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p.s. I love my husband.
Friday, January 30, 2009
The amazing flying E-Z!
We've always known that Ezra loves to jump.
But nothing prepared us for "new heights" he has gone to with his jumping fetish...
Does anyone know the number for the circus?
But nothing prepared us for "new heights" he has gone to with his jumping fetish...
Does anyone know the number for the circus?
They're baaack...
We had our first sighting of our geese friends yesterday night. Looks like they are back to have some more little babies...so cute.Except for all the goose poop that will now be everywhere!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Technology-Free Thursdays
Goal #6 on my list of 2009 aspirations was to go on more dates.
Ideally, we would go on a date every week.
In reality though, this is hard for us for two major reasons:
1) Finding a baby-sitter
2) Paying for a baby-sitter
So I knew when I made this goal that we were going to have to get creative. Here is the plan we have come up with so far...
1) We have worked one official date night out a month into the budget...covering the cost of a babysitter and the night out.
2) We have enlisted the generosity of a dear lady from our church (for free!) to watch the kids one morning a month for a coffee and breakfast date.
3) We came up with the idea of dubbing Thursday nights our "technology-free Thursdays" and having our own mini-date night at home after the kids are in bed. No TV, no computers, and no blackberry =)
What about you? How do you work date nights out for yourself? I'd love any ideas!
Ideally, we would go on a date every week.
In reality though, this is hard for us for two major reasons:
1) Finding a baby-sitter
2) Paying for a baby-sitter
So I knew when I made this goal that we were going to have to get creative. Here is the plan we have come up with so far...
1) We have worked one official date night out a month into the budget...covering the cost of a babysitter and the night out.
2) We have enlisted the generosity of a dear lady from our church (for free!) to watch the kids one morning a month for a coffee and breakfast date.
3) We came up with the idea of dubbing Thursday nights our "technology-free Thursdays" and having our own mini-date night at home after the kids are in bed. No TV, no computers, and no blackberry =)
What about you? How do you work date nights out for yourself? I'd love any ideas!
Update...
Its been almost a month now since we lost the baby and found out about the complications surrounding it...and I just thought I'd give a quick update on where we are.
(If you have no clue what I'm talking about click here. )
My initial few weeks of bloodwork showed my hormone levels as remaining very high (42,000+) which is still considered pregnancy level. Obviously this was not a good thing as it could have been a sign that there was still some abnormal cell tissue left that was regrowing. Thankfully, in just the last week my levels have gone down significantly (248). My levels still have to make it all the way back to zero...but I am a lot closer this week...praise the Lord!
Emotionally...we are doing good. I won't lie and say that we are over it. There are days when I feel like I am feeling better than I should...and days when I feel like I am more sad then I should be.
But...truly...we continue to feel the Lord's presence and are so thankful with all he has blessed us with.
Thank you again for your prayers for our family.
(If you have no clue what I'm talking about click here. )
My initial few weeks of bloodwork showed my hormone levels as remaining very high (42,000+) which is still considered pregnancy level. Obviously this was not a good thing as it could have been a sign that there was still some abnormal cell tissue left that was regrowing. Thankfully, in just the last week my levels have gone down significantly (248). My levels still have to make it all the way back to zero...but I am a lot closer this week...praise the Lord!
Emotionally...we are doing good. I won't lie and say that we are over it. There are days when I feel like I am feeling better than I should...and days when I feel like I am more sad then I should be.
But...truly...we continue to feel the Lord's presence and are so thankful with all he has blessed us with.
Thank you again for your prayers for our family.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Home
I love the way that traveling gives you a renewed appreciation for being home.
We had a great day today...just enjoying being home and getting caught up on things.
It was a weird weather day here...wet and warm and windy. I let Ella put her rain boots on and jump in the puddles on our walk in the morning. I don't know if I will ever get the mud stains out of her clothes...but she had fun =)
We had a great day today...just enjoying being home and getting caught up on things.
It was a weird weather day here...wet and warm and windy. I let Ella put her rain boots on and jump in the puddles on our walk in the morning. I don't know if I will ever get the mud stains out of her clothes...but she had fun =)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Highlights...
Of our trip...
Getting to visit my Dad's parents...Gramma and Grampa.
They had only met Ezra as a newborn...and, well...he wasn't as well behaved this time =)
Getting to visit my mom's Dad...my Grandad.
After Grandmother died last spring his health has been deteriorating. While hard to see him looking so frail (unlike the energetic football coaching, deck building, master gardening Grandad I remember as a child) it was a sweet visit and I am so glad we took the opportunity to see him.
Grandad worked his "go to sleep" magic on Ezra
We also were able to make a visit to my Grandmother's gravesite.
A whirlwind of a trip...and an emotional one as well...but, I am so thankful for what my Grandparents have meant in my life and the opportunity to share that with Jeremiah and Ella and Ezra is such a gift to me.
Getting to visit my Dad's parents...Gramma and Grampa.
They had only met Ezra as a newborn...and, well...he wasn't as well behaved this time =)
Getting to visit my mom's Dad...my Grandad.
After Grandmother died last spring his health has been deteriorating. While hard to see him looking so frail (unlike the energetic football coaching, deck building, master gardening Grandad I remember as a child) it was a sweet visit and I am so glad we took the opportunity to see him.
Grandad worked his "go to sleep" magic on Ezra
We also were able to make a visit to my Grandmother's gravesite.
A whirlwind of a trip...and an emotional one as well...but, I am so thankful for what my Grandparents have meant in my life and the opportunity to share that with Jeremiah and Ella and Ezra is such a gift to me.
free air-conditioning
We woke up to a full-blown winter storm this morning at my parents...and in our efforts to make it home before things got any worse and we wouldn't be able to make it home...
Jeremiah had a run-in with a mail-box...
and the mail-box won =)
Yes, the back window is gone and the door handle too.
We "ghetto'd" it home with some cardboard and duct tape =)
I'm just so glad it was him and not me!
Jeremiah had a run-in with a mail-box...
and the mail-box won =)
Yes, the back window is gone and the door handle too.
We "ghetto'd" it home with some cardboard and duct tape =)
I'm just so glad it was him and not me!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Road Trip...
The kids and I are in Maryland for the weekend with my family...braving the cold cold winter weather!
Jeremiah is bach-ing it...a very rare thing for him to have a day off without us around. I sure hope he remembers to eat and take a shower =)
Hope you all are having a great weekend!
Jeremiah is bach-ing it...a very rare thing for him to have a day off without us around. I sure hope he remembers to eat and take a shower =)
Hope you all are having a great weekend!
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Kids Exchange
One of the best ways we are making our money go farther is by taking advantage of the Kids Exchange Consignment Sale.This mega-sale occurs once in the summer and once in the winter and is where we get the majority of Ella and Ezra's clothes. I pay on average $2-$3 per item...including shirts, pants, dresses, bathing suits, etc. I am always able to find "like-new" brand name items from the Gap, Carters, Old Navy, Janie and Jack, and The Children's Place.
They also have just about every other baby and child accessory/need/equipment that is out there...highchairs, pac-n-plays, strollers, cribs, toys, nursing pillows, blankets, shoes, dressers, car seats, toys, toys, and more toys.
Did I mention the toys =)
The sale is going on today thru Sunday and is held at the NC State Fairgrounds. You can find out all the details by clicking here.
This year I was able to get all of the kids summer clothes...and of course, a few toys =)
The favorites include a pair of Barbie roller-skates for $2...
and Ezra is loving his new garage ($5) for all his cars...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A Grocery Experiment
Growing up my Mom always went to the grocery store every week...so, naturally after I got married that is just what I did too. However, I decided a few weeks ago to change up my normal grocery shopping routine and only go to the store every 2 weeks.
I was motivated to make these changes for the following reasons:
1) As much as I love running errands with the kids in tow...my concentration is sorely tested when trying to keep up with 2 toddlers, coupons, the sales flyer, and my list. So, I would normally shop on Jeremiah's day off while he watched the kids...and I always hated to give up our precious time together for this. Shopping every 2 weeks would give us 2 extra days a month without the interruption of my grocery shopping trip planned into his day off.
2) We get paid every 2 weeks...self-explanatory =)
3) Since I do use coupons, sales flyers, The Grocery Game, and meal planning when I shop...I feel like I would have more time to prepare and be less likely to overspend due to lack of planning.
4) I'm not sure of the "why" behind this...but I feel like I am able to push our money farther by having $135 verses $75. I reserve about $15 for the 2nd week for a quick trip for things like fruit and milk and the items that it is just not possible to keep fresh for 2 weeks.
This has been the 1st month I have done this, and so far I am really pleased with how well it has worked out. I haven't run out of things (my biggest fear with the change) and I have enjoyed having a whole week to not even worry about making it to the store.
What about you...What is your system and why does it work for you?
I was motivated to make these changes for the following reasons:
1) As much as I love running errands with the kids in tow...my concentration is sorely tested when trying to keep up with 2 toddlers, coupons, the sales flyer, and my list. So, I would normally shop on Jeremiah's day off while he watched the kids...and I always hated to give up our precious time together for this. Shopping every 2 weeks would give us 2 extra days a month without the interruption of my grocery shopping trip planned into his day off.
2) We get paid every 2 weeks...self-explanatory =)
3) Since I do use coupons, sales flyers, The Grocery Game, and meal planning when I shop...I feel like I would have more time to prepare and be less likely to overspend due to lack of planning.
4) I'm not sure of the "why" behind this...but I feel like I am able to push our money farther by having $135 verses $75. I reserve about $15 for the 2nd week for a quick trip for things like fruit and milk and the items that it is just not possible to keep fresh for 2 weeks.
This has been the 1st month I have done this, and so far I am really pleased with how well it has worked out. I haven't run out of things (my biggest fear with the change) and I have enjoyed having a whole week to not even worry about making it to the store.
What about you...What is your system and why does it work for you?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
My top reasons...
(Wow...my 5th post of the day! I'm on a roll!)
Top reasons why I LOVED today's snow day:
*The excuse to just stay home
*Hot Tea/Coffee/Chocolate...sipped all day long
*Watching the waddle of a very well layered child trying to walk in the snow
*Seeing the bright pink cheeks of my kids after playing in the snow
*Loooong afternoon naps by all after being wiped out playing in the snow
*The incredible smell emanating from the crock-pot in my kitchen...mmm, nothing says comfort food on a snowy day more than homemade vegetable soup!
*Jeremiah being home!
What do you love about a snow day?
Top reasons why I LOVED today's snow day:
*The excuse to just stay home
*Hot Tea/Coffee/Chocolate...sipped all day long
*Watching the waddle of a very well layered child trying to walk in the snow
*Seeing the bright pink cheeks of my kids after playing in the snow
*Loooong afternoon naps by all after being wiped out playing in the snow
*The incredible smell emanating from the crock-pot in my kitchen...mmm, nothing says comfort food on a snowy day more than homemade vegetable soup!
*Jeremiah being home!
What do you love about a snow day?
This time...they were right!
The weathermen, that is =)
Here's the view from our sunroom this morning...and it is still coming down!
Here's the view from our sunroom this morning...and it is still coming down!
Monday, January 19, 2009
I give it a 50/50 chance...
The National Weather Service predicts that 3-5 inches of snow will fall over central North Carolina Tuesday.I can hope and hope and hope...
But, we shall see what actually happens.
In order to be prepared though, Ella and I spent the afternoon reading all her winter and snow books. She is all geared up to make a "Frosty" and go sledding down our big hill.
Also, since people here go crazy whenever the word snow is whispered by the weathermen...we thought we head to the grocery store tonight...just for entertainment purposes of course.
Friday, January 16, 2009
16 month update
Even as I write this I can't believe our little guy is 16 months old. I think I still consider him a baby in my mind...He isn't a little baby anymore though...much as I would sometimes like to keep him that way!
He is extremely social and loves all people. Whenever we go to a park or the mall or the library he really isn't too interested in the playground or books or whatever...but, oh he loves "attempting" to make friends with all the other little kids. We still have yet to have a day where he doesn't smile going into his nursery class...and have never experienced any separation anxiety with him.
He is basically a fruitatarian...or a fruitaholic. His favorite foods are bananas, raisins, blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, oranges, apples, pineapples, cranberries...and the occasional chicken nugget or yogurt or goldfish cracker.
He is still a great sleeper for us. He usually sleeps from 8pm-8am at night and still takes two 2 hour naps (at least) a day. While he is still holding onto that morning nap...I do see it starting to disappear and won't be surprised if we drop it altogether in the next month or two.
His favorite toys are Daddy, Mommy, and Ella =) Cars, trucks, books, and his tool-sets will do too...or anything that Ella is playing with. He loves to play "gotcha" and him and Ella have their own version of Hide-and-Seek that seems to make them both happy. He loves to throw things at the moment...magnets off the fridge, toys across the living room, balls, and of course, food off his highchair tray. He is very attached to his paci and blanket...and is such a snuggler with them.
We definitely have started the discipling stage with him. While he is a laid back little guy...he has a very strong and stubborn will at times. A stern "no ma'am" was all it took with Ella most of the time and she was practically in tears...while he just gives us a mischievous smile to our "no sirs" and taps on the hand. He is going to keep us on our toes. Any recommendations for books on raising boys is appreciated!
While he knows how to communicate what he wants, his vocabulary is still yet to take off. He can say Daddy and Mama, Ella, Uh-oh, tree, and thank-you...but that is about it. He can sign thank you, more, please, thirsty, and all done...when he wants to =) We have just started working with him on eating with utensils this week...and we have been shocked at how well he is doing. He seems quite proud of himself =)
He has followed exactly in his sisters footsteps when it comes to ear infections and he is scheduled for ear tube surgery on February 10th. Hopefully they will help him out as much as they did for Ella. I won't be surprised if his language takes off after the surgery when he can hear much better.
He continues to be such a great source of joy to us...there is nothing that warms my heart more than his big dimply smile and sparkling blue eyes. The past weeks events have reminded me once again of the blessing of perspective...cherish each moment the Lord has given me with him.
I am so incredibly blessed to be his Momma.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Better late than never...
Because of the happenings of the past few weeks I never got around to writing about my 2009 goals and things I want to work on....big and little.
Here are just a few of my aspirations:
Here's to a year of...
1) Finalizing our will and retirement set-up: Being proactive about protecting our future...at least the little bit that we control =)
2) Maintaining and keep up with the consistency of my quiet times...but move them to a new level in my walk with the Lord.
3) Keeping up with my 2008 memorizing scripture goals...nothing has changed my life more. Click here to read more about it.
4) Not letting the negatives of ministry weigh me down...focusing on the positives and seeing lives changed!
5) Going on more dates
6) Having more sex (yes, I actually did write that...gasp!)
7) Growing a vegetable garden
8) Reading more
9) Developing more of a heart to serve and support my husband and fleshing that out every day - My highest calling!
10) Exercising consistently
11) Exposing Ella and Ezra to a year full of new experiences
12) Embracing the abundant life that the Lord desires for me!
Here are just a few of my aspirations:
Here's to a year of...
1) Finalizing our will and retirement set-up: Being proactive about protecting our future...at least the little bit that we control =)
2) Maintaining and keep up with the consistency of my quiet times...but move them to a new level in my walk with the Lord.
3) Keeping up with my 2008 memorizing scripture goals...nothing has changed my life more. Click here to read more about it.
4) Not letting the negatives of ministry weigh me down...focusing on the positives and seeing lives changed!
5) Going on more dates
6) Having more sex (yes, I actually did write that...gasp!)
7) Growing a vegetable garden
8) Reading more
9) Developing more of a heart to serve and support my husband and fleshing that out every day - My highest calling!
10) Exercising consistently
11) Exposing Ella and Ezra to a year full of new experiences
12) Embracing the abundant life that the Lord desires for me!
Irony...
I find it sort of funny that my warm-natured in-laws are visiting us during the coldest weather we have experienced here in NC since 2000.They spent 9 years in the Amazon jungle of Venezuala, only 3 degrees north of the equator. A cold day for them was 85 degrees. Now they live in sunny Florida...not exactly known for its dismal winters.
I'll have to make sure we only plan indoor activities for them =)
Too bad we aren't getting any snow with all this cold weather.
How are you all fairing with this cold snap?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sandbox monsters...
Despite the cold...
we bundled up and headed outside for some much needed fresh-air.
I'm not sure if he really likes the sandbox...
or just eating the sand =)
You would think after the 1st taste that he would figure it out?
Nope...
It's so fun to see them actually playing together...making a birthday cake for me =)
we bundled up and headed outside for some much needed fresh-air.
I'm not sure if he really likes the sandbox...
or just eating the sand =)
You would think after the 1st taste that he would figure it out?
Nope...
It's so fun to see them actually playing together...making a birthday cake for me =)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Update...
I want to start this post by first saying that we are so blessed.
Despite our loss...we are so incredibly blessed. God is good.
It has been a very sad and eventful week...but God has been so real to us and we have felt his presence throughout everything.
I just wanted to an update on a few things that happened the rest of the week:
Warning: This might be a bit long and technical...I just wanted to keep you all in the loop and let you know how to pray specifically for us.
We were surprised to hear from my doctor on Thursday that she had lab results on the baby already (we were told it would be 4-6wks before we could know anything). She told us that I had had a partial molar pregnancy. It is very rare (only 1 in 2000 pregnancies) and occurs when the baby receives an extra set of chromosomes during fertilization. The extra chromosomes in a partial molar pregnancy always result in severe abnormalities in the placenta and the baby, always leading to miscarriage.
Also, there is abnormal cell tissue in a molar pregnancy...and in 5% of cases...if all the tissue is not removed it can regrow and lead to cancer. Because of this risk I had to go in for another ultrasound for them to make sure they didn't see any extra tissue left. I also have to go in for weekly blood tests to make sure that my hormone levels return to zero. Once they return to zero I have to continue with monthly blood tests for a year to make sure that there is no tissue regrowth. We also have to be very cautious not to get pregnant again until we are sure that I am clear, as it would cause severe problems for the new pregnancy. They also found some large cysts on one of my ovaries (that weren't there just a few weeks earlier) that they will monitor by ultrasound.
Obviously, all this news was a little unsettling...but we know that the Lord is in control. Please pray that everything clears up quickly so we can continue on in our healing.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support...
God is good.
Despite our loss...we are so incredibly blessed. God is good.
It has been a very sad and eventful week...but God has been so real to us and we have felt his presence throughout everything.
I just wanted to an update on a few things that happened the rest of the week:
Warning: This might be a bit long and technical...I just wanted to keep you all in the loop and let you know how to pray specifically for us.
We were surprised to hear from my doctor on Thursday that she had lab results on the baby already (we were told it would be 4-6wks before we could know anything). She told us that I had had a partial molar pregnancy. It is very rare (only 1 in 2000 pregnancies) and occurs when the baby receives an extra set of chromosomes during fertilization. The extra chromosomes in a partial molar pregnancy always result in severe abnormalities in the placenta and the baby, always leading to miscarriage.
Also, there is abnormal cell tissue in a molar pregnancy...and in 5% of cases...if all the tissue is not removed it can regrow and lead to cancer. Because of this risk I had to go in for another ultrasound for them to make sure they didn't see any extra tissue left. I also have to go in for weekly blood tests to make sure that my hormone levels return to zero. Once they return to zero I have to continue with monthly blood tests for a year to make sure that there is no tissue regrowth. We also have to be very cautious not to get pregnant again until we are sure that I am clear, as it would cause severe problems for the new pregnancy. They also found some large cysts on one of my ovaries (that weren't there just a few weeks earlier) that they will monitor by ultrasound.
Obviously, all this news was a little unsettling...but we know that the Lord is in control. Please pray that everything clears up quickly so we can continue on in our healing.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support...
God is good.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Prayer Request
We covet your prayers right now as we learned this week that our little baby has died...
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Making the best of it...
We decided that nobody in the church nursery would appreciate my kids "sharing" their bronchitis and ear infections...so the kids and I are staying home this morning and doing our own version of "church". All three of us slept till 9am this morning too...so there is no way we even could have made it to church on time anyway =)
Ella received a great cd of scripture memorization songs for Christmas...and we have been listening to them all morning. Her favorite is the "taken your word in my heart" song based on Psalm 119:11. We must have hit repeat about 300 times =)
Then I made up a simple craft so we could do our own lesson on what it means to "take God's word in your heart".
And finally, heart shaped grilled cheese is on the menu for lunch.
Ezra is taking his morning nap now, and Ella just went to roomtime....so, I am planning on spending some time in the word myself...
Here's to making the most of a Sunday morning at home.
Ella received a great cd of scripture memorization songs for Christmas...and we have been listening to them all morning. Her favorite is the "taken your word in my heart" song based on Psalm 119:11. We must have hit repeat about 300 times =)
Then I made up a simple craft so we could do our own lesson on what it means to "take God's word in your heart".
And finally, heart shaped grilled cheese is on the menu for lunch.
Ezra is taking his morning nap now, and Ella just went to roomtime....so, I am planning on spending some time in the word myself...
Here's to making the most of a Sunday morning at home.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Welcoming 2009 with the sniffles...
Why is it that one of that you can always count on getting sick the week after the holidays? As far back as I can remember...we have always gotten sick in early January.Yes, the kids and I are sick again.
It is a very cold and rainy day here today...so, coupled with the snotty noses...we are having a quiet day at home...complete with lots of snuggle time, cartoons, special juice mixes, extra naptimes, and putting to good use all of the new coloring books and crayons Ella got for Christmas!
