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

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!

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.....

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!

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!

Flashback Friday--Do the Moo Shu

<img alt="http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com" src="http://tinyurl.com/5zzwl8" />

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!

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.

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.

Flashback Friday--U Got the Look

<img alt="http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com" src="http://tinyurl.com/5zzwl8" />

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!

Prince - New Music - More Music Videos

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!

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!

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!

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!

Flashback Friday--Waterfalls

<img alt="http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com" src="http://tinyurl.com/5zzwl8" />

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!!

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!

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:

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!

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!

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!!

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.

Flashback Friday--Ghostbusters

<img alt="http://christis-blahblahblog.blogspot.com" src="http://tinyurl.com/5zzwl8" />

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!

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!