It has been wonderful! We started off on Christmas Eve with the celebration with Chris' family. We were all spoiled and filled up with good food, then came home and got ready for Santa. We usually go to our church's 11 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, but for reasons I won't go into here, decided not to this year. Instead, we read the Christmas story to the boys and sang some hymns....and Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, for Adam! Santa came, and we were all up at at 'em around 7:30 Christmas morning!
Santa was very good to the boys, and Isaac got the game he had wanted more than anything, so he was thrilled. Adam was pleased with all his toys and spent the day going from one to another! We went and had brunch at Waffle House, which was delicious and fattening, as always! We came back home for a relaxing afternoon, which included me taking a nap beneath my new down comforter that Chris got me for Christmas! Then it was time to gather with my family at my sister's house. We got to meet my niece's new beau who is REALLY nice! Again, we were spoiled by lovely gifts and delicious food, and enjoyed sitting around and visiting.
Today we head to celebrate with Chris' extended family on his mother's side. His mom has 4 sisters and each sister had at least 2 children, each of whom have families of their own now, so this is a BIG crowd! This is the one time a year we all get together, so it will be nice to get to see everyone!
I'm more tired than usual, but I guess that is to be expected! I'm already experiencing a lack of room for food, so that is an adjustment....last night my family was laughing at me because I wouldn't let them throw out my plate til I had digested some food and had room for the rest of it! LOL I was NOT going to let those yummy potatoes and bread my sister fixed go to waste!
All in all, it has been a very relaxing holiday. I need to get myself in gear and finish up some school work next week, but I've decided to give myself through tomorrow to relax and just enjoy being. God has blessed us so much that it is truly overwhelming. We're all given much more than we deserve! I pray that each of you who might read this have also been blessed til your cup runs over, and that you take the time during the hustle and bustle to thank the One Whom has given you more than you can fathom!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....
yep, we're covered in snow, and loving it! It started late yesterday afternoon, and we have about 6 inches here at the house. This is the most snow my children have ever seen! We went out like crazy people last night, to get a battery for the van and to go to a Christmas dinner with our TaeKwonDo school. Our power has flickered off a few times, but we've never lost it for more than a minute, thank Heavens! (I have a serious phobia of power outages....another story for another day!)
I've been neglectful again....so sorry. I really don't mean to be! I had a while there that I was concerned because my heart rate is running higher than 'normal'. I wore a 24 hour monitor and the report came back as basically normal. I still wish it wouldn't run quite so high, but hey--such is life, right?
My ankle is feeling better, so that is certainly welcome news!
Adam has walking pneumonia. He complained of a sore throat for 2 days but ran no fever, and was coughing some at night. This child does NOT complain, so I took him to the doctor on Thursday afternoon. He's taking some yucky antibiotics, but otherwise seems no worse for the wear.
Well, I'm sure I could write more, but I think we're gonna finally decorate the tree now!
I've been neglectful again....so sorry. I really don't mean to be! I had a while there that I was concerned because my heart rate is running higher than 'normal'. I wore a 24 hour monitor and the report came back as basically normal. I still wish it wouldn't run quite so high, but hey--such is life, right?
My ankle is feeling better, so that is certainly welcome news!
Adam has walking pneumonia. He complained of a sore throat for 2 days but ran no fever, and was coughing some at night. This child does NOT complain, so I took him to the doctor on Thursday afternoon. He's taking some yucky antibiotics, but otherwise seems no worse for the wear.
Well, I'm sure I could write more, but I think we're gonna finally decorate the tree now!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Peace
I feel much more at peace tonight. We made it through the first Thanksgiving without August. Her kids were there, and that was very good! It was also fine to be somewhere different than usual....we were still with my beloved family! Funny how worked up we can get over things, and they're firmly in God's grasp and well taken care of before we even begin to worry.
And even though a beloved friend is gone on to Heaven, I have made new friends and have reconnected with ones that I thought were long lost to me. It has been a very interesting year, to say the least, and one in which I've grown in many ways. I am very blessed, far more so than I deserve! I am very grateful to my Heavenly Father for these many blessings, and for many answered prayers.
I hope you feel this peace tonight as well.
And even though a beloved friend is gone on to Heaven, I have made new friends and have reconnected with ones that I thought were long lost to me. It has been a very interesting year, to say the least, and one in which I've grown in many ways. I am very blessed, far more so than I deserve! I am very grateful to my Heavenly Father for these many blessings, and for many answered prayers.
I hope you feel this peace tonight as well.
Thanksgiving--
I could write so much....
So many blessings, so many things to be thankful for....
Instead, insomnia and anxiety are rocking my world early this morning. I miss August so much, and tomorrow is gonna be hard without her there. She'll be there in spirit, I know, but it will also be like the elephant in the room that no one wants to mention for fear that we'll all break down. And in MY mind it is made even more difficult by it not being held at my sister's house like usual. I'm not sure who made that decision or why, and that really isn't my concern. I just hate that on top of being uncomfortable because we're all missing her, we (at least me) are/am gonna be uncomfortable because it isn't like 'home'. Then I start thinking how selfish I'm being--dwelling on things I cannot control instead of the many things I am being blessed with each day....
ah, hormones and a cold to boot, add to my pitiful saga.
It's my blog and I'll cry if I want to!
I hate being down. I really want to just jump out of my skin and go walk around Wal-Mart or something. I don't even want to be me right this minute. I hate that I don't feel like I can verbalize this to anyone because I don't want to upset anyone else. I hate sitting in the dark crying because a beautiful life was lost to us, though I know she is in Heaven now with her Mawmaw who she loved so much.
So durn it, not a happy lovely life is great and I'm having a baby post today. I'm certainly thankful....in a way that I haven't had to be before, thankful that I, at 36, am just now having to deal with the death of someone I love at such a young age, in such a senseless way. Thankful that I have been lucky enough to NOT wreck my car when I was driving and very upset. Thankful that my boys have their Mama to hug and kiss each day. Thankful that I get to see them grow up one more day. Thankful that I have a husband who I love dearly, who loves me as well, and who I trust more than I trust myself. Thankful that I've always known how loved I am. Thankful for the 'breaks' and opportunities I've had in life. VERY thankful for having known and shared with August. So thankful for that last prayer we had together, and that she followed His leading to come to me that night. THAT I will hold in my heart forever, along with her last hug, and words: "Be careful. I love you."
The words "...and I'll cling to the old rugged cross..." have become more real to me over the past few months. I've been clinging to my Savior more than I ever have before, in a desperation I've never felt before. He is my Solid Rock and my hope when I don't know how I'm gonna put another foot in front of the other. His love lifts me up and fills me up. I'm so very thankful for the relationship I have with Him, more so than anything in this world, for if it wasn't for that....though I love my husband and sons so, so dearly....if it weren't for Jesus holding me up, I couldn't make it. I am powerless on my own.
I do feel better for having gotten all this out. Thank you if you read it, and I am sorry if it brought you down....know that it has helped me to look UP in hope!
So many blessings, so many things to be thankful for....
Instead, insomnia and anxiety are rocking my world early this morning. I miss August so much, and tomorrow is gonna be hard without her there. She'll be there in spirit, I know, but it will also be like the elephant in the room that no one wants to mention for fear that we'll all break down. And in MY mind it is made even more difficult by it not being held at my sister's house like usual. I'm not sure who made that decision or why, and that really isn't my concern. I just hate that on top of being uncomfortable because we're all missing her, we (at least me) are/am gonna be uncomfortable because it isn't like 'home'. Then I start thinking how selfish I'm being--dwelling on things I cannot control instead of the many things I am being blessed with each day....
ah, hormones and a cold to boot, add to my pitiful saga.
It's my blog and I'll cry if I want to!
I hate being down. I really want to just jump out of my skin and go walk around Wal-Mart or something. I don't even want to be me right this minute. I hate that I don't feel like I can verbalize this to anyone because I don't want to upset anyone else. I hate sitting in the dark crying because a beautiful life was lost to us, though I know she is in Heaven now with her Mawmaw who she loved so much.
So durn it, not a happy lovely life is great and I'm having a baby post today. I'm certainly thankful....in a way that I haven't had to be before, thankful that I, at 36, am just now having to deal with the death of someone I love at such a young age, in such a senseless way. Thankful that I have been lucky enough to NOT wreck my car when I was driving and very upset. Thankful that my boys have their Mama to hug and kiss each day. Thankful that I get to see them grow up one more day. Thankful that I have a husband who I love dearly, who loves me as well, and who I trust more than I trust myself. Thankful that I've always known how loved I am. Thankful for the 'breaks' and opportunities I've had in life. VERY thankful for having known and shared with August. So thankful for that last prayer we had together, and that she followed His leading to come to me that night. THAT I will hold in my heart forever, along with her last hug, and words: "Be careful. I love you."
The words "...and I'll cling to the old rugged cross..." have become more real to me over the past few months. I've been clinging to my Savior more than I ever have before, in a desperation I've never felt before. He is my Solid Rock and my hope when I don't know how I'm gonna put another foot in front of the other. His love lifts me up and fills me up. I'm so very thankful for the relationship I have with Him, more so than anything in this world, for if it wasn't for that....though I love my husband and sons so, so dearly....if it weren't for Jesus holding me up, I couldn't make it. I am powerless on my own.
I do feel better for having gotten all this out. Thank you if you read it, and I am sorry if it brought you down....know that it has helped me to look UP in hope!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A few less words Wednesday: It's a........
Yes, I'm most definitely living in a testosterone zone! I had a feeling that it was, so I had started 'preparing' myself! She said the heartrate (151, by the way) so I really knew then....and I saw a little turtle hanging down before she even pointed it out! Yes, it would have been nice to have a daughter, but I'm thrilled with the thought of another son, too!
We also went to Toys R Us and got most of the boys' Christmas shopping done! AND we had a delicious lunch at Carino's! MMMMMMMMMMM!
As far as how the rest of the appointment went, everything looked GREAT! They didn't see any markers for Down syndrome, Spina Bifida, etc. I feel a TON better after seeing that and knowing that everything looked good. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest!
So...now on to getting to get new baby stuff since I gave pretty much everything away! LOL
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Time for an upity-date!
Hi!! I'm Christi, Remember me?! So sorry that I've been a lame blogger as of late. I really don't mean to be. I just don't have the energy to post!
BUT today I do!
So. How am I doing? I'm doing okay! I'm tired much of the time, but I guess that is to be expected. I don't sleep the best already. I am excited if I sleep more than 2 hours at a stretch before having to get up to pee. That gets old, and I know it has only just begun!
My ankle continues to give me trouble. By the end of the day it is often swollen and itchy under the aircast. I know that in the scheme of things it really isn't that big of a deal, but it is just one more bothersome irritant that I'd rather not have to deal with, ya know?
I'm finally starting to feel some relief from the antidepressants. I remember with Adam that it took about 6 weeks to get them fully back into my system, and I'm right around that point now. I had a minor breakdown the other day and ended up coming home early. It just all got to be too much! I did feel better after just having some lazy me time here by myself. It hasn't been the easiest fall ever, even if I weren't hormonal and pregnant! But God will see me through, I know. The semester is almost coming to an end, and that will be a RELIEF! Though I won't be totally done with one of my classes and the tutoring that is required for a while longer. But that is okay, I can deal!
How is everyone else, you ask? They're fine! Isaac is having a tiny bit of anxiety about the baby....worried that we won't have time to help him with his homework, worried about sharing a room with his brother, etc. He didn't mention it specifically to me, as is often the case when something is on his mind. He knows that Mommy worries, so he goes to Daddy with his concerns. He felt better after I told him that when the baby first gets here, he/she will pretty much eat, sleep, poop, and cry, and that we will still have plenty of time for him. He's growing SO FAST! I can't see the top of his head standing beside him now. I won't be surprised if he passes me up within this year!
Adam is.....well, he's Adam! We had been having some issues with his negativity and whining, but it seems to have resolved itself some with prayer! It gets worse when he is overly tired. We're trying our best to keep both of them from being over scheduled and therefore overly tired. Easier said than done sometimes, as you know!
Chris is fine! His latest project was smoking barbecue for our church's annual barbecue cook off, which was held last night. He didn't win, but he had fun trying! He knows I think his cooking is always the best, hands down! He tried a new white barbecue sauce that I really like! He's such a great husband and Daddy...I have been so blessed by him, and I thank God for him every day! I don't know what I'd do without him! I'm amazed that he puts up with me, and so thankful that he does.
Now that both our dogs have gone on to Doggie Heaven, we've been more lax on letting the cats come in and spend time with us...now that it is chillier and they WANT to spend time indoors! I don't know what I'm gonna do when something happens to my Francie. I have had her since before Chris and I met. She is much more feeble now. I pray that nothing happens to her soon!!
Well, that pretty much covers it for us right now....update me on how YOU'RE doing, and I promise to try to come by and get caught up on your blogs, too!
OH, we have an ultrasound on Wed.! I'll be sure to update then!
BUT today I do!
So. How am I doing? I'm doing okay! I'm tired much of the time, but I guess that is to be expected. I don't sleep the best already. I am excited if I sleep more than 2 hours at a stretch before having to get up to pee. That gets old, and I know it has only just begun!
My ankle continues to give me trouble. By the end of the day it is often swollen and itchy under the aircast. I know that in the scheme of things it really isn't that big of a deal, but it is just one more bothersome irritant that I'd rather not have to deal with, ya know?
I'm finally starting to feel some relief from the antidepressants. I remember with Adam that it took about 6 weeks to get them fully back into my system, and I'm right around that point now. I had a minor breakdown the other day and ended up coming home early. It just all got to be too much! I did feel better after just having some lazy me time here by myself. It hasn't been the easiest fall ever, even if I weren't hormonal and pregnant! But God will see me through, I know. The semester is almost coming to an end, and that will be a RELIEF! Though I won't be totally done with one of my classes and the tutoring that is required for a while longer. But that is okay, I can deal!
How is everyone else, you ask? They're fine! Isaac is having a tiny bit of anxiety about the baby....worried that we won't have time to help him with his homework, worried about sharing a room with his brother, etc. He didn't mention it specifically to me, as is often the case when something is on his mind. He knows that Mommy worries, so he goes to Daddy with his concerns. He felt better after I told him that when the baby first gets here, he/she will pretty much eat, sleep, poop, and cry, and that we will still have plenty of time for him. He's growing SO FAST! I can't see the top of his head standing beside him now. I won't be surprised if he passes me up within this year!
Adam is.....well, he's Adam! We had been having some issues with his negativity and whining, but it seems to have resolved itself some with prayer! It gets worse when he is overly tired. We're trying our best to keep both of them from being over scheduled and therefore overly tired. Easier said than done sometimes, as you know!
Chris is fine! His latest project was smoking barbecue for our church's annual barbecue cook off, which was held last night. He didn't win, but he had fun trying! He knows I think his cooking is always the best, hands down! He tried a new white barbecue sauce that I really like! He's such a great husband and Daddy...I have been so blessed by him, and I thank God for him every day! I don't know what I'd do without him! I'm amazed that he puts up with me, and so thankful that he does.
Now that both our dogs have gone on to Doggie Heaven, we've been more lax on letting the cats come in and spend time with us...now that it is chillier and they WANT to spend time indoors! I don't know what I'm gonna do when something happens to my Francie. I have had her since before Chris and I met. She is much more feeble now. I pray that nothing happens to her soon!!
Well, that pretty much covers it for us right now....update me on how YOU'RE doing, and I promise to try to come by and get caught up on your blogs, too!
OH, we have an ultrasound on Wed.! I'll be sure to update then!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
And the klutz status gets even worse.....
Got a call from the doctor's office yesterday...the wanted me to return their call about my x-ray. Wonderful, I thought. I've been walking around on this foot for a week and something is broken!
I'm not sure if the real news was better or worse.....
The x-ray showed either tendon or ligament damage. Now that would be acceptable if I weren't pregnant! I can't even have an MRI done to see how bad it is until after I have the baby. So I guess that means I treat this ankle very gently for the next 23 weeks and pray I don't hurt it worse! I have been wearing the aircast pretty religiously, though I didn't wear it one night to sleep. I felt it the next morning. So apparently I really need the support it provides. May be wearing this thing til the baby comes, huh?
Has this been ONE MORE fall for me, or what?? Family member dying, flu, dog dying, classes that are HARD, unexpected blessings that do complicate things such as pregnancy does, and now a hurt ankle! I'm just ready to sit back and say What's next, Lord??! I'm not gonna say Enough, because I know He won't give me more than He and I together can handle, but it is getting to be almost comical now! Stay tuned to see what happens next, I suppose!!
I'm not sure if the real news was better or worse.....
The x-ray showed either tendon or ligament damage. Now that would be acceptable if I weren't pregnant! I can't even have an MRI done to see how bad it is until after I have the baby. So I guess that means I treat this ankle very gently for the next 23 weeks and pray I don't hurt it worse! I have been wearing the aircast pretty religiously, though I didn't wear it one night to sleep. I felt it the next morning. So apparently I really need the support it provides. May be wearing this thing til the baby comes, huh?
Has this been ONE MORE fall for me, or what?? Family member dying, flu, dog dying, classes that are HARD, unexpected blessings that do complicate things such as pregnancy does, and now a hurt ankle! I'm just ready to sit back and say What's next, Lord??! I'm not gonna say Enough, because I know He won't give me more than He and I together can handle, but it is getting to be almost comical now! Stay tuned to see what happens next, I suppose!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
I am such a klutz!
Granted, this isn't a photo of my toes, but you get the idea....
Guess who fell when stepping off our deck last night?
Yep, that would be ME! I missed the paving stone and landed on my foot. At first I thought it was just barely hurt, but when the pain woke me up during the night I decided that I might ought to see a doctor. So today I did! After x-rays with double-layered protection on my belly, it was determined to be a bad sprain. I have an air cast on, and it is helping the pain when walking and moving around quite a bit!
Only *I* could fall and sprain my ankle while pregnant!
Don't you wish you were so lucky?!?!
Photo credit: CellPhoneSusie
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
My sweet little Nixie
It seems like only yesterday that we brought her home as a tiny little puppy. She was the runt of the litter, which was the only way we were going to have a full-bred Boxer! She never did get to be full Boxer size. She was blind in one eye, too, but we didn't see her flaws, we just saw her as our cool new dog!
Now four years later, she is gone. She had been losing weight, so Chris took her to the vet on Monday. He asked for bloodwork to be done, and his feeling that something was wrong was correct....her kidneys were failing. Since she was always kept in the pen, the vet thinks that it was just something genetic.
So he took her back today to relieve her of her misery. I can't believe we've lost two dogs in less than a year. It breaks my heart!
Please pray for us while we deal with the loss of a dearly loved family member!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Have you noticed?
I'm in a blog slump!! I remember losing interest in online activities when I was pregnant with Isaac as well, and don't really remember what changed to get me out of it...maybe it is the tiredness, I don't know. But I just don't have the interest right now! Have you been there? What do you suggest? I don't want to give this up, but at the same time, I can't seem to think of anything worth saying.
Here's hoping stating it will help me get out of it.....
Here's hoping stating it will help me get out of it.....
Monday, October 19, 2009
14 weeks: baby update!
We're still plugging along! That bout with the flu ended up having me feeling pretty rough for a while. I went back to work last Tuesday, though I probably should have stayed out at least another day. Today is truly the first day when I have felt NORMAL and had somewhat like a normal appetite. It really knocked me on my behind! Given all that, I'm still torn as to whether or not to take the H1N1 vaccine. The way I see it, I've already had the thing, so why should I be vaccinated? My doctor (and my husband) beg to differ. I can get a shot this week through the health department, so I'm praying about it right now. If I feel like the Lord is leading me to get it, I'll do it--otherwise I will follow what I think makes sense. I don't know a better way to determine what to do that as for His guidance!
I went to the doctor today, and by my calculations I've still only gained about 3 pounds! Woo hoo! He said that I was measuring right where I should, and though we didn't get a heart rate, the heartbeat sounded strong. My little baby doesn't want to stay still long enough for anyone to hear much by the Doppler!
How I'm feeling: I haven't been sleeping as well lately, but I did get me a body pillow today so I'm hoping that helps me get more comfortable. Like I said, I've felt pretty awful for almost 2 weeks, so now might not be the best time to ask! LOL I got sick several times over the flu period, which was really yucky since I had been feeling so much better. I'm wearing maternity clothes pretty much all the time now but am still able to get away with a few non-maternity shirts. I had to buy some better fitting bras! All in all, I can't complain! I'm just SO thankful that I'm getting over this awful flu!! I would appreciate any prayers you might could send my way concerning whether or not to get this vaccine.
I'll update again soon!
I went to the doctor today, and by my calculations I've still only gained about 3 pounds! Woo hoo! He said that I was measuring right where I should, and though we didn't get a heart rate, the heartbeat sounded strong. My little baby doesn't want to stay still long enough for anyone to hear much by the Doppler!
How I'm feeling: I haven't been sleeping as well lately, but I did get me a body pillow today so I'm hoping that helps me get more comfortable. Like I said, I've felt pretty awful for almost 2 weeks, so now might not be the best time to ask! LOL I got sick several times over the flu period, which was really yucky since I had been feeling so much better. I'm wearing maternity clothes pretty much all the time now but am still able to get away with a few non-maternity shirts. I had to buy some better fitting bras! All in all, I can't complain! I'm just SO thankful that I'm getting over this awful flu!! I would appreciate any prayers you might could send my way concerning whether or not to get this vaccine.
I'll update again soon!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
When it rains, it pours...
Here's how our week has gone....
Chris was very sick but stayed at school all day on Monday. He went to the doctor on Tuesday and has a bacterial infection. He's still not feeling too well.
Tuesday they sent me home from school because there were several cases of flu in both of my schools. That evening I started coughing, and Chris insisted I go to the doctor yesterday. I don't have walking pneumonia, so they started me on Tamiflu. I think I had a stomach bug on top of that, because I couldn't keep anything, not even water, down yesterday. Thankfully that part is better today, but I still feel pretty cruddy.
2:00 today the school nurse calls and Adam is running a fever. I rush up there to get him and the ped's office says they'll work us in. Then at 3:30 the nurse calls my cell and Isaac is there with a 103 fever. Chris rushes to get him, cancels his basketball practice (Chris is the coach) and rushes him to be worked in at the ped's office too.
So now they both have Type A flu.
Just lovely.
My mil is on her way down here to keep them at her house here in the county so they are away from me, even though I've already been around them....hoping maybe between that and the Tamiflu I won't get it full blown.
Calgon, take me away!!!!!!!!!
If you keep up with me on message boards, sorry if you read this more than once. I didn't have the strength to write a new witty post!
Chris was very sick but stayed at school all day on Monday. He went to the doctor on Tuesday and has a bacterial infection. He's still not feeling too well.
Tuesday they sent me home from school because there were several cases of flu in both of my schools. That evening I started coughing, and Chris insisted I go to the doctor yesterday. I don't have walking pneumonia, so they started me on Tamiflu. I think I had a stomach bug on top of that, because I couldn't keep anything, not even water, down yesterday. Thankfully that part is better today, but I still feel pretty cruddy.
2:00 today the school nurse calls and Adam is running a fever. I rush up there to get him and the ped's office says they'll work us in. Then at 3:30 the nurse calls my cell and Isaac is there with a 103 fever. Chris rushes to get him, cancels his basketball practice (Chris is the coach) and rushes him to be worked in at the ped's office too.
So now they both have Type A flu.
Just lovely.
My mil is on her way down here to keep them at her house here in the county so they are away from me, even though I've already been around them....hoping maybe between that and the Tamiflu I won't get it full blown.
Calgon, take me away!!!!!!!!!
If you keep up with me on message boards, sorry if you read this more than once. I didn't have the strength to write a new witty post!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Flashback Friday--Do the Moo Shu
We got chicken from KFC last night and when we got home, Isaac started singing the "Do the Moo Shu" song with popcorn chicken, fried chicken, etc. in as the lyrics, and it reminded me of how much he LOVED the Veggie Tales when he was a little bitty boy! He loved watching the Silly Songs video to the point that we also bought the CD so he could listen and sing along when we were in the car! Thankfully, it didn't drive us nearly as crazy as some things that he was later obsessed with (Elmo or Blue's Clues, anyone?!) so we would laugh right along with it. We may have to pull out the old Veggie Tales CD when this little one comes along!
Our kids grow up so quickly, don't they? Seems like it was just yesterday that Isaac was singing along with this, and now he's my big basketball playing, TaeKwonDo punch throwing boy!
Happy Friday!!
I'd love to have you play along! Due to my lateness getting these up and downright LACK of getting posts done lately, I've not seen as much traffic, and I'd love to see that pick back up! C'mon, it is fun!! Just write up your own post and come back and link it up here so I can find you!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
I miss you
Tonight, your mama said to me, "Thank you for taking care of her...."
But that is what family does. I'll never forget the day that my sister and your uncle got married. Bryan and I accidentally left you as we walked down the aisle. I didn't even realize it until we were to the narthex, and I was mortified! I thought sure I had either scarred you for life or messed up the whole wedding. Then when the pictures came back, there you were, grinning (as always) walking along with your uncle Dennis and Suzy. Always happy go lucky. Always resilient. Always finding a way to smile.
And that day as you all left...I was sick with the flu and didn't even make it to the reception....your mama said, "Welcome to the family!" and I have never been so honored, and never have I felt so loved by a family that CHOSE to call me their own.
Whether we were playing games on the floor on Thanksgiving or teasing each other about who had had their hair more colors lately, you were always my friend. Even when I probably wasn't the best friend to you, you were always caring to me.
You took pictures of my baby Isaac on his first day of preschool when I had to go to work. You made my boys' birthday cakes. You even spilled cupcakes all over your car trying to get them to me! That's a friend, I'll tell ya!
I'm so glad that we had that great conversation a week before you had to go to Heaven. I'm so glad that you followed your instincts to come pray with me. You don't know how humbled I felt that you had come to share that with me. I was thinking just minutes before I heard that horrible news about after Meadow was first born and we didn't know yet if I was having a boy or a girl, that you had lots of girl clothes to share if I needed them! Mom has a picture of us all that day...so happy.
I was so blessed by you, August. I've been attending events at Holston View my entire life, and never have I seen such a crowd as I did tonight. You were loved by so many. We all hate that your life ended so soon. I know you're happy there with your Mawmaw, though you miss your babies. I know that the last thing you wanted to do was to worry us. This happened so fast.
Know that you are loved. Know that you are missed. Know that we are all better because we knew you and were loved by you. I love you, Augie.
But that is what family does. I'll never forget the day that my sister and your uncle got married. Bryan and I accidentally left you as we walked down the aisle. I didn't even realize it until we were to the narthex, and I was mortified! I thought sure I had either scarred you for life or messed up the whole wedding. Then when the pictures came back, there you were, grinning (as always) walking along with your uncle Dennis and Suzy. Always happy go lucky. Always resilient. Always finding a way to smile.
And that day as you all left...I was sick with the flu and didn't even make it to the reception....your mama said, "Welcome to the family!" and I have never been so honored, and never have I felt so loved by a family that CHOSE to call me their own.
Whether we were playing games on the floor on Thanksgiving or teasing each other about who had had their hair more colors lately, you were always my friend. Even when I probably wasn't the best friend to you, you were always caring to me.
You took pictures of my baby Isaac on his first day of preschool when I had to go to work. You made my boys' birthday cakes. You even spilled cupcakes all over your car trying to get them to me! That's a friend, I'll tell ya!
I'm so glad that we had that great conversation a week before you had to go to Heaven. I'm so glad that you followed your instincts to come pray with me. You don't know how humbled I felt that you had come to share that with me. I was thinking just minutes before I heard that horrible news about after Meadow was first born and we didn't know yet if I was having a boy or a girl, that you had lots of girl clothes to share if I needed them! Mom has a picture of us all that day...so happy.
I was so blessed by you, August. I've been attending events at Holston View my entire life, and never have I seen such a crowd as I did tonight. You were loved by so many. We all hate that your life ended so soon. I know you're happy there with your Mawmaw, though you miss your babies. I know that the last thing you wanted to do was to worry us. This happened so fast.
Know that you are loved. Know that you are missed. Know that we are all better because we knew you and were loved by you. I love you, Augie.
Wordless Wednesday--Because there ARE no words
I have to go to a funeral today for a dear friend and family member. She was killed in a car accident early Sunday morning. August was only 30 years old, and had her whole life ahead of her. She left behind many family members and friends who loved her dearly, but most importantly, left behind two precious children who will have to grow up with out a Mommy.
Please remember August's family members and friends in your prayers, esp. those who will be attending her services tonight. My father will assist with the service and my sister is singing as part of the trio she sings with at our church.
I'm heartbroken and anxious today. In a few minutes I go back to the school where I last saw her on Friday, and where her children attend. Given my already emotional hormonal state, this is not going to be easy.
I love you, Augie, and miss you so much.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Flashback Friday--U Got the Look
Ahhh, the late 80s.....I was in high school, living near a large (by my standards) city, and had so much more to my disposal than I had in small town Southwestern Virginia! High school had its ups and downs, but this song brings back a fun memory! One Saturday night, some friends and I asked our parents if we could go to the local teen club called "Thriller" where they taped a tv show each week that would be shown the following week on Saturday morning. It was one of those situations where I asked my parents and told them that Amy O.'s parents were letting her go, and she told her parents that mine were letting me go! LOL We had such a good time, and it was such fun watching ourselves the next Saturday! I also remember friends calling up and saying, "Is that YOU, Christi?!" How fun is that?! I even taped it on the VCR! I think I still have it around here somewhere! LOL
So without further adieu, here is one of the songs we danced to that night long ago....U Got the Look!
So what about you? What do you remember today? Good or bad, we'd love to hear your memories and the song/tv show/movie/commercial related to it! Please come share!
TGIF!! Thanks for reading!
Monday, September 21, 2009
A few things....
Once again, I missed Flashback Friday. I have just been soooo durn tired!! I promise to try to do better!
Second, I have a post here today! If you aren't following @worldprayr on twitter, please do so...and if you feel so led, we'd love to have you join our team! This is an amazing group of Christians who want to use twitter to spread the love of Christ. I'm very honored to be a part of this group, and would love to have you join us, or at the very least, follow our tweets!
Third, my nephew is recovering nicely! He will be out for the rest of the season, which is stinky...but if he rests and does well with physical therapy, he'll be back on the field not only as the kicker, but also in other positions for his Senior year.
Fourth, if you could lift me up especially over the next few weeks, I would be so appreciative! I'm starting to feel the affects of going without my anti-depressants. I have only come off them for the first trimester of each pregnancy and am determined to make it through the next 2 plus weeks until I can take them again, but man--it isn't easy! This is a chemical that my body NEEDS, and to go without it while also dealing with serious hormone changes is just hard. I talked to my doctor about it, and he says (of course) that if I can go without them, then try to do so (ummm, knowing myself and my history, no thanks), but if I become suicidal, to take them immediately (not there either, thankfully!). So hang on I will until the 13 week mark.
I am soo blessed to have the support of my family and friends, which makes it so much easier. If I had a husband that didn't understand how difficult this was, I don't know what I'd do. He has picked up the slack for the many, many days that I just crash as soon as the boys get to bed, if not sooner. He is very concerned about me, and doesn't complain when I'm crying over something seemingly insignificant over being out of milk for cereal or when my clothes aren't fitting comfortably. I am very thankful that God has blessed me with Chris as my partner!!
So that is a pretty current update from this household! I'm sure there is more that I could report or ask for prayers concerning, but we'll suffice it at this. I love ya'll! Thanks for reading, and I really am trying to keep caught up on reading your blogs as well!
Second, I have a post here today! If you aren't following @worldprayr on twitter, please do so...and if you feel so led, we'd love to have you join our team! This is an amazing group of Christians who want to use twitter to spread the love of Christ. I'm very honored to be a part of this group, and would love to have you join us, or at the very least, follow our tweets!
Third, my nephew is recovering nicely! He will be out for the rest of the season, which is stinky...but if he rests and does well with physical therapy, he'll be back on the field not only as the kicker, but also in other positions for his Senior year.
Fourth, if you could lift me up especially over the next few weeks, I would be so appreciative! I'm starting to feel the affects of going without my anti-depressants. I have only come off them for the first trimester of each pregnancy and am determined to make it through the next 2 plus weeks until I can take them again, but man--it isn't easy! This is a chemical that my body NEEDS, and to go without it while also dealing with serious hormone changes is just hard. I talked to my doctor about it, and he says (of course) that if I can go without them, then try to do so (ummm, knowing myself and my history, no thanks), but if I become suicidal, to take them immediately (not there either, thankfully!). So hang on I will until the 13 week mark.
I am soo blessed to have the support of my family and friends, which makes it so much easier. If I had a husband that didn't understand how difficult this was, I don't know what I'd do. He has picked up the slack for the many, many days that I just crash as soon as the boys get to bed, if not sooner. He is very concerned about me, and doesn't complain when I'm crying over something seemingly insignificant over being out of milk for cereal or when my clothes aren't fitting comfortably. I am very thankful that God has blessed me with Chris as my partner!!
So that is a pretty current update from this household! I'm sure there is more that I could report or ask for prayers concerning, but we'll suffice it at this. I love ya'll! Thanks for reading, and I really am trying to keep caught up on reading your blogs as well!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Wordless Wednesday--Warrior
He's a trooper! He just had surgery and did it mostly for his love of the game.
I'm so proud of him!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Baby update--9 weeks, 4 days
Everything looked good! I am so relieved! It was soo good to hear that little heartbeat and see the little bug squirming around in there like crazy! I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me, and I was just praising the Lord when the tech left the room!
The heart rate was 171, and the due date looks to be spot on. I am getting set up for an appointment with the perinatologist. When I went to see the lady who schedules the outpatient appointments, she asked, "Is something wrong with the baby?" and I answered, "Nope, I'm just OLD!" She cracked up. At least I can have a sense of humor about this advanced maternal age!
One of my coworkers had her ultrasound right before mine, and they're having a boy!
Please keep my nephew in your prayers. He's having a second surgery on a torn miniscus (shoulder) tomorrow. They're hoping to do it arthroscopically but will more than likely have to do an incision. This is made more difficult by the fact that my sister is out of town for most of the week and feels very bad that she is not gonna be there, but nothing could be done as her trip/visits to other schools had been scheduled months in advance, before he re-injured his shoulder. Bless her heart, Bren had trouble getting to her destination yesterday--missed a connecting flight! So while you're at it, keep her in your prayers as well!
So there we have it....update on baby #3!
The heart rate was 171, and the due date looks to be spot on. I am getting set up for an appointment with the perinatologist. When I went to see the lady who schedules the outpatient appointments, she asked, "Is something wrong with the baby?" and I answered, "Nope, I'm just OLD!" She cracked up. At least I can have a sense of humor about this advanced maternal age!
One of my coworkers had her ultrasound right before mine, and they're having a boy!
Please keep my nephew in your prayers. He's having a second surgery on a torn miniscus (shoulder) tomorrow. They're hoping to do it arthroscopically but will more than likely have to do an incision. This is made more difficult by the fact that my sister is out of town for most of the week and feels very bad that she is not gonna be there, but nothing could be done as her trip/visits to other schools had been scheduled months in advance, before he re-injured his shoulder. Bless her heart, Bren had trouble getting to her destination yesterday--missed a connecting flight! So while you're at it, keep her in your prayers as well!
So there we have it....update on baby #3!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Flashback Friday--Waterfalls
Oh, this song was the ultimate cool back in the day! I loved TLC! This song was one of the first that I remember that addressed such social injustices as prostitution as a means of making money and about AIDS. Little did we know that TLC themselves would face problems such as domestic violence before Left Eyes early demise. The world lost a great woman when we lost her! No, she may not have made the best decisions, but we're all guilty of that.
The most distinct memory I have of this song is listening to it with my niece, who was in middle school at the time. We were such good friends at that time...I had just graduated from college and had moved home. We have so many great memories surrounding music!
So what about you? Do you have a memory you'd like to share with us today?! C'mon, it'll make this pregnant lady suffering today from nausea so happy!!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Putting a rude man in his place
So here's the story:
First, let me preface this by saying that I have had to come off my antidepressants for the first trimester of this pregnancy. This affects my mood somewhat, most notably (by me) in that when I get upset/mad, I get MUCH more so than I usually would. So when Chris and I had a disagreement on the way to the ballgame last Friday night, I am certain that this contributed.
So we're heading to the line to get our tickets to get into the game. There was a man standing several feet back from the line fiddling with his wallet. Yes, I realized he was probably heading for the line, but he had stopped quite a bit away from it, so I proceeded to slip past him and get in line myself with the boys. Soon after, I hear a snide comment behind me of,"You better watch it, they'll just jump in line in front of ya..." Given the mood I was in, I tried to be calm, but I'll admit...I'm not good about hiding how I feel from showing on my face. Ask anyone who I've ever been mad at, and they'll tell ya. *blushing* So I may have looked how I felt as I turned around and told him to go ahead of me. He refused, so I continued to insist. He then goes ahead to make what I think is a pretty stupid statement..."Oh, I don't mind!" OH, REALLY?! And that is why you made a snide comment about it??!
So I pointed this out with a smile...."If you don't care, then why did you say anything?" He was obviously uncomfortable by this point, as he should have been. If you don't want to be called on your smart ass statements, don't make 'em! I asked one more time for him to go ahead of us, and he again refused. So I walked to the end of the line, giving him no choice but to go ahead since it was so important to him only moments before. The person who was at the end of the line (now right on front of me) apparently got a kick out of my 'show' and turned around once again to look at me. I commented again, "If he didn't care, he should have kept his mouth shut!" I know I embarrassed my husband, but it just hit me the wrong way.
The moral of my story:
If you don't want to be called on your rude vocalizations, keep 'em in your head where they belong!
So there's my story!
First, let me preface this by saying that I have had to come off my antidepressants for the first trimester of this pregnancy. This affects my mood somewhat, most notably (by me) in that when I get upset/mad, I get MUCH more so than I usually would. So when Chris and I had a disagreement on the way to the ballgame last Friday night, I am certain that this contributed.
So we're heading to the line to get our tickets to get into the game. There was a man standing several feet back from the line fiddling with his wallet. Yes, I realized he was probably heading for the line, but he had stopped quite a bit away from it, so I proceeded to slip past him and get in line myself with the boys. Soon after, I hear a snide comment behind me of,"You better watch it, they'll just jump in line in front of ya..." Given the mood I was in, I tried to be calm, but I'll admit...I'm not good about hiding how I feel from showing on my face. Ask anyone who I've ever been mad at, and they'll tell ya. *blushing* So I may have looked how I felt as I turned around and told him to go ahead of me. He refused, so I continued to insist. He then goes ahead to make what I think is a pretty stupid statement..."Oh, I don't mind!" OH, REALLY?! And that is why you made a snide comment about it??!
So I pointed this out with a smile...."If you don't care, then why did you say anything?" He was obviously uncomfortable by this point, as he should have been. If you don't want to be called on your smart ass statements, don't make 'em! I asked one more time for him to go ahead of us, and he again refused. So I walked to the end of the line, giving him no choice but to go ahead since it was so important to him only moments before. The person who was at the end of the line (now right on front of me) apparently got a kick out of my 'show' and turned around once again to look at me. I commented again, "If he didn't care, he should have kept his mouth shut!" I know I embarrassed my husband, but it just hit me the wrong way.
The moral of my story:
If you don't want to be called on your rude vocalizations, keep 'em in your head where they belong!
So there's my story!
Monday, September 7, 2009
September 8: International Literacy Day
As a Reading Specialist, this is a cause very near to my heart. It saddens me to think that in this age of instantaneous worldwide communication that there are far too many people out there who cannot pick up a book and read it if they wish.
I find this startling:
Folks, I know that if you are reading this, that you have not only basic reading skills but also basic computer skills. But so many people don't! Let me tell you something: IT IS NEVER TOO LATE FOR SOMEONE TO LEARN TO READ!! It is most definitely my 'calling' to help others achieve this goal. I have been very blessed to help offer this gift to first graders over the years, but for those who, for whatever reason, did not easily acquire this skill at 6 or 7 years of age, I'm doubly blessed to be now have the opportunity to help those who struggle with literacy.
Is there someone in your life that cannot read? Encourage them! Tell them that it is never, NEVER too late to develop this skill! There are programs and monies available out there to help! This is one 'epidemic' (to use an over-used term) that can be eradicated. Please do your part to help!
For more information, please visit here!
I find this startling:
Some 774 million adults lack minimum literacy skills; one in five adults is still not literate and two-thirds of them are women; 72.1 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out.
Folks, I know that if you are reading this, that you have not only basic reading skills but also basic computer skills. But so many people don't! Let me tell you something: IT IS NEVER TOO LATE FOR SOMEONE TO LEARN TO READ!! It is most definitely my 'calling' to help others achieve this goal. I have been very blessed to help offer this gift to first graders over the years, but for those who, for whatever reason, did not easily acquire this skill at 6 or 7 years of age, I'm doubly blessed to be now have the opportunity to help those who struggle with literacy.
Is there someone in your life that cannot read? Encourage them! Tell them that it is never, NEVER too late to develop this skill! There are programs and monies available out there to help! This is one 'epidemic' (to use an over-used term) that can be eradicated. Please do your part to help!
For more information, please visit here!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
I'm so sorry, ya'll...
I didn't get FF up yesterday, and I'm feeling like CRUD today. We were literally minutes from leaving for Emory & Henry to watch my nephew's college football debut when the dizziness and nausea hit. I've slept most of the day, and still can't move my head too much or else I'm sure it will hit again. If you read this, please, please pray that it is a fluke. I can't possibly work/do classes if I feel this sick. I can't even walk, for Pete's sake! I've been so blessed so far, I really really don't want to have to deal with this!!
Pregnancy at 36 means one thing to me right now: I have to do what I HAVE to do, but it doesn't leave much time for things I WANT to do, like blog, keep up with friends, etc. I'm doing all I can to have the energy to work, take care of my family, and do school, and I hit the hay as soon as the boys are down. So if I'm not around, please know that it isn't because I don't want to. I just don't have the stamina right now. I'm at 8 weeks, 3 days, so I'm hoping some energy hurries back with the second trimester.
Oh, and somebody remind me to tell you the story of the redneck who I called on his behavior last night. I really hope he was very embarrassed, because he should have been! Right now I'm gonna try to lay down and read my fascinating standardized test manuals that I need to have read by Tuesday! Hope I can stay awake!
Pregnancy at 36 means one thing to me right now: I have to do what I HAVE to do, but it doesn't leave much time for things I WANT to do, like blog, keep up with friends, etc. I'm doing all I can to have the energy to work, take care of my family, and do school, and I hit the hay as soon as the boys are down. So if I'm not around, please know that it isn't because I don't want to. I just don't have the stamina right now. I'm at 8 weeks, 3 days, so I'm hoping some energy hurries back with the second trimester.
Oh, and somebody remind me to tell you the story of the redneck who I called on his behavior last night. I really hope he was very embarrassed, because he should have been! Right now I'm gonna try to lay down and read my fascinating standardized test manuals that I need to have read by Tuesday! Hope I can stay awake!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Random things I've come to realize
Teachers can be very inflexible, and it is so nice when they are not! When specialized teachers are trying to help a student become a better reader, it is helpful for classroom teachers to realize that this will only HELP them in their job. Work with them, and you'll be amazed at the benefits you'll see!
Nickelsville Elementary has arguably the most beautiful view from its vantage point! From either side of the building, you can see lovely rolling green fields, mountain peaks, and a sky that looks like it never ends. I love it!
I am really enjoying my job. I know even more now that God has placed me here where He needs me to be!
I'm still feeling amazingly good with this pregnancy, and am so thankful for this!!
Nickelsville Elementary has arguably the most beautiful view from its vantage point! From either side of the building, you can see lovely rolling green fields, mountain peaks, and a sky that looks like it never ends. I love it!
I am really enjoying my job. I know even more now that God has placed me here where He needs me to be!
I'm still feeling amazingly good with this pregnancy, and am so thankful for this!!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Anyone want the deets?!
Sorry that I posted the exciting news and then left you hanging without any details! By the time I got home each night this week, I was worn out. I had a bad headache on Wed. night, too, so that wasn't much fun! The tiredness is the only complaint I really have right now, other than some minor breast tenderness....but NOTHING like I had with the boys, esp. with Isaac!
Let's see....we found out last Friday. I knew that I was late and honestly was thinking I was taking a test just to reassure myself that it was just stress causing me to be late. WRONG! Let me just tell you, even if you think you're NOT pregnant, DO NOT take the test before you're supposed to head to work! It can wait 'til the weekend, I promise!
So at 6:30 on Friday morning, I was showing Chris the results and bawling my eyes out like I had been shot. The first thing Chris asked was,"Did the birth control not work?!" and I was like, "Well, obviously!" Bless his heart, he wandered around in shock most of the day, I think! He went on to work and I stayed home. I called my asst. principal, and she later told me that she thought someone had DIED, I was crying so hard! LOL
I wasn't able to get in to see anyone at my OB, though I think the lady really felt sorry for me and found me something as quickly as she could for Tuesday. I then called my 'regular' doctor, and did get in to see her that morning. She went ahead and did a blood test, and a friend of mine took pity on me and put a STAT order on the results. I knew, though, by this point, that it was a definite. The home test turned pink IMMEDIATELY, so I knew it was a done deal. My sweet, wonderful friend Robin met me for lunch and even brought me flowers! I don't know what I would have done without her that day, because she was able to show me that it would be okay, and remind me that this was a blessing. I didn't want to call anyone else before I knew for sure, so other than Robin, I felt pretty alone!
Poor Chris, though, kept taking the 'blame' himself, and lamenting the fact that he didn't go get the vascectomy that I suggested time and time again. I reassured him that I did not blame him, and that God is bigger than any birth control or even operation, and if this child was to be born, then He would make sure it was! That makes dealing with it much easier in my heart....knowing that God has a purpose for this child, and that He will bring me through this! HE will get the glory for what He's done in our life by bringing another child up in the faith and to know about Him.
The doctor's office called with results late Friday afternoon, confirming what I already knew. I won't lie and say that we were immediately all butterflies and praise, cause we weren't. We did, however, decide we'd do the best we could to celebrate this. We all went out to dinner, where I had to gently remind Chris that if he was going to try to cheer me up, he was gonna have to actually TALK to do so. Overwhelmed is the best word I know to use to describe how we were both feeling! After dinner, we both let our parents know what was going on, and they were all very tickled!
Saturday was still a day of fog and confusion. I called my sisters and filled them in, and their reactions struck me as funny: Suzy cracked up and kept laughing, and Brenda was in disbelief. She kept saying,"You're kidding!" and "This isn't why I thought you had called me!" LOL But they were both happy too! Chris called his brother on Sunday, and it took him a while to get the message across that we hadn't planned this!
By Monday, we were both telling our bosses (well, my boss at one school knew, so I had to tell the other principal...who is expecting herself!). Chris' principal was so excited that she wanted him to tell everyone in the school so she could talk about it! LOL We had open house at the boys' school--my former workplace--on Monday evening, and word was spreading like wildfire while we were there. SOOOOO we went ahead and told the boys on Monday night. They were both fine with the idea once we explained that Dad could come home and spend the night here at the house while I was in the hospital instead of staying with me and the baby there. Isaac, our worrier, was concerned about that! LOL
That leads us to Tuesday, when we went to see my OB. The only thing that concerned me about that appointment was that he wants me to go see a perinatologist because of the increased risk of Down syndrome because of my age. The verdict is still out over whether or not we want to do this. It won't change anything with the pregnancy...we will still carry it to term, so I am not sure that I want to do that. However, I am trying to be open to the Lord's will on this instead of relying on my own. I would appreciate your prayers as we think about this decision.
My GP went ahead and set me up a schedule to wean myself off my antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications. All in all, I will have to be totally off meds for about 5 weeks. Not that bad, but it took me about 6 weeks to feel the affects once I started taking them again when I was pregnant with Adam. Again, please keep me/us in your prayers about this.
Everyone at work has been super-understanding and supportive. That is a big help. It is a huge blessing that I am NOT in the classroom while going through this. Though it is stressful to try to learn a new job and go to school while baking a little one, I know that with God's help I can do it! I start back to school on Tuesday, and already have an assignment I will get to work on here in a few minutes.
So there you have it! The story of baby #3 has begun! Our due date is April 16th, and the boys would both like to have a little sister--shocking to me! So think pink thoughts for us, and I'll definitely keep you updated! We have an ultrasound and appointment in 2 weeks.
Let's see....we found out last Friday. I knew that I was late and honestly was thinking I was taking a test just to reassure myself that it was just stress causing me to be late. WRONG! Let me just tell you, even if you think you're NOT pregnant, DO NOT take the test before you're supposed to head to work! It can wait 'til the weekend, I promise!
So at 6:30 on Friday morning, I was showing Chris the results and bawling my eyes out like I had been shot. The first thing Chris asked was,"Did the birth control not work?!" and I was like, "Well, obviously!" Bless his heart, he wandered around in shock most of the day, I think! He went on to work and I stayed home. I called my asst. principal, and she later told me that she thought someone had DIED, I was crying so hard! LOL
I wasn't able to get in to see anyone at my OB, though I think the lady really felt sorry for me and found me something as quickly as she could for Tuesday. I then called my 'regular' doctor, and did get in to see her that morning. She went ahead and did a blood test, and a friend of mine took pity on me and put a STAT order on the results. I knew, though, by this point, that it was a definite. The home test turned pink IMMEDIATELY, so I knew it was a done deal. My sweet, wonderful friend Robin met me for lunch and even brought me flowers! I don't know what I would have done without her that day, because she was able to show me that it would be okay, and remind me that this was a blessing. I didn't want to call anyone else before I knew for sure, so other than Robin, I felt pretty alone!
Poor Chris, though, kept taking the 'blame' himself, and lamenting the fact that he didn't go get the vascectomy that I suggested time and time again. I reassured him that I did not blame him, and that God is bigger than any birth control or even operation, and if this child was to be born, then He would make sure it was! That makes dealing with it much easier in my heart....knowing that God has a purpose for this child, and that He will bring me through this! HE will get the glory for what He's done in our life by bringing another child up in the faith and to know about Him.
The doctor's office called with results late Friday afternoon, confirming what I already knew. I won't lie and say that we were immediately all butterflies and praise, cause we weren't. We did, however, decide we'd do the best we could to celebrate this. We all went out to dinner, where I had to gently remind Chris that if he was going to try to cheer me up, he was gonna have to actually TALK to do so. Overwhelmed is the best word I know to use to describe how we were both feeling! After dinner, we both let our parents know what was going on, and they were all very tickled!
Saturday was still a day of fog and confusion. I called my sisters and filled them in, and their reactions struck me as funny: Suzy cracked up and kept laughing, and Brenda was in disbelief. She kept saying,"You're kidding!" and "This isn't why I thought you had called me!" LOL But they were both happy too! Chris called his brother on Sunday, and it took him a while to get the message across that we hadn't planned this!
By Monday, we were both telling our bosses (well, my boss at one school knew, so I had to tell the other principal...who is expecting herself!). Chris' principal was so excited that she wanted him to tell everyone in the school so she could talk about it! LOL We had open house at the boys' school--my former workplace--on Monday evening, and word was spreading like wildfire while we were there. SOOOOO we went ahead and told the boys on Monday night. They were both fine with the idea once we explained that Dad could come home and spend the night here at the house while I was in the hospital instead of staying with me and the baby there. Isaac, our worrier, was concerned about that! LOL
That leads us to Tuesday, when we went to see my OB. The only thing that concerned me about that appointment was that he wants me to go see a perinatologist because of the increased risk of Down syndrome because of my age. The verdict is still out over whether or not we want to do this. It won't change anything with the pregnancy...we will still carry it to term, so I am not sure that I want to do that. However, I am trying to be open to the Lord's will on this instead of relying on my own. I would appreciate your prayers as we think about this decision.
My GP went ahead and set me up a schedule to wean myself off my antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications. All in all, I will have to be totally off meds for about 5 weeks. Not that bad, but it took me about 6 weeks to feel the affects once I started taking them again when I was pregnant with Adam. Again, please keep me/us in your prayers about this.
Everyone at work has been super-understanding and supportive. That is a big help. It is a huge blessing that I am NOT in the classroom while going through this. Though it is stressful to try to learn a new job and go to school while baking a little one, I know that with God's help I can do it! I start back to school on Tuesday, and already have an assignment I will get to work on here in a few minutes.
So there you have it! The story of baby #3 has begun! Our due date is April 16th, and the boys would both like to have a little sister--shocking to me! So think pink thoughts for us, and I'll definitely keep you updated! We have an ultrasound and appointment in 2 weeks.
Flashback Friday--Ghostbusters
First, folks, so sorry that this is late going up! We overslept Friday morning, and then the boys had Parents' Night Out at TaeKwonDo last night, so I wasn't home much yesterday! Better late than never, right?!
Who can forget this iconic movie of the 80s?! I remember it well...I was in 6th grade when it came out. I remember that summer going to stay with my sister for a week where she was working as a Summer Youth Worker at a church and going to the children's choir week there at the church. I went to a water park for the first time that week, and one afternoon I stayed with a family from the church while Suzy worked. We were watching MTV (still didn't have this lovely in our house!) and the video came on for this song. The boy went on to describe the movie to me in great detail as only a child without much filling up his brain can do (or maybe it is just a boy thing? Cause my husband can still do it!) I did finally see the movie months later!
So, even thought I'm late with this, what are you remembering today? Are you taken back to this same time of year when you were younger? Or did you hear a song or think of a TV Show that took you back? Share it with us please!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Positively surprised!
Shocked, absolutely shocked! But it is sinking in, and I'm starting to get used to the idea! We should have a little addition to the family mid-April.
More details later....little babe is making Mommy not feel so great right this moment!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Take a Fresh Look
This was in the September '09 Guideposts Magazine. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
--Ariane de Bonvoisin is the founder of first30days.com and author of The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Making Any Change Easier, now available in paperback.
How do you see yourself? You might say,"I'm not the creative type. I'm a business person. I'm good with numbers." or "I'm a teacher, not an entrepreneur." There's a certain comfort in holding on to the identity that's defined you for years. But when change happens, what God is asking you to do is go with the change.
Step away from the labels you put on yourself. They limit your thinking. They don't let you see the possibilities God sees for you....Is there something you've told yourself you can't do? Well, why not?
Look at what you're going through right now--whether it's a job loss or a change in a relationship or a new life stage--as an opportunity. You're being given the change to see yourself differently, to develop more courage, more resiliency, more faith...whatever you need to make the most of your life's journey.
--Ariane de Bonvoisin is the founder of first30days.com and author of The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Making Any Change Easier, now available in paperback.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Flashback Friday--2 memories in 1!
I was originally gonna remember the song, because I heard it on the radio the other day, and it reminded me of my first experiences going clubbing as a college freshman. Then when I looked at the video, it was Color Me Badd on The Arsenio Hall Show, and boy did that bring back memories! He was the STUFF when I was in high school/college!
This song, though....I remember going to The Odyssey on Wed. night and dancing to my heart's content. The picture that comes to mind when I hear this song is my next door neighbor to me in the dorm on crutches dancing a bit in the corner to this song! I remember having the 'remix' version of the song and playing it really loud as I drove to my boyfriend's house the following summer. Ah, how easy life was then!
So what about you? What are you remembering today?
Write a post and link it up for us! And enjoy the weekend...TGIF!
Monday, August 17, 2009
We survived, and other good news!
The first day is done! We all survived with very little damage!
I dropped the boys off early and walked them to their rooms where they deposited their bags. Then I walked the to the cafeteria and choked up as I told them goodbye and that I loved them. I know this wouldn't have been nearly as difficult had I not been leaving the building to go to another school! But I did it, and it will get easier from here on out, I'm sure.
Both boys had a great day! They were competing to tell me about things that they did or saw or said on the way home. I helped out in Kindergarten all day, and am again grateful that I was never asked to be a Kindergarten teacher. Even though it wasn't MY classroom, I still came home exhausted! My hat is off to those of you who teach Kindys day in and day out!!
Chris had a somewhat stressful day, but it was nothing he can't handle. He and the boys have gone to TaeKwonDo to release some energy and get some exercise while I stayed home for a while hoping that the OTHER good news would be delivered!
AND IT WAS! Check out what I got from my new best friend, the FedEx man!
SQEEEEEEEEEE!! He tried to deliver it on Thursday and Friday--Murphy's law that it was the first week I wasn't home all day, every day--my new vacuum! I can't wait to give it a spin!! And another shout-out and THANK YOU to the lovely ladies from whom I won it--the Wii Mommies!
All in all, it was a pretty good day!!
I dropped the boys off early and walked them to their rooms where they deposited their bags. Then I walked the to the cafeteria and choked up as I told them goodbye and that I loved them. I know this wouldn't have been nearly as difficult had I not been leaving the building to go to another school! But I did it, and it will get easier from here on out, I'm sure.
Both boys had a great day! They were competing to tell me about things that they did or saw or said on the way home. I helped out in Kindergarten all day, and am again grateful that I was never asked to be a Kindergarten teacher. Even though it wasn't MY classroom, I still came home exhausted! My hat is off to those of you who teach Kindys day in and day out!!
Chris had a somewhat stressful day, but it was nothing he can't handle. He and the boys have gone to TaeKwonDo to release some energy and get some exercise while I stayed home for a while hoping that the OTHER good news would be delivered!
AND IT WAS! Check out what I got from my new best friend, the FedEx man!
SQEEEEEEEEEE!! He tried to deliver it on Thursday and Friday--Murphy's law that it was the first week I wasn't home all day, every day--my new vacuum! I can't wait to give it a spin!! And another shout-out and THANK YOU to the lovely ladies from whom I won it--the Wii Mommies!
All in all, it was a pretty good day!!
Today's the big day!
Wish me luck! Off to take my boys to their school...Adam's first day of Kindergarten...and then to help out in another teacher's Kindergarten classroom at one of my schools. I'm fighting tears, and really hoping I don't throw up!
Hopefully, with God's help, I'll be back this afternoon to tell you how it went wonderfully and it wasn't that big of a deal! :)
Fingers crossed and prayers welcome...
Hopefully, with God's help, I'll be back this afternoon to tell you how it went wonderfully and it wasn't that big of a deal! :)
Fingers crossed and prayers welcome...
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Flashback Friday--Hole Hearted
Since my nephew is just starting college at my alma mater, it takes me back to 18 years ago when I was in the same place! Though it seems almost unbelievable now, my roomie and I did not have a tv in our room! (Oh, the horrors!) We watched regularly across the hall in our friends' room. We waited each day to watch the top videos (maybe it was Top 5 at 5? I don't remember) on MTV. THIS video was one of our favorites that fall. In fact, Allison made it into a funny as we always went straight to dinner after watching these shows:
There's a hole in my stomach that can only be filled by food!
Ah, those were good days. I can almost see the bright colors of the campus all over again just remembering that carefree time. I was quite innocent and in no great hurry to grow up and branch out quite yet. It was a difficult adjustment to make to have so much freedom at my disposal! At one point in those first days I wondered if I had made the right decision to attend school 4 hours away from my parents, but I soon realized that this WAS a good thing. So much of who I am now was formed in those four years, and though part of me wishes I had known then some things I know now, I wouldn't trade those years for anything in the world!
Enjoy the video and remember a time of carefree fun in your life!
What about you? Any song driving you NUTS running through your head? Share it with us! Simply write up YOUR flashback, and link up to us here so we can check it out!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wordless Wednesday--30 Years Ago
I'm the little one in the dress, flanked by my sisters and oldest sister's roommate. Today she (the blonde) takes her oldest to college. How time flies! Please remember them in your prayers!
Monday, August 10, 2009
So honored!!
Imagine my surprise and delight today when I was asked by one blog to consider contributing an article, and then awarded a blog award by another bloggy friend!
Mamapedia apparently thinks I'm worthy of their attention! I'm definitely going to contribute something after these first few crazy weeks of school. Yes, we teachers went back to work today! I THOUGHT that I'd be less stressed this year about going back to work. WRONG! I think I've been worse than ever! But I do feel better after one work day under my belt.
But back to Mamapedia! I'm thrilled to have any other blog recognize that mine is worth reading!!
This lovely award came from Maria at Personalized Sketches and Sentiments. If you haven't visited Maria's blog yet, you need to do so! She is funny and engaging, and is a very talented artist to boot!
According to Kathie at my net finds, she recently created the award for the following reason:
So if you are reading this, folks, I want to bestow it to you! I've come to realize that many more people visit my blog than actually comment. I'd love to change that, and hear from you personally--each and every one!
Well, maybe not if you're gonna be mean to me.
But everyone else, let me know who you are and where you're from so I can visit you back! I'm very honored to not only be a recipient of this award, but to get it only 4 days after it was created! I feel incredibly special!
These forms of recognition were certainly the 'blog hugs' (as Maria referred to them) that I needed to feel right now! What a blessing the bloggy world is to me!
Mamapedia apparently thinks I'm worthy of their attention! I'm definitely going to contribute something after these first few crazy weeks of school. Yes, we teachers went back to work today! I THOUGHT that I'd be less stressed this year about going back to work. WRONG! I think I've been worse than ever! But I do feel better after one work day under my belt.
But back to Mamapedia! I'm thrilled to have any other blog recognize that mine is worth reading!!
This lovely award came from Maria at Personalized Sketches and Sentiments. If you haven't visited Maria's blog yet, you need to do so! She is funny and engaging, and is a very talented artist to boot!
According to Kathie at my net finds, she recently created the award for the following reason:
I made this award for the special bloggers who take the time to not only read my posts, but also leave comments, respond to comments, form blog friendships with and support others, answer blogger questions, etc.....the ones who are a real "gem" in the bloggy world. The bloggy world wouldn't be the same without you!
The only rule for this award is that to accept it, display it proudly on your blog for all the bloggy world to see your greatness and/or pass it on to other bloggers as you see fit.
So if you are reading this, folks, I want to bestow it to you! I've come to realize that many more people visit my blog than actually comment. I'd love to change that, and hear from you personally--each and every one!
Well, maybe not if you're gonna be mean to me.
But everyone else, let me know who you are and where you're from so I can visit you back! I'm very honored to not only be a recipient of this award, but to get it only 4 days after it was created! I feel incredibly special!
These forms of recognition were certainly the 'blog hugs' (as Maria referred to them) that I needed to feel right now! What a blessing the bloggy world is to me!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
The multiple reason that I'm freaking out
If I can laugh about it, it helps, right?!
1. I'm all torn up about the fact that my baby is very obviously not a baby anymore and is going to Kindergarten. I have sat and cried,"I don't want to go backwards, I don't want another baby, so why am I crying over this??!" Never did I think it was gonna be this hard, and it isn't HIM, it is ME! I think that the following have everything to do with why I'm having a hard time....
2. I've gone back up to the boys' school--my former workplace--twice over the past week or so. The first time, I cried after I left the building. The second time, I didn't cry, but even thinking about heading down the hall where I taught for 12 years brings fresh tears. I feel like I don't really 'fit' anywhere right now, cause I don't know my new coworkers, but I don't feel as though I'm part of my former faculty either. It is a very lonely place, actually.
3. My oldest nephew is leaving for college Wednesday. This is the child of my oldest sister, so I worry about and feel for her, too! Though he's not going far away to school, and I'll be on campus myself once a week starting Sept. 1, it is just a big change, yk? Every time I think about how Adam going to school is affecting me, I think about how much harder it must be for Bren! I'm THRILLED for him and so excited that he's gonna be experiencing the same college as we did because we all loved it so much, and hope that he does as well!
4. I've been having my bout with insomnia again this week. I *think* that I've figured out a pattern that it happens approximately every 2 months. I'm gonna try to better document when it is happening to see if I'm right. So sleep deprivation is contributing for sure.
5. Going back to work is always hard.
OK, well that should about do it for today! LOL
1. I'm all torn up about the fact that my baby is very obviously not a baby anymore and is going to Kindergarten. I have sat and cried,"I don't want to go backwards, I don't want another baby, so why am I crying over this??!" Never did I think it was gonna be this hard, and it isn't HIM, it is ME! I think that the following have everything to do with why I'm having a hard time....
2. I've gone back up to the boys' school--my former workplace--twice over the past week or so. The first time, I cried after I left the building. The second time, I didn't cry, but even thinking about heading down the hall where I taught for 12 years brings fresh tears. I feel like I don't really 'fit' anywhere right now, cause I don't know my new coworkers, but I don't feel as though I'm part of my former faculty either. It is a very lonely place, actually.
3. My oldest nephew is leaving for college Wednesday. This is the child of my oldest sister, so I worry about and feel for her, too! Though he's not going far away to school, and I'll be on campus myself once a week starting Sept. 1, it is just a big change, yk? Every time I think about how Adam going to school is affecting me, I think about how much harder it must be for Bren! I'm THRILLED for him and so excited that he's gonna be experiencing the same college as we did because we all loved it so much, and hope that he does as well!
4. I've been having my bout with insomnia again this week. I *think* that I've figured out a pattern that it happens approximately every 2 months. I'm gonna try to better document when it is happening to see if I'm right. So sleep deprivation is contributing for sure.
5. Going back to work is always hard.
OK, well that should about do it for today! LOL
Friday, August 7, 2009
Flashback Friday--Tab
Long before there was diet Coke, there was TAB! It was bottled by the CocaCola company. I remember thinking that people must be 'cool' to drink that soda out of a pink can!
I had the idea when I was around 9 to change the word "TAB" to the world "GOD", so that the jingle would go like this:
God
What a beautiful thing
God
For beautiful people
God
You're beautiful to me
So my best buddy and I performed this at a camp talent show!
Cheesy, but something I'll never forget!
So what about you? Surely you have some song running through your head you'd like to share!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Blog Hop: Encouragement
This post started taking form this morning before I was completely awake. I had not thought much about participating in the Blog Hop, but this post fit in perfectly, so why not?
We have a friend who has in the last 6 months started attending our church and coming to our Sunday School class. We've become fast friends! She is a real treasure, and is bringing something extra to our class that is definitely needed. She recently went on a mission trip to Belize. We asked what we could send with her on the trip, and she suggested tennis balls.
Tennis balls?? On a mission trip??
Yes, we wondered the same thing! But those going on these trip each year throw the tennis balls to kids who are waiting by the side of the road. It is the only toy that many of them will have for an entire year. They play with that tennis ball until the next year when new missionaries come by with new balls.
Think about that....I mean, my sons are most definitely spoiled with too many toys. They cannot even fathom what it would be like to have only one toy. But to these children, a yellow tennis ball completes their need for a toy--for an entire year!!
So last Sunday, my sister coined a phrase related to this: She encouraged us to have a "Tennis Ball Outlook" on our lives. We need to be thankful for what we have and grateful to the Lord for our many, many blessings. We have been blessed to be born into a country of much prosperity where we have many opportunities, and even if we are born into a lower economic class, with help and work, we can bring ourselves success and betterment. We have homes, food, clothing, and even have extra to spend on such luxuries that we consider 'needs' as computers and internet access.
So are you looking at life with a "Tennis Ball Outlook?" If not, why not? What do you need to change to do so??
We have a friend who has in the last 6 months started attending our church and coming to our Sunday School class. We've become fast friends! She is a real treasure, and is bringing something extra to our class that is definitely needed. She recently went on a mission trip to Belize. We asked what we could send with her on the trip, and she suggested tennis balls.
Tennis balls?? On a mission trip??
Yes, we wondered the same thing! But those going on these trip each year throw the tennis balls to kids who are waiting by the side of the road. It is the only toy that many of them will have for an entire year. They play with that tennis ball until the next year when new missionaries come by with new balls.
Think about that....I mean, my sons are most definitely spoiled with too many toys. They cannot even fathom what it would be like to have only one toy. But to these children, a yellow tennis ball completes their need for a toy--for an entire year!!
So last Sunday, my sister coined a phrase related to this: She encouraged us to have a "Tennis Ball Outlook" on our lives. We need to be thankful for what we have and grateful to the Lord for our many, many blessings. We have been blessed to be born into a country of much prosperity where we have many opportunities, and even if we are born into a lower economic class, with help and work, we can bring ourselves success and betterment. We have homes, food, clothing, and even have extra to spend on such luxuries that we consider 'needs' as computers and internet access.
So are you looking at life with a "Tennis Ball Outlook?" If not, why not? What do you need to change to do so??
Monday, August 3, 2009
Funny thing happened on the way to pick up the boys..
from TaeKwonDo! I was in my new Jeep (have I mentioned that I love it? Cause I do!) and since I was all alone, I had the radio cranked, the sunroof down and the windows partially down. I was loving it! So I pull up to a red light, singing along to Prince, and there were 17 year olds or so in a little car in the turning lane beside me. They turned around to see the 'old lady' who had her music loud! I had to laugh! I waved a little, they kind of dumbfoundedly waved back, and when the light changed, I floored it!
I so wanted to say,"Ummmm.....you didn't invent loud music, and I have the money to have better speakers!"
Ahh, sweet revenge for those days when I had to drive my 1973 Impala!!
I so wanted to say,"Ummmm.....you didn't invent loud music, and I have the money to have better speakers!"
Ahh, sweet revenge for those days when I had to drive my 1973 Impala!!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
I'm anxious tonight
For no apparent reason....I'm not exactly sure why. I have my ideas about why, but voicing them at this point will only make it worse I'm afraid. Suffice it to say it is the same type stuff I blogged about yesterday.
I mentioned on Twitter that I was feeling this way, so my friend Heather says that she reads Psalms when she is feeling this way. She mentioned Psalm 27 in particular. I'm gonna share it here to help calm myself down, and then if someone reading it needs to see it, I will have shared it with someone else in need as well!
Psalm 27
Light, space, zest--
that's God!
So with him on my side I'm fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.
When vandal hordes ride down
ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs
fall flat on their faces.
When besieged,
I'm calm as a bay.
When all hell breaks loose,
I'm collected and cool.
I'm asking God for one thing,
only one thing:
To live with Him in His house
my whole life long.
I'll contemplate his beauty,
I'll study at his feet.
That's the only quiet, secure place
in a noisy world.
The perfect getaway,
far from the buzz of traffic.
God holds me head and shoulders
above all who try to pull me down.
I'm headed for his place to offer anthems
that will raise the roof!
Already I'm singing God-songs,
I'm making music to God.
Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs:
"Be good to me! Answer me!"
When my heart whispered,"Seek God,"
my whole being replied,
"I'm seeking him!"
Don't hide from me now!
You've always been right there for me;
don't turn your back on me now.
Don't throw me out, don't abandon me,
you've always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
but God took me in.
Point me down your highway, God,
direct me along a well-lighted street;
show my enemies whose side you're on.
Don't throw me to the dogs,
those liars who are out to get me,
filling the air with their threats.
I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness
in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
Take heart. Don't quit.
I'll say it again:
Stay with God.
I mentioned on Twitter that I was feeling this way, so my friend Heather says that she reads Psalms when she is feeling this way. She mentioned Psalm 27 in particular. I'm gonna share it here to help calm myself down, and then if someone reading it needs to see it, I will have shared it with someone else in need as well!
Psalm 27
Light, space, zest--
that's God!
So with him on my side I'm fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.
When vandal hordes ride down
ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs
fall flat on their faces.
When besieged,
I'm calm as a bay.
When all hell breaks loose,
I'm collected and cool.
I'm asking God for one thing,
only one thing:
To live with Him in His house
my whole life long.
I'll contemplate his beauty,
I'll study at his feet.
That's the only quiet, secure place
in a noisy world.
The perfect getaway,
far from the buzz of traffic.
God holds me head and shoulders
above all who try to pull me down.
I'm headed for his place to offer anthems
that will raise the roof!
Already I'm singing God-songs,
I'm making music to God.
Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs:
"Be good to me! Answer me!"
When my heart whispered,"Seek God,"
my whole being replied,
"I'm seeking him!"
Don't hide from me now!
You've always been right there for me;
don't turn your back on me now.
Don't throw me out, don't abandon me,
you've always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
but God took me in.
Point me down your highway, God,
direct me along a well-lighted street;
show my enemies whose side you're on.
Don't throw me to the dogs,
those liars who are out to get me,
filling the air with their threats.
I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness
in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
Take heart. Don't quit.
I'll say it again:
Stay with God.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Flashback Friday--Nothing Compares 2 U
I'm feeling a bit melancholy today--has to do some with the nasty weather, some with some strange dreams I've been having lately, some with just plain feelings I've been having lately, and some with coming down to wire where I'll be reporting to different schools here in a week. It is a very hard place to be: I feel like I don't totally fit in with my former coworkers as they discuss things that will be happening at school when I'm not going to be there...and I don't even know who I will 'hang out' with at my new schools. Shoemaker has always been known as a very close faculty, and I know I'm gonna have to adjust to that not being the case everywhere. I know that they will always be my friends, but I also have moved enough times to know that though you remain friends, it is never quite the same.
I was telling Chris last night that in a way it is worse than moving because I still see them and am around them, but just not with them. It is not easy, that's for sure. But then know that I have attachment issues after having to move and change schools so many times! LOL
So to the flashback for this song....this song came out when I was going through a rough but stupid breakup in high school. I don't even know why I went out with the guy. He was bad news from the beginning! But he was the #1 bad boy I was attracted to back then. I don't know, maybe I thought I could 'reform' him! LOL Either way, the breakup was definitely against my wishes, and I remember driving around crying to this song many times.
I will admit that it felt good to know I was over him the following summer. In the end, I put him in his place when he showed up at my house out of the blue! I was actually looking for another guy who was supposed to be coming over. Steve picked up on the fact that I was jumpy, and questioned me about it. So I asked,"Why did you even come up here?" and he said,"I just wanted to see you..." and I answered,"Well, you've seen me!" Oh, that made him mad! He started cussing me (as he often did back when we were dating--can we say verbally abusive?!) and peeled out. I only saw him one other time after that, and truly, fear went through me that last time. Looking back, he was very much verbally and emotionally abusive. Real winner of a guy huh??
And added plus to this song is that it was written by Prince! Need I say more?!
You may be thinking why is she remembering this loser she dated back in the day? He's ancient history! It reminds me of the first time I realized that I was stronger than I thought I was. It reminds me of making good choices in the end. It reminds me of the start of a very good time in my life and the end of a very foolish and painful time. It reminds me that God is good if only we will Trust Him!
So there ya go. Hear the song and think of me!
So now that you've heard my story of victory, you want to share your own, no?? C'mon, you know you wanna! Write up your own post and use this awesome little MckLinky to let us know where yours is!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Mama's Got a New CAR!
And that mama is MEEEEE!
Yep, we took in my '99 Olds Brevada with over 101,000 miles yesterday, and using the Cash for Clunkers incentive, got a sweet deal on a '09 Jeep Patriot! I am loving it!
Truly, ya'll, if you need to trade cars sometime soon and ESP. if you have a car that you might not get much out of on a trade in, you need to go check this out! Chrysler is matching what the government is offering on trade-in! They don't PUT Jeeps on good sales like this, so otherwise we never would have gotten to buy a car this nice for such a great price!
Chris kept laughing at me last night cause I kept clapping my hands in glee at it! We really didn't want to have to have another car payment right now, but my car was gonna take several thousand dollars to fix up to where it wasn't hazardous and/or drive me crazy! Currently here were there issues:
--the driver door had to be locked immediately on entering or the interior light came on. It also couldn't be locked anyway BUT manually upon exiting. Auto lock no longer worked on that door.
--Gas gauge didn't work properly and had a tendency just to wave at me sometimes! LOL I had to keep an eye on how many miles I'd driven and fill it up after approx. 200 miles.
--Rear window defroster had come loose on one side, so therefore didn't work properly
So in order to fix these issues it probably would have cost us at least $1500! Instead, we just got a new one! LOL
Hey, it is still cheaper than what we were paying for daycare per month!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wordless Wednesday--Crooked House
This house stood across the street from the school where my husband attended elementary school, which was also the school where my mom taught at the time. I had recently shared that mom was his teacher in Kindergarten! I am now going to be teaching there 2 days a week. Pretty cool, huh?
This house has since been torn down and a cabin is sitting there. But seeing this pic recently on Chris' cousin's facebook pics brought back memories, so I thought I'd share!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wanna see Adam in his new glasses??
Sure ya do!! Not the best quality pic ever, but it is what I have on hand! I went to a Facebook party last night for Tricia Goyer's book Blue Like Play Dough, and we were encouraged to add pics as party of the party! Adam was hanging out with me, so a picture with him is what we took!
What do you think? Do you agree with me that he looks handsome and smart?!
Please pray for this precious boy!
Little Stellan has had a rough go so far in life. His parents were told initially that he wouldn't live, but he has, against the odds. His heart is struggling to stay in the proper rhythm, especially the past few days. He's a very sick little boy.
I firmly believe that God has a plan for this child! He has allowed this child to live for a reason, and I know that little Stellan has already touched so many lives. Please take the time today to visit his mom's blog and to lift up prayers for this child!!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, Monday....
One of my last few before going back to work!
I've posted at two other sites today and one yesterday if you're interested in checking them out!
I have a new book review up at BlahBlahReviews....
A new meme starting out on Sited and Blogged....
And several Bible study posts at Showered by Blessings!
Hope to see that you've stopped by one of these soon!
I've posted at two other sites today and one yesterday if you're interested in checking them out!
I have a new book review up at BlahBlahReviews....
A new meme starting out on Sited and Blogged....
And several Bible study posts at Showered by Blessings!
Hope to see that you've stopped by one of these soon!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Let's not leave anyone out!
I'm loving that those of us who aren't at BlogHer are getting lots of parties in as well! I wanna be part of ALL of them, so I need to let you know about BlogHer@Home! This great party even encourages me to drink and take bewb shots if I want! (Not very likely, but I like that I've been given permission!)
So for those of you that don't know me...I'm Christi, a Christian 30something wife of 11 years to Chris and mother to Isaac, 8, and Adam, 5. I am a teacher, and am getting ready to start my first year as a Reading Specialist at two elementary schools. I'm also a grad student, as I am halfway through my Master's cohort in Reading. I love reading, blogging, hanging out at parenting message boards, and I love to nap when I get the chance!
And I'm a fighter. Wanna know what I fight against?! I fight such things as illiteracy, mad parents in her classroom, chocolate, overeating, the battle of the bulge, liberals, non-Christians, and the clutter in her house. I've also been known to battle fibromyalgia and the pain it brings on, depression, and people who mistreat my family and friends.
So if you got through all this and still want to stick around, welcome! Glad to have ya here! Can't wait to get to know you better--bewb shots and all!
Flashback Friday--How Will I Know
Ah, the early Whitney days! Weren't they the greatest? I knew it was bad news for her when she hooked up with Bobby Brown, though I loved his early work as well!
But I digress! The memories that this song pulls up are numerous and not ALL wonderful! I remember hearing this song one Friday when I was in 7th grade. As it turned out, there was a cute 8th grader who supposedly was crushing on me just like I was on him, and was apparently gonna ask me to 'go with him'. Yes, now you must insert the question that every adult had to ask...where are you going together?! No, no, no--that just meant that we were a couple! This was a real cutie, a popular boy, so I was loving the possibilities!
But alas, things didn't turn out that way. As it turned out, he decided to 'go with' one of my good friends instead, partially because even at 13, she was stacked where I obviously wasn't! Oh, the heartbreak! Oh, the drama! I remember crying so hard when I found out that I couldn't even respond...I just handed the phone to my sister and she had to tell my friend that I'd talk to her later. And it really wasn't as much about the boy as it was that this friend had betrayed me. She had known that I had a crush on him, and she broke 'the code' and went with him anyway.
Funny how now I don't even remember the boy's name, but I know that when I forgave my friend after she apologized, it was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. She realized that a)she shouldn't have done that and b)that I was a true friend, and we started right then becoming much closer. I truly couldn't have made it through the next several years without her friendship! It even lasted me moving 4 hours away and many many long distance phone calls! I'm blessed to say that I even met up with this friend a few months ago with our kids!
Obviously, this story had a happy ending where two friends realize that their relationship is much better than anything a passing BOY can offer them!
I wouldn't want to mention this period of my life without giving respect to another friend at that time who is no longer with us. Allen Gibson was SUCH a nice guy. He was good buddies with the aforementioned boy, and hung around some with the rest of us, too. I ran into him years later when I was working in a neighboring county, and he was just as nice then as he had been in middle school. Sadly, he will killed on the job about a year later. He was a Virginia State Trooper, and was shot by someone he was trying to apprehend in a crime. This was the first time that I had actually known someone my age who died, and it was such a tragic waste! So know that this memory comes with a tiny bit of sadness as I remember the great man Allen did not get the chance to become!
How about you? Link up your favorite memory relating to something in the past here! We'd love to have you join us!
You've GOT to see these reviews!
If you don't see the Tiny Prints review, you're gonna miss out on some fantastic deals on all your stationery needs! This is one fantastic site, so you're gonna want to see this!
While you're at it, I've done quite a few reviews lately, including a great book review day that you are gonna want to see. AND don't forget to check back, because I've got some awesome giveaways in the works very soon as well!
TGIF, ya'll! Have a great weekend!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Why yes! Yes, I'm not at BlogHer, thanks for noticing!
Yes, I'm upset about it, but because of all the other great ladies that happen to be staying home as well, we're gonna have some fun of our own! We've got a pity party, a blog hop, a not at blog her get-together, a BlogHer@Home site with fun....hey, we're cool with this!
If this is your first time visiting my blog, then welcome! I'm Christi, the Christian 30something sole writer here! I have been happily married to my best friend Chris for the past 11 years and am proud mama to Isaac, 8, and Adam, 5. I am also in grad school to get my degree in Reading at the same college where I got my undergrad. It is hard work, but it is so worth it! I am a teacher, and teaching reading is my love. I taught first grade for 12 years, but now am going to be a Reading Specialist at two elementary schools in our county.
Education is very important in our family....I am sister to 2 teachers, sister-in-law to one, daughter of one, and daughter-in-law of one as well. The other thing that is very central in our life is our faith: my father is a retired United Methodist minister.
Chris and I are also very blessed to live in the same town/county as most of our family members. Only Chris' parents live temporarily in Southside Virginia, while everyone else lives around here, including our siblings and nieces and nephews. We enjoy getting to see them and spend time with them often.
Let's see...what else?? We have 3 cats and 1 dog, and we lost a dog we'd had for 12 years earlier in the spring. My boys are all 3 (yes, 3....hubby as well!) yellow belts in TaeKwonDo as of earlier this month. My nieces and nephews are active in sports and dance, so you'll hear me brag on them sometimes, too!
So I think I'll close out now....but please come back soon!
Boy, what a day!
Adam and I left the house before 10 thinking we'd have an easy morning/day. We had to go get his Kindergarten shots, but it didn't turn out to be nearly as easy as we thought!
Everything started fine....typical checkup, with filling out paperwork and HIPPA agreements and such. We realized that in '06 we had put off him getting his Chicken Pox vax, so we ended up having to get that in addition to the MMR, Polio, and whatever he other one was...I can't remember! Dr. F decided to go ahead and do a urine and blood workup as well, not only for a lead test for him to enter Kindergarten, but also to check for anemia, which he has had in the past. He weighed 42 pounds and was 45 inches tall.
So....we proceed to the shots...4 of 'em! Then I had Nurse V. to look at a place on his leg that was suspicious, and I'm glad I did since it WAS poison ivy! I also talked to Dr. F about the fact that Adam did not read 20/20 on his vision screening. He said that we could either wait or go ahead and get him checked out. Since we have a family history of vision problems, I opted to go ahead and get it looked at. More about that later.
So after the shots, we proceeded to the lab, where a very small amount of blood was drawn from his finger. Adam was brave through it all!
Until.....
I was signing out, and he started leaning toward me. I said,"What are you doing?" and he didn't answer me, and the receptionist tells me,"He's passed out!" So 2 nurses assisted us in getting him sitting in a chair, and he quickly came to. He was not sure what was going on, and was very pale. One nurse went ahead and laid him down in an exam room again, and laid a cool cloth on his forehead. He was also saying that his mouth hurt. So we waited for a few minutes to make sure he was okay. I stayed calm, but truly....it scared me to death!! I wanted to cry like a baby!!
I had promised Adam that we'd go get him a toy since he'd done so well at the shots and blood draw, so we went to Target to get him some anti-itch for his poison ivy and he picked out a toy. He wanted to go ahead and visit the optometrist before lunch, much to Mommy's growling stomach's dismay!
We saw a nice doctor, who told us that Adam has an astigmatism as well as being slightly far-sighted. We decided to pick out some frames since they were running a special (buy some frames and get the lenses free for anyone under 17--check out Lenscrafters!) The frames we picked out were more expensive than I normally would have allowed, but given the special, I let him get them. We're gonna go get Isaac's eyes checked, too, while they have this deal on so if he needs a pair, we'll get 'em cheaper!
Here's a pic of the frames. I'll get one of Adam IN the glasses so you can see how preciously handsome he looks in them!
We got lunch and went to do a little bit of shopping for ME while waiting for the glasses to get done. Unfortunately there was a machinery problem, so it ended up taking about an hour and a half instead of an hour, but hey--we're flexible!
However, after all this unexpected stuff in one day, I'm worn out! Adam and I took a nap when we got home, and now they're in TaeKwonDo! I realized that I can access free wifi here, so I'll be much more apt to bring my laptop and stay while they're in class from now on!
So....here we are! *insert pic of me with my tongue hanging out!*
Everything started fine....typical checkup, with filling out paperwork and HIPPA agreements and such. We realized that in '06 we had put off him getting his Chicken Pox vax, so we ended up having to get that in addition to the MMR, Polio, and whatever he other one was...I can't remember! Dr. F decided to go ahead and do a urine and blood workup as well, not only for a lead test for him to enter Kindergarten, but also to check for anemia, which he has had in the past. He weighed 42 pounds and was 45 inches tall.
So....we proceed to the shots...4 of 'em! Then I had Nurse V. to look at a place on his leg that was suspicious, and I'm glad I did since it WAS poison ivy! I also talked to Dr. F about the fact that Adam did not read 20/20 on his vision screening. He said that we could either wait or go ahead and get him checked out. Since we have a family history of vision problems, I opted to go ahead and get it looked at. More about that later.
So after the shots, we proceeded to the lab, where a very small amount of blood was drawn from his finger. Adam was brave through it all!
Until.....
I was signing out, and he started leaning toward me. I said,"What are you doing?" and he didn't answer me, and the receptionist tells me,"He's passed out!" So 2 nurses assisted us in getting him sitting in a chair, and he quickly came to. He was not sure what was going on, and was very pale. One nurse went ahead and laid him down in an exam room again, and laid a cool cloth on his forehead. He was also saying that his mouth hurt. So we waited for a few minutes to make sure he was okay. I stayed calm, but truly....it scared me to death!! I wanted to cry like a baby!!
I had promised Adam that we'd go get him a toy since he'd done so well at the shots and blood draw, so we went to Target to get him some anti-itch for his poison ivy and he picked out a toy. He wanted to go ahead and visit the optometrist before lunch, much to Mommy's growling stomach's dismay!
We saw a nice doctor, who told us that Adam has an astigmatism as well as being slightly far-sighted. We decided to pick out some frames since they were running a special (buy some frames and get the lenses free for anyone under 17--check out Lenscrafters!) The frames we picked out were more expensive than I normally would have allowed, but given the special, I let him get them. We're gonna go get Isaac's eyes checked, too, while they have this deal on so if he needs a pair, we'll get 'em cheaper!
Here's a pic of the frames. I'll get one of Adam IN the glasses so you can see how preciously handsome he looks in them!
We got lunch and went to do a little bit of shopping for ME while waiting for the glasses to get done. Unfortunately there was a machinery problem, so it ended up taking about an hour and a half instead of an hour, but hey--we're flexible!
However, after all this unexpected stuff in one day, I'm worn out! Adam and I took a nap when we got home, and now they're in TaeKwonDo! I realized that I can access free wifi here, so I'll be much more apt to bring my laptop and stay while they're in class from now on!
So....here we are! *insert pic of me with my tongue hanging out!*
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Pray for Me, Pray for Others
We participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request. Join a community of friends who care about you, and hope you will care about them.Hi, all....I found this great way of linking together our prayer requests by the creator of the great new blogger tool, MckLinky! I love the idea of working together on the web to lift each other up in prayer! Please check it out, and don't forget to pray for the folks listed!
Remember....where two or three are gathered, there He is also! That includes here on the blogosphere!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
It just gets old
It gets frustrating to have plans, and then be hit out of the blue by some physical symptom that leaves you not feeling like doing what you'd planned. I HAVE to go on during the school year, but when I didn't HAVE to go work at one of my schools today, I had to change the plans I'd shared with my 5 year old. He was disappointed, but with stomach cramps and runs to the restroom, I just didn't feel as though it was the most opportune of times to go try to get some work done. Then in comes Isaac from a day filled with fun at day camp, upset because I now say that we might not make it to the local slushie seller.
Yes, it makes me feel like crap to let them down. But you know what? I never asked for this crap called fibromyalgia. I didn't ask to fight anxiety, depression, pain, irritable bowel, and insomnia. I didn't want to feel like I'm 80 some days at 36.
Some days the logic in me flies away and I want to scream, "Why me?? What did I do to deserve this??" It was hard enough dealing with the depression from the age of 15 or 16. Add the rest of the crud to it and it is just NOT fun. Today, it is my elbows. Who has ELBOWS that hurt?? What in the world?? I cannot imagine how I might have strained my freakin' ELBOWS! It is insane.
When I've stood on my feet all day and they hurt, I get it. When I have pain due to lack of movement or stress, I get it. But what has brought this on today? Worrying about something? Nothing? The air being cooler than normal? Who freakin' knows?!
I try not to fuss. I am trying to improve my health by getting rid of bad habits and eating better and exercise, and by stopping when I feel my limits being reached. It is when I am doing those things and I STILL hurt that I start to get frustrated. It just stinks!
Love Chris' heart, his solution is to send me to the doctor. I went yesterday for a med check. There is nothing more they can do. I have to break down and take more meds even though they sometimes make me feel loopy, and otherwise I just have to tough it out. There's nothing more to do. I guess for a man, who just wants to fix his wife's problems, that is very frustrating too. I am so blessed to have him. I folded and sorted several loads of clothes today--yes, I'll readily admit I've been putting it off--and he put them away so I could play with (read: entertain) Adam since Isaac was gone to camp today. He's a sweetheart!
This isn't even what I was blogging about earlier today. But maybe that is what has contributed, me fighting that struggle. I don't know. Whatever it is, I just wish it would GO AWAY!
Until a better day and a better mood.....
Yes, it makes me feel like crap to let them down. But you know what? I never asked for this crap called fibromyalgia. I didn't ask to fight anxiety, depression, pain, irritable bowel, and insomnia. I didn't want to feel like I'm 80 some days at 36.
Some days the logic in me flies away and I want to scream, "Why me?? What did I do to deserve this??" It was hard enough dealing with the depression from the age of 15 or 16. Add the rest of the crud to it and it is just NOT fun. Today, it is my elbows. Who has ELBOWS that hurt?? What in the world?? I cannot imagine how I might have strained my freakin' ELBOWS! It is insane.
When I've stood on my feet all day and they hurt, I get it. When I have pain due to lack of movement or stress, I get it. But what has brought this on today? Worrying about something? Nothing? The air being cooler than normal? Who freakin' knows?!
I try not to fuss. I am trying to improve my health by getting rid of bad habits and eating better and exercise, and by stopping when I feel my limits being reached. It is when I am doing those things and I STILL hurt that I start to get frustrated. It just stinks!
Love Chris' heart, his solution is to send me to the doctor. I went yesterday for a med check. There is nothing more they can do. I have to break down and take more meds even though they sometimes make me feel loopy, and otherwise I just have to tough it out. There's nothing more to do. I guess for a man, who just wants to fix his wife's problems, that is very frustrating too. I am so blessed to have him. I folded and sorted several loads of clothes today--yes, I'll readily admit I've been putting it off--and he put them away so I could play with (read: entertain) Adam since Isaac was gone to camp today. He's a sweetheart!
This isn't even what I was blogging about earlier today. But maybe that is what has contributed, me fighting that struggle. I don't know. Whatever it is, I just wish it would GO AWAY!
Until a better day and a better mood.....
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