Well, I decided to write some random things about me today:
1. I play fantasy football with my husband and his family even though I hate the game of football. I really don't know why I play. I just do. I am really terrible at it. This season my record is wins: 1 losses:7. Yep, I stink. It would probably help if I actually watched the game instead of only going by the numbers, but I just don't want to. I learned a lot about the game without actually ever sitting through one this way, and it's funny how much communication is opened when you have this kind of common ground of sports.
2. I am totally addicted to Dr Pepper. I do go through withdrawals when I am broke. I never drank it while pregnant (well, only on special occasions) and since I plan to never be in that state again, I don't plan on losing this addiction. My husband and mother have in the past informed me that I shouldn't get off the stuff while they are around because I am really cranky. The only substitution that takes the edge off is Cherry Coke. This only works for a little while, though.
3. I have never read a comic book all the way through. It's true. I just hate the style of reading. I have skimmed through a couple of really old ones that my mother had when I was looking for substitutes for actually reading the classics in high school (the Tale of Two Cities adapted into comic book form...it worked, I got an A in that class). I know that seems odd if you have met my husband, but we make it work. He is a total geek. I have played some RPGs with him, though. My favorite was the Star Wars one, though making up my character in the JLA one was fun, too.
4. I hate the color pink. It bothers my eyes. Yes, I have 3 little girls, and the color is in my everyday life, but I just don't like it. Yeah, I was a tomboy when I was little, and my favorite attire is jeans and a t-shirt, but I think my dislike of this color really goes beyond that. I really can't look at it for that long without getting a major headache. Anyway, that's that.
5. I am horrible at organization. Really. I'm a mess. I know, if you have been to my house, you have probably been amazed at my lack of organizational skills. If you haven't, it's still probably pretty obvious. I know, I blame a lot on my crazy life and my kids, but it's really me.
That's all I can think of right now. So here is a random scripture:
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Health Matters
I recently found out some things about my health that are kinda disturbing. I went to get some tests done with my doctor. The results came back and I got a long letter of instructions about how I really have to change my diet. The next day I got a phone call from my doctor informing me that I really should be on medication, but she will retest me in 3 months to see if I can change my ways first (but she doubts it). So what is wrong? I have heart issues. My cholesterol is dangerously high and I have been having chest pains. It's bad. Basically my doctor told me that I am a heart attack waiting to happen. I have to lower my stress, exercise everyday, and lose red meat. My doctor actually told me that I should go vegetarian, but I'd rather take a pill. I can do without beef and stuff, but I need at least poultry.
So, I have another diet going on in my house. My mom should be doing this one too, so it really isn't that bad. She's diabetic, has high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and I don't know what else, so she really needs to have her diet better under control anyway. Micah's diet doesn't really go, but that's ok, I'm kinda used to that. Everyone around here will just have to get over the fact that we will be eating a lot of chicken and turkey and fish around here. More salads, too. Tony will be fine. He'll end up getting his beef elsewhere. Micah has been asking for meatballs, though. I make an awesome meatball that is safe for him, but there is no way that I will be able to make them for a while. Maybe I'll make some for his lunches or something, but not until I have a bit more self-control.
As for exercise, I am now walking Becca to school everyday. Tony can take Micah to school, and I walk Becca with all the girls with me. It was interesting this morning. I strapped Ali on my back (the lightest of the bunch), put Cassidy and Zoe in the double stroller, and Becca walked beside us. It's about a mile (maybe a little less), and so I really walk quick to get my heart pumping. I would walk to pick her up all the time, but that won't always work with the kid's schedules, so it will just be to school. If I need to increase my workout I'll just go walking later, or do some sort of workout at home in the morning with the girls.
I hope all of that works, because lowering my stress level isn't going to happen. I have decided that nursing school may not be right for me right now, though. I'm still going to school, but that kind of intense program isn't going to happen for me. I have no direction, though. That's really hard for me. I'm to the point in my education that I really have to choose something or get a degree in liberal arts and stay vague forever. Of course, what does one do with a liberal arts degree? So, I am praying for direction. I need to be able to take care of my family. I need flexibility in whatever job that I eventually get so that I can still be around for my kids, and yet a job that pays well enough for us to be able to allow my mom to retire or do whatever she wants without us relying on her. Still, I can't stress over that decision.
So that's me.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones."
Proverbs 3:5-8
So, I have another diet going on in my house. My mom should be doing this one too, so it really isn't that bad. She's diabetic, has high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and I don't know what else, so she really needs to have her diet better under control anyway. Micah's diet doesn't really go, but that's ok, I'm kinda used to that. Everyone around here will just have to get over the fact that we will be eating a lot of chicken and turkey and fish around here. More salads, too. Tony will be fine. He'll end up getting his beef elsewhere. Micah has been asking for meatballs, though. I make an awesome meatball that is safe for him, but there is no way that I will be able to make them for a while. Maybe I'll make some for his lunches or something, but not until I have a bit more self-control.
As for exercise, I am now walking Becca to school everyday. Tony can take Micah to school, and I walk Becca with all the girls with me. It was interesting this morning. I strapped Ali on my back (the lightest of the bunch), put Cassidy and Zoe in the double stroller, and Becca walked beside us. It's about a mile (maybe a little less), and so I really walk quick to get my heart pumping. I would walk to pick her up all the time, but that won't always work with the kid's schedules, so it will just be to school. If I need to increase my workout I'll just go walking later, or do some sort of workout at home in the morning with the girls.
I hope all of that works, because lowering my stress level isn't going to happen. I have decided that nursing school may not be right for me right now, though. I'm still going to school, but that kind of intense program isn't going to happen for me. I have no direction, though. That's really hard for me. I'm to the point in my education that I really have to choose something or get a degree in liberal arts and stay vague forever. Of course, what does one do with a liberal arts degree? So, I am praying for direction. I need to be able to take care of my family. I need flexibility in whatever job that I eventually get so that I can still be around for my kids, and yet a job that pays well enough for us to be able to allow my mom to retire or do whatever she wants without us relying on her. Still, I can't stress over that decision.
So that's me.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones."
Proverbs 3:5-8
Monday, October 20, 2008
What's next?
This week has been interesting...
Sunday night, as we were getting in the car to go home after church, Micah fell and hit his head. I had to take him in to the hospital. His eyes looked weird and he fell asleep in the car on the mile (maybe 2) long trip to the hospital. I ended up spending the night on a chair next to my son's bed trying to keep him from ripping the iv out. They did a CT scan and he's ok, but it was a scare.
I went home to my water being turned off, so I couldn't take a shower. Ugh. Then my son wouldn't go to the bathroom because he couldn't flush the toilet, so we decided it was time to go visit Grandpa's house.
We went home that night, put everyone to bed, and a few hours later I hear a very distinctive sound coming from the girl's bedroom. I had a sick toddler on my hands that night, a huge mess, and no water. Sheets and clothes went outside so we didn't have the smell of halfway digested food in our house, Zoe was changed a couple of times, and I was thanking God for baby wipes and Clorox wipes. I spent yet another night next to a kid who wasn't feeling well and not really sleeping.
Yesterday I fully intended to let the kids sit in front of the tv while I caught up on some rest, but then the water came back on, and I had some cleanup to do. This was interrupted by having to pick up Micah from school because he fell asleep at his desk and fell off his chair. I had a really angry 7 year old on my hands because he wasn't following routine, so cleanup lasted a lot longer than it should have. One of these days I will have order in my house, but that day still has yet to come.
This week I was really going to focus on potty training with the girls, that was postponed due to water issues, but the plan is back on. I just can't afford diapers anymore, and the girls are ready and just waiting on me to get them into panties. Cassidy is along for the experience as well. She is over this morning, and while the girls are all great friends, there are two-year-old issues all the time (Mine! No! Share!) and my house gets loud. Still, with the abundance of potty seats around here, toilet training is coming around. I just yawn through it.
I could use a nap. I could use a full night's sleep. I doubt I will get those any time soon.
I went to school last night and got a new assignment that should be fun. I have to restore an old photograph using photoshop. My grandmother is going to get me an old photo, and I hope it turns out well.
I have Christmas presents all figured out this year. I'm going to do pictures for everyone. My assignments have all turned out really well, so I'm printing them out on better paper and framing them. So family, no, you don't get to be surprised. Well, maybe you will be surprised by what picture you get, but that's what you are getting. I'm already spending a lot of time on these pictures, they may as well be useful.
So, that's what is happening around here, how has your week been?
"But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."" Luke 5:30-32
Sunday night, as we were getting in the car to go home after church, Micah fell and hit his head. I had to take him in to the hospital. His eyes looked weird and he fell asleep in the car on the mile (maybe 2) long trip to the hospital. I ended up spending the night on a chair next to my son's bed trying to keep him from ripping the iv out. They did a CT scan and he's ok, but it was a scare.
I went home to my water being turned off, so I couldn't take a shower. Ugh. Then my son wouldn't go to the bathroom because he couldn't flush the toilet, so we decided it was time to go visit Grandpa's house.
We went home that night, put everyone to bed, and a few hours later I hear a very distinctive sound coming from the girl's bedroom. I had a sick toddler on my hands that night, a huge mess, and no water. Sheets and clothes went outside so we didn't have the smell of halfway digested food in our house, Zoe was changed a couple of times, and I was thanking God for baby wipes and Clorox wipes. I spent yet another night next to a kid who wasn't feeling well and not really sleeping.
Yesterday I fully intended to let the kids sit in front of the tv while I caught up on some rest, but then the water came back on, and I had some cleanup to do. This was interrupted by having to pick up Micah from school because he fell asleep at his desk and fell off his chair. I had a really angry 7 year old on my hands because he wasn't following routine, so cleanup lasted a lot longer than it should have. One of these days I will have order in my house, but that day still has yet to come.
This week I was really going to focus on potty training with the girls, that was postponed due to water issues, but the plan is back on. I just can't afford diapers anymore, and the girls are ready and just waiting on me to get them into panties. Cassidy is along for the experience as well. She is over this morning, and while the girls are all great friends, there are two-year-old issues all the time (Mine! No! Share!) and my house gets loud. Still, with the abundance of potty seats around here, toilet training is coming around. I just yawn through it.
I could use a nap. I could use a full night's sleep. I doubt I will get those any time soon.
I went to school last night and got a new assignment that should be fun. I have to restore an old photograph using photoshop. My grandmother is going to get me an old photo, and I hope it turns out well.
I have Christmas presents all figured out this year. I'm going to do pictures for everyone. My assignments have all turned out really well, so I'm printing them out on better paper and framing them. So family, no, you don't get to be surprised. Well, maybe you will be surprised by what picture you get, but that's what you are getting. I'm already spending a lot of time on these pictures, they may as well be useful.
So, that's what is happening around here, how has your week been?
"But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."" Luke 5:30-32
Monday, October 13, 2008
Wanna see someone cute?
These are pictures of Becca that my wonderful sister-in-law took of her right after she was a flower girl in my cousin's wedding. She is so cute!
Anyway, I just thought I'd share. That's about it!
Anyway, I just thought I'd share. That's about it!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sundays
This morning I woke up irritated that I didn't have a Sunday School class to teach anymore. That feeling didn't leave until this afternoon. I felt bad every time someone told me that they missed me up in the youth department, and it's only been a week since I stepped down as a SS teacher. This was my first week in a long time that I have gone to church on a Sunday morning and not really had anything to do besides focus on worship and caring for my family.
I went to an actual adult Sunday School class and we had a perfectly wonderful discussion that I couldn't tell you what it was about. Not that Brian isn't a great teacher, I was just preoccupied. I tried to focus, and I even answered some questions. I hope it wasn't that noticeable that I wasn't really in the room. I was across the hall with my boy, wondering how he was behaving. I was up in the youth wondering who was doing their lesson this week, and how my girls were doing. I was wondering if they were excited coming back from the Revolve tour this weekend, and if anything happened that was worth mentioning. I really wasn't in the room.
The advantages of no longer teaching SS are important. I am now better able to handle the parent issues that come up (because it's rare to actually spot Tony on a Sunday morning unless you are 6th grade or younger). I free up time throughout the week when I would have been studying my lesson. I am apparently nicer in the mornings because I don't really HAVE to be at the church on time (that was pointed out to me this morning).
The disadvantages are that I miss my girls. I miss hearing what is going on in their lives and all the things that go with that. I still spend time praying for them all the time because I love them so much. It really bums me out not to be around them. They are such a blessing, even the ones who tend to be negative all the time. I just love them. I still hang out on Wednesday nights with them, but that is a smaller group. I miss the rest who just can't be there.
So, here I am being the responsible parent, giving my kids priority over my other ministries, as they should be, and I'm bummed. Still, I feel like I was there for my kids more this morning. I didn't feel like I was blowing them off because I had to fit in everyone else. I don't know if my kids noticed, though. As torn as I am, I still feel like it was the right decision. It just didn't feel good this morning.
Another update:
Maybe it's just that he hasn't been on the meds for long enough or something, but Micah is kinda spacing out more. His focus is off all the time. It's weird. This kid usually does a few sections in Awana a night, sometimes being a little off, but he didn't really focus and do anything this time. I'm kinda having my doubts with these meds. He's just out of it all the time. Yesterday afternoon he actually asked for a nap. He didn't completely follow through with that thought, and I wish he had. He just seems tired and hungry all the time. I knew that these were side affects, but I didn't think I'd get a sleepy eating machine. Still, he isn't hitting anyone. I'll be talking with his doctor again as soon as she calls me back, so hopefully I will have an anwer soon about all that stuff.
Here's a comforting yet at times kinda irritating for control freaks verse:
Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
I went to an actual adult Sunday School class and we had a perfectly wonderful discussion that I couldn't tell you what it was about. Not that Brian isn't a great teacher, I was just preoccupied. I tried to focus, and I even answered some questions. I hope it wasn't that noticeable that I wasn't really in the room. I was across the hall with my boy, wondering how he was behaving. I was up in the youth wondering who was doing their lesson this week, and how my girls were doing. I was wondering if they were excited coming back from the Revolve tour this weekend, and if anything happened that was worth mentioning. I really wasn't in the room.
The advantages of no longer teaching SS are important. I am now better able to handle the parent issues that come up (because it's rare to actually spot Tony on a Sunday morning unless you are 6th grade or younger). I free up time throughout the week when I would have been studying my lesson. I am apparently nicer in the mornings because I don't really HAVE to be at the church on time (that was pointed out to me this morning).
The disadvantages are that I miss my girls. I miss hearing what is going on in their lives and all the things that go with that. I still spend time praying for them all the time because I love them so much. It really bums me out not to be around them. They are such a blessing, even the ones who tend to be negative all the time. I just love them. I still hang out on Wednesday nights with them, but that is a smaller group. I miss the rest who just can't be there.
So, here I am being the responsible parent, giving my kids priority over my other ministries, as they should be, and I'm bummed. Still, I feel like I was there for my kids more this morning. I didn't feel like I was blowing them off because I had to fit in everyone else. I don't know if my kids noticed, though. As torn as I am, I still feel like it was the right decision. It just didn't feel good this morning.
Another update:
Maybe it's just that he hasn't been on the meds for long enough or something, but Micah is kinda spacing out more. His focus is off all the time. It's weird. This kid usually does a few sections in Awana a night, sometimes being a little off, but he didn't really focus and do anything this time. I'm kinda having my doubts with these meds. He's just out of it all the time. Yesterday afternoon he actually asked for a nap. He didn't completely follow through with that thought, and I wish he had. He just seems tired and hungry all the time. I knew that these were side affects, but I didn't think I'd get a sleepy eating machine. Still, he isn't hitting anyone. I'll be talking with his doctor again as soon as she calls me back, so hopefully I will have an anwer soon about all that stuff.
Here's a comforting yet at times kinda irritating for control freaks verse:
Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
An Update and Sea World
Micah started his meds on the lowest dose possible, and that worked for the first two days. It didn't make him a zombie, which was my big fear. Still, the doctor told me to up his dose next week. On Tuesday night he accidentally went to bed without his medicine. Wednesday was horrific. We did not forget again. This afternoon when I picked him up he didn't have a sticker for being good at school, but there was a sub that I hadn't seen before, and the aid looked really frustrated with her. This aid has been with Micah since kindergarten, so she knows him well, and she is really awesome. She's usually pretty positive about everything, and I have rarely seen her without a smile. She was actually yelling at the sub to get a hold on one of the kids who is a major runner when I walked up to get Micah. She looked really mad. I don't think that Micah's lack of a sticker was entirely his fault today, though I didn't ask, I just got him out of there. Micah told me in the car that he wanted Mrs Carr tomorrow.On a happier note, we went to Sea World to celebrate Micah's birthday on Saturday. That was really fun. Sea World is Micah's newest obcession. He will tell you everything about the park, what he likes to do there, and where he is going to go next time we visit. It's kinda a long drive to get there, about 2 hours in the car with all 4 kids, so we don't go very often. We got some good pictures in the car (like the one of Zoe that you see)
The twins get freaked out at the characters (even the Sesame Street ones), and Micah just doesn't care, so it's kinda funny that we still stop everyone for all of the guys dressed up in costumes just for Becca to get a picture and have the other 3 scream at us (Micah for not going where he wants to go, the girls because we are near a giant penguin).
This trip we went to pet the bat rays, which wasn't something that we had done before. The kids got really messy with this. Ali left that area covered in water. I don't think she could have gotten wetter if she had just jumped in with them. They really enjoyed it.
We also went on the tower, which the kid
s absolutely adored. Micah was so excited, I think we will end up spending money on doing that again. It actually costs $3.50 a person to go, but we had gotten some free passes when we bought our park tickets, so it didn't cost us anything. We got some de
cent pictures of Micah's favorite place, the Bay of Play. They aren't great, but he likes to look at them. If you haven't been to Sea World in a few years, it's time to go, especially if you have young children. At the moment, it's my kid's favorite place. Ok, I'm done advertising for them.
There are so many things going on in my life right now, and I will blog about them later, but I really wanted to focus on a good day today. My last post was just too depressing. I don't want to live my life in a pity party. God is too good to me.
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