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Jun. 23, 2009 - TEACH magazine :)

I just got my copy of TEACH magazine (TEACHmagazine.com), woohoo! I am in the midst of some not so happy things right now. This issue has spoken to my heart. Mrs. Lorrie Flem wrote an article called "Ordinary Obedience Following Flubber". Don't let the title fool you, it is not a silly article. It spoke directly to me as I'm currently struggling with dealing with certain emotions I'm having in a Godly way. This issue has really blessed me. I wrote more, but lost it. Since it is not so easy to type on my cell (no computer again) I'm not re-typing it, lol. I suggest that you get a sample issue, I know it will bless you too. :)

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May. 28, 2009 - The Joys of Banking

Today I checked our finances online (I love to say finances it sounds like their is actually money their to manage.) While checking things I discovered the bank did something wacky. It's times like these that I wish that my husband would take over our finances. I am really not all that great at managing our money. Right now I am using my cell to type this so if there are any mistakes you know why, lol. Well, it's time to get lessons started. Hopefully soon I'll write a "real" blog entry.

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Apr. 28, 2009 - Crisis Cleaning and other things....

Today I am crisis cleaning.  Now, I don't mean cleaning like crazy because I'm in a personal crisis and need the therapy, lol.  I mean my house is in a crisis and it needs therapy, lol.  The reason my house is in crisis mode is because after I had the baby I spent the next  months enjoying her and dumping stuff like crazy in our "extra" room.  Then when I went to start to clean that room the stuff ended up spreading all over the rest of the house creating a "crisis".  So, now every room needs serious help and because I tend to be housework ADD, I am using Flylady's crisis cleaning method.  Which works wonderfully and yields a nice clean home most of the time

Here is the method in short:

1.  Clean 3 different rooms or areas for 15 minutes each.
2.  Take a 15 minute break.
3.  Repeat until your home is livable again

So, while we are doing crisis cleaning, school will be put aside.  Or should I say the children are having home ec/life skills training for school today, lol.

Oh, and part of the disaster is the seasonal clothing switch.  Washing/sorting/storing the winter clothes, and sorting and washing the summer clothes.  Yes, I'm weird.  Even though I washed the clothes before storing them last fall, I'm washing again before putting them away in the children's bins.  I'm really not a super neat-freak, but on some things I'm kind of wacky.


Oh, and here is a tip for today:
Use a spiral bound index card thingy as your prayer journal.  You can write individual requests on the cards and they will stay together.  Then when one is answered you can write how, remove it and put it in an index card box to read later when feeling discouraged, or like your prayers aren't being heard.  You can also use one for your memory verses to keep them together for easy review.

Well, my 15 minute break is up so I get to go make a dent in my mess again.

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Apr. 15, 2009 - Laundry tip for today....

I have a front loading washing machine.  This is actually my second one.  My first one had the notorious mold problem that front load machines are known for.  So for this one I decided to take preventative measures.  Last night before bed I popped in an Affresh tablet and ran a normal cycle on hot.  My machine smells fresh and clean this morning.  It didn't smell moldy before but it was beginning to get that washer smell.....you know the one they get after repeated use?  Now it smells just like new again.

I highly recommend   using this product or something comparable regularly in your machine if you have a front loading machine.

And my second tip for today.....always put away your clean laundry.  If you happen to leave it on your bed to put away later at a more convenient time you might be sorry.  For instance, I put a folded load of laundry on my bed and then plopped the baby down on my bed to change her later that day.  I finished fastening her clean diaper up and looked up into her adorable face only to discover that she was chewing on a clean pair of unmentionables

So, if you really need to leave your laundry until later to put away....don't change your baby's diaper next to the pile, lol.  Ummm, and also don't let your little ones climb up rambunctiously onto your bed and destroy all those beautiful piles.  Unless of course you really enjoy folding laundry

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Apr. 12, 2009 - I have been without a computer for a little bit

But my mother has very kindly offered to let me use her netbook for a little while.  I have to say I just love this little thing.  It's small and portable and really helps to limit what we can do online.  And that helps to limit our time spent online.  That is something much needed in our home. 

We will eventually get a new computer but for now at least I can keep up with email, internet friends and write an occasional blog.  Actually, I hope to write more than an occasional blog, I hope to write more regularly, but we'll see how that works, lol.

Well, I had better get going, life is ever busy.  My next entry will be about TEACH magazine.


See you soon.

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Mar. 3, 2009 - Woohoo!

Hooray!  Yesterday a new stove, washer and dryer were delivered.  I feel so very blessed.  It had been over a year since our dryer died and our washer has been leaking for some time.  They had been repaired repeatedly so we were ready for a new set.  Our stove was old and icky and when the oven went out about 6 months ago we decided to replace it and not repair it.  We just had to wait for funds.

All three are Frigidaire and so far I love them.  I'm washing my 6th load of laundry now and I love this washer so much more than my Kenmore He3t which was a total lemon.  It cleans well, takes up a smaller footprint and my girls can actually transfer the laundry from washer to dryer with this set even though it's stacked.  I was even able to wash my king size comforter in it, yay!  The stove is nicer than my old one, it's gas and has electronic ignition which is super nice.  I bought the least expensive front load Frigidaire washer/dryer set and I'm quite happy with it.  And the stove is a lower end model also. 

I feel strongly that you don't need the fancier models with the great colors and extra bells and whistles.  I try to remind myself of what I'm using the appliance for.  The stove is to cook, as long as it will do that without too much extra maintenance, than it's good for me.  The goal of a washer is to wash clothes.  I don't need 35 wash cycles and all kinds of bells and whistles.  It just needs to get the clothes clean.

So today feels like Christmas for me.

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Feb. 27, 2009 - Laundry tip for today

If you have a front loader you know that it can be hard to measure out the smaller amount of detergent that you need to use to get your clothes clean.  I grew tired of having gunky bottles etc.  So I cleaned out an empty dish soap squeeze bottle and filled it with liquid laundry soap.  Now I just squeeze the amount I need right into the little drawer and it's fast with no sticky mess or drips ever.

And here is a second bonus tip for those of you that might find yourself dryer-less.  You can still wash and dry your comfortors and sheets even when it's raining outside.  Just wash your blanket/sheet and then drape it over your bedroom door.  It will take several hours to dry but it will dry and you have saved yourself an unpleasant trip to the laundromat.

That's really all I can think to share today.  I'll try to get better at posting on here now that baby is getting a bit older.

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Jan. 3, 2009 - My TEACH magazine

The winter issue of TEACH magazine arrived right on schedule.  And I was eager to read it, but with a new baby, and Christmas, quiet time for this mommy was hard to find.  Even now my sweet little baby is letting me know that she isn't happy I'm taking a few minutes on the computer, lol.

But this past week I was able to enjoy my copy.  And I really did enjoy it.  I was dissappointed that my oven is broken and that I couldn't try the yummy looking cookie recipes.  But my oven won't be broken forever .  I enjoyed reading all of the articles and was especially touched by the article by Sally Clarkson (I hope I spelled her name correctly).  She always has a way of getting me to re-evaluate myself which I really need.  This magazine is really an encouragement to me, especially at this halfway point in the school year.  I need the renewal that this magazine brought me.

Well, I had better get going and snuggle my new little one (and change the diaper that has her so troubled).  I just wanted to share how much I enjoyed this recent issue of TEACH magazine.  If you are looking for a magazine to encourage you as you home educate than this is a wonderful magazine. 

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Jan. 3, 2009 - Sorry for the delay....

But baby is here!

She is beautiful.  The labor was no fun, my most difficult.  But well worth it  Once labor got started it was only 6 hours until she was born, so not long really.  She was 8 lbs and 21 inches long.  Her head was 14-1/4 inches so pretty good size.  The cord was wrapped around her neck 3 times, but it didn't affect her.  She let out a yell as soon as her head was out, lol.  She doesn't appear shy.

Her she is at birth:

And here she is at 4 days old:

 

She is currently about 10 lbs at around 5-1/2 weeks old.  No current pictures as I'm having computer issues right now, sigh.  But isn't she a doll?

 

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Nov. 25, 2008 - Day 5 overdue.....

Okay, it is getting harder to keep myself busy.  Yesterday I did cleaning chores (normal for any end of pregnancy woman, lol) and I made paper plate snowmen with my girls.  Then I made a crochet turkey that hangs on a doorknob from Annie's Attic free pattern of the day recently.  It turned out really cute, lol.  Then I made a scarf while watching a Christmas movie with my girls.  The boys spent the day playing with Dad.

Today I go to the doctor where she will perform a non-stress test on baby and an ultra-sound to check baby's condition, size and level of amniotic fluid.  Then she wants to set a date for induction.  Now I want this baby in my arms and out of my tummy, but if my body isn't ready to be induced (as it hasn't been and hasn't shown any signs of) I don't want to be induced.  Those types of inductions tend to be long and not have the greatest outcomes.  Yet at the same time, my husband has to be back at work by a certain date and so I have to deliver relatively soon.  And then there is Thanksgiving to think about. 

Well, I guess I'll spend this morning working on another scarf as I found a cute pattern that looks easy and fast.  I can't really focus on anything detailed right now.  And I will trust the Lord to work out all the other details that are clearly out of my hands.  This whole pregnancy the whisper of c-section has gone through my mind.  I've never had one, and don't want one.  I've had surgery before and recovering from it wasn't a fun experience.  But I have wondered off and on through this pregnancy if that whisper was the Lord preparing me for one.  As I go through this time and notice my body not doing any of the things it did with the other babies, I wonder more.  Soon I'll know for sure.

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Nov. 24, 2008 - Day 4 overdue

Today I am 4 days overdue.  And I am just sure that this will be the day.  Why am I sure?  Well, being sure that today is the day, is a lot better than sitting around upset that labor hasn't happened.

And part of me feels like it's me that has been preventing the normal beginnings of labor.  So today I am sure the baby will be born.

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Nov. 22, 2008 - Day 2 overdue....

Hmmm, what will I do today to keep my mind off the constant question of whether or not this will be the day.

So far I have written out my Christmas gift list and designed and printed out some labels on the computer.  I have washed several loads of laundry to take to the laundromat to dry later on today.  And I've done a load of dishes.

Not a whole lot, but something at least.  Yesterday I had some regular contractions, but nothing today.

So, other than my weekly laundry trip, what should I do to keep my mind occupied?  I have two crochet projects I would like to work on, but no yarn to do them, so that is out.  I could clean the garage with my husband, but I'm still too sore from my two mile walk with the dog yesterday.

I guess I'll just continue to focus on the laundry today.  And try to keep my mind off of food, because I have a serious case of the muchies today, lol.

 

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Nov. 21, 2008 - Today's encouragement

Mornings are not my best times now days.  I am stiff and sore and it is soooo hard to move.

So, this morning I'm hobbling over to the water cooler to refill the water tank on the coffee maker to make my dh coffee.  As I'm doing so, I'm mumbling to myself how hard it is to move in the mornings.  I look up and spy the artwork that we have hanging in our dining room.

The first one is a cross that says a portion of Psalm 46:10:

"Be still, and know that I am God;"

And under that a small picture with Philippians 4:13:

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

So, the Lord really blessed me by reminding me that I need to rest in Him, and that with His strength I can get through these last days of waiting.

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Nov. 20, 2008 - Today is my due date!

So, considering that my body still doesn't seem close to ready to give birth I thought I would occupy myself by sharing some statistics, lol.

1. only 4-5% of women deliver on their due date.  That means the 95-96% percent of us will miss the date given.  So, why do we pay so much attention to that magical number, lol?

2.  5% of women deliver in week 37 of pregnancy. 

3. 10-20% of women deliver in weeks 38-39 of pregnancy.

4. about 28% deliver in their 40th week of pregnancy.

5. about 18% deliver in their 41st week of pregnancy.  This has always been me, sigh.

6. about 9% deliver in their 42nd week of pregnancy.

7. about 1.5-3% deliver in their 43-44 week of pregnancy.  I really feel for those women and assume that most of them have midwives and homebirth.  Most obstetricians would't let a woman go that far with her pregnancy before inducing.

 

Now, while I have always wanted to give birth a week or two earlier, or hey, even just in my 40th week.  Research shows that in the long run it's much better for baby to be born later as has been my pattern.  Here is an article that reinforces that a bit,  As Babies Are Born Earlier, They Risk Problems Later.

Now, I don't agree that we should take the risk of more stillborns to prevent these problems.  But inducing for convenience which is so common now days is not a good thing.  I think we all need to remember that our Father set up the length of a pregnancy for just the right amount of time.  And if we decide that we can't take being pregnant another minute and insist on being induced, or that we need to deliver when it is convenient, then we need to be prepared for lifelong consequences that may occur.

This pregnancy has been a struggle for me.  With all my pregnancies I have been ready for baby weeks before baby has come.  But this one has been harder for me to wait for, I admit, because of the upcoming holidays.  I don't want to be in the hospital on Thanksgiving and ruin my children's day.  It's a silly reason, but still I have struggled with it.  I'm glad that my doctor is good at playing dumb and overlooking the whines of her patients when there is no real valid reason.  If she had been more "sympathetic" I would have had the courage to ask for an induction based on convenience. 

Anyway, there is my post for today.  Hopefully it will be interesting to someone out there.

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Nov. 14, 2008 - Another busy weekend coming

Even though my energy level is low, I'm thankful for another busy weekend.  It really helps to know that I'll have lots to do to keep my mind off of when this little darling will make her arrival.

Each day of this weekend has a lot packed into it.  And today does too.

Now, if I could only get my mind to focus so that I could get a proper shopping list made out, lol.

For now though, I'm off to have a nap before the children wake up.  Hopefully that will bring a clearer head, lol.

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Nov. 13, 2008 - OK, I'm ready

For this baby to come out.  She isn't showing any signs of cooperating with my desire, but I still want her out.  I admit it.  I don't deal with the end of pregnancy with grace.  I'm miserable physically and always impatient for baby to be out of me.  Perhaps that's why they are always late?  Lord can't you teach me patience some other way????

And today I'm so uncomfortable that I don't want to do chores, I certainly don't want to cook, and I don't even want to work on any crafts.  So once again this day will involve discipline, sigh.

I will make waffles for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and spaghetti for dinner.  I will get my load of laundry washed and hung out and both of my bathrooms scrubbed.  I will also get my bedroom tidied and vacuumed again.  And I will do History with my darlings and work on a simple craft.  I will do my best to keep myself busy and active and my mind occupied, instead of just sleeping the day away like I would like.  As if sleeping the day away is an option with my darlings home with me anyway, lol.

If you think of me please pray that either baby is born quickly or that the Lord gives me grace and peace in my heart to wait for His timing.

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Nov. 7, 2008 - I'm depressed....

And I hate being depressed.  It makes me feel like a spoiled child that is pouting because she isn't getting her way.  I mean really, doesn't that seem like what it is?  I'm not talking about clinical, needing meds depression, just the normal run of the mill depression.  For comparison, a pouting child will pout because they didn't get what they wanted.  So they are irritable and silent with an unpleasant look on their face.   Hmmm, sounds much like depression.  A depressed person will be irritable, silent, weepy etc because life isn't working out like they want.  In other words, because they didn't get what they wanted.  So basically the same as pouting.  The only cure for a child's pout is to be thankful for what they have and to not focus on what they can't have.  It's the same cure for depression.  Focus on your blessings and being thankful for them, and not how your life isn't matching your imaginary ideal.

So, you see I don't like to be depressed.  And I want to stop it right now   I will choose to be thankful for what I do have.....and I have a LOT.  And I will choose to look for ways that I can bless others, instead of coming up with ways that I think others should bless me.  I mean how backwards is that?  Let the Lord decide how I should be blessed, it's not my business to worry about.  My job is to serve Him by blessing others.

So today with the Lord's help I will conquer this depression and spend the day rejoicing in my Lord!  No more pouting for me

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Nov. 5, 2008 - It's been a while...

I've been really busy lately.  Busy trying to get my home in better order before baby comes.  Busy making gifts, and baby things and things for my girls.  Busy with school, and errands.  You know, normal busy.

I have finally finished all of my crochet projects, except for legwarmers which I want to make my girls for this winter.  So that is next and last on my list.  I made 4 cardigan's for the girls to go with their Christmas skirts I'll be making.  I won't be making them until after baby though, this huge belly is just making cutting anything out way too hard, lol.  And yesterday I whipped up another little blanket for the carseat.

I discovered that blankets 28-20 inches square are the perfect size to tuck around a baby in a carseat, but they don't fall out and they don't drag all over the place.  So I made a few of those.  My girls are way excited about those because once baby grows out of them, they get them for their dolls.

My husband and I are pretty sure that this little darling will be our last baby.  So, I am determined to enjoy every minute of her infancy.  We have chosen a name, Grace Ariella.  Actually, my husband picked it out and this is the only girl of ours that he has named.  I think he made a good choice and I was completely stumped as to a name for her.

I can't believe that I only have 15 days until my due date.  For me that will probably be longer because I have always gone past my due date.  I'm curious about this baby though.  This is the first baby that has measured right on as far as dates go during my ultrasounds.  All my others always measured a week behind, so I'm curious to see if this baby comes out closer to her due date or if I'm still a week behind. 

Honestly, I don't really want her to be born on Thanksgiving, but whatver the Lord wants.

Well, I have better get going.  Today's list is just as long as every other day's list, lol.

Have a wonderful day!

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Oct. 22, 2008 - The nesting has begun

Yesterday I spent hourse sorting the children's clothing and removing summer clothes etc.  Then I reorganized the clothes room.  Afterwards I spent the rest of the day having contractions.  It was lovely, lol.

Today, I will be deep cleaning my kitchen.  It will be so nice to remove some of the junk that has accumulated.  And hopefully I won't let myself go down too many rabbit trails.

At some point this week I would like to get some sewing done.  Hopefully, Friday and Saturday.  I want to make several laundry bags to hang up.

Anyway, this is just a short post because I have lots to do today and need to get busy, lol.

Have a great day!

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Oct. 20, 2008 - My latest baby afghan

Here is my latest baby afghan.  I made it this weekend between chores.

 

I used this pattern:  Bubble Baby Blanket

I used Red Heart Super Saver in a light pink (about 8.5 oz), light raspberry (about 3.5 oz), and pink cammo (about 2 oz).  I adjusted the pattern by using only 1 strand of yarn and a K hook instead of the N and two strands the pattern calls for.  To start I chained 92 instead of the 62 called for.

It is the perfect size for the carseat and is a really warm stitch.

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