tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11768967303846673802024-03-01T23:10:47.737-08:00Completely Clueless..... but trusting in God!accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-24399731618351839062013-02-12T09:45:00.001-08:002013-02-12T09:47:36.707-08:00Please check out my new blog page<a href="http://glimpsesintomylittlelife.blogspot.com/">http://glimpsesintomylittlelife.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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Come see me there now! :-)<br />
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God bless!accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-52303713363976011312012-12-18T15:56:00.000-08:002012-12-18T15:56:16.612-08:00Starting over... Two things I wanted to talk about today:<br />
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First.....well technology can be good and bad. For me it was bad this past week. I discovered after deleting an album on my phone with pictures from my blog that somehow it deleted all my pictures from every single blog I had ever written. I had not added them onto my phone so I had no idea this would happen. So I decided to start over... start fresh with a new blog. You can find it <a href="http://glimpsesintomylittlelife.blogspot.com/">here</a> Or here http://www.glimpsesintomylittlelife.blogspot.com<br />
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So please if you are a follower of this blog and enjoy reading it please direct yourself to my new page and add yourself as a follower on that one. This will be my last blog on this page.<br />
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The other thing I wanted to mention is the tragedy that happened in Newtown. Like so many other parents out there my heart is broken. I watch the news here and there and as soon as I see a picture.... or hear a name... I am in tears. There is nothing I can say to the parents and families out there who lost someone... and as I look around at my friends and families each of us is grieving differently.... each one of us is trying to process this however we can, I wish there was something I could say..... <br />
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However I also know the power of smiling... and giving hope. So as it may seem I am "moving on" with my life.... which we all must do even though it's hard... those families will never ever be out of my thoughts and prayers... each time one of my children smiles... or I give one of my children a hug... or each morning when I take them to school.... they are in my thoughts. It's hard to continue on with my "normal" life when so many are experiencing a sad new "normal" in their own lives. <br />
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I also know that for some people out there they need to see life going on around them. They need to see pictures of smiling children.... see post about the normal happenings of life...that is what helps them to move on... to mourn and then begin to smile again. <br />
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So in my very small way I hope that I can bring some smiles to people through my little life that will help someone ... somewhere... in some small way. <br />
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God bless you all and please come visit me at my new blog page!<br />
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Thanks for reading!<br />
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accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-74518218378000335202012-12-14T09:29:00.000-08:002012-12-14T09:29:01.268-08:00What Christmas looks like at our house :-) <br />
I will do a "year in review" in the next couple of weeks to post about all the things I haven't gotten around to in the past few months but for now just wanted a little post to show what Christmas is like at our house. :-) We love getting the decorations out and usually decorate the day after Thanksgiving and take it all down New Years day :-) The boys love moving the marker each day on our snowman to see how many days are left until Christmas. They also take turns arranging..... and rearranging our 2 nativity sets that we have. :-) So here's a few pictures of some of the decorations around our home! :-)<br />
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We also usually make cookies at least once. :-)<br />
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Hope everyone has a blessed Christmas!!!!! <br />
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accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-62510402065059881622012-09-10T07:21:00.000-07:002012-12-14T19:39:15.476-08:00Remembering 9/11/01 Even 11 years later if I see a 9/11 special on TV I am in the same mindset I was on that day 11 years ago. I still have the same reactions, the same tears, the same disbelief. I know that there are people out there who want to "move on" or they don't want to watch specials or see things on the internet because they don't want to experience those emotions again, but for me I don't ever want to forget. I don't want to forget those people who lost their life, the people who sacrificed themselves trying to save others, the heroes that emerged that day. So in honor of 9/11 I am going to share my story of where I was and what I experienced that day as I watched and learned of the attack.<br />
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I was working at a Travel Company and Mike and I had only been dating a little over 4 months. I had just parked my car and got on the shuttle bus to go over to my building when I heard one of my co-workers say "how is that an accident? I mean how could a plane not see that building". I had no idea what she was talking about and dismissed it. Once I entered my building I knew something was different. People were talking more than usual and there was just a different feeling in the office. I learned pretty quickly that a 2nd plane had hit and that it was now not a suspected accident but a terrorist attack on our country. <br />
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We had many clients all over the country and in other countries. Once they closed down airports everywhere we began receiving calls from frantic passengers who were now stranded away from their families. We had some people wanting us to verify their loved ones were not on the planes that had hit the towers and pentagon. My co-workers began putting up tv's all over the office so we could keep a close eye on what was going on. Mike was at his house sleeping because he had worked the night before and I called him quickly and told him to get up and turn on the TV. I remember listening to him go "oh wow.... oh man!.... " and then hanging up because I wanted to watch more of the coverage myself.<br />
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For several days the TV's stayed up around the office then one by one people starting taking them down. They said they needed a break from it, and that they needed to get back to life, which I completely understand, but I just couldn't. I just kept watching when I could and it was hard taking my mind off of it. <br />
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I traveled after 9/11 a few times for work and you could see how much had changed. Some people complained but I was thankful. I knew it took longer to get to my airplane but I wanted to make sure they were doing everything they could to keep me safe. <br />
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11 years later.... I still watch the specials on the news stations around 9/11. I probably always will. I don't ever want to forget that day. I want to honor the people who died. I will always want to remember the people! I want the families to know that WE WILL NEVER FORGET!<br />
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accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-86567237184290759922012-08-14T07:47:00.001-07:002012-08-14T07:47:37.286-07:00First Day of School 2012 This morning was the first day of school for our family. Samuel's first day of kindergarten and Joseph's first day of 2nd grade. They woke up in a good mood and Samuel said "Every part of me is excited!" <br />
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The other day I found an old picture of them on their first day of preschool back in 2009 and so this morning I had them stand in a similar way so I could see how much they have changed and grown.<br />
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It's hard to believe that they are as old as they are! When we got there this monring, Joseph did well and got to pick out his desk and Samuel was blessed to be sitting at the table with the only 2 children he knows in his class. One is our next door neighbor and the other is a friend from his pre-school class last year!<br />
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Can't wait to hear all about their first day! Here are some more pictures from this morning!<br />
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Hope everyone else has a blessed school year!!!!accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-50156927220143799352012-07-27T13:10:00.004-07:002012-07-27T13:12:22.535-07:00School is 2 weeks away!!!As the summer is nearing its close and school is about to begin here in a little over 2 weeks, id like to give an update on the kiddos as things begin to change once again around here. :-)<br />
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Joseph is now 8 years old and will be starting 2nd grade. He spent the summer swimming, playing with friends and of course watching some tv and playing video games :-)<br />
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Samuel is 6 and will be starting school!!! I'm thrilled he got the teacher I wanted him to have and I know he will love school but its hard letting another one go... :-) He has grown up so much this summer, and he is very excited to get to school and learn how to read and be in a "big kid school".<br />
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Jonathan is 3 and doing much much better with potty training. He has to be 100% potty trained to go to preschool in september so I'm not sure if he will be going or not. He is really doing well so he might just get it by then. :-) He is my wild child, full of energy and always on the go, but also so sweet and loving. He loves to be read to, and although he is speech delayed he has really come a long way this summer!<br />
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Anna is 5 months old and just doing awesome. She's a great eater and sleeper. She laughs, smiles all the time, rolls over both ways and is showing the begginnings of crawling. She curls her knees up under her and tries to move but falls onto her back. :-) I know its just a matter of time and I will have a little mover on my hands. :-) <br />
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Over the summer we vsited missouri and our friends and family there. We went swimming, went to VBS at our church, played outside, had a visit from my stepson for a month, and the older boys went camping. We had some playdates here and there, and had some visits from cousins and grandma and grandpa. It was a great summer! <br />
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I am a little sad about the summer ending, but I'm also looking forward to the school year getting underway. Mike and I will both be volunteering at the school this year so it will not only be exciting for the kids but us too!!!! With Mike's new work schedule (2 10 hour nights, 2 10 hour days) although it's rough, it is allowing him the opportunity to take part in our children's education by going and volunteering. I have done it the past 2 years and it is just incredible! I'm so looking forward to doing it again this year for both Joseph and Samuel!<br />
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Hope you all out there have a blessed school year!! Here are some pics from the summer :-)<br />
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<br />accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-19022338428803608162012-07-26T05:48:00.000-07:002012-07-26T05:48:27.169-07:00Joseph is 8!!!!<br />
Each year since I have been blogging, I try to blog about each child on their birthday. Today joseph is 8 years old. He is my first born biological child. (I have a stepson who is almost 15 :-) ) <br />
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I remember finding out I was pregnant for the first time and how everything was exciting..... and even now.... as he is turning 8 ...... it is <i>still</i> exciting!<br />
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He is a sweet, sensitive child who makes me laugh, loves to cuddle and is learning to love and serve God which makes me so happy as a mommy. <br />
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He is an ideal older brother to his younger 3 siblings and he not only looks out for them but wants to help care for and teach them as well. I love seeing them interact and I look forward to seeing how those relationships continue to develop as they grow.<br />
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I could go on and on about him but I'll keep it short and sweet :-) I am so blessed to be his mom. Happy Birthday Joseph!!!<br />
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<br />accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-86769057750839343162012-07-20T21:07:00.000-07:002012-07-20T21:12:42.436-07:00Just when you think its going good..... :-)<br />
Well I feel I must be honest.... because it might encourage someone else having difficulty.... I was so excited last week when Jonathan seemed to be picking up potty training extremely quick, only to have him regress these past few days. I don't now what happened but he went from going on his own to the bathroom whenever he needed to go to peeing in his pants. :-(<br />
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I was a little discouraged but then I read that usually to fully potty train it takes up to 8 months and so I thought ok... let's go back to square one. So we are back to taking "big kid potty breaks" every half hour or so and hopefully he will get back in the groove quickly.<br />
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But no matter what... when I look into his sweet face and see him smiling at me I just can't be mad.... or upset.... he's just too darn cute! :-) And it helps knowing that he will get it eventually... not as fast as i orginally thought... but he WILL get it... and it just takes time and patience.... <br />
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Well.... we had a few milestones happen in our home these past few weeks.<br />
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First is potty training jonathan. 4 weeks ago he showed major signs of readiness but we were getting ready to go to Missouri to visit family so I wanted to wait until we got back. So 2 weeks ago this Sunday we started potty training. My "method" is to go straight to real underwear. I ask about every 30 min if he has to go, limit fluid intake and so far it's worked for the boys, we will see in a few years if it works for Anna. As for Jonathan, I'm happy to report that 2 weeks later he is about 98% there. He only has accidents trying to make it to a bathroom and those are only once a day or once every 2 days. I'm so excited and thankful to not have to buy diapers for him anymore! :-) and he is so excited to be a "big boy" :-)<br />
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Anna has decided to laugh... roll over from back to stomach and scoot across the floor. :-) I can't believe how big she is getting!!! She is 4 and 1\2 months old now..... it goes so fast!<br />
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Only 4 and 1\2 more weeks and my sammy will start kindergarten and joe will go to 2nd grade!! We are all enjoying summer but looking forward to school again too.<br />
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Here are some recent pics of the kids..... I'm so blessed!! They bring so much joy to my life!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXNwisnbTVw/UAonWtMzOMI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/Ql5UjUxb3FY/s1600/20120713_174405-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="319" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QXNwisnbTVw/UAonWtMzOMI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/Ql5UjUxb3FY/s320/20120713_174405-2.png" /></a></div><br />accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-25075690543539887952012-06-25T07:42:00.000-07:002012-06-25T07:43:32.462-07:00How I do shopping and keep our family schedule easy!<div><p>I am not hugely into pinterest.... yet :-).... but I have seen some really great tips on a lot of different things. Friends have asked me in the past to share how I do my grocery shopping and so I thought id share it with whoever wanted to know.... its super simple and makes me stay on budget and have a less hectic week.</p><p>I get a piece of paper and since I go to 3 different stores I write them each down and then I write out each day of the week. Where I live we have a bunch of different stores I could go to, but the 3 I like best due to prices, ease of shopping and location, are Walmart, Sam's Club and Aldi's. </p></div><br />
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Then the first thing I do is plan a meal for each day of the week. Sometimes we do "on our own" if it's going to be a busy night or we won't be home at the same time. Then once I have planned a meal for each day of the week I write down all the things that I need for those meals under one of the stores. After that is done I add our "staples" to each store. For example milk, bread, crackers etc....<br />
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I also look at my budget ahead of time so I know how much money I can spend. I take my list shopping with me and next to each item I put in the cart, I write down next to it how much it is. I keep a tally going as I shop and if I reach my spending limit then something gets put back on the shelf until next time.<br />
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Now as far as keeping my family organized with things such as appointments and activities, a few years ago I found the best thing ever!! It's called a "Mom's Plan It Calendar"<br />
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It's great because I can put every family member in our house on the calendar and can see at a quick glance if we have conflicting activities on the same day. I then can plan ahead on how to get each person where they need to go or if I need to call and re-schedule something. I also keep this calendar right next to the phone with pens in a jar nearby so that as I am on the phone making appointments I can see quickly what days are open.<br />
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Well I hope these ideas have helped some of you, I know they save me a ton of time and money!<br />
<br />accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-43714246717254790282012-06-22T20:38:00.001-07:002012-06-22T20:45:16.459-07:00Samuel is 6<div><p>Its always hard when one of my children has a birthday. I'm so excited to see them grow but also a little sad as well. I look back at pictures and think how fast time is flying and how much I want it to slow down.</p>
<p>Samuel brings sooo much joy and laughter to our home. I call him my "cuddlebug" because he loves to snuggle with me. I can't believe it but today he turned 6 and in a few months he will start school..... my sammy is growing up....</p>
<br/><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GbOE8wcRuMo/T-U6cbAyh0I/AAAAAAAAAxo/ftZZ7npIJxM/-2673721577360807232.png' /><br/><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sh-nCMTSjYs/T-U6wg4cLmI/AAAAAAAAAxw/vXL1vMBlzdo/-6818706546886869293.png' /><br/><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fDALZ_KzdXs/T-U7yYh6XmI/AAAAAAAAAyI/ezqDoSCHOMo/Photo04251009.png' /><br/><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qAw2AWiIKUE/T-U6xUqycHI/AAAAAAAAAx4/KH1CbJ9TVFU/3637433503949645334.png' /></div>accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-49654239247197912142012-06-09T16:38:00.001-07:002012-06-09T17:44:46.927-07:00Their first camping trip!<div><p>As a child and even as a teenager I never went camping. As a small child I don't recall ever wanting to or any of my older siblings camping. As a teenager the thought of being outside all night in the heat and surrounded by bugs was not on my top 10 things I thought would be fun. </p>
<p>However as I became a mom.... and kept having all these boys.... I didn't want to deprive them of those outdoorsy experiences.... so fortunately I realized I was married to someone who was willing to do those things for our boys. :-) My husband grew up exposed to hunting, fishing and camping but it wasn't something he was ever really into, but being the awesome daddy he is... he does it anyway. :-) </p>
<p> Last summer was an intro to camping for joe and sam. On our summer visit to missouri mike took the older 3 boys, michael, joseph and samuel out to gpa's house and camped out in the backyard. Boys survived and so did mommy. :-)</p>
<p>This summer I wanted boys to have a "real" camping experience away from home. So mike, michael, joseph and samuel went camping. It was for one night.... away from home.... with smores... hot dogs.... games.... swimming..... and they LOVED it!! It was a bit too quiet at home for my taste but I survived... especially knowing what a great time my boys were having. Next year they are going to add on jonathan to the crew. </p>
<p>Someday I may go too..... and as I said in an fb post..... <b><i>if</i></b> their is a/c, showers and a comfy bed :-) :-) </p>
<br/><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mp1q4F0DOI0/T9PsXXM0GrI/AAAAAAAAAxc/hPvEOlPrSd8/IMAG1572.png' /><br/><img src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TIHiaayQH9g/T9PsS_PO7vI/AAAAAAAAAxM/n-K6eEc0Vxo/IMAG1575.png' /><br/><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LDbJFfT1HCU/T9PsUL7GG8I/AAAAAAAAAxU/wilebGCt4HI/IMAG1586.png' /></div>accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-29830447799300065652012-05-27T18:14:00.000-07:002012-05-27T18:29:17.150-07:00Lessons learned......ok.... I should really say Lessons I'm <b><i>learning</i><i></i></b>... :-)<br />
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I was part of the bible study Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst and I made it to 2 out of 6 but with Anna, and Samuel's pre-school I just couldn't make it to all of them. However I am still reading the book on my own and finishing the study, and every chapter speaks to me about something new. This following excerpt really spoke to me.<br />
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<i>"I think alot of us try to get filled up with things or people. In <b>Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl</b>, I talked about how I walked around for years with a little heart-shaped cup, holding it out to other people and things trying to find fulfillment. Some of us hold out our heart-shaped cup to food. Others demand that husbands love us in ways that right our wrongs and fill up our insecurities. Sometimes we expect our kids to be successful so we look good and have our worth validated by their accomplishments. Or we overspend our budget on an outfit we just have to have.<br />
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Whatever it is, if we are really going to stop circling the mountain and head north toward lasting changes, we have to empty ourselves of the lie that other people or things can ever fill our hearts to the full. Then we have to deliberately and intentionally fill up on Gods truths and stand secure in His love."</i><br />
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It made me think about what I use to try and fill up my "heart shaped cup" ...... Makes me question if i'm way to caught up in what the world views as important and not enough about what God thinks is important...... I know this is something I will be doing some pretty heavy thinking on...... and hoping to seek him more than things of this world....<br />
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<br />accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-88881449837863425002012-05-25T15:44:00.000-07:002012-05-25T15:44:58.334-07:00YAY!! Summer vacation is here!! :-)I am so glad summer is here. Samuel and Jonathan's last day of pre-school was this week and Joseph's last day was today. I am so excited to spend some relaxing time with my family without having to run around. I'm looking forward to staying up late with the kids and sleeping in..... :-) Although I am not a big fan of the heat, I do love summer vacation!
As for other news the kids are doing great. My stepson Michael is here to visit for a little while over the summer break. We are enjoying having him with us and his brothers are so excited to spend this time with him.
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Anna is growing big! She just had her 2 month check up a while back. When I told the pediatrician how she was sleeping 12 hours a night straight through and taking 2 naps, he said with a huge smile, "be careful what parents you tell that to...." I told him that after having 3 other children, 2 of which were still getting up several times a night until they were almost a year old, that I deserved one like Anna. :-) He agreed. :-) He said she is growing wonderfully and right on target!
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Jonathan is growing up so much too. He is speech delayed due to ear infections during his first year of life but he is coming along great. We are going to potty train him this summer. His speech has improved so much and I feel he will do really well. *fingers crossed*
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Joseph & Samuel are doing great as well. They are so happy to be done with school and looking forward to doing some fun things this summer. These are the pictures I took of them on their last days of school this week.
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All in all we are doing great! I'm one blessed mama!accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-4106201240620420472012-05-03T07:42:00.002-07:002013-02-27T06:31:23.716-08:00Im finally ready to share....Well I didn't really share a whole lot about my labor of anna nor did I share our "first picture" and the reason is .... well it was a very difficult delivery and afterwards. <br />
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Now that I have fully recovered I decided to share that "first Pic" no matter how horrible I look! lol<br />
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But first my "story". I went in for an induction on a sunday evening and 3:00am the next day they found out Anna was breech. We are assuming she turned while I was being induced but we dont' know. I had gotten my epidural during the night around 4am but something was wrong. Every time they laid me flat I felt pain shoot down my neck and arms. I would tell the nurses but it was like no one knew what I was talking about as if no one had ever said it before. During the c-section it hurt.... they say "pressure" but it was pain.... and shortly after Anna arrived the nice anesthesiologist put me out while the doctor finished. I got to give her a quick kiss before I fell asleep.<br />
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I woke up in a fog and in the coming days something started happening. I couldn't lay down without pain shooting down my neck and arms and when I would sit up my head felt like it was going to explode. I had a spinal tap when sam was a baby and knew what a spinal headache felt like but this didn't feel like that, it was worse. I couldn't turn my head from side to side some times and other times I felt ok. I felt like I had been in a car accident and had severe whiplash by the 3rd day. They couldn't do much for me but give me pain meds until that night when they decided to do a blood patch. It helped a little and I finally went home 2 days later, 5 days after being admitted. <br />
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It was so hard when the boys would come in to see anna to only be able to lay there but it didn't hinder their excitement at all, nor mine as I saw that they were so excited to see her each time they visited. <br />
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It took about 2 weeks after she was born before I could move my neck without being in pain and due to the severity of my pain I was unable to nurse. I couldn't look down as I was nursing and we were having difficulty, so we are doing formula. It was very hard to make that decision but I knew it was what was best for Anna and me. <br />
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Even though it was a difficult experience I am so thankful she is here and healthy. My heart goes out to other moms when I hear they had to have a c-section and for those women out there who have issues from the epidural. <br />
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So here is our "first picture" It's not the one I wanted before hand, the ones i had with the boys with me smiling and hair somewhat done :-) but it is "our" first picture and I will treasure it because it shows me the day that I got to bring my sweet little anna into the world.<br />
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<em>Update: I did find out that what I had was called a wet-tap. It happened when they placed my epidural and it affects your nerves. </em></div>
accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-39412279419309399102012-05-02T19:48:00.001-07:002012-05-02T19:48:49.188-07:00Living with anna.....Well Anna is 9 and 1/2 weeks old and things are going great. She has been sleeping through the night which has been absolutely wonderful!!! She sleeps 10 hours straight, well she has for the past week so I'm assuming this will continue. *fingers crossed*<br></br>
Her brothers are still madly in love with her and talk to her all the time and still ask to hold her every day. They help me give her a bottle sometimes and they just love helping me with her.<br></br>
She has brought so much joy into our lives and I know it will only get better!<br></br>
I look forward to all the fun girl things we will get to do as she gets older..... and I look forward to all those mother/daughter moments :-)<br></br>
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Overall I just feel completely blessed!! :-)accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-68086060071394423982012-04-24T07:29:00.000-07:002012-04-24T07:29:50.364-07:00She is changing sooo much!Anna is now 8 weeks old and last week she started smiling! :-) This is one of my favorite stages. When they are finally able to respond to you talking to them. I love it when after I feed her I say "hi baby girl" and she grins from ear to ear.... no matter what kind of day I am having it instantly improves at that moment!
I can't wait till she starts talking in that baby voice..... she is starting to do that a little bit.... but I know in the coming weeks it will be more and more....
Going to try and savor each moment....
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I remember throughout high school at different times trying to starve myself, and even throwing up once in a while but my love for food always would override any temporary fix I was trying to do. Although I wasn't overweight, food still was a focus and a way for me to try and control anything that was going on emotionally. I could only do things for a little while before I would just start eating again, whatever I wanted.... whenever I wanted. Fortunately I had a high enough metabolism that I didn't put on weight in high school and for the most part I was a happy go lucky teenager.
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The blow came right before my freshman year of college. My mom and I were working at the same place and we drove to work together. One morning I decided to drive and we were in a near fatal car accident. We hit the median and rolled 3 or 4 times. I looked over to see my mother unconcious. My mom almost didnt' make it and was in a nursing home for several months with doctors fearing she would never walk again. Severe guilt came into my life at that moment. After all<i> <b>I</b> </i> was the one driving! God being the gracious and awesome God he is, healed my mother and she was able to come home and she also was able to walk, however the accident did change her in a lot of ways as far as health and as a 17 year old it changed me as well. <br></br>
I floated through college that semester and failed and dropped out of most of my classes and along with that I began to eat.... alot. I blamed it on being in college and always being on the road but the truth is food made me feel better. I went to Mcdonalds once or twice a day and by the end of my first year of college I had probably put on 15-20lbs. Through again God's graciousness he worked on my heart and I was able to forgive myself for the accident, after all it was just that, <i>an accident</i> and I couldn't feel guilty about it and I had to move on. However emotional eating for me never changed, it only grew worse. My sunday ritual in college was to go to church, then to Sonic then a nap. So needless to say after my 3rd year in college I was 200lbs and at 5'6 that is not a good weight at all. I looked to food as my entertainment... my companionship... my reward for working hard. <br></br>
I went away to college my junior year and I was so homesick that food became really important to me. I remember ordering pizza and sitting in my room by myself and eating the whole thing! I remember making jokes about how much I loved food.....and people would laugh but inside I was so unhappy with the way I looked and felt.<br></br>
This is the only picture I could find on my computer of my college years. You can tell in my face that I was putting on weight. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I met my husband in April of 2001 I was 200lbs and he made me feel as if i was 145. He told me all the time how gorgeous I was. I tried a pill called T-burn while we were dating and it worked, I lost 50lbs! I was at 150 and felt great. Then a year later...we got married... I got pregnant.... and well... I couldn't take t-burn.... and emotional eating crept back in. Well truthfully I never changed the way I ate, but T-burn had ephedra in it so it didn't matter. Only now nothing was killing the calories and so I gained almost 60lbs with my first pregnancy. With all 4 pregnancies I have put on a pretty good amount of weight with each one, losing some temporarily in between using weight watchers or other diets but I still CRAVED and still gave in to my cravings time and time again.<br></br>
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This past week I started a bible study called "Made to Crave" and I am praying it is the answer. Im ready to stop the cycle of losing... gaining... losing... gaining.... and all the emotions that go with that cycle.
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The first chapter I was almost in tears especially when she said how she "ran to food more than she ran to Jesus". That is exactly me.... no matter how I'm feeling instead of taking it to God I turn to food.She told us in the study we <i><b>were</b></i> made to crave.... we were made to crave <b>GOD</b>! Another statement that hit me is "God loves us just the way we are but he loves us too much to leave us this way". He does think I'm beautiful the way I am however being overweight and unhealthy isn't how he wants me to live because it takes away my joy and my ability to fully enjoy this life he has given me! The author who we were watching on a DVD closed the session with telling us to feel EMPOWERED instead of DEPRIVED. That was my focus and will be my focus throughout the next 6 week as I take the Made to Crave journey. I don't know if I will lose a ton of weight but my prayer is that I will grow closer to Jesus and begin running to him before I run to the fridge. "With man this is impossible but with God ALL things are possible!!!" Matthew 19:26accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-13302948494724791872012-04-21T18:14:00.000-07:002012-04-21T18:14:21.098-07:00Jonathan is 3Well I'm behind so I'm doing 2 blogs back to back, hope no one minds. :-)
On April 12th Jonathan turned 3! With each child... with each birthday... you just can't believe as a mom that they are getting so big... that another birthday has come.... that with each birthday they are looking less like a little baby and more like a big boy or girl.... and it's as true with child #1 as it is with child #3 or 4.....
It is hard to believe that just 3 short years ago my jonathan looked like this....
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And over the years he has changed soooo much....
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He is my big boy now.... makes me sad and happy at the same time.... and if you are a mom... you know exactly what I am talking about.....accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-63671112504535210612012-04-21T17:32:00.000-07:002012-04-21T17:32:58.491-07:00A new addition..... a new seasonWell as you can tell when you look at my last blog entry date, I'm not very good at being a consistent blogger. I'm ok with that though because I mainly write for me. I mean I do hope that others read my blog and get encouraged or inspired or maybe seeing how I don't have it all together and how I'm just a normal mom maybe makes them feel better too. Im not here to impress or be fake, I just enjoy writing about my family.... about personal struggles and victories and just about life.
Having said all that.... something pretty amazing happened on Feburary 27th, 2012........
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My first (and maybe last) little girl was born. Anna Elizabeth 8lbs 15oz at 5:11pm and 20inches long.
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She has added so much joy and happiness to our lives and her older brothers absolutely adore her!
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I'm looking forward to the future and how her brothers will continue to interact with her as she gets bigger. They are already her protectors.
Time is flying too... as I'm writing this I realize that tomorrow Anna will be 8 weeks old! She started smiling 2 weeks ago. I hope it slows down a bit.... I'm trying to savor every moment! Well that's all for this one... hope to blog again soon!accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-91468908872112236742012-01-30T06:59:00.000-08:002012-01-30T06:59:19.817-08:00She hit the nail on the head!!!A few months ago my best friend and I were visiting and I mentioned how we had a similar pet peeve. The mis-use of the word tattling and children. She wrote a blog that hit the nail on the head, and I wanted to share it with my readers as well.<br />
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Click here --------> <a href="http://chrissyrenee79.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-not-tattling.html">"It's Not Tattling"</a><br />
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I remember working at a daycare when I was out of high school and a child would come up crying to their teacher and before they were allowed to open their mouth the teacher would say "If your tattling I don't want to hear it" and the child would put their head down and walk away. I remember thinking "what if he really got hurt.... what if another child is being really mean to another child".... as I became a parent I realized that my children are coming to me because they are KIDS and they don't know what to do or how to handle every situation and they need my help to figure out what to do....<br />
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Ok I'll quit because Chrissy's blog is more than sufficient!! But I will add one more quick thing.... I know there are some kids who do "tattle" and only the parents know their children, so you have to use your own parental judgment and knowledge of your kids....so please don't think I am judging every parent or teacher that says it.. I'm just speaking from what I have seen in my life and how most children aren't given an opportunity to even speak before they are turned away... just makes me sad.... <br />
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Ok Im done! :-)accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-79986651267392062582012-01-25T08:06:00.000-08:002012-01-25T08:12:30.914-08:00tying shoes.....Last year when Joseph was in kindergarten they would send home progress reports saying "joseph needs to learn to tie his shoes". I just let it go because I was perfectly content having him be able to put on his shoes, pull the velcro and be on our way. <br />
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Last night I received an e-mail from his teacher stating that he would have to stay in from recess each day until he learned to tie his shoes and that it was a skill that should have been mastered in kindergarten. <br />
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At first I was upset, because I felt bad that Joseph was going to be punished for a decision I had made as his mom. I knew other moms with 7 year olds that also did velcro and I remember wearing velcro shoes at his age and so I didn't see the big deal. I also felt a little ashamed... I mean was I being lazy in not teaching him? Being the internet junkie that I am I googled it and read how other moms were "appalled that 6 and 7 year olds could maneuver cell phones and computers but didn't know how to tie their shoes".... Yikes! <br />
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I could also see their point in wanting him to learn and I began to realize part of the reason he didn't learn was because I was trying to make things a little easier on myself and I thought on him as well. I was worried teaching him would take a long time and that he would struggle each morning to tie his shoes or that at school he would be having to constantly stop and re-tie his shoes. I know I'm a worry wart.... I know it shouldn't be something to get worked up over... but I'm going to use pregnancy as an excuse here! lol :-) <br />
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I was texting my best friend <a href="http://chrissyrenee79.blogspot.com">Chrissy</a> and she helped me to see that the school wasn't pushing something on us, but that it was something that most children know how to do by this age and they wanted Joseph to master it.<br />
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Recess isn't that big of a deal, however to Joseph it's huge and so I thought... well.... why not just start teaching him tonight. I thought I would e-mail his teacher and let her know we are going to start working on it but not to penalize joseph for my decision as a parent and that we would work on it with him each night.<br />
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Well..... he learned in about 30 minutes! I was so shocked and it made me think "Why did I wait so long?"..... Mike took our other 2 boys upstairs to play and joseph put on one of my shoes.... and he learned. He said he wanted to wait about 10 minutes to show his dad to see if he still remembered, and 10 minutes later he tied his shoes for his dad... then this morning before school he did it again. <br />
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I'm also thankful that Joseph didn't care at all that he didn't know how to tie his shoes yet, he was just worried about missing recess!! What a motivator! :-)<br />
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I don't know if there is a "moral" to this story or not.... but I know I learned something as a mom.... I was putting it off thinking it would make life harder,but I underestimated my son.... he did great and we are going to buy some shoes with laces probably this weekend. Samuel my 5 year old is now begging to learn to tie his shoes..... :-) My babies are growing up on me!<br />
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We have had her first name picked out since my first pregnancy... "Anna" however the middle name is still up in the air. Hopefully we will decide before she gets here! :-)<br />
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Last week my husband and my older 2 sons helped me get her room ready. It was as exciting for them as it was for me. They were so happy to see her crib going up and the pink decorations. They even got to help put the crib together.<br />
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After we got her room all set up, with the exception of curtains and some pictures that need to be hung, I decided to go through her clothes. As I picked up each piece of clothing I got a little more excited. I was just as excited with each of my boys and this time the excitement is two-fold. I am not only excited about meeting this little baby that I already love so much, but I am excited about the new experience of having a daughter.<br />
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Mike is looking forward to having a daughter for the first time. I am excited to see how he is with a little girl. I have seen him with my nieces and little girls at church and he is just so great with them... I just can't wait to see how he is with our daughter.... wow..... "daughter"... I am so excited to get to say that. <br />
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Well that's all for now! :-)accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-81985355523375492022011-11-18T08:01:00.000-08:002011-11-18T08:01:46.659-08:00How we do Christmas.....Over the years I have shared and heard others share how they do christmas. Some do Santa and some don't, some buy tons of gifts, others dont. I thought i'd share how we do christmas just in case some young parents out there are looking for ideas. <br />
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First off we don't do Santa Claus. I won't go into a deep discussion here about why, but we just didn't feel it was right for our family. Our kids know that we provide the gifts and they know that Santa is not real, but pretend and still fun to watch shows about and see just like Dora, Diego and other cartoon characters, but they also know about the real story of how there came to be a Santa Claus thanks to Veggie Tales! :-) We don't condemn anyone who chooses to do Santa and my children know that other kids believe and they know never to tell another child there is no Santa without first talking to the parents and asking if their child believes or not.<br />
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As for gifts when I was pregnant with Joseph, or it may have been right after I had him, I was talking with the wife of our youth pastor at the time, and she shared that they did a birthday cake for Jesus and only did 3 gifts per child representing the 3 gifts mentioned in the bible that Jesus received at his birth. Mike and I really loved that idea. We liked the idea of the focus being on Christ and that the children wouldn't be overloaded with gifts considering they not only do christmas with us but they experience 3 other christmas's because of extended family. So we began doing 3 gifts per child and occasionally we will do some "joint" or "family" gifts as well. It's been a great thing for our family and the kids don't feel slighted. We do the christmas story, sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and have a piece of cake, and then we go around and each open a gift until they are all opened. We take time to savor the time together and we love it!<br />
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This year we have also decided we will have the boys get each other one gift. I think it is something they will really enjoy and we are looking forward to doing that.<br />
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Well that is how we do Christmas! I hope everyone has a blessed Holiday Season and take time to remember why we celebrate anything at all... because of Jesus!accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1176896730384667380.post-21164336498647215972011-11-14T15:32:00.000-08:002011-11-14T15:32:58.119-08:00My first "Girl" room! :-)With my first 2 pregnancies I didn't know what I was having and I got this adorable neutral teddy bear bedding set that I still LOVE and we left the room white and just decorated it with the new bedding.... With Jonathan we knew we were having a boy so we painted the room blue and used the same bedding.... With this one and finding out it was a girl, although I could use the same bedding and I would be fine, I just really really wanted to do something "girly" and so we decided to go ahead and do it with all the girly features :-)<br />
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My awesome Mother-in-law bought me a new bedding set and it arrived in the mail last week so that I could get started on Anna's room. Here is the bedding set we will be using.<br />
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We are so excited and I have some friends who have been giving me some paint color tips. Not sure what I will do yet. My changing table and crib are white so I may do either a light pink on the walls with a brown accent wall or a neutral color with a pink accent wall..... if you have any other ideas feel free to share them with me!<br />
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Looking forward to getting things started!accesskas27http://www.blogger.com/profile/11142637931523579571noreply@blogger.com2