Cabbage Patch Tali

My daughter is a Cabbage Patch Doll. Seriously.

Besides having a CPD named "Lizzy", when you ask my daughter to smile, she looks like this:

or this:

or sometimes, this:

She *is* the cutest thing EVER!!!

*Michigan Momma*

a few quick thoughts

It's hard to be away from my babies, even that big ol' baby - my wonderful hubby...

Yet I am enjoying this time with lil' Elijah, he is just *such* a sweet-tempered little man. He is giving lots of kisses, so many smiles, starting to actually move FORWARD in his crawling attempts, and even beginning to mumble out a few baby words.

My mom is doing, well, okay. The surgery was hard, the recovery is hard. It has to do with her skin, the damage that was done 6-7 years ago from radiation, the drainage tubes, the lack of emotional support she has received from any medical personnel. I won't get into it all, but basically they did the surgery and sent her home. She was told next to nothing about what happens now. When does she get fitted for a prothethis (sp?)? What kind will work? Who should she call? What can she wear in the mean time to feel "normal" when goes out of the house? Ugh....

My mom also told me that some friends of hers were discussing families, responsibilities, etc. and told her how lucky she was to have me here. I don't think that's true. She's not lucky - she's my mother. Of course I'm here to help if I am at all able to. That's what families do. That's what any daughter would do in this situation. Yet in reality, that's not what happens.

Many, too many, children are not supporting their parents. In physical needs, in emotional needs, with their time, with their words, with their sacrifice. It's ridiculous. Is it generational? Would our parents have put off their "duty" so-to-speak to their own parents? Did the previous generations simply not teach and train their own children about love, about family? How did we become such a society of self-absored people?? Ugh, again, ugh.

Anyways, I'm enjoying time with just Elijah. I'm enjoying time with my mother. I'm enjoying relaxing in the fact that my incredible dh is taking care of my other three babies!! I've organized most of my mother's kitchen (fun stuff for me, I'm sick, I know). And I also get to see my sissy on Saturday and have Chinese (our tradition).

Oh, and one more thing, I'm going to make an appointment with a nutritionist. I don't feel like I know how to eat in a healthy way. My nails and hair aren't growing very fast, I feel like I get sick pretty easily, my immune system must be depleted and I'm not helping it by the way I eat. Beyond just eating too much food, I'm not eating the right KINDS of foods. I'm really hoping she can help me. If I fix this issue with ME in mind, it's naturally going to spill over with benefits for my family. I don't want to go on a diet, I want to learn how to use food as fuel for this life the Lord has given to me, to us. I'll keep you posted (I know, I know, you'll be waiting on the edge of your seat.....ha!)


Hmmm.....and I still can't get to bed on time. 2:25am. What am I crazy?? 'night.....
*Michigan Momma*

Migraine Eye Pillows

Here is my latest project:



I made this based on one that I bought a few years back. I use them when I have migraines. You heat up the rice insert in the microwave, slide it back in the cover, then place it over your eyes. The heat is nice, the pressure is nice, it blocks out the light and it feels great on my sinuses (both above and below my eyes). I made sure to include an elastic strap - mainly because I like to lay on my side - this way I can still wear my eye pillow and be comfortable.

I like it better than an electric heating pad as I would feel comfortable falling asleep with this eye pillow on. It also has velcro-type strips on the ends of the elastic, so I can customize the tension, depending on how much pressure I want on my sinuses/eyes.






Anyways, I really liked this project. I intend on making a few before I leave, at least one for a friend of mine who suffers from migraines, as well as my mom as she is recovering from surgery.

My dh is very supportive (he always is) and wants me to sell them. I checked on-line and the shaped ones, with straps and aromatherapy sell for what I would consider a fairly high price. What would YOU sell/buy them for?? (if you were interested in something like this, of course)





Anyway, just wanted to share. This is my first project where I made up the pattern on my own - I did base it on something I already owned, but *I* drew the pattern, no instructions, just me sewing. There is some sense of satisfaction involved there - it's nice!

Enjoy your evening~
*Michigan Momma*

HUGE mistake

How exactly do doctors make such a mistake is beyong me?!?!

My mom's cancer is not really cancer after all!!

Whoo-hoo!!

I'm not exactly sure what it is/was but they biopsied everything and none of it was cancer. She still had the double mastectomy (that was planned before we thought the cancer had actually returned) and it appears to have gone well. The recovery is hard on her thus far, as she reacts badly to just about every medicine they give her.

Yet the doctors say she just needs to get through this recovery - no chemo!!

Anyways, that's the latest - and good news it is! Thank you God~
*Michigan Momma*

p.s. with another musical performance this weekend, plus Christmas Eve choir and a duet with hubby (hurray!), plus celebrating Christmas with my family, then leaving at 5:15AM the next day on the train - well, if you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know why. Hopefully, I'll post here and there at my folks. If not, talk to ya in a few weeks. God bless you my friends and Merry Christmas!! ~lori

self-discipline

I think this can be a touchy subject for Christians. Maybe it has to do with the idea of grace and that we wouldn't want to make anyone feel bad, I'm not sure. Or maybe it has to do with living in the affluential West - we have no idea what it means to really suffer, go without, to be deprived of something. We want it, we got it, right?!


1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2

For me, in view of food (my personal addiction, for you, it may be something else), I don't really want to think about sacrifice. Ick. Sacrifice? Not exactly a word we really think about much here in the U.S. Instead, I fall easily in to the "pattern of this world". Self-gratification. Not self-discipline, nor self-denying.



11All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:11

Ok, this one gets me. I am NOT a disciplined person. I have never been good at really "making" myself do things I didn't want to do. Lori doesn't want to do it, well then, Lori doesn't have to.
And when I *have* tried to make myself sacrifice, denied my flesh what it desires, it about KILLED me. I was definitely sorrowful. And over what? More food (pick your addiction)? What? Deny my what I want?? NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo......... (heavy sarcasm here)
Yet *trained*. If I work at it, allow the Lord to reign in my life, deny my flesh, I can have peace. Peace. Yet it's not automatic, just after one time of sacrifice. It's after you are trained, an on-going process.



23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23

Deny myself? Huh? Hardly? Maybe here or there, maybe when I get up the motivation, the spurt of energy. But instead, the Bible tells me I must do this DAILY. Daily. I'm supposed to be in it for the long haul.



10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10

Weakness: I can't tell you how weak I feel when I do manage to try discipline in my life. I fail time and time again. I am distressed (more so as I grow in Christ). I struggle. I am so weak. I fail time and time again. Yet here it is: when I am weak - THEN I am strong. Through Christ, I am strong.


So that's where I am right now - struggling through what the Lord wants of me in regards to self-discipline. How can I lead a more disciplined life? I know I need to remember grace, forgiveness. I am a work in progress. I can see that progress over time. Yet as I grow closer to Christ, I also seem to see my own sins more clearly. As His light grows, it illuminates my faults more clearly. I can no longer ignore this in my life. I can no longer continue to give up, give IN to my flesh, and be okay with it. I'm not okay with it. I'm not.

I need to deny myself a bit more. In the grand scheme of things, this may not seem like such a big deal - I mean, come on. There are Christians in the world that are *truly* suffering. Truly sacrificing their lives. Yet this is me. This is my life. I too need to sacrifice....perhaps in this small way is where God wants me to start.


Well.....that was indepth. I got up quite early this morning (one of my areas that I need discipline in), actually a whole HOUR earlier than needed. I got confused. Yet the Lord met me here, in my mistake. Met me where I was and led me. Lord, please contine to lead me, continue to meet me where I am and guide me to more. I want that peaceful fruit of righteousness. Please Lord, I ask you to keep that hunger in my heart and my flesh under your control.

Thanks for listening - I just needed to get some of these thoughts out. God bless you and yours today~
*Michigan Momma*

the train

I seriously just spent 2 hours dealing with Amtrak on-line.

They didn't do anything wrong, in fact, the NUMEROUS times I called to talk to an agent, their response time was fast and they were all helpful.



The problem was, I was ignorant of the many restrictions. Which trains stop where, how many trains were completely booked due to the holidays, the high prices associated with holiday travel. I know, I know, I should have know better....



Anyways, I finally got my ticket confirmation for Elijah and I. Praise the Lord!! The only good news in this all is I found out a particular train station is moving location. Due to that change, the trip from my folks place to my place will include MUCH LESS driving time. With four small children, you just don't need to add an hour and 15 drive if you don't *have* to!!



Anyways, it worked out. I ended up spending $78 - and technically, that's just for ONE round trip ticket, as they make babies under 2 sit on your lap (I have no idea what they expect you to do with the HUGE infant car seat.....but I guess they'll have to figure that out if they make us sit together. Hmph!



Also, I talked with both my mom and dad today. Mom came through surgery okay, although they did say her skin on one side was REALLY bad due to the radiation treatments she went through 7 years ago. She also is having some allergic reactions to her pain meds (itching, throwing up, etc) which is *so* my mother. I'm telling you, if there's a 1% chance of some odd reaction, my mother would have it. That's just the way it goes... (luv ya, mom!)



She really wants to go home NOW, but I believe she is being released tomorrow (Fri). She is just uncomfortable in those hospital beds (after 4 c-section recoveries in hospital beds, I TOTALLY agree) and wants the comforts of her OWN home. She sounds drugged up and quite tired.




So there's the update. I've got plenty to keep me busy until we leave. So I guess that means I'd better get off the computer....I know, I know....



Trusting in Him~
*Michigan Momma*

stage four

What exactly does that mean?

Well, I'm not sure.

6 or 7 years ago, it meant my mother was going to die. Now, not necessarily.




My mother's cancer is back. We don't know all the details. I just know I feel at a loss. At a loss for what to say. At a loss for how to behave. At a loss for how to react. Dean has told me to lean on God, remeber that HE IS GOOD. I know that to be true.

I also know that my mother is 52. That is young. At 52, there is a real possibility that I could have a 12 year old child (assuming I am still having children in 8 years). I don't want to leave young children. The reason I bring that up is something I heard on the radio today. Basically, there are things I can do to lower my risk. Being healthy in my diet is a major one - plus exercise. I can't exactly keep putting these things off. I don't want to have the *if only's* hanging there later on.



So it may seem incredibly selfish, but in the midst of all this, I want to do what I can to make sure this doesn't happen to me in 20 years. I want to improve my diet, make exercise a habit. I already nurse my babies, I don't take the pill (or other chemical birth control).



I also have these things going through my head - what can I do NOW with my mother? What is most important? It's not that I'm giving up, that I'm thinking she's GOING to die - but obviously she will eventually. How can I be deliberate in our relationship, in the kid's relationship with her? What is it that *really* matters here??

(my folks with their amazing legacy ~ 6 of 'em, actually)

Sorry if I'm rambling.....I'm not sure what I'm thinking about right now. Mom's surgery (double mastectomy, removing lymphnodes, etc.) is tomorrow, so I'm asking for prayer. Prayer for my mom, the doctors, my dad, my sister, me, the grandkids. I'll be leaving the day after Christmas to go help her with recovery. I wish it was tomorrow......

Love you mom~
Lori

the staff party

Now usually, I don't have all that much fun at any "staff" functions. In the past, I haven't had much in common with the other ladies, and I don't feel all that comfortable with small talk in general. I'm just not very good at it.

Anyways, this was our first Christmas staff party here at our new church. The tables were set up with 6 or 7 seats per table, so that was our entire family. Next year, I'll know to set at least my older kiddos at the kid's table. They ate quickly and went to play with the other staff kids in the gym next door anyways, so in the future, this will allow Dean and I to fellowship with others during this time.

They also had MANY gifts. There were gifts for the kids, gifts swaps, gift "stealing" games, a bonus check (yes!), Tim Horton gift certificates (double YES!), and lots of laughter over-all.

There was a drawing for a very large pink pony - and Talitha won!! She immediately told her sister, "MY pony". Being the third child, I think she may have some personal items issues....*wink*

So anyways, I had a good time. I felt comfortable (which has been my major problem in the past, just a general feeling that I didn't quite belong or I wasn't comfortable being myself). We had good food (catered by some church members as well) and we even got some leftovers to take home (bonus!). The kids seemed to have fun playing with the other PK's ~ they are the youngest kids so they have fun playing with the "bigger kids".

Now I'm tired......and there is a small child and her rather large pink pony in my bed.....

*Michigan Momma*

p.s. my wonderful hubby bought me a coffee grinder tonight. I accidentally purchased WHOLE BEAN coffee. So even though I used a great coupon, it doesn't really count as saving money when you include the cost of the GRINDER. Oh well....now I can see how much better freshly ground coffee is supposed to be. I'll let ya know... ~lori

Christmas thus far ~ 2007

I can't remember if I've blogged much on Christmas this year....so here goes.

THE TREE

Well, we went to my folks place for Thanksgiving and had a great time. It was early this year (or at least, it felt that way) and we didn't do our Christmas tree "stuff" until the following weekend. We went on a Friday, to a new Christmas tree farm (this is our first Christmas in Michigan), to avoid big crowds. Well, we certainly avoided the big crowds, but we also missed out on a lot of the "fun" aspects as well. This particular tree farm only has the "fun stuff" on the weekends. You know, the horse-drawn wagon rides to the tree fields, the hot cider/cocoa and cookies, the roaring fire, etc.

Yet this place is about 50 min. away - so we weren't about to drive home and come back the next day. Plus, the kids were already so set on getting the tree THAT day. So Dean and I made the best of it. If we acted happy, they were happy. It really is all about our attitudes. And so what?! Now we know. Next year, we'll be sure to plan accordingly.

So we picked out a tree (from the car ~ it was COLD out there). We jumped out, did NOT take the baby, and cut it down lickety-split. Once we got home, it went up just as fast. We have NEVER had a tree go into the stand *straight* so easily. Wow! Not one arguement, not one annoyed moment between Dean and I. Amazing (I know, it shouldn't be so amazing).

THE DECORATIONS

We also discovered that all our lights had been left in Colorado. We had zero Christmas lights. We didn't want to purchase new lights until AFTER Christmas (to get the really good deals) so we borrowed some from the church's collection. We used white lights (a first) and it worked really wel in this very small space. Nice and clean. I only used about 1/3 of our ornaments - it just looks less cluttered. I'm sure in a larger space, with a larger tree, our usual colored lights and million ornaments would have looked great - but it is nice to have this change, this difference, this year.

Also, I have just given up this year about having a nice-looking tree. While it is okay, it is kinda sad too. The bottom third of the tree looks a bit - well, disheveled (sp?). We are in this small space and we ALL walk into the tree on a daily basis. All of us have knocked off ornaments. And garland. And even light strands. The whole tree almost got knocked over on numerous accounts. It's no one's fault - it's just crowded a bit. I even found the baby's leg wrapped around a strand of lights today. *sigh* Hey, these things happen!

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Let's see: I have most of the presents wrapped and sitting in bags in our closet (piled to the ceiling, literally). We have sent a few gifts off to other's, talked about giving opportunities with our kiddos (Isaac somehow now thinks whoever we give a gift to - well, that their dad is in jail - thank you Angel Tree program). We have been working our way through our Advent devotionals. They are supposed to happen every evening. It doesn't always work out that way. Tonight, we discussed and put on the tree FOUR ornaments (supposed to be ONE per evening) - hey, at least we are making an effort.

We sing lots of carols, we discuss the reason WHY this season is so important to us, to everyone. We have discussed heaven, death, birth, dying, sins, prophets, virginity, judgement, the image of God, etc. With a 6, 4, 2, and almost 1 year old. Interesting, to say the least. Isaac had gone through the "but I don't *want* to die" phase this year. Selah has remembered TONS of stuff from last year's discussions. And Tali just wants to help. Elijah probably just wants to know why his family has brought a tree into the house, for goodness sake!!

We pulled out most of the decorations, and the many nativity sets we have. I realized that we may want to invest in some new ones this year, during the AFTER Christmas sales. Most of our's are child-friendly and missing a few characters. And I'm okay with that. The kids learn about Jesus' birth, who was involved, how each person was involved, etc. It's worth it.

AND THE COOKIES

Yup, we made sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles. Ahhhh, the joy, the mess, the fun, the sugar high. Being the neurotic that I am, I was less than enthusiastic about making a huge mess. Yet it went pretty well. We had a snow day around here this past weekend - church was completely cancelled and we were homebound. So we made a mess - all day long! The cookies got too much icing and WAY too many sprinkles and my kiddos had a blast!

All in all, it's going fairly well this year. I am not overwhelmed with Christmas - instead I am trying to keep things in persective and enjoy myself and my kids. We have a few more events coming up in the next week or so before Christmas, then I'm off with the baby to my folks place again. But that is another post......

All my love~

*Michigan Momma*

How sad....

My beautiful daughter, Selah, has a plethora of dressy-dresses. We get lots of hand-me-downs, especially from families within the church, and no little girl really wears-out her church dresses.

So at the beginning of this month, I took out Selah's fanciest dresses and had her put them in order of her preferance. We would wear them to all the fancy-dress days at church.

This past Sunday rolls around, I pull out that day's fancy-dress and she gets dressed. She look adorable. Mind you, it *is* a bit of an "old-school" dress. Plaid, pleated, white collar with lace, a big ribbon - oooooh, just adorable.

Well, as I am fixing her hair, she decides her dress isn't "pretty". Oh great. Here I am getting four babies ready for church (dh has to be there early) and we are RARELY early, if you know what I mean (translate: running late as usual). Yet I knew this had to be dealt with.

Me: Selah, you know, there are some little girls who don't have ANY dresses at all. Not one.

Selah (looking approriately sad): Ooooohhh, that's so sad.

Me (feeling like a good momma indeed): Yes my dear, some little girls don't have such pretty shoes, fancy dresses, hair bows and such. You are very blessed.

Selah (still looking a bit sad): Oh Momma, we should go to them.

Me (imagining family mission trips with my caring children): Yes, honey, we should go there and give what we can.

Selah (with just the hint of mischief): Yes, Momma, we should go there *right now* and give them THIS DRESS!!!

Somehow, that didn't go exactly as I had planned. *sigh*

But she did wear the dress to church anyways.......you know, there really ARE little girls without...........oh, forget it.

*Michigan Momma*

how did *that* happen?

So, it has been TOO long since I have been involved in any drama, music, theatre thingy. When they began discussing the basic wardrobe requirements for the performance, I realized I didn't have ANYTHING. How could that be? No black skirt? What?? Not even a basic pair of black flats? Come on Lori.....

And of course, we don't get paid until the day before the performance (of course!). So here we are, at the mall (of all places, ugh), searching for a long black skirt (that isnt' ugly), a pair of black tights, a cute pair of black shoes, heck, even a bra (not a requirement they mentioned, but a necessity none the less!). Four children, one stressed out, financially-strapped hubby, and me (who doesn't really enjoy shopping to begin with). Nice trip.

But it went well. I found what I needed. I spent my dh's money (poor guy), and none of my babies threw themselves down on the mall floor in tantrum. All in all, a good evening. We even gave in a let them ride the carousel. suckers.

*Michigan Momma*
(looking pretty darn good if I do say so myself - which I did!)

sick solo

That was me tonight ~ I have been attacked by some sort of sinus GROSS and I just can't kick it. Wednesday was our Christmas Musical dress rehearsal at church. It went fine.

Then I woke up Thursday morning - NASTY!! Sinus-y ick. Coughing. Sneezing.

I was not nervous. I could kick this. Lots of water, a few meds, rest, I would be good to go.

You know the rest, right?! Tonight rolls around and I am as sick as ever. I drink water until my eyeballs float. I ask for prayer. I take Clariten-D. I pray some more. I remind myself a gajillion times to BREATH..........

We get to the song, I step up and BREATH. It went fine. How? I have no idea. Prayer, I'm guessing.

So I'm gonna keep praying, keep drinking lots of water and try to remember to BREATH (how easy it is to forget that when you step up to sing).

Go God~
*Michigan Momma*

free, free, free

Ok, seriously, is there anything better than free clothes? (well, yes, obviously, but free clothes are good too!)

The senior pastor's wife called me last week and asked if I would like to go through a few bags of clothes that might fit. (um, yeah!) So she dropped by and I went out to her mini-van to help her. Oh my goodness! Her van was PACKED with black trash bags. Apparently, she helped a friend sort through all the things in a condo this gal was about to sell.

My friend generously thought of me (how sweet) before taking everything to GoodWill. There were a few things in my current size, a BUNCH in just a size or two down and then even some stuff I am taking to my mother after Christmas. It was the JACKPOT of free clothes!!

But I was smart too ~ just because it's free, doesn't mean it will work for me. I did *not* keep the many, MANY pairs of white jeans nor white capris I found in the bag. In my opinion, white is probably not the best choice for a plus-size gal. And then there were a couple dress suits. Ick. You know, straight skirt just below the knee with matching oversized jacket (with shoulder pads, no less). Double ick. Just because it's free, does NOT mean it's good. I must have picked up a few tips from my frugalista mother~~

And now.........I have even *more* incentive to keep the weight going down - free clothes. And some really nice ones too!

~Sweet~
*Michigan Momma*

those good ol' magic words~

So, I go into Kroger on an evening stop to get some pop. While I am in the store, my son (Isaac, 6yo), who is sad at not being allowed to go into the store with Momma and Tali, asks for a drink of Daddy's pop.



Isaac: Daddy, give me a drink of pop.

Daddy: I'm sorry, what?

Isaac: Can I have a drink?

Daddy: I'm sorry, what?

Isaac: *Daddy!* Give me a drink of pop.

Daddy: *sigh* Isaac, what are the magic words?

Isaac (looking quite confused): ummm......Hocus Pocus??



Obviously, I don't refer to please & thankyou as "the magic words" very often, eh??




Hope you had a good laugh ~ I almost peed my pants when hubby told me!!
*Michigan Momma*

Come to the conclusion...

I wish I would have photo journaled my day today. I did nothing but play with the kids. Now that they are all having their "quiet time" (except Eli who is playing with the "kitchen" toys), I am doing laundry and dishes. We played with play-doh, we built forts and played with flashlights, we had a concert with a play microphone, we built a train set, we had a picnic in our living room for lunch, complete with Little Einsteins music on the stereo, oh and some other odds-n-ends.

Basically, I cut out the tv and computer. Whew...not an easy thing to do. And not something I'm willing to do permantly or everyday. Somedays I will probably still use it a lot. There *are* some good things that come from these games and/or videos. (I know, you're shocked!) My son definitely learned his alphabet from a particular computer game. My children sing wonderful classical music from the Little Einsteins. I'm amazed how they learn things like opposites, math, telling time, etc. all from a game or a show. Not to mention, in this small apartment, space is at a premium, and it's nice to have one or two kids quiet here and there.

Of course, I also love playing with them and being creative and learning this stuff together. But in reality, I can't spend all day, every day, playing with my children. I could do a lot more than I do now, and that's the goal.

So I've got some ideas for tracing pictures (working on drawing - my son isn't very creative in that department), for stringing wooden beads, for more complex puzzles, some story-telling pictures (i.e. they draw a picture of a story I am reading to them), more dress-up fun, and just lots of stuff.

Any ideas of fun stuff we could do together? Inside, preferably. And keep in mind, my chidlren are 6, 4, 2 and 9 months. (boy, girl, girl, boy) Oooo, beans with measuring spoons and cups......a race with all my sons matchbox cars.......

What else?

These are the days I (and my children) will remember in the future. Not the days I managed to organize the closets or mop all the floors or finish up all the laundry. I already know all this, as I'm sure you do, but sometimes it's just good to be reminded every once in a while.

*Michigan Momma*

a series and some pics

Ok, well, I am working on a series of posts. I have two saved thus far. I'm just not quite ready to share them yet, but I will....eventually. I think it'll be worth the wait. This is from the heart, honest stuff. I don't wanna rush it.



In the meantime, here are a few pics:

*my four beautiful blessings. Just sweet*


*my wonderful sister and I ~ on Thanksgiving ~sheesh, she's so tall*


*well, eating Oreos *can* be a dangerous sport, don't ya know?*


Enjoy your Sunday ~ God bless you and yours
*Michigan Momma*