Tuesday, December 02, 2008

I just had to share this...HILLARIOUS!!!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Can you believe there was internet traffic at the library today? So, I had to post here from home!! LOL :)

We've got a busy weekend around here...again... Last weekend was spent mostly at church singing for me, running the sound booth for Steve (he had to be there more often than I did because he had to run sound for all the other praise teams there from other churches...no, it wasn't PraiseFest...we hosted a little conference)...

And, this weekend will also be spent mainly at church. This weekend is the church's annual craft bazaar, and I will (hopefully) be there personalizing ornaments again this year. I still need to get to Hobby Lobby & get my ornaments, but I normally paint them all there that weekend. I won't be there as long each day this year, but I'll still be there a good chunk of time collectively :)

I feel like I haven't had any time to breathe this week. We've been so on the move, at least that's what it's felt like. I guess we didn't go anywhere Tues. or Wed., but it sure has felt like a pretty busy week. I feel as if I'm constantly in motion all the time...

And then Sara comes to mind, and I think to myself, "Stop whining!!" Praying for you, Sara...

So, seeing as I'm rambling on & on about nothing (that tends to happen the later in the evening I get here), I will say goodnight, Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas!! :) (Yes, you read correctly!! LOL)

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Again, at the library...

Ahhh, let me tell you how nice it is to sit down today. You'd think that having to be here at the library at 1p.m. would be easier than in the morning...but that is NOT how it usually is...

Especially not this morning!!

Abbey woke up at 6:30a.m. this morning (her usual is 8:30/9a.m., just so you have an idea of HOW early this was for us...) Anyways, the House Fairy came to visit, and after she saw that, forget going back to sleep!! Then, about 6:45a.m. Eli woke up, too, so they were both up before dawn this morning. WooHoo...

They are my little blessings, though, and I am so thankful for them. I couldn't stay aggrivated at them this morning, they were both being so adorable & loving.

Abbey has been acting like a different kiddo the last couple of days... In a good way! LOL

Let me recap our Halloween week...

She was a monster! As I was telling Mom & Chelle & Jodi & Missy, it was just a series of behaviour & it was getting worse, so we had to do something drastic. One of her misdemeanors was that she was hiding crayons, markers, & pens in her room & writing on the walls, armoir & CARPET (how you write on carpet with a crayon, I'll never figure out!). So, after that, AND after her lying & sneaking & some major disobedience, Trick-or-Treat was taken away from her. AND, she didn't even get to hand out candy, because of how she behaved on the day of TorT. So, while I answered the door to cute ToTers, she was in her room with a magic eraser cleaning off her walls, armoir & carpet.

I cannot tell you how badly I felt. I think it really was harder for me than for her, and now I understand why my Dad would tell me that before he spanked me!! LOL You know, the whole, "This is harder for me than it is for you..." speach. Anyways, I did dress Eli up as Charlie Brown!! STINKIN CUTE!! :) I'll post a picture. Oh, and Abbey DID get to dress up in her princess costume on the Monday before ToT, because they let them do that for their dance class. So, she wasn't totally out of the fun!! LOL :) Oh, and I took Eli to my Mom's for TorT, because I wanted to see Katie (she was Minnie Mouse...CUTE!!), and I wanted them to see "Chuck." I left there with a Santa's Toy Bag sized trashbag full of candy & other goodies... So, she really didn't miss a whole lot, just the "experience" of TorT...

That was the saga of Halloween this year...

But she has behaved MUCH better since, so thank goodness it was worth it!! :)

For example, yesterday morning I told her that after {fill in TV show} that it was time to turn off the TV for a while. Well, I got busy, and checked my email for a few minutes, then heard the TV go off, and Abbey walked into my bedroom. I was in disbelief!! I told her I was so proud of her!! And I was!! You maybe don't know what a big step that was for us!! To not have to re-ask her to do something...Amazing...

But that's not all...A little after lunch she asked me, "Mommy, is it nap time?" I said, "Yes, why don't you go ahead & go potty, then go lay down..." And, oh my goodness, she DID IT... She laid right down on her bed (after she put her imaginary friend Ladu down in the floor, of course), and went to sleep without a fight!! I'm telling you, I was beyond flabergasted...

SO, today's been good, too... Actually, it's been a good week so far...

Okay, I'd better go. I'm gonna look for a few more Thanksgiving books before we leave...

Ya know, I just counted up all my blog entrees this year...I've blogged less than 30 times this year!! Wow, that is sad!! LOL :) Or, a good thing?

Thursday, October 23, 2008

So, this is a first. I've never blogged at the library before!! LOL

I'm here, waiting on my daughter while she's in Leapfrogs, a free story/craft time here at the library. We came last week & she LOVED it, so here we are, back for more. I think this is a great thing to incorporate into our weekly schedule.

ANYWAYS, not much really going on here... HAHAHAHAHA

Yeah, right :)

Steve's still recuperating from his carpal tunnel surgery, and gets very frustrated since he can't really lift baby boy (I have to place him in his left arm if he needs/wants to hold him), and he definately can't clean out the garage right now. Which is a bummer because I just realized that I have a couple of tubs out there with my warm/winter clothes in them... **sigh**

Abbey's taking dance classes & is loving that, too. She's such a sneak, though. I've caught her in her room this week with a MARKER writing on her walls, her Princess table & her little princess vanity table, AND, she smuggled in some of my acrylic paint (BROWN) & was doing heaven knows what with it... She got into some major trouble this week...

ANYWAYS, she has been funny, too. Here's part of the conversation we had after that awful day...there were other issues this day, too, if memory serves...

Mommy: "Abbey, you are 4 years old, and you are more than able to put your own clothes away in your drawers after Mommy folds them."
Abbey: "You mean, like Cinderella?"

Part of me wanted to laugh out loud & part of me wanted to wring her little neck!! LOL (Just a figure of speech for the casual passer-by). So, Steve & I went on to tell her the difference between how Cinderella was treated & how SHE was acting...She didn't like being referred to as an ugly step-sister.

Eli's been doing great!! He's in that stage where he doesn't really know what to do with himself, yet. We REALLY need an exersaucer. We lent/gave ours to Matt & Chelle & they had a flood this past spring, & that was in the basement, so it was lost. It was a freebie to us, anyway. I think we'll look at Once Upon a Child for one. I think that will help him occupy himself & see what's going on & satisfy that wanting to see Mama thing :)

I'm going to the EWomen's conference this weekend with some ladies from my church. We're doing that instead of a traditional fall retreat (traditional for us, anyway). I'm really looking forward to the speakers!! Lisa Whelchel will be there, Chonda Pierce, Thelma Wells, Mark Shultz, and a few others...I'm SO looking forward to it!! :) We're staying in a hotel & eating out...Just like a girl's night!! :)

Okay, I'd better go... I don't want to spend all this free time online :)

Love ya!! :)

Saturday, October 11, 2008



Happy Saturday!! :)

I thought this was cute :)

Not much going on...my husband, who just had hand surgery this past Wednesday, went on a men's campout retreat yesterday...

MEN!!

I think it's silly, but whatever :) I know he'll have a good time (if he doesn't hurt his arm/wrist/hand) being with the fellas, but seriously...

Anyways, I'll talk to ya'll later!! :)

Thursday, October 09, 2008

LOVE this new website...

If you're reading my blog, then you see what a neat-o look I've got going on!! I can't take credit for designing it, but you can follow the link & get your own!! I had to fiddle with the template some to get the background colors off & stuff, but it wasn't too hard...

Anyways!! LOL I'm such a techno geek!!

I don't think I shared with you all, Abbey started taking dance classes!! This past Monday was her 3rd class, and she loves it...Unfortunately, though, we might have to start using that as "currency" because new sibling rivalry has started in, we think...It's been a rough couple of weeks...

In other news, Night in Bethlehem is off...again... After reading all the materials & getting the message "this is a great way to show new people how much you have going in your children's ministry" it just didn't settle right with me. I don't get into it too much here, but our church is in trouble...financial, low attendance, big mortgage, you name it, we're going through it!! We've had a need for Sunday School teachers ever since we started going there, and there still hasn't been anyone to step up to take over my old class & I've been gone since Easter... So, after praying about it (A LOT) & going to my 2 sisters who are also Elders, we made the very hard decision to cancel/post-pone this until further notice. I didn't want to have a Children's Ministry Wonderland set up only for people to find out that it's not... It's pretty depressing, actually...

I have decided, on the other hand, to start bi-monthly "Family Day" programs. These will, hopefully, give us a starting point to get everyone excited about welcoming families & children into our church, and DO something!! :) Not very expensive to put together (Always a plus), Not too involved teaching-wise, but still informative & encourages family togetherness. Now, don't misunderstand me, I love VBS!! I really do!! And, Awana is pretty awesome, too!! But there isn't a whole lot out there for whole families to come together & do things together as a family. This would discourage "drop 'em off, pick 'em up" & hopefully not be a turn-off because of that...Again, not that there's anything wrong with that, I've just felt that, my church in particular, has a bad habit of departmentalizing families instead of bringing them all together every once in a while...

Am I being boring so far? LOL

Steve had carpal tunnel surgery on his right hand yesterday. He's doing very well with his vicadin!! LOL He took off today, gets a new bandage put on it tomorrow, but he's been doing very well. Soon, he'll probably have to schedule to have the other one done, but since it's not as bad as his right one, they'll wait a while for it...

I'd better go. I need to get to bed at a decent hour tonight. Steve has it in his head that he's going on the Men's Camping Retreat this weekend, not having the use of his right hand, and I think he's crazy...but we'll see...The dr. or whoever that sees him tomorrow will be able to tell him yay or nay...

Love you all & prayers for Missy & Jodi's family...

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Vacation, The FlyLady, and The House Fairy...

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted on here in so long!! Vacation was almost a month ago, now, and I haven't been on here much at all!! Facebook is quite addicting, and I have a few things to share with you...

First off, Jodi already shared with you about the "towel" incident at the hotel...That lady...ARGH!! My Dad was ready to pick up & leave that night, and I did in my principles, but we had basically moved in...we had a pack n' play, 4,000 suitcases, a cooler & our snackies...practicality won out over principles...But my Dad was HOT about it, and even spoke with the officers that night while they were there, and also, while they were there, he walked up to the counter & asked (in front of the police, mind you) for some towels...and got them!! I don't think this was lost on the officers. Dad said all they told him was, "Hey, we're just the messengers..." I don't think they really believed her, either...

Anyways, we had fun...Reunion was great, although my very easy-going baby boy got very overheated right after dinnertime & was basically DONE being outside...He was crying inconsolabely, and we just had to go back to town...Abbey & Steve went to the pool, and I gotta tell you, I wasn't hating that air conditioning!! LOL Eli was a different baby after a good nap & laying down in a cool room :) We headed back out around 5/6ish & he was good the rest of the time :) Abbey LOVED digging in the dirt with all her cousins!! I think she dug in the dirt more than anything else, actually...

Vacation was SOOOO nice!! :) We had a great time, except for wanting to beat the tar out of Abbey!! (don't call child services, we did not actually beat our child!! Actually, we probably went too easy on her during vacation, because, God love her, she was a spoiled little Diva that week...There's something to be said for nap times & low blood sugar levels...). Anyways, Monday night we ate at Calhoun's (which was pretty good) & settled into the condo, then went for a night drive in Gatlinburg...it's so pretty & vacationy looking at nighttime :) We always remember Dad telling us a story of when he & his family took a rare vacation down there once after a reunion. You have to drive through part of the National Park between Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg & it's so neat...well, Dad's always told us that when he was little, he always wanted to stay in that little hotel/motel right as you enter Gatlinburg because when he was little he always thought it was so neat to come straight out of a forest & then POW!! there's a neato swimming pool!! I'm sure that when he was little, it was a pretty neato hotel, but I'd be afraid to guess at what's inside that place now!! LOL :)

Then, we went to Krispie Kremes...

Tuesday was a little bit of shopping...We did eat at a new (to me) breakfast place called Flapjack's...Pretty yummy :) We hit Lil' Dolly's, then dropped the girls off to Dad & Steve (who went golfing) to swim, then we took Baby Boy shopping...I have to say, Eli was the best behaved child we had along with us!! LOL :)

That night we ate at Huck Finn's fish place...YUMO!! We also took Katie & Abbey to this little tykes amusement park thingy...SO cute!! You can really start to see Abbey & Katie's different personalities...Abbey was afraid to go on much more than the train, the merry-go-round, and the swings, and Katie would've done every ride there if we had enough tickets!! LOL Just neat to watch them, ya know? :)

Then, we went to Krispie Kremes...

Wednesday, we all went to The Pancake Pantry for breakfast (YYYUUUMMMMOOOOO!!!), then met up with Jodi & the rest (LOL) @ The Aquarium...But she told you about that already!! :)

After that, Steve kept Eli, and Dad took the girls to the pool, and me, Mom & Chelle got to actually shop by ourselves for a while!! :) It was heavenly!! LOL We met up with them at the Applebarn for dinner (AGAIN, YYYYUUUMMMMMOOOOOO!!)...Here's something a little funny...We wanted to shop at the Applebarn before the gift shop closed, and then head to the farmhouse to eat...Well, to get to the Christmas store there, it's easier to walk through their Winery...And this lady at their wine-tasting bar stopped me (I really tried to walk fast & not make eye contact, but I wasn't about to be rude!! LOL) I told her I didn't really like wine...She says, "Oh, yes you do!" LOL That was a new one!! LOL I told her I was more of a frozen daqari kind of girl, and she says, "Then, you like wine!!" She got this frozen daqari mix they had & they mix it with their Apple Strawberry wine, and boy, it's yummy!! I almost bought me some!! She said, "See? I told you you like wine!!" LOL So, I kept walking & caught up with Mom & Chelle at the Christmas store...we browsed there a bit, then walked back through the winery & this guy stops us (the lady who had previously served us wasn't there anymore). So, we all 3 tasted enough wine to relax us a bit...he was very generous, and we tasted, like, 6 wines!! Chelle did buy her mil a bottle for Christmas, and if I had it to do over again, I would've bought a bottle & that daquari mix...It was delish!! :) We were laughing at ourselves because we are obviously not big drinkers, and I think the guy knew that...Actually, I think anyone who glanced our way would've known that!! LOL :)

We ate a very nice dinner, went to THE Incredible Christmas Store & got our ornaments that we get every year...Abbey & Katie loved that store!! :) I LOVE that store!! :)

Then, we went to Krispie Kremes...

We came home Thursday, just like Jodi & Jimmie, and have decided that next year we're going to try & stay through Friday or Saturday because we're tired of just hitting the highlights & not being able to do those "what we'd like to try sometime" things, ya know?

Anyways...we've been home for a few weeks now, and I just put away our last suitcase today!! LOL I've been getting back in touch with the FlyLady...and she introduced me to The House Fairy (www.housefairy.org). Abbey was pretty impressed with her!! :) So, we're having her start to visit our house...

I'm sure I've left LOTS out, but then you would be unbelievably bored instead of just bored!! LOL :) I'm sure this is a long post, but I had a lot to catch you up on!! LOL :) I'll have to share more about church, & other stuff like that next time, I guess...

Love you all, and am thinking about you!! :)

Friday, August 15, 2008

I just got word yesterday evening that my friend (I might've mentioned her earlier) is miscarrying a surprise & very wanted baby...My heart aches for her.

That, and reading Jodi's blog, brought this song to mind, and heart.

Like I commented on her blog, it's funny what God uses to touch, heal, speak, love, move us. When I first heard this song, I was at a pretty dark place after our 1st miscarriage...I was mad at God. He's bigger!! And, He's compassionate... He is just awesome...Anyways, I hope this song blesses you like it did me, and if you're not at that place to hear & let the message wash over you, that's okay, I'm not posting it to be "holier than thou" or insensitive to wherever you are...It was just laid on my heart to share...



When Steve & I started attending COTC (that's our church) we took a "Finding Your Spiritual Gifts" small group study...and I learned a lot!! Great study!! I'll have to find the "official" name of it to pass on to you all...ANYWAYS, through that study, I "found out" that one of my top 3 strongest gifts is faith...And I have to tell you, that's no lie!! Through everything I've experienced, the good, the bad & the ugly, I've never doubted that God is who He says He is, and that Jesus is always there for me, that He loves me... Not that I've always understood the depth of His love & grace (I don't think anyone can really comprehend that this side of heaven), but I've never doubted Him...

But sometimes knowing who God is, and that He is who He says He is can be confusing in the midst of heartache & despair...Because knowing He is and was and is to come, has the power of life everlasting, and knowing that He loves us so much, it just doesn't jive with the heartache & despair...I forget that He isn't heartache & despair, but the enemy is...Sometimes I mix up who to blame, who is really responsible for the heartache. I don't understand why God lets him, but I know heartache isn't of God...I know He grieves with us...He cries with us...He ministers to us any way He can (and that's a lot!! Thank you, Holy Spirit, for working through an animated movie about Joseph!!).

I've still got a TON to learn, a ton to work through here, and like my Dad says, the more I read the Bible, the more I realize I don't know diddley squat!! LOL :) But take this little grain of rice (actually smaller than that) that I do know, in the Spirit in which it was meant...Just to love ya, girlies!! :)

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Christmas in July, a funeral, Pennsylvania & REUNION/Vacation

That is what has been, and what is to come!! :) First of all, July was fun!! We actually "celebrate" Christmas in July, and this year Abbey invited her friends Mackenzie & Maguire, & her cousin Katie. Well, okay, so we Mommy's wanted to get together to "celebrate," too :) We had a GREAT time!! :) I pulled my little Christmas tree that I keep up all year round by my front door & put some ornaments that I bought last year for Abbey's room tree on it. I baked Christmas cookies (sugar cookie snowmen & hearts), made special sandwiches (YUMMO!! cream cheese, sliced strawberries, & strawberry preserves...DELISH!!) Anyways, I also made hotdogs in crescent rolls. We played Christmas music, had Christmas movies on for the kiddos, but they mostly played outside & in Abbey's room, and we Mommy's mostly talked about this & that...It was really nice!! :)

Then, the following Monday we had a family funeral. Maybe some of you locals have heard the 2 brothers shot in Trotwood... Those brothers are my, Jodi & Missy's cousins... I never really knew Jimmie (the one who was shot & died) that well, or at all, really, but Tommy (was wounded...shot in the chest & "just" nicked his lung...he's since been released & is healing). This whole situation is weird & I'm not even sure if I could repeat the story without confusing all the details...Anyways, VERY VERY sad...What struck me, though, while at the funeral was how many people don't know Jesus...The preacher did an excellent job, I thought. They also played the song, "Cry out to Jesus" by Third Day & I thought that was an awesome pick, whoever picked it...That's all the preaching some people hear, and to hear the truth in a loving, caring way was a breath of fresh air. Anyways, as I was standing there during the service I just prayed & prayed that hearts would be receptive to Jesus...I just felt this urgency to pray that, so I went with it...

After that, it was nice spending time with some of my family at Lone Star Steakhouse!! :) Jodi & Jimmie were having lunch on their way back to KY, so a few of us joined them...It was nice to be with everyone, since, like Jodi says, we don't really do that very much anymore, and I miss my family, sometimes...But, reunion's coming!!!!

Before Reunion, though, we're heading to PA. We thought Steve's parent's feelings might be hurt if we went on vacation (after Reunion we're going to the Smokies!! :)) before we brought Eli to their place, so the last weekend in August was the only weekend that worked...We're going up on Friday, back on Sunday... Then, I'll have a week to do our laundry, then re-pack everything, then some, and we're off to Somerset, KY on Saturday. We like to get there a little early on Saturday so Abbey can swim some before we head out to the shelter (where the pre-reunion is on Saturday nights before THE Reunion on Sunday). We were going to leave Sunday and head down to the Smokies, but the price of the room on Sunday night compared to the rest of the week was OUTRAGEOUS!! Sickeningly so, actually. So, we're going to stay the night in Somerset again on Sunday night, as usual, then leave for the Smokies early on Monday.

We're staying at the same condo place that we stayed last year...it's SUPER nice...Steve's coming this year, too, but Matt's not...Matt's mom & dad aren't coming this year, either...WOOHOO!! Bless their hearts... It's just more stressful, more work, more awkward when they come...So, we're looking forward to vacation!! :)

Our VBS was last week...and I wasn't in charge!! I missed it a little bit, but it was nice to not have to answer any questions!! LOL :) Although, the first night, everybody came up to me like I was in charge & asking questions!! LOL I thought that was pretty funny...I kept saying, "I seriously don't know...All I'm doing this year is the painting!!" LOL Abbey loved it...They did Power Lab & it was very cute...

Anyways...that's it for me right now...Eli's crying...he's fighting sleep already...I hate when babies do that!! It's hard on their Mommy's!! :)

Love you all!! :)

Thursday, July 24, 2008

WowieKazowie!!!!

It's really been a LOOOOONG time since I've posted, huh? I feel like it, anyway... Those first weeks after Eli was born seem so long ago already...Time sure doesn't stand still, does it?

We've kept pretty busy so far this summer...I knew that with a newborn, we wouldn't be able to do as much as I would've liked to do this summer, but we pretty much did nothing last summer, so I feel like we should attempt more this year. We've been to the pool once...I wanted to go more, but I can't always count on Mom to be able to watch Eli, but Abbey LOVED Kett. Rec!! I did, too, for that matter!! We want to go to Splash! Moraine before summer's out, too. I'd love to go back to Kett. Rec, again, too, maybe one day my Aunt has Missy's kiddos there...

Anyways, I'll do a Missy-style recap!! :)

Steve~ has been doing pretty good!! He's taken his last finals this week & is done with school until October!! WOOHOO!! And, he's only taking one class that semester, and then he's DONE!! I'm thinking of having a Graduation-type party for him, maybe at Marion's or something, to celebrate. I don't think he had one when he graduated from business school, and I want to do something to let him know without a doubt that I'm proud of him!! He's pretty busy, still, with his church commtiments. The difference in our church committments is that his involves a lot more meetings...mine will, eventually, but not as often as his are. He said he's thinking about not being Church Clerk next year, but he's only mentioned that once, so we'll see. He's on the Stewardship Committee, too, and I know that makes him frustrated, for more reasons than I can barely grasp, really, let alone share with you all!! LOL To put it as simply as I can, it's not just financial stuff that's frustrating him, but the lack of organization & lack of protocol that has him fired up...Actually, our church could really use your prayers in this...Sometimes that kind of stuff can feel like such a huge problem, and it's not just a problem with Stewardship, it's in every ministry...it doesn't feel like we're working together, it feels like we're working separately...Maybe that doesn't make sense to you, but just keep us in your prayers that we, as a church, would work as a team, instead of individuals... ANYWAYS, I'm very proud of him for being so involved & caring so much about where our church is going, what we need to leave behind, etc...

Abbey~ She's "graduated" from "Princess" to "Diva"!! LOL Ever since her very first sleepover at Missy's house, she's been into Hannah Montana!! LOL We don't really watch the show much, although I was flipping one night & stopped on it because Dolly Parton was on it!! LOL :) It was a cute episode... Anyways, I digress... She's SO into glitter & lip gloss!! She's also into her sandbox!! That's been her favorite thing to play in this summer!! One day I had Katie while Mom & Dad were on vacation, so we filled up her kiddie pool & had the lid to the sandbox open, and in 30 minutes I was wondering which was the sandbox, and which was the pool!! GROSS!! But, they had fun, and took REALLY good naps that day!! LOL She had some kind of viral something a couple of weeks ago, and that turned into an ear infection...She was put on antibiotics & is fine, now...We've actually been celebrating Christmas in July this week!! :) Not really doing much of anything, but we've listened to Anne Murray, and were supposed to have some friends over tomorrow for a party of sorts, but that's been rescheduled til next week...as a consolation prize, she got to spend the night @ Mammy's house tonight!! LOL I bought her a cute little cheerleader outfit @ Target (it was clearenced!! WOOHOO!!) as a little "CIJ" gift, and will give it to her tomorrow...I was starting to think I was really doing this for me until she asked me today, "Mommy, is tomorrow Christmas in July?!?!" When I said yes, she said, "YAAAAYYYYYY!!!" So, she's excited about it, and it's fun...it's our little thing :)

Eli~ What a sweet baby!! He's a WONDERFUL nighttime sleeper!! I couldn't have asked for a better night sleeper!! After that first dr.'s visit we haven't woken him up for one feeding, and he's steadily slept longer & longer!! :) He averages between 6-8 hrs. a night!! Again I say WOOHOO!! :) During the day is a little different, although he's getting a little better about that... He's a cat-napper during the day, which means I don't really get any housework done until late at night when they're both in bed...but that's okay, because once my head hits the pillow, I am OUT!! :) He's also smiling & cooing!! A lot!! He's just stinkin' adorable!! :) Mom was feeding him today at the mall & I looked over at him while she was burping him & just about burst with love!! He was looking right at me, and he was just stinkin' adorable!! :) He visited Dr. Matt on Monday, and weighed in at 12.2lbs!! I didn't get how long he was, but I'm sure he's a whopper!! LOL :) He's growing so fast!!

Me~ I guess I've kinda filled you in on me as we went, huh? LOL I didn't mention, though, that I'm planning an "event" for Christmas this year @ church. I think I mentioned it last year some, but we're actually doing it this year, "A Night in Bethlehem." It's an awesome community outreach, and that's where our church's focus has been shifting lately...Let me tell you, we've been VERY tempted to start going to the Vineyard in Kettering with Mom, Dad & Chelle, but we know that that's what we want, not where God's leading us right now. I think that would be the easy way out, not necessarily what's right, ya know? ANYWAYS, I've decided to stop complaining about procedure because I can't control what others do, only what I do. And if I want things to change (and they HAVE to change, or else we will leave, I can tell you that much), then it has to start with me, and that means no more griping (to myself or anyone else) about how bad things are, and start making decisions about the way things should be...**officially off my soap box** :) Actually, that statement up there came from my Dad...He was my Sunday School teacher for most of my teen years & those kinds of things just stick, ya know? :)

Alright, I'd better go...Thinking of you Sara & Kelley!! :) Has Sara had Baby Boy, yet?!?! I saw her last post about it, but didn't know when "Baby Day" was, officially...

Okay, love you all!! And, hope you all have a great weekend!! :)

Thursday, June 26, 2008

ER, Birthday Party,Girl's Night, and other exciting stories...

Hello, Strangers!! :) haha :) This is the first chance I've had since my last post to get here & actually post again, but the last time I checked, I'm not the only one!! LOL (meaning my cousins!!) Anyways...

So, THANK YOU all very much for your prayers over my ER incident. I don't know what my Dad told you, Missy, but I didn't have chest pains, but my legs were still SuPeR swollen (and my dr. thought one was more so than the other) and that, along with my 'breathing' problem (I would wake up in the middle of the night & couldn't "catch my breath"...it was always worse in the middle of the night...) Dr. H sent me straight to the ER in Kettering (and now I know it was the Wed. before Brian went there, too...so we kept 'em busy that week!!) That was around 3:30/4ish & we didn't leave there until midnight...

While we were there, I had a ginormous migraine. It was seriously the worst thing I've ever experienced. I had been fighting a bad headache since that Monday (Memorial Day) and the 800mg motrin I was taking was just dulling it, not really getting rid of it...While we were waiting at the ER my meds wore off & I experienced the Migraine from you-know-where...seriously, I don't use that term very often, so you know how bad it was!! So, while they ordered a chest scan to check for possible blood clots, they ordered a head scan, too...

LOOOONG story short, everything came back normal, and they sent me home (Oh, yeah, after they gave me one awesome muscle relaxer for my headache...FINALLY!!) They also gave me lasik (sp?) that removes any *extra* kind of fluid anywhere in your body, so my ankles looked better than they did in 9mos!! They never actually told me why I was breathing funny, if it was wierd congestion, or what I think happened, a hyperventilating situation (anxiety attack...never had one of those before...pretty scary...) ANYWAYS, like I said, I'm fine, and have started feeling better ever since (so the swelling was probably not a good thing, either).

So, fastforward through some short nights, post-partum blue days (it was worse this time than I remember it being with Abbey), and we come to my "surprise" party...it kinda was a surprise...until Friday night before...He started acting really weird about dinner. We were grilling out, actually earlier than normal, and I decided that as a side-dish we use the new pan he got for Father's day & roast some potatoes for dinner with our hamburgers & hot dogs...Well, when the burgers were ready (he forgot the hot dogs, which I didn't think anything of), he hurriedly took the potatoes off the grill & threw them in a serving dish...I asked if he had tried one, he said no (also not weird) & so I tried one...it was still pretty raw...so full of frustration he took them back out on the grill & we just ate the burgers while we waited...Then, he goes out & brings 'em in, I tried one, still pretty raw, Abbey's only eaten 1/2 of her burger & he hasn't eaten any, and he says, "Come on, Abbey, let's go to the store..." I said, Steve, it's only 7p.m., there's time to go to the store later... He says, this store closes at 8p.m. (I'm thinking Hobby Lobby, maybe?) So, they hop right out of there...then I get a call around 10:30p.m. saying that they're almost done at the store, and what are they building by your Mom & Dad's house? DUH!! :) I had pretty much figured out by this time that they weren't just "going to the store" & that there were bigger plans going on here. When Abbey came home (around midnight, btw) she says, "I saw my Mammy!!" Steve said, "Abbey!!" She says, "I didn't say anything!!" LOL I said, "Abbey, do you & Daddy have secrets?" She says, "Nope, a Surprise!!"

I met with my share group that morning, went to the church car wash (I didn't wash cars!! LOL) and then we went home & got ready for *a-hem* Young's Jersey Dairy (which was code for "PARTY") Anyways, we got there, I wasn't expecting it to be where it was!! LOL & had a great time!! That kareoke equipment was AWESOME!! :) I wish I had some at home!! :) It was so much fun!! We took it over to Matt & Chelle's the next night (we got it all weekend!! because he rented it on Friday, but they're closed the whole weekend, so didn't have to return it until Monday) & had a blast!! :) That was lots of fun!! :)

Then, by Tuesday I was ready for a girls' night out!! Chelle, Amy & I saw "Made of Honor" with McDreamy, and it was very good...then we went out for dinner & ice cream at Friendly's...I was just in some MAJOR need of no-kids-allowed time, ya know? I love my kiddos, but I've been going a little crazy, especially on Mondays when Steve doesn't get home until 10:30 or later...Plus, I just hadn't had girl time & was ready for girl talk...they understand how I feel about being a Mom better than Steve!! LOL

Anyways, that's where I'll end it, and if you've read til now, go you!! LOL :) There was lots in there, and of course it's been so long, so I've left LOTS out, so for that, you're welcome!! HAHA!! :)

Love you all!! :) Here's a few pics!! :)

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

What a difference a week makes...

Hello!! :) Surprised to see me?!?! LOL :) I was sure I wouldn't be able to blog until this boy was 1 year old!! LOL

So, the new addition to our family {finally} arrived last Monday!! Thank you, Missy, for letting everyone know the details!! You were a great reporter!! :) And, thank you for visiting Eli's website!! :)

I can't believe he's here!! He was a BIG boy & I was pretty uncomfortable there at the end, and after the final push (I'll go more into that...not THAT into that, though hehehe, in a minute), I was talking to Dr. H & said that my sister who had the C-section asked me what it felt like to push a baby out (hehehe) & I told her it was the best feeling of relief EVER!! LOL Dr. H agreed & said she remembers that with her babies & that even the afterbirth (sorry if that's too graphic for you) was even more so...Anyways, amazing what kind of conversations you have with your OBGYN while she's still working on you!! LOL

Anyways, here's how it all went down :) LOL

6:15a.m. Steve & I arrived at the hospital (yes, 15minutes late...what can I say?)

6:30ish Pitocin drip started...WiCkEd stuff, man...

7:00ish Pitocin is definately working...

8:00ish Yeah, where's that epidural?!?! LOL

9:ooish FEELING GOOD!! :) Epidural's in!! :) I'm dialated to 4cm!! (from 2.5 when I came in at 6)

10:00ish Still laboring...The pitocin's working, and the gang's all there...Mom, Dad & Chelle were there after Dad's car was forced into the Krispie Kreme drive-thru...Abbey & The Inlaws arrive shortly after.

11:00ish Still laboring...Dad, FIL, BIL, and Abbey leave the room every time the nurse comes in!! LOL

12:00ish A "Check" tells us we're at 5cm!!

12:15ish Eli's heart rate starts dipping at the end of every contraction & nurse does another check...We jumped from 5cm to 7cm in 15minutes!! YIKES!! There's some information lost in translation between my nurse & Dr. H (apparently there was a language barrier), and pitocin is stopped for a bit to let baby destress...

1:00ish Dr. H comes in & is upset with the nurse because she didn't get the right message...says we could've been done by now!! LOL :) They restart the pitocin, and with Dr. H just right outside things progress quickly again...

2:00ish My nurse (who is pregnant, btw) is forced by the other nurses to take a lunch, they start getting things ready for me to push...

2:20p.m. PUUUUUUSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Steve is threatened within an inch of his life to count to ten every time I push...

2:45p.m. I'm pushing but can tell that there's something going on with the baby...Dr. H is VERY focused on "things." I vaguely remember hearing something about the umbilical cord...

2:50p.m. Dr. H says, "You're gonna have to deliver through it..." HUH?!?! I believe that's what I've BEEN doing!! LOL One final push & Eli Jacob Lee enters the world!! Dr. H placed him right on my belly, just like in A Baby Story (she didn't do that with Abbey because she came out "sunny side up" & the nurses needed to check her right away...) Anyways, there was my precious baby boy, screaming his head off & all gross with that "stuff" on him!! :) What an amazing miracle!! :) There's not a more miraculous sight, I've gotta tell you...

Now, you know that my inlaws were here & surely you know that I've left out some of THAT part of the drama...but I'll get to that :)

My MIL is a nurse... An OB nurse, and she's been an OB nurse for over 30 years, so I'm sure she's got a wealth of knowledge...Do you know why I'm sure? Because she never seems to waste a moment to remind us all that she's been an OB nurse for over 30 years & doesn't hesitate to share some fact or use OB nurse mumbo jumbo that nobody but an OB nurse would understand while explaining things to you...

But there was not a breast yanked out of a hospital gown without permission this time...So, maybe she's learning?

There were a few issues, though...And I was VERY proud of my husband for standing up for me to her...I believe Steve had told her to video a few things for us, and that was fine...I believe she understood I did not want a documentary version video, or any of the pushing, for that matter, but some before, and some after would be just fine, thank you!! :) So, towards the end I started feeling "pressure" & was starting to get uncomfortable, even with the epidural...So uncomfortable that I was starting to breath through the contractions again, but because of the need to push, not the pain of contractions...There is a misconception about epidurals that they take away ALL the pain...that is false...ANYWAYS, MIL got out the video camera during one of these moments & starts narrarating my "progress" to the camera, and I look at her & Steve & said, "Uh, no!" I wasn't going to go into it, because I was trying to breath through that stuff, so there wasn't much breath left over to say, "TURN THE HONKEN CAMERA OFF YOU CRAZY LADY!!" But, when Steve saw what she was doing he said, "Mom, turn the camera off." She says, "I won't get any of the [nurse jargon here that means documentary video]." "Mom, turn it off!" Then, my very tightly wound husband took a few deep breaths & says, "Mom, let's get a cup of water," and leaves the room to tell her that I probably didn't want to be taped because of how uncomfortable I was. When he told me that my jaw dropped!! LOL :) I hadn't told him why, but that was EXACTLY why!! I do not get excited about seeing myself in paint, thank you!! LOL Or, anyone else seeing, either!! But, she did pout the rest of the day, I think, at least that was my perception. But, that didn't completely stop her the rest of the week...but that's another blog entry!! :)

I felt AWESOME Monday evening & Tuesday & Wednesday...We came home Wednesday & that night we had the inlaws & my family over for burgers & dogs & watched the AI finale...It was a pretty good one...It was a little awkward in spots, though, because the inlaws (at least his mom & dad) don't watch AI (I KNOW!! Who doesn't watch AI?!?! LOL) and MIL kept asking questions & made this comment, "Oh, so they're just trying to sell [fill in the blank]." My Mom says, "Isn't that what all TV shows do?" Again, MIL didn't say much after that...that's her way of pouting...

Thursday I was feeling a little more achy & tired (duh, I'd just spent the first night at home with a baby & a big girl!!), and Friday Eli had his first meeting with Dr. Matt!! He was already past his birth weight!! Which means that we can let him go a little longer between feedings during the night!! :) YAHOO!! :) (I was waking him up during the night to feed him every 3 hours, because I wasn't sure if it was OK to go longer than that...) Saturday & Sunday I was tired, too, and achy & sore...Yesterday wasn't too bad, but I think I definately over-did it last week in the beginning...I just felt so much better than I had in a long time, I didn't think about it...

Last night I was an emotional wreck...HORMONES GONE CRAZY!! I just started thinking that tomorrow (today) would be my first day with both the kiddos by myself because Steve went back to work today. I was just dreading last night's feedings & today's "activities." But, things went just fine, mostly, and Abbey was really good, and Baby Boy did alright, too :)

Alright, duty calls...Steve needs to get online & I need to get Abbey into her jammies after her bath :) Love you all & thank you so much for your prayers!! Things went so well at the hospital & after today I know that I am capable of being home by myself with the 2 of them...I know that not every day will be easy, and tomorrow may be a totally different story, but I needed today...

Okay, seriously...LOVE YOU ALL!! :)

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Last Post for a few days...

Well, I go in tomorrow VERY EARLY (6a.m. we have to BE there), and I will be holding my baby boy in my arms instead of on my bladder at LEAST by tomorrow night!! LOL :) Hopefully sooner!! :)

My inlaws are enroute as we speak (although, they didn't leave until 11:30ish instead of 10a.m. as they had planned...I can't say much about that since we do that with just about every big trip we take...) But, they will be here sometime tonight. We have a 30th birthday party (not mine!! LOL) scheduled tonight at a skating rink (COOL!! oh, wait...I don't think I'll be strapping on any skates tonight...) but we'll see how it goes...I might just take it easy tonight, we'll see...

Yesterday was an interesting day. I had a wedding shower to go to (it's really been a long time since I've been to a wedding shower!! Most of my friends have already had their 2nd Baby shower by now!! HAHA), but this was for a cousin & his bride-to-be, and they're a bit younger than I am!! :) SO, that was fun...Abbey & I picked Mom up & headed over there, then afterwards did some last-minute running around (I needed one more "leisure" outfit for the hospital, and Mom wanted to get this cool drink jug thing from Sam's Club (It is REALLY cool...she says she's throwing out her punch fountain because it's junk...it only worked, like, 2-3 times...but this thing is really pretty & has one of those spouty-things at the bottom...anyways...). So, we "ran" around & did that, then dropped Mom back off at her house & Abbey & I went home for a little while (so she could "rest" & I could clean the kitchen...or so I thought...

So, we got home, and of course, Abbey zonked out on the way home...Well, as soon as I picked her up to carry her inside she woke up & got her second wind...then I saw what my husband had been up to all day while we were gone...I have never been so mad in all my life...He was trying to do the "deep" cleaning (as I would say) without sorting through the "junk" laying on top!! I was livid!! Seriously, I was just so disappointed & overwhelmed, because usually when we leave like that & he's home to work at his stuff you can tell he's done something other than move the loveseat into the kitchen...But NOTHING was put away that was on the loveseat, and even though he'd done 2 loads of laundry, they were piled on top of the big couch...Now, this wouldn't be so bad, except that Chelle & I had just worked in the living room really hard, and I was planning to straighten the kitchen up, only to find that I couldn't get INTO the kitchen...and I'm 9 mos pregnant, people!! Do I really need to make excuses for my fluctuating hormones?!?!?! Let me hear the pregnant women say "Amen!" lol Anyways, that, and it just didn't look like he'd done a daggone thing in the 5 hours we were gone...and his parents coming in 24 hours...ARGH!!! Yeah, we might've had a loud "discussion." Okay, very loud, because I am a yeller... That is one thing I don't share with you, Brain Twin!! LOL :)

Anyways, after I calmed down (which took a while, btw) and apologized to Abbey for the ugly display her parents didn't hide very well (we tried going to our room with the door closed, but she still heard us...), we were off to Fazoli's to meet Mom & Dad so they could watch Abbey for us while we went to Candlelight (which was AWESOME, btw!!), and we talked a LOT more calmly & "made up" (minds out of the gutter, people, we were in the van!! LOL) & even prayed together (okay, so it was over dinner, but we held hands, still), I think because we were going to Candlelight...and I needed that last night...It helped to really make me see clearer & see that, while it's OK to get mad, we all get mad, my behavior was petty & yes, childish...Hormones or not...but, anyways..."He's still workin' on me...to make me what I ought to be..."

I get so frustrated with myself AFTER I react like that...I am SO not proud of that...I'm sharing this ugliness because I know we all have moments we're not proud of, and I just wanna be real...I'm gonna fail, repeatedly, this side of heaven, and that probably won't be the last time I react like that...but hopefully these incidents will get further & farther apart, and not as loud (lol) as the time before...

SO, glad I shared that...Steve just walked in & was reading over my shoulder & asked, "Why do you have to share our fights?!?!" I hope he reads the above paragraph someday...

Love you all & hope I haven't made anyone uncomfortable!! LOL :) We're doing better today, and just need to do those little things you do before "company" comes :)...I'm sure Missy will share pictures of Eli tomorrow as soon as she can!! :)

Thursday, May 15, 2008

JUST A FLY-BY!! :)

Hey, there!! :) Well, I had my appointment with Dr. H this past Monday, and I was dialated to 1!! LOL :) So, she said if I wanted, we could induce me on Monday the 19th!! I said, very quickly, "YES!!!!!!" So, we will have a Baby Boy this coming Monday!! :) I'm excited!! :) I'm just hoping & praying that everything goes as smoothly as things did with Abbey...

Steve's parents (and brother, of course...) are coming on Sunday night, and staying through 'til Thursday. They're staying in a hotel close by, though, so that's less weight off my mind...I could only imagine what my house would look like if bil stayed here without me to stay on him to pick up his dirty socks in the middle of the floor...it will still be crowded with their stuff, regardless, though...They are paper & other junk bringing kind of people...See, you can really tell I'm 9mos pregnant!! LOL :)

Chelle's been a MAJOR help to me this week...I think I would go insane if she weren't here to help, and she's just been great...My husband seems to be stuck in an "everything will get done" mode, yet he is Mr. Major Procrastinator, and it's driving me insane...

But, anyways, things will, eventually, get done...and there may just be a point where we call it "done" whether or not it is!! LOL :)

I'd better go...Abbey's throwing a GINORMOUS fit right now because I wouldn't change the channel to one of "her shows." She also had a sucker in her mouth (with permission) and was whining with it in her mouth & I made her throw it away because she was whining...THEN, she proceeds to scream a blood-curdling scream at me because she was mad...so, now I'm waiting for her to calm down in her room (with her door closed, because that works with her), and can talk to her about her behavior...and I'm thinking she doesn't get to watch any more TV today...we'll see...

Love you all!! Talk to ya later!! :)

Thursday, May 08, 2008

I come to you, Journal Goddesses, another year older...and it was a big one...but I won't go on about that!! LOL :) Let me just say, I don't recommend being pregnant during your birthday...I squwalled all day...not about anything in particular, but once Abbey said, "Here comes the crying again," and shook her head at me...LOL

We went out for dinner with Mom & Dad & Matt & Chelle (& Katie & Abbey, too!!). We went to Logan's, and I didn't check my sugar after I ate!! LOL I'm such a rebel!! LOL I also had TWO pieces of cake!! LOL :) My sugar levels were fine in the morning :)

I am SO ready for this baby to be here...Well, in ways, mainly physical, I'm ready for Baby Boy to be here...We still need to set up his room (we're waiting on his new crib to arrive!! Sears had a great deal on one that was exactly what I was looking for!! :)), and we still need a changing table, but we're getting there with his room...Once the furniture is in everything else will fall into place, ya know? So, hopefully this weekend, early part of next week, we'll have his room finished, and the rest of the house? We're getting there....Chelle came over today to help me clean out/re-organize my 2 front closets (a coat closet gone awry & my pantry closet), and now my scrapbooking stuff has a home instead of being out in the middle of the floor!! :) That is SO nice, and takes away some of the overwhelming feelings I've been struggling with...I didn't realize how much that stuff was bothering me...

Our room's still a work in progress...Hopefully it will be "done" this week...And, by "done" I mean clean...Steve's job is to get all his paper junk out of here & to make room for the port-a-crib for Baby Boy's first few nights home. I'd also like to get a few of the things I've bought for the redecorating of our room out, including the beautiful quilt & shams that Mom bought me for Christmas from Lil' Dolly's over a year ago!! I need to get a new bedskirt for that, too...Curtains DEFINATELY need to be replaced, but that's gonna have to wait for now...Oh, and not just curtains, but a new curtain rod, too...

See why I've been feeling overwhelmed? One thing just leads to another & I start to think bigger than I've got time for!! LOL :) But, we'll get there.

I've been obsessed with Designed to Sell lately, and that probably doesn't help!! LOL :) I'd love to repaint the living room & halways a lighter more neutral beige color (more appealing to a wider buyer market, and with so much dark color on the walls our living room can feel cave-like at times...), but that's definately gonna have to wait until Baby Boy's a little older...

I think we're narrowing down on a name...Nothing set in stone, yet, but we're getting there. I hope to have him named before he comes...Abbey knew & responded to her name already by this point!! LOL :) j/k Poor baby...

Okay, I'd better get back to work...I'm feeling inspired to clean/declutter more in the living room...Oh, the Vietnam Vets are loving our house right now!! :) We have them come by picking up stuff once a week/every other week!! LOL :) They didn't come this week, though, when they were scheduled...

Okay, I'm starting to just ramble...I love you guys & lurk even when I don't post a comment...I don't know what I'd do some days without checking on my Journal Goddesses!! :)

Saturday, April 12, 2008

So, how've you been? LOL :) I've been great...Today some ladies at church threw me a Baby Boy Shower & it was a lot of fun!! :) There was really a good turn-out, and Baby Boy got LOTS of clothes & accessories!! Now, we've got to work on fitting it all in here somewhere...

Speaking of, I am getting a little overwhelmed with how close we're cutting this being ready for baby thing. His room doesn't look much different, even after Chelle & I (and Mom, too) have worked in that bedroom...I guess it's just getting a bunch of that stuff out of there & I can't do that without Steve's & AmVet's help...And, thank goodness, Tuesday is the 15th & Steve will have a lot more time to help me out with that...PLUS, we have to get a crib & dresser/changing table SOON, too, because as of right now, all we've got's a port-a-crib (which won't be bad for the first few nights in our room, but I didn't keep Abbey in our room very long, because I was too attentive to every little sound she made instead of sleeping when she slept...but for me, the first few nights are with us...and that port-a-crib will be a good fit in here...if we can also get our room together before he gets here...OH, and there's another thing...this baby boy doesn't have a name, yet, either!! We're thinking Eli or Ethan, but are having trouble with a middle name(s) for him...Sometimes we like Eli better, sometimes Ethan...Abbey's decided it's Ethan, but I'm still not so sure...

So, I thought I had all this time to figure this stuff out, but now I'm starting to really feel the time crunch...because to tell you the truth, I don't see me going until my due date...I think Dr. H will want to induce him early, especially after my next ultrasound (April 30th)...But that's just my guess...She's also wanting to see me every week already, instead of every-other, so there's my next clue...I'm going to ask her about that next time, though...

Next weekend is the family Baby Boy shower!! :) I'm excited!! :) Hopefully we'll have made some more headway in the baby room front to have room to put all his little clothes that's starting to accumulate :) There are a few pieces of furniture in there that, once out of there, will make things feel more accomplished, ya know? My hope chest is going to Chelle's basement (storage), the big honken bookcase is going into the garage for more shelving storage out there (maybe for my crafts?), and Abbey's toddler bed is going to Matt & Chelle's for Katie Lynne to start using soon...Once those things are out of there, we can rearrange & add in the baby bed & dresser/changing table & get that room set up for Baby Whatshisname...

Oh, I forgot to mention that a few ladies at church got me some "just Mommy" gifts along with their baby gifts, and that was SO nice!! :) VERY NICE Bath & Body Works spa slippers (which will be a must in the hospital!!), some bath salts & pampering masks & foot scrubs, just nice stuff that was extra special Mommy stuff...Oh, and a few ladies gave Abbey some presents, too...I thought that was very sweet...

I'd better go...Abbey went with Mom after the shower & Steve's working at Block (ONLY A FEW MORE DAYS!! WOOHOO!!), but I think we're doing Marion's Pizza for dinner, and I need to get moving a little here...I've been looking for one of Abbey's brown shoes that just seem to have disappeared...and I'm getting tired of looking...Who knows where that shoe is...

Love you all! :)

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Okay, Here's the recipe for "Green Stuff": (btw, it could also be pink stuff, or orange stuff, or whatever...depends on the jello you use)...

Jello, any flavor, but to make it "green stuff" we use lime flavored
1 20oz. container cottage cheese
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
1 tub defrosted cool whip

(*Note, all of the above can be substituted with sugar free/fat free/reduced fat whatever...it still turns out OK)

Make the jello per pkg. directions, but only let set in the fridge for 45min. or so. Then, add the pineapple, cottage cheese, and fold in the cool whip. Let it chill for a few hours or overnight...

VERY LIGHT & Fluffy & Refreshing...I'm not a huge cottage cheese person, but there's something about it, I just love this recipe, so if you're afraid of cottage cheese (like me!!), don't worry...it's not scary!! LOL Also, because I use lite/ff/sugar free everything, it's great for my G-diabetes right now...it's always good, though...and SUPER easy...

Okay, better get back to cleaning...Mom & Chelle are coming over later to help me sort out all the junk that's in Baby Boy's future room!! :)

Love you all!! Kelley, I hope this is all we've pumped it up to be for you!! LOL :)

Friday, April 04, 2008

I know, I know, it's been virtually forever!! :) I AM still alive, and, yes, STILL PREGNANT!! LOL :) I feel as though I've been pregnant forever...but the end is drawing near...and I'm getting a little nervous...

I've got a very yucky cold right now, that has me not feeling very good all over...I'm wondering, though, if it isn't more allergies than a cold...No fever or anything, but I feel achy & lots of sinus pressure...I know you all aren't my dr. so I'll stop giving you my symptoms!! LOL :) Just not a great week for me...

Anyways...I guess I didn't get here to share with you all about my wonderful Emmaus experience, huh? There are some things I just can't share with you (and even if I told you about it, I don't think you'd get the deepness of the experience) plus, if you ever go on an Emmaus walk yourself, I don't want to set your expectations up...We're all on different areas of our walk with Jesus, and what my experience meant to me might not necessarily be what you should/would experience, ya know? SO, I will just start by saying THANK YOU for your emails/cards, they were so sweet & unexpected, and thank you for your prayers...It was a truly humbling, yet very empowering experience for me...

I have to say, my 'tude probably wasn't what it should've been on Thursday night, because I was trying not to anticipate, but I hate not knowing some sort of schedule. That was a hard one for me, and not knowing what time it was & stuff...I never realized what a big time-freak I am...

I've shared a little bit with Missy & Jodi, that looking back over the past year, I can see where God's been gently and sweetly "wooing" me with His grace. Last year (about exactly that, now) we went to Women of Faith (maybe you remember?) and the theme of the Conference was "Infinite Grace." I can't begin to tell you some of the barriers I had up that he started chiseling away at during that pre-conference. Things that I needed to let go, and just realize that God loves me, and sometimes He takes away the things we want so badly out of His grace & mercy, not His anger...And, even broadening my perceptions a little bit about the people I love & their treatment of me. Their actions/reactions aren't always about me & our relationship with each other, but can stem from their previous relationships & their perceptions of themselves...Just like I do!! LOL It just gets trickier with the people we put on pedestals...

Even getting ready for the Women's Retreat last fall, where I spoke about low self-esteem, insecurities, anger, all of that was just a part of the journey of learning more about His grace & love. It forced me, in ways, to look at some things from my journey-my disappointments, my circumstances-and see where I had thought it was God's anger & disappointment in me, but was really His love & grace & mercy for me...

ANYWAYS, a great weekend, where I FELT loved & accepted; FELT His grace & mercy wash over me; and ate VERY WELL!! LOL :) These people don't make you go hungery, that's for sure!! LOL:)

Moving on...Missy shared about Easter...it was pretty much the same with us, just not so many people @ Mom & Dad's house :) We went to church (Steve cooked a TON of bacon for our Sonrise service...) we ate breakfast at church, I taught my last Sunday School class, and was surprised with Mom, Dad, Chelle, & Katie walked through the door!! :) I thought they were going to the Vineyard (which is their church, now, I think, officially). We left & went to Mom & Dad's house, then to Grandma's, then BACK to Mom & Dad's...Oh, and I got addicted to "green stuff" at Grandma's house, btw...Aunt Diane made it, and since I've talked with my dietician, it's pretty much the best stuff I can have right now!! LOL (more on the dietician in a moment). I have CRAVED that stuff...Oh, and it was so great to see Eddie there!! :) I hope he didn't see the shocked look on my face when we were standing on the porch & I was taking inventory of who all was there!! LOL :) That was just so cool, and I hope it was the beginning of many more family things he comes to...OH, and I loved observing Jimmie with the girls!! LOL :) He was so sweet!! The first thing he said to Steve & I was, "I have seen more naked girls in the past week than I have in my whole life!" He was doing an AWESOME job!! :) I guess it was just neat to see him in a different role than Uncle...And, Jodi, as Missy said, I don't think anyone was really worried about how you'd do!! :) I just kept thinking, "Those girls have no idea how blessed they are..."

Okay, I mentioned the dietician...Is anyone REALLY surprised that I flunked the 3-hour glucose test, after having G-diabetes before? I didn't think so...Anyways, I had the test last week, and this past Tuesday we had another ultrasound & my consult with the dietician. They were concerned about my fasting numbers, because those are the least affected by diet, but after a few days of me really being on a good diabetic diet, that's even starting to go down. I have to check my sugar levels 4x's a day, and go back in 2 weeks to see them, and if they're not happy with my fasting numbers, I'll be put on a pill that's safe to take while pregnant...they try pill first, then insulin (PTL!! That was NOT the case 4 years ago when I had this with Abbey, but everything was diet-controlled then). So, we'll see what my body does... What'shisname (poor baby boy doesn't really have a name in stone, yet) was flashing us with the goods during the ultrasound, and there was NO mistaking that he is ALL BOY and that the other ultrasound lady was right!! LOL :) We're having a hard time deciding on a name...Mainly because we're not both around each other for long to have a good discussion about it...But tax season's almost over!! YAHOO!! :)

Oh, and I said I was starting to get nervous...there is just SO MUCH to do around here, and I can't do it by myself...And, unfortunately, it's not just his room, it's the WHOLE HOUSE, including our bedroom...I'm getting nervous about having everything ready & company ready (not that I expect the same traffic this time as with Abbey, but there will still be visitors, ya know), and KEEPING it that way...Flylady's helping, but my energy level is nill...

Okay, I'd better go...It's about time to check my sugar again...It was pretty good this morning...Actually, the lowest fasting number I've had so far...

Love you all & will try to catch up as fast as I can!! :)

Saturday, February 09, 2008

My Princess Abbey is FOUR!! I can't believe how fast she's growing up!! Last Saturday was so much fun...First, we went to Sweet & Sassy (I think Missy's mentioned this place...it's a salon/spa-like place for girls, but it's really so much more than that...hard to explain...) Anyways, she got her hair cut (just shoulder-length) but it makes her look SO much older!! After we got done there, we went to CiCi's pizza to get a big enough section. I couldn't remember if that was the CiCi's with the party room or not, so we got there early to get the big back section by the video games. CiCi's was NOT busy, but their party room was full, even though the people left before any of our guests showed up. I had already started decorating a little (just because it's @ a pizza place doesn't mean we can't add a little pink!! LOL). It was fun!! :) I got a little overly confident with the time @ CiCi's (we met there around 4/4:30, and were supposed to be at Build-A-Bear around 6p.m.) So, I looked at my cell phone (I had it out so I could keep an eye on the time ::roll eyes::), and it was around 4:30, and we were all sitting down eating & I relaxed...then it was 5:20 & I freaked!! :) I felt bad, because we had to rush through her presents, but it was a definate time crunch. Somehow, I think because we didn't have to clean up, we made it to Build-A-Bear on time. The girls were SO cute!! :) They do this whole thing when they get the hearts for their bears, and they did so well!! The worst one of 'em was my daughter!! We were going with no nap, and she was DEFINATELY a Birthday Diva...I have no idea where she gets that from!! LOL She about slept the whole day away on Sunday...but MAN did she need it!! LOL :)

Today's my husband's 32nd birthday!! :) What an old man!! hehehe He actually has the day off of BOTH jobs & we've just kinda hung out this morning...It's been SO nice!! :) I love my husband...that's one of the good things about spending so much time apart, I guess, is the softening towards his faults that comes from not taking for granted who he is...Blah blah blah...I know that's not a new thing..."Distance makes the heart grow fonder..." but as Dr. Phil would say, there's a reason for those cliche sayings!! :)

Okay, I'd better go. I've got to move these two along...I'm thinking we need to take a trip to the mall before a party we're going to tonight. I didn't get Steve anything big for his birthday, yet, and want him to peruse Dick's Sporting Goods...Chick Fil-A sounds good, too!! hehehe

Love you all!! Take care!! :)

Friday, January 18, 2008

My foot's pretty much all better!! YAY!! What a week this has been!! LOL :) I ended up going to Dr. Frank by myself (!!WOOHOO!!), and Steve stayed home with both the girls, and it sounds like he had a great time!! Well, all except for Abbey's nap time, but I digress...

Dr. said that my foot looked great (and I did end up taking a shower that day, with a Wal-Mart bag over my foot...the bandage got a little wet, but...wah, I was stinky!!LOL), everything's healing nicely, and there's no infection, so that's awesome. I'm allowed to walk, now, too!! :)

What a weird week. I didn't share, either, that my parents are gone this week on their cruise...I'm sure they're having a great time, but it's been weird all the things that've gone wrong this week without them...

Besides my foot (which they couldn't really do anything about anyway, but, they missed the drama), Steve just happened to be at their house eating his lunch today (and he gets their mail & stuff, too) when the phone rang (he let the machine answer), and it was their renters...their furnace went out!! So, Steve felt obligated (absolutely, this is NOT the weekend for a furnace to go out, ya know?!?! They're forcasting 0's this weekend overnight) to take care of it for Dad. Well, he called the furnace people & they got it rigged to work, but it definately needs to be replaced soon...we just hope it lasts thru the weekend so we don't have to deal with it!! LOL Matt (my bil) said, "They should just leave some blank checks for emergencies when they go on a vacation"...inevitably something goes wrong, or someone dies, it's kinda weird...

I've just booked Abbey's Birthday party!! We're only doing a girl party this year...we might do another big family party when she turns 5 or something, but for now, I think she'll like just having her girls to celebrate with. We're hosting a "Build-A-Bear" party for her, then pizza & cake at Ci-Ci's Pizza (besides Fazoli's, that's her absolute favorite place to eat!! LOL) So, I'm excited. I think she'll like it, and I think the other girls will, too!! :) It's cool, too, because it's actually ON her Birthday this year...We might take her to Chuck E. Cheese's another night because she likes it so much, but her actual party's at Build-A-Bear...Since we're not having a big party, we can afford to get a little more for each child, too, ya know?

Anyways...that's done, and the invitations are bought (yeah, right, I've mailed them!! LOL), and cake plates & napkins, and a few party bag things...I always love looking at all that stuff!! :) So much cool stuff...

Okay, better go...I need to get Princess Abbey ready for bed...She's been pretty good today, except for a couple of time out's...She's really testing me, I think...Okay, she's testing everybody, right now...

Talk to ya'll later!! :) Love ya!! :)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

So, last week I broke one of our glasses. I picked it up, swiffer vacked the area, and thought that was the end of it...

Until Monday...

What happened Monday, you ask? I found the last tiny piece of glass that the swiffer missed...with the left heel of my foot!! I had Katie, Monday, too, and Abbey had been walking around barefoot, so, I was VERY RELIEVED that it was me, and not one of the girls...But, it gets worse...

I tried to work on it all Monday afternoon, even called Steve to come home & help with the girls because the only place I could get anywhere to a good look at it was sitting on my bed (remember, I'm 22 weeks pregnant this week, and baby's get big!!LOL)...Anyways, he comes home, looks at it, and says, "You're gonna have to get someone to get that out for you." I scoffed at him, "Nope, almost got it..." well, okay maybe a stretch...LOL :) There wasn't anything sticking out that I could grab hold of to pull it out, ya know?

So, finally, around 5p.m. (Katie had been picked up, and Steve & Abbey had taken a nap, and I was getting worried about missing Bible study) I decided that this was, actually, a time I could use some medical attention...so off to Urgent Care I went...

By the time I got there (around 6p.m.ish), I decided I should just give up on Bible study because there wasn't any way I was getting there on time, and who knows what they would end up doing to my foot...

SO!! I was right, I wasn't even called back until 6:30/45ish, they took my blood pressure (and the nurse was a weirdo, I think, and didn't have the cuff on the right place because it has never hurt THAT bad taking my blood pressure, and so the sky-high reading she got, I pretty much dismissed because it wasn't anywhere near that the next day...but I'm getting ahead of myself...) took my temp, then I waited a few minutes for the dr. He looked at it, and said he wouldn't dig around too much, if he couldn't get it out he would refer me to podiatry. This, of course, freaked me out a little, because I've always thought of podiatrists, especially in relation to taking things out of a foot, as painful...So, Dr. Urgent Care, or as I like to refer to him now, Dr. Foot Torture, started working on my foot. It was the most painful thing I've ever experienced, and I've given birth, people!!

So, he did numb my foot, but not good enough because I still felt almost everything. Because I'm pregnant, I couldn't lay down on the gurney, so it was an awkward angle, etc...I left Urgent Care with a big honken bandage on my foot (and Monday night it was snowing & a little on the slick side, if you locals remember), glass still in there, a prescription for some antibiotics, and a "promise" that they would call me the next day with an appointment time to see a podiatrist. Oh, I was also told to take some Tylenol when I got home, too.

So, Steve came home early (with Abbey...he had dropped her off at Chelle's because that was our original plan for Bible study), I was bawling like a baby, because, daggone, my foot hurt!! and I was hungry, and I could only limp around on my tiptoes, plus being pregnant, so graceful I am not!! LOL So, Steve came home & brought me Subway (bless his heart!!), and some gummy bears (one of my favorites!!), some Tylenol (yes, we were out!!LOL), and my baby girl looked so scared for Mommy, she kept trying to feed me cookies and stuff. I had a fitful night of sleep that night, and was anticipating more torture at the podiatrist the next day...

So, yesterday (I didn't have Katie), Steve went to work (which I had issues with, because he knew I couldn't get up & around much...very awkward, and I was supposed to stay off of my foot as much as possible...but whatever...), and I waited & waited on a phone call from Urgent Care, so by noon I called them...

This is where I got pretty upset with them. I called the front desk & got sent to a nurse, where the nurse told me that I could make my own podiatry apt. Yes, I said, but my paper said that I would get a call from you all with an appointment time. The nurse said, "Oh, yes, I see that now, but really with a podiatry apt. you can call and make your own." Um, that wasn't the point. The point is, my directions said that you all would make it for me, and that you would call me!! That is seriously, ver batim, what my instructional paper said. Is it me, or was that a bad business deal? HELLO?!?! Because I was waiting on you all honken day, I DIDN'T make an apt!! So stupid...and very frustrating...

So, I called the podiatrist (who Steve has seen in the last few weeks, well, a dr. from the same practice, anyway), and they fit me in at 3p.m. yesterday.

Now, I have to tell you, my previous perception of podiatrists has been totally blown out of the water, because Dr. Frank was very gentle, and looked surprised that the guy at Urgent Care caused me so much pain. Yes, the initial numbing shot hurt, but he knew how to do it, girls. I didn't feel a thing!! And, without working for so honken long as the Urgent Care guy did, he got it out!! They didn't make me feel like a freak & inconvenience, either, for being pregnant (the guy at UC did, btw), and his whole staff was very friendly & very funny. I left there feeling no pain, and I slept a lot better last night. Now, granted, I knew the glass was out, but still...I can't relay to you the night & day difference of the podiatrist...

So, I'm taking it easy today...Steve stayed home a little later this morning, and went in to work late (he also works at H&R tonight, so I won't see him until 9p.m. or after). But I go back to see Dr. Frank tomorrow afternoon (and Steve's coming, because I'll have Katie tomorrow, too!!). Oh, but I'm not supposed to get this foot wet (I've got a HUGE banage on it), and I'm not supposed to walk overly much...

But, anyways, that's been my story the last few days...Drama drama drama!! LOL

Love you all!! Hope your week was foot-glass-free!! :)

Friday, January 11, 2008

First of all, Kelley, I remember the name of that birthday catalog & their website!! :) It's www.birthdayexpress.com Anyways, it's been bugging me that I didn't have the exact website for you the other day!! LOL :)

Well, nothing much changing around here, except that I vaccumed yesterday, and it looks like I didn't...FOR REAL!! Let me explain...I have this housecoat I wear, especially when I'm sick or just feeling cozy, and when I was sick I stuck tissues inside my housecoat pocket. Anyway, without remembering, I washed the said housecoat...and didn't take the tissues out...WHAT A MESS!! Evidently, there was more tissues in there than I realized, even, because I'm still finding them all over the house (the washed tissues). I have no idea how they're getting around the whole house, that's still a mystery to me!!

I didn't share with you all last time (mainly because I was catching you up on 3 months missed!! LOL), but we started a new women's bible study this week (this past Monday!!). I've been dreading it because of the people I knew would be there. I've been trying to avoid these specific people because ALL THEY DO IS COMPLAIN & WHINE & SPREAD A BAD ATTITUDE, but on the other hand, there are some very dear friends there, and of course I want to be there to lift them up, and so we can suffer through the bad attitudes together!! LOL What really got me out of the house, though, was that it's a Beth Moore bible study & I've only heard good things about her studies from very trusted sources. This one's her latest called "Stepping Up" and it's focus is on the Psalms of Ascents (Psalms 120 through 134) (doesn't that make me sound like a Bible Scholar?!?! LOL). Anyways, it's already VERY fascinating, and I've felt positive that this is where God would like me right now, annoying people or not!! LOL :) I believe He's got a reason for us all to be at these studies, and it will be awesome to see what He does with this...

Anyways...Steve's back at H&R, plus taking 2 classes a week...On the bright side, though, he should graduate this fall!! YAY!! He's officially a Senior, and only has 4 more quarters to go!! :) Let me tell ya how nice it is to see light at the end of the tunnel!! He's already put in for some new jobs (he's put in some just to see if he would be considered, like, one that contacted him was in Alabama...we are NOT moving to AL!!) Anyways, it's nice to know it's getting close to the end...

Yet, knowing that there's an end in sight does not make it easier day-to-day when he's gone here or there (he's usually working or at class Tues-Fri, and weekends he's usually working...) SO, I'm a tax-time widow...I tend to get a little bored & introverted this time of year because I don't have much going on outside of home...and very limited, too, because I've got Abbey to consider, too...

Sorry, wasn't I just complaining about complaining & whining?!?! LOL :) I would like to call on my sister to watch Abbey every now & then, though, so I can scrapbook some, and Mom takes Abbey every now & then for a sleepover (usually NOT in February, though...that's H&R's 'peak'). But, I would like to get some projects done, and started before Baby Boy gets here...

Oh, speaking of Baby Boy...We haven't decided on a name, yet. I think we've got it narrowed down to Eli or Ethan (I like Ethan, but I don't know how much I like it with our last name), and Eli...I like it, but I'm not 100% sure, yet...We'll be thinking some more, maybe coming up with some different options. I think we have a middle name, though. Steve's Dad's Dad's middle name was Joseph (his first name was Francis...uh...NO!!). So, we'll see what we decide. We had a girl's name all picked out, though!! :) LOL I knew that was a sure sign it was a boy!! LOL :)

I'd better go...the native is awfully quiet...that usually means trouble!! LOL :)

Lov you all!! :)

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Okay, so I'm back after 3 months of silence, eh? LOL!! :) It's just been one thing after another, and I was doing good to check my email every couple of days...

And, in case you don't re-read other people's comments...I have some more news!! :)

WE'RE HAVING A BOY!! :)

I can hardly believe that!! I was telling my sister yesterday that I'm still in kindof a shock, because I've never really pictured myself as a mommy to a boy!! LOL :) Especially after having lived in an all-princess world for almost 4 years!! But, as I think back to my daycare days, I was reminded that the 2 kiddos it was harder for me to leave were 2 little boys I'd had since they were 18/24mos. (they were well over 3 years when I left & had Abbey...oh my goodness, that means they're around 6 or 7 years old, now...I can't imagine!!). Anyways, Stephen was 18 mos. when he started daycare, and that was around the time I had just started back, and I was his first teacher, he didn't move up from the baby room, so we bonded. I'll never forget him looking at me one day and saying, "I love you, Manny." My heart just melted & of course I teared up!! Okay, a lot...

Then, there was Jayden. He was really very attached to me. He was a rough-housing little boy who had issues at home, but then after being rough with another kiddo or something, he would turn around & be the sweetest loving boy you'll ever meet.

I can't believe that they're in Kindergarten or 1st grade by now!! TIME FLIES!!

Anyways, Steve was, of course, overjoyed!! LOL Once the technichian left the room, he finally wiped his eyes a little bit!! LOL :) I promised to tell everyone that he handled it very much like a tough man, though!! LOL :) So, that's our secret!! LOL

My Dad is in shock!! Mom bought me a little outfit for the little guy & he said he couldn't even get out how cute it was!! He's just beside himself!! He told me after we told him it was a boy that he was fully expecting this baby to be another girl. He said he'd given up on boys!! LOL :) So, I am SO happy to have made him so proud & excited over a little boy...

Um...Abbey's first reaction was very honest &, um, blunt...after the technician told us, she said, "What do you think about having a little brother?" and Abbey immediately answered, "I don't WANT a baby brother!!" She's kindof recovered since then, though, and is getting excited, I think, about a baby in general. We're trying to get her involved on naming baby boy, and I think we're getting close to a decision...but that's for another day!! :)

Christmas was wonderful!! Missy already shared about Christmas Eve, so I won't go all into that again, but I will share about the Rose Petal Cottage & a pig...That's what Abbey asked Santa for!! A Rose Petal Cottage...and a pig...(one of those FurReal pigs.) So, she was very excited to wake up to all that on Christmas morning...and, of course, she got so many other toys I don't think I can list them all...Another sweet Christmas morning moment!! :)

My Santa didn't do too bad, either!! Steve surprised me with some really good presents this year!! Not that any present he's ever given me has been bad!! I don't mean that!! LOL We usually don't go all out for each other on Christmas, especially since Abbey was born, but this year, I got a beautiful "circle" necklace, a perfume set I love (Philosophy's Amazing Grace!! One of the BIG sets!!), and a total surprise, a black leather scrapbooking tote on wheels (it's lined with black w/ white polka dots inside...totally cute!! LOL)!! :) He did REALLY good!! :)

He got tools (a set he's wanted for a couple years, now), and the Dale: The Movie collection. Doesn't sound like he got as much as me, but his tools weren't cheap!! LOL :)

Okay, that's all I've got time for for now...We've gotta figure something out for dinner...Talk to ya'll later!! :) Love ya!! :)