• Mar. 15, 2007
Goats, and Chickens, and a Pig! Oh, My!

The girls and I had a fabulous day visiting with Kim and her wonderful family--including the aforementioned animals!

Kim and I had originally planned to get together to sew. It's something we both enjoy doing, but don't seem to have enough time to do. So, we scheduled it. I arrived late, of course. The kids immediately started running around, playing, and tormenting each other. Ok, my kids did more tormenting than her's did. Anyway, we chatted, corrected, corraled, and cackled.

After lunch we went out to see the animals. I don't know if my girls have ever been that close to an animal other than a dog or a cat. Brandie was quickly drawn to the baby pig, Bobby (as in "Bobby-Q"...or a dinner at a later date). She wanted to pet him, but Bobby wanted nothing to do with a little girl. She chased him all around the yard. I think Bobby learned she was afraid of the chickens so he was safe around them.

I thought the goats were adorable. Robin and Billy, the adult goats, were nice....but Buster, the baby, was so cute! He's scheduled to be dinner later this fall, so I'm sure "cute" wasn't what the family was thinking when he was born. We couldn't get Brandie or Haleigh to pet the goats. Haleigh kept calling them "doggie". She's a bit confused.

We also got to try raw goats milk. It was delicious! Granted, I drink ultra-pasteurized, skim, cow's milk (with chocolate, thank you very much) at home, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was great in coffee after lunch, too. (Honey, can we get a goat???)

The girls were exhausted by the time we left. They both fell asleep on the way home.  Neither Kim nor I got any sewing done. We didn't even get the stuff out. We did, however, decide to get together every other week, sans kidlets, to sew and fellowship. I'm really looking forward to it.

I'll take my coffee with a splash of goat's milk, thank you very much! Pass the scissors, please!

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• Mar. 13, 2007
SLACKER!!!

Shanda (best-friend-what-would-I-do-without-her) would say I've been a SLACKER! Really, I haven't. Honestly. Ok, a little bit of a slacker. My only excuse is that our computer has been in being worked on. In the meantime, I had our old, slower-than-molasses computer. Everytime I'd write an entry it would get lost out there in cyberspace, never to be seen again. I hate it when that happens.

We've been doing a bit of home remodeling. It's been a long time coming. First thing we did was to get a new bed. It's one of those Sleep Number beds that you hear Rush Limbaugh or Paul Harvey talking about. (Yes, we listen to a lot of radio around here.) Rick wanted it because of his back problems. Now I don't think I could sleep without it. I picked out a new bed frame and new curtains. It's starting to look like a real bedroom for adults.

We've hired a contractor/construction company to re-do the girls' room. The room has a 3/4 wall and no door. They are going to rip out that wall, rebuild it, add another wall, put in a door, rip out the existing closet, rebuild the closet, install wiring into the ceiling, and hang a ceiling fan with a light. WHEW! We got a call saying they'd be here day after tomorrow to start! YIKES! That means I have to totally clear the room, including the closet. Where am I going to put everything? I think we'll be living with a real mess for at least a week. After the construction, the room will need to be painted. Have I ever mentioned that I hate painting? I love the thought of painting, I just hate the process--and the mess. It will, however, be great to get both girls into one room--and be able to close the door. I forgot to mention carpeting... (Mental note to self: Go look at carpeting!)

It's the middle of the night, but I should be working on clearing the room instead of typing away.

Just over a week until Honeybee and I go to the Cincinnati Homeschool Convention! It's my first homeschool convention, and I can hardly wait! Does anyone out there have any tips for a first-time convention goer? Anything I should be certain to do or see? I'd love to hear from you if you have any thoughts!

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• Feb. 21, 2007
Our Anniversary...sort of

February 21st is the sixth anniversary of the day Rick and I met.

We met online.

Let me rephrase that: We met online before we met in person. February 21st is the sixth anniversary of the first time we met in person.

While I don't recommend meeting online for everyone, it certainly has worked for us. We started chatting through a message board about cats. Yes, cats. He had three, and I had one. When we got married (just over six months later) we had a blended family, of sorts.

A lot has happened to us in that short amount of time--a good part of it is medical: two heart attacks, one heart catheterization, one 5x heart bypass surgery, four back surgeries, one knee surgery, two miscarriages, death of one parent, one tubal ligation (because of the heart stuff), deciding to become foster parents, seven subsequent foster children, two adoptions, one scare with lung cancer, ongoing monitoring of said lung problems, ongoing heart monitoring, job gains, job losses, medical leaves, financial stress, two moves, buying a house, death of two cats, two more strays who are now part of the family, roof problems, plumbing problems, car problems, two gastric bypass surgeries, dealing with issues that arise when weight loss happens quickly, two hernia sugeries, two car accidents (neither was our fault!), one case of pneumonia, and two broken ribs. The two things that have remained constant are our love for each other and our love for God.

I can't imagine how people who have no faith make it through these tough times. Where do you go when you don't have prayer? Where do you turn when you don't have faith? What do you do when you don't have hope? I can't imagine our lives if Jesus Christ was not at the center of it. Our marriage wouldn't have had a prayer if it hadn't been for prayer. Our circumstances may change, as they seem to do, but God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That much we can count on.

We can't imagine what the next six years hold for us!

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• Feb. 14, 2007
Happy "Balance Times" Day

Brandie has spent the day making impromptu "balance times" for everyone she knows. I've never been a fan of valentines (maybe it comes from being single for many many moons), but it was sweet to hear her talking about "balance times" today.

We've had extreme weather lately. Yesterday we had half of an inch of ice before it started to snow.

Then the power went out.

It was still daylight, so it wasn't bad. We lit candles just to try to maintain the temperature in the living room. It was just starting to get chilly when the power came back on. It had only been forty minutes, but seemed like an eternity. My maternal instincts were kicked into high gear trying to figure out how to keep the kids warm if the electricity stayed off. Kim called and offered to come and get us if the power went out again. I was so touched! That would mean risking their lives--literally!

But back to "Balance Times" Day. Things are back to mostly normal now. Rick chiseled the van out from under the ice today. We haven't been anywhere, but we could go somewhere if we had to. I didn't get Rick a valentines present....but he got a Mother's ring for me with the girls' birthstones and their names engraved on the band. I think I'll keep him around!  :-)

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• Feb. 1, 2007
Security

I guess my girls feel secure. Rick and I spent the night away from home last night because he's having back surgery--at this very minute! I called to check on the girls, who are staying with G-ma (they actually call her "Gee-ma"). I asked G-ma if she thought Brandie would get upset if I talked with her. She didn't think so, so she called Brandie to the phone.

"Hi Mom JayCee came over to play good night I love you, too."

That was it! It was all one long sentence! I guess she feels secure with her grandma--and I'm glad.

I just wish they'd miss me a LITTLE!

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• Jan. 27, 2007
Soon to be Safe in the Arms of Jesus

Yesterday morning one of Brandie's fish died. Rick scooped it out and gave it a "burial at sea". When I told Brandie about her fish and that it was in Heaven with Jesus (what exactly do you TELL a three year old when one of her fish passes?), she stated, rather matter-of-factly, "I think I'll have to go check that out." and went on with her breakfast. Nothing more was said.

I spent about twelve hours at the nursing home yesterday to be with Rick's aunt who is expected to pass on at any time now. I took a hymnal and sang to her. I read to her from the Bible. She is mostly unresponsive. At 7:00 last night the hospice nurse said she'd probably only last a few more hours. We stayed until midnight. She was peacefully resting so we all went home to get some rest ourselves. The next few days will be stressful as we watch and wait. She had a living will and wanted no artificial means to keep her alive. She doesn't appear to be in any pain, for which we are thankful. She is a Christian so we know she'll soon be in a much better place--in the arms of Jesus.

Brandie wants her to say hello to her fish.

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• Jan. 25, 2007
Bad News and Good News

First, the bad news:  the van broke down! Rick was driving home from running some errands when it just QUIT! Turns out that the mechanic can't look at it until the middle of next week--so we are without a vehicle for now. This isn't a bad thing except Rick was supposed to see his orthopaedic surgeon tomorrow in preparation for his surgery next week. Somehow, it will all work out.

The good news: We found out this week that Rick is receiving a small amount of money from a lawsuit that was filed a few years ago that centered around a car accident. My dad estimates the car repair will be just about what Rick is getting from the insurance. God is good!

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• Jan. 18, 2007
Me CASA....You CASA....

No, I'm not trying out for a part in the next hit Mexican musical. (...Although....that might be kinda fun....!) I've started training classes to become a CASA which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. Basically, the CASAs look out for the best interests of children who have been removed from their home due to neglect, abuse, educational neglect, and so on. The  CASA is on the side of the child. I think our children deserve someone who can be impartial who will look out for them in the court proceedings.

I've wanted to be a CASA for a long time but we had to wait until our girls' adoptions were finalized. I'm REALLY looking forward to the next session!

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• Jan. 17, 2007
Are Left-Handed People in their Right Mind? ;-)

Today was rather eclectic. We started out by braving the cold to make it to our early morning WIC appointment. Both girls had to have their fingers pricked to check their iron. Brandie howled like she'd been shot, and Haleigh just looked at her finger and said, "BooBoo?". Their iron levels were exactly the same--and both were low. We've come to the conclusion that it's just in their genes, because they both have good diets.

Brandie and I made more granola this afternoon. We put away laundry, picked up toys, read books, played with a tube that the speech therapist left, and lounged around.

We were playing with the Magna-Doodle when I had the bright idea to try to get Brandie to write by using the toy. It didn't work. She just isn't interested in writing yet. She seems to get frustrated easily. Part of the problem may be that she's left-handed. When I try to show her something she tries to copy me by using her right hand. I may have to learn how to write left-handed. We'll keep plugging along. Maybe we'll both end up being ambidextrous by the time it's over.

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• Jan. 16, 2007
Is This Just a Stage? Who's on First?

Brandie has become concerned obsessed with knowing who's everyone's mommy or daddy, grandma or grandpa. Sometimes she asks just to be asking. She knows who her mommy and daddy are. And she knows who Mommy's mommy and daddy are. She knows who Daddy's mommy is. (Did you follow that? Who's on First?)

Sometimes she'll ask about someone who is deceased. That's not always a problem. I can say that my paternal grandfather "is in Heaven with Jesus." Rick's father is a different story. He died not being saved, to my knowledge. It's hard to know what to say to her when she asks about Daddy's daddy. We can't even take her to a grave an say that he's there because he was cremated and his ashes were scattered. She's only three so I don't want to give her more information than she's ready for. Nor do I want to feed this obsession and make it worse.

Is this just a phase?

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• Jan. 14, 2007
We're Going to Build an Ark

That's right! We're going to build an ark. While it hasn't rained for forty days and forty nights, things are beginning to flood from all the precipitation. I'm thankful we haven't had the freezing variety they've had just west of us. However, if it freezes (like it's supposed to) we'll be living in the middle of an ice rink.

On a brighter note, the girls and I went over to my friend, Kim's house on Friday night for dinner. She and her husband made a turkey, rice stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, and green beans. It was WONDERFUL! The kids ran around screeching and squealing while we played Scrabble and talked about budgeting, homeschooling, recipes, and laundry soap.

Then we had to drive home....in the rain. 

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• Jan. 11, 2007
Overwhelmed

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

First, a medical update. My knee is getting better since having surgery in December. I saw the orthopaedist on Wednesday and he offered to drain it again. I said NO! He wants me to have 4-6 more weeks of physical therapy. Joy of joys... Rick is scheduled to have his spine fused at the beginning of February. The doctor spelled out the risks. It's Rick's decision and he's decided to have it done. I have a pulled muscle in my back that's mimicking a kidney stone. Now I'm on pain killers and muscle relaxers for that.

Add on top two children, three cats (one of which is seeing the vet tomorrow), one house, two cars, one mortgage, a bizillion bills, and a partridge in a pear tree.

I often wonder how my mom did it. She had four children in three years--she had a set of twins when my sister was just over nine months old and I was only three. Then I remember that she was twenty years younger than I am now. I see why God made it so that women are supposed to have babies before Mom gets old.

We're going to my friend Kim's house for dinner tomorrow evening. Our kids all play well together, plus she has a new baby we've never met! I'm really looking forward to it. They have goats and chickens--Brandie will LOVE that! It will be good to see them and let the kids play while we have as much adult conversation as you can have with five children all under the age of five!

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• Jan. 7, 2007
It Does a Mom's Heart Good, Part II

Tonight Brandie was playing with her favorite Dolly saying, "I'm the Judge, and I'm going to 'dopt Dolly." I asked her why she was going to adopt Dolly and she replied, " 'Cause she's special and so am I 'cause I was 'dopted."

Can't argue with that!

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• Jan. 5, 2007
Physical Therapy = Torture

When I wrote my "Not List for 2007" yesterday, I should have added "I will NOT own a bicycle!"

I had knee surgery at the beginning of December, now I'm being tortured with physical therapy. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against physical therapists. For some reason, they all want me to ride a stationery bicycle--for 20 minutes! That doesn't sound like long, but it's TORTURE!

Here's why: Bicycle seats are designed by skinny people who enjoy biking. Because they enjoy biking, they have skinny behinds. I do not enjoy biking. I do not have a skinny behind. Therefore, my not-so-skinny-behind does not go well with a skinny-behind bicycle seat!

Next week I have physical therapy three times.

Please pray for me. And my behind.

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• Nov. 13, 2006
Out of the Mouths of Babes

Overheard after watching old western re-runs with Daddy:

 

"I'm the Lone Ranger and H is Taco"!

 

What will she come up with next???

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