Friday, February 29, 2008
Look Before You Leap, It's the Friday Five!
Tell us about a time you:
1. Leapt before looked
When we got pregnant with our first child. My husband and I just thought, why not let God decide. So we started getting ready for us to try. I got of the pill and decided to let my body "get ready". Little did we know that God got it ready before we were ready to seriously think about it. Oh, we wanted a baby, but just wanted to wait another couple of months to a year.
Financially, we were nowhere close to being ready.
Physically, we had what we "needed" by the time our son was born.
Emotionally, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
Thankfully, God gave us the skills, knowledge to do what we thought was for the best, and kept us strong through the tough times. We feel blessed that we feel more prepared this time around and look with amazement that our son survived those first 2 years of life. =)
2. Leapt to a conclusion
Too many times to count. I now don't send emails when I'm mad, try to talk to people face to face when I have a problem, and find that venting to my pillow is much better than to anyone else, including my husband. I tend to say things I don't mean even to him and better off just letting things go myself.
3. Took a Leap of Faith
When I started my daycare. I had one family that said yes. But, they only had 1 child. I didn't know anyone else that knew me or about my daycare. With a lot of prayers, strong shoulders, and a supporting husband, I put in my notice at work and a month later, I started daycare. On my very first day being open, I had 3 families stop by and decide to sign up with my services. With the changing world of daycare, I also found out that families don't always stay and that a better family will come around the corner when I need them. I learned a lot about praying and patience in those first 6 months.
4. Took a literal Leap
I am a bit crazy, but not that crazy.
5. And finally, what might you be faced with leaping in the coming year?
A new kiddo on the way is a definite. Maybe a new hobby? Who knows....only time will tell. =)
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Thursday
I am happy though. M & K had their new baby today. My hubby and son and I are visiting them tomorrow night after work and it's hard to wait. Just want to jump in the car tonight and head their way. But I can't. If it weren't for the weather and the fact that I feel like crashing at 8 pm each night, I would definitely be there. I'm so excited for them. I was on the edge of my seat all morning. Glad all went well.
For me, being pregnant sucks right now. I feel fine (aside from the cold that won't go away), but I am constantly tired and getting more cravings each day. This week....crumb cake, snicker candy bars, and mashed potatoes. Yes....each a good treat, but they stick to your bones. Not something I want to eat every day.....even though I do crave them.
Anywho....I'm ready for spring.
Ready for the pregnancy to get to a more fun spot.
Ready for the sun to come out.
Ready to hang out with friends & family.
Ready to get out of the house.
Boy, I can't wait for April!!!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday
Today, my youngest daycare kiddo, who is almost 1 year, decided to take a picture frame out of our living room and take it into the bathroom. Luckily, I caught him in time and snagged the frame away. I know it's hard to understand, but he needs to learn that you just don't flush things down the toilet or even play in the bathroom. This is where the "fun" began. He was overtired. (Don't know what mom and dad do at home, but this kid is constantly needing to sleep and never seems to get any at home....when he leaves here, he is fine and happy....but never comes with anything but tears).
So, with a tired kiddo that needed to go to time out, I brought him into the kitchen, where I was making lunch. He sat for 10 seconds and wailed!! You thought he got hurt or something the way he carried on. Screaming and screaming. I know he wasn't hurt, because I would look down at him and he would instantly stop making any noise.
So, after a few seconds, he decided to get up. So, I went over, and put him back in time out. This continued on for the next 20 minutes. Finally, he sits his allotted minute and I let him up.
Then, 5 minutes later, I catch him doing something else he shouldn't do. This time, I take him to time out and get the other kiddos eating lunch. This kiddo wails and wails. He finally calms down (10 minutes later), I pick him up to give him lunch. As I place him in his high chair, he starts throwing a temper tantrum. By this point, I don't care. I give him his food and sippy cup. He continues to scream and kick. I just walk away to help the other kiddos. He can carry on, it makes no difference to me. I am tuning him out and making sure the other kiddos are eating and not going hungry. After 15 minutes of screaming and pushing everything away (not wanting to eat), I put him down for his nap. Another 20 minutes of screaming and he finally settles down and goes to sleep.
Hope tomorrow is better. =)
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday
Friday was so much fun. After all the kiddos left, my son and I went to the local video store and picked out some movies. Then after supper, the 3 of us, changed into our pjs, popped some popcorn, and popped in the movies. We had a blast cuddling and spending some time together.
Saturday was a day filled with running errands in the AM, then afternoon cooking and baking. PM, my husband and I went to a church gathering of other 20's and 30's people. Some have kiddos too and some don't. We had babysitting for our son and it was nice to have a night out socializing with friends. Got home at a decent time and crashed for the night.
Sunday, after Church and lunch, we all just did our own thing for a bit then went and visited my last mom to deliver and her family. She had a baby boy on Wednesday. He's a cutie and head full of hair. So, now the daycare will have a new baby girl and boy come April. And who knows what sex we will have, so I'll enjoy both of them till ours comes.
Then, we just bummed around during the evening. I think we dreaded the weekend ending and just wanted to hang on to it a bit more.
And now, we are back to school and daycare. It will be so good to have a "normal" week. Outside it is snowing like crazy and all 5 kiddos are all asleep. A nice break to a relaxing morning. Before I know it, the bus will be bringing my son home from school and the craziness will start again. Breathe for another minute and take in the silence. It's such a great feeling to have.
Such a morbid thought
It has gotten me thinking. Yes, I know it not the most uplifting thoughts, but I have been thinking of my funeral and of my will. I know that if I were to die tomorrow, my husband and son would be fine. I would hope they would be a bit sad for a bit, but be able to move on and find strength to be happy again. But do they know what I want? How many of us have these plans written down? Have we ever told our loved ones how we feel? Have we put our wishes in writing so they know exactly what we want?
So, that is what I have been willing myself to do. I want to make sure all my wishes (funeral and burial) are written down. That my husband understands how much I love him. My son knows how much joy he has brought to my life. That friends and family realize how much I appreciate all that they have given me (both physically and emotionally) over the years. So much to say, and I pray that I can have it all down on paper somewhere for them to treasure someday.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Bon Jovi Concert Recap
So, I keep thinking about the Bon Jovi concert
(Feb 18, 2008).
The Omaha World Herald said it was AWESOME! They only give a glimpse of what it was like. The whole concert was AMAZING!! Words can't describe it, but I can say that for my 2nd Bon Jovi concert, it was well worth it. The band never sits still, constantly moving from one side of the stage to the other, getting us audience members all excited and singing are favorite songs + some new favorites. IT'S A ROCKING GOOD TIME!!!!!!!!!!
Sadly though, the only picture of mine are of the 4 guys on the very bottom. Almost all of the other ones are blurry or didn't come close to tell what's going on or who it is. Doesn't matter though, I sure got a lot of memories!!! Great time! Hopefully, I could see them again!
Songs:
LOST HIGHWAY
BAD NAME
RAISE YOUR HANDS
RUNAWAY
COMPLICATED
SLEEP w/ Jumpin' Jack Flash
OLDER
IN THESE ARMS
BLAZE OF GLORY w/ Knockin' On Heaven's Door
WHOLE LOT OF LEAVIN'
BORN TO BE MY BABY
WE GOT IT GOIN' ON
IT'S MY LIFE
BAD MEDICINE w/ Shout
THESE DAYS - RICHIE VOX
(YOU WANT TO) MAKE A MEMORY
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU
BED OF ROSES
HAVE A NICE DAY
FAITH
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME
PRAYER
ENCORE:
WANTED
I LOVE THIS TOWN
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Kindergarten!!!
Hello world
So, Tuesday (the day after the AWESOME Bon Jovi concert....will talk about this more later with pictures), we had our ultra sound. Everything looks great. Doctor is pretty sure things are going well. We will go back again in April for another ultra sound to double check things again. Hope you can see this picture. The baby's left hand is out and sort of waving to all of us.
Dad says it's a boy, since it's being cool like that.
I say it's a girl, since it puckered it's lips.
Son says it's a brother....no sister....no brother....no sister.
Either way....we'll all will be happy and still won't find out till the baby decides to come out. Sorry for the suspense, but it's more fun that way! =)
Monday, February 18, 2008
Bon Jovi
Sunday, February 17, 2008
MMCH
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
He absolutely loves this show and every weekend,
it's our way to get a few more winks of sleep and for him to stay out of trouble at the same time.
There's a great Mickey Mouse Clubhouse website
for those of you that don't know about it.
Check it out: http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/mickeymouseclubhouse/home.html
Enjoy!!!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Is there an elephant in the room?
So.....tonight, my son, husband and I just finished a game of Candyland. (fun game to play, especially if you stack the cards well) and the three of us were just hanging out and thinking about the bedtime routine and my husband farted. My son, sitting next to him looked up and asked, "Dad, you do that?"
My husband smiled, then tried to blame me, then I blamed him and finally, he told my son, "the elephant did. Did you see him?"
A surprised look came across my son's face. He couldn't believe an elephant made that noise, but he was looking like he believed. Dad went on to explain that the elephant made the noise then ran over to the chair by the window. He convinced him to look over by the chair across the room, to see if the elephant was hiding under there.
Very bravely, my son got up and went to the chair. He smiled the whole way there, looked around a little and proudly stated, "I don't see elephant dad."
"Go look over by the curtains."
As my son turned to the curtains, dad said, "look out!"
Now, if you know my son he has some great facial expressions. I must tell you, the look on his face was not just being scared, he was terrified. And as a parent, it's no laughing matter. But, as a parent, to see your son get scared of an imaginary elephant he has not even seen is very funny. So as he tore across the room as quick as he could, crying for mom the entire way, it was so, so hard not to laugh. He would not look at the chair or anything. Even though dad tried to comfort him, it was too late.
20 minutes later and some convincing that elephants live in the zoo and not in our house seemed to help. Dad had to double check by the chair and curtains and make a scene about how there was no elephant there helped more. After settling down and cracking some jokes, and dad turning on the hall lights, we managed to get him was ready for bed.
It was some good laughs (and tears of joy) and we realize that relating elephants and farts are not a good idea with our 4 year old.
Friday Five: The Water and the Word
- When and where were you baptized? June 30, 1975, just 7 days after I was born. Do you remember it? Nope Know any interesting tidbits? My parents had gotten married about 10 months earlier, so I was close to being a honeymoon baby, but wasn't. So I was the only one of my siblings that was baptized during a Sunday morning service. Dad wanted to make sure the congregation knew I was conceived while my parents were married and they were not married because of me.
- What's the most unexpected thing you've ever witnessed at a baptism? I am a godparent for a child whose parents are (if I remember right) are both Catholic. I, being Lutheran, was asked to be a sponsor. I agreed but found it strange that I could be a sponsor and since I could not afford to or physically be able to travel to DC for the baptism (I was pregnant with my 1st at the time) could still be considered as a sponsor. Well, I am a sponsor.
- Does your congregation have any special traditions surrounding baptisms? Lighting the baptismal candle is about the only one I can think of.
- Are you a godparent or baptismal sponsor? Yes, I have 3 kiddos I am sponsor. E that lives now in Europe, and both my husband and I are sponsors to our best friend's kiddo T and our niece A. Have a story to tell? At the baptism of our niece I got very, very sick. There is only one photo of me with the group, I headed back to where we were staying afterwards and crashed. I think everyone thought I was pregnant, not the case. There was a flu bug that was being passed on from about 4-5 people in our group and I was the 2-3 person to get it. That weekend, there was such an awful snowstorm that I ended up coming home with my son a day later. It was quite a strange weekend. Glad I went, just wish I wasn't so sick.
- Do you have a favorite baptismal song or hymn? Gather us in. I sang it one baptism and think it fits for so many occasions. I love the song!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
My vesion....
started dating 11 years ago.
Now it's my time to share my version.
My boyfriend (now husband) was pretty sick and very worn down (find out on V-day a few days later that he has mono....yet another story for anther time). So, both of us were hanging out at his house so he could rest and try and work on homework. The other roommates were there, brother and is girlfriend and another friend R. The phone rings. It's for the brother. He takes that in his room and all is fine.
Then my cell phone rings. Yes, it's K. She is acting strange. I ask her what's up. She says that her former camp site manager & my former councilor friend thought they (K & M) should hang out. We talk for a bit and I find out that this "so called" get-together happens to be on V-Day. Yep, I tell her, "He likes you. There is no way he would ask you out without knowing it's V-Day." She denies it. Over and over again. We hang up the phone and I just laugh.
I tell my boyfriend about the conversation. He says, "really". He says that the guy on the phone was "M and he is talking to my brother". Hmmm...... He is probably about the same thing that K just called me about.
So, when the conversations are both over, we all meet in the living room and "discuss" the calls. It is quite cute how both M & K view the gathering time as "different" occasions for getting together, but all of us agree that it is a date. We all hope for the best and we all know they would be perfect together.
Boy...I think their friends are smart! =) Glad you both realized it was a "date" and made it into a lifetime of happiness! Congrats!!
Horsing around
My son found it quite fun to play on their rocking horse.
Thought I would share the fun.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
3 days?
Today, I hoped for an uneventful day. Not so fast George Banks! Kiddo cried this morning when his mom took a toy away (only hear for 2 minutes), then my kiddo cried when I turned off the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (how dare you do that), the bus came early, and the baby cried when grandma and aunt dropped him off (not a surprise). That's all before 8 am! For one day, could I ask for a "low key" kind of day.
Well....tomorrow will be nuts! Valentine's Day is always wild and tomorrow will be even more so. I have 2 kiddos coming that haven't been here for a bit. Here's hoping for Friday! =)
Hope your Wednesday is a good day!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
3 days
WAY TO GO! Let's go for 4 days now!!!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Richard Simmons
You have to check it out.
Yes, it's quite a change from my last blog. But, it's worth it.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Friday Five: What Are You Doing For Lent?
Ready or not, Lent is upon us!
1. Did you celebrate Mardi Gras and/or Ash Wednesday this week? How? My family and I went to church on Ash Wednesday. I would not call it celebrate, but respectfully worshiping and acknowledging the sacrifice that Jesus made for us and acknowledging that we are all human and our time on this Earth is limited. This worship service brings my humility to the front and helps me realize how things change so quickly and knowing and believing in Jesus as my Savior and what he did to save me is so important in my life.
2. What was your most memorable Mardi Gras/Ash Wednesday/Lent? One year, when I was attending
3. Did you/your church/your family celebrate Lent as a child? If not, when and how did you discover it? I grew up attending all the Lenten worship services, but surprising enough, even though my father and mother were very religious and believed attending church was very important, I rarely attended the Ash Wednesday or Maundy Thursday services. But we were very regular in attendance on all of the other Lenten services.
I remember going to church one year. I grew up with 2 sisters and 1 brother. So there were 6 of us total. My parents had this small Volkswagen Rabbit. If you know anything about cars, know that this car was probably the smallest car on the planet. It can be compared to the Hyundai Accent in today’s time. Well, mom and dad sat in the front seats and yes, the 4 kids all managed to sit in the back seat. Well, one year, we were running late and it was in the spring. So, before my dad could slam on the breaks, he hit a deer. Well, another church member was driving by, saw what happened and offered to take us in to church. Dad followed a little later. Surprising, there were only a few scratches on the car, but the deer didn’t make it. We nicknamed the accident, “Thumper killed Bambi.”
4. Are you more in the give-up camp, or the take-on camp, or somewhere in between? I used to give up something each year. But found that I either couldn’t keep the promise, or had a hard time justifying my sacrifice. It just never came close to anything I could relate to Jesus doing for me. So, I try and pray more for understanding. I try and read more out of the Bible and devotions. And I try to have more patience, understanding, and love towards other people and carry that after the Lenten season is over.
5. How do you plan to keep Lent this year?
I hope to get into a devotion I picked up at church this year. Each year, I try and understand a bit more of my faith and try to question things more to fully understand it later. I will continue to attend worships with my family and be excited to celebrate Easter coming and thinking about that glorious day that Jesus no longer suffered for my sin and rose from the dead.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Ash Wednesday Funny
So, we continue to watch. He stops, looks at us and smiles. Then sticks his thumbs out, shoulders back, knees together, butt out, tongue out.......etc....etc.... Yes, in the middle of the somber Ash Wednesday sermon, in front of his parents, our son was singing, "Singing In The Rain".
We both had to hide our smiles and laughter, but it was quite a sight to see. Right while we are reminded that we will someday pass away and be reunited with the dirt, our son reminds us to smile at life while we can. To enjoy each other, even in the deepest moments.
Thank God for little boys!
Back to the grind....
What is new? Besides a new baby coming in the next 6-8 weeks...nothing new. This weekend my son and I are heading to Iowa. My husband has class he is co-teaching, so he won't be able to join us.
Why are we heading to IA? To visit family and friends (strange enough that most live in Nebraska) and to celebrate the Instillation of my brother-in-law into campus ministry. This has been something he has wanted for quite a while and we are excited to see.
Well, I have to also mention the other reason for this trip is due to my son. He longs to see his Uncle and he feels it is very important to retrieve the football he left the last time we visited. He had 2 and one is in IA and the other one was lost the day of the Super Bowl and was an issue for a bit.
So, we travel to IA on Saturday with Grandma and Grandpa.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
What do I want to do when I grow up?
So, I ask that you pray for me. I know I won't be at this career for much longer, but I pray that I continue to have the patience to work with kids and that I find the peace in searching for another. Hopefully, I can find more love for that job too.
School's Out!
So, today....for the first time I can remember, my husband's school let out early. Yes! Usually if they have time off, it's planned early in the morning or the night before. But today, at lunch, they decided to let kiddos out at 2 pm. I received a text from my husband and I think he was pretty floored to learn that news.
Note for future, if school gets out early, son's school dismisses earlier to get all kiddos home. Don't want to leave son on bus for 5 minutes...because you aren't looking next time. At least the bus driver called and let me know they were outside. =)
In other school news, the principal has been asked to step down at the end of the year. To us this is big news. And you would think in small town Nebraska, that would be too. But no mention in the local newspaper. Go figure!! It's not news until a replacement has been found I guess. Maybe some new administration can help bring a spark to the staff that has for so long needed a boost. Don't get me wrong, the principal is a good person, but it's time for a change.
VT
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything
http://www.veggiepirates.com/
they get excited! Check out the music video on the website.
It's pretty cute.
Bet your kiddos will laugh too!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
New Son Funny
A few minutes later, husband goes into bathroom to discover that son used training potty. He asks him, "Why did you use the little potty?"
My son replies, "My body told me to use the little one."
Never underestimate the mind of a 4 year old. They will get you every time. =)
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Alien has returned...
Tonight was great though!!
I was sitting on the couch upstairs and I felt the baby move. Normally, I would say to myself "too bad the boys can't feel that". But this time, I decided to see if they could. I took my son's arm and and explained the baby was moving. I asked him if he wanted to feel. After a bit of moving of his arm, we finally got it where it needed to be. He stopped and looked at me, "I felt it mom!". I smiled then told him to go tell dad. After a quick knock knock joke to the baby, he runs to the top of the stairs and yells down, "I felt the baby move!". My husband didn't understand. He thought it was something of him needing to move or him moaning....not sure, he asked one more time. Then, DING husband realized what son said. Up comes my husband. And sure enough, he felt the baby move too. It was an exciting night. I can finally share the good part of my pregnancy with the boys. Yeah, I've shared what I feel, but now they can feel it too!
Thank God! The alien is alive!!!
Friday, February 1, 2008
The Friday Five: Options Edition
There is so much going on this weekend that I thought I'd provide an options Friday 5!!!!
First Superbowl ( someone explain to this Brit the significance)- love it or hate it?
* Neither. I just don't get into the professional football stuff. I think that is because my husband is such a college football kind of guy. But, I do watch bits and pieces and see how the game turns out, if I am still awake or alert when it's over.
I have to say though, the thought of grown men, running into each other on purpose to protect a piece of dead animal and try to get it to "their" end of the field does sound a bit caveman and does seem to bug me sometimes, but I do like to see how each team strategiezes and concludes each game with their right and wrong decisions.
Second, Candlemas/ Imbloc/ Groundhog day/ St Brigid's day- all of these fall on either the 1st or 2nd February.
1. Do you celebrate one or more of these? Nope. I do look at groundhog's day as a hopeful indication that summer is coming (I hate Jan and Feb cold) but don't take it to heart nor do I sit back and celebrate the rodent looking for his shadow.
2. How? See #1
3. Is this a bit of fun or deeply significant? fun, nothing taken to heart
4. Are festivals/ Saints days important to you? All saints I take a bit more to heart. Obviously Christmas/Lent/Easter but I really don't look to saint days to celebrate. I do like to remember those who are no longer with us that brought us so much.
5.Name your favourite Saints day/ celebration. Not really something I can say. All Saints would be the closest, but don't think that counts.