Nov. 30, 2006
Esther and I visiting the dolphins at the Gulfarium
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The dolphins were so much fun!
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Nov. 30, 2006
Isabel
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This is a much better picture of Izzy!
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Nov. 30, 2006
Pictures of our trip to Alabama
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Long overdue picture post. Our trip to my sister's house. Here are the girls and I playing in the water, Locksley trying to feed the birds, Esther hanging out on my back, Esther's beautiful smile, Ruby looking gorgeous, and Isabel playing by herself in the sand. |
Oct. 9, 2006
The World of Blogging
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Isn't blogging so strange. I have people tell me "Oh yeah, I read that on your blog." or "I feel like I know you so much because I read your blog.". But for some reason it never occured to me that my Dad would be reading it. LOL So,(just like Samantha) here is my long overdue posting for Dad. I bet it gets awfully boring reading all the stuff I've already told you over the phone, huh? Today the girl's started a Homeschool P.E. class. It is being taught for free by Covenant College students as part of their training to be teachers. Ruby and Locksley had a lot of fun. Locksley didn't want to go and still said that she didn't like the class part but she made a friend and that was worth it to her. Ruby just had a blast. Her new best friend, Zachary (from a few doors down), was in her class so she was thrilled. Yesterday, Christian took the day off to spend with us. It has been way too long since we have gotten that luxury! We had planned on going to see The Nina replica (the ship that Columbus sailed on) but the wait was 45 minutes, we saw it from the dock (which satisfied all of us), and the idea of being crammed on that tiny boat with a ton of people did not seem very fun. So, we decided to go to the aquarium instead. It was actually cheaper for us to buy a year long membership than to buy tickets for the day, so that's what we did. We had so much fun going through it and seeing the new butterfly house and shark exhibits! The girls are excited about the membership and have asked me if we could go back another day this week. They just could not understand why I wouldn't want to go back today! We are finally able to get into our new house, but the other guy's stuff is still not completely out. He had a stroke a few weeks ago and has been in ICU since. His brother is in town and suppose to be gathering all of his stuff this week. The poor guy is probably going to a nursing facility because it was a really bad stroke. I feel horrible for him. But, after all of his stuff is out, we are going to get in and start tearing floors out.I can't wait to start making some progress! Now, my sister and I are trying to plan a time to get together soon.It has been way too long and I miss her and the whole Cashen crew! Maybe I will be able to hang out at the beach with them in a few weeks. So, I hope the weather there stays warm until then, but I am loving the fall like weather we are having here. I love cool crisp mornings and evenings and the golden glow that seems to come with fall. The leaves changing and the mountain covered in all those awesome colors. The pumpkins and apples and all the warm spices. Ijust love it! |
Sep. 6, 2006
September 6, 2006
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We are officially buying the house, now. We were able to get together with the Badenoch's and finalize everything about getting the house. The renter has been given notice and will be out by the end of September. Then we can get started on making it livable. We are all very excited! Sally told us the the attic has 17ft of clearance and we could easily add a few rooms there. This was great news as I was hoping to be able to use that space for a big great room or something. We also had a duck for a few hours on Sunday evening. Someone had dropped a duck off at the convenience store down the street, so Christian brought it home for the girls to see. They instantly fell in love. She was named Jemima Puddleduck and Isabel was overwhelmed with the urge to catch her several times and therefore chased her from the little fishpond into the road. Then we spent the next half hour or so herding her back into the yard. When we woke up on Monday, Jemima ws gone. The girls and I went for a walk to look for her with no luck. We assumed she had either flown off or something got her. There was no indication of fowl play, though (pun intended!). No feathers or blood or anything, so we were just wishing she took flight and found a bigger pond. Then later we found out from Sally Badenoch that she and some friends had seen the duck that morning across St.Elmo Ave and had hereded her into the alley. So, last night when driving through the alley we came across another house with a bunch of ducks in a pen and there was Jemima! She was in the pen with the other ducks and looking quite happy! So, it was a happy ending after all. But, the girls and I enjoyed our walk looking for her. We saw some friends that we haven't seen in a while and stopped and visited with them for a bit. Ruby had stayed home with daddy so that she could play with her newest friend, Zachary. Zachary lives two doors down and is over to play with Ruby almost everyday. Ruby is loving that she has a friend so close. It is usually Locksley being asked to play and having friends over, so Ruby feels like big stuff. Then last night, the whole family went for a walk around the neighborhood. It was so nice out. We ran into about 3 other families out walking there dogs. Everybody stopped and said "hi" and introduced themselves to us. Christian even commented on how friendly everyone is. It is such a great community and I am glad we are going to be a part of it. When talking to one of the families we discovered that one of the daughters teaches violin, so we made arrangements right then to get Locksley in for lessons. She lives basically three house over from us, so it will be an easy commute. I have been wanting to get her back in lessons and had a name of someone else that I was going to call who lives about three doors over in the other direction, so this works out just as well. Her sister also teaches piano and we are thinking about getting Ruby started in that. I have a friend who is giving me a piano and my mother in law has one here that she could probably practice on until we move and get ours here. I am also planning to get them in art lessons and a p.e. class that starts in October. So, we will be busy busy! Speaking of school, I am so frustrated with our Switched on schoolhouse right now. I don't think it is actually the program, but the computer has stopped running it. We have been without it for about 2 weeks and I can't get it to work. So, I am still having to be creative! Ugh.... not something that I am spectacular with. I hope we can get it fixed soon and back on track. We are going to be so far behind now! I can't seem to win when it comes to curriculum. |
Aug. 28, 2006
Oh yeah!
And I forgot to mention that I was suppose to be going to my sister's house this weekend and now we aren't going to be able to  I am more than a little bummed about it! I was looking forward to the beach but even more so, I was looking forward to seeing my sister, nieces and nephews. I am missing them too much! I wish we lived closer. Something needs to be done about that!
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Aug. 28, 2006
Disappointment and a little relief:)
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Well, I no longer have a doula client. I was all psyched and ready to meet with this couple on Monday. I had worked out what I would give them (handout on doulas and dads, handout about what doulas do and don't do, etc,etc...) and then I had started planning what I would go over during prenatals. I had even talked myself out of being very nervous...well, except for the part about leaving Esther. That was still the only thing bothering me. I mean, I have always felt that it was wrong to leave a nursing baby that is under 1 to pursue my own selfish interests. But, I have been in denial. "Well, this isn't the same. I'm only going to be gone for a couple of hours for prenatals and then just one day for the birth. She will be fine with Daddy! She needs to get use to him! Blah blah blah..." Well, after a few trial runs (like me taking a shower and my mom watching her while I ran to Target for an hour) and her screaming her head off the entire time, I have decided I will just have to wait until she is bigger. I am very disappointed but also a bit relieved. I don't think I realized how worried I was about leaving her. I told the lady this morning that I wouldn't be able to do it and she was very nice and understanding about it. I feel that when the time is right and if this is what God wants me to be doing, I will have the opportunity again. I have a wonderful and sweet friend who was the first to let me attend her birth (Boy, Jen, I wish I knew the things then that I know now so that I could have been more of a help during your labor, but I will forever feel priveledged and grateful that you included me in such a glorious day) and I have been hooked since. I believe that God has given this passion to me for a reason, but I must be patient (something I am not real good at) and wait for His timing. But, I will continue to read, study and think about birth...cause that's what I do! LOL |
Aug. 25, 2006
Updates
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I know it has been a long time since I updated my blog, but we have already established that I am the worst blogger ever. We have had a lot of changes, so here it goes. We have moved in with my in-laws in St.Elmo. So far things are going great. We have a few things to pan out (such as a working bathroom downstairs and a working fridge) but otherwise all is well. Christian's mom is being very generous and patient with the girls. They have never been the doting grandparent type that wants the kids around all the time so I was a little nervous about how it was going to go. I think the girls were getting on their nerves for the first week or so because the girls wanted to be with grandmommy and granddaddy all the time. But, the novelty has worn off (a little anyway) and they are at least staying downstairs unless invited upstairs by grandmommy or granddaddy.Christian's mom even set up a chore chart for the girls and is rewarding them with stickers that can be turned in at the end of the week for money. The girls are very excited about that. This week she also asked for permission to read them a book at night, so they have been going upsatirs after chores are done and pjs are on and having a George MacDonald story read to them. They are enjoying that! I am loving being in St.Elmo! I never thought I would say that, but I really am. We have always tried to stay in the country and said that we would never want to raise our girls in St.Elmo, but I think I am changing my mind. We go walking everyday. I have several friends within walking distance. Some of our good friends from church just moved into St.Elmo the same week we moved here. The girls and I walked down there the other day and visited with them. That is something we have never had before, a sense of community. Someone also told me that they are getting ready to build a really nice playground down the street (also easy to walk to). I think this is going to be a nice change for us! We will hopefully be finalizing everything with the house we are buying on Labor Day weekend. There is a lot of work to be done, but we are looking forward to getting started. I have two (possibly three) requirements before I will move into the house. I want new floors and a new bathroom put in. If there is enough time and we have the money, I would like to have central heat and air put in also. We feel that this house is going to be a great investment. The house two doors down from the one we are buying has been remodeled inside, is smaller than ours and needs a new paint job on the outside and is on the market right now for $180,000. This excites us beyond words since we are buying our house for $30,000. There is even an empty lot down the street going for $25,000, so we feel we can't really go wrong on this one. In other news, I meet with my first potential doula client on Monday evening! I am so excited and VERY nervous. The plan was going to be that I did this birth with my friend who has more experience, but my friend is moving so I am going solo. I feel like I have the knowledge to do it as long asI can overcome my lack of confidence. That is always my biggest weakness. It keeps me from succeeding more than I probably even know. I am also very nervous about leaving Esther for the birth. She is such an extreme mama's girl! She cries when I go to the bathroom or anyone else holds her. I know that she will be o.k., but I hate the thought of my baby crying while I am gone.I am diligently pumping milk everyday and trying to give Christian time with her everyday. My mom watched her for about two hours last week and she did fine, but a birth is so unpredictable. This will be the couples first baby, so she could be in labor for 12 hours or so. It is a bit daunting to think of being away from her for that long. But, I am so excited for this opportunity! Now, my girls are all waking and I must get started on my day. I will try to be better about staying updated some. By the way, has anyone else read the C.S.Lewis space trilogy? I am on the last one now and am enjoying them, though I didn't like them as much as Narnia. The second one was better than the first, so maybe the last one will be even better. |
Aug. 3, 2006
Early Morning Hours
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It is 7:30 in the morning and I have already been up for an hour and a half. This is unheard of for me! I got up at 6:00 because I was suppose to be babysitting for some little girls whose grandparents go to our church. She was going to bring them over around 6:30, but she called at that time and said she wasn't feeling well and didn't know if she was going to be bringing them at all. I have to admit, I am really relieved. I did not want to babysit, but felt that I should help them out. I was not excited about the prospect of having 7 little girls crammed into my tiny two bedroom house. I am suppose to be watching them today, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. I'm sure I won't get out of all those days (and maybe not even today) but three days will be easier to do then 4, I guess. So that is why I am up so early. I am loving the quietness of the house. Everytime I get up early, I enjoy it and wonder why I don't do it more often. I have spent time reading my bible and drinking a cup of coffee without anybody climbing on me, crying or interrupting me. It has been very nice. Esther got up with me. I changed her diaper, nursed her, played with her and then put her back down for a nap. I know my girls could sleep for at least another hour, so I am thinking I will get some boxes packed for our move. Oh yeah, we are moving again! Suprise, suprise, right? We are buying a house in St.Elmo. This house is in extreme rough shape and unlivable as is, so we are moving in with my in-laws while we work on getting the house in shape. We are getting the house for a price that we just couldn't refuse. We are praying this will be a good investment. By moving in with Christian's parents Christian will be free on the weekends to work on the house instead of working to pay our rent and they live just down the street from the house we are buying. They live in one of the oldest houses in St.Elmo, with huge rooms and high ceilings. They are giving us two gigantic rooms and a bathroom for our living space. The two rooms will be more space than we have now. The girls are very excited about moving in with Grandmommy and Granddaddy. I am praying all goes well and we are able to stay amicable with everybody while in the house. It's never easy sharing living space with another family. Well, I better go get stuff accomplished while the quietness remains! |
Jul. 21, 2006
Doula training and more
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The doula training was a lot of fun. It was a pretty small and diverse group, which made for some great discussions. I learned a lot and had a great time. Esther was so good! I was a little worried about how she would do, but she was pretty happy most of the time. I only had to skip participating in a few things because I was walking her to sleep and I was still able to watch all that was going on. The friend that I went with has been a doula at a lot more births and has agreed to let me tackle my next few births with her. I think that will help me to build the confidence I need to do it alone. The teen program that will be starting with the birthing center is more than I think I can commit to right now. It is more than just being a doula for the mom, it is more like mentoring them as a parent. I think it is a great idea and I would love to participate, but I think with my children being so young, it is probably more than I can commit to right now. Anyway, I look forward to getting some births and finishing up certification. And as far as the birthing center is concerned, I am now a doula. They want to put me on a list to call when the mamas want a doula. I would love to do this eventually, but I would like to shadow for my first few births before I go solo. Plus, it is a bit of a drive to the birthing center and Esther is still nursing and so on and so on. I am missing the homeschool curriculum fair today! This is the first time in probably 6 years that I have missed it. But, I have no babysitter and I really didn't need anything and money is tight, so I decided to skip it. I will miss seeing all my friends there and going out to lunch with my homeschool group, but it can't be helped. School is going great so far with Locksley. The two things that I might have gotten had I gone to the fair were SOS Spanish and Health. She is done with school so quickly lately that I think she has plenty of time to do some extra curricular stuff. I would love to write so much more, but Esther is fussing. I will try again later. |
Jul. 11, 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
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Well, I feel like I need to write a new entry, but I really can't think of much to write, so this will probably be another scattered and boring entry. That is your warning. Proceed at your own risk! The two mexican gentlemen that work with Christian came to church with us. Our church has a lot of spanish speaking members. We sing a lot of the songs in english and spanish and they have someone who translates the sermon for the spanish speaking in the congregation. These two men that work with Christian, Marco and Melito, don't speak a lick of english and Christian doesn't speak a lick of spanish, so it is has been quite amusing to watch him trying to explain to them on the phone where and when to meet him for work. He was actually trying to use an on-line translater to talk this morning and it wasn't working. He finally just said "Wal-Mart! 8:00" Everybody knows Wal-Mart! Anyway, I was watching these men in church and felt a sense of awe! I can not imagine the kind of courage it must take for them to have come to this country. They have no family here, don't speak any english, but want desperately to have a better life. They work extremely hard because they have the chance.They seemed very eager to come to church and seemed to enjoy the fact that they could understand the sermon. I just kept thinking how frustrating and scary it must be to leave all the familiar. I went to our homeschool group's Mom's Night Out on Monday night. It was a bigger turn out than usual and it was fun. I had Esther with me and she was done by 8:30. It was probably the earliest I have ever left MNO. I wore her in the wrap and she was just too busy looking around to go to sleep. I could not get comfortable in the chair to nurse her and she hates to nurse with so much noise, especially when I try to put a blanket or something over her . So, she screamed and screamed. So, of course, as she was screaming her head off and I'm trying to hurry up and get out, the waitress can't find the register keys to bring me my change. So I had to stand there with a screaming baby waiting for my change. Not a fun moment! But, the moment I walked out of the restaurant she was fine. I nursed her in the car, then she played with the toy on her car seat the whole way home. She just wanted to go! Which was fine with me. I was glad to tuck my girls into bed and watch a movie with Christian while I nursed Esther to sleep. It was a nice night! The girls (Locksley, Ruby and Izzy) are leaving on Thursday to go with my parents to visit my sister. They are so excited! My sister and her family have just moved near the beach and I'm jealous that I can't go. The girls love their cousins and their Aunt Sam so much and I'm sure they will have a great time. Iwill be at the doula training this weekend, so I will have to wait until Labor Day to go visit my sister. I am excited about the training. I am rooming with a friend and I think it will be lots of fun. Christian and Jake have an air soft tournament that they are planning to go to on Saturday. Christian is excited about that. This is his new hobby. A bunch of grown men go all decked out in camo and have wars against each other with air soft guns. He is having a blast. I don't really get it, but getting shot at just doesn't sound like my idea of a good time. He spent a night last week making air soft grenades for the tournament! He would take them outside and try them on himself to see if they worked. He came in with red welts on his arm all happy that they worked. LOL I just don't get it! Well, my whole house is asleep so I better go catch some zzzz's while I have the chance! |
Jul. 4, 2006
Who's on First?
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This is a conversation at our house the other night: Isabel: My draw a picture Daddy: No, Isabel, say "I draw a picture" I: No! My draw a picture! D: You drew the picture, Isabel, so you say "I draw a picture" I: No, Daddy, you didn't draw the picture! My draw the picture! This went on for about 5 minutes before he gave up and said "O.k., you draw the picture!" to which she quickly replied, "No! My draw the picture!"  |
Jul. 3, 2006
You know you're in the South...
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when you go to someone's house and they are serving road kill for dinner. LOL We went to the English's on Saturday night to eat dinner and shoot off fireworks. Tim had found a deer that had been hit just a few minutes before he passed (he knows because he had just driven past the same spot a few minutes before and there was no deer then). So, we had venison and squash stir fry and it was yummy! We had a nice time visiting and hearing about their trip to Honduras. The pictures were beautiful! And then we had a good time shooting off fireworks. I wish my camera worked (have I said that enough times?)! The kids looked so cute all standing in a line holding their roman candles out. The kids had a blast (no pun intended) and are so glad that they are back. We are starting school today! I was able to get it loaded on one of the girls' computers (they have two in their room. My hubby is a nerdy computer guy who has a blast putting together computers). Locksley has already started and done two lessons (it's only 9:30) and she is really enjoying it. I am praying this will be a good thing for us. Now, I need to run and do school with Ruby while Esther is napping! |
Jun. 28, 2006
Scattered Thoughts
Last week we were on the go all week long, it seemed. We spent most of the week meeting with friends and enjoying the hot summer weather. It was a lot of fun, but by the end of the week I felt like my brain was fried from the heat! We spent Friday at a local park with some friends letting the children play in the fountains. I truley felt like I could barely keep a conversation with my friend because I was so hot. Is this something that starts happening in old age? Or is it from being on the go all week with a small baby? Or was it just the heat? I don't know! I have also come to the conclusion that enjoying stuff out doors is not going to be something I do this summer. Don't get me wrong, we won't spend all summer indoors, but I don't think I will be enjoying it much. I have never had a baby this small in summer and it is nerve wracking. I spend the whole time worrying about the baby getting overheated. She is too small to enjoy the pool, so she screams as soon as we get in. I want all the rest of my babies to be born in the fall and winter again. Plus, that gives me some time to lose weight before I have to squeeze into a bathing suit. (but that's a whole other issue!)This week we are staying home. I am going to attempt to catch up on housework. We are going to probably head to the library today, the grocery store and possibly stop at the playground so the kids can play while I walk the track. But that is the only plans I have for this week. By the way, it looks as though everything is going to be fine with the Switched On Schoolhouse stuff. They will be sending us the updates that we need and then we can get started on Locksley's school, again.  She has been keeping busy reading and other creative pursuits, but I am excited to get back into school. Ruby has started on her Horizons Math and is enjoying it. She really likes doing workbooks and since the beginning is just review, she is flying through it. Isabel is enjoying making messes as usual. I really need to put some stuff away for her to do during schooltime. I think most of her destructiveness comes from being bored. Esther is teething! Can you believe that?! Now, I doubt they will cut through right now, but she is slobbering up a storm, chewing on her fingers and been pretty fussy. I have never had my children start teething so early. Locksley didn't get her first tooth until she was almost a year. Esther is growing so fast. She gives the biggest smiles! I really wish my camera worked. I would love to take some pictures of her! Well, the English's (our neighbors at the cabin that went to Honduras last year) are back. Tim called and left a message on Christian's cell phone saying they wanted to get together and see the baby. The girls are so excited and can't wait to see them. So, hopefully we can manage that soon. Well, this was a very long,boring and scattered entry. I hear Esther waking, so I better run. |
Jun. 8, 2006
June 8, 2006
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How lucky am I that I have a sister who homeschools. My sister has five (so far) beautiful children that she homeschools and she has just started her own blog here.Here she is if you want to stop and say "hi"; Samantha . There is not a whole lot going on here this week. Everybody seems to be well... I should probably not say that too loud. I received Locksley's SOS last week and tried in vain to get it installed only to have Christian call AOP and find out that we can't install it because it was apparently illegal for the person to sell it to us on Ebay! So, we can pay AOP $150 to get the updates or I can email the guy who sold it to us and try and get our money back. I am so frustrated! I had planned on getting her started this week. That's what I get for planning, I guess. So, instead we are working a bit on teaching her stuff in the kitchen. She has made breakfast everyday this week. She made muffins and tea for two days and made french toast yesterday. I think I will have her make scrambled eggs today. I, also, taught Ruby to start bread in the bread maker yesterday. I will have her do another loaf today. They have also been helping me around the house, but with the wrap I am feeling so much more capable of getting things done. I, also, want Locksley to finish reading some of the books that she started. And today, we are heading to The Chattanooga Nature Center. Last time that we were there the animal section was closed off because the wolves were mating, so I am hoping that we will get to see the animals this time. The girls were so disappointed last time that we couldn't see them. Christian put in his application for Northwestern Technical college today. This is something that he has talked about doing for a long time, so I am glad that he has finally made the step. I would love to take a class this fall myself. I would like to take some English classes and some Human Anatomy and Physiology classes. But, I also don't want to get my plate too full. I have signed up for a doula workshop in July. I am very excited about it and a bit nervous, but the excitement totally outweighs the nervousness.I will be able to take Esther with me and do the training with her strapped to me. There is going to be some special emphasis on working with teenage mothers because this birthing center is getting a grant to pair up teenage mothers with doulas for their pregnancy and birth. I have always had the notion that if I ever pursued a certification as doula I would like to volunteer free doula services to the local pregnancy crisis centers. So this would be great training and preparation for that. Well, Esther is awake and Locksley is getting Ruby and Isabel out of the bath (isn't she a great mother's helper!), so I better get off the computer and start getting ready for the day. |
Jun. 4, 2006
June 4, 2006
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I have made an amazing discovery! It is a baby wrap. A really long piece of fabric that you can wrap around you in different ways and put the baby in. I wish my camera worked and that I could figure out how to post pictures. It is awesome! I have gotten almost my entire house cleaned today with Esther right up against me. I was even able to sweep the livingroom floor while I was nursing. Isn't that cool?! I was actually able to walk around and nurse hands free. I will have to practice that maneuver a few more times before attempting in public just to get the hang of putting her in that position without flashing anybody. But I already feel so liberated just knowing it can be done. In other news, we have another sickness in the house. Izzy woke up this morning throwing up. She has vomited several times through the day. She is crashed on the couch right now.So, we skipped church. But we probably wouldn't have gone any way. Christian had to work today (had to finish something up before Monday) and I am a little chicken about taking all 4 of the girls by myself right now. I know I will have to go to the lobby with Esther which means I will have to either take all the girls or leave them alone in church. Either option sonds like a huge ordeal and potential to disturb the whole church service. We also got a kitten this past week. She is absolutely adorable. Grey with black stripes with little patches of orange and she is wild! The girls named her Cotton. She has discovered my birds and we are having to constantly stop her right before she lunges at the bird cage. We were a little late grabbing her Friday evening and she was hanging from the side of the cage. Isabel grabbed her to pull her off and pulled the entire bird cage down. The cage collapsed and birds went flying around, the cat ran for her life and bird seed and poop went everywhere. And the contents of the nest (including 6 eggs) were lost. It was a disgusting mess and quite an ordeal to catch the birds. We thought one of them was dead after it hit the window and landed on its back, but it has recovered fine. And as if it weren't bad enough to be without a/c in the van, we are now without a/c in the house. This is the 2nd time it has been broken and we can't get in touch with the landlord. Christian pulled out our window unit from the cellar and put it in the window. It has done pretty good at keeping the house bareable. We also have a leak under the house. I know that I was really thrilled about this house a few months ago, but I am beginning to really dislike it. We have leaks, faulty wiring, broken a/c, a barely working dishwasher, dirt instead of grass in the yard and we are having yet another problem with mice (hence the new kitten). I mean we have been here for about 6 months now. That usually means a move for us! |
May. 24, 2006
Changes and a busy week
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First change is Isabel is now potty trained!! I know this has been long in coming, but I am so happy. She has been wearing panties since last Thursday.She has had a few accidents (which is to be expected), but has done really well for the most part. She even woke up last night and said she needed to go potty. The second change is that I decided this year to go with a boxed curriculum. I have always tried to be very eclectic and creative in our homeschool, but we need structure. Not just Locksley, but me too. We need to have something laid out for us. I am having a horrible time keeping up with things and so after much talk and prayer, Christian and I decided to order Switched on Schoolhouse. I am very relieved and also a little frightened. What if she hates it? What if I hate it? It is originally $300 for the whole set, but I found it on Ebay for $111. I was pretty excited about that. I, also, ordered Horizons Math for Ruby. I used it for Locksley in Kindergarten and really liked it. I feel like if I had stuck with that program for Locksley, we wouldn't be having the same issues with math, but who knows. We are having such a fun and busy week! Monday, we went to a get together for a local Yahoo group that I am on for women interested in promoting natural birth and parenting. This was a sling tea. We brought our slings and other baby carriersand there was a lady there who showed us different ways to carry the babes. It was a lot of fun! Then yesterday, we were given tickets to the CreativeDiscovery Museum by my friend, Kris, and spent the day there with them. We all had so much fun and I always enjoy visiting with Kris. The kids had a blast with the her children as well. Thanks, Kris! Today is my day home to clean house. Tomorrow we are going to my friend Becca's house. She is the one that Esther is named after. Becca is such a great person and has been dying to get her hands on Esther again, but we or they have been sick for the last few weeks. Then Friday, we are taking my mom to lunch as her Mother's Day gift. We do this every year and we all look forward to it. Locksley has a slumber party to go to that night. And then on Saturday, our pastor's little boy is having a birthday party, too. So, this will be a hectic but fun week. I wish I had working A/C in my van, though. We were about to spontaneously combust on the way home yesterday! |
May. 17, 2006
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
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Accomplishments for today: 1. I made muffins for breakfast (from a mix, but it was better than cold cereal) 2. I put a chicken in the crockpot for dinner 3. I put bread in the breadmaker (and plan to put on another loaf when this one is done) 4. I did two loads of dishes (and even washed the nasty skillets that I have been avoiding for the last week) 5. I did two loads (so far) of laundry. 6. I went and paid a bill. 7. We are done with Locksley's schoolwork. (it is almost3, but we didn't start on it until around 11:00) 8. I am getting ready to take the girls out to ride their new bikes. ( I know... technically I haven't done that, yet, but I will!) Things are starting to feel do-able again. Esther is taking pretty regular naps and is not insisting that I hold her all the time. Especially during the day, she is content to sit in her bouncer seat and watch us. In the evenings she is much fussier and won't let Daddy hold her for very long, so that is why I am using the crockpot. I am goingt o try and get dinners prepared in the mornings since that is the easiest time for me to do it. In other news, Esther did catch the horrible cold that we all had. She had it really bad over the weekend and didn't sleep for almost 3 nights. It was horrible. We finally took her to the doctor on Monday. I was real worried that he was going to give me a hassle because she was born at home, hasn't seen a doctor and we weren't giving any vaccines, but he didn't even ask me. We took her to our general practitioner (the same practice, but different guy, who had offered to make a house call when the girls had poison oak). All I wanted him to do was listen to her chest and let me know if it was clear. We couldn't hear very well and she sounded a little weezy to us. But her lungs were clear, so we were relieved and went home. She is getting better, but still has a bit of the lingering cough. I have never had one so little get sick before. Scary stuff! I spent my mother's day holding and worrying about Esther. It was not what I had planned, but couldn't be helped. My parents are taking the big girls to a play and then having them spend the night on Friday, so I think Christian, Esther and I will probably go out to dinner and then maybe shopping. I am really wanting a new sewing machine. My old one broke and the repair man said it would be more than the sewing machine is worth to fix it. So, I am hoping he will buy me a new one soon. I would also like to get some new clothes. I am sick of wearing maternity clothes! I have lost about 32 pounds, so am having to pin my pants to keep them up. I think its time to get some new pants! So, that is what I am hoping to get for Mother's Day. We went to my parent's house on Saturday night to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom and my sister and her family. While we were there, it started to rain. Our german shepherd, Cleo, gets really freaked out at storms. So, when we got home, she had actually broken through my bedroom window (the glass!). She had cut her paws up and there was blood on the window seal and glass all over my bed. She had pulled the mini blinds out through the window and they were shredded to pieces. Since Christian isn't the fastest at repairing things around the house, I have a piece of cardboard taped in the window. Needless to say, I was a bit upset over this. The dog is way to big to go berserk like that. |
May. 12, 2006
Friday's rambling
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Esther is definetely getting into some sort of routine. She takes a pretty long nap in the morning (and here is the good part) in her bed! It has been great. Though I'm sure everyday won't be that easy, I am enjoying it while it lasts. We have all come down with a really miserable cold! Izzy has been running a fever off and on for over a week, now. And Locksley, Ruby and I all have yucky coughs and runny noses. And Esther woke up this morning with a stuffy nose. She could not even breathe out of her nose. I finally got the bulb syringe and made her really mad by sucking all that guck out. Boy, was she mad! And Izzy is not running a fever today so far and slept all night without hardly a cough. But, she is still really whiny this morning and doesn't seem to feel 100% better. I feel as though I have been hit by a small train, but I'm not sure if that is from the cold or lack of sleep. On a brighter note, we did school everyday this week. Even through sickness we accomplished everything on our list for the week. I feel as though I might be able to actually manage the house again! My husband has been cooking dinners for us since before the baby was born. He is a good man and hasn't even complained about it! But, I feel like I am ready to take over my duties again. I was even able to sweep and mop the kitchen floor this week. It felt so good to have one room completely clean. And now that I see we can get school work done, too. I feel like things will be back to normal soon. We are also thinking of buying a house. I don't want to say too much about it, but we are praying that this will work out for us. It will have to be totally a "God thing" if we get it. A couple from church called us and said that they decided to sell their house, knew that we were looking and asked if we would be interested. I have told Christian before that if this couple ever decided to sell their house, I wanted it, but I never thought they would actually sell it. It is exactly what we want. It is a small farm house (a fixer upper that I am dying to do stuff to) on 8 acres with a swimming pool. And the price is really good, but it is a matter of us getting the financing (our credit is not so hot because of some past stupid decisions), but we are going to talk to them about maybe doing a lease to purchse with us. But, they might not want to do that, so who knows, but we are praying really hard that God leads us to a wise decision for both us and this couple. They are friends of ours and we don't want to do anything that would make them uncomfortable or something. We have moved so much, that I would love to feel like the next move was the last one. I am so ready to own a house. I am tired of renting. So, please pray for us to make a wise decision. |
May. 8, 2006
Books, Books and more books!
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I love books! I am a book-aholic! I also love birth, so my favorite is books about birth.My husband let me have some money last weekend to order some books (a treat that he gives me every so often) and I bought 6 new books. They have all come in the mail this week and I am having a hard time keeping from trying to read them all at once. I got: Active Birth (which I had last year and gave away on Paperback swap, then found out I am going to need for a midwifery study group that I will be starting in September) Gentle Birth Choices (which came with a really cool video on birth) Lying In (which I wrote about in the last post and am almost done with. A great read! My husband even picked it up and found it really interesting.) The V Zone (another one I need for the study groupand yes it is a female only sort of book) Birthsong's Midwifery Workbook (This book is really cool! I am enjoying skimming it and can't wait to really dive into studying the material in it) Listen to Me Good (a story of an Alabama midwife. This is the one that I am most anxious to read. It looks really good!) All except the last one are books that I will need for the study group. I also need about 7 more books and they are really expensive, but books I have wanted for some time. Christian is very supportive in me joining this study group (in fact encouraged me to join), so he has said that I can buy some of the books every week until I have them all. This makes me very happy! Did I mention that I love books on birth?! |