....but feel the need to say SOMETHING!
We are currently going thru an update on our house. We have lived here for 9 years but haven't really done any updating because we've always spent extra money on doctor and hospital bills.
We replace the carpet in living room and vinyl in kitchen and hallway with laminate flooring. During that process we found some dry rot and had to replace a wall. Or two. We are painting and replacing worn out doors and trim as we go. We have been working on it for about 3 wks. now and I am very thankful that we have this opportunity but also frustrated because it has meant me packing up 4 kids and being gone somewhere all day while work gets done. It has meant the kitchen table being in the living room (fun!). And getting behind on my everyday chores--laundry and dusting, etc.
But enough of that whining.
Summer is almost here!! Jayce had his first baseball practice of the season tonight and it went well. Alot of the same kids as last year.
Josie is done with preschool and all registered for kindergarten. She is very excited and it's going to be hard for her to wait all summer before she "gets to ride the bus with Jayce". Jayce is not as thrilled.
Jeven turned 2 last week. He is the same weight as Jarrett, his older brother. Just a tad shorter. I had to fill out a questionnaire that is an "Autism" screening. For some stupid reason he failed it!! Meaning that more testing is recommended. Now, I have been around autism and Jeven is not autistic!! The whole thing was based on I said "no, he doesn't always look where I'm pointing." What 2 yr. old does? My husband doesn't always pay enough attention to know where I'm pointing!!
Luckily, our ped. knows me and although it is his job to offer more testing, he was very o.k. with me refusing the test.
It left me feeling very frustrated with the whole system. It seems more and more kids are getting diagnosed with Autism and yes, it is real and families are suffering from it but maybe, perhaps some of these "Autistic kids" could benefit from more attention (positive) from Mom and Dad.
I will get off my soap box now!!
I will put some pics of our "remodel" on soon! Befores and afters. Just hoping I get to take the afters soon...
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
I date my son.
Actually, I date all of my children.
Any good Pastor or marriage counselor will tell you how important it is to keep dating your spouse, even after you've been married for years. And even if you don't have children. That is a principle that Judd and I follow as much as possible. It is hard with 4 children and a job that doesn't give him regular days/hours off. But we do ok. More on that in a different post.
But, because I do have 4 children and they are still so young, most of my day is spent cleaning and "tending" to the little ones. And I admit, grudgingly, that I don't always listen when Jayce or Josie are telling me something. It is something that I swore I would never do, and to be honest, I have kept that promise up until the last year or so. But I find myself doing the "uh-huh" or "wow" but not really knowing what was said. I find EXTREMELY important to take my children, one at a time, with me, somewhere. Be it the grocery store, or just for a simple walk. Or alone in their rooms. I am always amazed at how different they are when their siblings aren't around. Josie is much better behaved, Jarrett talks very clearly and specifically, and Jeven seems like such a big boy.
That brings me to Jayce. With Jayce, I actually go to the trouble of planning a "date". I arrange for the others kids to be watched and we go somewhere somewhat special. The toy store, where we look at ONLY his likes. The video game store, where we can take our time and look at all the cool games. Or even to McD's where we sit INSIDE the restaurant (not in the van, driving down the road!) and we talk. Or I should say, he talks. And talks. About everything. His friends, GIRLS (yikes!) and what he wants to be when he grows up (ever changing). Again, I am amazed at what an awesome kid he is. Being the oldest, and also the typical oldest child, he does get put last sometimes. He doesn't always need the constant supervison, or constant nagging.
But I want to make sure these lines of communication stay open. It is my hope that even when he is 16 or 17 that he will still date his mom.
Any good Pastor or marriage counselor will tell you how important it is to keep dating your spouse, even after you've been married for years. And even if you don't have children. That is a principle that Judd and I follow as much as possible. It is hard with 4 children and a job that doesn't give him regular days/hours off. But we do ok. More on that in a different post.
But, because I do have 4 children and they are still so young, most of my day is spent cleaning and "tending" to the little ones. And I admit, grudgingly, that I don't always listen when Jayce or Josie are telling me something. It is something that I swore I would never do, and to be honest, I have kept that promise up until the last year or so. But I find myself doing the "uh-huh" or "wow" but not really knowing what was said. I find EXTREMELY important to take my children, one at a time, with me, somewhere. Be it the grocery store, or just for a simple walk. Or alone in their rooms. I am always amazed at how different they are when their siblings aren't around. Josie is much better behaved, Jarrett talks very clearly and specifically, and Jeven seems like such a big boy.
That brings me to Jayce. With Jayce, I actually go to the trouble of planning a "date". I arrange for the others kids to be watched and we go somewhere somewhat special. The toy store, where we look at ONLY his likes. The video game store, where we can take our time and look at all the cool games. Or even to McD's where we sit INSIDE the restaurant (not in the van, driving down the road!) and we talk. Or I should say, he talks. And talks. About everything. His friends, GIRLS (yikes!) and what he wants to be when he grows up (ever changing). Again, I am amazed at what an awesome kid he is. Being the oldest, and also the typical oldest child, he does get put last sometimes. He doesn't always need the constant supervison, or constant nagging.
But I want to make sure these lines of communication stay open. It is my hope that even when he is 16 or 17 that he will still date his mom.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Last of the Firsts
Mommy and her baby!
A few weeks ago, Jeven got his first haircut. He actually needed it weeks before the actual day, but I just wasn't ready to let go of the baby.
Wasn't too willing to try it out!
After that first haircut, the texture and smell of their hair changes. And it adds a year of two to their age immediately. I know this because I have been through the "first haircut" 3 times before this.
Bye Bye curls
Jeven is our last baby. We decided to stop for many reasons. Money. My health. The babies health. What we can provide. And the list goes on. But. But I love babies. And I get extremely sad thinking of never,ever having a newborn baby again. So during these 2 yrs. of Jeven's life I celebrated every milestone: first smile, first laugh, first step, first word. But I've also mourned a little as well. I will never again go through those firsts again.
But, someday I will have grandchildren and I will get to go through the firsts and then send them home!!
Meanwhile, I will enjoy Jayce's, Josie's, Jarrett's and Jeven's firsts along the way.
Two of my handsome men!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I wish I had a Bob
All of my kids have blankets that are their "lovies". The one thing that they have to have to sleep with and the first thing they grab when they are having a bad day.
Jarrett and Jeven's lovies are Spongebob blankets. HUGE blankets. They both call them their "Bobs". Jeven's is "baby bob" and was originally purchased for a back up of Jarrett's Bob.
They drag those blankets everywhere. They are basically identical, just slightly different background colors. I once did an experiment. When I was putting them to bed, the lights off, I switched them; gave Jarrett Jeven's Bob and vice versa. It took approx. 1 second for them to tell the difference. Apparently, they aren't as identical as I thought!
Occasionally the unfortunate thing happens and it's bath day for the Bobs. I usually throw them in the wash and if I am on my game for the day, they are fresh out of the dryer by nap time.
Now, close your eyes and picture this: You are cranky and tired but you won't admit defeat. Your mother made you eat your green beans at lunch and NOT from the CARS plate but from some generic plate from the dollar store. Your diaper smells funny and there is applesauce in your hair. Your older sister is getting to watch a movie but you just KNOW that it's nap time. Ahhh, man! It's not fair!! But wait....what's this? Mom just came back in from the garage and she's got BOB!! Yay!! And,AND he's all nice and warm and smells so good. You bury your head in his goodness and let mom carry you to bed, give you lots of loves and you finally give in to the exhaustion and take a nap, snuggled down with your best friend, Bob.
I know I'm not alone in what I am about to say but dog-gone it, I am having a bad case of "mommy burn out" so bad these last couple days. I feel like there just isn't enough time in the day, I am doing the same mundane chores over and over and over again and nobody cares!! I am just their slave. I think (hope) every mom feels like this but when it's me, I want to whine for a bit.
Watching the boys' faces today when I gave them their Bobs, fresh out of the dryer, I was jealous. What do I have that makes me feel THAT good? As a Christian mother, I know I can call on the Lord for some reassurance but He's not "huggable" or warm from the dryer!
I did find however that if I hold the boys with their warm Bobs, that feels just as good. If not better.
I hope you find your Bob today!
Jarrett and Jeven's lovies are Spongebob blankets. HUGE blankets. They both call them their "Bobs". Jeven's is "baby bob" and was originally purchased for a back up of Jarrett's Bob.
They drag those blankets everywhere. They are basically identical, just slightly different background colors. I once did an experiment. When I was putting them to bed, the lights off, I switched them; gave Jarrett Jeven's Bob and vice versa. It took approx. 1 second for them to tell the difference. Apparently, they aren't as identical as I thought!
Occasionally the unfortunate thing happens and it's bath day for the Bobs. I usually throw them in the wash and if I am on my game for the day, they are fresh out of the dryer by nap time.
Now, close your eyes and picture this: You are cranky and tired but you won't admit defeat. Your mother made you eat your green beans at lunch and NOT from the CARS plate but from some generic plate from the dollar store. Your diaper smells funny and there is applesauce in your hair. Your older sister is getting to watch a movie but you just KNOW that it's nap time. Ahhh, man! It's not fair!! But wait....what's this? Mom just came back in from the garage and she's got BOB!! Yay!! And,AND he's all nice and warm and smells so good. You bury your head in his goodness and let mom carry you to bed, give you lots of loves and you finally give in to the exhaustion and take a nap, snuggled down with your best friend, Bob.
I know I'm not alone in what I am about to say but dog-gone it, I am having a bad case of "mommy burn out" so bad these last couple days. I feel like there just isn't enough time in the day, I am doing the same mundane chores over and over and over again and nobody cares!! I am just their slave. I think (hope) every mom feels like this but when it's me, I want to whine for a bit.
Watching the boys' faces today when I gave them their Bobs, fresh out of the dryer, I was jealous. What do I have that makes me feel THAT good? As a Christian mother, I know I can call on the Lord for some reassurance but He's not "huggable" or warm from the dryer!
I did find however that if I hold the boys with their warm Bobs, that feels just as good. If not better.
I hope you find your Bob today!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
All About Me
I know. Oh so interesting title. But having started reading some blogs myself, I find it frustrating trying to go back to their early entries and not finding "personal" information. So, thought I'd be fair and include mine! Here goes:
I am 33 yrs old and my hubby will be 33 in a few weeks as well. He likes to joke that he's married to an older woman but our birthdays are 6 wks. apart. He works for a tire company that has great benefits but long, hard hours. I am so lucky that he does work so hard so that I can stay home with my 4 children.
Jayce is 9 and in 3rd grade. He just recently was tested for the Talented and Gifted program at school but due to budget shortages, there is not really alot offered now in elementary school. But when he reaches middle school perhaps there will be more then. If we don't home school.
Josie is 5 and goes to preschool 2 days a week, just for a couple hours. She is our only girl and I must be honest and say most days, she's the most difficult of the kids. She is a drama queen but I guess that's normal for little girls. She is very bright and loving, when she wants to be. Other times, she's temperamental and grumpy. I cannot wait for the teen years-ha! She is in a class at church that sings songs in front of the whole congregation and since she is anything BUT shy, she does marvelous!
Jarrett just turned 3 and is the family clown. He knows exactly when to make a funny joke to get out of trouble. His father falls for this trap more than I do. Jarrett hasn't been talking long and it is so fun to hear him say silly things and come up with stuff on his own. Not just repeating. He was born a tad premature but is healthy and happy.
Jeven will be 2 in May. Jeven is PROOF that yes, you CAN get pregnant while breastfeeding. And taking the mini-pill. Jarrett and Jeven are 15 months apart. And he's my last baby. To say that he is special is an understatement. I am having an extremely hard time watching him grow out of the baby stage. I do get very excited with his new accomplishments however and he gives me so much joy every day. He is the same size if not bigger than his slightly older brother. He has been the best eater out of all 4 kids.
We are done having kids. I get extremely high blood pressure while pregnant and all pregnancies involved bed rest and lots of ultra sounds. Also, Jeven is the only one I actually went into labor on my own. But he was born only 2 hours BEFORE the scheduled induction. Which sounds silly, but was an answer to prayer.
Me and my husband have been married for almost 11 yrs. We have been together 14. I have always stayed home with my children, starting when Jayce was born. I did go to college for awhile, studying to be a teacher but once I got pregnant, I gave that up. Gladly. What better students than your own children, right?
We belong to a wonderful, small Baptist church. The other members there have become our family. Although, most of our families do live here in town or close by. Which is a blessing. And a curse. Anyone with in-laws knows what I'm talking about!
I started this blog to hopefully make new friends. And to record events that happen in our lives. During the days, lots and lots of thoughts run thru my head, this is a good place to put them all down.
My life may be more exciting than some, and I KNOW it has to be more mundane than others. But it's mine. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Most of the time! ( :
I am 33 yrs old and my hubby will be 33 in a few weeks as well. He likes to joke that he's married to an older woman but our birthdays are 6 wks. apart. He works for a tire company that has great benefits but long, hard hours. I am so lucky that he does work so hard so that I can stay home with my 4 children.
Jayce is 9 and in 3rd grade. He just recently was tested for the Talented and Gifted program at school but due to budget shortages, there is not really alot offered now in elementary school. But when he reaches middle school perhaps there will be more then. If we don't home school.
Josie is 5 and goes to preschool 2 days a week, just for a couple hours. She is our only girl and I must be honest and say most days, she's the most difficult of the kids. She is a drama queen but I guess that's normal for little girls. She is very bright and loving, when she wants to be. Other times, she's temperamental and grumpy. I cannot wait for the teen years-ha! She is in a class at church that sings songs in front of the whole congregation and since she is anything BUT shy, she does marvelous!
Jarrett just turned 3 and is the family clown. He knows exactly when to make a funny joke to get out of trouble. His father falls for this trap more than I do. Jarrett hasn't been talking long and it is so fun to hear him say silly things and come up with stuff on his own. Not just repeating. He was born a tad premature but is healthy and happy.
Jeven will be 2 in May. Jeven is PROOF that yes, you CAN get pregnant while breastfeeding. And taking the mini-pill. Jarrett and Jeven are 15 months apart. And he's my last baby. To say that he is special is an understatement. I am having an extremely hard time watching him grow out of the baby stage. I do get very excited with his new accomplishments however and he gives me so much joy every day. He is the same size if not bigger than his slightly older brother. He has been the best eater out of all 4 kids.
We are done having kids. I get extremely high blood pressure while pregnant and all pregnancies involved bed rest and lots of ultra sounds. Also, Jeven is the only one I actually went into labor on my own. But he was born only 2 hours BEFORE the scheduled induction. Which sounds silly, but was an answer to prayer.
Me and my husband have been married for almost 11 yrs. We have been together 14. I have always stayed home with my children, starting when Jayce was born. I did go to college for awhile, studying to be a teacher but once I got pregnant, I gave that up. Gladly. What better students than your own children, right?
We belong to a wonderful, small Baptist church. The other members there have become our family. Although, most of our families do live here in town or close by. Which is a blessing. And a curse. Anyone with in-laws knows what I'm talking about!
I started this blog to hopefully make new friends. And to record events that happen in our lives. During the days, lots and lots of thoughts run thru my head, this is a good place to put them all down.
My life may be more exciting than some, and I KNOW it has to be more mundane than others. But it's mine. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Most of the time! ( :
Saturday, March 22, 2008
The final piece of the puzzle...or is it?
Josie (my 5 yr. old) was sick with a low fever and just plain down for a couple days last week. Then, suddenly, she was better. Then suddenly, she wasn't.
She woke the next day with a rash all over her body. At first, I thought we had chicken pox (notice I say we because, as a mother, I think I experience a little of the infliction as well). But she had the vaccine at 1 yr. And yes, I know you can still get chicken pox even if you've had the shot, but this rash was WAY to heavy for a light case of CP. Plus she wasn't developing the all too familiar "pox". So I call a nurse and we decide (again with the "we") that it is hives. From what, we don't know but she tells me what to watch for and things to make her feel better.
My poor baby is just scratching and itching and scratching. These things are all over!!
The next day, the rash is even worse and she has a purple-ness under the rash. Now, purple is a color I was to watch for. For what reason and what it meant, I did not know at this point. I was soon to find out.
Back to the phone I go. The nurse (this is a nurse thru our insurance 1-800 number) tells me I need to get in contact with her doctor "NOW." Ummm...ok. It's a Sunday night, can I wait until Monday morning and just take her in?"NO!!" Ummm...ok.
So, I place a call to the clinic's number and of course, the answering service answers. The operator informs me that she will have our doctor call us.
A nurse calls us. I once AGAIN explain what's going on. No, no new foods. No, no new soaps No, NOTHING out of the ordinary.
She asks about the purple that has now spread all up her legs, her arms, even her face, although it is a very light purple.
She too says I must take her in. "NOW!" What is the urgency I ask. Well, turns out that lovely shade of purple could be, could be a sign of meningitis. Ummm.... NOT ok.
And just how do you test for meningitis? "A spinal tap is sometimes necessary so be prepared."
Be prepared? BE PREPARED?!! Ummm..... SO NOT OK!!!
Off we go to the ER. My heart pounding, Josie crying. I am praying like never before.
The triage nurse writes down all the important info, takes a look. And sends us to the waiting room. Where we wait. And wait. And wait. We're talking 2 hrs. with a 5 yr. old that is up 2 hours after her bedtime. At first I was angry that we were waiting so long. Until I asked WHY are we waiting so long? I was informed that the triage nurse decides the severity of the patient and who gets seen first.
I was never so relieved to be waiting!! At this point I figured that the nurse must not have thought Josie had anything too serious or we'd be seeing a doctor by now.
We finally did see a doctor who said it was just (ha! just) a bad case of hives. And we may never know what they were from.
We got home at about 2 a.m. where Josie says "That was fun!!" Oh, sweetie if you only knew what COULD have been.
I was so relieved all was well, I didn't care I only got 4 hours of sleep. I didn't care my child looked like a freak and people stared at the pharmacy the next day.
I knew already that as a parent,nothing, NOTHING matters more than your children. Their health and happiness.
Life is such a puzzle of emotions and feelings and ups and downs. And for me especially, I sometimes get all caught up in the tangible stuff. The housework, the bills, the tantrums and the fatigue (ok, fatigue is not tangible exactly but when I finally pass out at night I AM tangible).
But life is about much more important stuff. Life is thanking God about what COULD have been, but wasn't.
As far as the rest of the puzzle, THAT was in my shoe the other night. Seriously. You know, those wooden puzzles with the little red things that stick our for toddlers to easily grab? Yeah, about 20 pieces ( I think A-T) were in my tennis shoe.
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