Our little *Turtle*

I can't help thinking of this wee one as our little "turtle". It came about that our very first ultrasound, just to confirm that everything was okay due to some bleeding issues, showed our little babe looking somewhat like a little turtle, swimming around as happy as could be in there! Since then I just can't help thinking of my sweet turtle.....

Also, since we are purposefully not finding out the baby's sex, I can't call him or her by our chosen names.....instead I have my sweet baby turtle. Awwww.....

**and no, Mom, we're not naming him "Henry" nor any version thereof. Just to clarify.

p.s. we had our 20 week u/s last week and it showed everything was fine. I have to go back in about 3 weeks, just to get a better shot of the heart chambers/valves, plus a shot looking up the baby's nose (it's amazing what they can look for). The tech told me she could see all the heart chambers, she wasn't concerned, but the doctor would want certain, very specific, views. So I'll get another chance to see our little turtle in mid-Nov. *sweet sigh*

Lovin' the public library

Since I am still fairly new to this homeschooling thing, I was amazed to find out you can get on-line, pick out your needed library books for the next unit (up to 50 books), and the library staff will pick them all out and have them waiting for you at the front desk upon your next library visit.

AMAZING!!


I am wondering if the library staff secretly hates this kind of work, resenting those annoying people who request a ga-gillion books that *they* have to pull?! Yet for those mommas who have many little ones, it is a life-saver not to have to take in fussy babies and rambuncious (sp?) toddlers into the library for any extended period of time.

I still try to find time to take just my older ones for "pleasure" visits to the library - you know, to pick out some new leisure reading material, to make up the current craft in the children's room, even make up their own puppet show with the library's resources. It's a nice visit.

Yet I'm awful grateful for not having to spend hours finding our many school books. What a blessing!!

My hitting baby

My son is about 20 months old. He has a hitting problem.


He does not have many words at this point. He does often have a binkie in his mouth, and I realise this contributes to the problem. We usually take the binkie away at about 2 years of age, but I'm thinking of limiting his binkie use to just the car and bed now, so as to help this situation.

I guessing here that due to his lack of words, he is frustrated at his communication skills. When he is frustrated he hits me. Yes, usually me. I'm am amazed that when I see him frustrated, even with another family member, he will run over to ME and hit me! As of late, he has been more free with his hitting and is also free with hitting his father. How nice of him to spread the hitting, eh?

I have been simply using a firm voice, telling him no, while I grab his hand and stop the hitting. He will often lean down and kiss my hand, as if to tell me he's sorry. At first I thought it was adorable, yet the hitting continues, so I'm beginning to think he's just trying to placate me with the "kisses".

So have you had a hitting child? Was it due to frustration? What worked for you? Please let me know I'm not destined to have a violent child in the future (I'm thinking not, but at times it is hard to deal with)?


Praying you all have a great day~

Now you see it...

....now you don't!

I can't help it - it's the very first lost tooth around here. It's exciting!!

I'll be back tomorrow.....

see ya...

I'm heading off for a few days....

just me.

Amazing, isn't it?!?

It's a Pastor's Wives retreat. How nice!

So I'll be back next week. I've got a few things on my mind to share:
my first stainless steel kitchen appliance,
my eldest child's first loose tooth experience (I've already cried...how sad is that?),
my ultrasound results,
our continuing homeschooling adventures,
one - only one - political post,
a (finally) finished baby blankie I crocheted,
what to do about my hitting baby,
okay ~ maybe one more politcal post about socialism (did you know that term *used* to have a negative connotation?).......
There's just so much to blog about and so little time....I'm already exhausted.

Hopefully, this retreat will put some spring back in my step.

'Till then, enjoy your weekend, praise the Lord for His blessings & kiss your loved ones!!
That's my plan~

Since I'm so boring lately...

I thought I would try out this "Getting To Know Me" little diddy. Here ya go - useless info about me - whoo-hoo!!

I got it from Kate over at All Things Feminine.
(And no, I don't know what happened to #7.)


Getting To Know Me

1. What is your occupation?
SAHHM & very-part-time Kid's Music Coordinator at our church.

2. What color are your socks?
Socks?? I don't wear socks.

3. What are you listening to?
Toddler Tunes - that my 3yo got from church today.

4. What was the last thing that you ate?
Pizza & cheese sticks from a local pizza joint. Easy, fairly cheap-o meal.

5. Can you drive a stick shift?
If I absolutely *had* to in an emergency. My college roommate tried to teach me and I almost put us in the Mississippi River. Seriously.

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
My OB's nurse
.
8. How old are you?
33

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Probably gymnastics, but that happens like every 4 years at the Olympics. Otherwise I am forced to watch football with my dh. Good thing I love him!

10. What is your favorite drink?
Cranberry Splash Sierra Mist Free (LOVE IT!)

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Yup, when I get really bored with my hair - I just dye it a similar auburn color, looking for a bit more punch.

12. Favorite food?
Olive Garden's Alfredo Sauce - and their house salad. Mmmmmm....

13. What was the last movie you watched?
Other than listening to Dora's Christmas Episode in the car, probably Iron Man.

14. Favorite day of the year?
That perfectly cool day in the beginning of fall when I decorate our home for autumn & Thanksgiving.

15. How do you vent anger?
I can be passive-agressive with my dh (bad, I know). Otherwise, I vent TO my husband, talking through my feelings.

16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
I'm not sure....I have a terrible memory. I was a tom-boy, so I played outside a lot with the guys.

17. What is your favorite season?
Fall, then winter. I hate to be too hot.

18. Cherries or blueberries?
Neither one really - but either one is fine.

22. Living arrangements?
Dh & I, plus our 4 (going on 5) little ones in one side of the church's duplex (3 bedrooms, 1 1/4 bath) - decent yard although not fenced in, which I worry about. No pets - like I need to deal with more poop!

23. When was the last time you cried?
2 nights ago while reading a book.

24. What is on the floor of your closet?
Shoes, of course.

26. What did you do last night?
Finished crocheting a rather large baby blankie for a baby who is almost 2 weeks old (I'm so late!!) ~ while watching Heroes with my dh!

27. What are you most afraid of?
I'm doing better in the fear department, but my worst fear would be losing my dh or babies. I also HATE spiders - I'm a wimp.

28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
Cheesey

29. Favorite dog breed?
Great Dane

30. Favorite day of the week?
Fridays, dh's day off.

31. How many states/provinces have you lived in?
4

32. Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds, although I'm not a big jewelry type of gal.

33. What is your favorite flower?
It's always been Calla-Lilies, although I really like simple daisies and sunflowers as well.


There ya go ~ all you ever wanted to know about me and so much more! Whew....I'd better get some better blogging material and soon!

No time, nothing interesting

Isn't that the way it goes? I feel like I haven't been on the computer in ages (ok, maybe it's been a few days). I've been trying to read a few blogs, here and there, but haven't had any ideas for my own blog. I've been reading about Obama, but don't want to waste the mental energy to discuss it here on my own blog. I've also been thinking a lot about how Christian women tend to judge each other so harshly....yet I would want to word that *just so*, as I wouldn't want to offend my dear friends over such a topic.

So anyways, I gotta run. Sooner or later, my blogging will increase in amount again - you'll find me blogging many times a day just to keep up with all my thoughts. But not right now. Right now, I just need some coffee (and maybe a bagle).

All my love, dear friends~

Facebook?

It's freakin' me out!!

So many faces from the past, so weird to see them all married, with kids and real *adult* jobs. Wow!

Course, I'm guessing most would not have pegged me as a future pastor's wife, homeschooling my 4, going on 5, little ones. Life changes, people change, time goes on ~ so much quicker than it did back then.

Anyways, it's just freakin' me out a bit, that's all ~
Later...



p.s. The weather channel predicts that for the next 10 days, it will not get above 60 degrees over here by Lake Huron ~ sweet!! Luv that fall weather~

Day #2 - modified

So yesterday was the "no tv/movies/computer" day. It went fairly well. Finally, at about 5pm or so, I let them on the computer and dh & I got dinner together. The day was good! It definitely took more effort on my part, but actually, it was less mess & stress.

So today, the children did their tv/movie/computer time early in the morning - then once I came downstairs (after breakfast), they cleaned up the downstairs with (*gasp*) no complaining. AND THEN, they shut down the computers, did NOT turn the tv back on and then asked to play with puzzles and the Thomas train set upstairs! Seriously, this is a *great* thing.

Especially for my eldest son, who was becoming quite addicted to games and tv. Even after just one day, there is less complaining from him all around.

PLUS, there is more creativity. Now, the arguing *did* increase for awhile - it was as though they had to re-learn how to play with one another, how to deal with each others quirks, how to deal with the fact that their brother is only 20 months old and can't play EXACTLY as they would like him to. Yet today, it's....better. I am still right here, right by them, helping them come up with ideas of games, reminding them to show love to their little brother, even when he takes a piece of the train track off the table and sends Thomas crashing to the floor.

Children do NOT get this kind of socialization while in school. They are stuck all day in a classroom of children exactly the same age as themselves. Yet here, they are learning how to interact with children younger and older. They are learning patience as they struggle with a younger sibling who needs their help and takes extra time. The younger children are stretched as they try oh-so-hard to be "big kids", feeling relaxed and comfortable in an environment that allows them to try and fail and try again - without threat of judgement or condemnation.

So anyways, the new day seems to involve some tv/computer/game time in the mornings, before breakfast, while I'm getting myself together. Breakfast. Then it's chore/clean-up time. Once that is done, the kiddos are off to play & learn through games and puzzles and projects they can do together (and usually without my help, so I can get more of MY housework done). Then lunch, reading out loud, naps and education stuff. Then it's outside (if it's nice) while dinner prep is taken care of.


I can see why moms fall into the tv/computer trap.....and I can see why a mom made need to use them more for a time. Yet I've found in my children, this ultimately leads to some serious behavior issues. I'm not willing to completely get rid of the tv or the computer - but I am determined to limit their use.

I pray you are all having a terrific fall day!! Another of my friends had her baby yesterday - such a beautiful little baby girl. I am enjoying this part of pregnancy, yet always anxious to meet the little one growing inside of me! It's exciting to think of what God has in store for this little one and our family~

Trying something new

It is a new season - well, it feels like a new season. Once again, we had the temperatures climb back up into the 80's (just barely), and it felt so HOT after some nice autumn weather. Our home was hot and the air conditioners were gone. Ugh.

Then this morning, I woke up to a wonderfully cool, rainy day. Ahhh... It feels so fresh and new.

I also awoke to a fresh new mess downstairs. great. That was *not* what I needed. So we cleaned it up together (ok, I yelled a bit, and then had to apologize), then I deemed today a "no computer/tv/movie day". At least for awhile. They need to remember how to play together, how to solve problems, how to be creative, how to love each other and how to clean up their own messes.

So right now, I am listening to the sounds of four small children playing upstairs. A little bit of "Simon Says", a bit of hide-n-seek, some jumping on the bed. Yes, there's some arguing, but they are trying to work it out.

And I am trying to relax. Yes, they will make a mess - and that's okay. Really, it is. It is. (it's me I'm trying to convince here). I have four small children, and there's bound to be noise and messes. Comes with the package. But what adorable packages they are.

So now, I'm going to go check on the mess, I mean, children....then crochet a bit while I finish watching a Dugger show I recoreded last night. Hopefully, I will be inspired to embrace some of this chaos, while also striving for order and balance. There *is* a balance there somewhere, right?!

Yes, I do believe there is. It just looks so different in each family. God gives us all such different strengths, weaknesses, & situations. I'm wondering what our "balance" looks like? I'm going to try to find out~

an Email Me button?

Ok, I added an Email Me button to my blog. What do ya think? Am I asking for it ~ from negative people who just have nothing better to do than annoy people??

I've had a few people ask me how to contact me, so I thought I would give this a try. We'll see how much spam I get, the kinds of emails I might get, etc.


Tell me what you think....

at my whits end.

You know those blogs you go to where she seems to have it all together, her children are sweet, obedient and helpful, her home is organized and runs smoothly, her hair is naturally beautiful and peace reigns in their home.

This is *not* that blog.

I do NOT have it all together. My children have stretched me today beyond all that is natural and normal - this *has* to be some sort of cruel & unusual punishment, I just know it! My home, while fairly organized, is NOT running smoothly, at least not today (again, when you are dealing with four small children freaking out and misbehaving all at once, NOTHING runs smoothly). My hair is *anything* but naturally beautiful (it's more like naturally oily and lacking in body) and peace most certainly does not reign in this home.

Now, all that being said, I am trying - attempting - pleading with the Lord - to allow peace to reign in my HEART. Here, I must embrace the chaos. I must deal with four small, freaking-out children without giving in to freaking out myself. I must step through the crumbs from breakfast, swipe the oily hair out of my eyes, while searching for the missing binkie to give to the fussy baby.

Yet in my heart, I honestly can be peaceful. I can know He loves me regardless of my ability to obtain perfection in my home, my children, my life. He's not stretching me, molding me to be more like His Son so that He can *someday* love me. Nope. He loves me NOW. Completely. Fully.


So perhaps I can step through those breakfast crumbs one more time, go to my girls (who are both in seperate rooms in an afternoon-long time-out), and TELL them I love them. Remind them that even though they have been disciplined, even though they have made mistakes and messed up big time today - my love is not dependent on that. My love is there, real, every day. Yes, they are still "in trouble". Yes, there will still be consequences. But my love doesn't waiver.

And neither does HIS~

Have you ever been...

Have you ever been so tired, you just stood there, turning around in circles, *knowing* you were going to do something ~ yet totally unable to focus and think about what it was???

I've been doing that all day today.

See, there was this trilogy of books - the story of Jacob & Esau, of Leah & Rachel, placed in 1788 Scotland - really great books. But I read them all, in like 2 days. They were 3 fairly large books. 2 days (or should I say, 2 days & nights).

I'm exhausted.

And I've got no one to blame but myself. I'm walking around in cirlces today, *knowing* I have intentions of being useful and productive, but really I'm just confused.

What was I talking about?

Oh, yes, the one sorta productive thing I did today was FINALLY get my fall decorations up. My sweet, sweet Selah helped me, choosing just the right places for scarcrows and crocheted pumpkins and Thanksgiving turkey bibs. I'm so *thrilled* that I can see my love of this season, my love of a cozy home with candles, my love of family traditions and togetherness ~ being passed on down to my children.

So tonight, I declare that I *will* go to bed early. I will allow my body to rest, allow my body to focus on this little one inside me, allowing the fog to lift from my brain. Whew...I need my sleep!

A restful evening to you all~

a rainy day...an inspiration!

It's a rainy day around here today. It's only gonna be about 57 - ahhh...that's my kinda weather!!

I'm inspired during those kinds of days to clean....to air out the house, to rearrange furniture or at least the knick-knacks, and on days like today (Oct. 1st) - decorate for the season. Hurray!! It's time to decorate for fall!!

Also, I've been inspired by some well-prepared ladies to at least attempt some crafty, ahead of time gifts for Christmas. I do have some fabric and cute patterns. I do have some yarn and could work up a project or two. I do have four cute, small children who could make some adorable family gifts. And I'm fairly good in the kitchen as well - when the time comes, I could put together some edible gifts as well. I know those always come in handy around our home in a pinch!

So anyways, I hope you all have a great day today! Enjoy this cooler, autumn weather. Enjoy your family & home. Count your blessings and thank the Lord for His goodness and provision!!

Ahhhhhhh.......