Monday, July 30, 2007
Weighing the Options
Insight into how a mother of four young children makes decisions: Pregnant mom wants tacos for dinner, due to a very vivid dream. Upon investigation, Mom realizes no ingredients for tacos are in the house save the shredded cheese. After spending a day preparing for work and cleaning the disaster site known as her home, time to make dinner is dwindling. Mom considers her options. Find shoes for all four children and prepare them for a public outing. Go to grocery store to gather needed ingredients, during dinner hour, with four hungry children. Expected cost is about ten dollars, especially with knowledge that Mom is likely to buy one or more items not needed for dinner. Or, Mom can put four kids in the car sans shoes and go to local taco drive-thru. Projected expense is a similar amount, including large unsweet iced tea, which is nectar of the gods to one expectant mother. Kids stay in the car and food is ready to be consumed as soon as family arrives home. Decision-making process takes only the amount of time needed to locate purse and shoes for Mom. Local taco joint provides desired meal for all concerned.
Need to Know
I have seen this mentioned in enough places that I must put up a link. Go here to read a little bit about inflammatory breast cancer. There might not be a lump to tip you off. If that doesn't scare you into reading, I don't know what will. I know I will be doing more reading now.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Pointing and Clicking
Once again I'm going to reveal my inadequacies as a mother. My kids don't know how to use a computer. Princess is almost 6 and going to kindergarten with minimal knowledge of what a mouse does and how to use it properly. You see, my patience runs low in many areas. One of those is computers and small people. My girls have long wanted to play Little Einsteins and what not on the computer. Of course, that is my fault for showing it to them in the first place. Still, I talk to my friends and it seems that all of their kids have excellent mouse control and use the computer easily with Mom only making sure they are on kid-friendly pages. That is not how it happens in our neck of the woods. I get them set up on the webpage, only to hear cries for help moments later. They don't grasp the concept of clicking and dragging or pointing or clicking or any combintation of maneuvers. They fumble around getting frustrated and frustrating mommy. I hate computer time and I rarely let them on it. Which only makes the problem worse, I realize. What's a mom to do? My plan of approach is to turn it over to Husband, who seems to think they need to learn how to do this. If he is so gung-ho about it he can take over.
I finished Harry Potter on Monday and am wallowing in frustration at having no one to talk to about it. I have exchanged emails and read a couple of blogs, but I want real, live discussion. Books are best when they can be discussed and fleshed out and debated and so on. Husband is not a reader, so he offers no help. I wish I was in a book club.
I think pregnancy plus tutoring plus swimming with 4 kids is draining my brain power. And you all get to suffer for it. Aren't you special?
Oh yeah, because I know you are consumed with worry as to how I was going to handle the dance schedule, I want to share some good news. Both girls are now scheduled on the same night at the same time! Princess's class is longer, but I can get a sitter for just one night and only have our dinner routine interrupted on Tuesdays. Woohoo!
I finished Harry Potter on Monday and am wallowing in frustration at having no one to talk to about it. I have exchanged emails and read a couple of blogs, but I want real, live discussion. Books are best when they can be discussed and fleshed out and debated and so on. Husband is not a reader, so he offers no help. I wish I was in a book club.
I think pregnancy plus tutoring plus swimming with 4 kids is draining my brain power. And you all get to suffer for it. Aren't you special?
Oh yeah, because I know you are consumed with worry as to how I was going to handle the dance schedule, I want to share some good news. Both girls are now scheduled on the same night at the same time! Princess's class is longer, but I can get a sitter for just one night and only have our dinner routine interrupted on Tuesdays. Woohoo!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Allowance
Okay parents. Do your children receive an allowance? If so, how old are they and how much do they get? What do they have to do to earn the allowance? With Princess starting kindergarten and turning 6 and about to lose her first tooth (!) money awareness is at the forefront of our minds. Help me out here!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Called to Live in Hope
This is going to be long. Sorry. I've recently found myself gripped by fear. Sometimes just a general fear. Other times a very specific, sometimes irrational fear. And I think we all find ourselves feeling that way at some point. As we watch a family grieve the loss of a father and husband far too soon in life, or we wait for news from a friend who found a lump, we sometimes give in to the fear that it could happen to us. The reality is that of course it can happen to us, but it does not have to define us nor rob us of hope. So I'm going to share with you the Scripture that kicks my tail and gets me back on track. I'm just going to type the whole thing without identifying each individual verse.
"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.
In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: "For your sake we are being slain all day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, not depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8: 18-38
The emphasis is obviously mine. Maybe this is not a traditional verse regarding hope and our call to live in it, but it gets it done for me.
"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.
In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: "For your sake we are being slain all day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, not depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8: 18-38
The emphasis is obviously mine. Maybe this is not a traditional verse regarding hope and our call to live in it, but it gets it done for me.
Not What I Wanted
Okay, so we will have a grand total of two kids in outside activities this fall. And since said activity was dance, I was very hopeful that the girls would have class on the same night. I would much rather interrupt a weekday routine once a week, rather than twice. But, apparently, my hopes have been dashed. It seems that Princess will have class on Tuesday and Nutball on Wednesday and I will work on Monday and our life will be chaotic. Our oldest child will only be 6. It seems rather unfair that things will already be crazy. I can take comfort knowing I'm not working in the spring. The biggest challenge to this two nights a week dance thing will be the boys. While Princess was in dance this past year I had a sitter come and stay with the other 3 kids. I was hoping to do the same this fall. But now I would need someone two nights in a row. I'm not sure that will be workable. But, can I really ask my boys to play calmly and patiently two nights in a row in a relatively small space near dinnertime? That's the other snag. Princess won't be done until 7:00 and Nutball at 6:30, so I will have to be on top of my game food wise. You can be thrilled to know I will probably be blogging about my many attempts at maintaining sanity. Since I clearly have a handle on things now.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Breathing
That is all I am focusing on today. I feel as though I have been through the wringer the last few days, and it is all my fault. While I still have a to-do list that will never be done, I'm allowing myself to do as little or as much as I want to do today. If I stay in my lazy clothes all day long, that is okay. Maybe I'll get motivated and take the kids to the grocery store. Maybe not. I will make efforts to improve the cleanliness of the house. Husband does not deserve to come home to a mess and I know that we don't deserve to live in a messy environment. I have managed to keep things relatively neat, but not clean. A subtle distinction, but an important one. Anyway, that is the extent of my goals for the day. Sometimes, even when there are things to be done, we just need to stop and do nothing.
I have found time to visit my regular reads, but must admit to minimal commenting. My brain has just not been willing to cooperate in terms of forming coherent sentences someone might want to read. How I am able to cobble together enough thoughts to tutor is a mystery to me, but I think I'm doing okay in that department. I am sooo glad I never took summer school in college. The pace is intense and I'm not even trying to earn a grade. I do feel for my students, although I'm not excusing them from being prepared. Just acknowledging that it is hard.
I had a bowl of Cool Ranch Doritos and a Dr. Pepper for breakfast. Stellar nutrition example to the kids. It is part of my do whatever I want day. Not a regular breakfast, I promise. And please don't tell my doctor. ;-)
I have found time to visit my regular reads, but must admit to minimal commenting. My brain has just not been willing to cooperate in terms of forming coherent sentences someone might want to read. How I am able to cobble together enough thoughts to tutor is a mystery to me, but I think I'm doing okay in that department. I am sooo glad I never took summer school in college. The pace is intense and I'm not even trying to earn a grade. I do feel for my students, although I'm not excusing them from being prepared. Just acknowledging that it is hard.
I had a bowl of Cool Ranch Doritos and a Dr. Pepper for breakfast. Stellar nutrition example to the kids. It is part of my do whatever I want day. Not a regular breakfast, I promise. And please don't tell my doctor. ;-)
Monday, July 16, 2007
Would you like some cheese?
Because I am about to offer up one big ol' whine. My apologies upfront for caving in to my urge to complain. I just have to get it out there and then I will feel better (or so I hope). Also, one of the major gripes is directed at me, so that makes it okay somehow.
First, I don't like grocery stores in the late evening. I had to stop at the store after tutoring tonight and grab a few things. Important things like powdered donuts and chocolate pop-tarts (oh, and peanut butter and bananas, but we're talking important things). So, it being 9:30, there is one regular lane open and 4 self-check lanes. I typically avoid the self-check lanes because they often have some kind of glitch requiring assistance and don't hasten my departure from the store. But, there was a line for the one cashier so I thought I would brave the self-check. Naturally there is a problem. I'm supposed to weigh something I never set on the scale. So I wait while the machine loudly tells me to "Please Wait for Assistance" in that passive-agressive voice it has. Apparently the only person available to assist me is the lone cashier. Of course. She hustles over and punches her buttons and I'm able to finish. Seriously--who in the grocery store at 9:30 wants to self-check? Aren't we all tired? I know I prefer the cashier and next time I will wait in line, even if it is only for one item, a really important one, like a Snickers I can go home and stick in the fridge.
Okay, on to other rants. I bought some fun hot pink nail polish last week. The bottle says it is salon quality or somesuch nonsense. If that is the case, I pity the salons. The brush had a pesky hair that was longer than the others and I couldn't pull it off. It made me crazy. I will go back to my non-salon quality Revolon, thanks.
Finally, ranting about me. I am really mad at myself for my poor time management skills this past week. I knew I would be conducting study sessions tonight and that I needed to spend time this weekend preparing. Did I do that? Of course not. I had more important things to do, like hang out with WOWO. Which is very important, but is no excuse for being unprepared. So, I spent all day today with my nose in a textbook and then glued to the computer trying to pull together something effective. And, due to my poor planning, I have more of the same tonight and tomorrow and Wednesday. I'm so glad I never took summer school. I would have failed miserably I think. And the fact that I'm typing this at 10:42 p.m. is just further evidence that I have a problem.
Thanks for putting up with my rants. I hope I didn't bring you down.
First, I don't like grocery stores in the late evening. I had to stop at the store after tutoring tonight and grab a few things. Important things like powdered donuts and chocolate pop-tarts (oh, and peanut butter and bananas, but we're talking important things). So, it being 9:30, there is one regular lane open and 4 self-check lanes. I typically avoid the self-check lanes because they often have some kind of glitch requiring assistance and don't hasten my departure from the store. But, there was a line for the one cashier so I thought I would brave the self-check. Naturally there is a problem. I'm supposed to weigh something I never set on the scale. So I wait while the machine loudly tells me to "Please Wait for Assistance" in that passive-agressive voice it has. Apparently the only person available to assist me is the lone cashier. Of course. She hustles over and punches her buttons and I'm able to finish. Seriously--who in the grocery store at 9:30 wants to self-check? Aren't we all tired? I know I prefer the cashier and next time I will wait in line, even if it is only for one item, a really important one, like a Snickers I can go home and stick in the fridge.
Okay, on to other rants. I bought some fun hot pink nail polish last week. The bottle says it is salon quality or somesuch nonsense. If that is the case, I pity the salons. The brush had a pesky hair that was longer than the others and I couldn't pull it off. It made me crazy. I will go back to my non-salon quality Revolon, thanks.
Finally, ranting about me. I am really mad at myself for my poor time management skills this past week. I knew I would be conducting study sessions tonight and that I needed to spend time this weekend preparing. Did I do that? Of course not. I had more important things to do, like hang out with WOWO. Which is very important, but is no excuse for being unprepared. So, I spent all day today with my nose in a textbook and then glued to the computer trying to pull together something effective. And, due to my poor planning, I have more of the same tonight and tomorrow and Wednesday. I'm so glad I never took summer school. I would have failed miserably I think. And the fact that I'm typing this at 10:42 p.m. is just further evidence that I have a problem.
Thanks for putting up with my rants. I hope I didn't bring you down.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
CRASH!
We had our first family emergency this morning. The actual injury occurred Friday night, but Husband convinced me to wait overnight before taking any drastic measures. Buddy fell while trying to climb onto a bar chair at our friends' house last night. He fell to the floor and the chair fell on him. He has some pretty ugly bruises on both sides of one knee. He cried a lot, but settled down once we got him to the couch and got some ice on him. But, he couldn't bear any weight on his right leg at all last night. Still, Husband wanted to wait and see, and I agreed. Buddy could bend his leg and mostly straighten it out, it just hurt a lot. So, this morning, after sleeping on the couch all night, Buddy still couldn't tolerate any weight on his leg or stretching it out. My kind friends kept the other kids and I took Buddy to the Minor Emergency place. After looking him over and doing an x-ray they concluded he has a deep bruise, but nothing else. That is what we suspected, but wanted to be sure. He had to do the x-ray without me because of my pregnancy and he was so brave! I don't know how our family had made it this long without requiring some kind of emergency care, but I'm thankful for it and also thankful that Buddy's injury is nothing serious. He gets to lie on the couch with his knee wrapped, ideally with ice on it, and watch movies and be spoiled for a couple of days. I think he's enjoying it quite a bit.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Path to Holiness
I have been trying to compose a coherent post regarding my thoughts on family planning and how many kids we have and the like, but have been unable to come up with anything. Then, yesterday, I read this post at Et Tu, Jen? and realized she said all that I was thinking in a very understandable way.
My family life is my path to holiness. And it is clear that our Heavenly Father has seen that I will need many, many challenges to truly break down and come to Him on my knees! I knew I was stubborn, but I had no idea how deeply rooted it is. Honestly, I have been thinking on this and trying to find some way to express how I feel. At this point, with #5 in progress, I am beginning to see that what God has planned is much bigger than me and my feelings regarding my family. I don't want to sound arrogant or anything. I am not saying I'm going to the next St. Gianna, so don't misunderstand me. I just think that this call to be open to life is something that goes beyond me and my willingness to submit to God. What that means remains to be seen, but I will most likely have more to say as time passes.
Go read Jen's post and let me know what you think.
My family life is my path to holiness. And it is clear that our Heavenly Father has seen that I will need many, many challenges to truly break down and come to Him on my knees! I knew I was stubborn, but I had no idea how deeply rooted it is. Honestly, I have been thinking on this and trying to find some way to express how I feel. At this point, with #5 in progress, I am beginning to see that what God has planned is much bigger than me and my feelings regarding my family. I don't want to sound arrogant or anything. I am not saying I'm going to the next St. Gianna, so don't misunderstand me. I just think that this call to be open to life is something that goes beyond me and my willingness to submit to God. What that means remains to be seen, but I will most likely have more to say as time passes.
Go read Jen's post and let me know what you think.
High School Memories
I've been tagged by T With Honey to do the high school meme. Since I have no orignial content to bless you with (please note the sarcasm) I will do this.
1. Who was your best friend? Emily. We were best friends from third grade on. We have drifted some since college, but I'm hoping to see her next week and get things going again. We were so close that everyone saw as one person I think. In the high school prophecies our english teacher made us do people always ran into us together (not together as in dating obviously, just still joined at the hip). I was also good friends with Kelli and Courtney and Jennifer.
2. Did you play any sports? No, but I watched them. I had a crush on a soccer player and spent way too many nights in the freezing rain (literally) watching him and friends.
3. What kind of car did you drive?I didn't have a car of my own, but my parents let me drive theirs. Both drove Pontiacs. I got used to the family sedan (good thing I guess).
4. It’s Friday night. Where were you? Sometimes a football game, sometimes a movie, sometimes eating out, usually ended up at my house or a guy friend's house.
5. Were you a party animal? No, not in any common understanding of the phrase. And that was A-okay with me.
6. Were you considered a flirt? I don't think so.
7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir? Choir.
8. Were you a nerd? Yeah, but not in the pocket-protector, math/science way. More of a smart kid that was in debate and didn't try to hide my intelligence or desire to learn. I was very secure in who I was.
9. Were you ever suspended or expelled? No way.
10. Can you sing the fight song? Not at all.
11. Who was your favorite teacher? That's a tough one. I loved school and had many great teachers. My debate coach was pretty awesome. She was young and had already had some adventures in life and trusted us and gave us a lot of room to learn on our own. I also loved my senior year English teacher, Mrs. Rhodes, because she was sweet and liked me. :)
12. What was your school mascot? Pirate. I have no idea why, seeing as how we were land-locked.
13. Did you go to the Prom? Yes and I had a blast. I went with my first real boyfriend from seventh grade, Dave. He moved away but we stayed friends through junior high and high school. It was a great night with no pressure and no "expectations."
14. If you could go back, would you? I don't think so. I enjoyed my high school experience and don't look back on it with anger or anything, but who really wants to be an awkward teenager again?
15. What do you remember most about graduation? It was hot because we had our graduation outside in May in Texas. Ridiculous. Also, our valedictorian and salutatorian were twins and gave almost identical speeches, although they swore they worked independently on them. Thankfully they were very short speeches.
16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day? I'm pretty sure I didn't particiapte in Senior Skip Day. I'm too much of a rule follower.
17. Did you have a job your senior year? No. My parents gave me spending money as long as I was taking challenging courses and making good grades.
18. Where did you go most often for lunch? The cafeteria. We had a closed campus. I ate salad most days.
19. Have you gained weight since then? Yeah, probably about 15 pounds total, which I think is not bad considering I have had 4 kids.
20. What did you do after graduation? My best friend and I went on a Carribean cruise with my mom as chaperone. So fun! I nannied all summer for money. Hated it.
21. What year did you graduate? 1997
22. Who was your Senior Prom Date? I already answered this question. David was my date, an old friend who came to have fun and nothing else. He knew a lot of people since he used to live in Longview and loved to dance--perfect prom date.
23. Are you going/did you go to your 10 year reunion? I missed my ten-year. It was just last month. I wish I had made it to some of the festivities, but it just wasn't a good time.
24. Who was your homeroom teacher? We didn't have a homeroom, that I recall.
25. Who will repost this after you? I have no idea.
There you have it. My high school experience summed up in 24 questions. I really did enjoy my high school years. I had a group of friends that were steady and fun to hang out with and had similar values. I have no delusions about being cool or anything and that was okay with me.
I tag anyone looking for blog fodder and feeling uninspired.
1. Who was your best friend? Emily. We were best friends from third grade on. We have drifted some since college, but I'm hoping to see her next week and get things going again. We were so close that everyone saw as one person I think. In the high school prophecies our english teacher made us do people always ran into us together (not together as in dating obviously, just still joined at the hip). I was also good friends with Kelli and Courtney and Jennifer.
2. Did you play any sports? No, but I watched them. I had a crush on a soccer player and spent way too many nights in the freezing rain (literally) watching him and friends.
3. What kind of car did you drive?I didn't have a car of my own, but my parents let me drive theirs. Both drove Pontiacs. I got used to the family sedan (good thing I guess).
4. It’s Friday night. Where were you? Sometimes a football game, sometimes a movie, sometimes eating out, usually ended up at my house or a guy friend's house.
5. Were you a party animal? No, not in any common understanding of the phrase. And that was A-okay with me.
6. Were you considered a flirt? I don't think so.
7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir? Choir.
8. Were you a nerd? Yeah, but not in the pocket-protector, math/science way. More of a smart kid that was in debate and didn't try to hide my intelligence or desire to learn. I was very secure in who I was.
9. Were you ever suspended or expelled? No way.
10. Can you sing the fight song? Not at all.
11. Who was your favorite teacher? That's a tough one. I loved school and had many great teachers. My debate coach was pretty awesome. She was young and had already had some adventures in life and trusted us and gave us a lot of room to learn on our own. I also loved my senior year English teacher, Mrs. Rhodes, because she was sweet and liked me. :)
12. What was your school mascot? Pirate. I have no idea why, seeing as how we were land-locked.
13. Did you go to the Prom? Yes and I had a blast. I went with my first real boyfriend from seventh grade, Dave. He moved away but we stayed friends through junior high and high school. It was a great night with no pressure and no "expectations."
14. If you could go back, would you? I don't think so. I enjoyed my high school experience and don't look back on it with anger or anything, but who really wants to be an awkward teenager again?
15. What do you remember most about graduation? It was hot because we had our graduation outside in May in Texas. Ridiculous. Also, our valedictorian and salutatorian were twins and gave almost identical speeches, although they swore they worked independently on them. Thankfully they were very short speeches.
16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day? I'm pretty sure I didn't particiapte in Senior Skip Day. I'm too much of a rule follower.
17. Did you have a job your senior year? No. My parents gave me spending money as long as I was taking challenging courses and making good grades.
18. Where did you go most often for lunch? The cafeteria. We had a closed campus. I ate salad most days.
19. Have you gained weight since then? Yeah, probably about 15 pounds total, which I think is not bad considering I have had 4 kids.
20. What did you do after graduation? My best friend and I went on a Carribean cruise with my mom as chaperone. So fun! I nannied all summer for money. Hated it.
21. What year did you graduate? 1997
22. Who was your Senior Prom Date? I already answered this question. David was my date, an old friend who came to have fun and nothing else. He knew a lot of people since he used to live in Longview and loved to dance--perfect prom date.
23. Are you going/did you go to your 10 year reunion? I missed my ten-year. It was just last month. I wish I had made it to some of the festivities, but it just wasn't a good time.
24. Who was your homeroom teacher? We didn't have a homeroom, that I recall.
25. Who will repost this after you? I have no idea.
There you have it. My high school experience summed up in 24 questions. I really did enjoy my high school years. I had a group of friends that were steady and fun to hang out with and had similar values. I have no delusions about being cool or anything and that was okay with me.
I tag anyone looking for blog fodder and feeling uninspired.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Too Many Things
I have a procrastination problem. I believe I have shared this before. It has caught up with me today. I have two chapters to read in a government textbook and then I need to have some kind of review for each chapter ready by the time I go to work tonight. I knew this on Monday but failed to get started. Let's hope my kids haven't noticed my bad habit. :)
I saved that paragraph and started working. I managed to get one chapter read and one review typed. The good news is the class I was working on does not have an exam next week, so I have a little more time to get caught up. I forgot how long it can take to read a chapter in a textbook, especially with kids running around. I have got to get more organized before next week, when twice a week study sessions kick in. Still, I know that what I have prepared will help.
It has been a busy day and I got no nap, so who knows how coherent I will be by the end of the night. I also over-committed myself and have to make a salad for a funeral meal tomorrow. I should have said I couldn't help this time, but it was the first time I was called and I couldn't say no. So a trip to the store is in order. Poor planning on my part.
Now I'm off to clean the living room and kitchen so Husband can come home and relax before his late night music practice. We need to get together and plan better from now on.
Sorry for sharing random boring-ness. I will try to have something more interesting tomorrow.
I saved that paragraph and started working. I managed to get one chapter read and one review typed. The good news is the class I was working on does not have an exam next week, so I have a little more time to get caught up. I forgot how long it can take to read a chapter in a textbook, especially with kids running around. I have got to get more organized before next week, when twice a week study sessions kick in. Still, I know that what I have prepared will help.
It has been a busy day and I got no nap, so who knows how coherent I will be by the end of the night. I also over-committed myself and have to make a salad for a funeral meal tomorrow. I should have said I couldn't help this time, but it was the first time I was called and I couldn't say no. So a trip to the store is in order. Poor planning on my part.
Now I'm off to clean the living room and kitchen so Husband can come home and relax before his late night music practice. We need to get together and plan better from now on.
Sorry for sharing random boring-ness. I will try to have something more interesting tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
It's been a while
I turned on my treadmill and left it stationary and immobile for far too long. Amazingly, it did not become a second option for hanging clothes. Even if I wasn't going to get on it, I was not going to fall into the cliche of the treadmill becoming furniture. Anyway, today I climbed back on. As I mentioned, I am beyond tired and I need all the help I can get in the energy department. So I put on my running shoes and punched up my Ipod workout playlist and got moving. I spent about 22 minutes on the beast, walking for 1/2 mile, running for the same, then walking an additional 1/2 mile. I plan on keeping that routine for this week and then trying to increase it to running 1 mile next week. It felt good to get moving again. As for my energy level, I can only hope the effects will set in soon. Right now, I'm surprised I'm able to type whole words. My eyelids are getting heavy and I think I will have to leave you now to spend some quality time with my pillows.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Is it possible?
Do you think it is possible for someone to already be feeling the tired part of the first trimester? I'm barely 3 weeks along, a point when a lot of people are just beginning to suspect they are pregnant. But this overwhelming exhaustion has to be coming from somewhere. Praise God that my boys are on similar nap schedules and my girls are able to entertain themselves in their room for a while every day. I am at least able to get some sleep. Of course, when I wake up I feel like a slug, so I don't know if the sleep is helping or not. This only highlights the need for me to get back on the treadmill. I obviously don't need to lose any weight at this point, but I do need to keep my energy up and build my strength. So no more excuses. The treadmill and I get reacquainted tomorrow.
In other news, I feel a great need to redecorate my girls' room. I have no idea if they are interested in it, but I sure am. Right now the walls are sunshine yellow with brightly colored flowers and butterflies painted on the wall about three feet up from the floor in a stripe around the room. They have wooden letters that spell their names painted in coordinating colors on the walls as well. It is the most decorated room in the house I suppose. But I'm ready for a change. I am seeing chocolate and pink and a pale blue (think Tiffany blue) or maybe sage green. Very sophisticated. Honestly, it is probably more what I want in my room, but I don't see husband going for it. I want to paint vertical stripes on one wall, maybe, with floral touches around the room. I can see it in my head, but I have no idea if I can pull it off. I have little artistic talent and I obviously have a house full of distractions, I mean kids. Still, it is something fun to think about. Does anyone know good websites for this kind of thing?
About Melaleuca. It is a company that is trying to provide consumers with safe, natural products for the home and family. They have a whole range of products from vitamins to cleaning supplies to makeup. For now, we are just starting out with the cleaning products. I just know that what we are currently using is not good for anyone. A home conversion kit is a kit that comes with all you need to clean your house with their products. Laundry detergent, fabric softener, glass cleaner, and so on. I'll certainly let y'all know what I think. I don't know that I will be a customer for all of their products, but this is a good start. It can also be an at-home business, but I am not pursuing that right now.
I am resuming work on Wednesday. For the summer session I am leading group study sessions for student athletes in both sections of government. It will be twice a week, but only lasts five weeks, so I can manage it. I will definitely have to make sure I exercise and get a nap in on those days though, if I hope to be any good. I told my boss I would be unavailable for the spring due to baby and he about fell out of his chair. It was entertaining.
Sorry for the randomness of my posts lately. It seems to be all I am capable of right now.
In other news, I feel a great need to redecorate my girls' room. I have no idea if they are interested in it, but I sure am. Right now the walls are sunshine yellow with brightly colored flowers and butterflies painted on the wall about three feet up from the floor in a stripe around the room. They have wooden letters that spell their names painted in coordinating colors on the walls as well. It is the most decorated room in the house I suppose. But I'm ready for a change. I am seeing chocolate and pink and a pale blue (think Tiffany blue) or maybe sage green. Very sophisticated. Honestly, it is probably more what I want in my room, but I don't see husband going for it. I want to paint vertical stripes on one wall, maybe, with floral touches around the room. I can see it in my head, but I have no idea if I can pull it off. I have little artistic talent and I obviously have a house full of distractions, I mean kids. Still, it is something fun to think about. Does anyone know good websites for this kind of thing?
About Melaleuca. It is a company that is trying to provide consumers with safe, natural products for the home and family. They have a whole range of products from vitamins to cleaning supplies to makeup. For now, we are just starting out with the cleaning products. I just know that what we are currently using is not good for anyone. A home conversion kit is a kit that comes with all you need to clean your house with their products. Laundry detergent, fabric softener, glass cleaner, and so on. I'll certainly let y'all know what I think. I don't know that I will be a customer for all of their products, but this is a good start. It can also be an at-home business, but I am not pursuing that right now.
I am resuming work on Wednesday. For the summer session I am leading group study sessions for student athletes in both sections of government. It will be twice a week, but only lasts five weeks, so I can manage it. I will definitely have to make sure I exercise and get a nap in on those days though, if I hope to be any good. I told my boss I would be unavailable for the spring due to baby and he about fell out of his chair. It was entertaining.
Sorry for the randomness of my posts lately. It seems to be all I am capable of right now.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Musings
Musings sounds so intellectual, doesn't it? As if I'm pondering deep and mysterious subjects. Not so much. Some of this post will include pregnancy talk, so some of you may wish to skip it. I understand completely. In fact, I'll start with that in a different color, so you can skip that part and read the rest, if you so desire. Not that any of it will be life-altering information or anything.
Beth asked if we find out the gender of the baby in advance. Out of 4 pregnancies we have only found out once, and that was with Buddy. I had a feeling he was a boy and wanted to find out ahead of time to buy clothes and stuff. It was fun to know early, but we like waiting. I have had 3 c-sections (was supposed to be 4, but that's another story) and since we know the date and approximate time of arrival, we like waiting to find out the gender of the baby to have some element of suspense and surprise to the day. Speaking of delivery methods, that is where some of my anxiety arises. I had one c-section, then a VBAC that was not supposed to happen, then two more c-sections. My doctor assured me I was fine to have at least one more c-section, but I still worry. I had more bleeding with the last surgery than usual, and that kind of freaked me out. But, the risks of VBACs freak me out too. I will be doing lots of praying about that before the big day arrives. Regarding names, Husband and I usually come to agreement fairly easily on names well in advance of the child's arrival. Of course, only a few of my readers know the actual names of our children, so that may be of little interest. This time, Husband is choosing the boy name and I am choosing the girl name. Yea! And finally, I will take pictures once a month of myself. I have never done that with a pregnancy and figure now is as good a time as any to start. I promise to share them. And, I'm blessed to have had easy-peasy pregnancies thus far. I think my body actually prefers pregnancy. :) One more thing. If you have a child and are expecting another you have to buy this book and read it to your child. We read it every day of my fourth pregnancy and it was great for my kids. I love it too.
Okay, done with the pregnancy talk.
This could go down as one of the best weekends ever. We are meeting my mom tomorrow in a town halfway between her and us to drop off the kids. She is taking them and we get 24 ours of kid free bliss. We might see Transformeres. We might go to Sam's. We are definitely going to play poker and eat too much and laugh a lot with a group of fantastic friends from church. I can't wait!
I'm taking the natural plunge, in part of my life anyway. I have purchased the Melaleuca Home Cleaning Conversion Kit. I just decided that it was not good that I felt like I needed to scrub myself after cleaning and light a candle to dispel the fumes. Now I have even more reason to take the plunge. Plus, it is supposedly cheaper in the long run. We'll see.
I read many blogs today and had many ideas for posts. They all seem to have leaked from my brain while typing this post. I promise to do better next time.
Beth asked if we find out the gender of the baby in advance. Out of 4 pregnancies we have only found out once, and that was with Buddy. I had a feeling he was a boy and wanted to find out ahead of time to buy clothes and stuff. It was fun to know early, but we like waiting. I have had 3 c-sections (was supposed to be 4, but that's another story) and since we know the date and approximate time of arrival, we like waiting to find out the gender of the baby to have some element of suspense and surprise to the day. Speaking of delivery methods, that is where some of my anxiety arises. I had one c-section, then a VBAC that was not supposed to happen, then two more c-sections. My doctor assured me I was fine to have at least one more c-section, but I still worry. I had more bleeding with the last surgery than usual, and that kind of freaked me out. But, the risks of VBACs freak me out too. I will be doing lots of praying about that before the big day arrives. Regarding names, Husband and I usually come to agreement fairly easily on names well in advance of the child's arrival. Of course, only a few of my readers know the actual names of our children, so that may be of little interest. This time, Husband is choosing the boy name and I am choosing the girl name. Yea! And finally, I will take pictures once a month of myself. I have never done that with a pregnancy and figure now is as good a time as any to start. I promise to share them. And, I'm blessed to have had easy-peasy pregnancies thus far. I think my body actually prefers pregnancy. :) One more thing. If you have a child and are expecting another you have to buy this book and read it to your child. We read it every day of my fourth pregnancy and it was great for my kids. I love it too.
Okay, done with the pregnancy talk.
This could go down as one of the best weekends ever. We are meeting my mom tomorrow in a town halfway between her and us to drop off the kids. She is taking them and we get 24 ours of kid free bliss. We might see Transformeres. We might go to Sam's. We are definitely going to play poker and eat too much and laugh a lot with a group of fantastic friends from church. I can't wait!
I'm taking the natural plunge, in part of my life anyway. I have purchased the Melaleuca Home Cleaning Conversion Kit. I just decided that it was not good that I felt like I needed to scrub myself after cleaning and light a candle to dispel the fumes. Now I have even more reason to take the plunge. Plus, it is supposedly cheaper in the long run. We'll see.
I read many blogs today and had many ideas for posts. They all seem to have leaked from my brain while typing this post. I promise to do better next time.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Psalm 127: The Need of God's Blessing **Updated**
"Children too are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children born in one's youth. Blessed are they whose quivers are full. They will never be shamed contending with foes at the gate." Psalm 127: 3-5
Help me to remember this Lord, to take comfort in your sacred Word when others judge and condemn. I want to choose to be joyful and rejoice in the blessings you bestow. So many, many women would shout to the heavens with gladness to be where I am now. I will join them and lift my voice in praise.
**Update** I feel like I need to add some clarification. I am overjoyed at this pregnancy, truly. I know God had been placing a desire on my heart for another child and that this is what I wanted. There are other things going on right now that too easily distract me from what a blessing this is and I posted the Scripture and my thoughts as a reminder to me not to let others rob me of joy. And for those who so badly want to be a mom, I'm sorry, really, that my joy brings you sorrow. I can't even fathom the pain you must experience each month and each time someone you know shares a pregnancy. Please don't take my doubts and struggles as a sign of ingratitude and unhappiness.
Help me to remember this Lord, to take comfort in your sacred Word when others judge and condemn. I want to choose to be joyful and rejoice in the blessings you bestow. So many, many women would shout to the heavens with gladness to be where I am now. I will join them and lift my voice in praise.
**Update** I feel like I need to add some clarification. I am overjoyed at this pregnancy, truly. I know God had been placing a desire on my heart for another child and that this is what I wanted. There are other things going on right now that too easily distract me from what a blessing this is and I posted the Scripture and my thoughts as a reminder to me not to let others rob me of joy. And for those who so badly want to be a mom, I'm sorry, really, that my joy brings you sorrow. I can't even fathom the pain you must experience each month and each time someone you know shares a pregnancy. Please don't take my doubts and struggles as a sign of ingratitude and unhappiness.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Entering a New Realm **Updated**
Tomorrow I will do something I have never done before. I am going to make brownies from scratch!! I love to bake, but usually for brownies and cakes I just use box mixes. But not this time. I'm going to venture out into the world of homemade brownies. I found a yummy recipe in the newspaper (I love the Taste section in the Wednesday DMN) and I just can't resist. It has caramel in it! Chocolate and caramel are the best pairing since peanut butter and jelly in my book.
I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. If you have any fantastic recipes, dessert or otherwise, post them on your blog or email them to me. I love trying new things.
**Update** The brownies were great! The recipe said to make them in a 9x13x1 pan for best results, so that is what I did. But, next time, I will make them in an 8x8 pan instead. I like thick brownies, not thin ones. Still, they tasted yummy and got rave reviews from the family. One of the few positive notes on what was supposed to be a fun day.
I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. If you have any fantastic recipes, dessert or otherwise, post them on your blog or email them to me. I love trying new things.
**Update** The brownies were great! The recipe said to make them in a 9x13x1 pan for best results, so that is what I did. But, next time, I will make them in an 8x8 pan instead. I like thick brownies, not thin ones. Still, they tasted yummy and got rave reviews from the family. One of the few positive notes on what was supposed to be a fun day.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Not Just a Name
I chose 4andcounting as my blog name because I was not creative enough to come up with anything else. At the time, it was merely an indicator that we weren't closing the door on future children.
It is not just a name now!!
We confirmed today that Baby #5 is due to arrive in late February/early March of 2008! I'm only a couple of weeks along, but using NFP tipped me off right away and a pregnancy test confirmed my charting. We are very surprised, but very excited too. Please pray for a healthy pregnancy and our family as we go on this adventure. I know that God placed a desire on my heart for another child. I also know that left entirely to my own will and planning fear would have kept that desire from becoming reality. I do have anxiety, but I have great peace knowing that we are not given more than we can handle with God's grace.
I'll be putting up one of those cool tickers soon, but it seems silly to do so at barely two weeks!
It is not just a name now!!
We confirmed today that Baby #5 is due to arrive in late February/early March of 2008! I'm only a couple of weeks along, but using NFP tipped me off right away and a pregnancy test confirmed my charting. We are very surprised, but very excited too. Please pray for a healthy pregnancy and our family as we go on this adventure. I know that God placed a desire on my heart for another child. I also know that left entirely to my own will and planning fear would have kept that desire from becoming reality. I do have anxiety, but I have great peace knowing that we are not given more than we can handle with God's grace.
I'll be putting up one of those cool tickers soon, but it seems silly to do so at barely two weeks!
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