Baby update

Well, she's still baking, but sure did scare me yesterday.

I went in for my non-stress and doctor appointment, and had ingested my Dr. Pepper immediately prior to like advised.  When I went in, they gave me yet another Dr. Pepper, just to be on the safe side.  Well, after getting hooked up to the machine for the non-stress, I realized that I still couldn't feel her (much).  A few minutes later, the doctor comes in to check on me and I inform him that in general, her movements have diminished dramatically over the last week and that I'm just not feeling her move nearly as often as I had. 

He had apparently already gone through my files looking for any patterns of this, and had found none.  So he was paying attention.  His response was that we were going to get to the bottom of it. TODAY. If he didn't like the way the non-stress looked, he was going to do another ultrasound to check on her, and depending on that, possibly send me to L&D for a contraction stress test (using pitocin to cause contractions and monitor how she responded to those).  And despite the fact that we want her to 'bake' for two more weeks to be considered full-term, if he didn't like that, she was coming outta there.

After I finished the 2nd Dr. Pepper, they moved me to my left side to see if that would get her going even more, and he stayed in the room with me listening and monitoring.

Funny thing was, we realized we could hear her movements on the machine, but I couldn't feel them.  At all. So we started 'ticking' the movements as we heard them, rather than as I felt them.  When we did that, she passed the non-stress test.

So my big question - Why am I not feeling her move when it's apparent that she is?  He didn't have a definitive answer to that one...

Still concerned, he has the ultrasound machine pulled into the room and does an ultrasound on her.  After he searched for a while, I finally asked him what he was looking for - and he was checking her fluid levels as well as trying to see if she had the cord wrapped around her neck.  Well, because she's head down - and VERY head down, he actually had to move her out of my pelvis with one hand and try to get a picture of her head and neck with the u/s using the other.

Ouch.

With her head momentarily out of my pelvis, we're able to clearly see her head and her spine, and do NOT see evidence that the umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck.  And her fluid levels look good.

Praise God!

So we're still left with my big question.  And no definitive answer.  We discuss adjusting my positions if it has been a while since I've felt her, and I practiced supporting myself with my arms and laying on my stomach (yep, you read that correctly) in order to put pressure on her and force her to really kick and move. That worked, by the way.  So if she goes too long without me feeling her movements, that is the plan.

As for the potential (and most probable) reason for why I'm not feeling her....she is so low and positioned in such a way that all of her arm and leg movements aren't noticeable to me.  When she's rotating herself - I can feel (and see) that.  I see something resembling a bottom rolling across my belly.  And after she does that, I frequently feel what I'm guessing are her knees or feet on the sides of my belly.

So, reassured that she was in fact moving, and armed with some techniques to use if I became nervous about my lack of feeling her move, we decided to call it a day.  Same ole, same ole for next week....ultrasound and non-stress on Monday and another non-stress and doctor visit on Friday!

Vote for Tatum

Well, if you saw my post on voting for Kellen, you know what I'm talking about.  I JUST found out that Tatum is in the running as well!

So....click here to vote for Tatum.  And while you're at it, remember that you can vote daily!!

2nd verse,

same as the first.

Dealing with cellulitis again with Tatum.  She had her swim lesson last night at the pool, we made it home, ate, bathed, and I didn't notice anything (but also didn't closely inspect her feet for bites, either).

I guess I need to add that to our daily routine, because when we got up this morning and I was helping her get dressed, I noticed that the area around her ankle was red, hot and VERY swollen.  I drew the outline, gave her Benadryl, and we headed on with our day.  Once I got in the office, I gave her doctors office a call and scheduled an appointment for her for mid-day and he confirmed my mommy-diagnosis - cellulitis.  Again.

Armed with a prescription for the same two antibiotics she was on barely a month ago, I dropped her off at school for her nap, dropped the prescription off at the pharmacy, and went home to have lunch.  While I was home, I stripped her bedding, all of her loveys, and the numerous stuffed animals that accompany her to sleep and threw them in the washing machine on hot. Just in case. I also took all of her crocs, minus the ones she was wearing, and soaked them in clorox-water in the sink. Just in case. Then I went to pick up the prescription, headed back to day care, woke her up to take her meds, then stayed with her until she went back to sleep.

So now I'm on a mission to see how in the world we can avoid this from happening again.  Antibiotic ointment on anything resembling a bite or sting is apparently a must for her. Daily. So is insect repellent with high concentrations of DEET.  Note to self: I need to look at what they're using at day care when they go outside. One of her teachers did tell me that they put the insect repellent on them twice for each period of time that the kids are outside.  Not twice a day, twice per outing. You would think that would be sufficient, but apparently not.  Unless we go to the pool for swimming after school during the week, we aren't outside. It's not that I don't like the outdoors, I just can't handle the heat right now. So she isn't getting the bites from being outside after school (which is good, since the mosquitoes that vector the west nile virus are out at dusk). On the weekends we might go and do things, but it's different every weekend and again, I can't really handle being outside too terribly much right now.

So, I'm trying to clean and disinfect everything I can, even though that's probably not the cause of her infections.

I'm open to suggestions if anyone has them!

Vote for Kellen!

A week or two ago, I entered a few photos of Kellen in a contest Parents magazine was running.  They're looking for kiddos to grace the cover of their magazine....and will send some semi-finalists to a photo shoot in August to get the shots they'll make the final selections from for the contest.

Well, I received an email today indicated that Kellen is in the running to become one of the weekly reader's choice finalists!

('Cause my boy can be quite the ham, right?!)

Anywhoooo, follow the link to vote on Kellen and vote for him!  You can do this daily and through June 27th.

Whoo hoo!!

Fail....

I think I failed my non-stress test today.  Jacey was moving some during the ultrasound, kicked the nurse as she was putting the monitors onto the ever-expanding space that used to function as my abdominals, and then didn't move again for nearly 20 minutes. Apparently Matt and I breed stubborn and strong-willed children, a trait that is evident even in utero (shocking, huh?). I had 1 kick/movement during the entire non-stress test, despite drinking a Dr. Pepper prior to going into the doctors office and drinking a Barq's (with bite, mind you) during the test.  I had 3 other "marks" on the read-out that were contractions. That was it. Ug.

I say I think I failed because I don't actually know what the criteria is for passing a non-stress test in terms of number of movements in that amount of time and I am not scheduled to see the doctor until Friday, after my next non-stress test, when we'll go over all of the results from this week. Of course, that is unless I get a phone call first, which the nurse said was likely.

Jacey has actually been fairly inactive today, which is unlike her.  As my zombie-like demeanor might give away, she normally keeps me up quite a bit at night either kicking her legs causing knees and/or feet to attempt to escape my belly or by practicing her punches on my bladder.

However, as I type this now, she's practicing a few of her kicks.  Maybe she wants to come out and go straight into Tae Kwon Do with her brother?  Who knows.

So, since I'm feeling her move some, I'm trying not to stress about what I don't know about the results of the test today....'cause stressing about it certainly isn't going to help matters!

The end result

...of my neurotic behavior leading to the maternity shoot and Maleigh's awesome photographic talents can be found here.

I love the sneak peak and cannot wait to see the rest of them!

I just love how this one turned out....if you're gonna be round, you might as well have fun with it!

Chick-fil-A deals

A friend mentioned to me this weekend that the Chick-fil-A here in town was having 'deals' every day they are open during the summer.

So, for you College Station folks, here goes (in case you don't have this info yet, and I did the best I could to write down quickly, so be sure and double check this at CFA):
Monday - Milkshake Monday! Buy a 20 oz milkshake, get a spicy chicken sandwich free
Tuesday - 5-8 PM, Kids night - Kids eat free w/ purchase of an adult meal
Wednesday - Free refills on your waffle fries from 5 PM - close
Thursday - Free 3 pack mini OR breakfast chicken sandwich for breakfast (No purchase!)
Friday - If you purchase 4 meals, you get 4 desserts for free
Saturday - Get a free small nugget tray with the purchase of a large nugget tray

Cool, huh?  I think I have my Thursday breakfast lined up!

Big girl

According to the ultrasound I had today, Jacey's pretty big, at least for 33 weeks, anyway.  She's measuring 4 pounds, 12 ounces (with a 6 ounce range on either side of that figure).  Considering that the 'average' (according to several week-by-week calendars I've browsed) is  4 1/2 pounds, I guess that probably makes her pretty normal sized, but yay!

I was able to see her yawning and blinking at me today.  Very interesting.  She must have been in a rare sleepy mood, because she wasn't moving very much during the ultrasound OR the non-stress test.  She didn't kick it into gear until I had finished off a bottle of Gatorade.

But, it must have been good enough, because the doc popped in to check on me and said he liked the way the non-stress test looked and that the ultrasound looked good, with a pocket of amniotic fluid for her. 

Yay!

I'll do another non-stress test on Friday, see him again, and then next week will be more of the same!

What a weekend!

You know the weekends you have that are thoroughly enjoyable?  The ones when, at the end of it, you look back and think, "I just had a GREAT weekend!"

Well, I had one of those weekends this past weekend.  And I was so blessed by it!

Kellen had been gone for almost two weeks (home the weekend prior), so it was wonderful to spend some time with him.  Tatum had missed him terribly, so it was great to see them playing together (and sweetly 95% of the time, too).

Saturday was an incredibly busy day.  We started out with me going crazy trying to get EVERYTHING together for the maternity photo shoot that was slated to begin at 9 AM.  It was one of those times when I thought I knew what I was going to wear, what I was going to accessorize with, and then when I put it on, I didn't like it.  And if I didn't like it on, I certainly wasn't going to feel good enough in it to get pictures made.

So after grabbing clothes for the kids in colors that coordinated, deciding then changing my mind about what Matt was going to wear, and grabbing almost a half dozen shirts for me, we set out.  Late.  Our poor photographer called 2 or 3 times just to make sure she didn't miss us at our set location, but it was just one of those mornings!  Luckily, she's really easy-going and completely understood my neurotic-ness.

Long story short, after getting her opinion on clothing choice (which luckily coincided with what my leanings were), we were ready to go.  We took lots of candid shots with all of us as a family at the George Bush Library by the pond and gardens.  There was a nice breeze, so it wasn't completely miserable, either!  Quick change of clothes for me, and Matt and I took some shots together.  Then back to the car for clothing changes for me and the kids and we took some pictures fully belly style....with the kids painting my belly.  Kellen even wrote 'family' (misspelled, but how adorable!) on my tummy.

I cannot wait to see how they turn out!

As we were on our way to the photo shoot, I realized why I was wanting it to turn out perfectly. --This would be my last chance to do this.

Ever.

NOTE: I know the drill about never say never.  But if there is a 4th baby Hapes, God will be truly demonstrating his sense of humor. Big time.

I had wanted to take maternity pictures with both of the other kids, but I never followed through with it for one reason or another.  I have in my head the types of images that I wanted to see...but never made it happen.

And this was my last shot.

No wonder I was so stressed out!  Once I realized that, I relayed my epiphany to Matt, took a deep breath, and thought...but Maleigh will make sure we get good shots.

We finished up with the photo shoot right around 11 AM, then headed to the house for a quick change of clothes, grabbed some coupons and went to eat at a pizza place we hadn't tried yet, but had coupons for (that expire at the end of the month!).  In case you're wondering, Hungry Howie's Pizza is FABULOUS!  I thought it was a little pricey, even with the coupons, but then realized that I was full on only two pieces of pizza, which is rare for me (pregnant or non-pregnant, I can put down some pizza!).  Oddly enough, the same thing happened for Matt, so we ended up with lunch AND dinner out of the deal.

Then I headed out to my spa day, and had a facial, massage, and pedicure.  SO NICE!  I finally made use of the Christmas (yes, I know...Christmas) present that Matt gave me.  As I finished my spa session, I set out to use yet another coupon at Bath Junkie for some salt scrub.  Things went a little awry when I was rear-ended en route (no injuries, thank God!) and then realized that my attempt was in vain anyway, since Bath Junkie has apparently closed here in town.

Back to the house I went, and then we hung out for the remainder of the night.

Sunday I apparently needed lots of sleep, because I mumbled something to the effect of, 'Just a few more minutes' to Matt when he attempted to wake me up to get ready for church.  I have no recollection of that conversation.  At any rate, the kids lounged, I lounged, Matt tried desperately to get rid of his headache, and I mustered the energy to clean up a little around the house in the meantime.

Matt and Kellen went to mow grass while Tatum was finishing her nap and snuggling with me, then when they got back to the house we headed out for our Sunday School dinner group playdate/picnic at one of the splash pads here in town.  We were there between 2 1/2 and 3 hours and the kids had a BLAST!  You would have thought that there were holes in their stomachs with as much as they continued to eat, but they played HARD!

Afterwards, we went to Ben and Jerry's to use yet another coupon (catching my theme yet?) for a buy one, get one free ice cream.  We all had yummy flavors and it was a great ending to a fun filled family weekend!

We got back home, Matt bathed the kids and we got them settled down for the night, he went to the store (gotta love my man who will shop for me!) and then he and I stayed up waaaayyy too late watching Wolverine.  I had forgotten how much I liked that movie!

Here's hoping your weekend was as enjoyable as mine!

High risk

High risk is not a term I would use to describe myself. Or this pregnancy. So it was a little disconcerting when, after my first non-stress test today at the doctors office, I realized that phrase was circled on my paperwork as I was taking my slip up to the front to check out.

Hmph.

It's just a phrase. And it changes nothing, really.

My God is bigger than a phrase on a piece of paper at any doctors office and He's in control of this situation.

In case you're wondering, the non-stress test went well today.  Stay tuned for Monday, when we do another non-stress and have an ultrasound to measure the amniotic fluid levels.

Week by week

I had my doctors appointment today and we'll now be taking it week by week.  Overall, it was a good check up. 

• Blood pressure is good (which is a good thing considering how much 'edema' I have...if my bp was off I'm thinking I would be quite a bit more concerned about that particular nuisance).
• Weight gain is just weight gain.
• Muscle tightness/soreness and joint stiffness warranted me a trip to the Health Foods Store for magnesium to supplement...1000 mg per day (or 250% of the daily value).  Note to self: I should look at my prenatal to see how much is in that as well.
• Heart pounding and racing was attributed to a hyper volume issue.  Nothing to be concerned about unless it doesn't stop and/or I have tachycardia to go along with it (which I haven't).
• Continual contractions, despite a heavy fluid intake of water and gatorade is not concerning at this point, but he indicated the magnesium will probably help with that as well. (YAY!)

The monitoring begins tomorrow with the first non-stress test.  Then on Monday I'll go in for an ultrasound and another non-stress test.  Next Friday, I'll have the third non-stress test and see the doctor again to go over the results of all of those things.  He wants to look at the ultrasound to see how things look with her right now before making the final decision on the steroid shot sequence.

Then we'll go week to week to see how things are progressing.  I'm hopeful that the Monday ultrasound/non-stress and either a Thursday or Friday non-stress/doctors appointment schedule can be maintained to minimize my trips.  The office is very accommodating, so we'll see!

When the thunder rolls.....

....and you're at the pool, it's not good.

Yesterday was supposed to be the beginning of Tatum's private swim lessons with one of the graduate students from my department.  She taught both of the kids two summers ago, and they did wonderfully with her!  And yes, in case you're wondering, we actually gave Tatum lessons with her when she was just over a year old...and she did great!

Back to the point.  Tatum and I arrive at the pool maybe ten minutes till 6, and we were supposed to meet Cymon at 6 for the lesson.  No biggie, we're early (for once as of late) and head on in to the pool to splash around.  At this point in time, the quicker I can get somewhere that makes me a little more buoyant, the better!

We play for a few minutes, then I hear it.  Thunder.  I wasn't the only one who heard it, because the lifeguards were conversing back and forth amongst themselves to be sure they heard it, too.  Yup.  Whistle blows and they clear the pool......just as Cymon was walking toward the entrance.  So we cancel the actual lesson and agree to meet again on Wednesday as originally scheduled. 

I then went to the lifeguard to ask about a rain check, only to be told that they aren't 'officially' shutting down the pool, they're just required to wait 20 minutes after the last thunder clap.

So we wait.  For 20 minutes, just like we were told.

After the all clear, I rinse Tatum off (because in the meantime, she went and played on the playground.  I didn't think they wanted her getting back into the pool with dirt and sand on her.  Just my guess.) and back into the pool we go.

For all of 45 seconds.

And the thunder rolled.  Yup.

Here's hoping that the forecast for Wednesday is better!

Update

Wow.  I've realized that I've been less than stellar at updating the blog on actual family happenings.  Sorry 'bout that!

Here goes:

Kellen completed the first grade a little over a week ago.  That in and of itself is monumental (at least in this momma's book!)  Unfortunately, he spent the Thursday prior to getting out of school in the doctors office, as we were trying to determine if he has broken his finger (he is Matt's child, you know...).  On Wednesday night, he shut his pinky finger in the door after we got home from the swimming pool.  Needless to say, he was in quite a bit of pain and couldn't bend his finger very well.  After icing his finger down for about 45 minutes, I decided to forgo a trip to the ER and just check on things in the morning.  When we did, he was able to bend his finger a little better, but considering how swollen and purple it was, we decided to be safe.  So I dropped him off at school and told him I would call the doctor and get an appointment, but would make sure it was after 1 PM when he was back from his end-of-school picnic.

Yup.  Never should have uttered those words.

I put a call in to the doctors office and they only have an appointment in the morning.  His doctor and the back up we normally see weren't available in the afternoon.  Ug.  So I called the school, made arrangements with the principal to pick him up before the bus left for the park, and to deliver him when we were through to his teacher at the park so he could ride back on the bus and spend the rest of the day at school.

We go in to the doctor (me and both kids, including Tatum - her story to come) and are seen by the doctor, who decides we needed to get x-rays to rule out a break (just like Matt and I thought).  So, I got the orders for the x-ray, took Tatum back to her day care, and Kellen and I headed to the hospital.  Now, considering everything we had to do, we didn't have to wait all that long.  But to poor Kellen, who wanted nothing more than to get to the park for his class picnic, the waiting was brutal.  We got the x-rays and headed back over to the doctors office to get the results.  Once we got back there, we were ushered right in and told that no, it wasn't broken.

Thank God for small miracles!

We then hightailed it to the park, and made it there right at noon, giving my dear sweet Kellen a whole HOUR to spend at the park with his friends and classmates.

*Sigh*  It was the best I could do, which didn't sit all that well with him.

The end of the school year came the next day, and with a gift for his teacher in tow, he was off.  He got a wonderful report card (surprise, surprise) and had a great last week behavior wise.

Last week he lolly gagged with Maw Maw and Paw Paw at their house, and for the next two weeks, will be attending the YMCA day camp in Conroe.  He's going to have just oh-so-much fun this summer!

Oh, and apparently Matt informs me that between Mother's Day and some day last week, Kellen has grown a quarter of an inch.

Yowzers! 

Matt was packing his clothes for this week yesterday, and asked about a pair of shorts and whether they were 'play' shorts or good shorts.  With him growing like that, just about everything should be play shorts, because he's gonna be out of them by the end of the summer!

On to Tatum....
So the same Wednesday night that I took them both to the pool, I noticed that the top of her foot was red.  Really red.  Upon closer inspection, I see some bite marks on the side of her foot.  After the pool (and icing Kellen's finger) I gave her some Benadryl, thinking she was having a reaction to the bites (she is MY daughter, after all, and mosquitoes love us both).  Thursday morning we take a look at her foot to notice that the redness has spread, it's VERY hot to the touch (or even if you held your hand over it) and it's swollen.  So I took her to day care and told her I was going to call the doctor.

I was able to get an appointment for both kids at the same time relatively early in the morning, so yay!  The doctor walked into the room, started to ask what was going on with Tatum, saw her foot and stopped mid-sentence.

It was THAT obvious.

Diagnosis - cellulitis.  We drew an outline of the current redness, then he marked a spot further up on her calf and indicated that if the redness crept up to or past that line that we needed to bring her back in immediately.  Armed with a prescription to fight both strep-A and staph, we were ready to go with her.

So I did take her back to day care, let them know what was going on, dropped off her prescriptions at the pharmacy, then headed back to the hospital to finish up with Kellen.  After getting him squared away and dropped off at the park, I went back to the pharmacy, picked up the meds and went to day care.  And Tatum was asleep for her nap.  Ug.  So I couldn't give her the first dose of antibiotics.  I left day care with instructions that they call me if she seemed really uncomfortable and headed off to work.

A short time later, I got the call.  They indicated that her foot felt like it was on fire (and it did).  So I picked her up, headed home, gave her the first dose of her meds, put ice on her foot, and let her pick the movie of her choosing.

Whew!  She wanted lots of snuggles, didn't want me too far from her, but all-in-all, she was in a relatively good mood, considering.

Fast forward to now, and she's good.  We've just finished with the 10-day sequence of both of the medications, she didn't have some of the side effects we were concerned about (BIG yay on that one), and now we're just needing to be sure to keep her slathered with sunscreen and cooled down (the combination of antibiotics made her more susceptible to the sun and overheating, and those effects will linger for another handful of days).

She has the first of her swim lessons tonight and Wednesday night, and she's very much looking forward to going back to the pool!

Me and Jacey....
So the Texas heat and humidity are really getting to me.  I went in to my thyroid doctor today and he even commented on my 'edema'.  Isn't that such a nice word for saying you're bloated, swollen and/or retaining water?  Anyway, I go in for a check-up on Wednesday, and we'll schedule out our monitoring, which will include once a week ultrasounds, twice weekly non-stress tests, and the steroid shot sequence to try and mature Jacey's lungs.  I'm not exactly sure what that schedule will look like, but I'll know more on Wednesday. 

In case you're wondering, the extra monitoring is, at this point, a precaution.  Kellen had the cord wrapped around his neck (twice, if memory serves me) AND he had a knot in his cord.  Knowing either of those things would have made his delivery an automatic c-section, but we didn't know.  So with Tatum, we decided to monitor things a little closer there toward the end, just to be on the safe side, beginning at 32 weeks.  It was a good thing we did, because at 38 weeks I was told that the doctor didn't like the levels of her amniotic fluid and that I was going into the hospital to have her.  That night.  Non-elective. 

Just so you know, the phrase 'non-elective' is a VERY scary one.

Considering the history, we decided to begin the monitoring process at 32 weeks.  I am now 32 weeks and 2 days, and my appointment will be at 32 weeks and 4 days.  I'll be thrilled if all of the extra precautions are just that, but am thinking that realistically, I'll make it to 37-38 weeks.

She seems to be doing fine, is VERY active, and doesn't like to be squished.  At all.  By anything.  I can't wait to meet her, but am just trusting that it will happen when it's supposed to.

Kellen and Matt put up the crib this weekend, we went and got another crib mattress for it, and the bedding has been washed and is now in place.  So Jacey officially has a place to sleep now, which was something that apparently was bothering the kids quite a bit.

As for things at work, I'm trying to finish up projects and have the end of June or middle of July in most folk's mind with regard to when I should be slowing down.  I'll work right up until Jacey comes, so long as I'm able, but everyone around here needs a date or time frame to shoot for in order to wrap up projects that will be due while I'm out.  So that's what we're doing!

Last but not least, Matt.  He's still Matt, and doing the same ole, same ole.  And putting up with me and my end-of-pregnancy craziness.

Peace

I read this today and thought it worthy of sharing:

(We) experience Christ's peace when we realize that peace isn't the absence of pressure. It's the presence of God in the midst of our chaos.

-Micca Monda Campbell

For a few days (perhaps longer) I've been mulling on the fact that we shouldn't let our current circumstances dictate our attitude or actions.  Because you know what, those circumstances are fleeting, even if they don't feel like it at the time.  The only thing that is constant is God.  He's in control.  He has our circumstances, as crazy as they sometimes may seem to us, in His master plan.

Do you trust Him enough to lean on Him and be at peace in the midst of your chaos?

Craving

Surprisingly, despite the fact that I’m seven months pregnant, I’m not referring to a food craving here. Think back in your life to times when you can identify traveling through the valley. You know, times when circumstances seem bleak, you may be questioning "Why' certain things are occurring, and if you are anything like me (scary thought, perhaps) at those time you crave the Lord. You crave His word, time with Him, and do whatever you can to feel His presence.

Thinking about a particular time?

Well then, fast forward from that time to one shortly after, when the circumstances that caused your travel through the valley had changed - maybe a month or two after coming out of your valley. Did you still crave the Lord?

I hope you did.

Unfortunately, I find myself falling into an unhealthy pattern with regard to my personal peaks and valleys. During the 'valley-times' I am consistent in my quiet time, I seek God's guidance in virtually everything, stay in contact with people who can and will pray for me and hold me accountable, and have conversations in my head with Him almost all day long, trying to discern His guidance and grabbing hold of His promises. I understand my NEED for Him desperately during these times because my circumstances are simply too much for me.

But then something changes.

It certainly isn't Him, because He doesn't change. According to Hebrews 13:8 (NIV), we know that ‘Jesus Christ is the yesterday and today and forever.’ So the change that occurs must lead back to me. I change. When my circumstances aren't so bleak, when He's brought me out of yet another valley, I change. My attitude changes. My focus changes. For some strange reason, I feel like I can handle things on my own and I don't NEED Him as much. I don't seek Him as much, and my spiritual-discipline slowly fades away.

How crazy is that?

The very guidance, strength and promises that I NEED during the valleys are the same guidance, strength and promises I NEED when my circumstances have changed and He's now placed me on the top of the mountain. I NEED Him in all situations.

Is it any wonder that He continues to allow me to go through valleys, since it is during those times I'm closest to Him?

“Come near to God, and He will come near to you…” James 4:8 (NIV)

Lord, help me to draw closer to you not only in the valleys of my life, but in times when my arrogance and self-sufficiency rise up and I feel I can make it on my own. Help me to remember that no matter what my circumstances may be that my need for you never changes.

Stepping out

So I mentioned a few posts ago that the Lord has been speaking to me about venturing out in a specific direction.  To sum it up, I feel like I'm supposed to be using the situations that He's led me through in a more public way to help others.  You know, allow others to try and learn from my mistakes and experiences by illustrating God's help in getting through those various situations.

Well, I have been thinking on this for over a month, and I have come to realize why this has been such a struggle for me.  Is struggle the correct word?  I've been stagnant in this venture, but still feel called to move in that direction.  Let me clarify, I have figured out at least one reason, er...excuse, that I'm allowing to impede this journey. 

You see, many of the situations that I'm more comfortable sharing about that I've been through I consider "not my fault".  Dealing with postpartum depression - not my fault.  Struggles with raising strong-willed children - not my fault (or at least not ALL my fault).  Balancing breastfeeding while working full-time - not my fault, well, it was my choice, but really no 'fault' in that situation.  Losing one of the twins with this current pregnancy - not my fault (and yes, many of you are now probably scratching your head, saying, 'huh?' It's a story to come.)  I can handle discussing those issues, because I feel like the Lord has helped me through those issues when I was struggling, but I wasn't necessarily struggling because of my choices - or should I say my sin.

Because that's really why I've not moved forward with the one story that's already written - and has been for almost a month now.  What I went through and wrote about in that story was a clear result of my sin.  And although God led me through it and I'm a better person now because of the lessons He taught me then, I still find it difficult to discuss in a wide-open setting.  And the various possibilities for using the story I've written will all be in a wide-open setting, with my name attached.  My sin exposed.

The bottom line - I'm scared.

I have wrestled with asking myself this question, "What is it that I'm scared of?"

Here's what I've discovered, or at least what I've admitted to myself.

• Despite the fact that many people who know me might say that I'll do whatever without worrying about what people think, I DO actually worry about what people think. 
• I'm worried that people will judge me for my actions and question my decisions.
• I'm scared that I'll be embarrassed.
• I'm scared that people will look at and/or treat my differently.

But you know what, it shouldn't matter to me what other people think as long as I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing.  What God has asked of me to do.

Even if people think less of me.
Even if people judge me.
Even if people questions my decisions.
Even if I'm embarrassed.
Even if people look at and treat me differently.

That should not matter to me, so long as I place my trust in the Lord and follow what He's asking me to do.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6

I don't understand why I have gone through some of the things I have, but it's not for me to understand.  It's for me to simply trust that I went through, am going through, and will go through things in my life for a reason.  Those reasons may be revealed to me in time, but there is also just as likely of a chance that they will not.

And I need to be ok with that.

I need to be ok with doing WHAT God tells me to do, WHEN He tells me to do it, regardless of whether or not it makes sense to me.

Will you pray with me as I travel this road?

Your Work is Part of God's Plan

I received this via email today, and thought it was so good that I had to share it.  This really spoke to me, because sometimes I just get in a routine and forget that I'm doing what I'm doing because God put me here to do just that as part of a much bigger plan - one that I might not see for quite some time, or ever, here on earth.

Your work is part of God's plan


by Rick Warren

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

"The gifts, the abilities, the talents, even the interests you have -- they were genetically encoded into you by God."

Your work can be an act of worship. No matter what you do, it's never just a job if you are a believer. This is because God designed you with talents, gifts and interests that He wants used for His glory.

You are custom-made. There's nobody like you in the whole world. And the gifts, the abilities, the talents, even the interests you have -- they were genetically encoded into you by God. God made you with a specific mission in mind -- and He wants you to use the gifts he's given you in your work.

The Bible says you are God's workmanship. The Greek word used for workmanship is poema. That's where the English word poem comes from -- you are God's poem! You are God's work of art. You are God's masterpiece.

Your work is part of God's plan for your life and that is why, as you work, you worship God.

St. Jude Trike-a-Thon!

So today was the Trike-a-Thon at Tatum's school...doesn't she just look adorable??  She was SO EXCITED this morning as we took her bike and gear to school because she was GOING TO GET TO RIDE HER BIKE with all of her friends!  It was almost all she could talk about this morning, on the way to school, and then once we got inside the building.

So precious.

In case you're wondering, it's not too late to donate toward her riding in the Trike-a-Thon.  The funds are being donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and you can donate directly online in support of Tatum's efforts.

Astros

They aren't Kellen's team this year (he's a member of the Phillies team), but he's having a hard time distinguishing between t-ball teams and the real deal.  After his game tonight, he told me that the worst part was that they had to play the Astros...'cause they're the team he really likes!

Funny boy.

Prayers for guidance

The Lord has been speaking to me about writing.  (Don't laugh, while you're taking into consideration how much the blog gets updated - or doesn't).  But I came across a website tonight and am going to pray and ask for guidance on whether or not I'm supposed to tweak and submit an article I wrote about a week or so ago.

In case you're wondering, the opportunity currently in front of me and something I just discovered was the submission process for Proverbs 31 Ministries magazine.

Pray with me for guidance?

She Speaks Scholarship Contest

On another blog I frequent, a writing contest for a scholarship to She Speaks was posted.  Although the timing is bad for me this year, with the conference scheduled right over my due date, I thought I would post the link for the scholarship and information about the conference here for anyone interested.

Family Update

It's been a while since I've just updated on everyone, and the moms board I'm on had a thread like this, so I thought I would take a quick moment to give an update on US.

Kellen is nearing the finish line of first grade (goodness where has the time gone??). He'll be tested this month for G/T (5 testing days for an hour each day) and we should know his placement mid-May. I'm not worried about it...he tends to get bored in school easily and when he does, he gets in trouble (not BAD trouble, but he's a class clown (can't imagine where he gets THAT from), talker, etc kind of kid), so we try to keep him busy. He's currently in t-ball (twice a week practices for another week and then who knows what the game schedule will look like), Tae Kwon Do (during Kids Klub one day a week), Cub Scouts (weekly den meetings and then monthly pack meetings), and Awana's at church. He has an AMAZING memory for scripture and blows me away nearly every week when we're practicing his scriptures for Awana's. He has such a sensitive spirit and is SUCH a wonderful big brother!

Tatum is 3 now, and I remember why I later scoffed at the 'terrible two's' even though they began at 18 months with both she and Kellen. The 3's are infinitely worse at our house! She (and Kellen) are both such strong willed children and some days are just exhausting. However, I'm blessed to have strong willed children that know their likes/dislikes...it's the molding of them that makes it all a challenge.  She's doing wonderfully at her daycare, and is participating in KinderTots (combo dance and gymnastics) once a week there. She's Kellens biggest cheerleader at his sporting events, and wants to get out there and play right along with the boys. She's oh-so princess yet such a down and dirty tomboy. And despite the strong willed challenges, she is so sweet! She's my snuggler, and I am trying to get as many snuggle moments as I can with her before #3 comes along.

Speaking of #3, we settled on a first name for peanut, Jacey. We're still working on a middle name, but I'm feeling better about the fact that she has a name other than peanut now. However, the kids are still calling her peanut, so I'm thinking that nickname might stick for a while. I'm over 23 weeks along, and July seems like it's speeding toward me.  I'm pretty much past the nausea now (yes, I know...I'm quite far along to still have been struggling with that some days), but am still having random food aversions.  Peanut butter sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, and cereal are my staples.  And Freeb!rds burritos seem to be my constant craving.  And Olive Garden salad.  Yummy!

Work for me is pretty much the same...still incredibly busy but I get lots of reminders that I'm exactly where I need to be. One of the presentation proposals that I'm part of (group of 3) was just accepted as a pre-conference workshop for the annual advising conference to be held in October, so I'm trying to figure out the funding to go along with that travel.  It's a huge honor to have been selected for a pre-conference workshop: the session is longer than a regular conference session AND the participants have to pay an additional cost on top of the conference registration fee to attend.  Wow!  I think I'm still in a little bit of shock about it but am very excited!

Matt is still working from Conroe selling insurance, commuting back and forth 2-3 days a week and working from the house the other days. With his work schedule and the kids activities, I feel like I don't get out much for me, but we're surviving!  Our house may not stay clean, but the kids are loved and happy, and that counts a whole lot more in my book!

We have a winner!

Well, Friday was Matt's birthday, and despite the fact that he added a year to his age on Facebook, I think he had a pretty good day.  Both of the kids were out of school on Friday, but TAMU was up and running (at least for faculty/staff), so I went to work while he stayed home with the kids.  Shortly before his parents were slated to arrive (we ended up going out to eat with them Friday night), I sighed and told Matt that I really wanted us to work on a name for peanut.

He started playing on name websites, I got out my phone, which holds the 'list' of names that I had compiled, then whittled down (based on popular names of 2009), and off we went.  We had a couple of 'maybe's' from him for those on my list: Aliza (joyful); Bianca (white); Leala (faithful, loyal), but we really weren't both sold on any of those yet.  I had already vetoed Riley (which was # 109 in 2009, putting it on the officially ok list, but was 36 in 2008 and 52 in 2007, which in my opinion was just too common too recently for me).  So Riley got the official veto.  Matt wasn't liking Shilo (God's gift), so we were still in the looking phase.  Well, he starts rattling names off of whatever website he was on, and said "Jacey."  It apparently means healer and is of Greek origin.  And it's in the 800's on the most popular names list.

So, we both really like it and it's official.  Peanuts' real name is now Jacey.

We're still working on her middle name, so stay tuned.....

Nice...

Nice things....

1. Terrible two's that began at 18 months (with both kids).  Really.  'Cause they are NOTHIN' compared to how my kids act once they turn 3.  There should be a word to go along with the 3's, but it has to be much worse than terrible.  Tatum reminded me about how much trouble the 3's were on Monday and Tuesday evenings when we were attending functions as she morphed into a monster.

2.  Strong willed children.  Because really, I would rather have strong willed children who stand up for what they believe in than one who is swayed by whatever.  I must continually repeat this as I deal with the molding of said strong willed children.

3.  Reminders about how great the Mommy hat is that I wear.  They come in the form of, "Mommy, you're the best Mommy ever.  Did you know that?"  Tatum said this to me tonight after asking who bought her the ballerina outfit she was putting on and I answered that I had.

4.  The love my kids have for each other.  It's demonstrated in so many ways.  Kellen will crawl into Tatum's bed to snuggle with her just because.  It's demonstrated in the 'hero saving the princess from the monster' games that are currently taking place as I type this.  And in the fact, that many a morning, I see two little heads walking into my room, hand-in-hand, to climb into Mommy and Daddy's bed.  And because Kellen will throw a fit if someone other than him makes lunch for Tatum to take to school.  And when Tatum insists to go with me into Kids Klub to pick Kellen up from school.  And in the 'let me help you' I'm now hearing from Kellen as he's trying to calm and soothe her since she just hurt herself.

Rollin' along

I had the dreaded glucose test today, and oddly enough, the orange drink was better tasting than I remember it being the last time I ingested it.  Changes in the recipe, perhaps?  Who knows.  I'm not calling it great, but I didn't have that hard of a time getting it down, either.

Last night I asked Kellen to help me remember NOT to eat when I woke up, showed him the orange drink, and told him I was taking a special test in the morning using the orange drink.  When I went into he and Tatum's room this morning to check on them and wake them up, Tatum woke with her usual happy-go-lucky, morning person self and Kellen yawned, rolled his head to face me, and mumbled, "Mommy, remember that you can't eat anything this morning because of your test."  It was just the sweetest thing!  He then got up, got dressed, and headed out to the kitchen, where Daddy has assembled quite the feast for their breakfast, opened the refrigerated and then proceeded to hand me my orange drink, "Here's the special drink for your test, Mommy."  He was just the sweetest thing!

He and Tatum both were oh-so-concerned about me as I clocked myself drinking the juice, and then made note of the finish time.  I think they were wanting to see the next step, and didn't quite understand that it wasn't taking place in the dining room, but at the doctors office.

I had a quick visit with the nurse, passed the glucose test apparently with flying colors, and then chatted with the doctor for a bit.  I have another sonogram scheduled for Monday, just to get all bone measurements, since Peanut was facing the wrong way and a little uncooperative for those measurements during the last u/s.  Then I'll see the doctor in another month!  So far, so good with how things are progressing.

Medical updates aside, last week was spring break, and we had a variety of activities planned for my actual days off.  The shot at the doctors office apparently worked pretty well, because I felt pretty well Thursday and Friday.  A little too well, perhaps, as I seemed to overdo it and paid for it on Saturday and Sunday.  At any rate, Thursday we went to 7 Acre Wood where the kids played for HOURS.  Tatum was enthralled with the animals, petting the llamas, goats, and riding the pony.  She loved the pony so much that she rode it twice, then proceeded to ask Paw Paw to buy her a pony.  I think we might have brought a quarter of their dirt and sand back with the kids, actually.

On Friday we headed into downtown Houston and went to The Downtown Aquarium.  The kids just LOVE that place!  Tatum was really into it this year, more than last year, but she still wouldn't pet the stingrays.  Go figure.  We timed it just right to watch the switching of the tigers and then enrichment at the tiger exhibit, and then made it outside in time for the live animal show and was able to take our picture with one of the animals.  (I'm trying to upload the pictures into a program so that I can link the slideshow on here, we'll see how that works.  So far it's uploaded 36% of the pictures in the time that I've been typing, so I may have to add that slideshow at a later date.  If you're on Facebook, check out my photo album.)

As I already mentioned, Saturday and Sunday were a bit of a blur for me, as I just layed around and realized that I had overdone it.  I'm sure the kids had plenty of fun on Saturday with their Maw Maw, Paw Paw and Daddy and then Daddy on Sunday, but I slept through most of it, so I can't really comment too terribly much on those activities.  Except that I do know that Kellen, Daddy and Maw Maw went shopping and bought Kellen an Easter outfit that is a surprise for me.  Kellen doesn't want me to see it until he puts it on Easter morning.  I have no idea why that is, but that's ok.

So right now, things seem to be rollin' right along.  Kellen started t-ball this week, our family organizational and scheduling skills need to step it up a notch to handle two nights a week of practice, but yesterday afternoon went really well.  I found out today that I was selected to model for a local photographer who wanted some maternity bellies for some ideas he has, so I'll do that in a couple of weeks and then get another shoot once Peanut gets here.  I'm really looking forward to that because despite my desires to do so, I haven't gotten maternity pictures actually done with any of my pregnancies.  Taking pictures of myself in the mirror or handing Matt or my parents the camera and trying desperately to get some belly shots and belly shots with Kellen minutes before I left to go to the hospital didn't exactly fulfill my 'maternity picture' ideals.  We'll see how the shoot goes.

Despite the hectic nature of life right now, God is giving me calm.  And I am really enjoying it.

More updates...

So for one, it's spring break.  And I'm officially off of work.  For some reason, I had been working under the illusion that I had Wednesday through Friday off when in actuality it was just Thursday and Friday.  I came to that realization last week.  And I've been mourning the loss of that 'vacation' day in my head since then.

But you know what, it all worked out ok.  IF I had been off of work, I most likely wouldn't have been in town.  And I would have delayed going in to see anyone about my sore throat, coughing, and occasional sneezing, despite the fact that I've just felt 'off' for the last (almost) week.  And the bronchitis would have gotten MUCH worse.

Yes, I have bronchitis again.  I must be very good at bronchitis, or at least a good hostess to it, because it seems to come and visit me often.  I also apparently have fluid behind my ears.  My mother so brilliantly pointed out to me that might explain my dizziness and feeling faint when I go from a sitting or kneeling position to standing up.  Never crossed my mind until she said that, but it certainly seems to explain things.  At least a better explanation than, 'Oh, I'm just pregnant.'  My sinus cavities are also apparently clogged.  Blessings come in all shapes and sizes, because the PA was very surprised I hadn't been having headaches or pressure because of this.  Nope.  This might also explain, in part at least, why I'm having trouble sleeping.  Because if you can't breathe very well when you're sitting up, which apparently I cannot, due to all of my blockage, breathing when you're trying to lie down is quite a bit more difficult.  Again, a much better explanation than, 'Oh, I'm just pregnant.'  And it was apparently a good thing that I went in when I did and caught it early, because in the PA's words, 'You would have been in urgent care later this week or this weekend,' if I hadn't come in today.

So, a shot of rocephin (and I have no clue as to whether or not I'm spelling that correctly, but whatever) and a prescription for an antibiotic and mucinex D later, I went back to work.  Limped back to work that is.  Those shots are painful!  I'm still feeling the effects of the actual shot tonight!

Oh, and did you know that pharmacies aren't allowed to sell you mucinex D through the window?  As in drive through window that I thought would be much quicker for getting my prescription?  It wasn't.  Who knew?

At any rate, the antibiotic shot should get my healing process started much quicker, and maybe this round of bronchitis won't wipe me out for a month like the last one did.  But hey, I didn't wait nearly as long to go into the doctor this time, did I?

Blessings come in all shapes and sizes, and who knew that my having to work a day I thought I was getting off would help me out in this way?

Peanut cooperated

So for those of you who read this on occasion and don't have a Facebook profile, I realized that I have neglected to update the world via this format on the gender of peanut.

Peanut was fairly cooperative when Matt and I went in for the ultrasound, and gave us a fairly clear view of HER bottom. 

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we're having another girl!

It's been a couple of weeks now since we found out, and Tatum has adjusted quite nicely to the idea.  She's having a hard time with grasping that she'll be both a little sister AND a big sister.  She continues to think that she'll be a little sister and a big brother.  Go figure.  We're working on it...

As for Kellen, it seems as though he truly feels he'll never get to speak again.  He's blessed with one complete chatterbox of a sister, and thinks that is how all girls are.  So in his mind, if he has a hard time getting a word in edgewise now, it's never gonna happen when there are two of them hanging around.  We'll have to be sure and give him some one-on-one time so that he can actually talk with us!  And perhaps not come down on him too hard when he interrupts, because I can't entirely say that I'll blame him.

When I did mention that the two girls will most likely share a room when Peanut (no, we still haven't settled on a name yet) gets a little older, Kellen's response was a very sad, "But who am I going to share a room with?"  So I guess the results are in with the room-sharing experiment.  They really like being in the same room!

Happy Birthday sweet Tatum!

3 years ago Tatum came into the world and forever changed my life. She brings such joy to each and every day and I cannot imagine my family without her. Happy birthday, Tatum!!

She realized today that it was REALLY her birthday.  She's been calling herself three since the party on Saturday, and it didn't make much sense to try and correct her.  Maw Maw apparently tried to tell her yesterday that her actual birthday was today, but she didn't accept that.  This morning; however, after she and I talked about it, she ran around the house singing "Happy birthday" to herself and having a grand ol' time.  She is so precious.

I realized again today just how truly blessed I am.  Some of the reasons for that continued realization and reminder are fodder for another post, so I'll get back to them later.

After picking her up, we swung by the house, she watched an episode of "Yo Gabba Gabba" then we went to pick up her brother.  The surprise was then ON...to McDonald's we went for a treat dinner.  And the additional surprise was that I had called Nikki and arranged for Logan and Kylie to play with the kids for her birthday.  She had asked about them earlier in the day, so we were able to connect so they could have a birthday play date.  Then back to the house for a birthday cupcake and cake, then off to the bath and bed...

Goodnight world, and Lord, help me never to forget how truly blessed I am with the wonderful children you have bestowed on Matt and I to raise.

Family update

Well, I went in for a regular appointment today, and a month ago the doc told me I would leave this appointment with the 'reveal' scheduled.  As we chatted, I asked when I would be finding out...his reply, "Schedule it, then come back and see me in a month."  So, I went to set up the appointments before I left the office and lo and behold, there was an opening for TOMORROW with the sonographer.  Sooooo, if peanut cooperates, we'll know the gender of our family bookend tomorrow shortly after 1 PM.  Oh, and if you missed it, we're having our #3.  I'm 17 weeks and a handful of days, with a due date of July 31st.

Both of the kids want a baby brother.  Some friends insist that the fact that they BOTH want a brother MUST mean I'm having a girl.  Others say that kids are pretty accurate (Kellen was with Tatum!).  My office co-workers did the string and pencil trick over my belly today and it went in a circle, which apparently means a girl.

Who knows?

But, we'll find out tomorrow (at least if peanut is cooperative).

In other news, we're gearing up for Tatum's third birthday party this weekend.  After asking her repeatedly who she wanted to come to her party, we settled on her very consistent answer, and are going with a low-key party with three friends plus Kellen.  So as I type, the kids are picking up stray toys, book, articles of clothing, and other miscellaneous stuff from around the house in preparation for the carpet cleaning which will commence tomorrow (preparations made courtesy of Matthew...he's desperate to get the carpets cleaned and stretched).  I'm hopeful for a nice day so we can go out in the backyard, but since our weather has had the equivalent of bipolar mood swings lately, I'm not banking on that and have back-up indoor activities ready to go.  I went and picked out princess party gear yesterday (instead of going home after our department closed down due to inclement weather).  I now have pink and purple princess plates, napkins, cups, goody bags, and a purple Happy Birthday tiara for the birthday princess.

Speaking of inclement weather, we had SNOW yesterday!  And enough of it for the kids to have a snowball fight.  No snow angels or snowmen, much to Aunt Boo's dismay, I'm sure, but they had fun outside nonetheless.  Even if their fun only lasted for as long as it took for the snow to make their gloves wet.  Which, in case you're wondering, is about five minutes.  And then all schools (at least the ones I'm concerned with) didn't open up as scheduled this morning.  Tatum's daycare opened at 9:35, Kellen's school started at 9:50, and TAMU opened at 10.

In case you're wondering, snow day + cold night + delayed school startings = ONE LAZY MORNING at the Hapes household.  And it was VERY nice.

Rough day for the Kellen-bellen

It appears that today has just been an all-around rough day for the Kellen man. 

First, he forgot his backpack this morning.  And remembered it as I was dropping him off.  I mean literally...the door was open, he was out of the car, looked back for his backpack and it wasn't there.

He actually said he had a good day at school...no tallies, but also told me he went to the safe place twice during the day because he was so sad.  Apparently he missed me very much today.  Oh yeah, and his grandparents, too.

In the car after school and Kids Klub and we're headed to get Tatum.  He proceeds to make a string of bad choices that end up making Mommy very upset.  I threaten dinner and then bed.  Mommy asks him to help Daddy with a project: he argues.  Repeatedly.  And then proceeds to get Daddy upset as well.  After blowing all of the chances Mommy gave him, he's made the choice.  Dinner and bed.

During dinner, he finishes his piece of pizza and asks for more.  There is no more.  So Mommy gives him breadsticks, and he proceeds to bite his cheek on said breadsticks.

Oh, and to top it all off, he reminds me that today was spring picture day.  Yes, Mommy completely forgot about spring picture day.  And he proceeds to tell me how sad he was when he remembered about picture day after getting to school because everyone was dressed so nicely and he was in his everyday clothes.  And he didn't have a backpack with him get to his extra clothes to change clothes!

Oh the horror.  There's only so many times one can apologize for being a terribly forgetful Mommy.  I'm not sure I'm at that limit yet, though, as he's still terribly sad about it.  And don't forget embarrassed.  He was apparently oh-so-embarrassed because he had to sit on the white steps in his everyday clothes.

Considering the events of the day, I don't think an early bedtime is all that bad.  Let's put an end to this bad day for my Kellen-bellen.

Surely tomorrow will be better for him, right?

What a morning...

Here we were, out the door ON TIME - 7:18 AM. I was able to get Tatum to school in time for Kellen to come into daycare with me so he could properly say "Bye" to her for the day. I was able to talk with her teacher for a bit, get Kellen and I back in the car, and head to his school. Made it there with no problems, sent him off with an "I love you and have a GREAT day today!"

And then to the office....where I realize that I have made it to work with ZERO make up on. Zilch. Nada. Nothing. Completely bare faced.

Oh my.

No, I don't wear make-up on the weekends, or even wear much of it during the week. But let's just say that my face hasn't taken on the radiance of pregnancy quite yet.

My poor co-workers. My poor students. A little bit of powder and lip gloss (applied both to my lips and eyelids - and no, I don't know if that's ok to do or not) and we'll see if I can make it through the day without wondering ALL DAY LONG how horrid I look! Oh well!

Silly songs...

'Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream. When you see a crocodile, don't forget to row faster.' - Tatum, as sung during her bath last night.


Yes, my kids are hilarious!

I know no one.

According to Tatum, that is.  She's watching Yo Gabba Gabba, and has repeatedly asked me, "Who is that?"  My continual response, "I don't know, baby."

The last time she asked, and I responded in my usual way, she retorted in an exasperated manner and stated, "You don't know ANYONE, Mommy!"

Cinderella

Is Tatum's favorite movie.  During our mommy-daughter afternoon yesterday, we watched it twice.  We're watching it again now while she's having her lunch snack before nap.

Some observations:

Tatum: That cat is NOT nice.  But the doggy is nice.  But not the cat.  He's a MEAN cat.

Tatum: I want to help fix Cinderella's dress.
Me: Sweetie, I don't think that you can.
Tatum: 'Cause I'm not in the movie, huh?

Christmas Count-down calendar

I'm not calling this an Advent calendar, although that's where I got the idea, because I'm not following all of the Advent rules.  So, the original idea for this came from my crafty blogging friend Kendra, from this post she did last year.  Yes, I've been thinking about doing this for a year.  So a few weeks ago, I started collecting our finished toilet paper rolls and asked that Maw Maw and Paw Paw do the same...and then I kept our paper towel rolls as well.

And today, I started and completed the project.  In my opinion, it's not nearly as cute as Kendra's, but hey...I happen to like it!  (And by the way, if you agree that it isn't as cute, you don't have to post a comment to that effect...but you're welcome to tell me if you like mine or make additional suggestions about activities to include, even though I've filled out the days...I can always add activities and scripture to days throughout the month!!).

So here is a photo journal of the project!

Phase one...wrapping the individual rolls...3 per color of wrapping paper.

Laying them out in the pattern....

Beginning the assembly.  My first attempt was failed and this was actually the back-up, which worked much better.  Ribbon was used to tie the rolls together, with the edges of the ribbon sticking out on alternating sides.

Assembly is complete, and it's now hanging, with the use of a zip-tie.  (Matt's gonna wonder where all of his long zip ties have gone, because they're coming in handy for a variety of projects now-a-days).

Close up so that you can see the ties and wrapping paper.

Dates are now on the individual rolls.  Thank GOODNESS for sticker numbers!  And an even bigger thank GOODNESS for ones that I already had in my existing supply!!!

Now there are "to-do" items in each of the dates, corresponding with things that already exist on our calendar and I tried to think ahead (i.e., the Christmas farm we want to go to is ONLY open on the weekends, etc...).

So there it is...our Christmas count-down.  And yes, we do have another one that you move the numbers along and we'll be using that one, too.  You know, once I get it out of the Christmas decoration box.  I can't remember which day I put "put out Christmas decorations" on....

Long time, no update

Such is life...it's been crazy around here.  The kind of crazy that you wake up every day and pray for the strength to get through the day, but hey, God is good.  He's still the same God He was yesterday and will be tomorrow, despite the craziness that's going on today.  The question is really, "What will I learn and allow God to show me in the midst of and from the craziness?"

That's a million dollar question, now isn't it?

At any rate, I have a lot to be thankful for, and have been blessed by those around me who love and are caring for me, and am creating a detailed list JUST SO THAT I DON'T FORGET IT!  And I'm choosing to thank God for all of the ways that I'm seeing Him move in my life.

Today the kids and I went out to purchase the gifts for the child we adopted for Christmas from the Angel Tree from church and the two kids we chose to buy from from the office adoption list (their mom was killed in a car accident about a week and a half ago in a car accident and her older daughter is one of my students).  We talked about why we choose to give gifts at Christmas - it's to show God's love to others, just like God showed His love to us by sending Jesus to earth for us.  They had a good time picking out the presents for the children and, for the most part, didn't ask for things for themselves!

Hapes hilarity - of the Tatum kind

We're on day 2 of being home, and Tatum is still running a slight fever.  Nothing too bad, but elevated enough to let us know that her body is trying to fight something.  Well, she certainly still has her spunk, and I'll demonstrate by listing things that she's done to, shall we say, keep me on my toes.

• I've realized that she can't totally be left on her own to use to potty, and wipe.  Wanna' know how I realized it?  I went in to check on her just in the nick of time, as she was looking down at a toilet FULL of wipes.  She had pulled out wipes from the container and managed to pull about 1/8 of the container, empying it, and deposit said wipes into the toilet. Luckily, I caught her before she flushed.

• We were exchanging kisses and she arranged my head so that she could kiss me on the hair.  "Mommy, your hair is messy. You didn't fix your hair."  Me, "Yes I did, Tatum.  I fixed it this morning."  Her, "Let me see," moving my head around for closer inspection, "No it's not."  Apparently, my hair is not fixed to her standards.  What a shame, considering that I actually got a shower today, unlike yesterday. (Don't judge).

• We had finished watching The Jungle Book shortly before she was scheduled to lay down for a nap.  I needed to vacuum, but hadn't dared to so while she was in the midst of any movie, lest I anger the child, 'cause you're princess when you're sick.  Or in her case, even when you aren't.  She was finishing her snack of Cheerios and water, sitting in the recliner, listening to the music that plays during the menu options while I was vacuuming, and I see her lips moving.  I stopped the vacuum and asked what she needed.  "I can't hear the MUSIC!  Are you DONE?"  No darling, but for both your sake and mine, I sure wish I was.

• In our one hour attempt to get her to lay down and actually go to sleep for her nap, during one of the times she came to the gate by her door she looked at me and said, "I laid down and closed my eyes.  That was a good nap, right?"

To be continued.....

So what is it THIS time?

Tatum has diarrhea and was running a fever yesterday afternoon/evening, yet the mere mention of the fact that she's "sick" makes her insane.  So here I am again, at home, working to clear my schedule and disinfect the house.  At least I don't have to go to the store and stock up on supplies again, right?  On the other hand, I feel like I just did this, didn't I, only it was with Kellen?  Oh, the joys of parenting and the cycles of neverending chores that must be completed.  Including dealing with sick kiddos.

The poor thing.

We have begun our movie marathon, and it's starting with Bolt, one of her all-time favorites.  I'm guessing Cinderella and Enchanted are in the cards for us today as well, and possibly multiple times for each.

I have my temperature and "symptom" sheet started, and so far she's only had one 'bout' this morning.  We'll see how the rest of the day progresses, but I may be going to the store not for cleaning supplies but for additional pull-ups instead.  I'm not going with her undies with this type of symptom going on here...Can you blame me?

Well, she's saying she's hungry, so I'm off to make her some toast.  Whatever it takes to make her feel better!

Success!

Yesterday I successfully completed my first triathlon sprint.  Probably my first and only, but that's beside the point.  In case you're wondering, "success" was defined by me for the purposes of this event as completing without injury, and a sunburn didn't count as an injury.  Neither did a jolt to my pride.  More on that later.

Matt and I took the kids to Conroe Saturday and dropped them off with Maw Maw, Paw Paw and Aunt Boo for their weekend retreat.  (Sidenote: I'm sure fun was had by ALL during this retreat, which included a trip to a pumpkin patch and a birthday party at a skating rink).  He and I then made our way to the race packet pick-up and I proceeded to go through the check-in.  I looked over my packet and tried to verify that all numbers for all equipment pieces were in order and that I had everything else I needed for the race.  We headed out, left the mall, stopped at another store, and during this time I had been reading the packet material and realized I had a white swim cap, which designated me in the women 30-39 age group.  While that in and of itself is correct, I had signed up to race as a newbie, which meant that I was planning to swim the shorter distance, and not the full swim, which the age bracket I was designated in was supposed to be swimming.  I should have had a green swim cap.

Houston, we had a problem!

I quickly called one of the girls I had been training with, who had picked her packet up a couple hours earlier.  She had the correct color swim cap - green.

So we turned around and headed back to the mall, determined to correct the registration issue.  I felt comfortable that I could handle the newbie swim, but NOT the full swim.  Luckily, when I went back, they didn't give me any problems.  One gentleman asked if I wanted a green cap and I quickly corrected him, laughingly saying "Oh no, I NEED a green cap."  He thought that was pretty funny, too.  A chat with the laptop lady - AKA the registration lady - took care of officially correcting me as well.  A few minutes in there and I was fully corrected as a newbie for registration purposes. 

Whew!

Back on the road and Matt and I were enjoying each others company so much that we missed the turn to my friends house via the directions he provided, so we took the long route there.  I'm trying to remember the last time he and I had some quality and quantity time together and I'm coming up blank, so it was obviously much needed.  We finally got to the Murdock Manor much later than we had originally anticipated, and then there were some slight grill-lighting, propane issues that had to be addressed and resolved.  Once those issues were taken care of, dinner was finished and was fabulous!  Sam and Krissy went all out...bread with dipping sauce, cheese and pepperoni for appetizers, steak, and pasta with two kinds of homemade sauces.  Oh my goodness...it was delicious!  And then Sam topped it off with homemade canoli's, although I was so stuffed with everything else that I couldn't even finish it off!  We watched the triathlon episode of Scrubs while eating our dessert, feeling full as ticks, then went to bed.  I certainly carbo-loaded adequately!

We tried to leave their house by 5 AM the next morning, and had plans to meet the girls by 5:30...we didn't quite make it.  I'm not sure if we left later than we wanted to, or if it simply took longer than we thought to get from their house to the race, but we finally got there at about 6 AM.  We unloaded the bike, gear and got my body markings - race number on my forearms and my age on my calf, then headed to the transition area to set up.  We found the girls fairly easily, then just hung out until racetime.

Since we were the newbies, our wave was the last to go, so we made it in the water shortly after 8:15AM.  The water was cool, but not as cold as I was anticipating.  What I had been told about, but couldn't really plan for, were the people kicking me...so I treaded water and held out in the back of the pack.  In retrospect, since I'm not the greatest of swimmers anyway, that probably wasn't the best of plans.  I never did make that time back up.  I was one of the last people to get out of the water and pretty much brought up the rear for the rest of the race. 

Which leads me to that jolt to my pride statement....

So I'm out of the water, get to the transition area, and I pretty much have it all to myself.  I look up and see Matt filming and wonder to myself why on earth he's trying to film me in the horror that is me attempting to change clothes without the world seeing anything.  He must have read my mind, because I think at that precise moment he quit filming.  Me actually trying to change clothes was a rookie mistake...I should have just pulled the dry clothes on OVER my swimsuit and ridden my bike in that, but oh well.  I get my clothes on - WITHOUT anyone seeing anything, mind you, and head out of the transition area. (Oh, and in case you're wondering, that wasn't the jolt to the pride story)  Then on my bike I go...then I realize I didn't have my sunglasses, that they're still in my purse, in the car.

Great.

Anyway, on the bike, here I go, heading out for a 15 mile bike ride.  A little bit into it an older gentleman passes me, then a motorcycle comes up behind me, comes beside me, and then says to me, "You know you're the last one, right?"  Inside my head I'm thinking, 'Gee thanks, buddy...I needed THAT right now.'  I just looked at him.  He continues, "You aren't going to let that 72 year old guy beat you, are you?  You know, the one that just passed you?"  Did you feel that hit?  Because I certainly did.  Let me just note that it wasn't coming across as nice, these comments he was making.  If he was going for motivating, he was certainly missing his mark.

So I looked at him and said, "I'm not worried about BEATING anyone.  My goal is simply to finish."  And then I smiled at him and kept right on cycling.  I was determined to NOT let that comment persuade me to quit.  And you know what, a few more miles into the cycle I wasn't the last one anymore...and he rode by me and told me so.  And he also made a point of telling me every so often how good I was doing, too.

As I was finishing the bike portion, it was ever-so-obvious that the "non-newbies", oh heck, who am I kidding, and many of the "newbies" had been done for quite some time, as the race and surrounding area was clearing out, but folks were very gracious to the steady gal on the bike, number 444, and certainly cheered her on!  It was quite nice.  There were a few of us hitting the run at the same time ('cause remember, I said I wasn't last anymore), and we wound around the lake that really tempted me to jump back in it and around the neighborhood for a "quick 3 miles".  HA! I think the exact words out of my mouth were 'smooth like butter' as I started that run and I don't exactly know where those came from...

All-in-all, I finished the race in about 2 hours 15 minutes.  Whoop!

Kids say...cont.

Kellen to me, after Tatum was being particularly...herself, or shall we say challenging, "It must be difficult to be the Mommy somedays." {Buddy, you have NO idea}

After taking Tatum's booster seat off of the table, since she no longer wants to sit in it, Kellen informed me that we needed to keep it in case he has a baby brother someday.  Because, he's ..."wanted a baby brother since forever."  Really?  'Cause I'm fairly certain that your FIRST request was for a sister.  And that request was granted buddy.

So Tatum is now ill...running a fever that disqualifies her from attending school for at least tomorrow and had a few bouts of diarrhea today.  As I was getting her ready for bed, she was desperate to give her Kellen a night-night hug and kiss.  Unfortunately, I had to tell her I couldn't let her do that because she was sick.  "I'm not sick!" she screamed repeatedly.  "I'm not supposed to be sick! I need to give Kellen a night night hug and kiss!"  Me, "But you can't, because you're running a fever and you're sick."  Her, "No I'm NOT!  I'm not sick!"

Quotable quotes

'Cause I think my kids are that funny, interesting and sometimes say the darndest things....

"Life is good." - Kellen, as said to me on our way to church this morning.  This was after detailing the beautiful day outside, the fact that we hadn't been outside playing in our backyard on our swingset much lately because of all of the rain.  Why did it have to rain so much Mommy, 'cause it had been raining for like a thousand years or something.

"Darn-it [emphasized by slamming both fists on the table], I am NOT naughty!" - Tatum, at lunchtime today while not sitting as she was supposed to be.  Sidenote:  Mommy had not actually called her naughty. 

And I'm not sure why I can't think of additional ones, because they consistently crack me up at every turn.  I MUST find ways to document them better, because they're pricess, and my memory does not remember everything it hears....it simply remembers something funny was said, and if you're lucky, it might remember the topic of the funny comment.

Shout it out...

Well, we're trying to do something of the sort with the recent illnesses in the house.  Kellen is home today and he doesn't feel well.  Perhaps I should say that he didn't feel well.  He seems to be feeling much better, which is GREAT!  He was running a low-grade fever this morning and had a variety of symptoms that assured me he wasn't faking, so I spent some time clearing my calendar, made arrangements for a conference call on the item that couldn't be put off, then got the Tatum-tot ready for school.  I apparently had too many irons in the fire, as I made it to school with Tatum but no lunch for her.  Ug.  I corrected that small oversight, then Kellen and I made a quick trip to the store to stock up on a variety of antibacterial cleaning supplies so that I could attempt to clean EVERYTHING possible in the house today.  Unfortunately, I didn't expect my conference call(s) to last as long as they did.  But you have to do what you have to do, right?

Anyway, with the assistance of some caffeine, delivered by an incredibly thoughtful friend, I feel like I have been fairly productive today...I have kept the laundry going, cleaned the kitchen (counters, including moving items and cleaning backboards); swept and mopped the floors; cleaned the trashcan exterior; and ran the dishwasher twice; cleaned the stove; and dishwasher exterior.  I disinfected the kids bathroom, including a VERY thorough cleaning of the toilet - ALL of the toilet, including behind it.  Sidenote: Daddy needs to chat with Kellen about aiming.  'Nough said.  I changed the linens in both of the kids rooms and disinfected the mattress and bed frame in Kellen's room.  In case you're wondering, I lysol'ed the loveseat, then put a clean sheet on it and he's been camped out there for the day...his own little "set-up" and he loves it.

Luckily, I like the citrus smell of the cleaner I bought, and I have really put a dent in it so far!  Hopefully I'll knock out whatever germs are floating around in this house...and hopefully they haven't already spread.

I'm not through yet, so wish me luck!  And stay healthy yourself!

Progress Report

We've made it through the first six weeks for Kellen, and Daddy and I had the parent-teacher conference today. Considering that he had come home with a few "Needs Improvement" on his weekly progress charts, we weren't surprised that he had some of those on his report card for behavior-related issues. Shocked, we were not.

It was; however, nice to know that when tested, he was at a 2nd grade reading level. And he is performing at an Excellent (Note: 95-100) level for mathematics for what is expected right now. And for the remainder of his Academics, he scored nothing below a "S" on his report card. In addition, he's getting some additional challenge practice for reading because he's reading at such a high level (teacher's aide pulling him and one other kid from his class and another from one other class out and working with them in a small group at their level) three times a week for about 45 minutes each time. In addition, he's getting "Enrichment" activities, which was explained to us as activities for students early-identified as those who most likely would be testing into GT.

All-in-all, I'm thrilled with how he's doing academically! Now, if we can simply try and pinpoint and improve on some of his behavioral issues, we'll be in better shape. Which is not to say we aren't in good shape now, it's simply to say that there is room for improvement.

So, our action plan is that for the next couple of weeks is that we'll be receiving a daily email letting us know if Kellen started the day with a positive or negative attitude. We're going to try and see if we can identify the "why" on his beginning-of-the-day attitude to see if 1) I need to change the morning routine; 2) he needs to get more sleep; 3) Daddy needs to commute more; 4) we need to scale back on some of the extracurricular activities; or 5) some combination of all of the above. If we can make progress in one area, that will be good enough for me!

Moving on....
Sparks.
Kellen is doing wonderfully at Sparks. He is FABULOUS at memorizing scripture. We went through a lesson tonight and the scripture was the first part of one, and he already knew the entire thing. It's amazing what he's learning from listening to the Sparks CD at night! So, just to see what he knew, I asked him the scriptures through the remainder of the book, and he knew all of them with the exception of 2, but knew those 2 with the one or two word reminder to start things off. His goal is to finish the book out this week - I suggested that we shoot for the end of the month.

I have gone through the book and made index cards with all of the scriptures on them in flash card style so that we can continue to go over them even after he finishes the book. Plus, it's helpful for me, even though I have no problem saying that Kellen has these verses down much better than I do!

Growing pains

In case you were wondering, growing pains are very real....and poor Kellen certainly had his share of them tonight. He's going through yet another growth spurt (I feel like he JUST did this!) and was in terrible pain tonight, complaining about his knee joints hurting. He was almost inconsolable before bedtime. Poor guy!

I think Tatum is going through one as well, although her growth spurt doesn't seem quite as painful as Kellen's. It will be interesting to see how much he's grown since his last growth spurt, which I believe was mid-summer...we'll measure him the next time he goes to Maw Maw and Paw Paw's to see....