My Life at a Glance

I've Moved!!!

2007-01-06T10:08:00.001-05:00

I'm really excited about my new website. I will no longer be blogging here or at A Year In The Life. From now on, I'll be at Nothing Gold. So, update your bookmarks to take you there, and, if you have a link to my blogs on yours, I would appreciate if you would change it to the new site, too. So, come on over, and make sure to tell me what you think.

www.nothinggold.net

Christmas is Over

2006-12-26T13:40:00.000-05:00

Well, life has definitely been a lot slower for me the past two days. I was supposed to go to my grandmother's for Christmas dinner yesterday, but Kyra woke up throwing up. So, my mom came by and got Elijah, and she took him with her. Chris had to work yesterday, so it was just me, Kyra, and Owen at home. It didn't even feel like Christmas. Mom brought us a plate home from the dinner, though, so at least we got to eat some Christmas dinner. I spent the day playing with Kyra, taking toys out of packaging, and trying to clean up a little. I didn't get much done by way of cleaning up, but I played with Kyra more yesterday than I have in the last three months. I mean one-on-one playing. We played multiple games of Pretty, Pretty Princess and The Little Engine That Could Games. We played with her new Barbie laptop, and her Princess Leap Pad Book. We played with her Barbie Fashion Plates, and put stickers in her Princess Sticker Book that her pen pal, Lindsey, sent her. I know she had fun.
Today, I have cleaning and studying on the agenda. I really need to get the mess under control and the laundry caught up, and I need to get some math review done. My test is on the 2nd, so it's coming up quickly.
So, today is day two of taking a shower and putting pajamas right back on. Ya know what? It feels good. Ahhh. Life in the slow lane.

Tired But Happy

2006-12-20T22:38:00.000-05:00

I am so tired. I really need to be in bed, but I haven't posted in so long. I keep telling myself that I am going to sit down and blog about something interesting, but I can't seem to find the time. I have been so busy lately. I wouldn't be nearly as busy if Chris weren't so busy. He is taking his last test of the semester tomorrow, though, and then he will have a break. He won't start school back until January 15th. My classes will start on January 16th. I suppose we will both be up to our ears in schoolwork then. That is assuming that I get the classes that I need. I'm scheduled to take the Compass test on January 2nd. I'm really nervous about it, but I'm excited, too. I'm really looking forward to going back to school.
Kyra has a Christmas party at school tomorrow, and then she is out for Christmas break. I'm not even sure what day they go back in the new year. Can you believe that 2006 is almost over? It's went by so fast. I am going to switch over to the new blogger for the new year, and do a re-design of my photo blog. It is currently titled "A Year in the Life" and subtitled "The Harmon children's 2006...in picture form.", so that won't apply in 2007. Any suggestions for a new name for it?
I hesitate to say that I am looking forward to the holidays being over, but I will be glad when it slows down to normal again. Things just seem so hectic, and I stay so busy. This weekend will be loaded down with activities...especially since Christmas Eve is on Sunday, and we will have church in the morning and in the evening. I'll just not think about it right now.
I have to say, as busy as I've been, I have so been enjoying my kids lately. Owen is at an especially fun age, and he is such a little cuddle-bug. The older two are always lots of fun, and they keep us in stitches over the things that they say. My life is just so good. I am a very blessed woman.

A Recap of My Week

2006-12-09T12:10:00.000-05:00

Whew! What a busy week. I have had to go somewhere or do something every day this week. It never ceases to amaze me how fast time goes by. The older I get, the faster it goes. It is kind of sad when you think about the rest of your life passing by this quickly. The kids are getting bigger so fast. I don't even want to think about them growing up and moving out. So, I won't. I'll get on with this post.
Owen and Elijah are pretty much better. They both have mildly runny noses, but are both feeling fine. We took Owen back to Children's on Thursday, and he got a completely clean bill of health. My mommy instinct was right. My baby was fine. I knew he was. He's too happy and content for there to have been something wrong with him.
I've been trying to brush up on my math skills in preparation for the COMPASS test. I called Roane State (the community college I applied to) yesterday, but they haven't received my transcripts from high school yet. I can't register to take the COMPASS test until they have my transcripts. So, I'll call them back on Monday. The next testing date is on the 13th, and I'm afraid I won't make it. Classes are all filling up, so I'm a little worried that I won't be able to start in the spring semester. We'll see. I wish I had of decided to apply a little sooner. There's nothing I can do about it now, though. I'll just keep working on refreshing my math skills, and take the test as soon as I can.
Last night I took the kids to the birthday party of a little girl at church. They had a lot of fun. Elijah played with their race track all evening. It was really neat. It was the kind where you shake the cars to make them go. He was so cute shaking them up, and then putting them on the track. I am thinking it would make a really good birthday present. Kyra played princesses all night. The birthday girl is even more into princesses than Kyra is. Their grandmother told me that I needed to bring them over to play one day. I think I will, because they had a lot of fun.
I went shopping on Tuesday with Misty (my sister-in-law), and I finished my Christmas shopping. The only thing I have left is to buy a couple of gift cards for some people, but I can do that here in Harriman any time. It's so nice to have it all done.
I went to lunch with my friend, Jen, on Monday, which was a lot of fun. We hadn't seen each other in a long time, so it was really cool to catch up on things. Hopefully, we can do it again soon. I really enjoyed going out with just the baby, and talking with a friend. Jen turned me on to this new Mexican place here in town. It was really good. I love it, and had Chris go with me again on Wednesday. Thnaks, Jen, for adding to my growing weight problem. (pun intended)
I cut my bangs the other day. I'm not sure if I like them yet or not. Don't worry, it wasn't a Kyra cut. I just trimmed them all straight accross. They don't look bad or anything. They're just different. I havne't wore my bangs this way since I was like thirteen. Anyway, that's neither here nor there.
Thursday evening, we bought a new (to us) car. Chris really needed a car to drive to work. His truck has a LOT of miles on it, and doesn't work as well as it used to. The heat doesn't work anymore, and Chris was freezing going to work and back. He has been looking for a good used car for some time now. He decided on a 2002 Dodge Stratus. It's pretty nice. It's white, and has been taken good care of. I like it. I have missed driving a car. My big van is very useful, but driving a car is a lot more fun.
I spent Thursday night helping my brother, Luke, work on a research paper for school. It is due on Friday, and he hadn't even started on it. Typical sixteen year old boy behavior, no?
So, that's what I've been up to this week. It was a bit of a jumbled recap, but, oh well. I just wrote about things as I thought of them. I have to run to Kroger in a minute and get stuff to make a cheesecake and a green bean casserole for the church Christmas dinner tomorrow night. I'm really proud of my newly acquired ability to make a real cheesecake. I love cheesecake. We are desperately in need of me taking care of Mount Laundry today, too. Elijah is out of pants. Hopefully, I'll get it all taken care of this afternoon. I'm supposed to take the kids and go to my parent's this evening. Misty has set up an evening of fried fish (compliments of my dad, the master fish fryer [and fish catcher, for that matter]) and Rook. I love to play games. I like board games the best, but I enjoy card games, too. About a year ago, we were really into playing Rook, but everyone else kind of got burned out on it after a while. We need to invest in some games that everyone can play. Outburst or Pictionary or something. Did I mention I love to play games? So, anyway, that's my day. I hope everyone has a great weekend! For those of you around here, the kids' Christmas play is next Sunday night (the 17th, I believe). My brother, Seth, has one of the biggest parts in the play, and Kyra and possibly Elijah (depending on if he cooperates) will be in the nativity scene. Kyra has a small part in quoting a Christmas poem, and will be singing a song with the Children's Choir.

Update on Owen

2006-12-02T00:41:00.000-05:00

I took Owen back to the doctor this afternoon. He said that Owen sounded a lot better, and that he looked good. His RSV test was negative, thankfully. He put him on an antibiotic, in addition to the other medicines that he prescribed yesterday. He said that he was afraid that he might develop pneumonia if he didn't put him on the antibiotic. So, that's a total of four medicines that he's on. They do seem to be working, though, and Owen hasn't gotten any worse. He sounds much worse at night, but he never got really, really bad. He hasn't been coughing too much, but he sounds wheezy when he cries or fusses.
I appreciate those of you who have mentioned Owen in your prayers. It's nice to be able to ask you guys to pray for him. It just adds a certain measure of comfort to know that people are taking your little one before the Lord in prayer.

As an aside, I'm taking him back to the gastroenteroligist on Thursday. I am expecting her to give him a clean bill of health, and pronounce him completely normal and healthy. Especially since Owen weighed 13lbs 5ozs at the doctor yesterday. He has really been gaining good since we started giving him baby food. I guess he really did just need some extra calories. Again, thanks for your prayers.

My Little Guy is Sick

2006-11-30T21:32:00.000-05:00

I hope that everyone will keep Owen in your prayers. He has got croup, and croup scares me. Kyra was hospitalized with it when she was a baby. I took him and Elijah to the doctor today. Elijah has a sinus infection, and is on antibiotics. The doctor prescribed Owen three different kinds of medicines, two of which he takes via a nebulizer. He didn't like the breathing treatments too well, but it wasn't too bad. He's sleeping now. The doctor told me that if he gets worse during the night to take him straight to the emergency room. Hopefully that won't happen. I am supposed to take him back to the doctor tomorrow regardless. They also swabbed his nose at the hospital to test for RSV. So, I wish everyone would pray for him. He's sleeping now.

A Little Dinner Conversation

2006-11-30T13:30:00.000-05:00

We just got finished with lunch. I don't usually fix anything for lunch that we all sit down to. Chris was home today, though. He took the day off of work to catch up on some schoolwork. So, when I got hungry, I decided to make something for all of us. Nothing fancy. I just put a frozen pizza in the oven, and put together a quick salad. Kyra declined the pizza, and opted just for a salad. Chris and I watched the epidsode of Oprah yesterday that featured a question and answer session with Dr. Oz. I find the episodes with Dr. Oz fascinating. One thing that he said in the show was that, in Europe, they eat their salads after their main course. So, I was asking Chris if he saw that part, and we were discussing it. Chris said, "He also said we shouldn't be eating ranch dressing."
To which Kyra replied in horror, "No ranch dressing?!?"
I quickly assured her, "Don't worry, Kyra. That's a sacrifice too great for us."
We do love our ranch dressing around here.

When Kyra finished her salad, she got up from the table, and, as she is walking away, says, "Thank you, Mama. It was delicious."
Then, I patted myself on the back, congratulated myself on such a beautiful, well-mannered child who declines pizza for salad, and said, "Thank you, Kyra, and you are welcome."

I will be signing my parenting books after dinner tonight, if anyone wants an autographed copy.

(What? No, I don't feel the need to share that my other child told me today, "You smell like stinky poop, Mama. Ha ha!" Why would I talk about something like that? I'm accentuating the positive here.)

Busy as a....

2006-11-27T15:52:00.000-05:00

wife to a full-time student/40+ hour a week worker of varied shifts, and mother of three kids four and under. Yeah. Those beavers don't got nuthin' on me.

Life has been hectic lately. I'll just hit the highlights.

The day before Thanksgiving, Kyra decided to give herself a haircut. Yes, I know. It was pretty bad. Thankfully, she just cut her bangs. Thankfully, as in it could of been worse had she cut the length of her hair, no thankfully, as in she did a pretty good job for a four year old cutting her own hair. Quite honestly, she did a pretty horrible job. Her bangs are about an inch long. Lucky for her, she is four. Four year olds are not only cute enough to have their general adorableness outshine the hideous haircut they are sporting, but they are also young enough that people just laugh at them in a "kids will be kids" way. She is very lucky to have a good-natured, easy-going mother who, instead of screaming at her for the absurdity of the idea that taking scissors to a perfectly good hairstyle with no mirror in sight would be a good thing, chose to laugh through the tears that gathered in my eyes and tell myself, in the moment, that they would grow back. Kyra was immediately repentant, and realized that her bangs didn't look good. I couldn't fuss at her, when she came to me already sorry and feeling bad that she didn't look the best.

I've discovered that I quite like to bake, now that I have an enthusiastic helper (with bad bangs) to join in on the process. It makes me feel, oh, so motherly to bake cookies with my offspring.

My biggest news is that I have started the ball rolling on the process of going to college. Yep, college. I had always planned to go to college. I took college prep courses in high school, and I always made very good grades. I graduated with honors, in fact. I started dating Chris when I was sixteen, right before I graduated, and my plans changed. Instead of heading off to college, I got married, and started a family. I have never regretted doing it that way. I would do it just exactly the same if I had to go back and do it over. Now that I am through having babies for the time being, I am going to get back to the original plan of going to college. I figure that, since Chris is spending every free moment doing schoolwork for the next few years, I might as well be doing the same thing. I called today to make an appointment with an admissions advisor. I'm supposed to meet with her Friday morning at ten. I'm very nervous about it all. I realize that I am not to old to go back to school. Not by a long shot. I also realize that I somewhat intelligent, and I will do fine with the schoolwork. What everyone else doesn't seem to realize is that I have never been a part of a traditional school setting. You know, with the teacher up front teaching. I went to an ACE christian school (the one that Kyra attends now) from pre-school until the middle of my tenth grade year, and then I was home-schooled for the remainder of my high school education. Just the sheer difference in learning/teaching styles frightens me. New things scare me. Hopefully, though, it won't be too bad. I'm hoping to begin in January. I don't know, yet, if that is possible though. We'll see. Wish me luck!

With the upcoming Christmas season, I'm going to be busier than ever. We have play practices at church for the kids, family things, some Christmas shopping, and all of the normal activities to take up my time. I hope to keep this blog pretty current though. I appreciate you all continuing to stop by my blog. It's cool to know that people are reading what I write, even if I'm not writing as often as I used to.

Housekeeping 101

2006-11-25T12:56:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to get the house cleaned up today. It kind of fell apart over the holiday, what with all of the baking, visiting, and traveling. I just told the kids that they needed to clean up the living room, which is one of their chores. They are both a little under the weather with colds and a touch of the croup, so I'm sure that is affecting their attitudes a bit. Their reactions to being told to do their chore was pretty amusing.

Kyra reacted with tears. She told me quite indignantly that, "I am not a job-girl!" I'm assuming that a job-girl is about the equivelent of a servant. I told her that the living room was her chore, though, and she had to pick up her toys. She said that she wasn't a job-girl, and she didn't want to do it. I told her that she was part of this family, and that families had to all help out. I told her that if she didn't want to be a part of our family, then I guess she needed to go live somewhere else. To which my darling daughter suggested her Mammy's house. I pointed out that Mammy had to go to work and couldn't watch her, and then she added that Mammy didn't have a bed for her. So, in her mind, the one choice of living arrangement besides just staying here was not an option, so she is stuck with us. She begrudgingly began taking her toys to her room, after I threatened to throw them in the garbage, while she cried, "I am NOT a job-girl!". I'm hoping her attitude will improve when she starts feeling better.

Now, Elijah had a different approach to cleaning the living room. He had seven or eight little men in the living room floor, along with a box of hot wheels. So, upon being told to clean the living room, he used a six inch piece of string to tie around the first man, and then flew him into his bedroom, talking to himself and making sound effects the whole way. He then returned to the living room, and tied up the second man. At this rate, he might be finished by the time he starts kindergarten.

And people wonder why my house is always messy!

Just Call Me Supermom

2006-11-21T22:32:00.000-05:00

I got up this morning, took Kyra to school, came home, fed Owen and put him down for a nap, showered and got ready, went to Kyra's school to have lunch with her, came home, went grocery shopping with Owen, came home and baked six or eight dozen cookies and two loaves of pumpkin bread, put the older kids to bed, and let Owen go to sleep in my arms. There was a lot of diaper changing, baby feeding, two year old disciplining, and kissing going on in between, too.

I just wanted you guys to know why my blog posts have been so few and far between lately.

He's in the Army.....Again.

2006-11-12T14:50:00.000-05:00

Chris took his Oath of Office this morning. He is now officially in the Army again. He was given his oath by Bro. Mike Beech, who is a Chaplain in the Army Reserves, and who pastors a church in our area. I thought that it was pretty cool that a Chaplain administered his oath, and also that it was done on Veteran's Day weekend.

2nd Lieutenant Chris Harmon and 1st Lieutenant Mike Beech

Here he is with his proud, adoring wife (who, I assure you, is not as fat as the sweater she is wearing would make you think).

2006-11-10T12:07:00.000-05:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are:
109
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Postponed

2006-11-10T11:53:00.000-05:00

Well, the Army will have to wait another day or two. The Chaplain who was going to administer Chris' oath this morning got sick. It's kind of disappointing, but, hopefully, it will happen later this weekend. Chris and I both are really excited about it. I'll be sure to post pictures and video as soon as I get them. Stay tuned!

Potty Training, Children's Hospital, and the Army, Oh My!

2006-11-09T23:32:00.000-05:00

I know I've been scarce. It seems like my days go by so fast. Somehow, Kyra going to school two days a week has kicked time into overdrive. It just goes by so quick. I have a lot to blog about, it's just finding the time to sit down and do it that's the problem.
Elijah has made great strides in getting potty trained. I hate potty training. I'm not good at it. It drives me nuts. Ugh. Monday morning, though, Elijah was looking for a pull-up, and the package was empty. I had four or five in the diaper bag, but I told him that they were all gone. I told him that he would just have to wear big boy underwear now. For some reason, him thinking that there were no pull ups made him more willing to go to the potty. So, he's been in underwear all week. He's had several accidents, but not too many. He has only did #2 on himself once. So, we're getting there. Going cold turkey has been kind of nerve wracking. We even took him to church in underwear. He peed on himself at the hospital today two minutes after Chris took him to the bathroom. That was frustrating and a little embarassing, but I really think we're going to get there soon.
Today was Owen's appointment with the gastroenterologist at Children's Hospital. She weighed him, examined him, and had some blood drawn. Since starting him on cereal, he's been going to the bathroom more often, so she said that has kind of taken care of itself. The only thing that she was concerned with was that he has dropped down the growth chart, and is not gaining weight like he should. He has gained less than five pounds since he was born. He weighed 11 lbs 11 ozs today. She is having me bring him back in four weeks. She said that, now that she has seen him, she knows where he should be in four weeks. If he is there, then all is good. If he isn't, I am not really sure where they go from there. She said that she was going to test his thyroid, but that she didn't think that was his problem. I'm thinking that he is just small, like my family, but Chris is starting to get a little concerned that he's not growing enough. Keep him in your prayers.
Chris got his oath of office in the mail last week. We have been reading the blog of a Reserve Army Chaplain who lives in our area since we began the whole process in June, and, Monday, we ran into him at McDonalds. Chris introduced himself, and they struck up a conversation. Now, we are going to his church tomorrow morning, and he is going to administer Chris' oath. After that, he'll be back in the Army. I plan on recording it, and taking pictures. It's really exciting.
That's all the latest here at the Harmon household. Now, I'm going to bed. I have to get up early in the morning.

Doctor's Appt Update

2006-11-02T22:40:00.000-05:00

Owen's doctor's appointment today went pretty well. He only weighed 11 lbs 13 ozs. That's not much for being four months old. So, his doctor wants me to start giving him baby food, because he says that we need to increase his caloric intake. Owen's also had some poop issues...only going once a week. So, he is sending him to see a gastrointeroligist to make sure that there are no problems with his bowel. It's very unusual for a breastfed baby to not be going more than that. I'm not worried about it. Owen is such a happy baby. I think his size is so small because he takes after my side of the family...we're just little people. I'm not going to worry about the other thing until I am told that there is a reason to worry. I think that our doctor is just cautious, and, when something isn't normal, he wants to make sure that there is not something wrong. My philosophy has always been "better safe than sorry", so that is okay by me.
So Owen will get his first taste of solid food tomorrow. Mmmm....rice cereal. Sounds yummy, doesn't it?
Me, Kyra, and Elijah all got flu shots today as well. I got mine first to show them that it doesn't hurt too much. Kyra was next, and she cried a little bit. When hers was done, I turned to look at Elijah, and he had two big fat tears rolling down his face from watching them give his sister a shot. He said, "That made me sad, Mama." Let me tell you, it made him really sad when it came to be his turn. It wasn't too bad all in all. They mostly just cried for the time it took them to get the shot, and for a minute or so after. They got a little toy, a sucker, and a card for free ice cream from Sonic...so I think they were well compensated. Poor little Owen got four shots today. He got two in each leg. He's cried all evening with his sore little legs. He's already running a little bit of a fever. He's sleeping now. I hope that he doesn't have a fitful night. My arm is a little sore already. The kids got theirs in their thighs. I hope it doesn't make their leg hurt. Shots are no fun, but they are better than the alternative. I'd rather deal with low grade fevers and sore arms and legs than influenza, polio, diptheria, or even whooping cough. Not to mention all of the other things they are vaccinated against that I can't bring to memory right now.
So, that's my update, and I'm glad it's all over.

All the Latest

2006-11-02T11:50:00.000-05:00

I've not been blogging routinely, lately. I've been kind of busy, but it's not really been blog-worthy. I've played tennis a few times with my cousin and friend, Steph. We had fun. Last Saturday, we had a hot dog roast at the fish farm for church. That was a lot of fun. It was so gorgeous there. It's gorgeous everywhere, right now. The leaves are beautiful this year. It warmed up here, recently, so the kids have been playing outside some. I took them with me when I went to play tennis, and even the baby was pretty good. I took them by to see my grandparents yesterday after I picked Kyra up from school. I took a couple of pictures of the kids with Mamaw and Papaw. I'll put them up on A Year in the Life when I get a chance...maybe this afternoon. Last night, I spent a couple of hours helping Chris study for his Baptist History exam. He has a LOT of dates and events to memorize. I don't know how he is taking all of this stuff in. It just seems like so much to remember. He has a good memory, though. Not like me, who forgets everything.
We're fixing to head to the doctor this afternoon for Owen's four month check-up. Me, Kyra, and Elijah also have to get flu shots if they have got them in. Not looking forward to getting three kids who have just had shots out of the doctor's office. I'm not too worried about Kyra and Owen, but Elijah is TERRIBLE at the doctor's office. He starts crying as soon as we get taken back. Hopefully, he won't realize that he gets a shot today. I told him we were taking Owen. Chris is working today, so I'm on my own. So, wish me luck! I'll post an update when I get home.

Whoa, Mama! Whoa!

2006-10-27T20:29:00.000-04:00

I was on my way to pick up Kyra from school today, with Elijah and Owen, and it was raining. It had been raining all day long. I had just slowed down to take a huge curve at the top of a very big, steep hill. I had gained a bit of speed as soon as I started down the hill. Suddenly, a purple car pulls out right in front of me. I had about two seconds to hit my brakes, and...they didn't work. The hill was so slick with rain that I was just sliding. In the split second before I t-boned the purple car, I jerked the wheel to the right, and into the ditch. My heart was beating out of my chest as I slid about a hundred feet down the hill. My brakes were useless on the wet grass and pavement. I was bumping violently over rocks, and Elijah was in the back saying, "Whoa, Mama. Whoa! Whoa, Mama! Whoa!". I finally skidded to a stop. I put the car in park, and sat there trying to catch my breath.

Did that just happen?

It did, and I couldn't believe it. I had went years without any automobile incidents, and I had just gotten into the second one in only about a month's time. As I sat there, the purple car pulled down beside me. I looked over to see three teengagers with three very worried looks on their faces.
"Are you okay?" the boy in the passenger seat asked.
I nodded. "Did I hit you?". It had all happened so fast that I didn't even know if I had hit them at all.
"No." the boy said. "We're so sorry. She didn't see you."
How could you? I thought. You didn't even slow down before you pulled out.
I was standing in the rain, with my hand over my heart. I couldn't quite catch my breath.
"Are you okay, Ma'am?" the boy in the backseat asked me.
"Yeah. I'm just nervous. My heart is pounding." Inside, I was thinking, I can't believe that I am the adult in the situation. I don't know what to do.
So, I did what any good woman would do. I called my husband.
Long story short, I called Chris, got the kids' phone number just in case, sat on the side of the road crying a bit and telling concerned motorists that I was okay and my husband was on the way, and then got out and stood in the rain while Chris drove the van out of the ditch. I couldn't believe that the van was not hurt at all.
Chris drove his truck to a parking lot, and then drove us to pick up Kyra, making sure the van was driving right. I kept replaying the whole scene in my mind. I am so glad that I had those two seconds to decide to jerk the wheel towards the ditch. If I had of hit those kids, I probably would have hurt them really bad, or even killed them. They were in a little car, and I was in my big van. The two boys were on the side that I would have hit. Without those two seconds to make a decision to do something other than hit my brakes, things would have been a lot different. God was definitely watching out for us.
Now, the thing that keeps running through my head is, "Whoa, Mama! Whoa!".

2006-10-25T10:04:00.000-04:00

You Are Pretty Logical

You're a bit of a wizard when it comes to logic
While you don't have perfect logic, you logic is pretty darn good
Keep at it - you've got a lot of natural talent in this area!

How Logical Are You?

I Happen to Like My Life

2006-10-24T11:10:00.000-04:00

I recently had a conversation with one of my brothers. It started out with him commenting on me "popping out one baby after another", and me asking him what was wrong with that...that I happen to like my kids. To which he answered, "Nothing. You're just living an average country lifestyle." Now, I could debate how "country" my lifestyle is, seeing as how I live pretty much in "town", I don't even have a garden, and we own just about an acre of land that our house sits on. I didn't bring up any of that, but, instead, said that I thought I lived an average "married" lifestyle. People tend to have kids after they get married. He was like, "No. Not really. You don't know what it's like outside of this area. It's not the normal thing." I didn't press the issue, but I've thought a lot about it. I really don't feel the need to box up my life with a title, anyway. It's my life, and it's not quite the same as anyone else's. It makes me happy. My brother has much disdain for my lifestyle, but he must not understand how good it is. No, I don't go out clubbing. I don't drink or smoke. I don't run around. I don't even wear the same clothes that most people do.
Instead, I am married to my best friend. I trust him 100%. I never have to worry about where he is, or who he is with. I don't ever have to worry that he is going to squander the money that we need to live and pay our bills. I know that he is always going to be there for me. I know that he loves me for who I am. He's held me while I have cried, held me up while I was so sick with our first baby that I couldn't hold myself upright to get sick, and sat by my side at the hospital during times that I have been sick or had surgery. He's always there. We enjoy each other's company, and spend hours just talking to each other. I don't have to make a few phone calls to track him down, or schedule a time to get together. He's just always there. Because we are married. No, I don't wonder what it would be like to be with someone else. Why would I? He's my best friend. We are happy.
And, yes, I know that we have already exceeded the normal two kids per family, but, so what? We love our kids. We even go so far as to like our kids. We enjoy spending time as a family. They are great kids. We laugh and laugh at the things that they do and say. I have a blog devoted to pictures of them, because I enjoy them so much I just want to share them with my friends and family. I think they are awesome. Yeah, it's a little harder to go out to eat with three kids, but we still do it. They sit and eat just like anyone, and we enjoy being a family. It's not just about me and Chris anymore, but it's about the family that we have created. It's important to us. It makes us happy.
So, no, my life might not be what some people consider exciting, but I would almost bet that I enjoy a level of contentment that they don't. My life isn't perfect. We have problems just like everyone else. It is a good life, though. It makes me happy. I do consider it exciting, though. Just look at what is waiting on the horizon for my family. The world! What could be more exciting than exeriencing all that life has to offer with four people who love me and love being with me? Not much from what I can see.
So, don't feel sorry for me. Don't worry about me. My life is far better than I ever could have imagined it.

A Little Weekend Recap

2006-10-23T11:06:00.000-04:00

The last couple of days have been pretty fun. I have gotten a kick out of telling people about the Army thing, and seeing their reactions. Other than my family, I haven't really told too many people, but it had already gotten around church a little. It seems that the main consensus is that Chris and I can go wherever we want to go, but we have to leave the kids behind. The fact that any moving away is at least five years from now allows me to be strictly excited, right now, because I don't have to deal with leaving the only place I've ever lived. I'm just so excited. I'm excited about the direction the Lord is leading our lives in, and I'm excited about all of the things we'll get to do, people we'll get to meet, and places we'll get to see.
The Children's Choir sang again last night. Most of them did very well. Pastor Pallotta let them sing very early in the service, because, last time, some of the younger ones were falling asleep before it was time for them to sing. Kyra was in a mood last night, and did more standing there than actually singing. Elijah....well, let's just say that Elijah keeps me humble. Aside from him sitting down, laying on the altar bench, and doing a power squat and me having to go get him from the stage..other than that...he did great.
Pastor Pallotta has been preaching a great series on Sunday mornings on The Bread of Life. You can hear some of them here on our church website. Chris hasn't added the latest messages, yet. They are well worth your time to listen. Anyway, there have been several people visiting our church lately. Yesterday, my cousin, Jeff, whom we have been praying for for a very long time came to church. He came back last night, and got his life right with the Lord. It was so encouraging on so many levels. It was so great to see Jeff come back to the Lord. It was awesome to see God answer your prayers. It was encouraging for all of us who have family members who have either never been saved or have been away from God, because we were reminded once again to not give up. It was a great day.
And so, it's Monday again. Wasn't it just Monday, though? Time goes by so fast. A little too fast, if you ask me.

The Secret's Out

2006-10-19T23:15:00.001-04:00

Yay. I can finally tell. We got the news today! So, here it is...

Chris is receiving a direct commission into the Army. He has been accepted into the Chaplain Cadidate program. What this means is that the Army is making him an officer (a lieutenant), and they are going to pay for him to go to seminary. When he finishes his school, he will be made a Chaplain. It is the Army Reserves that is paying for this, so, when he graduates he will have to give the Reserves four years as a Chaplain. There is a possibility that he could get a waiver after two years, and go into active duty. That is what we are hoping for. He really feels that this is what God is calling him to do, and I support him 100%.

I'm really excited about it all. It will be hard when Chris has to go away for training and stuff. He will have to go either in January or in June for six weeks, and there will be a few other times during the program that he'll do that. I know from experience that weeks apart are not fun, but I know I can handle it. Of course, once he is serving as a chaplain, if his unit is deployed...to Iraq or wherever...he would go with them. I'm not looking forward to that part of it, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I know that this is a really good thing, and I am so incredibly proud of Chris. Keep us in your prayers. He definitely has a full plate right now.

So, there it is. I'm so glad I can finally talk about it.

Kyra, Elijah, and Owen are going to be Army brats....

Brother/Sister Date, Mt Laundry, and Waiting

2006-10-18T23:41:00.000-04:00

So, I know I've been scarce. I've spent less time on the computer in the past couple of weeks than I have in years. I've not really been that much busier. I've just been pretty tired. I want to sleep late, nap in my chair during the day, and go to bed early. So goes the life of the mom of a little baby, I guess.
Anyway, I have been busy. I had my garage sale Saturday. It was a bust. You guys must not have prayed hard enough for that one specific lady to come by. I only made $25. It was a total waste of time and energy. I just packed all of my stuff away until next year. I'll try again then.
Me and Luke went on our brother/sister date yesterday. Luke came up with that term when he told me he wanted me to take him shopping and to eat, but I think he's over me using it. Part of being a sister, though, is not caring when you're embarassing them. Just kidding...sort of. So, we went to Knoxville, spent most of the day shopping, and went out to eat. We went to Olive Garden....my favorite...and it was so good. I also saw one of my friends from Food City (where I worked for a couple of years). I hadn't seen her in a year or more, and she had eight month old twins. It was really good to see her, and I'm so jealous of the twins. I wanted twins so bad when I was pregnant...each time. Anyway, it was great to see her, and the whole day was fun. We took Owen with us, but Chris kept the other two kids for me. So it wasn't as much work to go as it is when I have all three of the kids.
I've been such a slacker around the house lately. All of the sleeping and semi-sleeping has kind of been in my way. I have like four loads of laundry (possibly more) awaiting my attention, dishes in the sink, and the kitchen floor is atrocious. I am going to tackle the laundry and everything else tomorrow. Chris has been off, but he has been spending so much time studying that he's not much help in the babysitting department.
I've been waiting on pins and needles for the last several months to talk about our big "secret". It's been driving me nuts. The end is in sight, though. Hopefully, I can write about it in the next couple of days. The waiting has been killing me.
I guess that's it for now. I'm so sleepy, my eyes are shutting. Don't give up on me, my loyal readers. I'll be back in action soon, I promise. I just need a nap first.

Ask, and it shall be given unto you.

2006-10-13T23:50:00.000-04:00

If you are so inclined, I would appreciate your prayers.

Please pray that a pregnant woman due in June with a baby girl would come to my garage sale tomorrow. I have a bunch of maternity clothes and baby girl clothes in the right season for that woman. I just need her, whoever she is, to come.

I'm Still Around

2006-10-12T11:45:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've last posted. I have been so busy! The biggest reason that I haven't had a chance to post is that I believe Owen has started the teething process. He has been pretty fussy if I'm not holding him, and has not been sleeping as well. He is drooling a lot, and chewing on everything. He's only three months, so I'm thinking this is going to be a long drawn out process. When my other kids started teething early, it took a LONG time for them to finally get that first tooth in. Also, we have had revival this week. Last night was the last night. Going to church every evening kind of throws your routine (what little bit I have) out of whack. Chris has been on his long break, too. He has pretty much been doing schoolwork non-stop for the past seven days. He has taken the time to call a heat and air guy and order a new unit. Big bucks! We have no heat, though, and it's fixing to get cold. It had to be done. So, with him dedicated to Old Testament Survey, Hermaneutics, and Baptist History...I've not had any help with Owen and his being held needs, so I've not got much else done, including blogging. I have a feeling that the next few years that Chris is in Seminary are going to be long years. At least for the wifey.

Wow!

2006-09-27T09:18:00.000-04:00

I've really been thinking a lot about the subject of my last post. It's been on my mind a lot. So, I was taking Kyra to school this morning, and I think God sent me a message through the radio. Now, don't think I'm getting all Twilight Zone on you or anything. Hear me out. So, I was listening to Christian radio. They were having a telethon to raise money for the station, and I was kind of tuned out. I wasn't paying attention to what was going on, because they were talking about the money they needed to raise. I was lost in my thoughts about being of service to God, and the guy on the radio said, "God doesn't care about your ability. What he's concerned about is your availability." Wow. I don't know what the guy was talking about, in context, but I heard that part. It was like God was answering all of my ponderings. He doesn't care about my ability in and of myself. He just wants me to make myself available to him. If I lack in the ability, He'll make up the difference.
Wow. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, Lord. I appreciate it.

Little Steps

2006-09-25T23:07:00.000-04:00

I want to be better than what I am. I guess everyone does. I want to be a better person all together. It sometimes seems daunting to think of it as one big thing, but I guess it's small steps...the little choices we make every day...that lead to a better person.
For instance, I can say I want to be a better mother, but that's a very broad statment. If, instead of just purposing to be better all around, I decide to make a small change and stick to it every day, it will lead to the end result of being a better mother. I can say "I want to be a great mom.", or I can say, "I want to put my kids to bed every night with a bedtime story, a hug, and a kiss.". Both are true, but the second one is something that I can actually do every day.
I want to be a better person. I really do. I often think of things that I think would be something good to do. Most of the time, though, I just acknowledge that they are worthy ideas, and forget them. Recently, though, I was thinking that a Children's Choir at church would be a good way to have the littlest of our church family participate in the service. While thinking about that, I thought that having the teen girls work with the little ones would be a good way to get the girls involved in service to the Lord. For once, though, I didn't just think about it, but I also asked the Pastor if it would be okay for me to get it going. He gave me the okay, and the girls were all willing to help out with it. A lady from church agreed to help oversee it with me. We had our first practice last night. It went well. All of the little ones were cooperative, and they learned fast. The girls all stayed after church, and helped. I felt kind of...inept. I maybe picked a bad song for such little kids. It had verses that were a hard for kids who can't yet read to learn. I just didn't think it through, because I was concentrating on the chorus. Thank goodness for the lady who is helping me. I have zero experience working with little kids (outside of mothering my own kids), and I really didn't know what to do. I am not a natural leader by any stretch of the imagination. It's hard for me to tell other people what to do, because I second guess myself all of the time. This lady is wonderful with little kids, though. She sat down with them, helped them learn the words, and knew how to do it. I felt kind of dumb afterward, but I guess the end result was exactly what I envisioned. Everyone cooperated, everyone was involved, and the kids pretty much learned the song.
So, I took my small step, and I plan on taking a few more. I don't know what the Lord has planned for Chris and I, but, seeing as he has been called to preach and is now in seminary, it's not that "out there" to think that we may someday be in full-time ministry. Maybe my fledgling attempts at helping out at church or following up on an idea will help prepare me for that. I might mess up. I know other people can do it better than me, but, if I don't try, how can I expect to learn? I have already learned by taking my little step that, if I do try something that I feel is hard for me, it may just all work out okay. Knowing that, I think I'll keep taking little steps, and have faith that God will help mold me into the better person...the better Christian...that I want to be.

Finally

2006-09-22T22:02:00.000-04:00

I've been trying to write this post all day. I would write a sentence, and then the baby would cry. I would tend to him, come back, and the phone would ring. So, it has taken me all day, but, finally, here I am.

I've been so busy lately. I think several times during the day, "I should blog about this.", but there usually isn't an opportunity to actually stop and blog. It's a good thing, though, because we've really been having a good time lately. It's been busy. We've taken the kids to the movies, went to a revival service at our old church, went to a church fishing outing, played tennis, went out to eat, taken the kids to see a movie, had a yard sale etc. It's fun. It was really neat when we took the kids to the movies, because we were the only people in the theater. We went on Tuesday night to see "Everyone's Hero"...an animated movie about a little boy who finds a talking baseball who helps him recover and return Babe Ruth's stolen bat. It was really cute. Since it was Tuesday, and we went to the theater at the mall...there weren't a lot of people there. We got free popcorn because it was Tuesday, and then we had the entire theater to ourselves. I nursed the baby, changed his diaper, Chris changed Elijah's pull-up, and the kids talked out loud. It was okay, because it was just us. We had great seats, too. Fun, fun, fun!
So, busy is good right now. Tomorrow evening, we're going to a fish fry at the fish farm for a church outing. I'm really looking forward to it, even though it's supposed to rain. It's always a good time. It is so beautiful there.
I'm going to try to blog more. I have so much to write about, and I never take the time to really flesh out my thoughts about deeper things. I didn't intend this to be a daily diary of what I do, but it's somewhat intimidating to put your inner thoughts out there for all to see. I'm gonna try to do more of that, and less of the recounting of my days. We'll see how that comes to fruition.
Right now, I'll continue killing time on the computer while I'm waitng for Chris to finish his test. After that...grocery shopping!

Five Years Later

2006-09-11T23:06:00.000-04:00

We all remember what we were doing five years ago...September 11, 2001. Chris and I were at home, in our old apartment, asleep. We woke up to the sound of Chris' mom knocking on our door. We got up to answer it, and the first words that she said were, "We've been attacked." I'll never forget the look on Chris' face when she said that. Her next words were, "Will you have to go to war?". My heart sank. Chris was in the Army Reserves at that time, and, with no information yet about what she was talking about, I felt the dread settle in around me.
The next few hours were spent watching the news. We had to hook up a t.v. in our apartment to watch it. We just sat there, watching the footage, over and over. It was hard to believe what had happened. It was surreal when I had to go to work that afternoon, like any other day. For, on that day, our lives as Americans were forever changed.
Kyra was conceived just a couple weeks after that day. It was a different thing to bring a child into a post September 11th world. You feared the world, and what marks it would leave on her. Would they attack us again? Would we be ready next time? Would her Daddy be here when she was born? Would he be deployed? What would happen? No one knew.
Life got back to normal again. American's realized a patriotism that we hadn't experienced before. American flags popped up everywhere. People put United We Stand stickers on their cars. My brother joined the Air Force to serve his country. People stepped up, and tried to do better and be better than we were before.
That's what I hope that we will never forget.
September 11th was a turning point for our country. Don't let it be in vain. Don't forget those who keep us safe. Our local police, rescue workers, and firefighters serve and protect us every day. Don't forget our service men and women who are serving at home and overseas. My brother just came home from Iraq, but lots of other peoples brothers and sisters and moms and dads, sons and daughters...they are still there. Lift them up in prayer, and don't forget to ask God to bless America.

I Feel Like a Mom

2006-09-05T17:49:00.000-04:00

Since having children, I've found that certain circumstances that I have encountered with my kids have really made me feel like a mom. Of course I realize that I am a mom. There are times, though, that you look around at the three little ones, and think, "Do I really have three kids? Wow!". Other times, though, the things that happen make you feel like you are in that special club. The Mom Club that requires gross, messy, or terribly awkward moments for membership.
For instance, I experienced one of those moments when Kyra was a toddler. She quit playing, came over to where I was, croaked out a "Mama" in a pitiful sick voice, and, realizing what was coming, I held out my cupped hands under her mouth for her to be sick in. Yes, you really feel like a mom when you offer your own hands to catch your child's puke, so as to avoid cleaning it off of the couch and the carpet.
Another of those moments was when Kyra threw up in the middle of the aisle at Home Depot. Public puking = slightly embarassing.
The first time you scoop poop out of a bathtub...that's one of those moments. The first time you wake up in a soaking spot of pee, and it's not your own...that's one of those moments. The first time you give a kiss, and realize too late that your kid has a very runny nose...one of those moments. When you scrape poop out from under a small toddler's fingernails...that, too, is one of those moments.
Today, I had another "I feel like a mom." moment. Thankfully, this time, it involved no bodily wastes.
Sometime during the night last night, I woke up to Kyra sharing my pillow, and hearing her chewing gum. Yes. Chewing gum. In the middle of the night. I said, "Kyra Joy, go spit that gum out! Are you crazy? If you fell asleep with it, it could get in your hair." She got up and spit it out. That is about as far as my middle of the night thought processes went.
Fast forward to this afternoon...
I was in the middle of making a casserole for dinner, when Kyra says, "Mommy, I think I must have a tangle in my hair." I bent to look at her hair, and what did I discover but a bright red wad of Big Red matted about half way down the length of her hair. My heart sank. Thankfully, I, too, was once a little girl with gum stuck in my hair, and I knew what to do. I got out the peanut butter, applied a generous glob to the offending gum, and worked it in with my fingers. It took a little bit of work, but I did get it out, washed her hair, and combed the last particles of the grainy gum out with a fine-toothed comb. In the middle of this process, with my water boiling over on the stove, the baby crying in the bedroom, Kyra whimpering over the fact that I put peanut butter in her hair, and Elijah repeatedly telling me, "Me no want butter in my hair!", I thought, "Wow. I really feel like a mom!".

Busy, Busy

2006-09-04T14:04:00.000-04:00

I've had quite the busy weekend, and I've learned something....the more active you are, the less time you have to sit in front of your computer and blog. Lightbulb moment, huh? Okay, so not really an astounding revelation. That's where I've been, though. I've been out doing things.
Friday, I went to the park and played tennis with Stephanie (my cousin and one of my best friends). We had a lot of fun. I was pretty pathetic. We didn't play an actual game. We just hit the ball back and forth. We were better when we quit...after an hour and a half...than when we started. Hopefully, soon, we will be playing actual games. I got a good workout, though. I was hot and sweaty and breathing hard the whole time. It felt good. We walked a lap around the park after that, which is 1.2 miles up and down small hills. We let the kids play on the playground for a few minutes, too, because we're nice like that. Not long after we got home, Chris' mom and aunt arrived from Texas, anxious to see and play with the kids. They were here until almost midnight.
Saturday, I got up and took the kids to Chris' grandmother's to spend time with them. It was a little on the boring side for me, but they all had a blast. They spoil my kids rotten. We left there around five, and came home. I watched the Tennessee game, which was AWESOME! Go Vols! About the time the game was ending, Chris' grandma, mom, and aunts got back from visiting his uncle at the hospital. They came bearing gifts and an impromptu party for Elijah. You can check that out here. They stayed until about ten thirty, at which time we all fell into the bed completely exhausted.
We got up early yesterday morning for church. Chris worked the night before, so I took the kids on my own. It was the first Sunday of the month, so the kids got their Sunday School awards. Once a month, they get a certificate and a little toy or trinket of their choosing from the box of prizes. So, they call Kyra's name, and she went to the front of the church, got her Perfect Attendance certificate, picked a pencil from the box, and came back to the pew. Such a good, sweet child! Next, they called Elijah's name. He walked to the front of the church, reached into the box and picked out an orange pencil. Then, he reached into the box, as everyone began to laugh at his double-dipping in the reward box, and selected a small orange monkey. After that, since he apparantly feels that he should get extra compensation for deeming to go to Sunday School every week, he reached into the box for a third time, and selected a really cool matchbox car. Satisfied that he had got what he rightfully deserved, he left the Perfect Attendance certificate in the hands of the Sunday School Superintendant, and ran back to his seat. I was laughing along with everyone else, albeit with a very red face. I mean, it was funny. Especially considering the fact that, for the last month, it has been very iffy whether Elijah would go to S.S. without a big fit or not. So, everyone forgets about the little Harmon boy, and continues to clap for all of the other children. Then, they got to the moment that all the kids wait for...Student of the Month. They called Kyra's name, and she looked at me with that exact look that Miss America gives the other contestants when she just got announced as the pageant winner. You know, that, "What? Little ole' me? Why, I never would have imagined it, but, yes, you're right! I do deserve this!" look. Then she pranced herself up to get her special Student of the Month certificate and the little bag of special toys and trinkets (a kaleidiscope, a notebook, a box of glitter crayons, and a bracelet). As she came back to our seat, Elijah gave his sister an approving grin. I smiled at Luke (my little brother), and said, "We really racked up this month." Luke grinned back and said, "I think maybe you need to put a little extra in the offering plate today." Yes. My kids are something else. We'll just leave it at that.
The rest of yesterday afternoon we spent at home, ~~recovering~~ resting from our weekend with Chris' family, and then we went back to church yesterday evening.
Today, it's a pretty chill day. We have just been hanging around the house all day. Chris is at work, the kids have been playing, eating chocolate cake, and watching tv. I did yoga this morning, but not much else. Owen's napping. In a few hours, I'm gonna go play tennis with Steph again. That's it.

2006-08-31T07:07:00.000-04:00

It's 7:00 am. I've been hitting the snooze bar for an hour. It's still dark outside, and it's raining. I have three sleeping children, yet I am awake. My daughter is not yet old enough to be required by law to attend school. Tell me again why she's going?

I feel good!

2006-08-28T12:43:00.000-04:00

I really do. I have been super focused on my diet and exercise for the past couple of weeks. I have been using fitday.com to keep track of what I eat. It records my calorie intake, my fat intake, fiber, etc. It is the most helpful thing I have found to aid me in my weight loss. It might not work for everyone, but it is definitely working for me. It gives me the reassurance that I am getting the nutrients and everything that I need while I am dieting, since I am also breastfeeding. I have been trying to keep my diet around 1200 calories a day, and I have been working out most every day. I have been doing pilates, walking, and doing 200 crunches a day. I haven't lost much in pounds, but my clothes are definitely fitting better. I have lost a couple of inches in the past couple of weeks. The pounds will follow, I think.
Instead of buying a lot of "diet" foods, I've been trying to just eat healthy foods. Lots of fresh vegetables and fruits. The healthier I eat, the healthier the kids eat, too. That is an added benefit. We already ate pretty healthy. I'm just trying to eat less of it, and more fresh stuff.
I feel really good about all of this. My main goal right now is obviously to lose weight and get back to where I was before I got pregnant with Owen, but just living a healthy lifestyle is really important to me. I've had a lot of hang-ups about weight and my eating habits in the past, and I don't want my daughter to have to deal with that when she is older. I feel like if I am modeling healthy eating and living, she will naturally pick up on it. I've been making an effort to be more active, and I know that will benefit my kids...both Kyra and the boys. I'm thinking about taking up tennis. It might be a little bit, as Owen is a little bit young still. It's hard to get out and do things that I can't do while holding or carrying him, without a babysitter. I don't like to leave him yet, as young as he is, though, so I'm just working with the time and freedom that I have now. I fully intend to add activities that we can all do together as time goes on.
Every little step I take to being healthier and modeling healthy behavior for my kids makes me feel really good. I just feel good today. Sweaty...but good.

Where I'm From

2006-08-22T14:49:00.000-04:00

I am from a gravel road that leads to the mountain, from the falling down mailbox, from Mayfield ice cream and macaroni and tomatoes.

I am from the house full of kids...loud, noisy, messy, and fun.

I am from the blackberry bushes and yellow jacket nests, the creek in the woods where we played and splashed and lived a thousand kid adventures.

I am from potlucks at Christmas and losing their temper, from Mamaws and Papaws and Mom and Dad. From shirtless boys with buzzed hair and bare feet.

I am from the shortest in the class and crooked teeth and freckles. Campfires and bluegill. Spankings and tears. From sucking my thumb will make it fall off and coffee will stunt my growth.

I am from washed in the blood Baptists. From Wednesday night services, week-long revivals, and Sunday School. From “Jesus Loves Me”, stolen money in the offering plate, turn around and stand up straight.

I'm from the woods of East Tennessee, boiled okra and watermelon with salt. From the man who prayed for a wife who could cook. A baker's dozen of kids, and a ring for a heifer.

From hand-me-down clothes, broken bones, and crawdads. From fishing in papaw's pond in clothes made by my mom. No air conditioning and crickets at night. From creepy mouse up my leg, bluegrass, and rummy.

I am from photos in an album, by Papaw's chair, stained with tears. Young brides and marriages that last. I am from veterans, and coal miners. Black coffee and Copenhagen. From barbed wire fences, skinned knees, and trust in the Lord.

My Baby's Growing Up

2006-08-16T23:49:00.000-04:00

Kyra starts preschool tomorrow. She is so excited. She has her princess backpack packed with her schoolbox containing all her school supplies and her play clothes. Her school uniform (of sorts...it's more of a strict dress code than an actual uniform) is waiting for her on the ironing board. Her lunch is packed in her Supergirl lunchbox, and waiting in the fridge. (She's taking a ham, cheddar, and mozzerella sandwich, goldfish crackers, dried fruit, and grapes.) And she is sound asleep in her bed.
Tomorrow...she's a big girl.

Humbled and Thankful

2006-08-15T00:02:00.001-04:00

I wrote a few days back very briefly of our trip to Children's Hospital. Mainly, it was just an update on Owen, and my relief that he was okay. The trip really made an impact on me, though, and I've been mulling it over in my mind ever since. It has taken me till now to write about it.

When we arrived at the hospital, I was very anxious to hear the specialist tell me that my baby was going to be okay. When we got on the elevator, we rode up with a lady and her two kids. She had a little girl who was about three years old, and a baby in a stroller. The little girl was adorable, but it was obvious that she had cancer. She was completely bald. As her mom asked us what was wrong with Owen, and told us that her baby had jaundice, too, I couldn't help but notice the little girls big, brown eyes. Her lack of hair made them seem even bigger, I think. She just looked at me, and my heart nearly broke in two. I can't imagine what that little girl had been through. I made myself focus on what her mother was telling us about the girl's baby sister. I kept thinking how awful it would be to have a seriously ill child, and yet she was trying to reassure us that our baby would be okay.
When we got off of the elevator, I had to sign some papers and give our insurance information. I was trying to get an idea of what I was signing by reading over the paper. I noticed that the other lady just dashed down the paper, initialing and signing. She had obviously done it many times before.
When we went into the inner waiting room, it was completely full. There were lots of kids, along with their parents. Some of the kids were obviously sick, and some were siblings. Even though most of them were smiling, watching the kids do spin-art while they waited, every parent in the room had tired eyes.
There wasn't any empty groupings of chairs, but there were two chairs next to a lady who was sitting all alone. I asked her if anyone was sitting there, and she told us to go ahead and sit. Normally, I don't have any trouble making small talk with strangers in waiting rooms, but this time it was different. The lady was all alone in the waiting room of a Children's Hospital on the oncology floor, and she had obviously been crying. What do you say?
We left the waiting room briefly to weigh Owen and measure him, and then went back to the waiting room. The nurse told us that she would get us a room as soon as possible, because she knew that we didn't want to be in the waiting room. Like it was something we should be shielded from. Because she knew. She knew that it was hard to see. I kept fighting tears, because of the overwhelming sadness around me.
When we sat back down, the lady asked me how old Owen was. When I told her that he was five weeks old, she said, "He's so young. What is he doing here?". I almost felt guilty when I told her that he was jaundiced. I, in turn, asked her why she was there, and she said that her four year old son was having a spinal tap. He had leukemia. And I fought the tears.
It was hard to sit there. The nurse who said that she knew that we didn't want to be there, it wasn't because we were afraid our kid would catch something, or that someone had the flu. It was hard because we were surrounded by people who were staring death in the face, and begging it not to take their babies. It was hard to sit with these people, knowing that I had never been where they are. I can't even fathom the agony of knowing that your child was sick. That they could die.
As I sat in the exam room, I heard a nurse discussing chemo for a little child. When she went into the room, I heard the child sobbing and protesting. I did cry, then.
When we left the room, we had been reassured that our baby was going to be okay. We left through the waiting room, and the mother that I had sat beside was now standing behind a four year old attached to an i.v. pole. She was helping him stack blocks. She saw us leaving, and smiled at me. "Bye." she said. "I hope your son gets better."
"Yours, too." I hope that my smile conveyed what I could not say.
I left the hospital a different mother than when I had went in. I had been humbled. I am so blessed to have three healthy children. I had taken their health for granted. Every good checkup had been expected. I just expected everything to be fine, and it always has been. I don't deserve healthy children any more than anyone else does. Those parents love their children just as much. They are good and decent people, too. So, why should their child suffer? Some things in this world will never make sense to us. We don't understand why things have to be the way that they are. Only God knows. We have to trust him.
I want to publicly thank Him for my children. I am so thankful that He has given them to me. I don't deserve the joy that they bring to my life. I am so blessed. Owen's ordeal with jaundice has left him no worse for the wear, but it has forever changed me. I thank the Lord for reminding me how blessed I am. He has been very, very good to me.

Stop the world...

2006-08-14T01:07:00.000-04:00

I heard the saying one time, "Stop the world, I wanna get off." I don't know where. I could google it, but I don't want to right now. Anyway, I feel like that, except it should be, "Slow down the world, I don't wanna miss anything." I have such a great life. Really, I do. I enjoy it so much. I've got an awesome family. We have so much fun together.
Chris is the ultimate family man. He spends all of his free time with us. He is just as up for a family trip to the zoo or the aquarium as me and the kids are. He takes us fishing with him. He changes pull-ups in the Walmart parking lot. I truly value the fact that he spends time with us. Not all men do.
I can't get over how cool our kids are. I mean, I don't want to just come out and say that my kids are better than yours, but I really think they are. (I won't hold it against you if you think yours are better. We'll still be friends.) I just adore my kids. They are so smart. And so cute. And so much fun. I mean, really. They are hillarious. For example, wouldn't it make you laugh to be sitting there, watching Oprah, and hear, "Me naked!". Then, you spray Diet Mt Dew out of your mouth when your two year old does a little naked dance. I mean, it's just funny. Or when your daughter gets upset over her school's dress code because she doesn't want to wear a "dress coat". They're funny. They're entertaining. And they're all mine.
It just goes by so fast. Between the diaper changing, nose wiping, dinner cooking, laundry doing, and all the other miscellaneous things that you have to do...the days slip by. It seems like the last four years have sped by so fast. I'm afraid that I'm going to keep using up these days, and the next thing I know my kids will be grown. I just don't want it to go by too fast. I don't want to wish away their childhoods for a time when maybe they are easier and less time consuming. I want to cherish every minute.
So, slow down, World. I don't want to miss anything.

I'm So Tired!

2006-08-12T23:40:00.000-04:00

I really am. I'm exhausted. I have wanted to write about several different things lately, but I don't have time. I mean, I've spent a lot of time on the computer, but it's usually when I'm holding Owen. It's hard to type one-handed. Owen's in a very time consuming stage right now. He wants to be held all the time. I don't mind holding him at all, but it makes it hard to get things done. When I did manage to get him laid down today, I was trying to get caught up on the laundry. Which I did manage to do. Chris helped me clean some on Thursday, so I feel like I have a better handle on things now. But I'm still tired. Very tired. And I'm going to bed.

Untitled, late-night ramblings...

2006-08-07T00:50:00.000-04:00

When I was just a little girl,
I knew what I would be.
As soon as I was all grown up,
I'd bounce a baby on my knee.
I couldn't think of something better,
Than a baby of my own.
I couldn't wait to be a mommy,
As soon as I was grown.
But sometime on the journey,
They told me I was wrong.
To be a mom is not enough,
If I wanted to belong.
To belong to the society,
And contribute all I owed.
I needed a career outside,
Not staying in my home.
I wanted to be important,
And make a difference in some way.
Doctor, lawyer, or nurse would do,
To make impressions that would stay.
Then one day it dawned on me,
I needn't sell out on myself.
There was no reason to conform,
To put my own dreams on the shelf.
It didn't matter what they said,
For me, God had a plan.
My life's worked out so well for me,
Since I placed it in His hands.
A man who loves me every day,
Who claims me as his own.
He took me to himself to wed,
As soon as I was grown.
And now I am a mother,
A name that I hold dear.
What could be more meaningful,
Than holding my children near.
To hold their hands and brush their hair,
To read to them at night.
To kiss their cheeks, their lips, and nose,
To cuddle and hug them tight.
I've found what life is all about,
The greatest role I've ever known.
I hope my daughter knows it, too,
As soon as she is grown.

Good Results

2006-08-05T11:15:00.000-04:00

Thank you all for praying for Owen. His trip to Children's on Thursday was a good one. The doctor said that he was quite sure that his problem is just breastmilk jaundice. He looked at his red blood cells under a microscope, and said that they were normal. He also said that, since Owen is otherwise healthy and not sick, he almost felt guilty testing him at all. He said he was almost positive that he wasn't going to find anything, just upong physical examination of Owen. So, it ruled out all of the bad things, and I am very much relieved. Even though I wasn't real worried that it was something besides breastmilk jaundice, the concern that it could be more than that was in the back of my mind. It's a relief to know that he is okay. The doctor said that the breastmilk jaundice could hang around for up to a couple of months, but that it would eventually take care of itself.
I have more to write about today, but I don't have time right now. I'll try to post more later. Thank you for praying for our baby!

Remember Owen

2006-08-03T00:24:00.000-04:00

He has an appointment with the hematologist tomorrow at Children's Hospital at eleven o'clock. Well, it's after midnight, so I guess, technically, I should say today at eleven o'clock. Anyway, I really wish you all would pray for him that everything would turn out okay. I am not looking forward to them having to stick him again. It's always so hard to listen to him cry so hard when they stick him. Poor little guy has been through so many sticks in his short life. Your prayers for him are much appreciated!

Sore...but in a satisfying way.

2006-07-31T22:16:00.000-04:00

I walked about four miles tonight. My legs are sore, but I'm so glad that I was able to walk. A lady from church walked with me and Mom tonight, and her teenage daughter watched Kyra and Elijah for me so we didn't have to push them every lap. Believe me, pushing both of them in the double stroller gets kind of hard. They both weigh around thirty pounds, and the stroller itself is at least forty...probably more. Pushing all of that weight around on a gravel track gets tiring very fast. I carried little man in a carrier. So, I feel like I got a good workout. I'm about to do my crunches and push-ups. You know what? I'm seriously contemplating getting a bike. I think that would be more fun than just walking all of the time. Maybe I will. Who knows? Chris hooked the vcr up for me today, so I can do my Pilates video in the morning. Yay. I've missed it.

Thank you to all of you who are praying for Owen. We really appreciate it. His appointment with the hematologist is on Thursday at 11:00. Hopefully, this appointment will nail it down for us all that he's just got prolonged breastmilk jaundice, and time will eventually get rid of it.

Frustrating

2006-07-30T23:03:00.000-04:00

I need to lose weight. I want to wear my old clothes again. I have sixteen pounds left to lose to see my pre-pregnancy weight. The last two times, I had the baby, and the weight just came off automatically over the next few weeks. I gained more weight this time, though, and it's taking it's sweet time about going away.

I have been walking in the evenings, shooting for three miles, and, for the most time, making it. Some days, I've had problems with my leg muscles cramping really bad, and not made my three miles. I've been doing 100 crunches a day for the last week. I've not been dieting, since I'm breastfeeding, but I have been trying to watch what I eat.

I want to see some results! I wore a maternity skirt to church today. A maternity skirt! Ugh. I hate being this big. I refuse to buy clothes that fit me now, though, because I don't want to get complacent and let these pregnancy pounds stick around.

This is just a vent. Move along now. I'm through.

What a week!

2006-07-28T16:24:00.000-04:00

I noticed as I typed the title to this post, that I've used it before. I guess I have a lot of weeks that are packed full of stuff that I want to tell you guys about.
This week started off with church, dinner at my mom's, and church again on Sunday.
Then, Monday was Chris' first day off of work. I took Owen to the hospital for a bili level check. His level didn't go down very much at all over the weekend, so the doctor told us to take him back on Wednesday for another check.
On Tuesday, I pretty much laid around the house laughing at my kids for most of the day, and then we went to my Mamaw's for dinner and cake for her 70th birthday party.
Wednesday, I took Owen back to the hospital. Unfortunately, his level went up again. Which really stinks. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. He is being referred to a hematologist at Children's Hospital, but they haven't called us yet with the appointment. Wednesday night was church.
Yesterday, we took the kids to the zoo. We had a lot of fun. It was hot, but not unbearably so. Kyra and Elijah rode a camel. It was so cute watching them. After the zoo, we went to Red Lobster to eat. It was so yummy. The kids were good, and they ate well, too. You can't beat that.
That brings us up to speed. Today, I've pretty much tended to the baby, and hung around the house. I did work out a little bit, took a shower, and fed me and the kids a healthy lunch. So, some worthwhile activities have been achieved. I cleaned the abyss that was Kyra's bedroom on Wednesday, so I'm still basking in that accomplishment. I should have taken before and after pictures. Her room was clean when I went to the hospital to have Owen, and, in the month since then, I had not touched her room at all. It just kept getting messier. It was so horrible. With the baby taking up much of my time with all of the normal baby stuff plus the almost daily hospital trips, her bedroom was at the bottom of the list of household stuff that I felt needed to be taken care of. It got to an all time level of messiness when Luke was over the other evening. He was going to put a dollar in each of the kids' piggy banks (because he's a really sweet uncle), and told Kyra that her room was so messy that he didn't know if he could get to her piggy bank to put the dollar in. To that, my daughter replied, "You just have to look for the holes, and then step there." Yeah. It was that bad. I cleaned it up on Wednesday, though, while Chris held the baby for me.
That totally means that I don't have to do anymore housework this week, right? Right?

Sunday Slackin'

2006-07-24T00:46:00.000-04:00

Well, I had a good day today. I started off in a bleary state of sleepiness, but I managed to wake myself up in time to get me and the kids ready for church. We got there right on time, but barely. I've still not got this whole "getting three kids ready to go out" thing down yet. My timing needs perfecting. Elijah was awful today, and laid down on the ground, kicking his feet, and saying, "No! No! No!" in front of the whole church because he didn't want to go to Sunday School. I felt bad for his teacher, Mrs. Carla, who was trying to take him. I was too busy pretending I didn't know the kid to do anything. Okay, not really. It's a small church. They all know that the mean kids belongs to me. My mom ended up having to go with him to Sunday School. Little monster!
After church, we went to my mom's for dinner, and my sister in law gave me a pedicure. Thanks, Misty!
We went back to church tonight, and, afterwards, me and the kids met Stephanie at Wendys, where we hung out for like two hours. Right before we left, Elijah told me, "Ma Ma, me poop!". I was all like, "Okay, Lige. You'll have to wait till we get home." So, as we're going to the van, Steph says, "Um, Rach, Elijah's doing the poop walk." I looked back at him, and he was walking with his legs completely spread out. It was so funny. He looked like some kind of two legged crab. I'm such a good mom. I mean, really, I deserve an award.
Now, the kids are all in bed, and I'm debating whether I should go to bed or stay up a while and fold clothes. It's nearly one o'clock in the morning, and I am really sleepy. My house does look like someone broke into the house, though, and only had ten minutes to find some really small object that required them throwing all the contents of every room all around said room. I really need to deal with it. I really don't want to, though. I'm such a good housewife. I mean, really, I deserve an award.

Priorities

2006-07-21T23:05:00.000-04:00

I got a late start on my day today. My friend, Claire, called while I was still in bed, to see if it was a good time for a visit. I admitted to still be laying in the bed, and asked what time it was. I nearly fell out of bed when she said it was eleven. (I can't see the alarm clock without my glasses.) I guess I was sleepier than I thought. I had been up at seven fifteen and then again at around eight thirty, too change and feed the baby (along with a few times during the night), and each time I fell back into a deep sleep. My children are used to a slacker mother, though. At different times, they brought me food to open for them, and a drink to open for them to share. When I did get up, they had already ate, and were playing with Kyra's Barbies and Elijah's Superman action figure in Kyra's room. I've got good kids. I can sleep later than them, and they never get into anything. I'm lucky, I know.
Anyway, I visited with Claire for a while. Her baby, Collin, was born a week before Owen was, so it was fun to compare how they were doing. The kids had fun playing with Piper, too.
Then, I took Owen to the hospital for his bili check. It was kind of upsetting to me to take him yet again, so, when I left, I went straight to the doctor's office and requested to talk to him. He was very accomodating, and talked to me for a while. He explained his concern with what was going on, and set my mind at ease. I still hate that he's had to be stuck so often, but at least I know more of what he was doing. He said that if his bili level went up on Monday, he would send us to Children's Hospital to see a hematologist. If it goes down to around 10 like it should, then we should be through with the jaundice stuff for good. We're hoping and praying to that end.
This evening, I went up to see my niece, Kylie. My mom was babysitting her while Aaron was golfing and Tasha was visiting her grandmother. I held her, and so did Kyra. She's still not familiar with us. That's the part that sucks about having my brother living so far away. My little niece has no clue who I am. We got some cute pictures. Me, my kids, Mom, and Kylie went to the church to walk. Kyra and Elijah played while Mom and I walked. I walk with Owen in the baby carrier. He loves that. (Mom pushed Kylie in her stroller.) We have been walking three miles, but we only got two in tonight, because a storm rolled in. At least I got two in, though.+
So, now here I sit. I'm tired, my leg muscles have that satisfyingly sore feeling, and I didn't get much accomplished around the house today. In fact, I didn't get anything accomplished around the house today. It'll wait, though. Some things are more important...like bonding with my niece and overcoming sleep deprivation. You gotta have your priorities straight...or your excuses handy. Wink, wink.

So much going on!

2006-07-20T13:40:00.000-04:00

I have had so much going on lately. I have barely had time to think, much less blog. Chris has been off of work since last Thursday, so we did a lot during that time. Friday was my niece, Keinzie's, birthday party. On Saturday, I went and had my hair cut and colored (Thank you Dianna and Geraldine for the gift certificate!!!!), and then we went to my dad's company picnic. Sunday, of course, was church. Monday I had to take Owen back to the doctor, where he said that he thought he still looked yellow, and sent me back for more bloodwork. That started off another week of taking Owen to get stuck. His bilirubin count had went down enough on last Monday after I had supplemented with formula for a few days that they let me not bring him for a week. When they checked his bili level on Monday of this week, it had went back up. Since it is normally not supposed to go back up once it comes down, the doc ordered a bunch of other blood tests, and was supposed to consult with a doctor at Childrens Hospital. He also had me quit breastfeeding again, and supplement with formula. So, he was stuck on Tuesday and Wednesday as well. Yesterday, they took blood from his arm as well for the extra tests, and it was so pitiful. They called us today and said that his tests came back okay, and that I can start breastfeeding again. I have to take him tomorrow to check his bili level again. Taking him to get stuck all the time is getting really old. I know he is tired of it. So, anyway, that is the update on him. We went to Knoxville on Tuesday so Chris could take care of some things that he needed to do. Monday and Tuesday evenings, I went to walk with my mom and my sister in law, Misty. I am trying to lose this baby weight, so I can fit back in my regular clothes again. We are walking every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evening. Yesterday, we got up early, and went to Knoxville so that I could try to sell Kyra's baby clothes at Once Upon a Child. That was a bust. They didn't want hardly any of it, and they gave me like eight bucks for the few things they did take. That barely paid for the gas to get there. We also went to the mall, and then to church last night.

So, I'm sure you can understand my lack of blogging. I really am going to try to keep it better updated in the future, but, with all of the running around lately, it's made it hard. If we could just get all of this jaundice stuff behind us, we'll be doing good.

My brother, Aaron, and his wife and baby came home from Nebraska yesterday. They will be here for about two weeks. We saw Aaron and Kylie for a little while after church last night at my mom's house. Unfortunately, Tasha was at the hospital with her grandmother. I'm not sure exactly what is wrong with her grandma, but please pray for her.

Slow down!

2006-07-06T23:24:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago, I wanted my days to go by faster. Now that Owen is here, I wish time would just slow down a little bit. My days are speeding by. That's why I haven't posted in a few days. I've just not had time. We have had to take Owen to the hospital every day since we came home from the hospital, except for Sunday. It is getting really old. All five of us were going every morning, until today. Today was the first day that I managed without any pain medicine, so, thus, it was the first day that I could drive. I took him by myself this morning, got home, and the doctor called to ask us to bring him to his office. So, I fed the baby, and turned right around to go to the doctor's office. Owen weighed 7lbs 5ozs. That's five ounces more than his birth weight, and six ounces more than his weight on last Thursday. His bilirubin level had came down one tenth of a point since yesterday, so it is finally coming down again. I'm so hoping that it will be down some more in the morning. Owen's little heels look so sad. He has three needle marks in both heels from being stuck every day. I know his feet have to be getting sore.
After leaving the doctor's office, I had to go to the pharmacy to pick up Owen's prescription (he has a little eye gunk going on), and, while I was waiting on that, I went to the grocery store (they share a parking lot) and got a few groceries.
When I came home, I fed Owen and took about a two hour nap. Chris went back to work this evening, so I was on my own for the rest of the evening. Chris needed me to take his radio broadcast to my mom so she could drop it off at the radio station tomorrow, so I left for my mom's shortly after he left for work. It was my first trip anywhere with all three kids by myself. It was uneventful, thank goodness. We stayed at my mom's for about an hour, and then I took the kids to see my grandparents. They had not seen the baby yet. They both held him for a while, and then we came home.
What a day! It went by so fast, because it was jam packed. After I got all the kids in bed, I put in a load of laundry, and cleaned up the kitchen. I'm afraid that I have overdid it today, because my incision area is hurting pretty bad right now. I had to take some pain medicine for the first time today. Maybe tomorrow, I can get the hospital trip out of the way, and just rest for the rest of the day.
Now, it's time to go to bed. It scares me. If it doesn't slow down soon, Owen's going to be six months old, and I'm going to be wondering where my newborn went. I wish his stupid jaundice would go away, because I just want to hang out at home and enjoy him being little. The newborn stage goes by so fast, I know from experience, and, if he's going to be my last baby (that's the plan), I want to enjoy every second of it.
Unfortunately, time marches on.

What a week!

2006-07-03T00:14:00.000-04:00

This week has been very busy. We started it off with a trip to Nashville to pick up my mother in law, had a baby the next morning, spent the next two days in the hospital, came home, spent most of Thursday at either the doctors office or the hospital, took Owen to the hospital the next morning to have his bilirubin level checked, went to my doctor in Knoxville to have my staples removed, took Owen to the hospital again the next morning to have his bilirubin level checked, went to church this morning, and then went back for a church fellowship tonight. In between all of those things, we visited with Chris' mom and aunts who were visiting from out of state. All of that adds up to a very busy week. I tried to sneak naps in where I could, but it was hard with all of the things that we had to do. I'm kind of worn out. Tomorrow, we have to take Owen back to have his level checked again. Hopefully, that will be the end of it for a while.
Tuesday is my birthday. I'll be 23. It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was riding with Chris in his pickup to Kingston to watch the fireworks on the 4th, and we were celebrating my seventeenth birthday. Now, here we are, three kids later, and it seems unreal that I'm turning 23. On my seventeenth birthday, I could only dream about being this happy. I am enjoying living out my happily ever after.

Poor Owen

2006-06-29T23:46:00.000-04:00

This so totally sucks. We took Owen for his first doctor's appointment today. Everything was good, except he is jaundiced. We spent all afternoon at the doc's office and the hospital. His billirubin level was 18.5. The doc said that they put them under the lights at 15, and have to do other things in the hospital at 20. They brought the billi lights to our house, and Owen has to stay under them around the clock. He can only come out to eat and be changed. It sucks. I just want to cuddle him, but I can't. He looks so pitiful in there. We went through the same thing with Elijah, but it still sucks. We have to have him back at the hospital at eight in the morning to have his billirubin level checked again. I hate when they stick him. They had to draw blood twice today, because they couldn't get enough out of the first arm. He was so pitiful. Please pray that his levels will be down some tomorrow, and he won't have to stay under the lights too long. I also have to go to the doctor tomorrow to have my staples removed. So, tomorrow should be an equally tiring day. I'm beat. I just hope that he is better soon.

We're Home.

2006-06-28T21:33:00.000-04:00

We got to the hospital at about five a.m. on Monday. I was nervous and ready to get it all over with. After the initial prep, they gave me my epidural. I was really nervous about it. I don't like needles. The anisthesioligist had trouble getting the epidural in. He got it in, but couldn't thread the catheter through the end of the needle. This resulted in sharp, shooting pains down my left leg. Let me tell you, that hurt! He ended up having to take it out, and move up a space in my back. He got it in that space much easier. They said it could have been due to scar tissue from two previous epidurals with the other kids. It wasn't too bad, but it made me really nervous.
Once they got the epidural in, it was nearly seven. They let Pastor Pallotta come in to pray with me, and, pretty much as soon as he said "amen", they had me headed to the operating room. I was kind of disappointed that I didn't get to see the kids before we headed back. My terribly sensitive husband, when I mentioned I wanted to see them before they took me back, said, "Why? In case you pass away?". We thought that was pretty funny, but that just shows how warped we are. Anyway, they took me back, and things preceded very quickly. I was scared that they were going to cut me before I was numb, because I could still wiggle my toes. I thought that I had been more numb with the others. It was, of course, a silly fear, but I was shaking all over from a combination of nerves, fear, and the epidural. Everything went smoothly until they got to the part of actually pulling Owen out. He is his father's child. He was being very stubborn, and did not want to come out. The anisthesioligst nurse, who was sitting by my head, making sure I was okay throughout the surgery, had to stand up and push down on the top of my belly. This felt like they were trying to break all my bones. I was hollering and making a lot of crazy yelps and gasps, and Chris' face looked kind of freaked out. I felt what they called "referred" pain in my right shoulder. It hurt pretty bad, but it really didn't last all that long. With the nurse pushing down from the top, and Dr. Schwarz pulling from the bottom with the help of a vacuum...they finally got the little guy out, kicking and screaming. He was not happy about being "evicted". As they took him past the curtain and I got my first look at him, I thought, "He looks just like Chris!". The rest of the surgery was uneventful. They put me all together again, and Owen was out and healthy. He weighed seven pounds even, was nineteen inches long, and had a little bit of dark hair. Everyone thinks he looks like Chris, and a few have also said that he looks like Elijah, too. Ms Tammy thinks he looks like Kyra. My initial reaction hasn't changed. Everytime I look at him, I see Chris.
After all of that excitement, everything else has been smooth sailing. He's a good, content baby so far. He nurses well. I am doing just as well as I possibly could. Neither of us has had any problems. Owen is a little bit jaundiced. I have him in the window right now. I'm hoping that sunlight might start bringing down his billirubin, and it won't get so high that he needs to be under the lights, like Elijah did.
We are happy to be home. We got home this afternoon. I was so glad to see Kyra and Elijah again. I missed them. They were happy to see us, too, I think.
So far, tonight has been really low key. Chris' wonderful mom, grandma, and aunt watched the kids today, and they cleaned for me while I was gone. It smelled so nice and clean when I walked in. They had did things that I hadn't been able to do well in months. It was such a wonderful suprise. They left shortly after we got home, and we just have laid around and rested all evening. The kids are all asleep right now. It's terribly peaceful at the moment.
Tomorrow, we take Owen to the doctor at ten till three. Hopefully, his billirubin count will have went down some. I hate the thought of having another jaundiced baby. Friday morning, I am supposed to go to have my staples out. My incision is longer this time. I think it's because they had a hard time getting him out. I had Chris count my staples, and I think he said I had fifteen. It always feels better after they remove the staples. After all that pushing and shoving they did on me, I have been pretty sore. I've also had killer cramps when I nurse him, so I don't think I'll be giving up my pain meds anytime soon. All in all, though, I can't complain. I'm getting around pretty well, and Owen has been a little angel.
I am a very blessed woman.
There are a bunch of pics here if you haven't already checked them out.

Another sleepless night...

2006-06-23T00:47:00.000-04:00

Ugh! I went to bed over an hour ago. I was really sleepy when I went. So why am I still awake?
Well, first of all, as soon as I laid down, I had horrible heartburn welling up my throat. I'm talking eye-watering, throat-burning, gives me a headache heartburn. It's awful. I was spared it with Kyra. With Elijah, I had it really bad. With this one, it's been moderate up until the last few weeks. Now, it's a killer. I'm hoping that, like with Elijah, it means that Little Man is going to have a headfull of hair. That was one old wives tale that proved true for me.
Secondly, I am huge. I'm talking HUGE. I cannot sleep on my stomach or my back. While lying on my side, the weight of my enormous belly (I am carrying all of my pregnancy weight right in front) makes my back hurt. Sleeping is a very hard thing to do when you are so incredibly uncomfortable.
Thirdly, I can't quit thinking. My mind is going over and over the things that I need to do over the next two days. I am planning trips to the grocery store, housework, what I need to pack in my hospital bag, and the outfits that the kids should wear to the hospital. Not to mention just generally thinking about the baby. What will he look like? Will my surgery go uncomplicated? Will he be a good nurser? Will Elijah be jealous? I. Can't. Quit. Thinking.
The fourth and biggest reason that I am still awake? I did not take my magic sleepy pills before going to bed. Don't ask me why? I know that I have a hard time sleeping without them. I told myself that I was sleepy enough to go to sleep without them. Sleepy does not trump uncomfortable, though.
So, here I sit. Again. Awake when everyone else is sleeping. Well, Little Man is awake, but he doesn't count. He's always moving around, practicing his kickboxing.
I just wanted you all to know how miserable I am right now. Chris is not here, so I can't wake him up to tell him that I am miserable. He can't even hear my moans of misery. So, I just wanted you to know.

Maybe now I can go to sleep. I need to sleep!

Only three more days to go!

2006-06-22T16:28:00.000-04:00

Only three days left till Baby Day, after today. I'm so excited.
I had my last doctor's appointment today. I didn't actually even see the doctor. She had to go over to the hospital right after I got put in a room so she could deliver a baby. I saw the n/p instead. She said everything was good, and I was about 1cm dilated. Everything is a go for Monday morning. I'm so excited.
After I left my appointment, I went over to the hospital to visit my friend and next door neighbor. She had her baby on Tuesday. It was exciting, because she didn't know what she was having. It was a little boy. She and I have been pregnant together all three times (her first baby died, though), so we will have five kids under five between us after Monday. We are trying to populate the neighborhood all by ourselves. I didn't actually get to see the baby, though, because he was gone to be circumicised. I'm looking forward to seeing him after they get home. They named him Collin.
After that, I went to Babies-R-Us to get Little Man an outfit to wear home. I ended up buying two, because I couldn't decide. I also got my neighbor an outfit for her new baby.
Time is passing pretty quickly for me this week. The next two days are going to be busy, because I have to get all the stuff done that needs doing. I'm going to call and see if Seth will come stay with me a day or two and help me out. I just get tired so easily. I have gained close to 35 pounds with this kid, so all that extra weight is really getting to me. I can't wait until I can start getting rid of it.
For now, I think I need to go get a drink. It is hot out there today! The radio said that it was 91 degrees with a heat index of 96! I'm so glad this pregnancy is almost over. I can't imagine being pregnant much longer in this heat!

Don't Forget Them

2006-06-20T23:29:00.000-04:00

I can't help but cry every time I hear a news story about a soldier who has lost his life. The story of the two soldiers who were kidnapped, tortured, and killed in Iraq breaks my heart. Every time I hear about them, I can't help but think of my own brother who is over there. They are all over there, risking their lives, to defend our freedom. Whether they are over to actually fight, or if they are in a different kind of job, they are still in danger. My brother, Jason, is a driver, but has already had some close calls. People are so quick to argue that they shouldn't be there, but I want to point out that they are fighting the terrorists over there, so that they don't have to fight them over here. They are protecting your families and my family by being there. They are risking their very lives for our safety and freedom. Don't forget them. Don't forget what they are doing. Most of all, dont' forget to pray for them. My heart breaks for the families of the soldiers who were killed, because I can't help but put myself in their shoes. What if that was my brother. Please pray for Jason as he's over there, and for all of our soldiers. Pray that the Lord will protect them, and that they will all come home safely. They are doing an honorable thing. We'll all be celebrating Independence Day in a few weeks, and it's men like my brother who are ensuring that we retain our independence and freedom. Don't forget them.

LCPL Jason Francis

For those of you who know my brother, if you would like to send him an email to tell him that you are praying for him or whatever, just let me know, and I'll pass it along.

6 Days till Baby Day

2006-06-19T08:55:00.000-04:00

I woke up early this morning. Well, early for me. I got up at 8:30 because I couldn't put off going to the bathroom any longer. Once I took the trouble to get out of bed, it was too much trouble to get back in it...even though the rest of the family was still asleep. Seeing as how Chris was on one side of me, and both the kids on the other...that was kind of my problem. The logistics of it, ya know?

One more week to go! Just think, one week from this very moment, I should be holding my baby. I'm getting so excited. I've got so much to do this week...just in getting the house clean. It goes downhill so fast at this point. Chris is off of work for the next few days, and he said he would help me some. If all else fails, I'll have my little brother come and help me out again. Not only do I want everything to be like it should be when we bring the baby home, but my mother-in-law is coming to stay with the kids while we are in the hospital, too. So, I need to get everything all cleaned up.

Yesterday, I went to church in the morning, we went to Ryan's to eat, and then came home and I napped until church time again. The day seemed to go by pretty fast. Hopefully, that will be the trend this week. Last night, I was thinking...this is the last Sunday evening church service I will be in with only two kids. This morning, it was...this is the last Monday without Little Man. Yay! It's getting so close! My next door neighbor and friend, Claire, is going in tomorrow to be induced. We are doing out part to populate the neighborhood. Hopefully, I will be able to go visit her later in the week, and see her little one. She doesn't know what she's having, so that makes it even more exciting. I know seeing her baby will make me that much more anxious for next Monday.

Bring on the babies! We're ready!

Eight Days to Go!

2006-06-17T21:23:00.000-04:00

We had Kyra's party this afternoon, and it was a lot of fun. It was much less stressful on me having it at the park. We've always had their parties at home before. Park parties are the way to go. I didn't have to clean for it! Kyra got lots of presents that were all right up her alley. Lots of princess stuff. She is all about the princesses. She's playing with her princess Barbies right now, while wearing her princess gown. They had fun playing on the playground, and it turned out to not feel too awfully hot. Click here for some party pictures.

That takes care of all of my big obligations between now and Baby Day. We have church tomorrow, and I usually end up napping between services. During the week, I need to get the house cleaned up really well. Chris will be home until Thursday evening, when he goes back to work, so I'm hoping to get him to help me out with some of the household chore type stuff. Hopefully, this coming week will go by as quickly as this week has. I had a lot to do, so it really did pass pretty quickly. I'm just so excited to have this baby.

What a Day!

2006-06-16T23:09:00.000-04:00

I had a doctor's appointment this morning. I had forgotten to take Chris' radio broadcast to my mom to drop off at the radio station Thursday night, so I had to run it up there (about thirty minutes away) myself before my appointment. So, I was rushing around when I got home, trying not to get behind, and I ended up slipping and falling on my way in the house. My foot slipped out from under me, and I fell forward on the concrete steps going up to our porch. I broke my fall with my hands, but my belly is so big it kind of hit the lower steps. I started having more contractions than normal. When I told my doctor what happened, she hooked me up for a non stress test to make sure that the baby was doing okay. He was fine, but it was showing all of my contractions. Some of them were really hurting, so my doctor decided to send me over to labor and delivery to give me a shot of stuff that would stop the contractions so I wouldn't be hurting and uncomfortable. So I had to go over there, get hooked up again, and they gave me a shot. The shot stopped my contractions pretty quickly. They also made me drink lots (and I do mean lots) of fluids. After about an hour and a half, I felt better than I had felt in days. I was very relieved that I hadn't hurt the baby in any way when I fell. I didn't schedule an appoitment for next week, so I guess I will call on Monday and see if they want me to come in before my c-section for another appointment.

Very hectic morning, but all's well that ends well. My contractions started back this evening, but no where near as many as I was having after I fell. Hopefully, I can manage to keep my feet planted firmly on the ground for the next eight days!

After we got home, the kids had their Bible School program. It was cute. Kyra got so into singing the songs. You could heard her singing loud and clear over the other kids, as she was about half a beat behind on parts of the songs. She puts her whole heart into it, that's for sure. It was so cute. She kept looking back at me and Chris to make sure we were watching her and hearing her. Elijah's class was supposed to sing "This Little Light of Mine", but they mostly just stood there. Elijah barely talks, so singing is a little bit beyond his abilities right now. He looked awfully cute, though. Kyra, on the other hand, sang her little heart out with her class. She did the motions and got all the words. It was adorable. Click here to see a pic of each of them with their class.

Tomorrow is Kyra's birthday party. It's hard to believe that she will be four on Tuesday. We are having her party at Frozen Head, and I know she's going to have a lot of fun. I've got her cake in the oven right now, and I am fixing to go wrap her presents. Hopefully, me and my pregnancy brain won't forget anything major tomorrow.

Only 10 Days to Go

2006-06-15T12:39:00.000-04:00

It's getting closer and closer. I think that I'm in a semi-nesting state of mind. I say "semi" because I totally have the desire to get things all ready, but I just haven't really been acting on those desires. I went to bed last night planning the things that I need to do today, because I've spent this week, so far, just kind of resting. Lounging around, reading...the whole nine yards according to "Living My Life as a Slacker". So, today was going to be the day that I caught up on the general upkeep of the house. My stomach hurts, though. And my back. Really bad. I don't know what's up with that, other than about an extra thirty pounds carried right in front. Anyway, I've not got much done, although I have showered. That's something. I just keep all of these lists in my head, and plan to get around to them sometime in the next ten days.

Lists such as:

Today, I need to...
1. Catch up the laundry.
2. Sweep the kitchen.
3. Vacuum the living room.
4. Go to the grocery store.

and

Before the baby gets here, I want to...
1. Go through the bags of hand-me-downs for Kyra that are stacked in the hall closet.
2. Clean out the refrigerator.
3. Make a lasagna to freeze for after the baby is here.
4. Clean out, vacuum, and wash the van.

and also

Before the baby gets here, I have to...
1. Clean up the baby's carseat.
2. Buy a few more receiving blankets, since I forgot I gave most of Elijah's away.
3. Wash the bassinet cover.

See, I am organized enough to make the lists. I just don't want to do the things that are on them. Well, I want to, but I just don't want to bad enough. I need to make the transition from "semi-nesting" to "full-blown nesting".

Tomorrow, I have a doctor's appointment at 11:30. Hopefully, it won't take very long. Tomorrow evening the kids have their Bible School program. Sometime in between, I need to get the food and drinks for Kyra's party, and I also have to bake her a cake. I've pretty much sworn off store bought cakes. They look pretty, but homemade tastes better.

Anyway, I need to go and start the laundry.

I Can't Sleep

2006-06-15T00:55:00.000-04:00

I hate going to bed and not being able to sleep. It's so annoying. Especially when I'm married to a man that can be nearly instantly asleep when he goes to bed. Tylenol PM is my best friend these days. I am often so uncomfortable when I lie down at night that I can't get to sleep on my own for hours. My doctor recommended the Tylenol PM, and it helps immensely on the incredibly uncomfortable nights. Like tonight. Not only am I generally uncomfortable as usual, but my legs hurt when I lay down. I think that has something to do with poor circulation or something. They hurt when I go to bed, and I wake up with them really aching. Plus, my stomach hurts tonight. So, since I got up to get some water and take my magic sleepy pills, I thought I would wait on them to kick in while I told you guys how miserable I am. Cause misery loves company, you know.

11 Days and Counting

2006-06-14T12:09:00.000-04:00

It's getting closer. Yay!

Kids went to Bible School again last night. They had fun. Kyra is really, really enjoying it. I just dropped them off last night, and I went to the revival at the Tabernacle. It was a really good service, and it was nice to see people that I haven't seen in a long time. I'll probably go again tonight.

I kept forgetting to call the park and reserve a shelter for Kyra's party on Saturday. I finally remembered to call today, and, just like Chris kept telling me, all three shelters were already reserved. I know he's going to fuss at me, but I just kept forgetting. I'll blame it on pregnancy brain. At least there are plenty of picnic tables and grills to use. Let's just hope it doesn't rain. Hopefully, there will be enough people there to celebrate with her. My dad and Malachi have to work that day, and I kind of doubt three of the invited grandparents will come. I didn't invite much more than just the close family (my family and all her grandparents), so I hope it's not like just four or five people there.

I've got something that I'm dying to write about, but it's all supposed to be on the down low for right now. Can't wait till I can tell people about it, though.

12 Days and Counting!

2006-06-13T12:25:00.000-04:00

Only 12 more days until Baby Day! It's getting exciting. I'm trying to occupy myself (at least my mind) to make my days go by faster, but, at the same time, taking advantage of only having two low-demand kiddos to take care of and rest up. I guess I should count myself lucky by being able to say that with an almost four year old and a two year old that my kids are "low-demand". They really are, though. I have to feed them, give them drinks, occasionally wipe a bottom or change a pull-up, and that's about it. They are generally well-behaved at home. They know what they are and are not allowed to do, and pretty much stick to the rules. They play really well together, and don't fight a lot. They entertain each other all day long. I am really blessed, I know. So, they let me get away with lounging on the couch reading a book, taking afternoon naps while they watch a movie, or just sitting around browsing the internet. Most days, my energy level doesn't allow for much more than that.
Yesterday, however, I felt really good most of the day. I went shopping with the kids and my cousins, Stephanie and Kiah. We got stuff for Kyra's birthday party (which is this Saturday) at Party City, and I bought Kyra's birthday presents. I also got my dad a Father's Day gift, and Elijah two polo shirts for three dollars at Goodys. We had lunch at Chic-fil-a, and then came home. I got a little bit tired after we got home, and me and Steph sat around and chatted while Kiah played with Kyra and Elijah. Yesterday evening, I took the kids to Bible School. I stuck around while they were there. I was planning on helping in the kitchen, but they didn't really need me. I just kind of stood around in the way. Since I know that they dont' need my help, tonight I'm just going to drop the kids off and go to the revival with Dale Massengale at the Tabernacle.
So, between the kids going to Bible School this week, and me going to the revival, that should keep time ticking along. Sometimes it seems like 12 days takes a lot longer to pass by, but, in reality, I know that before I know it I'll be holding my little man in my arms!

15 Days and Counting

2006-06-10T13:06:00.000-04:00

Only 15 days left until Baby Day! I can't wait. I have almost everything ready for the baby's arrival. I have all his clothes and blankets washed and put away, arrangements made for watching Kyra and Elijah, and I even got the house pretty much cleaned up yesterday with Seth's help. The only thing I have left that has to be done before we bring him home is to clean up the infant carseat. I'm getting more and more anxious for the 26th to get here.
I have to say, even though time passes faster and I don't spend every single second thinking about the coming baby like I did with my first, it is just as exciting with number three. I just can't wait to hold him, and see what he looks like.
We have Vacation Bible School at church this coming week, so that should help that week to pass pretty quickly. Saturday is Kyra's birthday party. I can't believe she's going to be four. Time passes so quickly these days.
Hopefully the next 15 days will pass very quickly!

I'm. So. Tired.

2006-06-03T16:15:00.000-04:00

So tired! I have a teeny tiny fraction of my pre-pregnancy energy. I'm talking miniscule. I have just about enough energy to complete one chore a day, and that is assuming that on top of my bit of energy I have the motivation to do it. Yesterday, I tackled the laundry that I had let back up over the long holiday weekend. Let me tell you, around here, if you don't do laundry for a few days, there is quite a pile of it when you do get to it. I folded and put away about six loads of laundry yesterday, washing about three of them. (I had about three clean loads that I had washed but never folded and put away.) I finished that in just enough time to start dinner before Chris got home. The last little bit of energy left my body about the time that I got the food on the table. That means that I used the excuse of being out of dishwasher soap to leave the dishes until today. So, today, I had to go to Walmart for a few grocery items and a few non-grocery essentials (including the dishwasher soap). By the time I got home and put away the things that I had bought, I had expended my energy quota for the day. So, here I sit, and so, in the kitchen, there the dishes from last night sit. I'm tired, my feet hurt from traipsing all over Walmart, pushing a buggy full of groceries and two kids, all while wearing 25 or so pounds of back-breaking baby belly, and I'm hot. Unfortunately, I still have to clean up the kitchen, then make dinner, and then clean up the dinner mess...all while ignoring the fact that you can tell what my kids have snacked on for the last week and a half just by looking at my living room carpet.

So, the purpose of all of that long, whiney rant was that I AM TIRED. That, and I am currently accepting any offers of any kind (or not so kind) soul moving in with me for the next three weeks to clean my house, care for my kids, run my errands, and cook for my husband. Any takers?

It's been a while...

2006-05-26T23:54:00.000-04:00

but I thought that I would blog a bit. Lots has happened in my blogging hiatus. Life, mostly.
I have kept up my picture blog at A Year in the Life. Check it out. My kids are adorable. Go see for yourself!
Elijah had a birthday in March. He is two now, and is talking more and more all the time.
Kyra is fixing to turn four in a few weeks, and she is just a burst of sunshine in every day.
We found out a while back that we are having another little boy. I'm very excited about that, as Elijah needs a little brother, what with all of the girl cousins and little girls at church. He'll be making his appearance on June 26th. I can't wait to see his little face. I am beyond huge, and at the very, very uncomfortable stage of pregnancy. I will be very glad to get him in my arms, and out of my ribs!
Chris has spent a lot of time building our church website. Check it out at www.fbcwartburg.com. He did a very good job.
I know those are very bare-bones updates, but I thought I would at least post that. I don't know how much I will blog in the future, but I have kind of missed it. I figure, at the very least, I can give a few updates on the kids and our family for those of you who care to read about them. I don't know if I will keep it up for any amount of time, but...we'll see.

2006-02-02T00:09:00.000-05:00

Just to let those of you who come by regularly know...I'm not going to be blogging anymore. At least for now. I'm still contemplating whether to delete my blog. I am holding off for now, in case I change my mind. That way, I won't lose all my old posts if I do decided to start it up again. I just thought I would let you know, so that you don't keep checking back for a new post.

Riding the High

2006-01-30T10:28:00.000-05:00

You can call me "The Trivia Queen". No, really. You can. Because I am. I am just that good.

Last night, I beat Chris in two consecutive games of Trivial Pursuit. That's right. Two! Boo-yah!

I'm riding the trivia high!

(So what if he beat me at the preceding eight games?)

Warning: Boring Content to Follow.

2006-01-28T13:12:00.000-05:00

This week has really seemed to fly by. I guess because I had things to do. Thursday night, I had to go to a funeral, and last night I went to a going away/birthday party for my cousin, who's being stationed in Italy. Today, I've not had anything to attend, but I've still got a ton of stuff that needs doing. Chris started his long break yesterday. We went to Knoxville, and I spent most of what was left of my cleaning money on four new maternity tops. I'll be happy, after this baby is born, to bid goodbye to my maternity clothes. I would have a ceremonial burning if I weren't so cheap, but, since I am, I will just sell them. Today, Chris went fishing with my uncle. I kind of didn't want him to go when he first told me he was, because we've had so little time to actually spend together over the past month or so that he's been training at work (he was on straight days while training). You would think we would have had more time, but, in reality, it didn't seem that way. We had every evening together, but we rarely went out and did things. So, anyway, I kind of didn't want him to go at first, but now I'm glad he did. I hope he's having a good time. He never does things with anyone else. Never. It's probably good for him to spend a day for himself, that has nothing to do with me or the kids. That's one thing about him that I cannot complain about. He is the definition of a family man. He does everything with me and the kids, and he does everything for our family. I can't really begrudge him some time fishing.

So, anyway, I think I just set a record for the most boring post ever.

Sorry 'bout that, but you were warned.

I'm an Aunt!

2006-01-25T09:59:00.000-05:00

Yay! I just got the news. Little Kylie Brooke came into the world this morning weighing six pounds two ounces, and was eighteen inches long. Mommy and baby are both doing fine! Congratulations Aaron and Tasha!

A little catch up post...

2006-01-25T09:08:00.000-05:00

So, I've had a busy week so far, but thought I would talk about my days.

On Monday, I took Elijah to the doctor, because he hadn't been feeling well. Turns out he had an ear infection. I was suprised, as he didn't act like it hurt him, but they gave him antibiotics for it. He was good, but very reluctant. I think he remembers shots from last time.

Yesterday, I had a doctor's appointment. I finally got to hear the heartbeat, which was cool. I had gained four pounds, but the doctor said that that put me where I should be as far as weight gain. I am shockingly big for seventeen weeks, compared to my first two, but I guess that's how it goes with the third baby. It was a quick, routine visit, and it didn't take long. I had to take the kids with me again, but they were good. As we were waiting to make my next appointment with the receptionist, the doctor, who is an absolutely lovely woman, told Kyra, "In just two more weeks, you can come back and see the baby on the t.v again, and we'll find out if it's a baby boy or a baby girl." Kyra looked this wonderful lady in the eyes with her deadpan stare, and says matter-of-factly, "It's a girl." The doctor's eyes met mine, and she said, "Well, I'm not going to argue with that." lol Ya gotta love my daughter. So, two more weeks till we find out the gender. On the 9th. I'm really excited about that.

After the doctor, I took the kids to chik-fil-a, and, since they ate a late breakfast and snacked all morning, they pretty much waited impatiently while I ate, until they could go to the play area. Kyra was climbing and sliding and having a good time with her cabbage patch doll in tow, but poor Elijah was just too small. He couldn't climb up the ledges, because they were too far apart. I used to climb through it with them, looking like a big idiot, because I felt sorry for them. I'm in no condition to be doing that now, so I tried to teach him how to brace his feet against the sides, and push himself up like Kyra does, to no avail. He just couldn't do that. So, then, since it was just him and Kyra in there, I tried to get him to climb up the slide, since he still had his tennis shoes on for traction. He would make it about a measly fourth of the way up, and come sliding down. Kyra tried to help him, but, since he's as big as she is, that didn't work. Each time, he would re-appear looking defeated, and, oh, so sad. It was heart-breaking. So, being the loving mom that I am, I left there, and took them to the park. That perked him right up. No silly fast food playground ledges there! We played for about an hour before coming home, and he was a much happier boy.

When I got home, I got a call from my mom that a dear lady that we used to go to church with had a massive heart attack and died the night before. So, that was really sad. I'll be going to her funeral Thursday night. Please pray for her husband.

And on a final, very happy note...my sister-in-law, Tasha, went into labor yesterday! Misty called me this morning to tell me that mom and Tasha's mom are on their way to the airport to fly to Nebraska, and to tell me that Tasha is pushing now. So, I should have a little niece very soon. I can't wait to hear all about the birth, and I hope she has an easy time of it. It's about two weeks early, and she was supposed to be induced the end of this month for pregnancy induced hypertension. I'm glad that she went into labor on her own, though, since that's sometimes easier than being induced for the mother. Anyway, pray for them, and I can't wait to post an update! No news yet on whether this baby has a name yet.

Pure, unadulterated, childlike joy!

2006-01-20T14:01:00.000-05:00

I don't like cold weather. It's just so...cold. So, for the winter months, I pretty much hibernate. We had an un-seasonably warm day yesterday, so, when Chris got home from work, we took the kids to the park. Can you remember how much you liked to play outside when you were a little kid?

They say a picture's worth a thousand words....

My angel.

Just so you know that I'm a lazy, good-for-nothing procrastinator....

2006-01-19T11:46:00.000-05:00

let me just give you a run-down of my morning.

I woke up at about seven thirty to something running around in my celing. Yes. In my ceiling. After the infamous flying squirrel incident, I sat up in bed, and tried to calm my racing heart. I was thinking, "Where's the cat? Where's the stupid cat when I need him?". Listening to the sound, I came to the conclusion that it sounded way too big and loud to be a mouse. The next conclusion I drew was that I do not have rats. I simply DO NOT HAVE RATS. Oliver would not have stood for it. Also, the fast running back and forth in the ceiling of my bedroom didn't sound very rat-like, at least not what I would imagine a rat sounding like. Whatever it was sounded like it was having a good time. Like it was playing. So, I concluded, it must be a squirrel. I thought I heard meowing outside, so I got up, got my glasses, and went to the back door. No cat. Okay, maybe the cat was in the ceiling. How did the cat get in the ceiling? I don't know. How does anything get in the ceiling? I comforted myself with thoughts of Oliver sneaking into the ceiling, and attacking the invader, ~~guns blazing~~ claws unsheathed. Thus, saving the day, and my sanity. This is the way I lulled myself to sleep...five times. Being awakened every so often to more scampering and one occasion of a thump and some sort of animalistic noise that I told myself was Oliver beating the holy crap out of the stupid squirrel.

So, somehow, I stayed in bed until ten o'clock when my kids woke up and the noises had vanished, and I arose with a terrible, burning headache. After I was up for an hour or so, Oliver showed up at the back door, returning from a night of possibly deviant behaviour with his little friend, No-Tail. So much for my feline avenger!

After that morning, I'm sure you can understand that I had to take a couple hours for myself to re-coup my equilibrium by reading blogs and message boards, eating tuna and crakers, drinking Pepsi, cleaning poop from Elijah's carpet, legs, feet, and shirt (don't ask....and don't you dare laugh), and ignoring my children and the state of my home. I mean...you couldn't expect me to have come out of that rearing and ready to go, could you? I didn't think so.

So, now my computer says that it is 12:00 on the dot. I'm a lazy, lazy bum, and I need help. Psychiatric help probably, but I would prefer the household type. And a Nanny. And a poop-cleaner, in whatever category that falls.

Until that arrives, I am going to take a shower, clothe my naked son, wipe his nose for the fiftieth time this morning, clean the kitchen, clean the living room, do the laundry, clean the kids' rooms, clean my room, clean the bathrooms, cook dinner, and kiss my husband passionately when he walks through the door tonight in hopes that he will not divorce my lazy butt.

***Update....It is eight minutes till two. I have showered, dressed Elijah, wiped his nose six times, cleaned up the kitchen (minus sweeping and mopping), and cleaned up the living room. See...progress.

***Update #2...It is five till three, and Kyra and Elijah's rooms are cleaned. Won't someone please come and take my kids for me? They're driving me nuts. Kyra is taking offense to me locking her out of her room, and telling me that it's not nice of me to put all of Elijah's toys in his closet (he can't open doors yet) except for about five or six of them. If she only knew what plans I have in store for their toys...their millions and millions of toys...come yard sale season. That is, if I hold out that long, and don't take them all to Goodwill first. Anyway, got off on a tangent there. If someone could please just take my kids, it would make the rest of my day of cleaning go much smoother. Please? Pretty please?

Gimme a Break!

2006-01-18T23:28:00.000-05:00

Read this article, and then let me just say...give me a freakin' break! I mean, for real.

Are people so stupid that they think children go to the store and buy their own groceries? I think not. Ya know, if you don't want your kid to get fat by eating too much junk food...don't buy them junk food. It doesn't take a genius. They don't buy their own food. The parents do. They say, oh, but when Junior asks for it, I want to make him happy. Well, ya know what? You aren't supposed to make your kids happy all the time. Tell little Junior "no", and get on with it. He will probably forget that you didn't buy him his Fruit Loops before you even get out of the store. It's not that big of a deal.

For goodness sakes, people! Use your brains!

I feel much better now.

Sixteen Weeks, and All's Well

2006-01-18T23:21:00.000-05:00

How your baby's growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

Results of my little poll....

2006-01-13T18:26:00.000-05:00

I asked for opinions about my boy names, here on my blog, and on two different message boards that I post on. I took Noah off the list because I was never crazy about it myself, and Chris told me last night that he doesn't really like it. He's always suggesting a name, only to tell me later that he didn't really like it much in the first place. Anyway... Here are the results so far:

Judah: 4
Levi: 13
Asher: 13

I find myself leaning more and more towards Asher, but my mind is far from made up. I kind of thought that most people would think that Asher was way out there, and wouldn't care for it. Finding out that so many people like it, it makes me like it even more, because I don't feel so much like I might be giving my kid a name that no one likes but me.
Levi was my second favorite of the list, and it's a close second in the poll of everyone else.
I will update this post if anyone else cares to give me your opinion. (I really hope you will!) A lot of people have read my post on the subject, but only one person has commented. (Thanks, Dianna.) Don't you people love me? Just kidding. Of course you love me. How could you not? Right? Right?

Please help me out with picking a boy's name!

2006-01-12T12:09:00.000-05:00

We have had a girl's name picked out for a while now...it's Laney Elizabeth. I have a feeling that this baby is a girl, but I would like to have a boy's name picked out, too. I like to be able to call the baby by name from the minute that I find out the sex. I didn't have any trouble with this with Kyra. With Elijah I had a boy's name and no girl's name, and it worked out fine. It's just bugging me.

Anyway, I thought I would tell you the boy's names that I do like, and you guys can tell me if you like them or hate them or whatever.

Elijah got Chris' first name as a middle name, and a second son will get Chris' middle name, which is Shane, for a middle name, and Shane means "God is gracious". Let me warn you, I have a penchant for Old Testament Hebrew boys' names (thus Elijah). I like a lot of other names that are more normal that I won't put here because Chris has already vetoed them.

They are:

Judah Shane....Judah means "praise of the Lord"
Levi Shane.....Levi means "joined to"
Asher Shane....Asher means "lucky, blessed, happy"

and Chris suggested

Noah Shane.....Noah means "rest"

I don't know how serious Chris was about Noah, because he often mentions a name, only to tell me later that he doesn't really like it. He has very weird tastes in names. I told him he should have been a celebrity, because they are the only ones who actually go through with giving their kids crazy, made up names. Chris' first choice for a name for a boy is "Combat", which I have vehemently vetoed, telling him it is not a name. After the message last night at church, where we learned that the name "Naphtali" means "to wrestle", he thinks that that one is a suitable replacement for Combat.

So anyway, lol, I know this got long, but does anyone want to give their opinion on my names? I'd appreciate the perspective. If you don't like any of them, would you give me details as to why? Thanks!

A few announcements...

2006-01-11T11:34:00.000-05:00

Just a few scattered comments for you guys:

I've been having trouble with posting pictures to A Year in the Life, and thus the gap in days with pictures. It's been very finicky for me. So, I'm doing my best. I finally got it to upload a couple today. So, anyway, I hope you're all enjoying looking at my beautiful kids every day (well, almost every day).

Second, my mom talked to my sister-in-law, Tasha, (Aaron's wife) yesterday, and she was waiting for results from a test she had done yesterday, to determine whether she had preeclampsia (used to be called toxemia) or not. If she does, they are going to induce the baby, who is not actually due until February 7. So, it's not too awful early, but they weren't expecting her quite so soon. So please keep all three of them in your prayers. You might want to pray that God would give the parents some decisiveness as well, since this baby does not yet have an agreed upon name. We wouldn't want to have to call her Baby Francis for a week. (For those of you who don't know my family, their last name is Francis.)

Third, we are having revival at church this week with Dr. Mike Bagwell. So, it's been a busy week with not a lot of time left for blogging. Tonight is the last scheduled night of revival. It's been a good meeting. He is a really good preacher.

Fourthly, I am eating tuna for breakfast right now. Technically, I waited so long to eat this morning, that it is actually lunch. The sad thing is, I have ate tuna on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, and am now eating it a fourth time. What does this mean, you ask? Well, it means that I am pregnant, craving tuna, and only allowed to eat it five times a week, per my doctor's instructions. That way, I won't have a two-headed baby with three arms...or something like that. Blasted mercury!

Lastly, I would like to tell everyone that Tropicana Grovestand Orange Juice is the best orange juice I've ever had. Do try some!

Pregnancy is Rough!

2006-01-05T21:19:00.000-05:00

You know those women that we have all seen at one time or another? The ones that look to be about sixty-five, and you find out later that they are just the forty year old mother of a dozen children. I guess that was more common in yester-year than in today's society. You see it a lot in foreign countries, though. Anyway, my point is, that is what pregnancy after pregnancy can do to you. It's hard on your body.

I'm only on baby number three, and I swear that I feel like an old woman a lot of days. When I get up in the morning, and I can't straighten my back right away. I constantly have sore hips, if I do anything even semi-strenuous. Today, I went to clean the church, and I came home feeling like I had been on a ten mile hike, carrying fifty pounds on my back, while holding my breath. And I'm only on week fourteen! I dread the end months, when I am really feeling the strain of packing around another human being in my uterus!

I could say that this wasn't a "give me sympathy" post, but that's exactly what it is. Give me some sympathy when you see me get off the couch in three stages! And give some to all the other pregnant ladies you see. We would really appreciate it.

New Blog

2006-01-01T23:38:00.000-05:00

I created a new blog tonight. It is going to be solely for pictures of the kids. I know not everyone is interested in that, but we have several out of state friends and relatives that are into that kind of thing. The idea is that I will take and post at least one new picture of one or both (or eventually all three) of the kids, every day, for all of 2006. The result will be a pictorial account of a year in the life of the Harmon kids.

So, for all of you interested, you can click here to view A Year in the Life. Make sure to bookmark the page, and check back every day. If you dig my kids, that is.

***I know that the first picture that I posted is kind of blurry, but I wanted to make sure and post a new picture on the first day of this year, and, as the kids are both asleep and there are only fifteen minutes left in today, this is the best up-to-date, un-posted picture that I had on my camera.

Happy 2006

2006-01-01T23:14:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, Everyone!

I hope everyone's 2006 is filled with good things, and that the Lord will bless each one of us this year.

We started off our new year in church this morning. We had a good service, and then we came home and ate KFC. Kyra and I played about fifteen games of Dominoes, and then we played about five games of Candyland. I should get major mommy points for that. We watched a little football, and then we went back to church tonight. I went to Walmart all alone, for the first time in a long, long time, and got groceries, diapers, and other needful things.

Tomorrow, we are going with all of my family (my parents, brothers, and their families) to have a family picture made, since everyone is home right now. It could be a very long time before we're all together again, as Jason is leaving next month for Iraq. I am taking advantage of us going, and am going to try to finally get the family picture I've tried unsuccessfully before to get. I know that it will be outdated in June (when Boo is born), but, oh well.

Anyway, I couldn't let the first day of the year pass un-blogged about.

Happy New Year!

It's Almost Here!

2005-12-30T09:54:00.000-05:00

2006, that is.

And my house is still messy.

After my last blog, I did make an effort at the things I said I was going to do. I did do some laundry. I did find new homes for their new toys. I did do something else that has since been so completely undone that I don't remember what it was. And, then, without warning, all energy suddenly left my body. I've not done anything since.

The laundry is again piled up. The toys are no longer in their new homes, but are scattered about like homeless vagrants. The kitchen has a pile of mail on the counter, and a sinkful of dishes. I told Chris that since I asked him to do the dishes the other day, because there were just a few, and I was folding about seven loads of laundry, and then he just put them all in the sink and ran it full of soapy water to let them "soak" and then left them there and never did anything else with them that I would leave them there until he did decide to wash them, even if they sat there for two weeks. Yes, I know that was the longest run on sentence in history, but, what do I care? So, anyway, they're still there sitting in a sinkful of water. My resistence is weakening, though, and I'm contemplating washing them myself. I hate sticking my hand in old dishwater, though, and haven't brought myself to do it yet.

Aside from those things, though, it's not so bad. It just looks as though a nuclear bomb went off in my house. But other than that...

So, I'm not quite as confidant in the whole "tidy end to 2005" thing yet.

I have zero energy. That's the main problem. I got all motivated, and then I bottomed out in the energy department. I guess it's a combination of getting a bad sinus infection before I had really completely recovered from the virus, and just being pregnant. I'm tired. I spent half of yesterday in bed. I had to call the pastor and tell him that I didn't think I was up to cleaning the church this week, slacker that I am. I just can't imagine summoning up the energy to vacuum the church, much less the bathrooms and everything else. Vacuuming alone takes about an hour. Anyway, he was quite understanding, and I laid in bed most of the day. When Chris got home, we rode to Wartburg with him, to take his broadcast to the radio station, and then I deposited my cleaning check and we went to McDonalds.

I desire to do better today. But I'm tired.

Have you went into a coma yet? I know this is boring. Really, I do. I'm too tired to do anything exciting to blog about, though.

I have almost finished The Chronicles of Narnia. I'm going to be sad when I'm through. It's been such an exciting, entertaining read. I'm on the second to last book. Does anyone think Caspian is a good name for a boy. I didn't think so. I like it, though. It's cool. I'm about to die to go see The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Chris and I were going to have my mother-in-law watch the kids while we went and saw it last Friday, but then I had to go and get deathly ill.

Speaking of ill, I finally had my follow up with my OB on Wednesday, and everything was A-Ok. I had lost three pounds, but I was no longer dehydrated. They did an ultrasound, because they still couldn't find the baby's heartbeat with the doppler, and Boo is quite fine. S/he was kicking, and moving around. Chris and the kids got to see an u/s for the first time this pregnancy, so that was neat. Kyra was really excited about it. She jabbered the whole time to the nurse practitioner, who was prompted to ask me, "Does she always talk like this?". I had to be honest, and say, "Yes. I'm afraid she got that from her mother." Kyra told her, "I named her Baby Boo. Is that okay?". The NP told her that it was okay, and that it was indeed a very good name. Kyra and I went in circles yesterday when I told her that she could call the baby Boo, but she needed to have a real name, too. Kyra insisted that Boo is a perfectly good name, and didn't care one whit when I said that Boo would not be a very good name for a grown up. She insists that the baby's name is "Boo Harmon! Just Boo Harmon!"

My brother and sister-in-law are coming home today. They are stationed in Nebraska, and Aaron wanted to come home to see Jason one last time, before he goes to Iraq in February. I can't wait to see him. I've seen Tasha, his wife, twice since I've last saw him. He hasn't been home since this past spring/summer. We'll probably go to my mom's this evening, after Chris gets off work, and visit with them.

Okay. Enough is enough.

Whew!

2005-12-27T10:22:00.000-05:00

It's been an interesting few days.

Just as I was gearing up to finish the very last of the Christmas preparations (wrapping the last of the gifts sitting downstairs, buying the last of the gifts for the people that I forgot about, and buying the little gift bags for the people that I remembered), we got hit by a virus. I started getting sick Thursday night, and by Friday night I was in the ER hooked up to an IV. Not pleasant. My procrastination in Christmas things came back to bite me when some things just never got done. My Christmas cookies that I bought the ingredients, the decorations, the rolling pin, the cookie cutters, and the cookie sheet never even got baked. Kyra and Elijah both got the virus, too, but they both only threw up twice and never seemed to feel too sick. Elijah slept through both of his puking episodes. Now, that is the way to be sick!

Christmas Eve found me very weak and queasy, but well enough to open gifts with the kids. They both made out like bandits, getting way more than they have been able to play with, as of yet. Kyra's favorite gift, by far, was her Cinderella Make Up Table, courtesy of Chris' aunt and his mother. All of the gifts that Chris and I got her paled in comparison. Elijah's favorite gift was from us, though, and it was his adjustable baksetball goal. He really loved it. Chris got me a diamond necklace, a watch, and some new perfume. I was very happy. I got him a fancy, schmanzy electric razor, a travel chess set, and Madden 06 for his PSP. I think everyone was happy, when it was all said and done.

Christmas Day started out with us going to church, then we went to my mom's for dinner and more gift opening, and back to church that night. It was then that I realized that, though the virus had left, I now have a sinus infection. Not pleasant. I suppose it could be worse, though.

So, it was fun, but I'm glad that Christmas has come and gone. Now, I'm left with the job of finding homes for all of the new stuff, and wondering which of the old toys can get banished to the ~~toy dungeon~~ den downstairs to await their ~~final doom~~ departure by way of my summer yard sale.

Last night, I made a huge dent in the mountain of laudry that had accumulated over the past several days of busy activities and sickness, and am hoping to get the house back in presentable shape so that I can have a nice, tidy wrap up to 2005.

The first several weeks of 2006 should give me the answer to the "Baby Boo: Boy or Girl?" question, and then I will have a whole new round of preparations to attend to. One of the children will have to share a room with this new baby eventually. If Boo is a boy, the children will have to switch bedrooms, as Kyra's is a lot bigger than Elijah's room, and it is only fair that the bigger room go to the kids who have to share. So, in that case, the rooms would have to be re-painted, because Kyra's room is painted purple with flowers on the bottom of the wall...not really very boyish. Also, we'll have to do a bed shuffle. Elijah's crib will go to the baby, Kyra's toddler bed to Elijah, and Kyra will need a big bed. Then, I have to decide what kind of beds to go with. If the new baby is a boy, I will definitely have bunk beds for a boy's room, but, if Boo is a girl, than I don't know if I will do bunk beds or two twin beds in the long run. See, it's all a big question mark. So many decisions! I prefer to get them all made, and the things that need doing done while this baby is still quietly hanging out inside, because it just gets harder to get things done once it is outside demanding time, attention, and hours and hours of breastfeeding.

So, yes, this post was meant to be a mile long, boring, and rambling, but no one forced you to read it.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas, has a good New Year, and I am off to shower and finish up the laundry.

Who is Your 80s Heartthrob?

2005-12-20T14:52:00.000-05:00

Your 80s Heartthrob Is

Kirk Cameron

Who's Your 80's Heartthrob?

How Old Am I at Heart?

2005-12-20T14:46:00.000-05:00

You Are 27 Years Old

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

What Age Do You Act?

Bad Day?

2005-12-19T12:02:00.000-05:00

I don't know if my children are having a bad day today, if they are slightly drunk, or if the are just very clumsy children. They're not usually very clumsy, which makes me think that that option is not the correct answer. It would be hard for them to be slightly drunk, as we don't drink alcohol, and thus have none in our house. They could, however, have found a sippy cup of white grape juice under some piece of furniture or pushed to the back of a closet that had fermented and turned to wine, I guess. I haven't seen them sipping from any suspicious cups lately, though, so I think I'm going to have to go with them just having an unfortunately bad day.

Case in point, as I was sitting here at my computer, Kyra was just yards away (but just out of my line of vision) using my bathroom. I peeked in once at a suspicious sound, but it was just her rolling up a roll of toilet paper that she must have previously unrolled, while sitting on the potty. Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't really recognize the whimpering cries coming from her direction as "I'm in trouble, come help me!" cries at first. When I did register that she sounded slightly panicked, I leaned over and peeked around the doorframe, and this is what I saw...
Kyra was no long seated on the potty, but had fallen off somehow and was balanced on her head with her legs in the air, leaned slightly against the toilet, bare butt there for all the world (well, just me, I guess) to see. My first thought was, "Would it be totally terrible to snap a quick picture before helping her off of her head?". Through my quick mental deductions, I realized that I might very well have my good mommy status taken away if I had that particular picture in my photo album, and thus rushed to help her up. Laughing, I asked her what happened. Her response? "The potty did it."

The second incidence happened while I was ~~ignoring my children~~ tending to pressing email issues, and I heard upset cries of the Elijah type coming from the other bathroom. His cries were bordering angry, and I first thought he was just having a hard time reaching something or some similar problem. When the angry/upset cries continues, I got up to go check on him. I found him balanced precariously on the side of the tub. He was sitting there, careful not to lean forward or backward, because he certainly would have fell. He looked up at me with angry eyes, and said, "Stuck!". And so he was. This doesn't sound too problematic, until you take into consideration that our tub doesn't have a smooth edge because we have sliding doors instead of a shower curtain, which of course means that he was balancing his diaper-clad butt on a metal track in which the doors slide. It couldn't have been comfortable digging into his bare, chubby, little legs.

Bad day or not, I wonder if my next child will be as ~~spazzy~~ special as my first two. I can only hope.

I'm Finished!

2005-12-17T10:32:00.000-05:00

With my Christmas shopping, that is. Completely finished. I went shopping last night, and got the last of my Christmas list taken care of. It's always such a relief.
I also got some really good clearance deals on some needed clothes for the kids. Can't beat that!

Now, I can just sit back and enjoy Christmas.

As promised...

2005-12-15T21:52:00.000-05:00

I have some pictures to share with you of my children doing housework.

Let me explain...

They would not have been required to use the vacuum under normal circumstances, but, for some odd reason, they decided to pour a whole ton of goldfish onto Elijah's bedroom floor. After doing so, they figured they better clean it up before they got in trouble. This is where Chris got suspicious, when he saw them getting the broom from the closet.

I came running, when I heard Chris say, "Oh...Mommy's going to be so mad!".

When I saw what they had done, I got the vacuum cleaner out, and this is the result.

Now that I know she can do it...well, she might need some daily chore assignments, don't you think?

Elijah felt he was better suited for a supervisor position.

Ya know,

2005-12-15T21:49:00.000-05:00

Sometimes my geekiness astounds even me.

Shouldn't I have grown out of it by now?

The Slacker Returns

2005-12-13T18:12:00.000-05:00

After another unexcused absence, I'm back to account my days of non-blogging, so Jen will not call me a slacker anymore. Well, at least not until my next stretch of not blogging.

I've been feeling much better lately. I've barely been sick at all for the past couple of weeks. I've still been super tired all the time, though, which is why I've not written much lately. Some nights, I have even went to bed without...hold onto your seats people...without checking my email. That is like, unheard of for me. I'm spending about a fifth of the time online that I used to. Whether good or bad, it is certainly a drastic change.

What else has been going on? I'm glad you asked. Here's a short list:

Elijah has used the potty a total of four times in the past week.
Elijah has taken his diaper off and peed in the floor a total of four times lately.
Today, Elijah took off his diaper and pooped in the floor.
Two nights ago, Elijah took off his diaper and peed all over his bed while he was supposed to be sleeping.

Yes...my life is just that good.

Let's move on...

Kyra has made up about thirty five songs in the past couple of weeks. My favorite is "Everybody Likes Christmas". It goes like this....
Everybody likes Christmas.
Everybody likes Christmas.
Everybody likes Christ-MAS!!!!
Everybody likes CHristmas.

Brilliant, no? Yes, she is a prodigy. It was a new style for her. Most of her songs are more of a narrative...telling a story of how one or more of her parents are so mean to her, and make her go to her room because they are so mean and make her so sad. Those are what I classify as her "dark" songs. She also has a large collection of more upbeat songs that could be about anything from the cat to a trip to Walmart to helping the poor black children. (More about that last one to come.)

Moving on...

We had our windows replaced yesterday. They look fabulous. You guys should really drive by the house and look at them. If it's after one in the afternoon, you should stop for a chat. Any earlier than that, and it would be safe to assume that we are still pajama clad and in no shape for visitors.

What else? Let's see...

Kyra is making her on stage debut (not counting the Jesus Loves Me solo) Sunday night at six o'clock at the church. It should be a can't miss event...what with her reciting poetry, singing a cute little Christmas song, and being an angel in the nativity. If you still aren't convinced that you should be there...well...I will be making a brief appearance in the older kids' Christmas play with Kyra as...drum roll please...a homeless lady! Come on guys...you know it's gotta be good if there are homeless people involved.

Perhaps the biggest news to report...okay, who am I kidding...definitely the biggest news to report is that Chris got a promotion at work. I'm so proud of him, and he is so happy. He was promoted to lieutenant! How cool is that. We're still waiting to find out which shift he will be working...I'm still hoping and praying for dayshift. This new job means that he is going to be home for Christmas Eve and Christmas this year! Can you believe it? That is monumental in our house...having Daddy around for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. So, yeah...I'm excited about it all.

I'm thinking that that is pretty much it. I have some pictures to post later of me forcing my young children to do housework. Don't worry...they had already had their bread and water rations, so they had plenty of strength.

Until next time, Kids!

He's Got A Lot To Learn

2005-12-02T14:14:00.000-05:00

In some ways, I feel like I've had a head start on Chris in the parenting arena. After all, as the second of six kids, I had a lot of childcare under my belt when I married him. When Kyra was born, Chris changed his very first dirty diaper. For me, it was probably like the five thousand, eight hundred, and seventy-fourth dirty diaper. When her paci hit the floor, he would rinse it off before giving it back to her, while I would simply quote the five second rule. While he was making people sanitize their hands before holding her, I was thinking about how she would probably eat dirt by the handful before she was two.
So, I try to keep that in mind. I have had a bit of an advantage.

This brings us to last night. We took the kids to the local Christmas parade. It was cold, the parade was mediocre, but the candy was flying towards us with full force. We also had the presence of mind to find a place at the beginning of the parade. That meant that we stood in the cold for less time, and all of the good candy had not yet been thrown. So, we took home a gallon sized ziploc bag full of candy.

Last night, Kyra and Elijah helped themselves to a piece of candy each from the bag of candy. Kyra was all set to enjoy her nasty, strawberry-flavored piece of holiday hard candy, and Elijah was holding out a peppermint to be unwrapped. I told him that he couldn't have hard candy, because he might choke. I sent Chris to get him some sort of chewy candy. The next thing I knew, Elijah was enjoying a mouthful of Snickers bar.

I looked at Chris like he was nuts, and spoke slowly and clearly so he would understand. "Chris...Honey. We are the parents. They are kids. We get the good candy. They get Tootsie rolls, broken suckers, and those hideous holiday hard candies."

He just looked at me.

Ameteur!

"Fatty, fatty two-by-four...

2005-11-30T22:44:00.000-05:00

couldn't fit through the kitchen door."

Yeah, that's me. I feel so fat.

I'm not supposed to be getting fat yet. I guess baby number three is special that way.

I've already gained ~~a million~~ four pounds with this pregnancy.

Even when I'm puking sick, I'm still hungry. And I'm really tired, too. So, that means, I eat something, and then I lay down. I ought to go for a walk or something. But, no...I'd rather nap.

Happy Thanksgiving

2005-11-24T10:28:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone has a fun and family filled Thanksgiving today. We all have so very much to thank God for. He has been so good to me and my family.

We are going to my aunt's for Thanksgiving dinner with all of my mom's side of the family. We do this every year, and it's always a lot of fun. Kyra is very excited to play with her cousins, and I'm very happy to be feeling pretty good this morning. I would hate for morning sickness to infringe on my feasting.

Well, I have some cookies to bake, some deviled eggs to put together, and a green bean casserole to get in the oven.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

8 Weeks Pregnant, and All's Well

2005-11-23T16:12:00.000-05:00

I had my first doctor's appointment today. I am exactly eight weeks pregnant, and everything was good. I'm seeing a new doctor this time around, as my former doctor has retired from obstetrics. I like my new doctor, though, so I guess it's all good. I had an ultrasound, and got to see Baby Boo. The baby looked good, and there was just one baby. Kyra's theory has been that Boo is a girl, and that if Boo did happen to be a boy then there would be another baby in there that was a girl. So, we'll see. My due date has stayed what I had calculated...still July 5th. So, all in all, it was a good visit, and it was fun to see the baby.

So, that's my eight week update!

There's nothing like...

2005-11-17T23:35:00.000-05:00

...an episode of ER to make you cry buckets of cathartic tears.

...seeing a friend's newborn baby to remind you that morning sickness doesn't last forever.

...coming home from hours of cleaning the church to find that my husband has spent a couple hours cleaning at home.

...having my three year old snuggle up to me on the couch, plop a book in my lap, and say, "Read me a story, Mommy."

...realizing that you are extremely tired and ready for bed at the same moment that you realize that both of your children are already asleep, and knowing that you can drift peacefully off to dreamland without anyone's elbows, knees, hair, or feet in your face.

Yeah...there's nothing like that.

The Blog Post in Which I Talk and Talk Without Saying Much of Anything

2005-11-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

My poor neglected blog. It's really sad, isn't it?

I've had a lot going on lately, but everyone does, don't they? I've been sick a lot, but the past two days have been a little better. Maybe I'm going to be lucky this time, and not be sick for very long. Maybe. Monday, we went to the mall, and I got so sick on the way to Knoxville. When we got to the mall, I threw up in the parking lot. Yeah. Puking in public is not very glamourous. It was raining, so I tried to hide under my umbrella. I felt sorry for the people in the car parked next to us. I'm glad they weren't in it at the time. Yes, I know it's gross, but what can you do?

The kids are doing great. They are always great. I've got great kids. Obviously, I think so, or I wouldn't be putting myself through this again. Of course, the payoff is pretty good in the end. It's just the getting through these pesky nine months that's the problem. I'm seven weeks along now. Only thirty-three more to go.

My brother, Jason, got married Monday. His wife, Courtney, seems like a nice girl, and her little boy, Braxton, is adorable. Here's a picture of them when they said "I do". Congratulations, Jason and Courtney.

Last night, we had a reception for them at mom's house. It went well. Afterwards, when it was just the family left, we noticed Elijah was enjoying a little creative time. I didn't stop him. It was reversible. I just told Chris to take a picture.

I've gotten the biggest part of my Christmas shopping taken care of this week. Big accomplishment. Hopefully, I can finish it up soon. The kids are going to have a big Christmas, as far as gifts go, this year. It should be a lot of fun. I wish Chris didn't have to work on Christmas Day, but he does. It stinks, but that's just the way it is. He took vacation for Thanksgiving, so at least we'll get to spend that together this year. I need to wrap my shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, and take them to the drop-off location this week...preferrably tomorrow. I was excited to do that this year. Kyra helped me shop for and pack the shoeboxes, so that was nice.

Well, it's getting close to church time, so I guess I better start getting ready.

Ya know what?

2005-11-10T11:15:00.000-05:00

It's just as miraculous and exciting with the third as it was with the first.

How your baby's growing: The cells that will make up all of your baby's body parts and systems are dividing furiously as her body begins to take shape. Right now she's about the size of a small lentil bean (4 to 5 millimeters across). If you could see through your uterine wall, you'd find an overlarge head and dark spots where her eyes and nostrils are beginning to take shape. Shallow pits on the sides of her head mark her developing ears, and her arms and legs appear as protruding buds. Her hands and feet look like paddles, with thick webbing between the developing digits, but her fingers and toes will soon become more distinct. Below the opening that will later be your baby's mouth, there are small folds where her neck and lower jaw will eventually develop. (Inside, her tongue and vocal cords are just beginning to form.)

Your baby's heart (which is starting to divide into the right and left chambers) is beating about 100 to 130 beats per minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to circulate through her body. Her intestines are developing and tiny breathing passages are beginning to appear where her lungs will be. She's also starting to build muscle fibers and, halfway through this week, she'll likely start moving her tiny limbs. Unfortunately, you'll probably have to wait until you're several weeks into your second trimester before you get to enjoy feeling your baby's calisthenics.

A Little Blog About Misery

2005-11-08T11:37:00.000-05:00

What is misery?
Is it being locked in a cabin with your insane, adoring fan who breaks your legs and keeps you hostage till you write an ending to your book that pleases her? No. It's not.
Is it being trapped in a miserable marriage to someone you don't love and don't want to be with anymore? Well, maybe to some people, but not to me.
Is it any number of bad things happening to otherwise good people against their will or power to change. Okay, let's change this question a bit. It's gotten a little off base.

Rewind...

What is misery to me? Misery, to me, is waking up in the morning with an uneasy feeling deep inside. It's that, oh, so familiar feeling that lets you know. "Hey, Rach. This is not going to be a good day. You are not going to get anything done today. You are going to feel sorry for yourself, and question decision that you have made. Yes, Rachel. Today is a very, very bad day."

Yes, my friends. Misery is ~~all day~~ morning sickness.

Frappr Map

2005-11-07T11:23:00.000-05:00

Hey, kids! Don't forget about my Frappr Map. You guys are supposed to show your love and support by putting yourself on my map. That way, I don't feel like a big, friendless loser. It just takes a second. Click on this link , put in your first name, your zipcode, and write something (can be as simple as "hey") in the shoutout box, and that's it! It just takes a second. Puhlease! Pretty please! (This means you, Ms Tammy, Misty, Dianna, Velvet, and all you other lurkers!)

Sluggish? Drowsy? Sleepy? Tired?

2005-11-04T15:47:00.000-05:00

All of the above.

I am, that is. Jen told me that I am a slacker with my blog lately, but...to be honest...I'm just so tired. Don't get me wrong...I'll take tired any day over morning (or as I expereinced with my first two, all day) sickness. I'm hoping that maybe God will have mercy on me and spare me the morning sickness this go around. So, anyway, part of me wanting to curl up under some warm covers and snooze all day is resulting in my brain not coming up with anything even somewhat interesting to write about. I'll give it a shot, though.

Thanks to everyone for their congratulations and support. I'm very excited about Baby Boo (as Kyra has christened the little one). Kyra is excited, but I think she can't really be bothered to contemplate it too much, as she realizes that it's going to be a very long time until Baby Boo gets to come out, as she describes it. Elijah doesn't understand, but I got quite a kick out of telling him there was a baby in mommy's belly. His confused looks were priceless. Chris is about as excited as my stick in the mud husband gets. He kind of has a "there...you're having another one...happy now? then quite bugging me about a baby!" attitude. At least I know from prior experience that he does get pretty happy when the baby actually gets here. No worries!

It's fun for me to contemplate life with three kiddos four and under. I am an optimist (at least today), and I refuse to think of the bad things that could complicate things with three. Kyra and Elijah are very well behaved for their ages, and I have no problem taking them out with me anywhere. They mind well, and they do good out in public. With Chris' work schedule, I'm quite used to doing things with them on my own. Kyra will be four and Elijah will be two when Boo is born, so I expect it to be even easier with the added time. Don't tell me if you think otherwise, because, frankly, I don't need to hear that. Do however, if you feel so inclined, tell me how you think I am right in my optimism.

Tired as I am, I have actually got a few things done this week. I cleaned the church yesterday, and, I have to say, it's nice to go to clean something and it be nearly as clean as when you last cleaned it. To clean and not have anyone messing up things right behind you is wonderful. If only I could have that at home, maybe I would be better at cleaning. It's dicouraging when it gets undone as soon as you do it. I did manage to tackle Kyra's ~~disaster area~~ room today. That was a nice feeling. Now if I could just rustle up some energy to do the kitchen and the living room too, I would feel like I really accomplished something today.

Well, Elijah is getting a bit whiny, so I think that's my cue. Have a good evening, everybody!

Brothers and Sisters

2005-11-02T12:47:00.000-05:00

Kyra has gotten pretty good at being a big sister.

Elijah has not got to prove that he can be a good big brother yet, but he's going to get his chance soon. In about eight months.

Jesus Loves Me

2005-10-30T21:37:00.000-05:00

I'm such a proud mommy tonight. Kyra sang in church tonight all by herself for the very first time. She has been wanting to do that for a while, but she just asked Pastor Pallotta if she could sing the other night. So, I told him again tonight that she wanted to sing, and he said he would let her. When it was time, Pastor Pallota said, "I think Miss Kyra is going to sing for us tonight." Kyra hopped up off the pew, marched right up on the stage, and never batted an eyelash. Pastor Pallotta knelt down and asked her what she was going to sing, and Kyra told him. He handed her the microphone, and she turned around, held the mic right under her mouth, and sang Jesus Loves Me. She sang loud, clear, to the tune, and got almost every word right. I was sitting back there with tears in my eyes. I was so proud of my little girl. Elijah stood in the pew to watch her sing, and, when she finished and came down, he was clapping for his sister for all he was worth. I do believe he was proud, too. After church, everyone kept telling me how good she did, and that I should be proud of her. She's only three, and she did such a good job. My baby is growing up. I'm so proud of her.

This is So Funny!

2005-10-29T11:50:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness, this is hillarious. You guys have got to go to this link and read this ladies blog post. I know you'll think it's funny....especially if you have kids.