When I turned 13 my parents gave me a book called "The
Princess and the Kiss". It is about this princess whose parents give her a gift when she is born. The gift of course is her
kiss. When the princess turns 16 her parents let her decide who she is going to give her kiss to, but they tell her that it is a special
gift not to be given away frivolously. Many suitors come to call on her, but they all are undeserving of her kiss. Finally, a poor
farmer boy comes to the castle and brings with him a kiss of his
own. The princess knows he is the one because he saved his
kiss just like she did, and they live happily ever after!
My Jr. year of high school during morning prayers
one of the girls prayed for "The purity of our future husbands". This of course made a lasting impression on me because I
want to marry someone who has the same values about purity that I do!Here is a little quote that sums up my never been kissed situation:"Women are like apples on trees The best ones are at the top of the tree.The men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead they just get the rotten apples from the ground, that aren't as
good,but easy. So the apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, They are AMAZING! They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who is brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree" Are you that man? Are you going to be brave enough to climb to the very top? ... If you are please let me know!!! I won't lower my standards just to feel that I am loved by someone because I'm holding out for the real thing!!!

There is such wisdom in her blog! I am so blessed that my own children look up to her, she sets the stakes high for the 11 cousins that come behind her.

BE BLESSED!

How Come?

2007-03-06T02:37:00.000-05:00

A conversation between Molly Grace and Julianna...

Molly Grace: Julianna, Minnie Mouse is old as Nana and Papa, how come she doesn't have any babies?

Julianna:(sighs) Because she is just colored with markers in the movie and if you see her 'for real'--Well, You know! She is just a big stuffed rat!

Molly Grace: Oh, yes!

All But One of our Troops are Up and Running

2007-03-06T02:08:00.000-05:00

Thursday, Emma came home from school, rosy cheeked, glassy eyed and not quite looking like herself. My immediate response was to ask her how she was and to put my hand on her forehead. She felt HOT!

She answered in a confident voice that she had a bad headache, but she knew the cause.

I just had to know....

Okay, mommy, it was third recess and it was raining, so we had to stay inside
and we decided to have a domino contest. Well, it wasn't the dots one, it
was matching opposites...and that is when I got a tiny headache. Mommy, I
was just concentrating so hard on the dominoes that it made my brain get a tiny
ache. It just got worser and worser and worser still! Then my whole
entire head was really hot, but it was time to get my book bag and I didn't think
i really needed to tell Mrs. Jackson, since I was coming straight to the
car. And now, I am telling you! Since I am not feeling so good, do
you think I could lay down and watch TV in your room?

Okay, Emmabug!

The thermometer read 102.1.

Well, just when I thought we were totally clear, the pediatrician confirmed it with a flu culture-- with 7-10 days of rest, Motrin and Tylenol piggy-backed she will be good as new.

Poor baby. That was 5 days ago, she is still running a fever with the meds and feeling quite puny.

So much for those two bottles of Lysol I used last Wednesday. My house has never been so clean, yet I refuse, I mean, I refuse to do it again! Well, until she is fever free for 24 hours. I think the next time the flu comes sailing through, I won't clean anything until after we have all endured it!

I have one little girl who has yet to get it, in any form! Please pray for Julianna, she is tired of sitting out on life while the rest of the family has been sick. She has been on lock down since Valentine's Day, and is bored, bored, bored!

Gosh, I hope that through our diligence that no one will be sick on our account! It is a nasty bug this year!

Sick of Being Sick!

2007-02-18T09:18:00.000-05:00

Today marks day number 6 in my fight to beat the flu, severe bronchitis, double ear-infection, and a nasty sinus infection. As if the flu weren't enough--Thanks a bunch Castleman's Disease! Now, my little Molly has a constant fever (day #2 for her).

It all started Tuesday morning, I woke up and felt fine, except for the feeling of having a large brick in my chest. I went about my normal routine and was ever-so busy getting Valentine's stuff together and finishing the final touches on planning a big party and a little party for the following day. I was totally out of steam by about 6 and started to get the aches and chills. Repeat Tuesday on Wednesday, except by the time I got home from the big party at 5:45 PM, I had a fever of 103.8 and did what had to be done to get the girls all squared away. I hate this, I always feel like a dead-beat when the girls aren't properly sent off to bed (bath, cuddles and stories, prayers and bed), I think they may have slept in some form of their dirty clothes.

Thursday was when it really hit me! I could not even get out of bed. Emma had to bring me the phone and the debate was between 911 and the neighbors. I WAS WORKING AND THINKING ABOUT HOW TO BREATHE! It was so scary. My across the street saint came and got the girls and all their stuff and got them off to school. Thanks, Becca! Temp was 104.9 an hour after 800mg of Motrin and 2 extra strength Tylenol. My chest hurt so bad I was praying for new lungs. I stayed in bed all day and prayed for everyone I knew who was sick, pregnant, in the ministry, feeling isolated, those in third world countries who have no running water, mothers without babies, babies without mothers, and so on...

Mike did come home and watched me breathe and supplied me with plenty of Gatorade and water bottles. He spent a lot of time watching me breathe.

Friday, believe it or not, I felt okay and got Emma out the door, in her red, white and gold and managed to get the other two dressed and fed (it was Cheetos and juice boxes) and I went to lie down for about an hour and my fever shot up again. I called my Dr. and he told me to get in as quick as I could.

After he listened to me breathe, I was sent over to the ER.

I did not have the feared pneumonia. But it was really bad--double ear infection, severe bronchitis, sinus infection and the flu.

Today, I am actually sitting upright and typing this (though, I know it is poorly written, I want a record in case I ever lack humility). My fever is only 99.8 without med to reduce it. My ear drum did rupture, so I am not vomiting anymore b/c my equilibrium was so off. So that is some relief. After using an Albuterol inhaler every 20 mins for about 5 hours I regained the ability to take a deep breath. Codeine cough syrup helped to evacuate all the nasty stuff in my chest.

Thank you, Jesus for the road to recovery. I am humble, and Lord, I can go the rest of my entire life and do okay not to be this sick again, please and thank you!

Lord bless and keep my friends and family safe and free from disease and infection. I pray that You would surround their homes, cars, offices, classes, and places where they visit with a super turbo-charge anti-microbial hedge! Amen!

Step Right Up... You Are About to Witness a Jaw-dropping Spectacular!!!

2007-02-10T02:03:00.000-05:00

Today while checking my flylady email, I got the most curious web link. I clicked on it and my jaw-fell, no it collapsed and came out of sock...it took a mop bucket to clean up all the drool. Words cannot describe what I witnessed, except this is perfect for all the type A's living with a home-full of type B's (children, that is)....BRACE yourselves...here is the link...
www.housefairy.org

Though, very cheesy, I let my kids watch it and it worked...very tangible for them to perceive. I. Am. In. Shock. There was no begging, no fussing,no tears my girls pitched in and moved mountains in minutes. (Literally, moved mountains) We left our home for an event and came home to PEACE!!! This has not happen since there were only three of us. Ahhh, relaxation. Thank you, God, for the harmony in our home today. WOW!!!

I told you it was good!

What's Cookin' with Molly...

2007-02-07T22:26:00.000-05:00

This evening, I finally was able to cook a meal--we have had a stomach virus in our home since Sunday morning and we have done very little eating.
I have not been to the store in quite some time and wasn't sure what I had to fix...
Molly comes rushing into the kitchen and squeals that she wants to help me cook dinner. I said sure and she proceeded to ask me what was on the list... I said what list... she said the dinner cookin' list... my older girls begged for tacos and (I know I am crazy to think of such food after being vomit free for only 27 hours, but they were quite insistent) so I search in the very tippy-top of my cupboard and found one of those kits.
I explained to Molly that the box had the list and she just couldn't understand what I was talking about, she kept saying no mommy it is in your box of dinner lists... she was very upset with me. Mexican at our house is usually home-made tortillas and seasoned black beans and rice with fresh guacamole and the works. But my pantry was lacking, I didn't have the time to mill flour and make the tortillas or know if people would actually graduate from our diet of Gatorade and saltines--so dinner was very thrown together.
I normally am very whole-food-mostly-organic-food-cooking conscious mama. I cannot tell you the last time we ate a box dinner of any kind, I don't buy processed anything if I can help it, what can I say- I am a hippy at heart. I am not (or don't think I am) the preachy T-total-er about it. I just want to give my family the best I can. So, anyway, I sat Molly down and explained to her that sometimes you can buy dinner in a box and you just add extra stuff to it. She wasn't quite sure but agreed that she still wanted to help.
So, I started naming off things we'd need-- 'sprinkle cheese', sour cream, salsa, lettuce, you get the drift and she was back on the wagon eagerly fetching stuff from the fridge. I just thought it was funny how she thought I was from a different planet when I told her that dinner was from a box.
She did not touch anything except beans, our blue corn tortilla chips and the sprinkles. She said the ground turkey was to stingy on her tongue.
Oh well, I guess she is a whole-food snob.

IT'S GIRLS NIGHT IN AT OUR HOUSE!!!

2007-02-02T19:20:00.000-05:00

Well, Mike is hard at work selling vitamins and supplements at the store and we are at home celebrating the hygiene that I have been putting off for a couple of days now! But the girls have no clue, as far as they are concerned we are at the spa and the cinema simultaneously--my plan is to trim the nails and scrub the toes, you know the whole works. That said I am off, another thing they are not planning that I am--they will be in bed by 9:00 and they WILL love that (because I say so).

Sweet dreams to my sweet girls. These nights will be hard to come by when you grow up a bit--mom won't always hang the moon in your eyes, but I cherish that I have that hat for now and will always remember when you get too big for your boots. Huggle your snuggles and kisses for your lipses.

A memory of this moment, trapped for all time.

Do you ever feel out of the loop?

2007-02-02T08:35:00.000-05:00

Opened a few emails last night and I got kind-of sad. All my friends are living life and it seems to just pass land-o-lindsey by...I'll explain, our home used to be the hang out, everyone stopped (usually for food or a couch) but I felt so connected to people, the people, the ones that you love and they love you back (like the one's that tell you a giant booger is hanging out of your nose or the ones that personally scrape the lipstick off your teeth with their fingernails, you know who they are). They all quit coming by to chat, coming by because they smelled food or noticed that I was unloading new groceries, or cause my front door was open and my precious baby(ies) were sprawled against the glass like starfish against a rock. I am not, well not totally, insecure--but I loved that role, the house everybody crashed at...everybody always feels welcome and comfy here. Maybe it happened as our family grew or because we moved, I just know that I wasn't as free to get out and it was so nice that people stopped by and landed here for awhile. If you are one of those old people or the of the newer variety (people who have more recently made my life a little happier), just wave as you pass and come by when you can slow down. I love you all.

P.S. We now have at least 12 hours of live entertainment and offer no cover charge, but you have to be here by 7:30PM or you'll miss it. It is lots of comedy, little drama with moments of tragedy!

I almost forgot the funniest thing happened today!!!

2007-02-01T22:50:00.000-05:00

It was about 9:40 this morning and I was running seriously late--late is not so funny but normal. I had Julianna and Molly as well as two of my girlfriends kids, and WE HAD TO GOOOOO! It was freezing cold and raining and the ground out back where I park was and still is 2 inches deep, I lectured everyone on the importance of staying on the sidewalk and the driveway and be quick but be CAREFUL...I had everyone loaded and ran back in to get a forgotten lunchbox... that is when it happened. I slipped in the muddy, slick and ever so COLD mud. Yeah, I should listen and follow my own instructions. I fell on my behind and had mud and freezing water to my underwear, all over my coat, down my thick socks and in my warm shoes, up my back, yuck--this is not what I was thinking at the time though, I immediately jumped up took inventory as to who could have witnessed my stupidity. (Hoping that I managed to make this accident unscathed by anyone else's knowledge) I did laugh, as I ran into the house shower and change in less than 2 min. I was back out in record time and we were on our way. I am still trying to get warm!!!

Cinnamon Rolls for Babysitting! Heck Yes!!!

2007-02-01T21:18:00.000-05:00

So my sister babysat for me, umm...last week sometime, I think...anyway, she babysat for a pan of my cinnamon rolls. This is a real budget saver!
Yesterday, I finally got around to making them, (I know I'm a slacker), so moments before Mike took me on a date I finished them up and left them to cool, I gave a different babysitter the instructions that the girls could split one and she could have one. When we got home at 10:00 there was only half a pan left (we were gone about 4 hours, and we left 24 cinnamon rolls-5 were left)!!! I guess she was very hungry--This is the reason my sister prefers to be paid in baked goods (Actually, I think it is the cream cheese icing). I woke up today and found myself back at square one. I made two dozen more and sent one to her at her work, and took the others to our dinner date tonight my pans came home empty! That's four dozen cinnamon rolls gone in less than 24 hours. I am going to be on the treadmill forever tomorrow. (I only ate 1 1/2, though.)
If anyone else would like some of my rolls the first pan will be on the house each thereafter is negotiable by time spent watching my girls. Thanks and I hope you liked them, Lulu.

Convenience Should Never Be the Issue

2007-01-22T10:31:00.000-05:00

I was given the best gift on Saturday. My husband, who is amazing, scored some free tickets to the Augusta Futurity and planned on taking the girls for the day. I was so excited--I was going to get shoo out all the excessive dust-bunnies without help.
First, we had a very quick visit to pay as a family. I had made arrangements to (per Julianna's demanding request) visit our friend Diane to pray for a miracle and to bring her some cookies. Julianna, who is gifted with compassion and the most beautiful faith, knew these two things would do the trick for our dying friend. Upon entering Diane's room, we experienced the peace of Jesus in the most real and profound way. Diane lay there weak listening to her sister-in-law reading about the woman at the well, Diane was content and peaceful soaking up the words. It was enough. I can't remember the last time I had that kind of contentment just to lay and soak up the Word of God. She was beautiful. We were left with her for a little while and we prayed over her and the girls got to love on her, it was truly beautiful. Mike and the girls made their way out after hugs and kisses and I offered to stay awhile longer. I just couldn't leave. Her earthly body was obviously in a state of failure, but her spirit was so strong and confident--I just wanted to soak it up. I had the pleasure of reading the bible to her for a while, she was too weak to speak much, but occasionally she would beam with joy, mutter "amen", "thank-you, Jesus",or squeeze my hand ever so slightly. My sister lay dying and yet she was infectious and contagious with the peace and joy of the Lord! She stirred and I asked her if she was in any pain and her response was "no, thank God!".What a testament to the Lord.
I was given the opportunity to tell her that I love her and that God loved her, as I said these words she just smiled. I was given a priceless gift. Our friend died last night at about 11:30. Thank-you, Jesus for giving me the chance to say good-bye. Dishes, laundry, and dust-bunnies can wait--Don't put off for tomorrow what can be done today.
I ask all who read this to pray ceaselessly for her daughter, Marki, she is in state of brokenness and feeling quite abandoned. Please pray that God's endless mercy would be revealed to her in a very tangible way. And if you seek deeper faith--pray to have a heart like Diane's.
I pray that everyone who reads this would be motivated as much as I am, to seek the Lord through his word, his works and would grow content in His Presence.
Thank-you, Jesus for my friend. Thank-you for giving her to us, she was a true gift and thank-you for taking care of Marki, I know that you are big enough to handle this--give us the faith to believe that You will reveal Your Glory in perfect time. Amen.
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord"

And the Lightbulb Burns Bright(er)

2007-01-16T15:28:00.001-05:00

This morning on the way to school...

Emma: Mom, I am soooo glad I am in First Grade and not in Kindergarten!

Me: Yeah, why is that Emma? You had fun last year.

Emma: In kindergarten, you think with your head down and in first grade you start thinking with your head up.

Me: Of course.

(Duh, mom--Why didn't I think of that?)

The Tooth Fairy has the Flu

2007-01-13T22:21:00.000-05:00

My five-year-old unexpectedly lost her tooth on Wednesday. We are still not quite sure what brought it all on, she went from having no wiggle to hanging by a thread overnight. (I wonder if she might have banged her chin/mouth at church Sunday, cause that is when she noticed that it was loose.) Anyway, it just fell out on Wednesday morning. Well, being the family skeptic, she wasn't sure about having the tooth fairy anywhere near her pillow- so she opted out that evening.

The next night it was on, after much debate, she decided that since Mike and I know the fairy very well- that it must be okay. (and besides there is money involved)

Well, the tooth fairy got very tired and forgot...oops! Friday morning rolled around, Julianna was up with the sun 5:45 screaming,"Mommy, the tooth fairy forgot, she didn't leave me anything!!!!!"

This was the first time I recall ever lying to my child on purpose. I said in a very sleepy yet compassionate voice,"Oh yeah, daddy said that the tooth fairy called him in the middle of the night and she was so very sorry but she had a fever and she couldn't make it out last night."

Julianna's response: "Poor, little thing, I hope her mama is fixin' her some soup. We should pray for her."

Guilt hit me! I lied to her to save my behind. But it worked. What is the lesser of the two evils-1) the tooth fairy forgot about you kid, or 2) the tooth fairy has the flu? I have decided that my very sensitive girl could grasp the latter and not feel left out, rejected or not worth-while. Tough call, but I am sticking to my story and hopefully she will feel protected in the end.

Lord, Help this to be a faith builder.

Another anecdote to liven the history of us.

A Miracle is Needed

2007-01-13T16:32:00.000-05:00

A dear family friend, who has been battling cancer for a few years, has just been put in hospice care. I have been so very encouraged by her. She has claimed the Lords healing, I just pray that His healing wouldn't take her from us here on earth.
I battle with a rare lymphatic disease and complain often. She calls me, encourages me, sends me notes and she prays for me. She is dying and she faithfully prays for me. Who am I, to deserve such a friend? I have just realized, in this very moment, that I have little faith. My friend is dying, her days are numbered....and she lives like the Lord has a million more for her and He does, I am just praying that there might be many more here on earth. I am so selfish and ungrateful for the gift she is and will always be. In my ungratefulness, Lord give her a miracle here, I beg you.
In my own battle, I have allowed myself to live in fear of the number of days that I have left (a worthless thought). I choose now to let the Lord be in charge! I plan on living life here for God's glory! I will choose to let the Lord determine how many days I have and be grateful for those He puts in my path. How can He heal me when I am so resistant?
I will choose to give my husband and children the best I can muster. I will choose to smile more because I am so very loved by God--I have the most incredible family and friends. I choose to accept the grace that the Lord gives me. I will try to be joyful and not complain. I will steward the relationships I have to the best of my ability. I want people to see Jesus in me, no, I want them to feel Jesus when around me. These are the traits that I've experience in the presence of my friend, she is faithful and holy.
I am a daughter of the King! I know that He hears me and I know His comfort is at hand. I will etch this in my heart until my days on earth are no more. I want my girls to know this TRUTH as it is part of their being--my friend helped me realize this. I thank you Jesus for her and pray your blessing on her. Heal her, and heal me as you see fit. Show us Your glory in this.
Her life in a nutshell is summarized by this scripture, 'let everything that has breath praise the LORD!'.

Ahhh...Peace and Tranquility...NOT

2007-01-08T11:16:00.000-05:00

It is Sunday afternoon, I am just processing the idea that everyone will be gone for 3 hours, that's 180 minutes! Mike is taking Emma on a date to see a movie, Julianna and Molly are on their way to play at their cousins and I, well, I am home all alone!!! What to do? I could clean some, nah. Read my book, maybe. Or watch a movie and be a bum for a couple hours. Some one pinch me, I must be dreaming!
I am all snuggled up, pillows just right, diet coke in arms reach and what do I hear...a waterfall? No, it must be the TV. But it is not stopping. I hop up to investigate. It isn't raining outside, not the bathroom. OH NO!!!! As I enter the hall, very warm water is oozing from the kitchen I step in just in time to witness spinach and carrots and celery and sweet potato skins and what is that, yuck- it is remnants of fish shooting from the sink drains and water is ceaselessly flowing from under the sink and dishwasher. But that is not the waterfall sound...NO not the laundry room, too. I am too afraid to look, but I have to. Where is my knight in shining armor when I need him? God, PLEASE STOP THIS NOW. I turn the corner and water is shooting up the back flow hooky-water-drains-from-the-washer-pipe thingy, yes, its carrots and celery and sweet potato skins and fish--up the wall behind the very full washer and all the cabinets. (Good thing I had a load of towels there to catch the bulk of the water.)
So, after all this, our plumber who was not answering his phone, Mike left his phone here and I am left to fix the problem. I rolled up my sleeves, turned the appropriate appliances off. Then, I undid the pipe under the sink and got rid of the clog there and sealed all the holes up, stood on top of the counter above the sink and I started plunging with all my Might and gurgle, gurgle, spat, gurgle... I DID IT!!! THE CLOG WAS FLUSHED THROUGH.
Now, (Monday late morning) I am still cleaning all the walls, floors, appliances, 11 gazillion pieces of Tupperware that were affected by the massive falls in my home--Who needs Niagara? I had more strength than I knew. I even did this task without saying anything unrighteous and without breaking a nail! I mentioned to my husband that I did save him a pretty heavy purse and maybe I should go shopping.

So much for a peaceful and relaxing afternoon, no lazy days here!

P.S. I think I would have made McGuyver (sp?) proud! though, as amazing my feat I did not use a stick of gum, paperclips or duct tape. Oh, well.
Happy Monday. Tomorrow will be even more great than today, I can feel it.

2007-01-05T13:05:00.000-05:00

Everyone is back in school and preschool, it is now time for me to get on board! I am excited to get back in the groove, but wanting to want to start is sooooo hard.

So, I had a CAT scan yesterday, and am anxiously awaiting the results--I may have to go the weekend before I know how much they have grown. My chickadees are the best comfort and great prayer warriors.
So, aside from everything tasting like metal and cold beverages feeling boiling in my mouth (I know,it's weird), I am fine. The best thing yesterday was that the nurse found a vein without any tissue excavation--no bruises this time. This is a very good thing.

When I left the hospital, I forgot that it was produce coop day, I was dreading that chore. I guess the anxiety of my morning exhausted me a little. But God allowed everything to go peacefully and the kids got some much needed outside playtime while I sorted fruits and veggies. (It has been rainy or soggy because of the rain for several days now which has left them with cabin fever.) Watching them run and play happily was a tremendous blessing, a picture I will replace the "we're stuck in this house and movies, crafts, and dolls are no longer fun" grumpies they were being lifted from. It was nice. I wish we could have a camera and voice recorder permanently implanted in our brains. My camera is very dead, dropped and rolled over with a stroller at the zoo 2weeks after the warranty expired, bummer. A new one is on my wish list.

Wow, now I am rambling along--more later.

Happy New Years

2007-01-01T22:28:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about becoming a blogger! I wanted to begin more than a year ago, but at that time I was a full-time wife, mom and student. But because of plans that God lay before me, I am finding that I now have a different perspective on the time I am given. Blogging allows for my life and memories to be neatly tucked away without the open invitation my prayer journal and personal notebook offer to the vast assortment of washable markers and a certain three year old that can be found in every room of my home. (What can I say we have several budding artist here, all no taller than 4'). And, of course, "We only color on PAPER", as Molly Grace would say. Only because being three years old she hears it more than once daily. In fact, this evening I had to pry a pink marker out of her sleeping hand. I think she would sharpy herself pink if I'd let her.
This is our last day of vacation, boo hoo. Tomorrow, I will face the nagging of my alarm and pray that His mercies will adhere, as I attempt to guide my little chicks to truth (peacefully and in a timely manner). It is getting very late, so I will post again soon.
So Happy New Year! I pray the Lord will bless you with good HEALTH and endless mercy as you draw nearer to Him.