Thursday, July 31, 2008

I hope to take advantage of this...

I've never heard of this before. We must not have had it in the other states we've lived in. I hope I feel somewhat well enough to head out and get some much needed items and to take advantage of the tax free shopping tomorrow and Saturday. We certainly could use some baby clothes and diapers and Chatterbox is in horrible need of dresses and other clothes. But, I doubt I'll feel well enough to venture out... I left a message with my doctor friends in MS so hopefully they'll call back! Thanks for your prayers!

Ridiculous

Ok, I know I've been negative a lot in regards to how things are going. But really I am not sure I can find anything positive from it. I feel like I can't enjoy the end of pregnancy because of everything else going on. The baby moves and normally I love it, but lately it just irritates my bladder even more and I wish it to stop. I've been told since the beginning that this baby is lying right on my bladder. I can't sleep at night because I can't get comfortable with my back hurting and with having to get up at least every hour to go to the bathroom. One friend said maybe God just wants me to rest during this time, but that is impossible for the need to get up sometimes every 5 minutes to use the restroom. I can't enjoy and care for my children the way I need to be. They're so unruly and disobedient lately and it irritates me even more. Can't they see I'm miserable and that they're adding to it? I plan on trying to call a doctor in Mississippi I knew that went to our church to ask he and his wife what they think about everything (they're both OBs). I know my baby still has developing to do but I so want this all to be over. I'm about in tears with it all. I mean 6-7 weeks is a long time to keep dealing with all this, don't you think? Please, please pray as I'm at the end of my rope with it all and have no idea what to do to try to feel better.

How did he learn that?

The other day the boys were drawing in their notebooks on the floor. We go through so much paper in our house! I had just walked into the room and Booty Shaker goes, 'Mom, look I wrote my name'. I walked over and there were the 4 letters of his (abbreviated) name!!!! They weren't in any order, but written all over the paper! We haven't worked on letters in quite some time and I was amazed at how he remembered!

He will be 4 in less than a month and I keep questioning if I'll be teaching him this year too:) He's so ready to learn!!! My little guy is growing up....good thing there's a baby coming or I'd be itching for one!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Ode to lemons

I swear it's the lemons. I had read how lemons can help with kidney stones. So we bought some on Saturday and I drank some real lemony water. Sunday and Monday I felt pretty good, almost 'normal'. Then yesterday I began feeling cruddy again. I tried to drink a lot of water yesterday to see how that helped. It did in ways, but I think I was up about 10 times in the middle of the night going to the bathroom! This morning I'm back to lemons in my water. I will do what it takes to feel good so I can try to resume a normal life these next 8 weeks...

Our Home


I know some of you can't view slide shows. I'd be more than happy to email you some images if you're also unable to view the video, just let me know! This is just the easiest way to get the pictures on here! The video isn't of the best quality so bear with me;) I must say that I love our new house, although I'm ready for houses near us to be completed...I'm tired of construction waking me early in the morning. Well, when I say early I mean about 8 am..we've really been taking advantage of summer and sleeping in!

You wanna see house pictures?

Well, I will try to get to it today. My mom finally sent me the pictures she took of the house and I videoed it (though not sure how good it is). I have a bunch of little things I want to try to get done today and my children are very demanding already this morning so I will try to get to it...

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

what a mistake!

So, I felt pretty good today and thought I'd venture out. I took the kiddos to Culver's for lunch, ran by the bank and thought we'd get some library books. All was going great until my way to the library. I felt the urge to pee. Now, with this dang stent in me I often feel that urge, but like I said this morning I was feeling pretty good. We walked into the library as quickly as we could and headed to the bathroom. By this point I was running down the hall! What a sight that must have been! And of course there's hardly anything...its more of an urge (and a MAJOR inconvenience) than anything. So, we venture to find our books (I had a list of some books I'd like to read to the kiddos) and I feel the urge again and have to practically run to the bathroom. I quickly found my books and we came home. It is so miserable. Seriously, how am I supposed to function, go anywhere, etc when I feel like this? I'm not about to put on a diaper! I want to be able to venture out once in awhile in the next 6-8 weeks, not be in total seclusion!!!

Also, last night I was able to make that homeschool meeting. I came home and went to my bed crying (good ol' hormones) because I didn't even meet anybody!!!! How disheartening! I was there for almost 2 hours!!! This group doesn't have park days and monthly Mom's meetings anyway (something I'd really like in a group), so I wasn't sure I wanted to join, but still you'd think SOMEBODY would have been kind enough to introduce themselves! Good thing there are a variety of groups around here so I can 'shop around' (providing I don't have more incidents like the one today with having to RUN to the bathroom).

Monday, July 28, 2008

What our School year will look like

Chatterbox:

Bob Jones English 3
Bob Jones Spelling 3
Bob Jones Handwriting 3
Math-U-See Beta
ABeka Science & Health 3
The Mystery of History vol. 1 (2nd half of book)

Junior Squirrel:

Bob Jones Phonics & English 1
Bob Jones Spelling 1
Bob Jones Handwriting 1
Math-U-See Alpha
ABeka Enjoying God's World 2
The Mystery of History vol. 1 (2nd half of book)

We will all read together Christian Liberty Press Nature Readers, various readers, classics and chapter books, and of course the Bible. I am going to use Ambleside online and Sonlight for suggestions for reading for the year.

It is hard to believe that they're in 3rd and 1st grades! Where does the time go? I haven't used ABeka before, but these books were given to me and I couldn't pass them up for use. There are still some items I need to purchase, mostly workbooks and also teacher guides for Chatterbox's Bob Jones items. Tonight I will head to a homeschoool book sale and a meeting for the local homeschool group. I look forward to it. I think we will begin school around August 18, though I'm not sure. I know I want to start earlier than I normally do since we'll be having an exciting disruption in September;)

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Baby, I just want to meet you!

Dear Abby,
First I want to say I hope you really are a girl because we refer to you as Abby. We're buying pinks and purples and I wouldn't want to dress my boy in those colors;) Maybe we will get a chance to find out for sure before you are born. I will be quite shocked if you come out and they declare you a boy!

I am so anxious to meet you. This afternoon on the way home from church I envisioned your tiny body wrapped in a blanket and sleeping in my arms. I imagine your tiny fingers as they try to grasp at the air. I picture you snuggled up close to me as I nurse you, both of us eventually falling asleep together. I can't wait to see your sweet little face, to kiss those cheeks and hold you close. I love to feel your kicks and movements within. You certainly can be active, and it is fun to watch the different shapes my belly can take!

I am so thankful for you, that God has blessed our family with a new baby to love, nurture, raise and hold. I'm so thankful that He has held you tight and kept you safe despite things happening to Mommy's body. I'm anxious to meet you and not quite sure I want to wait 8 more weeks to do so! Mommy loves you, precious babe!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

I left the house!

I wish I could say it was without pain. We've had free zoo tickets for the kids for awhile and have been wanting to use them. We thought we'd try and go today, but I didn't sleep well last night so we sat around until after lunch. We ran to the library real quick and I could barely walk- I was in so much pain! So I wondered if I'd even manage a zoo! I said I'd have to get a wheelchair if they had them!

Luckily they did. At first I felt rather foolish being pushed around in a wheelchair but after awhile I just tried to enjoy myself and didn't care what people may have thought. There's no way I would have been able to walk around...I could barely walk from the car to the entrance! I wish I could say I was pain free, but really I still was having pain. I question whether I should call about it or just wait until my doctor appointment Monday. I'm running out of pain meds (not like they help much anyway) so I'm worried what will happen when I don't have them to help provide some comfort!

Anyway, the zoo was fun. It's a 'small' zoo according to the locals, but when you haven't lived near a zoo for awhile any will do! My favorite, as always, was the monkeys. It is amazing how those things can swing!!! I love monkeys! And go figure that I forgot my camera. Hopefully we will be able to go back in the fall when I'm all better and Abby is here! It sure will make for a more enjoyable experience for me;) I know the kids really enjoyed it and I think we're all a bit worn out...Booty Shaker fell asleep on the way home!

We hope to make it to the Omaha zoo sometime too (Risa, we should plan a weekend to meet up there) but that probably won't be until after baby at this point too!

My Boys





Upon seeing this picture Booty Shaker said of himself, "I look cool like that"

Friday, July 25, 2008

It's a Smaller House

And so much easier to clean! Wow, I just dusted the downstairs in like 20-30 minutes, if even! I have yet to clean the floors, but I am taking a break! I guess that is one advantage of a smaller home;) Much of our stuff is in the basement (desk, bookshelves, that sort of thing) and its not like I'll have to dust all that often down there! Yesterday I cleaned upstairs and it was so easy. So, I guess moving to a smaller home has its advantages;) And actually it really doesn't seem too small now. I really love it and feel right at home!

The Tone of Voice

I SO need to print this and put it ALL over my house!!! I've been struggling BIG time with this!!!
THE TONE OF VOICE
It's not so much what you say
As the manner in which you say it;
It's not so much the language you use
As the tone in which you convey it;
"Come here?" I sharply said,
And the child cowered and wept.
"Come here," I said---He looked and smiled
And straight to my lap he crept.
Words may be mild and fair
And the tone may pierce like a dart;
Words may be soft as the summer air
But the tone may break my heart;
For words come from the mind
Grow by study and art ---
But tone leaps from the inner self
Revealing the state of the heart.
Whether you know it or not,
Whether you are mean or care,
Gentleness, kindness, love and hate,
Envy, anger, are there.
Then, would you quarrels avoid
And peace and love rejoice?
Keep anger not only out of your words---
Keep it out of your voice.
(Author Unknown ... Taken from Gate-Keepers of the Home Manual by Nancy Campbell)

Thursday, July 24, 2008

what else can go wrong????

  • I cannot change my address with eBay. Have you ever heard of anything so stupid? It won't accept my zip code, even though my zip code is correct. It is aggravating when I am 'shopping' for school books.
  • I got a notice from the bank in the mail. Somehow we have really overdrawn from our account but I don't see how. It is difficult trying to maintain 3 checking accounts.
  • Why haven't we been getting mail? I have no idea what new bills will be due when and it is annoying. And I still haven't received my Above Rubies magazine yet!
  • Why when I wasn't on anti-biotics did I feel fine? Now that I'm on them I feel like I have a UTI. Does that make sense? Probably has to do with the stent and all that but it is frustrating.
  • Chatterbox told me my leg was as big as Barney's. How lovely. Glad to know I'm as fat as the big purple dinosaur.
  • We better get all of our back pay in our next paycheck. We will (I'm assuming) have bills to pay (if we ever get our mail), not to mention I've got to get school books ordered and I have got to get baby items before baby arrives.
  • Did I mention before how we were supposed to make money off of this move but we made squat? I will never do another partial-DITY again!
  • My kids are driving me up the wall. As soon as the phone rings all you know what breaks loose. If its not one being aggravating to the others, its one whining or one just being sassy. And here I'm trying to rest on the couch, not an easy thing to do. Last night one dropped a whole watermelon on the floor. Guess who had to clean it up?
  • I am hungry. We have no junk food. Did I mention we have no money? I'm craving cookies. Anybody want to bake me some and bring them by?
  • I want a vacation. I am so happy to be in Iowa but with everything going on I just want a break!
  • I just got a phone call regarding the service of our suburban (remember when we got it fixed?). Which reminded me I have yet to get that door fixed...just one more thing on my list.
  • Once I'm feeling better hopefully I will locate a doctor for the kiddos so I can get Chatterbox assessed. I can't remember if I've said I think she's got nervous tics. They about drive me nuts, especially when she watches TV.
  • I think I've complained enough for now. Sorry for being so down today...

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

blah, blah, blah


That's how I'm still feeling. I finally gave in and have been taking my pain meds but I wonder if it even is helping because my back still hurts. It certainly isn't the pain I was having before I went to the hospital, but its still miserable. I could barely eat my dinner because of the pain. All I've tried to do lately is lay around, but I also had to do laundry as we were running out of clothes. The minute I move I feel like I have to pee, even if I just went. And when I do it kinda burns/tingles and is miserable. I can't imagine feeling like this for 2 more months, it is really miserable. I feel like I can't properly take care of the kiddos because I just don't want to do anything to make me in more pain. I managed to cook dinner tonight but once I cleaned up I was in soooo much pain I was about in tears. The TV has once again become a baby-sitter in our family. I wonder how I will even manage to go anywhere feeling this way...all I want to do is stay home.




I hate being this way. I feel like everything is in disarray. Our lives have been turned upside down for some time now, with the move and all. I was looking forward to getting back to normal routines and all, but that doesn't seem to be happening. Maybe one day we can gain some normalcy again...I know it sure would help my mood!!!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

more thrills in our lives

While I was here:



Zach and the kids went through this:





Sunday night I went to bed just fine, despite the thunderstorm outside. A couple of hours later I awoke with the worst back pain. No matter what I did it wouldn't go away and kept getting worse. I had taken Tylenol before I went to bed, was trying heating pads and every position possible. I was in so much pain I was moaning. Zach woke up and suggested I try to sit in the rocking chair so I came downstairs. I knew I needed to get to the hospital but really hated to have to wake him and the kids up to drive all that way again. It was after midnight by this time. The kids were tired from being out late at the hospital Friday night and having a late night Sat. night too. I felt terrible to have to wake them again, but seriously what else was I to do? It really stinks living somewhere where you don't know anybody to sit with your kids in these situations. I know people from church but they all live further from the hospital! I met neighbors but hardly know them to leave my kids with them (or to wake them in the middle of the night).



Anyway, I finally told Zach we'd better head to the hospital again. Good thing I brought a 'puke bucket' because on the way there I got sick. It was miserable. I can't even recall the order of things. They began giving Demerol for the pain and that helped. They said it was a kidney stone and I had to get x-rays to see where it was. There are actually 2 stones in there. Because I am pregnant and because of risks to baby they went ahead and put a J-stent in until after I have the baby. So, my precious baby was exposed to the x-ray, anesthesia, my surgery and who knows what else. I'm very thankful that she is still fine (she's an active one). I was out of it all day yesterday with all the pain meds. I was able to come home yesterday afternoon/evening and just vegged and slept. I'm on meds and I'm still tired. This stint goes from my bladder to my kidney. It is miserable- I feel like I have to pee every single minute. I'm thinking I may ask if we can induce labor a bit early so that I can be rid of this quicker. It would also give us a date on when my mom comes down so we don't have to worry about child care. It's not exactly fun sitting in a hospital alone! But, what can you do, somebody had to stay with the kids!

Anyway, I'm home now and doing ok. For some reason the right side of my back is starting to hurt and that worries me a bit as I hope there aren't stones over there too. I feel like one walking mess lately! I have Tylenol with codeine to take for pain, but with being pregnant and having to watch the three kiddos I am not sure I want to take it!

While I was in the hospital Zach drove home through a terrible storm. I guess it was so bad he eventually pulled over and just began praying. I guess there was lightning in all directions, it was pitch black, windy and rainy. He said he swore he saw a funnel cloud but it was hard to tell because it was so dark. I'm so glad they made it home ok! I had no idea it was that stormy! Apparently at our house the tornado sirens went off and we had like 80 mph winds. Our trampoline blew across the street and is ruined! A screen blew off of a window and our storm gutter is a bit messed up. Our neighbors deck is destroyed. I'm sure I would have been terrified if I'd been here for it all! What is next!?!?!?

Saturday, July 19, 2008

what a friday night!

My back pain never went away yesterday. At times it was worse than others and no matter what I did it would hurt. Most of the day I spent trying to be comfortable laying on the couch. When Zach came home I just laid on the couch the whole time until he took the boys to see the new Batman movie. I decided maybe if I walked around a bit it would help so Chatterbox and I headed to Wal-mart real quick. I thought maybe with just laying/sitting around it wasn't helping things. But that didn't change anything either. Finally at 9 I decided to call the nurse hotline. I was in SO MUCH PAIN that I didn't know what was going on and I was really worried, having dealt with it all day long and reading about pre-term labor. Zach wasn't home yet and they wanted me to come in to check things out (it's over a 20 minute drive), so I waited for him and felt terrible because the boys were exhausted and here I was dragging them to the hospital (its not like we know anybody here to watch them). And I figured Zach wouldn't be happy about it either, having to drive all the way back to Ames (that's where he works) and running out so late.

And don't you know that it figures that as soon as you call or go to a doctor things start to look better? When I called the nurse line I said my pain was an 8 (I was about in tears). When I got to the hospital it was only maybe a 3. So I laid there and all these thoughts came haunting me of when I was in the hospital with Malachi. Zach had taken the kids to the lounge so it was just me wondering what on earth was going on and feeling terrible for putting my family out of commission, so to speak. I felt like the crappiest mother and like I shouldn't have even called the nurse line. Nothing like pregnancy hormones & emotions to get the best of me...

Thankfully baby is fine as they listened to heartbeat. I had no contractions. When the doctor thumped on my back it hurt terrible right by my kidney. They think I had a kidney stone but passed it before I got there since the pain went away. The doctor said that there are three kinds of '10' pain: a heart attack, labor and a kidney stone. No wonder I felt so miserable. Only thing is my urine came back with not much blood in it so he can't be sure that's what it was. And I had bacteria in it so on antibiotics I go to take care of any infection. I feel 100% better than I did yesterday though. That back pain was like no other I've had (and I've had quite some back pain before) and add to it feeling nauseous and yuck and it was one miserable day! Praise God I'm feeling better and that my baby is doing just fine!

Friday, July 18, 2008

please take me away!

Oh boy, I woke up this morning with my back hurting once again. Some mornings I wake up with my stomach hurting and have to run to the bathroom. Today was by far the worst morning of back and stomach pain. I almost feel like I have the flu or something, but I'm sure its pregnancy related. I had Zach bring me Tylenol and my heating pad before he left for work but neither did much good. I've laid on the couch all morning, sometimes feeling better than other times. Now I'm dealing with my youngest being a total stinker and yelling at everybody so I've had to get up and deal with that. My dear daughter is happily making them all PB&J (again) and being my big helper, but it is no help when I have to deal with BS's behavior, with him thinking he reigns supreme over all. I'm thankful to be feeling the baby moving or I'd be really concerned. I know at the end of pregnancy you can begin to feel this way, but isn't it too early for me to feel this crummy? Well, better get them something more besides just a sandwich.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

another interesting item found

In Booty Shaker's pocket this morning:



Seems he's taken a liking to 'stealing' price tags from Wally-mart! Stinker.

Homeschooling in Iowa

Yesterday I met with a lady from a local Christian homeschool group to gain more info about the group and how to homeschool here. In Mississippi things were so simple as far as homeschooling, and while Iowa isn't difficult compared to many states it takes some getting used to for me. And there are like three different options here. It was nice to meet a fellow homeschooler in my area and I hope to make their first meeting to get to meet others. There are many groups around this area but this one seems to be the one nearest to us.

Today I contacted a lady to be our 'supervising teacher'. She will be new to being a supervising teacher this year and is currently a 3rd grade teacher in another school district. The 'route' I chose to go was to have a 'supervising teacher' that you meet with x amount of times through the year. I meet her on Tuesday so hopefully we hit it off and it will be as easy as that! My initial fear was that we'd have to be scrutinized under the public school system's eye, but that isn't the case at all. It's great that a fellow Christian who supports homeschooling can be found to help us out!

Now I just need to get on the ball and order the few items needed for the school year, but I have no idea where I put my list!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Pictures at last!!!!!


Don't have house ones yet, my mom took some but has to email them...or I could take some at some point too:)

mostly pregnancy bullets

  • You know in pregnancy you get to a point where you just can't lean over a bathtub and bathe your children anymore? I've reached that point. Lately my lower left back constantly hurts and leaning over a tub does nothing to help! Good thing Zach helps quite a bit on baths, but I'm thinking soon he's going to have to completely take over.

  • I can't believe it was hotter here today than in MS! I thought I've just been over-heating until I compared temps!

  • Basements are not always a good thing. Try being pregnant and hauling baskets from the basement to the upstairs. Probably not good for my back either, I suppose.

  • I didn't actually stay home all day. Zach took half a day and we went and got some cheapo rugs for the basement. I was going to run out tonight and get some rocking chairs for our porch upstairs but decided to just stay home. With the heat I hate going out!

  • I earned some Mom points today for letting the kiddos play in the sprinkler. Booty Shaker kept getting cold. I don't see how, I'd stick my legs in it and it felt great!

  • Did I mention how tired I am? I am tired. It seems always. I have to take breaks constantly. I suppose this is normal but still.

  • Now my PJs seem to have shrunk. Or wait, I guess I outgrew them. I wanted to put something cool on as I'm so hot but don't fit in anything so I've succumbed to a light t-shirt of Zach's.

  • Are TB tests really ok in pregnancy? I suppose they don't hurt but that's something I thought on later last night. You just never know with things nowadays.

  • I have pictures my mom took of my belly on Sunday but I really don't look like I have a belly in them. Trust me, I have grown, but I think mostly all around- not just in the belly.

  • As long as it stays warm in Mississippi you never could get much of a tan. It was just so hot out! I see how just from doing things outside I'm getting a tan here. Cool.

Monday, July 14, 2008

i just wanna stay home!

Today we were gone all day! I had a doctor appointment at 9 am (more a patient intake thing) and 1 pm. Since my doctor is about 25 minutes away I just decided to stay in that town for the day. I managed to make it to Bath & Body Works to get some much desired hand soap and then I took the kids to BK to play. I think I should have just stuck with a park. They had fun but the AC in that part of the building must not have been working and I was dying (I had asked a worker about turning it on but don't think he did much about it)! Then Booty Shaker peed his pants. Quite the time at BK, I tell ya!





I had a stomachache all day, I think because I was real nervous about my appointment. I had heard some things about this doctor and didn't know what to expect. She is an older lady. I'm not quite sure what to think of her. She was very serious and all business. Which is fine, but I'd also like a little friendliness and personality in there! I keep telling myself, "What are the chances of her actually delivering the baby" and that reassures me a bit! The doctor had asked me about a TB test. When she left the room Chatterbox asked, "Mom, what's a TV test? Is that where people get too tired of watching TV?" It was SO funny and I couldn't stop laughing! (Oh, and I think it is retarded that these clinics have midwives but I wouldn't be able to see one because I've had a c-section). I wish I'd had more time to 'shop' for a provider...maybe next time.





We made a trip to Wally World and got a few items and headed home. Once I hit the interstate I smelled the worst smell. It smelled like nasty, sweaty butt. Now I've never actually smelled a nasty, sweaty butt but I'm certain it would smell like the smell we endured most of the way home. I think the outside of my vehicle still smells nasty. I kept wondering what on earth it was. I'd driven down that part of the road before without a nasty smell so I knew it wasn't any of the farms around there. Finally I spotted this garbage/dump truck and quickly was approaching it. What I saw was I think the nastiest thing I'd ever seen. On the top part of the open part of the truck (not in the truck, if that makes sense) was a bloody, dead piglet. It was so gross (and pretty sad too, and I thought of you Jodie of how you'd be bawling over the little piggy). I hope to never see a sight like that again, but I'm sure living in the Midwest I will! Ah, the joys of Iowa;)





Tonight I cleaned out the inside of the suburban- finally! I bought Booty Shaker a new car seat and figured I'm not sticking it in a dirty vehicle. Afterwards I was able to take a nice, cool bath. It was so refreshing. I probably hadn't taken a bath in at least a year. No, I don't stink, I just take showers! In our last house the water was so nasty looking there was no way I'd bathe in it! The bath was so refreshing and just the thing for this pregnant gal!





Oh, speaking of pregnant another thing that happened at my appointment was regarding my weight. I brought them my records from MS from this pregnancy and I think those records had my pre-pregnancy weight a bit higher. I actually may have weighed that much because I never did lose weight since losing the last two babies, but I don't like to think that I weighed that before I was pregnant. So when I had to put my pre-preg weight down today I said closer to my 'normal' weight. I guess I shouldn't have done that because the doctor said something about how I'm on the high side of weight gain. Which if you consider the weight I wrote today would be 30 lbs. already and I know I didn't gain that much! Nothing like your doctor thinking you are fat;) Just kidding! I guess I should have clarified with her but didn't think on it until later.

Oh, and another thing. It is one thing to pee in a cup, right? Well, they gave me this









to pee in and bring back to my next appointment! It looks like a pill bottle! I have a difficult enough time peeing in a normal cup! This should be interesting...




I have declared tomorrow stay-at-home day. I'm tired of running here, there and everywhere. What on earth is it like to stay home? It's been awhile since I've had a home to stay home in! But I look forward to just relaxing with the kiddos tomorrow.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

she's gone

My mom flew out today. I shed just a few tears as I hugged her good-bye and thanked her for all of her help. Mom, I would have lost all sanity that I still have if you hadn't come to help. Thank you SO much for coming out and for being a huge help. You have no idea how much it means to me.

Last night my mom and I went to a Christian concert they were having. I think it was praise bands from various area churches playing. It was nice to get out and a great way to end our time together. As I was sitting there I was reflecting on how much I really like this place. The people are so super friendly, be it in a store, waving as they drive by or just a friendly smile here or there. The weather is perfect. I actually got a bit chilly last night as a breeze hit when we were sitting at the outdoor concert! You in Mississippi will not believe that- chilly in July??? It is wonderful to be able to enjoy the outdoors and not sweat your bottom off!

One of the neighbors told me about this nice walking trail right by our house so my mom and I took advantage of that Friday evening. It was beautiful- wooded and if you go far enough (we didn't because I was pooped) you come to a bridge and fountain. I will definitely have to show it all to Zach and the kids on a cool evening.

I feel like I have the best of both worlds- city life right around the corner but also hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities right in my backyard! Now come winter I may be complaining a bit on how cold I am, but I haven't lived in 'winter' in about 6 years so you'll have to cut me some slack!

Well, I better run as we have our first visitors coming to dinner in a bit. I hope to soon get pictures posted on here.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

life's happenings

Now that we're moved in we've been having fun and getting out a bit. The other day we went to Jester Park where they have a 'natural playscape'. Everything is built from natural materials and its supposed to let children open up their imaginations. They had a mini Stonehenge, a dino dig and some other things and it sounded so cool, not to mention it was free. That should have been a sign. It was way tinier than we'd envisioned it to be and not quite what we expected. The kids still had fun but we didn't last long there and we soon found our way to some go-carts.

We also went shopping at a mall where I went crazy buying yet more maternity clothes. I keep outgrowing my clothes and had to get more! I'm not complaining, I rarely buy myself anything, but boy do they get expensive. We also bought the kiddos a few clothes and they got to pick out some toys that Nanny bought them.

Today we went here for awhile. The kiddos got to ride on some carnival rides. Nanny had to go on two of them because being pregnant I wasn't about to! Well, let's just say she got a bit sick (on her last day here at that!) and I had to pull over the vehicle while we were trying to find the Touch A Truck thing. Upon hearing it I then began to hurl....all over my arm and the outside of the suburban. So we needed to find a carwash! The boys were disappointed we missed the trucks and I was looking forward to taking them there, but what can you do? I guess Nanny is getting way too old for carny rides! Tonight they're supposed to have some Christian music there so we may head back, depending on how my mom's stomach is doing;)

When we first got there though my phone rang. Zach's been working on this storage shed and he called to say he dropped the door on his big toe and may have broken it! I wonder if he's now wearing shoes when he works out there??? He is one to never wear shoes outdoors! Our shed is looking a bit 'ghetto' (sorry honey) as its totally slanted on the ground. I'm sure they'll say it needs to be straightened because it seriously looks ghetto. Even Junior Squirrel asked if it was crooked! So hopefully the shed will be completed soon, standing straight and looking wonderful all painted and then I can take some pictures of the outside of the house. Soon I'll get to indoor ones. I have other pictures to share that I'll try to get on here soon. Otherwise that is what's been happening with us.

***BTW, when I was puking my guts out my mom was sitting there laughing! Some supportive mother when it was her fault I got sick!!!!! ;)

she wanted to look like 'kit'

And I wanted her hair to be cut as it was just a mess! So she went from this:



















To this:

I think it does resemble Kit's hair and she looks so cute and a little more grown up! She loves it (and so do I)!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Grandma Mary




My Grandma Mary passed away Tuesday evening. We'd known she didn't have much longer to live but that doesn't make things any easier. She is my first grandparent to die. When you live away from family sometimes it doesn't seem real that they're gone until you go home to visit. I'm 'glad' that I didn't need to see her suffer and that I could remember her healthy but at the same time I wish I had been there to hold her hand, to see her sweet face, to say good-bye and to let her know how much I loved her. I wish I could hop on home for her funeral but it just isn't feasible. I know my family understands our not being there, but it's still hard that I can't be there with them during this time. I also missed my Aunt Vi's funeral (she's my Great Aunt, my Grandma's sister).


I have the fondest memories of my Grandma. I picture her sitting in her chair watching TV or watching my cousin and I play, with a sweet and content smile on her face. I picture her in her kitchen working hard to provide a delicious meal for everybody, whether it was a holiday, birthday or just a normal day. I can see her sitting at the table playing cards with the rest of the family. I picture her in the backyard, as I played about. When I think of Christmas growing up she is in those thoughts. When I was little we would always spend Christmas at their house. As I got bigger it was Christmas Eve. She loved her family and was devoted to us. Though she could be quite stubborn I simply remember her goodness, kindness and love. I remember her sweet smile. I will miss seeing her when I visit the U.P. Life will not be the same without her. I am thankful that God had provided me with such a sweet, sweet Grandma.
(I'd like to find other pictures of her that are on our normal PC and post them at some point. All of these are from this past Christmas).

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

fyi

For all my dear friends who can't remember the nicknames of my children I will take the advice of one of you and put it on my sidebar. A while ago I had changed their names so that is why there's confusion...you really aren't losing your mind!

you can tell he was in the south

I was watching Thomas the Train with Junior Squirrel a bit ago and they showed a snowy scene. I said, "Look at that snow" to which JS replied, "I thought that was sand!" Thankfully now he'll get to experience snow!

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Are we having fun yet?

It was fun at first but now I'm so over it. I'm exhausted. I haven't even done much the past couple of days but I'm just worn out. Well, yesterday we were shopping for a long time getting all the necessary things for the house. Turns out we have to go back out today to get other things and exchange things. My mom's been busy hanging blinds and curtains. We should get it done today or early tomorrow. I was telling her I think I'm just antsy to be settled. It's been about a month since we've been unsettled and I just want to relax. Being pregnant doesn't help matters at all! I'm way more tired than I'd normally be- I've even been going to bed before Zach & my mom most nights! I must admit that I really love our new house though!!!

I had to call our health insurance today to make sure we were all processed. That was a huge headache and I was about crying on the phone. Every time I call they tell me something different. Today it was that they had providers in our area and they gave me some names, a number and address. I inquired further, asking about the place I'd already made an appointment at and she put me on hold. Meanwhile I hopped on the computer and typed in the info she gave me- it was for Planned Parenthood!!!!! It's a good thing she came back on the phone to tell me I'm good to go with the provider I'd found because there's no way I'd go to a baby killer. If that were the case I'd just homebirth or go to the ER in labor or something!

The kiddos are being monkeys today. Maybe its just me and my tired, cranky self. I just don't have much patience for them and they can't stay out of things. Seems nobody cares about dinging up walls or floors and just now water was spilled everywhere. Thank goodness it was only water! And thank goodness Nanny is here to help!

Friday, July 04, 2008

Happy 4th of July from our new home!!!

I have temporary internet and I'm taking a break! I think we decided we're done for today. After all, it is the 4th of July! So Happy Independence Day to you all! We had our walk through Tuesday and found some things not completed and some minor repairs. They've already seen to taking care of some of the things so that's good. At least I no longer have a door with our address spray painted on!

Wednesday I was able to get my mom from the airport. We then packed up the hotel hoping we'd still close around 11:30. Things just hadn't progressed as hoped and it was a stressful day. We wondered if we'd even close. And there wasn't much to do, having checked out of the hotel! But we FINALLY left the bank around 5:30 with keys in our hand to our new home! What a RELIEF!!! They were waiting all day on one stinking piece of paper from the city. Geesh.

Yesterday all our goods arrived and so far everything seems to have come in one piece! Praise God for always blessing us with good, careful movers. We're finding that a LOT of things are in the basement and it is crowded. Doesn't help that my husband is the type to empty a million boxes and work like that;) I haven't touched the basement yet, but much of our homeschool supplies will be down there so I will eventually get there. Yesterday we did manage to get the whole kitchen put together! I am so thankful that my mom is here to help or I'd still be swimming in dishes! Today we put together most of the living room and it seems Chatterbox's room is about complete, as well as ours. Just minor things, like hanging pictures, curtains and such need to be done. It's amazing how much is done!

Tomorrow Zach will start putting a shed together so that we can store stuff in there. It is a GOOD thing we have a basement or we'd be lost!

Well, we're off to shower and go have a little fun considering its the 4th. Last night we could see some fireworks from our windows (I think they were in Des Moines). We're hoping to find out where some are at tonight and head there. Hope you all are well and have a blessed weekend!

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Bye Bye to Internet

This is the last time I'll probably be able to blog until at least Sunday. That's the day we're supposed to get hooked up with internet (weird that its on a Sunday). I am not complaining though, I am SO thankful that tomorrow is THE day! It seemed like it would never get here and here we are. I probably really won't be able to sleep tonight. I get to wake up early to go and pick up my mom. Thankfully she will be here for the closing so she can watch the kids while we take care of that.

We had our walk-through today and marked the areas that need touch-ups and all. They were sodding when we left, thankfully. They'd told us they wouldn't be able to get to it before we closed but now it looks like its all good. There are a few other things to be done that will hopefully be done by closing. I will drive by there after I pick up my mom since we drive right by there anyway. It was nice to see that things were actually done that weren't done the last time we were in there- they must have worked last night or earlier today. We still need our new door and railing up on top but they said those should get done in time. The thing with VA loans is you can't escrow, so we have to pay them upfront or not close. Well we all know we want to close, and I trust that it'll all be done. It is such a relief!

So tomorrow will be a day of picking up mom, closing on the house and shopping for food and some things needed for the house.

FYI, don't buy from Home Depot. That was the cheapest place we found a fridge but we've had issues. They weren't friendly when we purchased it and asked questions about their sheds. When I called today to ask when they're delivering our fridge today the DELIVERY department couldn't tell me when they'd deliver it. I got transferred back and forth to them and Services. Then the phone rang at least 20 times and I hung up and we turned around and went to ask them. They are unable to deliver the fridge INSIDE of the house because of liability!!!! I have never heard of anything so stupid. So they told Zach he could go in and buy a dolly and bring it back after we get our fridge. Stupid, stupid, stupid.