As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2: 4-5

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Just a little bit closer...

to baby Noname having a name...

Last night, my darling husband took me out to dinner--Waffle House, ,lest you get all excited, but one of our favorites! Since we had a good twenty-thirty minutes of uninterrupted time together, I broached the subject once again of naming this baby. Not sure why he is dragging his heels on this one, as we had Hannah all picked out way in advance (Me? for 14 years...Josh was going to be Hannah, Sarah was going to be Hannah, Maddy was going to be Hannah...never fit til she came along). He said he was just waiting for something to jump out at him that he loved, so I decided to throw some at him.

Knowing he is a thinker, I e-mailed him my list. He deleted the ones he didn't like, highlighted the ones he liked the most, and sent it back. Out of that list, I highlighted the ones I liked the best and sent it back. Out of that exchange, we have the following short list of names now:

Charlotte
Grace
Rachel
Rebecca

(sadly, he vetoed some of my very favorites--Sadie, Lily, Lila Grace)

The kids like Charlotte, but I'm not sure it goes with our other names. Hannah's choices? First it was Sticks and trees, and now it's Alice. Wonder where she got that from???

Saturday, May 30, 2009

This woman inspires me....

http://resolved2worship.xanga.com/

and OK, to be honest...fills me with just a little bit of envy.

One word...HOW?

Hannah's latest obsession....

Preface: I don't know why I can't separate paragraphs in this post...and the grammar/English geek in me is cringeing posting this, but whatever.....



***She discovered this movie last week when I was gathering some movies to take to school. I wanted to find a movie that my vidoe savvy first graders hadn't seen in hopes that I would be able to get a little work done. She immediately claimed Alice and 101 Dalmations as her own. I figured Alice would scare her with the mean Queen of Hearts and all of the strange creatures, and that she would love "the puppy movie." Was I ever wrong. She loves Alice and has almost memorized the entire thing (and yes, I do realize what that says about me as a mother that my 3 year old has nearly memorized a full length movie), and 101 Dalmations scared the daylights out of her...think it was Cruella.
***We are on day 2 of wearing big girl panties. Actually, it really should be more like day 1, since she didn't put them on until last night after we got home at 4ish. I wasn't too hopeful, since about ten minutes after she put them on, she went outside with Daryl and pooped in them. But this morning, for the first time ever, she got out of her bed by herself (usually she screams Moooommmmy until someone comes and gets her), came to our room, walked past us to the bathroom, and tee tee'd on the potty. Then said that she "didn't want the nasty pull up" and wanted her big girl panties.
***As for me...it's amazing how much better you feel when you actually follow the doctor's directions. I went in to work yesterday and despite sitting as much as I could...not much...I felt awful--achy, crampy, nauseous. I did get my room completely packed up and finished, though, so I don't have to go back except supervising getting it all into storage and setting up class rolls for next year. Then I went out and spent every last cent on my gift cards that I got from my kids and their parents. Got lots of books, some baby stuff, and some storage to keep the baby stuff in until she actually has a room/dresser/closet (which if history repeats itself, will be well after she is born) I knew I was overdoing it with so much walking, but also knew that Daryl would not let me out to do it. Then came home and let everyone else do the working. Daryl took care of dinner, Josh drove all the way to McDonough during rush hour to get Sarah from the movies, and I sat. I feel so much better this morning.
What do you know...the doctors DO know more than I do! :)

Thursday, May 28, 2009

24 week appointment...

The good: She was able to find the heartbeat right away instead of sending me for an ultrasound like every other time, and she sounded good. Blood pressure great. And the best of all, only 2 pounds gained this past month! The pelvic pain, she says, is due to baby's position, and my 5 time used uterus. Normal and not cause for concern.

The bad: I'm contracting. already. sigh. No cervical change, so that is good, but now am supposed to stay off my feet as much as possible--45 minutes out of every hour or so, drink a gallon of water a day, and call if I have more than four in an hour. I had a mini-nervous breakdown in the office, telling her this simply could.not.happen. and then went into way too much sobbing detail about not being able to start the school year with my class being a tragedy of Shakespearean proportion.

I've just got to really follow dr. instructions, and stay off my feet. I rolled around on my rolling chair at work today, and really only have 1 more day that I have to be there. And then one more day to move all of my extra stuff into a storage unit that Josh will do for me. I am hoping and praying that this is all because I have been running myself ragged at school trying to take stuff down, pack things away, lifting boxes onto shelves in the closet, all the while trying to keep up with a group of very active 6 year olds. and then running myself ragged at home trying to keep up with the laundry, cleaning, organizing, etc. I am hopeful that after some time in my oh so comfortable chair doing nothing but reading, watching tv, and cross stitching, and things will improve. And I have to trust that God will take care of the school situation.

I had a talk with the kids tonight about how important it is going to be for them to help me out with Hannah this summer and they seemed very eager and willing to help. And immediately after dinner, Daryl went out to work furiously on the addition. :)

I am trying to get over the disappointment and anger over the whole thing. I really thought this time would be different. And I feel like my body is betraying me. I used to be soooo good at this carrying a baby thing. Until Hannah. Until now.

If I have this much trouble at 41 with only 5 pregnancies, how do people with so many more children do it????

Nothing else to blog on...and still no camera cord...

So you get this...

The A to Z Meme
A
• Are you available? No, and blissfully so.
• What is your age? 41
• What annoys you? so many things lately, but mostly wet muddy dogs, traffic, and rude people

B
• Do you know anyone named Billy? Yes
• When is your birthday? June 19
• Who is your best friend? My husband

C
• What’s your favorite candy? dots
• Crush? My husband.
• When was the last time you cried? this morning, while reading an email from a parent thanking me for a great year--its a daily occurence these days

D
• Do you daydream? yes
• What’s your favorite kind of dog? none at the moment
• What day of the week is it? Thursday, but more importantly, the last day of school

E
• How do you like your eggs?in a bacon egg and cheese biscuit. Can't stomach them without bread
• Have you ever been in the emergency room? Yes.
• Ever pet an elephant? Nope, but Sarah had an imaginary pet elephant when she was 2-3

F
• Do you use fly swatters? gross..no
• Have you ever used a foghorn? Leghorn? Nope.
• Is there a fan in your room? Yes. can't sleep without it

G
• Do you chew gum? Yes.
• Do you like gummy candies? Not so much.
• Do you like gory movies? Not so much.

H
• How are you? Tired, but happy.
• What’s your height? 5′ 9″
• What color is your hair? Brown.

I
• What’s your favorite ice cream? Quarter Back Crunch (Baskin-Robbins)
• Have you ever ice skated? Many, many years ago.
• Ever been in an igloo? Nope.

J
• What’s your favorite Jelly Bean? Don’t like jelly beans.
• Have you ever heard a really hilarious joke? Yup.
• Do you wear jewelry? Non pregnant, it is a great joy to have matching jewelry, clothes, shoes. Pregnant, I have to rotate the 5 outfits that I own!

K• Who do you want to kill? Uhm… nobody. (That’s a weird question!)
• Have you ever flown a kite? Yes.
• Do you think kangaroos are cute? Not especially

L
• Are you laidback? Not at all...I aspire to be!
• Lions or Tigers? Mmm… tigers.
• Do you like black licorice? Ewww. No.

M
• Favorite movie as a kid? Grease Still is
• Ever shopped at Moosejaw? Where? Never heard of it.
• Favorite store at the mall? don't like the mall, unless it is the outlet mall.

N
• Do you have a nickname? Not now.
• Whats your favorite number? 30
• Do you prefer night or day? Mmmm… either is fine.

O
• What’s your one wish? That my kids grow up to be happy and healthy and knowing the Lord.
• Are you an only child? Nope.
• Do you like the color orange? Yes. Go Clemson!

P
• What are you most paranoid about? That something horrible is going to happen to my kids
• Piercings? Ears are pierced.
• Do you know anyone named Penelope? I did...my sixth grade reading teacher. hated her then, but she made me read some great books.

Q
• Do you like Quaker Oats? no
• Know anyone that makes quilts? Yes.

R
• Do you think you’re always right? not always, but in my head...most of the time. I don't verbalize it though.
• Do you watch reality TV? Sadly, I’m an addict.
• Reason to cry? Just about anything makes me cry these days!

S
• Do you prefer sun or rain? SUN. I love a tan, and I hate muddy wet dogs.
• Do you like snow? Like being out of school and how it looks, but don't like the mess
• What’s your favorite season? Autumn.

T
• time is it? 8:00 am
• What time did you wake up? 12:03 am, 1:46 am, 3:34 am, 5:55 am....one of those nights.

U
• Can you ride a unicycle? Dunno… never tried.
• Do you know anyone with a unibrow? nope
• Uncles do you have? 1

V
• What’s the worst vegetable? Brussel sprouts.
• Did you ever watch Veggie Tales? yes
• Ever considered being vegan? In my try every diet out there phase in college, yep

W
• What’s your worst habit? Procrastination.
• Do you like water rides? N0
• Ever been inside a windmill? Nope.

X
• Have you ever had an x-ray? Yes
• Ever used a Xerox machine? Yes

Y
• Do you like the color yellow? yes
• What year were you born in?: ‘67
• Do you yell when you’re angry? Mmmm… not so much. I get real quiet and stew. I think it would be healthier if I did yell!

Z
• Do you believe in the zodiac? no, but my mom swears by it
.• What’s your zodiac sign? Gemini.
• When was the last time you went to the zoo? last summer

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Surprise!!!

No, not the camera cord...but hopefully soon!

It was the last day of school for most of my students today, and we had our end of the year field day/party. When we got back from lunch, there were pink streamers hanging from the doorway and all my kids' parents were there for a surprise shower for me and baby noname (my name for this little girl until Daryl decides to help me pick out a name!) who said 6 and 7 year olds couldn't keep a secret???

The cake was gorgeous--and while I didn't get a picture of it, I did bring home the cutest part and took a picture of it. Really, just too too cute. We got tons of stuff for the baby...lots of clothes, toys, diapers, a cute cute diaper bag, and even these shoes http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.shoes.com/ProductImages/Shoes_iAEC1047537.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.shoes.com/p-ec1047537.shtml&usg=__2I0j9UkU24bGNLhlmn5kd-HLZco=&h=350&w=350&sz=17&hl=en&start=28&um=1&tbnid=DsyVQsU6c4YsMM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbaby%2Buggs%2Bcrochet%2Binfant%2Bboots%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1R2GPEA_en%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18%26um%3D1 Too cute and much more extravagant than she would ever get from me!!

Unlike with Hannah, everything was PINK!

I think...just maybe...I'm starting to get excited about this baby.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day

First, big news...the camera cord has been shipped! The e-mail said that I should receive it within 5-15 days (while informing me that had I spent an extra $10 for express shipping, I would receive it by Wednesday).

Other than that...our Memorial Day has shaped up to be pretty boring. The kids are studying for their exams that start tomorrow, and I have been a complete and total slug. Since I have been feeling better, I have not been able to sleep at night for longer than 45 minutes straight, and it has finally caught up with me. I remember this from last time, and am just so so thankful that there are not panic attacks to go along with the sleeplessness.

Hannah and I have been working on potty training this weekend and I was so so so encouraged when she told us she needed to poop in the potty and then did it on Saturday. Since then, no such luck. It looks like it is going to be a long process. We will start big girl panties next Saturday when I can be home with her and maybe that will make a difference. I never realized how lucky I was with the first three that they pretty much potty trained themselves in a week when they were ready. I really do think she is ready, and I know this momma is ready. I really do not want 2 that I have to change, and pull ups are so much more expensive than diapers.

Daryl has rented a back hoe to start on the new addition (yes,...with every new "addition" that we have to our family, Daryl has his own little addition to our house). This means that he is happy as a clam, both starting a new project and being able to drive a bulldozer. It also means that after 6 straight hours of cleaning my house that left me feeling like an old lady but with a clean house for the first time in who knows how long, that there is now mud on my floors, my carpet, all of Hannah's shoes. Whoever said we were still experiencing a drought in Georgia hasn't lived in my house with what seems like constant rain, four wet muddy dogs, and children that seem to live for slogging around in the mud. yes, I know...some day I will miss this. but for now, it is bringing out the grumpy old pregnant lady in me.

Off to try to get Hannah to take a nap. The only way she will sleep at home is if she comes to my bed and we lay down together. then it's only 50/50 that she will sleep. Yesterday...she slept. Day before that, she rolled all over me begging me to tickle her back and shining a flashlight in my eyes.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Hopeful...for a moment...

Tonight we met my parents and brother for dinner at Chili's. Good time, good company, good food. But even better was afterwards, my darling husband took me out to find a camera cord! First we went to Best Buy, which was just closing as we were pulling in. Then we went to Walmart, my least favorite place in the universe, but hey...if it was going to get me a camera cord, then I was all for it. We get there and they have a 5 pack of USB cords...surely one will fit my camera. We even took the camera to make sure that it fit. AND IT DID!!!! It did have "Kodak" written on it, but Daryl (who is usually right about just about everything) that it would work.

We get home, and lo and behold...it fits!!!!! But little good that does me...for even though it fits, it doesn't work. Sigh. So I have one on order and it should arrive in 7-10 days. Until then, you will just have to be happy with my sparkling personality and awesome writing skills! :)

And a great big thank you to my wonderful husband, who I promised I would give big big kudos to for taking me on that wild goose chase!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Breakfast with Hannah...

Usually breakfast on a Saturday morning means pancakes. She usually wakes up and wants pancakes for breakfast. Now, being the cook that I am, that takes about half an hour to make. For some reason, the first few pancakes take forever to cook and then end up looking less than appetizing. Today, though, she requested cereal. So we sat at the kitchen table while she talked to me (you really don't even have to try to make conversation with this girl...she will just talk, and talk, and talk. As long as you nod and say uh huh every once in a while you're good) and this morning, she was talking to me about "her" baby. According to Hannah, "her" baby is hungry in the mornings and how does her baby sleep in my tummy? And when "her" baby comes out, she will push it in her stroller and put her in her "white things." The aforementioned white things are a baby doll sized high chair and cradle that are painted white that someone gave to her about a year ago. Seems like she has big plans for "her baby." I can only hope that she continues to have this enthusiasm after she is born!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

It's official...

I can no longer see my toes :)....and

There are only 3 1/2 days left of school...and

The one person in the house who has not been sick in the last month, Maddy that is, started running a fever tonight.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Of all the dumb things....

this has got to take the cake.

Tonight, when Daryl and Josh were working on editing a video for school (and rather unsuccessfully, unfortunately, as it wasn't even his, but Maranda's) Daryl exclaimed, "Hey! There is a place to put your memory card!" Needless to say, I was ecstatic. I envisioned myself a posting fool, posting pictures of all the things that the kids have been doing. I was almost giddy.

Well, he was right. There was a place for the memory card...a normal sized memory card. My card fit in there just fine. And there it stayed...and stays still. Sigh.

On a different note, I am going back to the doctor tomorrow. I have had enough of wheezing, coughing, headaches, and feeling like I got hit by a truck. So tomorrow at 2, I will be throwing myself at the mercy of the doctor (or PA, probably) to give me something, anything to help me feel better. I KNOW that 48 straight days of coughing and robitussin cannot be good for the baby...or for me. I KNOW that it is annoying and bothersome to my family, especially Daryl who joked (I hope) about wanting to put a pillow over my head at night. I KNOW that I am just so sick of being sick. So sick of not being able to walk around without being out of breath. Sick of not being able to teach without being out of breath. My only hope is that if the doctor won't give me something for it, that in 5 1/2 days, I will be out of the petri dish that is my classroom. Maybe some time in the sun and some time to rest will do me some good.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

A Teary Sunday...

Today has been a day of tears for me...frustrated tears, proud tears, angry tears, sick tears.

Frustrated tears for the incredible disappointment when I tried using the three USB cords to download my pictures. Because NONE of them fit! And then when I went to order another from Sony, it is out of stock. Sigh.

Proud/sad tears for my baby boy. Tonight was graduation at ELCA. I knew several seniors, and it was a proud, bittersweet moment to see them take that next step in their lives. At the very end of graduation, the outgoing seniors and juniors had a candle lighting service, passing the baton so to speak to the soon to be seniors. To my little boy. To my boy who it just seems like yesterday was crawling around my living room in his cowboy boots, eating tons of cherry popsicles, and laying in my lap while I rubbed his head. My little boy who so bravely stepped up as "man of the house" when his daddy left. My little boy who made rock and bug museums out of boxes in our garage. And there he was, in his school uniform looking nothing like that little boy, and so much like a man. And now...he is a senior. double sigh.

Angry tears for just about everything this morning. I don't know why Sunday mornings are so rough on me. Maybe it's because I don't get up before everyone else and am rushed. Maybe its because I have to get myself up and dressed, make breakfast, get Hannah up and dressed, give Hannah a treatment, all in the time everyone else leisurely gets themselves ready. Maybe it's Satan, trying to detstroy my peace. Anyways...I am not proud of my behavior--a simple "Hey guys, I need some help on Sundays" would suffice...maybe...but instead I chose to be angry and cry.

Sick tears because after one month and 19 days, I am still sick. And I am so tired of being sick. Tired of the wheezing. Tired of feeling like I can't get enough air. Tired of not sleeping. Tired of the coughing. And most of all tired of not being able to do a darn thing about it, and not being able to get a doctor...any doctor...to do anything about it. Not my OB, not my regular doctor, not the doctor at the walk-in clinic.

Having cried my way through my day...I am hoping tomorrow is tear free!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I still have no camera cord...sigh...so still no pictures. I do still have Hannah's birthday pictures, and a great picture of my kiddos this morning...on this the day commemorating them making me a mother. What a wonderful gift. I can not even imagine my life without my children--despite the fact that I know it would be quieter, neater, calmer, more organized. They are my pride and joy, my light and my life, and I thank God every single day for blessing me with them.

The kids surprised me with a scrapbook of the last 7 years--we had all these pictures on the computer, but in no order whatsoever. They worked on it for quite a long time last night and it is simply the best gift, to know that they worked so hard and to have all of our precious memories all there in one place. Hannah also made me a handprint to go with the other kids' handprints from so many years ago. Such a nice Mother's Day. They haven't let me lift a finger (though I have...just when they weren't looking!)

I looked and looked through my pictures on the computer to find a picture of my own mother to put on the blog today, in honor of the best mother I know, but could find none. My mother is truly one of the most beautiful women I know, yet hates to be in front of the camera, and so I am left with no picture to post today! My mom taught me so much about being a mom, loving unconditionally, and giving your all to your children, in spite of what you might want or need. I often feel inferior when I think of the kind of mom she was compared to the kind of mom I am, but am so grateful that God sent her to me. I've been so caught up in my life, and she in her newfound busy retirement life, that we haven't spent as much time together as in years past, and that really makes me a little sad. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I hope you have a great day and I hope that this next year brings us both more time to spend together!!

Monday, May 4, 2009

It's 6:00 already and I was just in the middle of a dream...

Anyone old enough to remember what song that came from???

Usually, Mondays are rough and tumble for us all...uniforms to be found (despite warnings, urging, and yes, even begging) that they find them the night before. Sleepy, children who forget to eat, forget their bookbags, forget their manners, forget that they really do love each other.

Yet, today...no school. Closed for a suspected, yet at this time unconfirmed case of swine flu. So it should be a relatively calm morning. And for those still sleeping, it is. For those of us that aren't (me, Hannah, and Daryl--who still had to go to work) not so much. I've had four wet dogs fighting, breaking through the barrier to get into the carpeted living room, getting in the trash, and did I mention fighting? I've had a cranky toddler refuse to do her treatment. And I still feel yucky.

However...did I mention...NO SCHOOL!!!?!?!? Another day to recover and figure out what to do. Another day to escape the mayhem of afterschool activities and shuttling children from here to there (because of course, Daryl is working). Another day to try to get into the doctor...or to find a new one that can see me. Another day to get through the mounds of laundry that no one else seemed to do when I was so so sick (though they were able to choose just their outfit that they wanted to wear and wash it, ignoring the piles beside the washing machine...go figure) AND...another day to find the extra camera cord that Daryl swears is around here somewhere.

So hopefully, by tonight, I will be able to post Hannah's birthday pictures, and a few pictures that answer the age old question, "Why, Sarah, should you never ever ever hand a three year old a jar of peanut butter and a spoon when they say they are 'hungee' and want some peanut butter."