Scott and I were married a year and a half when I got the baby bug. I had always wanted to be a mother and felt we were getting to a place where a baby would fit right in. We had bought a house, got a dog, had good jobs and were saving money.
We were blessed to get pregnant right away. I had terrible morning sickness that really lasted all day. Thankfully, it was my first baby and I could just rest and take care of me and no one else at the time. I didn't know what a luxury that was at the time.
We went in for our ten week check-up and were excited to be able to hear the heartbeat! I don't remember now what the speed was. I didn't care; it was the best sound in the world!
At 15 weeks I felt my first kick. I still remember it distinctly. I was sleeping in on my day off and woke up to a bedroom full of sunshine (I really miss those days). All of a sudden I thought I felt something. I pulled up my shirt and there was a tiny movement the same time I felt the kick. It seemed like a baby bird pecking at its' shell. What a miracle!
By 20 weeks I had a little bump. We went in for our first ultrasound with a blank tape in hand. We were excited to capture images of our new baby. I couldn't believe how well all the parts were formed! I especially remember the spine. It looked like a string of tiny pearls. Pictures were taken and video was recorded, but we decided that we didn't want to find out the sex of the baby. A healthy baby was all we needed.
I was allowed to use the restroom and change when the radiologist came in to take a look at what the tech had recorded. He said he wanted to take a look himself. As a healthcare provider, I knew this didn't sound good. I was suddenly very nervous.
He focused on the baby's head and then told us that he was seeing some cysts. He wanted to send the report to my O.B. and she would discuss it more with us. He did also say that this was common, maybe more common than we think, since everyone gets their ultrasounds at different times. They often don't cause any harm and disappear on their own.
My O.B. sent us downtown to a perinatologist for a level 2 ultrasound. I guess it is supposed to be more detailed. It seemed like more static to us. Anyway, after a long, hard week, we found out the cysts were gone! He said they usually disappear as the radiologist had said and we didn't need to come back. Man, the thoughts that went through my mind over that week. What a scary situation to have to go through.
The rest of the pregnancy seemed good until about 5 weeks before my due date. I started to feel sick and had a lot of pain in my back between my shoulder blades at night. I was throwing up and had to call in sick to work several times. I was having braxton hicks contractions and even went into the hospital 3 times to be checked out.
Scott told me I needed to get used to the pain, because I still had 4 weeks until the baby was born. I know now that he regrets those words. I started noticing more bruises on my body and having changes in the color of my skin. The last time I went to the hospital to be checked out, I asked the nurse if I looked yellow to her. She said it was probably the lights.
I was supposed to follow up at the doctor in 2 days, but my next appointment was in 3, so I waited. The office called me and told me to go straight to the hospital. I was annoyed because I thought the hospital and the office weren't communicating with each other. I drove myself to the hospital and told Scott not to worry; I'd straighten it all out.
When I arrived at the hospital, they put me straight in a room, not the triage room. This was quite worrisome. I was told to put on a gown and they were going to hook me up to the monitors and draw some labs. The blood work came back really bad. I had HELLP syndrome.
It stands for hymoptosis, elevated liver enzymes (liver failure) and low platelets (your blood won't clot). Apparently, it's a step beyond eclampsia, but I didn't have that or I did but it progressed so quickly that I didn't know I did. Also, I was never taught about this in school (I am a respiratory therapist, but this does affect the cardio-pulmonary status of a patient), so I didn't know anything about it or to look for it.
My labs were so bad that the doctors thought I couldn't be sent to the bigger hospital because if there was an accident I would bleed to death. Remember they had me drive myself to the hospital? Anyway, they turned down the lights because my blood pressure was so high they thought I might have a seizure, they told me I was going to have a c-section and I would have to be put under for it. I wouldn't be able to hear my first baby cry for the first time. They didn't tell me, but did Scott, that I had a 40% chance of dying on the table.
Thankfully, I made it through surgery and had a beautiful baby boy, Logan. I was in ICU and he had to have oxygen and an IV for a day or so, but we made it out healthy. We were able to be discharged together after only 4 days in the hospital! He is truly my miracle baby.
Scott and I would just look at him in amazement. We would thank God for him and wonder how He could make such a beautiful baby out of 2 tiny cells. What a miracle babies really are!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Learning More Signs
Last night I was working on the computer trying to learn some new signs for today's lesson when Malea came to watch. She sat right up to the table and tried to learn with me!
I found an area where I can learn by categories. I chose food and eating. We learned a couple of signs together and she was so proud of herself. I had her go and show Scott. He said she was beaming while she was showing what she had learned. He couldn't understand what she was saying while she was signing, but he didn't care since she was proud of herself.
She was signing cracker, corn-on-the-cob, popcorn and breakfast.
One-on-one would be great for me to teach them this, but I just don't have the time every day to commit to it.
I was excited to see this morning that Malea did remember most of what she learned the night before. Carter had no interest and eventually was sent to his room as to not disrupt the others while they learned. Grace tried to sing and sign and eventually signed more, milk, please and hungry! Logan told me that he's decided it's not so bad to learn sign language and even enjoys it! I think it's because today I decided to focus on the food and eating part. I also allowed him to watch the signs on the computer and he was able to pick out some signs he wanted to learn.
Hopefully we have found an area where they all will think it will be fun to learn. I would love to be able to continue this as a family project this summer.
I found an area where I can learn by categories. I chose food and eating. We learned a couple of signs together and she was so proud of herself. I had her go and show Scott. He said she was beaming while she was showing what she had learned. He couldn't understand what she was saying while she was signing, but he didn't care since she was proud of herself.
She was signing cracker, corn-on-the-cob, popcorn and breakfast.
One-on-one would be great for me to teach them this, but I just don't have the time every day to commit to it.
I was excited to see this morning that Malea did remember most of what she learned the night before. Carter had no interest and eventually was sent to his room as to not disrupt the others while they learned. Grace tried to sing and sign and eventually signed more, milk, please and hungry! Logan told me that he's decided it's not so bad to learn sign language and even enjoys it! I think it's because today I decided to focus on the food and eating part. I also allowed him to watch the signs on the computer and he was able to pick out some signs he wanted to learn.
Hopefully we have found an area where they all will think it will be fun to learn. I would love to be able to continue this as a family project this summer.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Starting Summer Sign Language
I thought this Sign Language thing this summer was a good idea. No, I'm not giving up yet, but it is not starting off too well.
I started yesterday morning with a 15 minute lesson. I went over the alphabet first. Malea seemed to really like this part. It was a little difficult, but the three oldest got the idea after a couple of rounds. Then, I started to work on a song we all know. The boys were not thrilled. Malea just liked to sing. I went over it about four times then moved on to some signs we can all use with Grace. These included: milk, more, water, please, thank-you, good, bad and hungry. They all liked those and even asked later in the day for some more to use with her.
Now today was like pulling teeth to get them to sit and learn or even review yesterdays lesson for the 15 minutes. Logan said he just likes the way we talk now and doesn't want to have to learn this. I said it's not much different than the Spanish he's been learning in school. He said Spanish is easier.
I had planned on a short lesson each day Monday-Friday where I mostly teach something new at the beginning of the week and review all week long so they get it. I didn't want this to be a chore, but rather something fun we could all do together. Maybe I'll have them help me plan so they'll feel more involved instead of made to learn something.
I do hope I can get this going in the right direction, because I would like to learn too and thought it would help us all with Grace's language development.
I started yesterday morning with a 15 minute lesson. I went over the alphabet first. Malea seemed to really like this part. It was a little difficult, but the three oldest got the idea after a couple of rounds. Then, I started to work on a song we all know. The boys were not thrilled. Malea just liked to sing. I went over it about four times then moved on to some signs we can all use with Grace. These included: milk, more, water, please, thank-you, good, bad and hungry. They all liked those and even asked later in the day for some more to use with her.
Now today was like pulling teeth to get them to sit and learn or even review yesterdays lesson for the 15 minutes. Logan said he just likes the way we talk now and doesn't want to have to learn this. I said it's not much different than the Spanish he's been learning in school. He said Spanish is easier.
I had planned on a short lesson each day Monday-Friday where I mostly teach something new at the beginning of the week and review all week long so they get it. I didn't want this to be a chore, but rather something fun we could all do together. Maybe I'll have them help me plan so they'll feel more involved instead of made to learn something.
I do hope I can get this going in the right direction, because I would like to learn too and thought it would help us all with Grace's language development.
Logan Hits the Winning Ball!
What a game! I have never been so excited/nervous at one of my kid's games before. I was literally about to puke I was so nervous.
Last night Logan's team played the Diamond Kings in a late night baseball game. It didn't start until 7:15, and as most know, that is pretty late to feel fresh enough to play a good game for a 6 year old boy.
The other team has only lost one game, as have we, to the same team, the Dodgers. We were the home team on a chilly, breezy spring evening. The DKs were up at bat first and scored 6 runs! We followed, but only had 3 runs. I missed a few plays as I was taking my daughter to the port-o-potty, which I despise.
Their boys played some good defense. They were quite efficient at throwing and catching the ball. One of the first plays was a hit to short, which he fielded and threw very hard and accurate to first. The first baseman caught the ball and made the out. I knew in that first inning it was going to be a long, hard game.
Logan played the whole game at the pitcher's position. He did a great job of being aggressive on defense. Even making some diving stops in front of the machine! He and his first baseman are getting good at reading each other and are starting to anticipate one another. The first baseman also made a lot of good plays as the ball was often hit towards him and he could scoop it up and tag the base ahead of the runner.
The middle of the game was fairly even with both sides scoring.
The exciting part was the end of the game. We were down by one run with a man on first and second. Logan was up to bat. I was so nervous because his last at bat he struck out. He did not show any fear. He just walked up to the plate and crushed the ball. It is a small field, but he hit it so hard it landed in the grass, took one bounce and hit the fence! The two runners scored and we were ahead by one run. Scott stopped Logan at second because he thought that was the game.
Everyone from our team ran the field and lifted Logan up in celebration! The fans were on their feet cheering! What a close game.
But was it?
There was only one out and the head umpire came and trumped the field umpire saying the game was not over. There were about 10 min. left to play. We all thought that the rules were 6 innings or 1 hour 15 min. We were in the bottom of the 6th inning. The head umpire, who is the dad of one of our coaches, said the rules are 7 innings or 1 hr. 20 min. So, Logan got back on second and we continued to play. We got one more run in that inning and started the 7th.
I was so hoping for 3 up and 3 down to make a point. The boys did get the first 2 batters out at first, but it took 2 more batters before we made the third out. In the end, the other team never scored, our team held them! We won the game despite the confusion and the late night!
Last night Logan's team played the Diamond Kings in a late night baseball game. It didn't start until 7:15, and as most know, that is pretty late to feel fresh enough to play a good game for a 6 year old boy.
The other team has only lost one game, as have we, to the same team, the Dodgers. We were the home team on a chilly, breezy spring evening. The DKs were up at bat first and scored 6 runs! We followed, but only had 3 runs. I missed a few plays as I was taking my daughter to the port-o-potty, which I despise.
Their boys played some good defense. They were quite efficient at throwing and catching the ball. One of the first plays was a hit to short, which he fielded and threw very hard and accurate to first. The first baseman caught the ball and made the out. I knew in that first inning it was going to be a long, hard game.
Logan played the whole game at the pitcher's position. He did a great job of being aggressive on defense. Even making some diving stops in front of the machine! He and his first baseman are getting good at reading each other and are starting to anticipate one another. The first baseman also made a lot of good plays as the ball was often hit towards him and he could scoop it up and tag the base ahead of the runner.
The middle of the game was fairly even with both sides scoring.
The exciting part was the end of the game. We were down by one run with a man on first and second. Logan was up to bat. I was so nervous because his last at bat he struck out. He did not show any fear. He just walked up to the plate and crushed the ball. It is a small field, but he hit it so hard it landed in the grass, took one bounce and hit the fence! The two runners scored and we were ahead by one run. Scott stopped Logan at second because he thought that was the game.
Everyone from our team ran the field and lifted Logan up in celebration! The fans were on their feet cheering! What a close game.
But was it?
There was only one out and the head umpire came and trumped the field umpire saying the game was not over. There were about 10 min. left to play. We all thought that the rules were 6 innings or 1 hour 15 min. We were in the bottom of the 6th inning. The head umpire, who is the dad of one of our coaches, said the rules are 7 innings or 1 hr. 20 min. So, Logan got back on second and we continued to play. We got one more run in that inning and started the 7th.
I was so hoping for 3 up and 3 down to make a point. The boys did get the first 2 batters out at first, but it took 2 more batters before we made the third out. In the end, the other team never scored, our team held them! We won the game despite the confusion and the late night!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Last Day of School 2009-Logan, Mommy is SO Proud!
Where did the time go? My oldest, but still my little boy, is no longer a kindergartner. He has officially passed and is now a first grader!
Starting school was stressful to me. I have had him at home with me for almost 6 years before he started school. He did not go to preschool or parents-day-out. He was with me, and I loved it!
He seemed smart from the time he took off with his speech at 18 months. He just started repeating everything. I remember being worried at his 18 month check-up because he wasn't talking as much as I thought he should be. He was on the low end of normal with speech at the Dr.'s office. Then, 2 weeks later, he just started talking. We drove by Royals stadium and he pointed and said "stadium"! How crazy to hear such a big word out of a little guy. He didn't even call me mommy or mama until after that visit!
He just grew and grew after that. He was becoming a natural athlete: hitting baseballs off the tee, throwing, catching, riding his training-wheeled bike. He loved to learn as well. I bought him the Leap Frog videos and he quickly learned his letters and all of their sounds. Don't get me wrong, I didn't sit him there all day. They are a 1/2 hour video that he watched on occasion.
We worked with puzzles, play-doh, crayons and occasionally worksheets. I found a game that uses flash cards to work on spelling and had him in activities at church to be with other kids. I was worried that he might be a little behind when he started kindergarten since he didn't go to preschool. I kept hearing how advanced school is now from when I was a kid.
I was wrong. They are more advanced, but Logan was maybe a little too ahead of the game.
In the beginning, I just wanted him to get a great teacher. I believe if he got great teachers and they challenged him, he would enjoy school forever.
Then, I saw what the goals for learning the first quarter were. I was worried that Logan would be seriously bored and not want to go. I discussed these worries with Scott and Logan's teacher. She assured me she would test him for the challenge program and give him extra work to do to keep him engaged in learning. I actually asked if she thought Logan should just move up to first grade. She said no and to just see how he does.
He didn't qualify for the first challenge session, but worked so hard that he did make it the next three sessions (there are 4 total)! His teacher was so proud of him, as were Scott and I!
He has continued to grow academically and physically throughout this year. He has gotten perfect scores on his progress reports and maintained a perfect discipline record all year. He has been treated to a new Wii game and accessories for this accomplishment! Great job Logan!
This year he also started playing basketball and machine-pitch baseball. Both of which he has continued to develop his skills. All of his coaches are keeping an eye out for him to get better and better with age and experience.
I cannot forget to mention that also this year Logan had outpatient surgery for a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy and did not fall behind with his school and activities even though he was out of school for 2 straight weeks.
Logan, I am SO proud of you! You have done a wonderful job this year and I could not have asked for more from you. Keep up the great work and you will surely see the benefits from all of your hard work. May the Lord guide you and keep you safe in your life's journey. I LOVE YOU!
Starting school was stressful to me. I have had him at home with me for almost 6 years before he started school. He did not go to preschool or parents-day-out. He was with me, and I loved it!
He seemed smart from the time he took off with his speech at 18 months. He just started repeating everything. I remember being worried at his 18 month check-up because he wasn't talking as much as I thought he should be. He was on the low end of normal with speech at the Dr.'s office. Then, 2 weeks later, he just started talking. We drove by Royals stadium and he pointed and said "stadium"! How crazy to hear such a big word out of a little guy. He didn't even call me mommy or mama until after that visit!
He just grew and grew after that. He was becoming a natural athlete: hitting baseballs off the tee, throwing, catching, riding his training-wheeled bike. He loved to learn as well. I bought him the Leap Frog videos and he quickly learned his letters and all of their sounds. Don't get me wrong, I didn't sit him there all day. They are a 1/2 hour video that he watched on occasion.
We worked with puzzles, play-doh, crayons and occasionally worksheets. I found a game that uses flash cards to work on spelling and had him in activities at church to be with other kids. I was worried that he might be a little behind when he started kindergarten since he didn't go to preschool. I kept hearing how advanced school is now from when I was a kid.
I was wrong. They are more advanced, but Logan was maybe a little too ahead of the game.
In the beginning, I just wanted him to get a great teacher. I believe if he got great teachers and they challenged him, he would enjoy school forever.
Then, I saw what the goals for learning the first quarter were. I was worried that Logan would be seriously bored and not want to go. I discussed these worries with Scott and Logan's teacher. She assured me she would test him for the challenge program and give him extra work to do to keep him engaged in learning. I actually asked if she thought Logan should just move up to first grade. She said no and to just see how he does.
He didn't qualify for the first challenge session, but worked so hard that he did make it the next three sessions (there are 4 total)! His teacher was so proud of him, as were Scott and I!
He has continued to grow academically and physically throughout this year. He has gotten perfect scores on his progress reports and maintained a perfect discipline record all year. He has been treated to a new Wii game and accessories for this accomplishment! Great job Logan!
This year he also started playing basketball and machine-pitch baseball. Both of which he has continued to develop his skills. All of his coaches are keeping an eye out for him to get better and better with age and experience.
I cannot forget to mention that also this year Logan had outpatient surgery for a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy and did not fall behind with his school and activities even though he was out of school for 2 straight weeks.
Logan, I am SO proud of you! You have done a wonderful job this year and I could not have asked for more from you. Keep up the great work and you will surely see the benefits from all of your hard work. May the Lord guide you and keep you safe in your life's journey. I LOVE YOU!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Summer Learning-Sign Language
This summer I think I am going to try to teach my kids some sign language. I was taught a little when I was in the first grade and really enjoyed it. I also learned some more at church when my youth group put on musicals. We always sang a song that we also signed to.
I have some sign language software that I have never used before, but thought I might start by teaching them some song/sign combos. I also learned the Pledge of Allegiance in school, and we could also work on that.
I started early with Logan and Carter, teaching them some baby signs. It was very helpful to Scott and me when they were too little to really tell us what they wanted. They learned signs for milk, please, thank-you and more. The girls have never really picked up on it.
I am hoping we will have an awesome summer and maybe learn something that everyone can enjoy along the way. My plan is to pick a song or paragraph to learn for the week, but maybe I should install the software and see what it says about how to learn the language first. I just have to modify it for the kids and thought songs would be a good way to start.
I have some sign language software that I have never used before, but thought I might start by teaching them some song/sign combos. I also learned the Pledge of Allegiance in school, and we could also work on that.
I started early with Logan and Carter, teaching them some baby signs. It was very helpful to Scott and me when they were too little to really tell us what they wanted. They learned signs for milk, please, thank-you and more. The girls have never really picked up on it.
I am hoping we will have an awesome summer and maybe learn something that everyone can enjoy along the way. My plan is to pick a song or paragraph to learn for the week, but maybe I should install the software and see what it says about how to learn the language first. I just have to modify it for the kids and thought songs would be a good way to start.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Logan's First Sleep-Over Party
Logan was invited to his first sleep-over birthday party last Saturday. What a doosy it was! I still can't believe those parents wanted to take on such a large task.
The boy was turning 7 and he invited the whole baseball team plus some boys from the neighborhood. He had a two hour party at his house where the kids played baseball in the backyard, ate cake and opened presents.
After that, the boys were invited to stay and be taken to a buffet pizza shop instead of having party favors. Then they would be driving them to a dirt track speedway where they would be watching several races. Finally they would come back to the kid's house and have a sleep-over.
The party started at 2 p.m. and went until about 9 a.m. I can't even imagine having that many kids in my house for that long, or drive them around for that matter.
Logan had a great time. He did want to stay at the race track a little longer, but the majority of the kids were ready to leave. He was tired the next day and didn't tell us too much about it, but he did take a great nap that afternoon.
I am definitely not ready for these kind of parties here, but I better get used to it--there are many more to come I'm sure.
The boy was turning 7 and he invited the whole baseball team plus some boys from the neighborhood. He had a two hour party at his house where the kids played baseball in the backyard, ate cake and opened presents.
After that, the boys were invited to stay and be taken to a buffet pizza shop instead of having party favors. Then they would be driving them to a dirt track speedway where they would be watching several races. Finally they would come back to the kid's house and have a sleep-over.
The party started at 2 p.m. and went until about 9 a.m. I can't even imagine having that many kids in my house for that long, or drive them around for that matter.
Logan had a great time. He did want to stay at the race track a little longer, but the majority of the kids were ready to leave. He was tired the next day and didn't tell us too much about it, but he did take a great nap that afternoon.
I am definitely not ready for these kind of parties here, but I better get used to it--there are many more to come I'm sure.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Heated Night at the Ball Field
Who knew that machine pitch baseball games could get so heated? I still believe that my son wouldn't care so much about winning and losing if it weren't for the grown ups at the game. He truly enjoys the game and is just glad that he is improving his skills and gets lots of game time.
Last night Logan had a game against a very competitive team, as are we. Scott is the assistant coach and coaches at third base when we are at bat. He told me the other team was having their players run more than others when the ball was overthrown. Meaning, if a kid was thrown the ball and he couldn't get it, the other team would continue to run their player until the ball was in control and time was called. This is a cheap trick some use to get the run total up.
Yes, we have done this too on occasion, I admit. Anyway, our coaches saw this was happening and decided to play that game too. The other team's coach came off the bench to stand next to Scott and yell about it. That must have signaled the players' dads to start yelling from behind the fence. I couldn't hear the exchanges, but new it wasn't good.
Scott took it well, just standing there pretending to ignore. Our moms told me we might need an escort to the car. Come to find out, those dads wanted to fight Scott and another coach after the game. Are we still in high school?
Anyway, the game was close, but we pulled it out in the final inning 16-10. Logan had a pretty good game. He had a triple his first at bat! He crushed the ball! He singled his second and struck out his third time. He swung at high and low balls, so Scott wasn't too pleased. Logan was still flying high from his triple, so it didn't really matter.
It's all about playing the game and having a good time doing it. Improving yourself during the season and learning more about the game should be the focus, I think.
Last night Logan had a game against a very competitive team, as are we. Scott is the assistant coach and coaches at third base when we are at bat. He told me the other team was having their players run more than others when the ball was overthrown. Meaning, if a kid was thrown the ball and he couldn't get it, the other team would continue to run their player until the ball was in control and time was called. This is a cheap trick some use to get the run total up.
Yes, we have done this too on occasion, I admit. Anyway, our coaches saw this was happening and decided to play that game too. The other team's coach came off the bench to stand next to Scott and yell about it. That must have signaled the players' dads to start yelling from behind the fence. I couldn't hear the exchanges, but new it wasn't good.
Scott took it well, just standing there pretending to ignore. Our moms told me we might need an escort to the car. Come to find out, those dads wanted to fight Scott and another coach after the game. Are we still in high school?
Anyway, the game was close, but we pulled it out in the final inning 16-10. Logan had a pretty good game. He had a triple his first at bat! He crushed the ball! He singled his second and struck out his third time. He swung at high and low balls, so Scott wasn't too pleased. Logan was still flying high from his triple, so it didn't really matter.
It's all about playing the game and having a good time doing it. Improving yourself during the season and learning more about the game should be the focus, I think.
Couponing
For over a year I've been hearing about these women who use coupons, combined with sales, to get their whole family's groceries for less than half off. A lot of times even 80 percent off or more!
I joined one of the woman's web site for a small fee for the first 4 weeks to see how it's done. The problem with that one for me was that I didn't have access to the stores she uses. She did have a couple of options for me, but I didn't see the savings she was getting. Also, there was an additional fee for more than one store's information.
I decided not to continue with the membership and just kept doing what I was doing. I shop for most things at Sam's Club and Wal-Mart. I have found that they usually have the cheapest price on almost everything, and of course I love the one stop shopping when I bring my kids along. I always use coupons, but not for all things. I often buy store brand items and stock up when something is on a good sale.
My ears always perk up when I hear something about saving more or being more frugal, but I am usually already doing the things I hear about. But I can not figure out this couponing game thing.
Last week my local news heard about another couponing woman from Atlanta and decided to fly her to the studio to show the studio manager how the game works. Problem for me was that neither the broadcast nor the website went into detail about how to really do it yourself. They told about gathering the Sunday paper for the coupons, sometimes more than one, and matching coupons with the sale items in the weekly fliers. This specific girl would spend an hour with the ads to make her lists and half a day going to all the stores. She saved her family of 5 enough to count as a part time job. I want to be able to do this so I don't have to work every weekend and am able to have a weekend with my family once or twice a month.
I am willing to spend the time to get the reward--I don't expect a hand out. I know everything worthwhile is worth working for, but I need help in learning how. The first girl I learned about over a year ago, now has a book. I think I am going to get it and see if it helps me any more. I have already joined her site once and googled all sorts of other sites. None really spell it out for me so that I get the idea. Hopefully, next time I write about this I can pass along the info I've learned. Also, please feel free to comment and help me out if you already play the game.
I joined one of the woman's web site for a small fee for the first 4 weeks to see how it's done. The problem with that one for me was that I didn't have access to the stores she uses. She did have a couple of options for me, but I didn't see the savings she was getting. Also, there was an additional fee for more than one store's information.
I decided not to continue with the membership and just kept doing what I was doing. I shop for most things at Sam's Club and Wal-Mart. I have found that they usually have the cheapest price on almost everything, and of course I love the one stop shopping when I bring my kids along. I always use coupons, but not for all things. I often buy store brand items and stock up when something is on a good sale.
My ears always perk up when I hear something about saving more or being more frugal, but I am usually already doing the things I hear about. But I can not figure out this couponing game thing.
Last week my local news heard about another couponing woman from Atlanta and decided to fly her to the studio to show the studio manager how the game works. Problem for me was that neither the broadcast nor the website went into detail about how to really do it yourself. They told about gathering the Sunday paper for the coupons, sometimes more than one, and matching coupons with the sale items in the weekly fliers. This specific girl would spend an hour with the ads to make her lists and half a day going to all the stores. She saved her family of 5 enough to count as a part time job. I want to be able to do this so I don't have to work every weekend and am able to have a weekend with my family once or twice a month.
I am willing to spend the time to get the reward--I don't expect a hand out. I know everything worthwhile is worth working for, but I need help in learning how. The first girl I learned about over a year ago, now has a book. I think I am going to get it and see if it helps me any more. I have already joined her site once and googled all sorts of other sites. None really spell it out for me so that I get the idea. Hopefully, next time I write about this I can pass along the info I've learned. Also, please feel free to comment and help me out if you already play the game.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Cleaning the House
Why is this a chore that is never complete?
I've decided it is mostly because I stay home with the kids, and thus, am always living and doing things here that make it cluttered and dirty. I realized my friends that have both parents working full time probably should have cleaner houses than me. They don't spend as much time there as me and my children do.
A while back I was feeling completely overwhelmed with all the chores that needed to be done here. I don't have a huge house, but it does have 3 levels and 5 beds. Oh, let's not forget 4 bathrooms as well. I decided to break down all the things that had to be done on a weekly basis and divide them over 5 days. I could do a little each day and if I maintained this regimen, could enjoy a clean house more often. I do all the bathrooms on Monday, change the bedding's on Tuesday, laundry Wednesday, Thursday dust, and vacuum and clean hardwood floors on Friday.
Life seems to often get in the way of this schedule and then I get behind, but sometimes I'll just let it go and start the schedule over the following week. This has seemed to work better for me and help me feel less stressed about my house. Now I need to work on my pack rat habits and get rid of my piles of things I think I need or will go through later and never do. More to come on this later.
I've decided it is mostly because I stay home with the kids, and thus, am always living and doing things here that make it cluttered and dirty. I realized my friends that have both parents working full time probably should have cleaner houses than me. They don't spend as much time there as me and my children do.
A while back I was feeling completely overwhelmed with all the chores that needed to be done here. I don't have a huge house, but it does have 3 levels and 5 beds. Oh, let's not forget 4 bathrooms as well. I decided to break down all the things that had to be done on a weekly basis and divide them over 5 days. I could do a little each day and if I maintained this regimen, could enjoy a clean house more often. I do all the bathrooms on Monday, change the bedding's on Tuesday, laundry Wednesday, Thursday dust, and vacuum and clean hardwood floors on Friday.
Life seems to often get in the way of this schedule and then I get behind, but sometimes I'll just let it go and start the schedule over the following week. This has seemed to work better for me and help me feel less stressed about my house. Now I need to work on my pack rat habits and get rid of my piles of things I think I need or will go through later and never do. More to come on this later.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Mother's Day. . .
As a child I don't remember these, probably at all. As a teenager I told my mother that I didn't understand the point. Now, I admit, I do get it--a little.
I grew up mostly with one parent. My mother. I don't know how she did it, but thankfully, she did it pretty well since I think I turned out OK (I do have my issues that might stem from only having one parent though). When I told her I thought Mother's Day was a stupid holiday, I did make her cry. I didn't mean to, but no one was there when I was growing up to explain it to me.
Mother's Day doesn't have to be extravagant. We mothers don't want it to be. We just want a simple day that expresses the love of our children and spouses. We would like to relax with breakfast in bed made by our children, maybe have handmade cards or gifts and a day together with the ones we love. We don't want to cook, clean, do laundry or even argue with the kids. Just a peaceful day.
This year I thought it was not a big deal. I did make sure I didn't have to work, as my kids usually have fun with it. I didn't ask my husband if he had plans or any hints as to what I was thinking. This was a mistake.
I heard on the radio a couple of days before Sunday this lady that didn't have children of her own but did have a step-daughter. The girl had come home from school one day last week excited to show her what she had made for her mom. She had not made anything for her step-mom. Her step-mom did not showed her disappointment, rather her excitement in the nice gift she had made. On the radio, she expressed her true feelings: sadness. She was unable to have her own children and thought of her step-daughter as her daughter. She, too, would like to have been thought of at Mother's Day by her step-daughter.
I realized I have been taking for granted this special day by not acknowledging it's importance.
I didn't share my new thoughts with my husband, and I paid for it. In the past I complained about cut flowers costing too much and they just die and told him not to get me anything, including cards, because they too cost too much. So this year, I was not met with breakfast in bed or gifts from my children. I had complained too much. Scott didn't want to feel like he had failed again.
I am thankful, because my kids made homemade cards at church and Logan made a book about me at school. I will cherish these for years to come. Hopefully, I will also learn to be more open with my thoughts and feelings in the future, because if I don't, it's only me who's losing out.
I also hope that Scott and I can teach our children to be better, together. Parents are to be loved and cherished because one day they may not be here and be a part of our lives.
I grew up mostly with one parent. My mother. I don't know how she did it, but thankfully, she did it pretty well since I think I turned out OK (I do have my issues that might stem from only having one parent though). When I told her I thought Mother's Day was a stupid holiday, I did make her cry. I didn't mean to, but no one was there when I was growing up to explain it to me.
Mother's Day doesn't have to be extravagant. We mothers don't want it to be. We just want a simple day that expresses the love of our children and spouses. We would like to relax with breakfast in bed made by our children, maybe have handmade cards or gifts and a day together with the ones we love. We don't want to cook, clean, do laundry or even argue with the kids. Just a peaceful day.
This year I thought it was not a big deal. I did make sure I didn't have to work, as my kids usually have fun with it. I didn't ask my husband if he had plans or any hints as to what I was thinking. This was a mistake.
I heard on the radio a couple of days before Sunday this lady that didn't have children of her own but did have a step-daughter. The girl had come home from school one day last week excited to show her what she had made for her mom. She had not made anything for her step-mom. Her step-mom did not showed her disappointment, rather her excitement in the nice gift she had made. On the radio, she expressed her true feelings: sadness. She was unable to have her own children and thought of her step-daughter as her daughter. She, too, would like to have been thought of at Mother's Day by her step-daughter.
I realized I have been taking for granted this special day by not acknowledging it's importance.
I didn't share my new thoughts with my husband, and I paid for it. In the past I complained about cut flowers costing too much and they just die and told him not to get me anything, including cards, because they too cost too much. So this year, I was not met with breakfast in bed or gifts from my children. I had complained too much. Scott didn't want to feel like he had failed again.
I am thankful, because my kids made homemade cards at church and Logan made a book about me at school. I will cherish these for years to come. Hopefully, I will also learn to be more open with my thoughts and feelings in the future, because if I don't, it's only me who's losing out.
I also hope that Scott and I can teach our children to be better, together. Parents are to be loved and cherished because one day they may not be here and be a part of our lives.
Working on Patience
After I wrote my last blog, I decided to focus more on my patience with my kids. That evening I decided it might be fun to make home-made pizza. There would be enough things involved in making it that everyone would be able to have a job or two. We would be making two pizzas: one cheese and the other hamburger.
I put Logan in charge of browning the hamburger as he is getting old enough to understand that the pan gets very hot and you just hold on to the handle. He did a fine job and asked questions when he needed.
The girls and Carter helped make the pizza dough. They each got to pour in some mix or water and all got to stir it up. Even Grace had a good time participating.
We all tried to spread the crust out on the sheets, but that posed more difficult than it should have been. It was quite sticky, so I ended up getting it as spread out as I could. But we all had a great time getting our hands dirty and sticky with dough. All except Grace this time.
Logan topped his with his browned hamburger while everyone else spread out the cheese. Grace had a good time trying to eat hers before I could get it into the oven.
They baked up well and we all enjoyed a memory filled pizza for dinner!
The best part for me was seeing them all work together and realizing when I really try, I can be patient with them all. I hope this will jump start me onto a different path that includes more patience with my family and in my life.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Patience is Helped with Gardening
Patience is not a virtue that I posses. What I thought might help me with this is gardening. For a long time now I have enjoyed plants and planting them. I'm not sure I pick the best varieties to go together, but I love taking an ordinary piece of ground and making it look like something. I used to want to be a landscape architect, but that never became a reality.
Yesterday I finished planting my vegetable garden and planted some annual flowers along my walkway. My kids love to help my in this chore, but me with no patience, has difficulty in letting them do this. I stupidly don't want them getting dirty. They are kids for goodness sake! Let them be! Enjoy this time with them and try to teach them something! Why can't I just relax and have fun? In my mind is how long this will take if I do it vs. how long if they help, and how much other stuff I need to get done. I don't over schedule them with extra-curricular activities, but I should schedule my day a ton better to help me and possibly teach them better.
With gardening, you have to plant and be patient and watch it grow. Then you can witness the beautiful flowers and fruit that they give you. Parenting is no different. You have a baby, nurture and teach it, and enjoy this beautiful creation that God has given you. Hopefully, I can be much more patient with my children and remember that they are precious beings that will one day be gone from my home. I have this one and only time with them now to teach and nurture them. To show them how God is love and how He wants us to live.
Patience is hard for me, but if I can get it right (and fast), maybe I can pass along this wonderful trait to them.
Yesterday I finished planting my vegetable garden and planted some annual flowers along my walkway. My kids love to help my in this chore, but me with no patience, has difficulty in letting them do this. I stupidly don't want them getting dirty. They are kids for goodness sake! Let them be! Enjoy this time with them and try to teach them something! Why can't I just relax and have fun? In my mind is how long this will take if I do it vs. how long if they help, and how much other stuff I need to get done. I don't over schedule them with extra-curricular activities, but I should schedule my day a ton better to help me and possibly teach them better.
With gardening, you have to plant and be patient and watch it grow. Then you can witness the beautiful flowers and fruit that they give you. Parenting is no different. You have a baby, nurture and teach it, and enjoy this beautiful creation that God has given you. Hopefully, I can be much more patient with my children and remember that they are precious beings that will one day be gone from my home. I have this one and only time with them now to teach and nurture them. To show them how God is love and how He wants us to live.
Patience is hard for me, but if I can get it right (and fast), maybe I can pass along this wonderful trait to them.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Where Have I Been?
I'll tell you...I've been painting my interior of my house. This includes my kids' bathroom, 1/2 bath my guests, and us as well, use and my living room, entry, and 2 halls. That is a lot of painting, and I'll tell you this is no easy task while trying to take care of small children.
I managed to get this done in about 2 and a half weeks. My kids did great! I admit a couple of days I let them watch more TV than usually allowed, but then they'd play nicely while I painted. Mostly, I painted while they were taking naps or down for the night.
I managed to get this done in about 2 and a half weeks. My kids did great! I admit a couple of days I let them watch more TV than usually allowed, but then they'd play nicely while I painted. Mostly, I painted while they were taking naps or down for the night.
Now, I am going to try to save to buy more decorations. I'd like some things for a shelf and something above a cabinet in the half bath, some sort of ducky decorations for the kids' bath and many things for my living room. I have a coat closet that has an open top that could use something up there, not sure what at this point. I guess some sort of container and foliage or flowers. I'd eventually like a new coffee table (or paint the old one) and an armoire for the TV that look good together.
I don't really like how the walls going up the stairs turned out...some streaking, but I'm thinking of trying one of those walls with family photos up there. The kind that includes old photos of grandparents, parents and siblings. My kids could look at people that might not be with us still or just see people that we don't get to see often. In the meantime, I'd cover up the blemishes on the wall and not have to repaint!
I have to add that I had some help in deciding what color to paint and where to shop for decorations from my cousin, Mindy. Thanks so much! I can't forget my husband, Scott, who helped my with the very tall entry and hall up the stairs. Thanks so much honey!
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