Transparency

Well, in my hunger for being the wife/mother God wants me to be, I have come across many great books, one of them being, "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald. This is a great book that dispels the myths Satan would have women believe about their true role as women.

One thing the book touches on is being transparent (or, the lack of). I had to say "Lord forgive me" because I am so guilty of covering up my weaknesses because of pride. We (I) don't want anyone to think of us (me) as being less than perfect. I think we have society, namely, media to thank for the misconception that most women are and should be, perfect. We should all appear to have it together.

Also, I am guilty in my duties as a wife/mother of trying to achieve perfectionism for reasons other than doing my best for GOD. Of course, I should be doing my best for or because of my family, BUT I should first and foremost be doing my best to fulfill my duties for GOD. There is nothing wrong with 'having it all together'. We should be trying our best to, in fact, 'have it all together'. But if I am doing it for self-gratification instead of servitude then I am wrong. This is pride. I know a lot of women struggle in this area.

I so want to be changed in this area. It may be hard to do overnight, but God can help me. I want to serve my family for the right reasons. Of course, I do it because I love them, but I want any Pride about being Miss Housewife USA to be squashed out. I don't want to fulfill my duties to prove what all I can do as a homemaker or see what kind of great housewife I am (it isn't to be measured anyway--our best and abiding by God's word are what counts) but to serve my husband and children.

So I'm being Transparent. What do you struggle with?

PS. Megan, I have several books if you will tell me what you want to read, I'll ship you one.

Somebody call CPS!! :o)

Here is a picture of a little family fun gone bad! LOL For fun, I got all the paint cans out that just had a little paint left in them and we worked on a mural for the back of the woodshed (the tin part). Later, I let the kids get under the sprinkler (can you believe it's finally warm?) and I missed Erin. I found THIS behind the woodshed:

Oh, Toothless One...

Well, after a year of fighting with a bad jaw tooth, I had it extracted! Such liberation! Such, er, pain!

Here's how my journey was with my tooth.

Back in March or April of last year, my tooth chipped. I knew it had been filled, so I figured the fillings had probably come up. Well, I got to the dentist before it started hurting and they said that the tooth had broken and some of the nerves were exposed. This meant they had to 'open' the tooth and sort-of do a root canal. I was pregnant, so they didn't do a full one. My family dentist referred me to have an endodontist look at it. Well, I didn't jump on that (I don't jump on ANYTHING in the medical profession...ha) until I woke up in excrutiating pain one morning in July. It was right before my due date. We headed over to see the endodontist which happened to be a sort-of friend of mine. He worked me in and once again just opened the tooth, cleaned it out, and told me to come back when I had the baby. Well, I was in so, so, so much pain that day. I will never forget that pain. Anyway, once again, I fooled around and didn't go back. I *Just* finished paying for that little operation (it was like $600..insurance pd. some, I think I had to pay about $400 or so). Well, I went to my family dentist in February for my cleaning and to see if he would just pull the blasted thing. Well, he hemmed and hawed around and didn't want to do it (basically because his endodontic friend wouldn't receive the $$$$ it would cost to fix it) so I left again with said tooth in my mouth.

Well, a few weeks back, I put on my Researcher Hat and got on the internet to look up root canals. I was looking to see how safe they are. Well, I found that in about 75% of root canals, the canal isn't sealed off all the way and infection constantly leaks into the bloodstream. I also learned about the paste they use to seal the canal has some properties of formaldehyde? Anyway, I decided then and there, I just wanted it out! The author of the article went on to say that teeth are the only thing 'dead' that doctors want to leave on the body. Why leave something dead in your mouth? It decays and rots! Anyway, I decided to get another opinion!

So, I went to my Dh's dentist. I told the hygenist (thank goodness, I knew her, I taught her son) that I wanted it out!! She didn't seem to keen on the idea but said she's tell the dentist. I could here them talking in the hall. Anyway, surely he thought I was a wacko to want my tooth pulled when I could have it left in my mouth! :o) But, he gave me two options: a root canal, or tooth extraction. Here I sit before you, toothless! :) I'm so glad to get this love/hate tooth relationship behind me! I'm so glad I wrote the Dear John letter to him. I'm so glad I cut all ties (er floss) with that tooth! It has caused me some pain (don't all 'broken' relationships?) but I'm relieved it's over! Now I can get on with my life!! :o)

Sigh, my Spring Break is almost over. It has been wonderful. I'm so excited about my SAHM status that begins May 18, 2008. God is good.

Thanks for listening about my tooth. Sometimes it helps to put it on paper. You know, the first step in getting past a relationship is acceptance. :o) (No, I'm still not under anesthesia) haha

Dinner and other talks about food...

Tonight I made my first ever batch of homemade tortillas. The shells, you know. :) They were way better than those bought in the stores and they don't have 20 ingredients in them. Actually, it's just flour, shortening, salt, and water. Nothing artificial, no preservatives. Cool, huh?

We had Chicken/Spinach Quesadillas along with Chips and Salsa (semi-homemade). Everything was good and since I had just nursed Evan, I gorged myself. :) After I nurse, I can eat heaps of food and drink lots of water or tea. It's amazing the difference nursing can make with your appetite.

Anyway, that's not my subject. :) What kinds of foods do I prefer? Well, if I am not at home, I will eat almost anything. I don't eat a lot of packaged (processed) foods, but since I eat in the cafeteria at school, probably lots of foods are processed made out to be homemade, kwim? But, just stopping by the store and grabbing some packaged type of junk food? Nope, not me. I can't force myself when I know there are some awful *fake* ingredients in these foods. Now, honey, if you read this, I know I will occasionally get something at the store when we are on a trip. ;o) I enjoy it too. Ha.

When we are home, I usually cook about 3-4 times per week. I fix most things from scratch. No premade Lasagnas or anything like that. It's not that I try to be all Martha or anything, it's just that I can't stand all the 'extra' ingredients that are put into prepackaged foods. I have educated myself on the harm that preservatives, artificial colorings, and hydrogenated oils can do to your body. I enjoy cooking nutritious, fresh meals for my family.

When I shop, 95% of the food items in my buggy will be organic. I have a sense of pride in knowing that I am feeding my family the best and the healthiest. You can afford Organic. If you don't buy a lot of prepackaged foods like cookies, chips, mac and cheese dinners, mash potato dinners, canned goods, etc., you can afford organic foods. What do I usually buy organic? Well, I will buy Organic Orange Juice, Organic Milk, Organic canned goods (veggies, I save them for emergencies and use fresh first), Organic cereal, Organic canned chicken, organic PB & Jelly, organic baby foods, organic yogurt, and organic produce. Some things I can't get organic like butter and cheese. The chicken I buy (other than canned) isn't organic, but it is antibiotic-free. Some things I can get from the health food store, like organic grits. I could get butter and maple syrup there, but it is too expensive (butter=$7).

My goal is to eat healthier and healthier. Not be an 'in your face' person who looks down on others for not eating healthy--most ppl aren't educated about healthy eating. Those that are, it IS hard not to wonder why they won't eat healthier or feed their kids healthier.

Anyway, that is how we eat in a nutshell. :)

Conservatism..what does it mean to me?

What does being conservative mean to me? For a true Christian, being conservative isn't a choice, it is a way of life. If one lives by the Word of God then he cannot ignore such scriptures such as, "Come out from among them and be ye separate..." and "....in the world but not of the world" and so forth. There is no way that we can serve both God and the devil. First of all, how does one serve God after he or she is saved? By dying daily! Paul said, "I die daily". We must crucify this flesh, this mortal body. Each of us should know our downfalls and our shortcomings. We know the area in which we are most vulnerable. I know mine. I know that I must cleanse these things from my mind or body before they are ever an issue. This is dying daily. We die on our knees. Right?

What does this have to do with conservatism? Well, a 'dead' Christian won't allow Satan or the carnality and wordliness he initiates to penetrate his soul. Thus, being 'set apart'. Being separate from the world means one lives Holy and desires a pure life. This is opposite of the 'world'.

You should stand apart from this world. People should be able to tell you are a Christian, even from your countenance. Ask God to give you a Holy Aura (sp?) about you that others will know you are a Christian. People should know you are a Christian because you don't dress the way unsaved people dress. You are modest and look like the gender God made you. Your actions show you are 'set apart'. You aren't rude or discourteous like people 'of the world'. Lastly, you take the scriptures literally. You aim to please God and to live a dedicated life.

Being conservative is NOT a drudgery or something shameful. It is synonomous with being a Christian. Wouldn't you like to stand out for Jesus?? I would love to walk into a room of sinners and have them drop their heads in shame for their sins. I want so much more of God. How much can a person have of him? I want all that I can receive!

Just a small blog in which my thoughts are askew. Some of my words may be used wrong--anyway...my dear husband reads my blogs and I need to use the correct spelling and grammar. Under scrutiny!! :) Just kidding. Gotta love an intelligent man! :)

On a Hiatus..

Too busy to blog right now....when things slow done, I'll be back! Check back every now and then!

I think I'm drowning!

Today was a busy Saturday albeit a sick child. Here's what I did:

~Cooked twice: breakfast which included rice, biscuits, and fried eggs and supper which included Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs
~Washed dishes twice
~ Cleaned table twice
~Swept
~Mopped
~Rocked baby three times
~Held daughter intermittently
~Raked in two flowerbeds
~Transferred some 'gonna be' flowers to a flowerbed
~Took some sticks to the brush fire we built
~Washed sheets
~Looked partially at a magazine
~Emailed a friend
~Took out trash
~Stare, depressed, at the clutter that I so desperately need to tackle
~listen to my little girl's constant coughing
~wiped her nose 857 times

What I didn't do:
~clean kid's room
~put up the 4 baskets of clothes and some hanging on the clothesline
~clean out my van so I can see the floor
~sweep in the bedrooms
~hang up all the clothing that has been given to the kids in the past few days
~hold my little girl all day even though she wanted me to
~leave my house all day long

Husband was busy today too. We are both tired. So much done, but so much not done either. I'm drowning in the stuff that I want to get rid of. There is so many clothes in this household. I think I will challenge myself to keep 5 outfits for each child and put away the rest. I'm drowning in clothes. Do you have a lifejacket to save me?

Uprdate on our condition(s)

Well, around Monday afternoon, I started getting my REAL baby back! Every day he gets better and better. It makes me realize just how sick he really was. We are still having some issues that have arrived from us holding him so much while he was sick. Spoiled, to be specific! :oP I'm working on that, though!

Erin is the last one to get sick. I believe she has the flu also, or at least a touch of it. She started Tuesday night with fever. Today is Saturday and she ran fever all morning. She is still snotting majorly and is not her self. I hope by Monday or Tuesday she will be back to her old self.

Thursday I ended up staying home with the kids. After seeing how idle my kids really are (lying around on the couch) and how this was getting them in to trouble, I decided to implement my schedule that I've made for when I'm a SAHM. It was met with great resistance as I had figured. I explained the schedule and told them I wanted them to go play in their zones while I did my chores. I put Emory in the Block zone and Erin in the Animal zone. She preceded to play with her animals so sweetly. Emory, however (5 yr old) preceded to whine and protest. So, after a few disciplining sessions, he at least sat down by the blocks, but never really played with them. We did our devotions after eating breakfast. Emory did his table chores (that I introduced) and Erin wiped off the table and 'helped' me with dishes. This sort of got better, but it was so not a smooth day that I invision! I invision a day where the kids just follow the schedule and do things without whine and protest. I know it will take a few days of getting used to the schedule and perhaps lots of disciplining, but I have faith that keeping their little minds occupied is the key to their success. It is so true that, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop". I see it so much with my kids. We never got to the homeschool part of our day. :/ At least they have a taste of what things will be like this summer. I'm still excited and haven't lost heart!

Enjoying my Saturday! Off to get busy, busy, busy!

Embracing Children

From http://www.xanga.com/homekeepingheart:

What do we say when we find out that some one is expecting a baby? Well, you might say, it depends? Well let me say right off that this someone is married. Does that help you? Now it seems that if the person is married, then we would be rejoicing in that new life. Right? Well, not necessarily. I am going to make some generalizations here, but I am only sharing what I have witnessed in my own life. If the couple has been married at least 2 years, preferably 3, and if this is their first child, then most everyone is excited. Well, if they are having financial problems then maybe some hold back from rejoicing. But for the most part, most people are glad to hear that a married couple who has waited a sufficient amount of time are starting a family. How about the next child? Well, it seems again that if the couple has waited the right amount of time, maybe 3 years, then again most everyone is glad to hear that the next child is on the way. Now, I am truly going to get controversial. What about a 3rd child? Whew! Well that is different. But, if the first 2 children are the same sex, then most people will go along with trying for that 3rd in hopes that the couple finally has that boy (or girl). But, after three, then you are standing on shaky ground. Have you ever thought about the message we are sending as Christians when we scorn life that God has created? Scorn life, you say. I would never do that. Well, I have heard it done over and over in my life, and sometimes I wonder whether Christians really think about what they are saying. For example, suppose the couple is expecting their first child only 10 months after marriage. What comment do we hear then? Well I can tell you what I heard (because that happened to us), and it was "Was this PLANNED??" The clear message is that no one would ever plan to have a child so soon after marriage. Or, how about this? Suppose the 2nd (or 3rd) child is due before the previous baby's first birthday. That is not really accepted now days either, unless of course you make it clear to everyone that this was an "oops" baby. Then people might forgive you and feel sorry for you. By the time you are expecting the 5th, or 6th, or scandalously the 10th, then many in the church either think that you are off your rocker, don't know what causes babies, are a saint, or are so rich that you can buy everything all these children want. We need to be so careful about accepting the world's view of children. On one hand, we are taking a stand against abortion, as well we should. Then on the other hand, we are being critical of married couples who are having children, if they don't do it according to society's standard of 2, maybe 3 children, appropriately spaced of course. I want to tell you about a 25 year old woman. This woman has been married for 5 years, and she just found out that she is expecting, her fourth. She already has a 4 year old, a 2 year old, and her youngest just turned 1 in September. Now tell me, would most Christians rejoice at the news of another life. Oh friends, I fear that they would not. But I know this woman, very well as a matter of fact. She is my beloved niece, who we raised as our own daughter. And let me tell you, she is rejoicing. The reality of another blessing from God, another life to embrace, another person to raise to love and serve God, another plate at their table, another baby to hold, more memories to treasure, all of these things and more cause Jennifer to behold the awesome blessing of being entrusted with another person to raise for Him. She is not thinking at all how she will buy designer jeans for all those kids, how she will be able to give them all their own room, how she will drive them to all of their lessons when they get older, or how they will pay for college. She knows that whatever God plans for each child, then He will provide. She doesn't have to be able to figure out all the details of this child's life right now; all she needs to do is know is that this child is from God. I don't want to sound holier than thou because I have 6 children. Oh no, that is not my point at all. Your family size is a something that is between you and God. But, each one of us need to examine our attitude, and before God make sure that we are not accepting the world's view instead of God's. I can testify to you, there is great peace in looking around your table and knowing that exactly who God wanted is sitting there. Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. Psalms 127:3-5Why would I turn down a blessing or a reward?

Wow--exactly my thoughts! People act so awful about a sweet baby to hold. Is there anything sweeter than a new baby? Especially to Godly parents who will raise them right? Especially to loving parents who will discipline and train them correctly with love and patience?

Ready to have my baby back!

My gracious, I still have a sick baby. I feel like we have Motrined and Tylenoled him to death as he has had fever since Sunday. Surely, he's bound to get better soon?! He still has fever, lots of snots, and he is very fussy at times. Either his ear is hurting or his head, or he could just be aching all over. During times like these, I think of that verse that says that in the times of persecution, ppl will be saved only because the days will be shortened. Thank goodness, time flies by, even while we are sick. I don't know if we could bear it if it didn't. This morning, Evan sat in his walker while I finally washed my nasty, greased-up head and he played for a little while. He has these huge black circles under his eyes, though. He has really been sick.

Last night Mom took the older children so I would'nt have to handle them plus a sick baby. My dear husband is away at a Prophecy Conference, so I don't have his help. He would've stayed if I had asked him, but he's been wanting to go to this for at least 2 years. I'm so glad he got to go and I hope he has a wonderful time! Anyway, baby went to sleep about 6 and slep until 10 so I got in some good reading time. I did a little housework, but my mom had been there already to clean. It was awesome. I got a new book from Amazon yesterday called, Family-Driven Faith and it is wonderful!! I can't sing its praises enough. One of those books you want to shout "Amen" while reading. It talks about how parents have idols for their children (sports, good grades, college, etc) and never emphasize God as much. 80% of college students are walking away from their faith. Isn't that astounding! Of course the books talks about marriage and even about homeschooling. I can't wait to read that part! The book is by Voddie Baucham, Jr.

Well, hello weekend. The weekends aren't as appealing without my dear better half, but I'm going to try to enjoy my children this weekend. Hope Evan gets better this weekend. Still praying the others will escape the flu this time! :)

The Verdict is In

Mommy instinct kicked in this morning and I knew my baby was really sick. So at the last moment, I decided to take him to his first ever dr. appt. He had a 102.6 temp when I got him there and snotting everywhere. The verdict? Left- ear infection and flu! My poor baby. There isn't anything they can do for the flu since it has passed the 48 hr. window, but keep fluids in him and his fever down. I really think he has had a headache with this flu because he has grabbed at his head several times. He did while crying the other morning. I'll bet his ear is/has been hurting also. The dr. gave him a prescription for antibiotics and an antihistamine, but Dr. Mom is going to treat him first. Since I now know he has an ear infection, I will treat it with Dr. Wally's Ear Oil. It has garlic in it which is a natural antibiotic. I will try to lighten up on my dairy products which thicken and produce mucus. Sure wish I could have enough milk so he wouldn't have to drink milk-based formula. Well, I pray the worst is over for my sweet baby! BTW he was 19 pounds! Way to grow! I'm almost positive that Emory was heavier at this point.

Okay, I got in a mile yesterday before the kids got tired of our rinky dink park. I was so proud of that mile! I may just do trampoline today since it is church night, which I don't guess I'll be getting Evan out again.

So far today I've had 2 pcs Valentines chocolate (bad), a baked potato and green beans, a pack of candy coated peanuts. I only have half of my water in, so I've got to drink, drink, drink this afternoon. Gotta take my vits when I get home. Gotta take my echinacea too.

This afternoon, I will, make beds, sweep floor, clean 5 mins in kids' room, 15 mins in project room, and wash any dishes. I don't know what supper plans are. Mother-in-law??? :o) I have got to get groceries tomorrow night or Friday night. I have nothing for a nice, healthy meal! Last night was bacon sandwiches. I don't like having those kind of meals, but dear husband was away, so it was fine.

Lots of Health to all!

I Survived to tell it all

Thursday night, I really saw a change in my symptoms. I started getting my strength back and I even got the kids to bed without passing out. I went back to work Friday, but I wasn't jumping up and down in my teacher's chair, that's for sure. I coughed all weekend and it's into the week and I'm still coughing. This time, pretty productive.

Dear Husband has been sick with something. I don't think he has the full-blown flu because he's still doing things (he's not that much of a he-man..lol), but he's definitely got some sort of interesting bug.

Poor Evan. He's been hit hard with something. I can't neccessarily ask him his symptoms and get a reply, but he did have fever all day Sunday and some Monday. I pray he's better today. I don't like seeing my little one so sick. He cried for about an hour yesterday morning.

So far, my oldest two have been fine. Not even a sniffle. Please, please let it continue. I'm so ready to be over it all. I hope the flu never visits me again. I can't complain too badly. Once in twelve years isn't too badly.

I hope to implement some sort of winter combat next year at least. I will have to work on my plan. I hope to start washing my hands more thorough and frequently. I will continue taking my SuperMom tablets, Juice Plus morning and afternoon, and maybe start adding some regular teas to my diet: Elderberry and Echinacea. I have some Echinacea capsules on my desk I can take regularly. For the kids, more hand-washing. Before meals and after bathroom. I don't do this with Erin because I take her to the bathroom, but I can still wash her hands as preventative and mine also.

On the diet front, I want to be more aware of what I put in my mouth. Did you know that ONE soda and ONE candy bar will suppress your immune system for up to 6 hours?? So, yep, everything you come in contact with during that 6 hour period, you will catch. I'm not a soda kind of gal (drink one per 3 or 4 wks probably), but I do love me some chocolate. I think if I'm more concious of what I eat, then I will make better choices.

Exercise. That is something I'm just not doing at all. I really don't mind it if I will take the time to do it. I can take the kids to the park and let them play while I walk. I can just walk until they get tired. Anything is better than nothing. If I don't get to the park, go to the church gym. They can find something to play with there.

So, for this week, here's what I'll do:

1. Bring Oatmeal for breakfast (as oppose to heavy breakfast foods served at cafeteria)
2. Make the best decision with the Lunch menu.
3. Take ALL my vitamins and supplements.
4. Drink tea at least once daily.
5. Some form of exercise once daily.
6. Make the best food choices in my snacking.
7. Get plenty of water in.

I'll let you know how I do. I'm going to try. try. try.

I also meant to post that we were out of water from Thursday until Monday. A pipe, about 24 feet into the ground, rusted and broke and we had no water. Yesterday we got hooked up to the city water and I love it! Lots of pressure. I washed 5 'loads' of dishes last night and I was more than happy to do it! Thank you God for water!

This evening's chores: Walk (going to do this first thing so I will get it done), makes beds, wash husband's and my clothes, supper plans (nothing heavy--hubby out of town), spend 15 minutes in my project zone (guest bedroom), kid's baths, story (still reading "Farmer Boy"), bed, tidy house, bath, read Bible and other book, spend time with husband, and bed!

Sure helps to lay it all out, eh? :)

Work Ethic

Helping Dad

Evan, before haircut

First time in highchair

Updates, continued

Well, I have a new update for me: I have the FLU! Yes, you read that right. Mom, the invincible one! I had no symptoms during the day on Monday. Monday evening, I started having this dry cough and scratchy throat. By late Monday night, the fever started and the aches. By Tuesday morning, I knew I had the full blown flu! I remember the symptoms well from when I had it in 1996. Yesterday was bad. I alternated between burning up and freezing. My temps were around 102-103. This morning around 3am, my fever broke. I woke up to pump and the sheets, my clothes, my hair, and my skin was soaked. I haven't had much fever since (maybe 99) but I am so.incredibly.weak. I can't stand past 5 minutes and I start feeling dizzy or like I might pass out. I was going to try to go to school tomorrow (I'm not getting paid for my time out, b/c I used up my days when Evan was born), but I am so weak, I don't think I can make it. I guess it's all the fighting my body is doing to get well? It is an epidemic around here, but I guess I thought I surely wouldn't get it. :) So far, noone else has come down with it in my immediate family (FIL just got over it). Mom kept the kids all day yesterday and last night and today. She said Evan did really well being away from me during the night. I'm so glad. I was worried because he likes to nurse all night long. I miss him and have something to tell you in my Evan update! Well, I guess I'm on the mend, slowly but surely. At least I got to finish the book I have been reading so slowly. I am about to place an order on Amazon for my next reading! :)

Evan: Well, the most exciting news is that yesterday morning, he said, "Mama"! Just as plain as day! He continued to do it throughout the morning as well. I walked in the bedroom and he stuck up his head and said, "mama"! I was sooo excited. I have been working with him on it for the past few weeks, while changing him, etc. I checked Erin's baby book and her first word was at the end of 7 months. Evan just turned 6 months! Another talk-a-holic! :) He is so cute--I've got to get another picture on here. I may do that when I finish blogging. He got his second haircut on Saturday. He looks so growny! He still isn't crawling or pulling up, but I think it is b/c I hold him all the time!

Erin: She is still such a joy to be around. She is so good with saying "please" (pwease), "thank you", and "Excuse me". I can't credit myself for teaching her good manners, I guess my mom worked with her on that. She still has her stubborn moments, but she is in the ripe stage of learning good vs. evil. She still likes to be Ms. Helper (when SHE thinks of the idea). :)

Emory: He is learning some work ethic with Daddy. He is a good boy most of the time. They get a bean in a jar for good behavior so everything he does that he thinks is being good, he will say, do I get a bean? LOL I'll try to post a pic of him helping Daddy gather wood.

Daddy: He is still awesome. Been taking care of me during my sickess. Making me teas, bringing me vitamins, etc. He tickles me how he is so germ concious though. He will wash his hands for 5 minutes after touching something I've touched. He is careful to distance himself from me. I am so not germ concious. I don't even make the kids wash their hands before meals! Isn't that horrible? I guess that is one thing I view as taking up time and being petty. I guess I can try to do better!

In general: Well, I'm not sure what I'm going to speak on next women's meeting, but I am going to order some books to give away as prizes. Probably Created to Be His Helpmeet and Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. I may even order some Raising Godly Tomatoes books (Did you know they had a book out, Kugoi?) to give away to parents of smaller children. Anyway, be prayerful of me about that meeting and also about my getting my priorities in order (like last post).

I txted my sister yesterday morning and told her I had the flu. Well, guess what? She came down with it too! On the same day as I did. Same symptoms. Everything. She lives 6 hrs. away! Isn't that crazy! I guess we are still bonded more than we know. I love my sister like crazy! I regret the days I let lapse when I don't talk to her.

My SIL (AMY) and her family have been down for a couple of weeks. We have enjoyed having them close by. She came and took care of me some yesterday, jeopardizing her pregnancy by exposing herself to the flu. I really appreciated that. I pray she doesn't get it. We had a blast on Saturday taking our kids to the park. They had a great time playing together. We Adults had a good time too. My husband went along as well. I was so glad to have him there for the extra help!! :)

My dryer has quit working. I'm having to dry everything on the clothesline or the rails of my back porch ramp. That would normally be ok, but we have had sucky weather times 1000, so my clothes won't dry as well. Yesterday, it was 70 degrees, wind blowing, perfect for drying clothes. I woke up at 3:50 pm with it storming, tornado warnings out, etc. I had to go out in the yard in my flu-induced state, and pick up clothes all over the yard. Well, by this morning, the clothes hanging on the line on my back porch were damp and cold (and had previously already dried before the storm). UGH. Mama took some clothes with her last night to wash and dry. Bless her. This weather is awful. We have had more tornado warnings this year than ever! I am so scared of tornados, I think that is tops on my list. I see the destruction they cause and really there's not much you can do if you are in the path of one (if you don't have a storm shelter). I'm starting to beg my husband to build us one. I got out yesterday with the sirens going off and rode up to my MIL's house. I couldn't stand the thought of being by myself during a tornado. Mom had to get the kids in the closet at her house as well (20 miles away). I'm thankful we were spared from one. WEll, the outcome of the story is that here we are less than 24 hours from the tornado warnings and it is 35 degrees! LOL Crazy weather!

Feeling as weak as ever...gotta go lie down!! :)

Various Updates...to be continued

Hard to get back when you are gone away for so long. The only good part is that you get an update post from me! :)

Me: Sorry to put myself first, but I can get me over with more quickly! I'm just chomping at the bit to finish up this school year! I'm not hating my job, I'm just so ready to be home, I have these wonderful ideas and aspirations to implement when I do get 'home' that I can't wait to get started. I already have a schedule! I'm such a dork! What else is going on? Well, I spoke at our ladies meeting on "Evaluating our Priorities and Duties as Women" and it went well. I think I tried to cram too much into one meeting, though. They asked me to speak next month also and if I had known that, I would've shortened it to be able to stress more impt points. I used a lot of what Candy has to say in her E-book in www.keeping thehome.com and changed it up as I felt led. I needed it so badly, myself because I KNOW my priorities aren't in order right now! During the week it is 1. Work 2. Children 3. Husband 4. God. I'm just going to be transparent here. I let my ladies know the message was for me as well. The reason my children are before my husband is because a=being so young, they have so many needs right now. If we went by just on my 'list' my husband is first. He is my favorite person and he is an adult. Yes! Adult interaction is wonderful. LOL Work is first because it keeps me away 8 hrs from my family. I have nothing but shame for God being last. The first step in recovery is Admittance so that's what I'm doing now. LOL The second step is Believe and I believe I can do better. The 3rd step is Commit to a plan and the last step is Do!!! I so realize how impt God is and how impt it is for Him to be first (which is what I spoke about as well). I need Him so despereately for me to be what I need to be for priorities 2-4. Anyway....how are your priorities lining up?

I'll have to do more updates tomorrow. Time to get ready to go home. Home, what a lovely word! *Sorry for all the misspelled words...pumping while typing

A Happy Ending

Well, in the end everything worked out. My bread got a happy home in the trash can. All 5 loaves. Emory was watching me as I dumped them out into the trash and he said, "I guess you're not a Breadmaker after all." LOL It was as if he had read my post! One loaf I had to beat on the floor for it to come out of the pan. No kidding. It was that hard. When I got home today my house reeked out baked sweet potatoes. That was the smell given off by the bread. It wasn't too good. I have my crock pot candle thing turned on now to help rid the smell.

My children were excellent this afternoon. Emory was extra helpful and so good. I was proud of him. He fed the dog and cat, brought the trash and dumped it in the 'master' trash can, and he took his plate to the sink. He did everything I asked of him with a cheerful spirit. He listened as his daddy read to him the story of Samson AND David (Goliath) from the Bible. He sang "Amazing Grace" with his daddy on the piano. I decided to read "Farmer Boy" to Emory and Erin for bedtime story. They wanted me to go on to Ch 2! Erin calls "Almanzo", "Ranzo". Maybe they will stay interested in it. I'm so ready to give up the baby books and move onto some Ch books with them. I can't wait to be reading the Chronicles of Narnia books to them. What fun! Not to leave Erin out, she did set the table, complete with plates and forks.

I cooked my favorite meal tonight, Shrimp Alfredo w/ Penne Pasta. Oh my word, if you are not a garlic lover, then it's not for you. Here's the recipe: 1 stick of butter, 2 cloves of garlic (chopped), 1/4 cup of chopped green onions, 1 cup mushrooms, 1 bag of shrimp (I used the salad shrimp..so much cheaper). Saute all of that. Cook your pasta. Add salt to both. Add your drained pasta to the sauteed mix and add about 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. YUM! I served it with toast. I had Asparagus on my menu, but Wal-Mart was out. A salad or sweet potatoes would have been good with it as well. Tomorrow night is BBQ chicken, baked beans, and potato salad. Yeah baby!

I have my Evening routine pretty much settled. When I get home, I usually nurse Evan. Even if he has just had a bottle, he will NOT be pacified until he has mama's milk. After he is playing, I will make up my bed and start a load of clothes (Monday--towels and all non clothing items, Tuesday--mine & husband's clothes, Wednesday--kid's clothes), then I make supper while Evan is playing in high chair, Emory is on computer or playing with toys, Erin is usually on the counter 'helping' me cook. After dinner, Evan goes to bed, Erin goes in the bathtub and I wash dishes. I usually spread out my dish washing because I bathe Erin and then Emory gets in (by himself..yes!) and I bathe him. All the while, I'm watching the clothes, putting in the dryer, etc. Then, the kids get teeth brushed, story read and prayers. They go to bed between 8:30 and 9:00 usually. I would LOVE to get them to bed at 8, but we never seem to make it at that time. After they bathe, I usually finish up the kitchen, sweep, take out trash (cleaned out my vehicle tonight!) and take my bath. Then, it's straight to bed, get on the computer or read. Whew. I love having a routine, tho. It makes the impossible seem possible, ya know?

Well, two blogs in one day! It's 10:30 and I've gotta get up before 6. Spelling Bee tomorrow. NO school for me, just taking kids to the Spelling Bee. We'll have fun. Thanks for reading.

Think I'm a better bread winner than a bread maker!

Ok, I finished my starter and set out to make the Ultimate Amazing Bread. I was unsure that I was doing it correctly, but I tried anyway. It.didn't.rise. So, I tried kneading it again and this morning it still hadn't risen. I almost cried. I have been working on that stupid bread all week and it didn't rise. So, no more starter bread for me and I am yeast bread all the way, baby. I can make it that way. I can't waste 2 boxes of Organic Wheat Flour to try again. What amazes me is that I so have a defeatist attitude about things I can't do. Emory and Erin are both like me in that area. I will cry if something doesn't work for me. So will they. It is not a good attitude to have. Anyway, I'm humbled that I can't make bread from a starter. I'm the type who won't try again, either. I will just resign myself that I'm not a breadmaker. Sigh

The weekend weather was crummy. Two weekends in a row of crummy weather. Two weekends indoors. I'm so ready to be outside working in my yards or helping my husband do some things outside. I have so many projects to do it isn't funny. I did get to mop Saturday and I grocery shopped.

I wanted to get up around 5 or so this morning and get started on my day instead of rushing around. I will tell you one thing about me that isn't a secret. I love to sleep. I love to go to bed early and sleep late. I almost wish I could buy an electric shocker that will shock me out of bed in lieu of an alarm clock. I set the alarm for 5:30 and got up at 6:09. I had to pull Mr. Breast Leech from me and he didn't like that very much. Anyway, the moral of the story is that I was still late for work and my mom had to meet me at a closer location so I wouldn't be even later.

I have been reading up a storm. I love, love to read. I imagine a vacation where I can read all.day.long. Stopping only for bathroom breaks. I would have me some unhealthy snacks closeby and some fresh lemonade to sip on. I would have a mixture of self-help books, all about either homeschooling, homemaking, herbs, natural health, or natural childbirth. Then, I would have a few Christian Fiction books by my favorite authors, Beverly Lewis and Francine Rivers. Last I would have some children's fiction books (4-6th grade levels). This would be anything from Little House series books to the Old Classics. I am going to strive to read some of the classics I've never read. Some of the Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and even books like To Kill a Mockingbird. Of course, I can always catch up on Bible reading. I love to do that as well, when I can sit down, uninterrupted and read my Bible.

How do I get my reading done? Well, I, er, don't recommend doing this, but I mostly read while I drive or ride. If husband is driving, I read. If I am driving my familiar (only) roads, I will take glances at my book while riding. Other times are while nursing. If I am really into a good book, I will walk around and read while doing other things! :) I finished Farmer Boy (Little House series) over the weekend and it was so good. I'm sure I read it while I was a child. I learned a lot about Pioneering and extreme Homemaking. LOL I started reading "The Dead Man in Indian Creek" by Mary Downing Hahn today.

Well, gotta get to my Spelling Bee students.

Random Musings...

I must have at least 50 posts with that title, but this is exactly what I'm posting about: random things.

First of all, I want to say that God is so extremely good to me. Sometimes, He just reaches down to me in a silent way and places His hand on my shoulder. Sometimes, at the end of the day, I realize that I should have had a nervous breakdown at some point during the day. But, I don't. God helps me through. And it's not half bad either. Sometimes, I hear a song or I get a scripture that comes to mind and I just want to stop and worship God. Today I was erasing my board and the scripture, "I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, MARVELOUS are thy WORKS; and that my soul knoweth right well" just came to me. I just wanted to turn around and tell my class (I wrote it on my bulletin board as part of my theme) Also, all day I've had a song on my mind and I couldn't help but sing it off and on throughout the day (I know my students think I'm a loony bin anyway). It is "I Stand Redeemed". When I get to the part that says, "When He looks at me, He sees the Nail-scarred Hands, that bought My liberty, I stand redeemed", I get chills. I love having the Lord's presence abiding with me not just when I'm at church. Anyway, just wanted to share.

This week I've cooked since Sunday. I love hearing what others have for their supper, so I will post what I've had. One day, I hope I can post what I have for breakfast and lunch. I can't wait to be able to post what I've cooked for my little one's breakfast and lunch. Sunday night, we have Chicken Alfredo w/Rotini Pasta and some homemade bread (which, btw, made great grilled cheese sandwiches Sunday morn). Monday night, I fixed Salmon Patties (I LOVE salmon patties and these were the best yet--1 can Salmon, 1 egg, 3/4 cup bread crumbs, little garlic, salt, pepper, and 1 cup milk..yum), string beans, and potato wedges. Last night, we had steak nuggets, lima beans (I had put them in the crock pot that morning, with some Chicken broth), rice & tomato gravy, and cornbread. My cornbread was delish. It is actually my mom's recipe, but I used buttermilk instead of reg milk. (1 & 1/4 cups of cornmeal--I used freshly ground from my dad--1/4 cup reg flour, 3. tp. baking pwd, 1 tp salt--mix--then add 1/4 cup oil and 1 cup buttermilk) Yum. Tonight is Wednesday night and I'm out of options for quick ideas. It will probably involve 2 slices of bread and chips. :)

I am working on my Home Management Binder. I am totally stoked about this. I have already finished the schedule section and the breakfast/lunch menu ideas section. I can't wait to do the others. I want to work on it at night, but by the time I finish supper dishes, my hubby is on the computer. So, I get my bath and decide to go to bed. I'm usually pretty happy with my decision anyway! Erin hasn't been sleeping well this week. She is not feeling well this week. We decided against giving her the antiobiotics for her infection and have been giving her Goldenseal tea instead. I hope this is working. She is just not herself. She wants Mama all the time. She wants me to sleep with her at night. She lays there for an hour from when we put her in the bed before she falls asleep. She gets up all through the night. She gets in trouble for repeatedly getting up. She cries for me to lay with her. She is disobeying all the time. Even after consistent reprimanding. I have decided that I can't be as gentle with her punishments as I can with Emory to get the point across. I'm consistent, so I know that's what it is. The punishment is not severe enough. I feel wary of what I post because I don't want someone accusing me of abusing my child. Lord knows, the ppl who read this know that I'm not that type. I promise you I never wait until I am angry to discipline. The parent who does is wrong. The child only gets the message, "my parent doesn't like me very much" instead of "my parent loves me enough to teach me what is right". Anyway, I hope this is something she is going to snap out of before long. I think it is a combination of my working, rushing home to cook, start a fire, rush to put milk in the fridge or pump, feed animals, and then I'm cooking supper and having to stretch my time between the three and my chores. If I were AT HOME, then I could, throughout the day give them some of my time. I do try to let her sit on the counter with me while I cook, etc.

I don't want to bribe them into obedience, but I have started a reward system. If I catch them being 'good', then I put a bean in a jar. When the bean jar is full (or they've used up all the beans in the bag) then we will do something special (camp out or see a movie). Emory was getting lots of beans yesterday for helping or not complaining when I asked him to do something. Erin, bless her heart, was so not getting beans. Finally, I watch her get my mop from the foyer and she goes into the living/dining room and begins 'mopping'. She even mops my kitchen. I praise her and tell her what an awesome job she is doing (the mop was like a giant tree compared to her) and she turns around and says, "I'm going to get a bean, I'm a big helper like Mama". Of course, she got a bean. In fact, I snuck around and gave her two! Shh! :)

I'm thrilled to announce that Evan has started enjoying the culinary aspect of family life since the weekend. On Sunday morning, we put him in his high chair and he had breakfast with us. Right now, he has just experienced carrots and rice cereal. I'm just going to do those for a week bf we try anything new. He is loving eating. I've been giving him echinacea in a bottle of water for his cold, and he loves water very well! It is nice having him at the table with us.

Turning cold again! I dare say we will be embracing spring when it arrives! I've got some gardening ideas. (uh oh..lol) Check out my book wish list. You might find some on there that you would like to read. I'm not through with my list as of this posting. Check them out at Amazon.

A Little Leaven for ya!

My first ever bread turned out great. At first it wouldn't rise and I was beginning to think it a failure. Then, I remembered reading something about if it doesn't rise, try kneading it again. Then, I remembered reading somewhere else, if the dough is sticky, add more flour. So, I did both and sure enough, it started rising! The only thing that was wrong is, after punching it back down, I was supposed to let it rise until it had doubled in size. I wasn't patient enough! So, the loaves probably should've been taller. Anyway, we dug into it and half of one loaf is now gone! I now feel like I have finally arrived as a homemaker! LOL Really tho, I don't think I'll ever buy store bought again. This is so much cheaper and tastes better! Not to mention gets your house smelling yummy!

A Snowpendous Saturday!

We awoke to a white morning today! What a beautiful surprise. I'm glad I saw it first because I was able to lead the kids to the window, cover their eyes and say, 'surprise'! It was so fun. We got out in it after a breakfast of Whole Wheat Oatmeal Pancakes (very healthy and nourishing, I must say). Evan and Erin are a little under the weather, so we didn't stay out in it too long. Husband and Emory built a snowman, made snow angels, and threw snowballs. A very nice change from the blah winter scenery we are used to. Now, at 4:30pm, the snow has melted a bit, but there still is some left to play in. Darest I wish for more snow for tomorrow? ;)

I have been a blog-a-holic lately, checking out blogs from other conservative, homemaking, women like I attain to be. It has been fun to take a peek into the lives of other women who are fulfilling the desires that I have. My favorite blog site so far is www.myblessedhome.blogspot.com. She is very organized, very Godly, and has a wonderful Homeschooling schedule to go by. I have downloaded a couple of her downloadables, which make for interesting reads.

Speaking of homemaking, I'm working on my first ever bread starter to make the bread from the above site. Let you know how it turns out. It takes a week for it to be ready to bake, so today while my starter is, uh, startering, I'm going to make some bread from yeast.

That's all for now. Leave you with some pictures from the snow.

A Pleasant Monday

I have a few things on my mind, so I thought I'd give ya a blog!

First off, Erin has been complaining when she goes to the potty. Last night, she cried out when she tee-teed, so I knew the time had come to take her to receive medical intervention! I was thrilled to have the day off from school (unprepared for school as I was) and equally thrilled to spend some extra time with my family. For the record, Erin has been super, super ill this weekend. I don't know if it's related to her condition or if it's a new phase. If not, I have a couple of implementations that I'm going to try to improve her behavior. More about those later. Anyway, parts of her privates, undisturbed, have grown together, which is causing bacteria to form (because she isn't getting as clean), irritation, and pain from not having much room to 'go'. Poor girl. I was relieved it wasn't an UTI, and am glad for some natural ways to remedy the situation. We are to bathe her in baking soda and put vaseline on the area to soften the skin. This is supposed to help everything open up.

Well, I guess there's another reason boys are way easier! :) I love my gal, though. She was pretty cute at the doctor's office!

I'm happy to report (Kugoi) that the SuperMom tablets work.....super! I didn't notice a drastic, overnight change, that some have reported, but I have been getting a lot more things done. I really have a new attitude and approach to my housework anyway, so I don't know if that's it. I've started the year with a 'if it needs doing, do it right then' attitude that has really helped me. But, I've really been cleaning and straigtening, doing some purging, etc. I think the vits have helped! I would like to think so. If nothing else, my baby gets colored milk to spice up his feeding times!! :)

I've been reading my Bible more here lately and I can tell you that if you will just make a small effort in doing more for the Lord, you will be amazed at the benefits you will reap. I know this to be true, but it amazes me that every time, it really happens. I started reading more and trying to pray more throughout the day (instead of resolving to not pray at all if I can't spend that blessed hour on my knees...I have weird 'perfectionistic' tendencies like that) and I can feel the Lord so much nearer to me. I'm happy to be back 'together' with his word (after an estranged relationship..haha). God is so good. I feel like we aren't going to 'get off' if we aren't truly ready for His coming, when he does come. I want to have a peace in knowing that I am truly ready with no reservations.

God is good. I want to put Him first and my family second. I can't wait to be at home with my family where God intends for me to be. I have ideas exploding through my head (from homeschooling to scheduling to cooking, etc) that I need God's wisdom to help me make them a success.

Today was a good Monday. Doesn't even seem like Monday. That's when I say it has been good! :)

Elimination Communication

While I was pregnant, I read a book on infant potty-training. I can't remember the name of the book--it's under my bed. I decided I *might* try it. Being a working mother, I just thought about maybe doing it hit and miss. So, when Evan was really tiny (like a few weeks old), I would put him on the potty and most of the time, he wouldn't do anything. So, I've not pushed the issue since he was about a month old.

Fast forward to Christmas Day. He hadn't 'been' in a couple of days and I could tell it was aggravating him some. You know, no poop = frustration and blah feeling. LOL Anyway, we were at the table eating, I holding him, and I could tell he was getting a little atsy. Squirmy, uncomfortable, ya know? A vibe only his mother would've detected. So, I just decided (out of the blue--a nudge from God?) to whisk him off to the potty. In addition to being adorable on the potty, he also looked rather humorous. Well, right away, he started grunting. Before I knew it, he had blowed out his poop (sorry) right down into the bowl!! I was so amazed.

What is so amazing still, is that every single day since Christmas, he has pooped for me in the potty! Some times more than once/day! I'm so amazed. He tee-tees everytime also. Even if he has just 'gone', he will grunt and strain until he tee-tees, even just a fraction of a milliliter! LOL He is so stinkin' cute!

If you want to try it, what I do is wait about 5 or 10 minutes after he eats and I notice he gets a little squirmy. Sometimes he even grunts a bit. I rush him off to the potty, put a tissue over his manhood (haha), and he will go 95% of the time. In the mornings, that is the first thing I do is take him and he. will. go. Just like that. It's amazing!

He is getting so heavy that I decided to weigh him last night. Eighteen pounds! He felt a whole lot heavier. He is getting way chunky! Over the holidays, he has 'asked' to nurse to go to sleep. I reluctantly obliged him. Now, I just whip it out and hand over the goods! LOL I think the extra milk is making him beef up for sure!

Come on 6 months when he can sit up! :)

Just thought I'd share my potty success. BTW, we are still doing some in our diaper. You know, when he is down playing, etc., he doesn't ask me to go potty. :) But, he will wait longer to teetee, and I think he is waiting for me to take him and then I don't show up. :(

God didn't invent them in diapers anyway, right? ;)

A bit of a catch up and an actual BLOG..

Little did I know when I said "30 days of nothing" that I would literally mean nothing...lol. Basically, my non-posting has resulted from Holiday frenzy, lack of computer, or just so much to blog about that I just don't know where to start, or, nothing to blog about at all. So just a little catching up before I rush outta here to my small, cozy home.

ME: What's going on with me is this: I'm back to work after having a wonderful and so busy Christmas. I really enjoy my job, but I so can't get 'into it' after being off for awhile. I think it's also my being back at school on a Thursday instead of a Monday. I think it is also due to the fact (I hope it's a fact) that this is my last yr teaching, Lord willing. It's not that I don't want to do my best while I'm here, but it's that I so want to be devoting my time to MY little ones and have no energy for other's little ones (my students). They are so patient and kind, I really don't deserve such great students. Anyway, back to pumping, getting up early, and rushing about for supper plans, skimping on the house cleaning, crashing at night, etc. Yup.

I have a sinus infection like none other. I don't remember having so much pain associated with a sinus infection before. Before, it's just been the green, the goot, and the blowing of the nostrils (how's that for graphic?). This time, I have PAIN. Today is Day 5 of jaw-bone-up-to-my-eye pain. So badly that I, who does not take pain meds for frivolous reasons, have succombed to the wonderful relief that 2 Ibuprofens can bring. So far, I have been taking Echinacea (not regularly), Vit C, Juice Plus, and I got some new vits called SuperMoms from www.beeyoutiful.com yesterday. I have been applying hot compresses to my eyes. Knowing the wonderful properties of garlic, yesterday I went out into the cold elements to dig up some fresh garlic planted by Husband's dear forefathers and ate a whole garlic! I figured I had sinus breath anyway! LOL Immediately, my sinuses were as clear as ever! However, the pain is still there this morning! Oh, well, I'll chew another garlic stalk today. What is there to lose besides breath less than pleasant anyway?

Husband: Well, I have nothing but great things to always say about him. He so came through for me this Christmas, staying up until 5am Christmas morning to download and personally narrate a 2 hour 'broadcast' playing 40 songs that he has sung to me through our years together. All of this was done on a new MP3 playing that he purchased for me. I feel almost as high tech as my 4th graders. Almost.

Emory: Emory is Emory. He is really a mama's boy at times. We got close over the holidays. He still loves to eat, play the computer, and watch his daddy play the playstation. He is really a chip off of his dad's shoulder. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Erin: Now, this gal is a pistil. Last night, she got in trouble for breaking all of the stems on my flowers that I had brought in to save from the 18 degree temps we (gasp) had. I had already warned her. When I asked her why she did it anyway, she announced, "But my elephants had to have something to eat". I was almost crying from my flowers being ruined, but this *almost* brought a smile to my face. I'm sure years from now, I will cherish this memory. She is a joy. I absolutely love the 'terrible' twos. They are wonderful for a well-trained child. She has her moments, but I have the peace of knowing we are being consistent with her discipline and that she will turn out to be a well trained young lady.

Evan: Oh, my sweet baby boy. This little guy has my heart. I mean, even at 3 and 4 am, while I'm rocking him in my cold rocking chair, feeling the draft coming through the window, I love looking into his big, er, huge eyes. I love being responsible for his nourishment. He is amazing. He is squealing and screaming (not fits....yet...ha), is coming up on his arms, rolling over, and teething...still. He is absolutely precious. I would have 10 of him if I could. I'm just in love, sorry! :)

On my mind: Lots of things I could 'blog' about, but something that has been on my mind lately and I'm going to try to work on is, whining. You know, I didn't read the Pearl books until Emory was around 1.5 years old, so I didn't really implement consistent training on him right away. In fact, the other day, I was watching a home video and it was showing Em in the bathtub playing. I gave him some command (I can't remember what it was) and he so totally ignored it. I told him about 3 more times and he didn't pay any attention to it! I couldn't believe I let it go. Now, no way. One command yields one response. Anyway, I have noticed how whiney he is. Especially at his gran gran's (it's true, Amy). It irritates me to no end. As I have been pondering how I can prevent my other children from whining (Erin whines too, a bit), I remember reading something in the Pearl's book about responding to infants and babys before they get to the crying state. Normally, a parent puts a happy baby down to 'play' and what happens? He or she will leave the baby there to play in order to get something done. My exact thoughts have been, 'oh good, he/she is playing happily, I'll go make the bed, start the laundry, sweep the floor, etc'. And, before long, I will hear a little cry at first and I will think, "well let me just get this bed made and I'll go get him, it's not hurting anything for him to cry a little". Well, after the bed has been made, baby's irritation levels have really escalated because mama hasn't met said need of 'I want to be picked up'. So, mama (me, ha) goes over to baby, who is now fussing heavily, picks him up and yeah, things are great. Except for the fact that I've just taught my baby that A. Cry and I'll pick you up and B. I only pick you up when you fuss.

So, what is learned here? Baby learns that the way to get happiness is to Whine (cry, fuss, whatever you want to call it). Got my point?

So the solution (and what I'm trying to implement) is to A. I could go broke, buy me an Ergo carrier (which I want desperately) and carry Evan all day long or B. I could put him down, see how long it normally takes him to whine (I think he will usually play good for about 10 mins before he wants mama), and then allow him to play for half of that time and pick him up while he's happy. I might not get as much done, but if I can prevent him from being TRAINED to whine, then I will not complain (er, whine...lol).

In other words, I meet his needs before they become wants. I pick him up happy. I change him before he becomes fussy. I nurse him to sleep before he cries to be nursed to sleep (I already know he loves being nursed to sleep and will 'fuss' to nurse to sleep). I feed him before he cries out of hunger. I entertain him before he becomes bored into fussiness.

All of this sounds as if I am spoiling him, but in fact, I'm UNspoiling him.

Let me know what you think.

Sorry to be so long...I hope you faithful ones haven't left me! :)

Oops!

I skipped blogging last night because I was so.incredibly.sleepy! Just two things worthy of posting:

~Erin got her 2nd goose egg on the back of her head in 2 weeks time. Poor baby. I mean you could see it with her hair combed over it! My mom said I used to get the most knots on my head of any child she knew!

~My dear husband brought me home a bag of baked goodies from the Amish bakery. YUM! I could so not eat just one. It was awesome!

~Day 2 of following my Menu Plan: Hamburgers and french fries. I should've just followed my original way of cooking hamburgers. :(

Sheer Randomness

Well, I almost let the pictures I posted stand in for a blog, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. A commitment is a commitment.

I started on my Monthly Meals from Family Fun. I fixed Hawaiian chicken & rice and Armadillo Potatoes (supposed to look like Armadillos to get kids to eat them, yk?). It was really yummy. It was so much different than what I normally fix (yk, meat, vegetable, starch), so it was nice to have a change. The downside of it is that I had to shop at our local grocery which was downright depressing. The prices are horrible and they have nothing organic. I love me some Wal-Mart now.

The reason I had to shop at the local grocery is as follows: Last night, Dh and I needed to go to the closest real town, which is about 60 miles away. We had to pay a credit card bill and to get a few groceries. MIL had agreed to keep the kids, sans one (Mr. Boob Attacher), so it was all good. We had a really nice ride out. Evan was asleep, the van was warm, we were listening to old country music and holding hands. Light conversation, yk? Well, I get to Sears and realize I had forgotten to get the money from the kitchen shelf! I had absolutely.no.money. I just about cried. The amazing part of the story is this: my husband laughed! He laughed! He is really exceptional. He said, "Well, at least we had a really nice ride together." I thought that was so sweet. I told him most husbands would've fussed and fussed and talked about how irresponsible that was of me to leave the money. He said it would be like him to have done something like that (leave the $$). Anyway, he had enough money with him to get ME a Mocha Frappe and us a sandwich. We preceded to have another nice ride home while the baby slept. I ended up falling asleep on Dh's arm, bless him. What a nice man I have!

Evan is 4 months old today and HE HAS A TOOTH!! It has barely broken thru the skin (on Sunday), but it is definitely there! His gums itch like crazy. It makes me think he will get about 4 or 5 teeth at one time! He is my heart right now. About 99% of the time, I could eat him to pieces!

Emory is enjoying his '5 yr old status'. Everything he does, he wants us to say something in relation to 'that's a big 5 year old doing a good job'. How funny.

Well, my nose is cold, I've got to read a chapter in my "LionBoy" book, and then it's off to bed for me.

The Tree

About 90% kid-friendly ornaments this year! Woo-hoo!

Birthday boy

Two Things...

Okay, sometimes I don't have the blogging take-over spirit..lol. It's hard for me to come up with something, but here goes.

*I'm in a reading contest with two of my best readers in my class. They already have about 80-100 points for the year and I just started! My points are around 11. Ha! So far, I have read : "Blubber" by Judy Blume, The Hardy Boys, "The Secret of the Old Mill" by Franklin Dixon, and I'm currently reading, http://www.amazon.com/Lionboy-Truth-Trilogy-Hardcover/dp/B000HT2P8E/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196722111&sr=1-3 "The Lion Boy". It is worth 8 points. I'm really into this contest. I love to read but have basically stopped since my children have been born (besides the occasional novel..once per yr). I have found over the past 2 weeks that I can squeeze in reading!

*If you don't subscribe to FamilyFun Magazine, you should. I get the biweekly Email with craft ideas and menus. They have a month's worth of meals complete with doable recipes. I'm gonna try it for a week. Let you know. It just might be the answer to my 'what to cook' dilemma that I face nightly.

Well, Evan is fussing in my arms and Emory is waiting for the computer, so that's it. Hey, I came up with something to post didn't I?

Birthday Emory

My firstborn turned 5 today! We let him sleep in this morning..it was apparent he needed too. The weather was sooo extremely warm and humid today! Not at all what it was when I birthed him. I am so glad I didn't leave heaters on at the house. In fact, I have 2 air conditioners currently running. Snowstorms in the NW and 80 degree temps here! Gotta love the South.

Got my aunt to make a schoolbus cake and it is so cute (pix to follow). I had a recipe for one and was feeling all Martha, but I knew my time and energies would be stretched. We were going to have a small party after church, but some had made other plans, so it was family only (Nana and Grandpa to come later to see him blow out the candles). We had a nice junk food fest--hotdogs & chips (which is rare, but special occasion, ya know) and cupcakes. I'm sure I'll post pix in a few minutes.

It is sooo good to be home!! Even if there was a roach in my sink (Amy) and the dishes had gotten smelly (spontaneous trip), it was still good to be home. I love home! Vacation is good for something other than making memories...it's for appreciating home! Now I must go face the mountain of dirty clothes!

Emory has just announced that he is bathing himself (wow, growing up right on time) and I smell the soap all the way in the living room, so I'd better check on him!

Wow, he put his bath toys in the basket, dried off himself, AND clothed himself! Oh no! Too much independence means I'll be ready for another baby soon. JUST KIDDING! I'm proud, though!! :)

31 Days of Nothing...

I read this blog called Big and Little, it's at WordPress (another blogging site--I'll try to get the link) and the blogger had a challenge called 30 Days of Nothing where she resolved to post something every day (all 30) in November. I thought I'd try it. It might indeed be 31 days of nothing!

However, what goes on at our house is definitely anything but nothing. We are currently on 'holiday' at the beach without going to the beach! :) We decided to take off and head south to do some Christmas shopping and making some memories. So far we have:

-got very little sleep (aren't you supposed to sleep on vacation?)

-been a human pacifier all.night.long (no crib or bassinet)

-had extreme allergies

-had a no-napper (Emory)

-spent money

But, we have:

-watch a nice movie together (Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium...awesome movie!)

-had some warm beach weather (did someone say December?)

-not had a house to clean

-read a few chapters in a book (what's that again? did I hear you correctly?)

-lastly, enjoyed wireless fast internet

My little firstborn (ahem, little?) is turning 5 tomorrow. It seems impossible. What a big boy he is.

I have an exceptional husband. Who else would take 3 kids Christmas shopping for 3 hours which includes stopping by the restroom at least 3 times, stopping by the carousel rides at least 3 times, and listening to numerous complaints! What a gem!

Lemon Squares and Hickory Nuts

GALORE!

A Day in our Country home (lame title, I know)

If I didn't have dial-up, I would title this blog, "A Day in Pictures" and post pictures of what we did today. First off, Daddy got Emory up at 6am to go squirrel hunting, which turns out, Emory is a 'chip off the old shoulder' because he crawled into bed with me soon after. Alas, Dad went solo. The picture (if I do download it) is not of Emory's first squirrel, but of dad's squirrel while Emory-lay-in-the-bed. My day started out before six, but such is common for me. Ah, what is sleep? It is but a vapor that appeareth for a little while and then vanishes with the cries of the nursling babe. I'm enjoying my little sleep robber, such as he is.

We have been piddling about the house: getting the fireplace ready for the huge, harsh winters that we have (ha), making up beds, fixing lunch (pizza and chips...oh, but they were both natural and organic *inserts your rolled eyes here* lol), afterwards made lemon squares (see picture, that might download by tomorrow). Then I raked up a few piles whilst sorting the pecans I raked up. Meanwhile, the husbando was picking up hickory nuts (see picture). If anyone knows of anything to be done with these wonderful nuts, please leave me a comment! The kids have been playing (Erin tending to her 'bejtable garden') and Evan is getting his longest nap of the week.

I've got a few things accomplished this week, none to speak of, but the week isn't over. I do want to do some sort of craft with my kiddos. Leaf rubbings or something. I did see a great idea in my kidscraftweekly newletter (www.kidscraftweekly.com) about doing an advent calendar with matchboxes. This would be something you could do together, every day, during the month of December. I'm going to do this--it sounds awesome.

Of course, tomorrow is Thanksgiving (Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll) and I will celebrate with my wonderful Grandmother and Papa and all the Sullivan family. Twill be a glorious time. I don't think I will bake nary thing! My granny has it pretty much covered (and the aunts) so I'm going to take adv of no cooking! I'm sure in a few years, Thanksgiving dinner will fall my lot and I will receive my own family in my home. I really can't wait until that time. I also can't wait to morph into Paula Deen...lol. Really, I'm not rushing my life, but it is fun to think about your grown kids coming home and being with you. Gives me the warm fuzzies!

Well, off to post pictures. I might be back for another blog. Feeling bloggish today!

A Good Day

Today marked the first day of Thanksgiving Holidays. It was truly a day in which to be thankful. I got up and had a bowl of cereal with my husband before he left for work. It was nice to have that together time without the kid's interrupting. Of course, he had barely made it out the door before the kids were up and ready to start their day.

I set out to declutter my room a bit. It will have to be a work in progress because I can only work in there when Evan is awake. I made a slight dent in the pile of clothes. My maternity clothes are still in the containers sitting there on the floor. I need to move them out of the room before they are some kind of omen or something!

Ran some errands in town. Got my Mothering magazine in the mail so I got to browse thru that while the milk man took over. It is always refreshing to read about other natural mamas. There was an article in there about Breastfeeding 911--talking about Breastfeeding during emergencies. It gave 3 stories of how infants would've died in emergency situations (situations where there was no water to mix formula) if the mother had not breastfed. Something to think about! I absolutely love nursing Evan. In the first few weeks, it seems merely a service to the infant. Now, it is a pleasure. He will unlatch to smile up at me or coo at me (his way of saying, 'thanks, mom') and it melts my heart. Anyway, the kids played outside for awhile. I listened to their childish play and their pretend talk. It is awesome being a mom! Erin says, "Em" and it takes about 4 syllables for her to get it out. She's so country!

The kids took a long nap today (3 hours) and I got to straighten up and wash clothes (never ending cycle!). I cooked a good meal: fried chicken strips, string beans, and garlic/cheddar/mashed potatoes. It was yummy.

The husband has taken the kids to the gym to 'walk'. I'm getting some down time while Evan, I believe, is down for the night. I miss him already!! I like to have the nightly cuddles with him before bed. I was busy cooking tonight. :(

Well, this is about as random as you get! I'm just glad to be blogging with no interruptions! haha

Can you tell I'm enjoying my week?

Womanhood Revisited

I wish I had a computer in my brain that could copy down things I want to blog. By the time I get a chance to actually blog, I can't remember what it was going to be about!

Yesterday, I had a migraine. Don't have but about two a year and it's usually when something crazy is going on w/ my hormones. Sure enough, Aunt Flo knocked last night, and sadly, I had to answer! Womanhood has returned! Just a few weeks ago, I finished the post-partum deal. It doesn't seem like I've had a break, but it has been one year since I had a period. This time last year, had a tiny little life growing in me. Look at him now! Mr. Evan--18 pounds, cooing and teething! He is sooo sweet, there aren't any words to describe a new baby. I'm sorry, but I think people are crazy for not wanting any children!!

Speaking of Evan, he had had some bouts of screaming during the early mornings about 3 mornings in a row. I'm not sure what it was, but I know it wasn't teething. I mean, about 45 minutes to an hour of screaming. I was helpless, but prayed. Actually, husband did all the praying because I was trying to console! I figured it out it might be the milk my mom was giving him for the extra feeding that I don't have enough breastmilk for. She has been using goat milk (straight from the, er, goat), but the goats haven't been producing, so she's been giving him goat milk from the carton. Pasteurized, Homogenized. So, I'm thinking, the enzymes have been killed via pasteurization which in turn, causes baby to not digest milk as well. Yesterday, we just did formula for the extra feeding and had a great night! Bye, bye goat milk from the carton. Hello, sleep. Sort of. He is still getting up during the night and so is Erin! I was up at 4:30, got the smiling young-one back to sleep at 6 or so and I just decided to stay up. Yawn.

After tomorrow, I have 10 days with my family! I can't wait!! I want to savor every. single. minute. Make lots of memories with my babies. I just love this time of year!

God is good. I don't thank Him enough. Do any of us? How can we ever repay what He's done for us?

All About Erin

Erin Abigail Cooper

Favorite Animal: Elephant (wants to name all elephants, "Babar") & Pigs (wants to name all pigs, "Wilbur")

Favorite Book: This is a hard one, but I believe she likes "Three Little Pigs" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" the best.

Favorite Cuteness: It is so cute when she says, "I love you, Mama" or when she rhymes words, like, "Tickle" and she will say, "Dickle, Wickle, Pickle"

Dislikes: Her biggest dislike would have to be getting her hair combed. She has unkempt hair that has a tendency to tangle very easily! She also dislikes loud noises. She hates to be interrupted during a project or task. "I gotta finish my puzzle fuhst"

Favorite Food: She loves garlic toast, candy, spaghetti, pizza (toppings), all meat, cereal, pears, oranges, and butterbeans. Not much after that.

Hobbies: She currently loves putting puzzles together. She will still sit and "read" for minutes on end. She enjoys 'cooking' outside and also helping mama.

Interests: Books and Animals. LOVES Animals.

Loves: animals, mama, scratching my neck, sucking her bottom lip, playing outside, Gabby (her dog), Herky (our cat), Gran-gran, Papa, movies, candy, having a story read to her, baths, Christmas (she can't wait)

Music: "Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer" is her current favorite.

Abilities: She is fully potty trained now (as of 10/07), can carry on complete conversations, can put a 3 -4 year old puzzle together, can dress/undress herself, can sing,

Current Inquisition: "What does this (insert word) start with?"

She is my baby girl and the daughter of my dreams!

Weekend Uninterrupted!

This weekend was perfect to me. It has been a looong time since I've had a perfect one--probably since before Evan was born. A perfect weekend to me means my house is straightened all throughout, the clothes are washed and put away (or are being done so), my kids are well behaved, my husband is home, the weather is beautiful, I have food to cook, and we are having a great time as a family. All the above occurred. For some reason, I got my house straightened without being interrupted, I washed clothes and got to put them away as they dried, Evan is entertaining himself some now, so he played contently while I worked. Of course, I played with him after feedings. Erin and Emory played outside most of the day and were good (besides the time Emory chased Erin with a BB gun and Erin came inside yelling, "Mama, Emory's trying to kill me"). I cooked a fabulous supper; roast and gravy, macaroni and cheese (which, btw, my husband, who is a world famous mac and cheese scrutinizer, said it was the best he had ever eaten), green beans, rice, and biscuits. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! My husband worked and finished his wood shed. Evan and I put some wood in it for him while he watched the Alabama-LSU game. Evan in his carrier attached to me, of course. The kids went to bed fairly early and the day was done. We never once left the house and it was fantastic.

How was your weekend?