tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79559652405491793112024-03-05T17:52:30.018-06:00crazydaycarymusings of life and laughter...composed between loads and loads of dirty laundry (which we will attempt to avoid airing here)...
stories of trials and faith, of falling and rising, and of the steadfast arms of our strong, strong God.alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-27078646949551579222016-11-21T09:47:00.000-06:002016-11-22T07:16:59.566-06:00And this time baby makes SIX. <br />
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2:24 AM I woke. Wondered if this was it. We had had a few weeks of labor symptoms, and even had our midwife come out on election night because we were suspicious that labor was maybe coming that day. She graciously spend the night, even though it turned out to be a false alarm… So at 2:24 am on November 14, I was hesitant to commit to the idea of labor, especially because the date happened to be your due date. Who's born on their due date?! Your mama didn't pay mind to that date her entire pregnancy because babies come when they're ready. The night before, your daddy had rubbed my feet while your brothers and I watched Christmas movies. That evening I did the Miles Circuit to help you be in an optimal position, per my Midwife's suggestion, which I had forgotten until that day.<br />
When I woke early that morning, or in the middle of the night, I laid in bed a bit then walked around in the quiet. I was cold, so wrapped up in a blanket and bounced a bit on the birth ball. I was cramping, and was thinking about waking daddy… Ridge is not a great sleeper presently, and he walked by and we talked for a bit. I then went to the bathroom and decided this definitely was it… I woke dad (it took some loud whispering) at 3:15 AM and then we went in the living room and I called Dawn, my midwife. Contractions were coming every 3 to 5 minutes and with Arrow arriving so rapidly I didn't want to risk not getting our birth team there in time. Dawn headed our way and dad decided to take a quick shower. At that time, I was pretty convinced this wasn't a false alarm, so I called Tavia, our photographer, and Brandy, our midwife assistant, and everyone was headed our way. Nana had been called after Dawn, to go ahead and come tend to the brothers. I told daddy everyone was coming and he got a weird look on his face. He knew we were going to meet you soon. He filled the birth pool because we had no idea how long it would be before you arrived. I rested as contractions kept coming every 3 to 5 minutes. Dawn checked in on me several times (her drive was about an hour).<br />
Ben Taylor, James Taylor, Amos Lee, and a few others played quietly over my phone in the background as I waited to welcome you. Tavia arrived and got her gear ready and waited as everyone else traveled our way. Daddy had Sawyer get in our bed with Arrow, who began coughing and vomited. So we cleaned that up-luckily the bed had a mattress protector on it in case my water had broken, so clean up was easy. Arrow took a bath and then Sawyer and Arrow got up at this time (way too early)! Ridge slept a long time. Brandy, then Dawn, arrived, both a bit before Nana. Then everyone was there and waiting. Brandy took mommy's vitals and listen to you-your heartbeat was great. Everyone was resting and quiet and letting me do what I needed. I had started some laundry -- Arrow's mess- and warmed some breakfast. Daddy made coffee. Contractions stayed about five minutes apart and were getting strong, but manageable because of the break in between. I was eating and drinking as I pleased, and walking around to keep things going. In my mind, if I didn't, contractions might stop and I was annoyed with that possibility. The contractions were worst when I would take a potty break - intense, activity stopping, toe curling tightenings. Then, five minutes of rest. The team was all working, chatting, snacking in the dining room, allowing me to labor. Dawn checked on you and me often. I remember daddy and I laughing a lot. I took a tiny nap, maybe 10 minutes. About an hour or so later, Dawn and I talked about an exam to check how things were progressing. I don't like to know this information mentally, but we went ahead with the exam because Dawn knew this about me and didn't tell me my progress / dilation. I knew dad would want to know, and I also knew an exam might speed things a bit. This was about 9:30 AM, and Dawn just said "it won't be long now, Mama. " The team begin coming into the living room/birth space, and we all kept waiting. The pool water was added to, because it was a little cool. I had no idea if I'd even know when to get in that pool, but contractions were getting difficult to talk through. I needed daddy to lean on. I started having longer contractions and longer rest times. I remember only smiles and laughter amongst us all. I remember Dawn was just smiling and laughing and holding space-I didn't really understand that term completely until I watched it in her. That time period from 9:30 on, and really the whole morning, was/is only a memory of joy for me. Such peace and love and support in the quiet, still, sort of slow morning. Sometime maybe around 1030 I had a contraction strong enough that I said " if this one stops, I'm getting in that water. "So, I did know when to move to the tub! The water brought comfort and relief and I still remember laughing through the rest periods, and wanting to but not being able to during the tightenings. I was leaned over on the pool wall, daddy by my face. I was on hands and knees because I guess I was most comfortable that way at that point. Dawn and Brandy checked on me and listen to your heartbeat, you were doing well. I was surrounded by candles and soft music and daddy and a team who was carefully picked by us, and who loved us so well for nine months (and before). I had prayed for a longer trial of labor and the Lord answered that request as such. Soon, it was time to meet you.<br />
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At 11:09 AM, during a push, my water broke, bringing some short relief. From that point, things were intense and communication with difficult for me. You would be here soon, but for another push or two, I could not feel you descend and I had definite doubts that I'd be able to do this. I knew there was no other option because heck if I was going to move somewhere else at that point. One more long forever push later, and I knew you were coming. So with everything I had, I pushed as the Lord brought you from my womb to this world. Dawn helped to push you forward in the water, where daddy and I lifted you up and I exclaimed with joy and tears that you were a girl. I didn't see any of the other faces in the room then, but your daddy was so happy and proud. You cried immediately. You were covered in vernix. You were tiny. The double nuchal cord we saw at 36 weeks that had me worried wasn't even an issue, because no cord it all was wrapped around your neck at birth. You and I rested in the pool until the placenta was delivered and you had nursed a little and daddy cut your cord. Your temperature was a little low, so Dawn and Brandy gave you to daddy and you had skin to skin time with him while they cared for me and got me to bed. Daddy brought you back to me, we got you warmer. Daddy helped weigh you, and Dawn checked you over and did your beautiful rainbow footprints on your certificate of birth.<br />
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The team cleaned everything up and your brothers met you, and we all snuggled and loved on you and told our team goodbye for the day. Every birth of our babies has been special and sacred and changed our lives. Your birth, our first daughter, into our home, our way , in peace and calm and full of love and laughter, is no exception to this. I will treasure that day in my heart forever. You are smiling in your sleep on my chest right now, and my heart is so very full of love for you, my tiny pink rainbow baby girl. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by a Father who loves you so very much. He gives such good gifts and we are blessed beyond measure to call you ours. Thank you for giving your mama the opportunity to work so hard for nine months towards a dream. When I learned of my pregnancy with you, a song wasdear to me-the lyrics went "dreams that bear the mark of love are dreams that never die. "After two losses and a long pregnancy full of learning and growth and struggles- HERE YOU ARE. Welcome to this world, baby Ida Jane. You are so, so very loved.<br />
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<br />alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-5362979963200346252013-10-10T20:37:00.002-05:002013-10-10T20:43:16.096-05:00And baby makes five.SUPER DUPER LONG POST DISCLAIMER!!!<br />
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I have to get this written down or it will surely leave my memory!! Almost one week ago (tear, teeeeear, weeeeeeeeeeeping, sobbing tears...a week!) our third baby entered the world. A few friends have asked to hear the birth story, and while I never blog anymore, I do like keeping record of our life over here, so I thought this a great place to just lay it all out. So here goes.<br />
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We've done this pregnancy all different. Baby was a surprise. We decided to do things all surprise worthy this time- we didn't find out the baby's gender, we wanted to go into labor on baby's own time, I wanted to have a natural birth this time, we used a doula and hired a birth photographer (a photog friend was at R's birth four years ago, and those pics are some of my favorites even still. I highly, highly recommend a birth photog. and a doula :) ), I used a midwife for all my prenatal and delivery "stuff" this time. It was all just different. And fabulous.<br />
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The pregnancy was an easy one. We have been seeing a chiropractor for almost a year, and I continued that throughout my pregnancy. This has helped me to feel well for the entire pregnancy. We also have eaten a paleo diet most of the year, and this helped me to keep my weight down (I gained a lot with my first two babies) with this pregnancy, where pretty much all the weight went to baby/fluids/etc instead of to .... other areas of my body. <br />
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We also took a 12 week Bradley Method birth class. Husband coached child birth. 12 weeks is a huge commitment when you have other kiddos to take care of, but thankfully family and friends helped out in watching the boys when we had to go to class. It was a great time with a few other couples, learning what is, and is not, normal/necessary/etc in birth. The classes required a food diary, to keep you on track diet wise, and also a lot of exercises to help baby get in position as well as prepare you for labor and delivery (I highly recommend these classes, as well!)<br />
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So we were prepaaaaaared, people. Prepared.<br />
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Enter September 23rd. I have a febrile 4 year old, and contractions (not Braxton Hicks contractions...real ones) coming every 5-7 minutes. Husband at evening work that day. Easy contractions, but definitely regular. For six hours. Then...nothing. Fortunately, the 4 year old was well within a couple of days...but still, no more labor.<br />
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This pregnancy was a little different in the sense that my platelets were low the entire time. So I had a lot of labs that I would not otherwise have had. Towards the end of my pg, this meant weekly monitoring because we didn't want the platelets to get too low, and before that happened, we would've probably been strongly considering an induction. So we were hoping baby came before that decision had to be made (my first two were induced labors. They were fine. i just didn't want to do that again.)<br />
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So Tuesday, October 1st, I had a pressure massage to maybe get things going labor-wise. My doula also taped a couple of pressure points with kinesiology tape in an experiment (thanks to her husband's brain) to help induce labor. Honestly, I had a few contractions pretty immediately.<br />
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Wednesday, October 2nd, was pretty slow going in the labor department. I had a midwife appt that day, where we discussed if we HAD to induce, how would we approach that? It was a great appointment, my midwife is fantastic, and she was confident it wouldn't come to that and that my baby would be here within a week. Because I used a midwife, I had no idea my dilation/effacement at this point because unless necessary or requested, she doesn't do vaginal checks. I was great with this because it honestly puts pressure on a mama wanting a natural delivery (oh crap. I'm only at a 2 and I'm already at 40 weeks, etc). Mind over matter. Brain body connection. If I am relaxed enough to allow my baby to get here on time, my baby will get here in his/her own sweet time.<br />
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{side note: I was Group B Strep Positive with this baby, so the only thing looming over my head was the "need" for antibiotics upon arrival at the hospital. this stressed me out for a few reasons. One, antibiotics destroy good bacteria AND bad bacteria. So the bad would be removed, but so would all the good bacteria baby gets passing through the birth canal. i wasn't really okay with this. One option is to decline the antibiotics. I'd declined a lot this pg, so it wouldn't have been surprising at all :) i also knew with zero antibiotics, the odds are incredibly small that anything would be wrong with baby. So the risk was minimal. very minimal. like...half a percent. So we decided to go ahead and do some natural protocols at home to help decolonize the bacteria, and I also was treated by my naturopath to eliminate the colonization. So we were confident it would not be an issue, but agreed to receive the antibiotics upon admittance. They are administered for 15 minutes, 4 hours apart...and I needed to get 2 doses. i had no confidence at all that i'd be in labor that long with my third baby, so I fully anticipated not receiving both doses, bc I knew it would be impossible}<br />
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Continuing with October 2nd. I dropped the boys off at church, visited with a few people...i was starting to feel kind of crappy-- sweaty and sort of tummy-achy. I thought it was because I really realllllly had to pee and had been holding it a long time for a pregnant person, or even a non pregnant person (I know. I shouldn't have done that). Anyway, after taking care of that, the contractions (which is what was going on) didn't stop. I picked the boys up from church, got them in bed, and did a few things around the house. I was texting a couple of friends and one suggested lying down. I did, and began timing the contractions. While working/standing up they were coming every 2-3 minutes and lasting at least 45 sec. When lying down, they spread out to every 5-7 mins but were still close to a minute long. And these hurt. They weren't like the ones ten days before. I texted my husband, who was at evening work that night too, to come home early. He did and we both thought we'd be going to the hospital soon. I kept my doula up to date, and finally went to sleep. At 2:30 I woke up, and after that, contractions subsided. Nothing. Again. All day Thursday, nothing. I worked in the yard, I made some vegetable stew to freeze, just went about my day. That night, I got in bed early, because i'd been pretty tired that week. at 11:45 I woke up with terrible contractions. I had to pee, so i did that, got back in bed, and tried to sleep through things. at 11:51 I woke up to the same hard seemingly unbearable contractions. I knew i couldn't sleep through these. Eventually I clawed B's back until he woke up and said, "Are you OKAY?" and i said, "no...they hurt...i can't do this!" and I tried moving positions and finding some way to bear the pain. He was ready to go to the hospital, I wasn't convinced. We were texting our doula, and i was texting a friend of mine. Our doula calmly encouraged us to not rush, get things together, eat if I was hungry, etc. I wasn't hungry, which should have probably been a signal for me that it actually was time to get out of the house and go. She wanted to know, when we'd decided to go, if she should meet us there. We both felt confident she could wait because check in would take forever, etc. We called my friend Erin and her husband came over to sit in case the boys woke up while we were gone. I still was not convinced this was the real deal, but the pain was getting worse, and i could not talk through the contractions. My mom was on her way to stay with the boys, but she lives about an hour away, so we didn't wait on her. We got in the car and left, and got to the hospital about 1:40 AM.<br />
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When we arrived, I told B to park the car, we didn't need valet, it wasn't that urgent (um, by the way, laboring in the CAR? that is hardcore, people. There's no way to be comfortable! Grab that handlebar thing by the door and just bear down, basically.) We parked, I got the camera while B got the other stuff, and we started in. i had to stop halfway in the parking lot to brace myself through a contraction, then we continued in the hospital. We told the labor and deliver door person we were there to have a baby. they let us in, we went to triage/admitting, where i began filling out paperwork while I contracted away. :)We got to triage, where I had to go pee. "Pee in a cup for me, ma'am" Okay. I can do that. i return with pee in a cup and find out I have to have a dilation check. Nope. not in our birth plan, sister. so i calmly explain this, and am told it doesn't matter in the middle of the night, i HAVE to be checked. If I'm not at a 5 they can't admit me or call my midwife. So we ask the nurse to leave, and we try to talk through it. Contractions are incredibly painful by now and are coming at LEAST every 2 minutes, lasting for about 60 seconds. B is in the room, but leaving occasionally to call our doula and birth photographer. A few contractions I go through in the triage room alone (yes, we should have let our doula come sooner! rookie move for us! I just assumed I had 3 or 4 hours left to go...but..keep reading). Finally at 2 AM the nurse returns, I agree to let her check me but tell her she better hurry because she has about a minute before my contractions pick back up. B is in the hall calling our doula asking her to bring me a ponytail holder when she comes...The nurse checks me (that's super fun) and leaves the room. i told her i did NOT want to know my dilation, because if I was in that much pain and at a 3, I did not even want to think about it. So she left the room, ran to the front desk apparently, and B asked her upon her return (outside of my earshot) what my dilation was. I knew I was past a 5, because she was looking for a midwife. <br />
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The nurse hooked me up for a 20 minute fetal monitoring strip, and began getting things ready for my iv antibiotics and lab work. I had an intense contraction at this point and had to lean over the bed in the triage room (i was standing). Immediately when that one ended, another began and the nurse said 'talk to me through it, tell me what you feel' I felt like smacking her for asking me to talk through it (she wasn't being ugly, I was)...but the answer to her question was, "i feel like I'm going to push or poop." To which she responded by picking up the phone and saying "we need a room right now." B had me get on the triage bed, and they began wheeling me into the only clean room available, a room on the high risk ward (I wasn't high risk, that's just all there was). as soon as we get in the room, the nurse says to another nurse "you're going to have to catch this baby. she doesn't want to know her dilation, but she's going to deliver soon and i can't find a midwife or anyone. where does leanna (my midwife) live?" the answer-- edmond. too far. B tells me at this point "you need to know your dilation. you need to. you're at a 9. The baby is going to be here soon, and no one is going to be here. you need to know that- erica (doula) is on her way but won't make it on time, tavia (photographer) isn't going to make it, you need to know-- there isn't going to be time. we are just going to have this baby." The nurses are there, I am screaming like an insane woman-- totally out of body experience that I could not recreate if I wanted to, because I don't fully remember it. one nurse says "i can see the head" in a totally calm voice, which totally freaks me out. We had been told when you need to push you will know, the urge will be too strong to ignore...this is absolutely true. Between that moment and the next, somehow I get moved to a regular birthing bed. i didn't intend to birth in a bed, but...that's what was going to happen. no labwork for me. No antibiotics for me. it was go time. I get on that bed, nurses are charting/getting things ready/etc. b is at my feet telling them "who is going to catch this baby!??! am I!? because this baby is coming soon. when she starts pushing, it will be one or two pushes, you need to know this!!!" and no one is really moving my way. i scream again, push to the best of my ability, and look up to see a doctor I don't know gloving up and getting kind of in position. :) nothing is prepped in the room, there is no draping down to protect the bed or the floor, and as soon as I look up i feel something i haven't felt before so I say "what was that!???" and the doctor responds "that was your water. it broke." my defensive response "did you BREAK IT?!?!?" because I did NOT want that to happen and things were going so fast there was no time to even talk about decisions like that before they were made. she said "no. I'm dr. Arnold and I am going to help you have this baby. I heard you from the hallway and came in to help." Bless you dr. Arnold because there was no one else coming. Another resident (dr. arnold is also a resident, I believe) entered the room and Dr. Arnold was able to get me focused enough to remember the right way to push. The terribly frightening annoying screaming that was coming from my lungs continued, and after every bout of screaming I apologized for the crazy screams and for the fact I was going to poop...but three pushes later and our baby was earthside (screaming subsided, and no poop ever occurred). Oh my. The intensity. The pain that was gone as quickly as it happened...so exhilarating! and there was our baby! Another BOY!! <br />
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Arrow Scout Cary, born at 2:19 AM (yes, time is right. We got there 1:40 AM. vaginal check at 2 am. Baby at 2:19 AM. insane)....9 pounds 5 oz!!! 21 inches long. beeeeautiful. <br />
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The residents were rockstars at helping me out as well as honoring my birth plan, which they had certainly had zero time to read, but they cooperated with every request we made. being unmedicated, I was of totally clear mind and able to say "we want this, don't do this, etc." and my husband was fabulous at advocating for me. The residents were awesome to double check before doing ANYTHING "is it okay if i..." etc.<br />
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Shortly after Arrow's birth, our doula and photographer arrived (ha!). both stayed for a good long while and were excellent encouragers/support people to have around. Bless them for giving up some time...some sleep! A little while later, they left, I got out of bed, went to pee, and the nurse took me and Arrow up to the mama/baby floor where we settled in for about 36 hours. everything was awesome. and my baby is awesome. <br />
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A few things to note:<br />
Arrow was big, so they wanted to do a glucose test, and if he failed, they'd give him formula. totally unnecessary action-- colostrum is plenty. So I refused that. Later I found out he was literally barely big enough to warrant that test. a tiny bit smaller and no test would've even been requested. While they may not always agree with your choices, I appreciate OU because they do realize they are MY choices.<br />
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We did have a CBC done because of R's history with bleeding. Arrow's labs were pretty much great. we delayed cord clamping, so his hemoglobin was ridiculous-- like 19.5 (this is high. he is a very red baby!)<br />
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His heart screen didn't check out great, because the blood pressure machine was being finicky. The pediatrician was not worried about it, so we were discharged. Our pediatrician also is not worried about anything, his heart sounds great, so we are moving right on past that.<br />
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All in all, that day, those moments, were some of the best of my life. I'd do it again that way in a second. Totally exhilarating. Terribly painful. but short.<br />
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I can't get over my baby. He is so wonderful. The Lord is so good to have blessed us with another son. So so gracious. Every day i am a little sad that Arrow is already growing. He will be a week old in six hours. He is a relaxed baby who only cries at diaper changes. My big boys love him.<br />
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why arrow? <br />
Because, the Lord makes it clear in Psalm 127--<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;"><span class="selected" original-title="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Behold, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;"><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">children are a heritage from the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;"><span class="small-caps" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font-variant: small-caps; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;"><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px;">the fruit of the womb a reward.</span><br />
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<div class="indent line" id="p19127003_09-1" style="-webkit-hyphens: auto; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 7em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: -4em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Like arrows in the hand of </span><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a warrior </span><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">are the children</span><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> of one's youth.</span></div>
<div class="line" id="p19127005_01-1" style="-webkit-hyphens: auto; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #363030; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5.5em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: -3.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Blessed is the man </span>who fills his quiver with them!</div>
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<a alt="esv_11" class="va" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7955965240549179311" rel="v19127005" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He shall not be put to shame </span><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">when he speaks with his enemies </span><span class="" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 17px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in the gate.</span></div>
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That's why. Every child the Lord sends our way is a blessing. He is sovereign over all things, and who am I to question who he will send to this little family (or big family? :) ). I trust him. I trust that anyone he sends to us is truly sent from him. A blessing. How humbling that in these little tiny beautiful babies, the Lord is blessing us. Rewarding us. Truly he sanctifies us through parenthood, so there will definitely be trying days. But praise be to God our Father for smiling upon us and sending us this precious Arrow. He truly is fantastic. God gave me a good thing in my babies. God gives us good things in our babies, parents. Good, good things. Hug them. Breathe them in deeply. See them each for the blessing they are, even if maybe we don't know exactly what that is yet. The Lord has seen fit to send you the children he has sent you. He has blessed you, indeed. I have prayed this entire pregnancy that this baby would be a redemption of sorts. The last baby we had was a through-the-fire experience, where the Lord completely changed us through that forging. We are grateful. I am relishing in every moment with this baby, trusting the Lord's grace and kissing the sweet chubby cheeks off my baby's face every moment I can. Blessed indeed!</div>
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alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-82497433497014068682013-04-04T15:09:00.003-05:002013-04-04T15:09:47.789-05:00well hi there.Here's the thing. I'm not a blogger. Apparently. I mean, my last post was...five months ago. This is record craptastic blogging, I'd say. I mean, I know people who've blogged one or two times. Period. And they get to just stop blogging and I won't think anything about it, because they never really got started. But...I used to be a regular. I assume there's something to be said about not just rambling to ramble. So...you're welcome for the five month silent treatment.<br />
<br />
I had a friend email me the other day (hello, friend) saying "remember when you used to blog?"<br />
<br />
ha. nope. when was that? like...forever ago.<br />
<br />
Quick recap on our hap hap happenings:<br />
1) Kids are good. big one will be 7 soon. Little one 4 soon. Third one on the way, eta October.<br />
2) Little kid still doing great. line's been out two years, and almost two years since last transfusion.<br />
3) uh, literally, that's all. I mean...the big one has been losing a lot of teeth this year. That's kind of new and exciting and strange. The little one will be our first child to break a bone; I will take bets if you don't believe me. He climbs. He is reckless. He is fearless. Sigh.<br />
<br />
We are about to finish our first year of Classical Conversations, a homeschool program we've joined this year. It is fantastic. Lots of memorization. Lots of songs. Some handy dandy classical learning going on. Amaaaazing what the boys can hold in their brains through rote memory. Of course, we learn past that and apply what we are able to apply, but the memory alone will prepare them for critical thinking at such a young age. This program is truly, truly phenomenal. I mean, mathematically, my kid knows formulas some of the adults I teach don't retain. Sure, he can't apply them yet, but that will come. He will know them when the time comes. He won't need a formula sheet, or some last minute memory efforts to ditch after an exam. He will know them. They will be stuck in his brain. And take me to History...my goodness. I hated History, my entire academic life. Good riddance. Then...this year. We have learned chronologically all major events from Creation up to present day. Next week, the kids will learn all of our nation's presidents from Washington to Obama. Every week we learn 7 timeline events, and then we camp out on one major idea in history for that week. There are (usually) fantastic songs that go with virtually all of the memory work, and I have learned things I never learned before (okay, I probably was taught them in elementary and high school, but I do not recall them at all, because did I say how I hated history? hated it. read the book, answer the study questions, cram it all in for an exam, forget it the next day. I seriously have a recurring dream where I forget to go to a class for like an entire semester. It is occasionally Calculus, which is nonsensical, because who'd skip THAT class? That's some good stuff. :) But, typically it is World History or some other History class. And I fail. And the teacher usually has some sort of mean thing to say to me for my lack of attendance. Rightly so.) Anyway, this stuff is good stuff, man. When the mom can't even read through the timeline cards without weeping some weeks, well, you know you're learning some good stuff. :) It has been wonderful to cross paths with other families to do life with- families with similar vision for their children, families desiring a redeemed education, one that will equip our children with learning through knowledge AND understanding. I had some spot on, wonderful, caring, fantastic teachers growing up. Really really great teachers. and I always loved school. Nerrrrd. But, a lot of what I learned, I didn't retain, for whatever reason, and it is nice go back to the beginning and really learn it. All of it. But, I'm still a nerd! <br />
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Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday are still fairly close in our rearview mirror-- and can I just say this is my most favorite time of the year? As a believer, every day is a day to be in awe of the grace I have received, certainly. But this specific week turns me to mush. A sobbing, ugly mess most days. We spent the week lightly- did the schooling we needed to do, and spent time during the day doing a little studying of the Bible regarding the Triumphal Entry through the crucifixion and Resurrection. The days were filled with some small crafts/mementos, and we had some candlelight times several weeks leading up to this week/weekend. This year, we had a family Seder- we tried that last year and all loved the time so much, we have adopted it as tradition in our family. It is humbling (sob sob bite my lip fight tears back) to read through the story of our Redemption, our freedom from sin because of the sinless Lamb. Anyway, it was/is a refreshing family time. How humbling this monumental time in history was/is for us. We, who are so undeserving, completely undeserving, totally unworthy, have been literally redeemed. redeemed. by the One who had no sin. No sin. No need to die. No need to be forsaken. No need to be alone. No need to suffer. He took it. In our place. For the utmost Glory of God. No matter how many times you look at it, if you really look at it, it is overwhelming.<br />
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See ya in five months.alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-79580341085907690272012-12-06T08:55:00.003-06:002012-12-06T08:55:31.884-06:00Saint Nicholas DayIt is cold here- this morning. It will be nice again this afternoon, but this morning, it was finally cold. This "winter" has not started out very...wintry.<br />
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We have been excited in our house for this day for awhile. This past year, Santa has been revamped in our house. And so, today, we celebrate the true St. Nicholas. There is a wealth of information at <a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/">www.stnicholascenter.org</a> , but quick summary would tell you that Saint Nicholas was orphaned during his teen years when his parents died. They left him wealthy, though. And one eve, he heard a girl crying. He asked her the issue, and she explained that she and her three sisters were all in love with men they wanted to marry, but they could not, because they were too poor, their father had no dowry money. So, Nicholas left, and that night, and the two subsequent nights, returned to their home, and tossed a bag of gold coins into the chimney of the girls' home. He did this in secret. The father did catch him the last night, but Nicholas asked him to just thank God for answering his prayers, and please to not tell anyone. That spring, he attended their weddings. :) He continued to help people, and everyone loved him. He set an example of how to live, and he was named a Saint. He loved Jesus. He was imprisoned for his faith. There is some who say he argued with Arius at the Council of Nicea, about whether there was a time when the Word didn't exist (Nicholas believed the Word always existed....you know, 'In the beginning was the Word" and all), and punched Arius for his heresy. I have heard that he apologized :). Anyway, the gift giving to those in need-- in secret, the devotion to the Lord, the passion for Christ, the kindness....THIS is a St. Nick worth celebrating on this December 6th, St. Nicholas Day. Why? I pulled these from the St. Nicholas Center site hyperlinked above, but here's why:<br />
<ul>
<li>To learn about the true Santa Claus and Father Christmas: St. Nicholas, a man of faith who lived his life in devotion to Christ</li>
<li>To focus on giving more than receiving: St. Nicholas cared for the needy</li>
<li>To emphasize small treats and family fun: St. Nicholas loved children</li>
<li>To provide a bit of special festivity early in the waiting weeks of Advent: St. Nicholas points to Jesus, the heart of Christmas</li>
<li>To offer a spiritual dimension to gift giving</li>
<li>To tell the story of a Christian saint, whose model life inspires compassion and charity</li>
<li>To honor St. Nicholas honors the Christ Child who selflessly gave the greatest gift of all—himself</li>
</ul>
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So today, we awoke to chocolate gold coins in our boots....in sweet little red pouches that I thought necessary. :) The kids know the candy is from their daddy and I, but the excitement and fun still hangs in the air preceding, and at, and after, the discovery.<br />
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But before the kids rolled their bedheaded selves out of their bunks, their daddy came in and whispered, "Birdie has had two pups." What a fun day to add excitement and anticipation. Our sweet (but too hyper for me) old girl is working on delivering her (most likely to be) last litter of pups. She doesn't really like an audience (what's wrong with her?) but she is doing well so far. A boy and a girl, both look to be orange and white like their daddy, Tucker.<br />
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So while we wait in anticipation for the litter to be born today, we are about to have some blackberry muffins for breakfast, the boys are coloring pages about Saint Nicholas, we will read oodles of books and watch a movie or two today, the babes will be treated to lunch out, and we will pick up a dozen yummy cupcakes (thank goodness that Groupon extended its expiration date! Totally forgot about that sweet treat).<br />
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We will also give a gift in secret. I am most excited about this part! Is there someone you know who is in need? Or could use some encouragement? Or maybe a stranger will cross your path and you will be able to meet a need of theirs today. In the spirit of Christmas. The spirit of taking what we have, though it be little, and using it to meet a need, or be a blessing, to someone else. Maybe even sacrificing a bit. In this anticipated season...the season where we can "sing out for joy, for the brave little boy, who was God but he made himself nothing. Well he gave up his pride, and he came here to die like a man." Jesus. Who left heaven to come to earth. The begotten of God, our Rescuer. He brought the free gift of salvation-given to us out of his great mercy and sacrifice. Glory. Glory to the Newborn King. (quote is from Andrew Peterson's album, "Behold the Lamb of God," which you can listen to almost in its entirety for free <a href="http://www.andrew-peterson.com/players/btlog/beholdthelamb.html">here)</a> . It is excellent for Advent, and for the entire year! :)<br />
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<pre><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.</span></span></span>
</pre>
alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-3111110987470548922012-11-07T08:06:00.001-06:002012-11-07T08:22:13.398-06:00citizenshipHi there.<br />
<br />
Long time no see.<br />
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So, here's what I think. We don't have cable, so I was keeping up as best I could with election coverage online last night. I'm no political junkie, but I do believe it to be important that we exercise our right to vote (my own personal clause here: IF we are educated on the candidates and issues. There were a couple things on my ballot, for some reason, I had missed knowing would be on there, and I was frustrated with MYSELF for being one of "those" people who just didn't know. So I think we should always be as prepared as possible-- we've done our research, on the candidates/state questions/whatever. We aren't going into things blindly). While keeping up with this coverage online (via CNN, Fox News (gasp!), etc etc), I was also able to keep up with it with an even more fabulous running commentary on everyone's favorite social media site, Facebook. Oh....facebook. loveyouhateyou. And virtually nothing I saw there was good. And I don't mean because Romney supporters were disappointed, or because Obama supporters were ecstatic. Those reactions are normal. I was apathetic candidate-wise, because I would've rather voted for someone else (guess!), but in Oklahoma I didn't have that option (I digress.) What I (we all) saw there that was so not good was the horrible, mean spirited, woe-is-me attitudes. The cutting remarks, the slander, the "I'm outta here" attitude. Some of these only came from the Republican side of things, but the ugliness was rearing its head from both parties, to be sure. I don't need to type anymore about that, because you all probably saw that on your own news feeds if you have a bit of a diverse 'friend' group. :)<br />
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But here's the thing. Glory be. Seriously. Glory straight to God. Not because I think President Obama is leading us in a place we as believers should feel comfortable. I don't. If Romney had won, my response would be the same-- Glory. Why? Because before this day was even a dot on the timeline of our life, God was. If the Lord doesn't know what every day holds, how is he the Lord at all? And not just the knowing what each day brings, but the creating it Himself. We know that nothing that is made has been made without Him. Nothing that has come to pass has come to pass without his permission, approval, and creation. That doesn't mean we always love it. That doesn't mean it's always fun. That doesn't mean we always understand. That does mean things are difficult sometimes. That does mean struggles exist sometimes. That does mean we have a lot of questions in some things. But our Sovereign Lord is the in the business of appointing rulers, kings, authority-- sometimes in what "we" would see as for His glory. And sometimes in what we would see as 'punishment' or 'destruction'-- this is clear throughout scripture. I don't know what the Lord is up to, but there is no actual 'sometimes' about it. It is ALWAYS for His glory. Always. That is what HE exists for-- the glory of His Name! We dont' get to pick and choose how he does things. HE is the Lord. He is sovereign. He has numbered each of our days, and yesterday happened exactly as he appointed it to happen. It wasn't an accident. It wouldn't have been an accident had Romney won the election. Knowing the Lord is sovereign and has done a few miracles, I was kind of hoping for a miraculous announcement of Ron Paul as our newest POTUS. :) No, really. Okay, back to the point. What are we so up in arms about? Our votes matter because we have a right to cast them. They matter because we have an obligation to let our voice be heard. But one way or the other, in an election, some side is going to be disappointed. But in Christ, this need not be so. We may want something different, but we can rest assured that He does not always work things out into a nice, easy ride for us. There was no righteous man running for President, y'all. The 'lesser of two evils' whoever he be, would still be 'some' evil. The logic is silly. When I think upon my 'self' sometimes, I am not excited about the next four years, to be honest. But when we who are in Christ remove ourselves from the equation and remember that He does all things for HIS GLORY, and all those things are for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose...well, it just isn't about us anymore. So whether these four years bring prosperity and blessing, or poverty and hardship, blessed be the name of the Lord. He is working ALL things ALL the time FOR HIS GLORY. He can't do otherwise!<br />
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We have lived through some hard, hard things in this household. Things that people sometimes would see and feel sorry for us, or wonder WHY would God allow that, etc....this is ridiculous. Was it difficult? yes. was I sad often? yes. Did I want it to be over the moment it started? yes. BUT. The Lord GRACIOUSLY spared our son (he didn't have to. there were times Ridge probably shouldn't have survived medically speaking. There were times I thought he wouldn't. there were times i submitted to the reality that this could happen), the Lord walked through that terrible terrible time WITH us, overseeing all things, and I.am. NOT. the. same. person. Four years ago, I was not this person. Four years ago, three years ago, even two years ago, I was battling to get over this hardship so our life could go back to "normal." Praise the Lord He didn't just drop us then and there at my laments. Praise the Lord he pursued us. Praise Him for leaving that difficulty there until His purpose was accomplished. Praise the Lord our life is NOT "back to normal." Because stumbling through that taught us a dependency on His providence like we had never, ever known. Because the hardest thing we have lived through so far was also the greatest blessing- not ONLY because the Lord spared our son (although he does not ALWAYS do this , I am aware and sensitive to that reality, but that is another post entirely) but also because He used that terrible terrible thing to bring glory to His name and to grow us in holiness, to further sanctify us.<br />
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Trials will come. But you can rest assured they never surprise the Lord. Ever. He is always before them. ALWAYS. and He always has His glory in mind. The question is, will we be a part of that? Will we allow ourselves to be shaped to His purpose? Even if it is difficult? Even if it is painful? Even if it is unbearable? Will we bear it anyway, in/with the help of the grace of God?<br />
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I voted early. But on election day, my Bible reading fell to Habakkuk. If you haven't read it, it's only 3 chapters, so just go ahead. But synopsis (I will not do this justice here)-- Habakkuk was a prophet of God. He was one of the good guys, living rightly. But the nation he was in was in turmoil. He was crying out to God to save them. The Lord responds that He is doing something that Habakkuk wouldn't believe even if he were told. Whaaaat? And then the Lord continues by saying He would send the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to come in and seize the land. This did not seem good. The Babylonians were powerful and overtook a lot of nations. They were dreaded and feared. They come for violence. So Habakkuk responds that he understands the Lord has appointed them to judge, but he questions if the Chaldeans will just be allowed to continue slaying nations without sparing people (it doesn't quite seem fair. They are not a righteous people, and they are strong and merciless). So the Lord tells him in a long series of woes basically that the Chaldeans will get theirs, as well. And Habakkuk replies that even though all of this will come to be, even though he is waiting for the day these Chaldeans will invade, even though things are bad ("....though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet and makes me walk on high places."-- habakkuk 3:17-19<br />
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So whatever <i>your</i> take is on the new POTUS, or on the next four years-- whether you are jubilant or discouraged-- it doesn't really matter. The Lord has appointed this day. Heck, he knows what will happen tomorrow- he appointed that, too. And in a year? four years? he's already there! And it may be better or worse than we could possibly imagine in these next four years, but one thing is for sure and for certain, it will ultimately be for His glory. And THAT is all that matters for those of us in Christ. This world isn't our home, anyway!<br />
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Glory be.<br />
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<br />alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-62668501567600484652012-09-07T14:37:00.005-05:002012-09-07T14:37:49.363-05:00bulging bookshelves (in my) brainI love to read.<br />
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love. love. LOVE to read.<br />
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so when I realized I hadn't posted anything in oh...a MONTHish, I thought, hmmm...what's been kickin my rear the most recently? Books. These books I've been reading are just real butt-kickers. So, if you enjoy a good chastising, or if you think nothing could possibly need changing in you, or if you know there's a lot that needs to change, or...if you just don't even know what in the world to read at all but you have no aversion to non-fiction, here are some dandies. I didn't say you'd want to kiss them because they make you feel fantastic about yourself...they are honest, hard, and will pierce at your (and by your I mean my) sinful black heart...or your (and by your I mean my) kind of stagnant brain.<br />
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in fact, you might hate them love them. hove them. late them. i mean, your relationship with them will be bittersweet in a fantastic way, and you might want to punch the author (s) right in the liver (thank you jen hatmaker for that mental picture in a previous blog post (of hers)... don't read jen's blog? you should....she's so honest you will want to weep at your hideous soul when you read some of her posts...but she's also DANG hilarious. so, here- this is the most recent, and you will LAUGH AND LAUGH: <a href="http://www.jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/09/03/not-a-fan">http://www.jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/09/03/not-a-fan</a>. I don't know her personally but it's okay for me to act like I do, bc I like to think if I lived in austin, we'd be bffs. I know we would. That or she'd have to get a restraining order to keep me away from her awesomeness.)<br />
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Okay. So in no particular order, here ya go:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Respectable-Sins-Confronting-We-Tolerate/dp/1600061400/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347042359&sr=8-1&keywords=respectable+sins"><img alt="Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate" border="0" height="200" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518QOAHVqrL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" />Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges</a><br />
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so...that's straight to one that will kick you in the teeth. I'm not quite finished with it yet, but it is fantastic. FANTASTIC. It covers things from worry and anxiety to anger (with people, at people, at God, etc) to whatever. Sins that possibly you have thought of before, but other "kosher in today's world" behaviors that for the believer are actually just NOT holy. Too much to cover here, but for example...anxiety, discontentment, frustration, unthankfulness... short (and mega vague) story on anxiety for me-- I was anxious about a vaccine for Ridge-- something that "needed" to be done (according to the secular and believing world alike). I didn't have a peace about it it, but I'm weird, so I figured it was just me being a weirdo (in the interest of full disclosure, we do NOT fully vaccinate, and we DO use a spaced out schedule for the vaccines we give. This questioning began when Ridge was ill and had some TERRIBLE issues after some vaccinations...I'm not really interested in discussing anyone's vaccine opinions, though. Educate yourself, decide what's best based on that education, and do it for your family.) ANYWAY, I wrestled with this decision for a week or two, before deciding, well, everyone (not everyone. but most everyone) thinks you have to do this, so we're going to do this. So...I embark. On the way to the health department, I completely miss my turn (I KNOW how to get there. I LIVE near there.) I turn around, get there early, and seriously have to go to the bathroom SO badly I have to leave (they weren't open yet, and i wasn't going to use that bathroom anyway. I have an aversion to public restrooms in general. Anyway, seriously? I JUST left my house and I can't even make it 5 till they open, 5 mins to get R his vax, and go back home? nope. this NEVER HAPPENS TO ME. EVER.). I go back home. By the time I am BACK at the health department, literally like 5 minutes later, it is crowded. I have to wait. Which is fine, but that's why I got there early. So we wait and wait and wait, and finally it is our turn and then....there are some glitches. Some questions about records, some questions about his medical history, blah blah blah (routine stuff). The whole while, the kids are restless, I am getting more and more irritated and anxious, and nothing is happening. We are just waiting. Doctors offices, the health dept, the hospital, all of these places gross me out. Germs everywhere, I am certain. Finally, we are alone in our little room, the nurse has gone to find out some info, and Ridge says, "We are NEVER coming back here again!" I'm sure he just came up with THAT on his own. I say, "you are right. never ever ever." Then, I feel my frustration building up in me, and I feel that anxiety, that worry, that concern, that "things aren't going the way i thought they would" and THEN by divine intervention i realize, I am not resting. I am being restless and discontent. So I correct my speech with my kiddos and say, "Boys. I have prayed for weeks about this, that the Lord would help us to be wise in this decision. That his sovereignty would be apparent. That we would acknowledge that He is in control.' Of course, they didn't know what that meant. But I did. And when the nurse came back and said she couldn't give us that vaccine, I started crying. Not because we couldn't get it, but because the Lord had put so many roadblocks in our way that very day. I missed my turn. I almost had an accident, and I don't mean with my vehicle, and then, after being asked questions I'm NEVER asked about Ridge anymore, even when we have gotten vaccinations, even when he was doing BADLY, I am denied. I know everyone in the medical community probably thinks I'm a quack, but I don't care. The Lord was clearly sovereign in our day, and I was able to know that that decision was NOT correct for us on that day. So even though I wasted an hour of my morning, I was taught a lesson that even in "routine" things, things that we might normally not even bat an eyelash about, we are to trust in his sovereignty and provision. My worrying and anxiety about everything, my trying to make it all work, that was sin. It wasn't resting in the fact that he will provide EVERYTHING we need, and that he has the power to intervene in our lives. I talked way too long here on this one thing. Read the book. It will definitely change the way you see yourself at least in some regards. <br />
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Next up (I will keep it short from here on out):<br />
<img alt="Nevertheless, I Live" border="0" height="200" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VP7oAVqJL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="200" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nevertheless-I-Live-Mona-Adkisson/dp/1620241560/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347042401&sr=8-2&keywords=nevertheless+i+live">Nevertheless I Live, by Mona Adkisson</a><br />
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I grew up in church with Mona. Her oldest son is about the same age as me, and her second son was my sister's age. Her third son was younger than both my sister and I. This is a book of pages that tell the story of a tragedy I remember well, even though I was young in both instances. Mona's second son died suddenly at age 3, and a few years later, after she'd had her third son, he died at age 5. She and her family have walked through a dark valley...twice. The Lord has sustained them. I could not read this book without bawling my eyes out- sometimes because I remembered the emotions....I was only 7 or so when her first son died, but it was on a Wednesday night at church, and I remember her tears and her crying out to God. I was not sitting far away from where she cried and prayed, and while I do not have a lot of memories from that age, I vividly remember a lot about that night. In this book, Mona is transparent-- about her grief, depression that followed, and the grace of the Lord Jesus to carry her family through such such tragedy. Anyone should read this book, but I definitely recommend it if you have lost a loved one. I read the book in about a day...and make sure you have tissues nearby. I have linked to amazon, but it is also available from Tate Publishing. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Core-Foundations-Classical-Education/dp/023010035X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347042414&sr=8-2&keywords=the+core"><img alt="The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41dSwBujMCL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" />The Core, by Leigh Bortins</a><br />
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I am not finished with this one yet. BUT, I think ANY parent, grandparent, or educator should read this. Whether you educate in the public school system or in a private school or at home. This book is fantastic, and it really has opened my eyes to some of the pitfalls in our current methods of educating. It also made me more aware of the parental responsibility to educate, EVEN IF YOU ARE A WORKING PARENT. We can NOT leave the education "just" to the teachers. I WAS a public school teacher, and I did my best, but I was one, and they were 20-30, and you can NOT reach them all. Parents are not always helpful, and oftentimes at the secondary level, because parents do not know/remember the material, they are not helpful at ALL. Sometimes parents will hire tutors, which is great, but oftentimes, the student is left to struggle alone because he/she is 17 and is going to have to figure it out at some point...or they are to come in early or stay late, and sometimes it just isn't enough. That's not even really what this book touches on, I'm just addressing for a moment as a former public school teacher, the need for parental involvement-- not just support, but INVOLVEMENT in their education. Confession: before we decided to homeschool, I honestly didn't think about THIS as a parent. I knew I'd check my kiddos' homework and talk to them about their day, but I wasn't thinking, "I need to be involved in their education. They are learning about the pyramids, so maybe I should learn about them, too, so that we can talk about it at home and I can enhance their learning so they can retain it." Probably everyone else out there thinks that way about their kids, but I didn't, so I'm going to confess it. But I think it is OUR JOB TO DO THIS KIND OF STUFF WITH OUR KIDS. It is no one else's responsibility to help them retain their knowledge. What they get in a classroom is NOT enough for them to retain it (I promise. If it was enough, I'd remember everything I'm teaching my eldest child currently...but instead, I'm learning it all as if for the first time!), even though they probably have the most rockstar teacher in the entire universe (I am being serious. I have nothing but love for teachers. I was one, and i am one, so I'm not pushing hate here.) But seven hours in a classroom (or several) with subjects spread out, and distractions abundant, with 20-30 students per teacher...It just isn't enough; I know because I was that teacher. And I loved my job. But occasionally I'd have a student whose parent DID understand the math we were doing, and it was fantastic to hear that student come in and say that their dad sat down with them and showed them the lesson this way or whatever. YES! That is what we need. Take an interest in what your kiddo is learning, not just because they don't understand it and need your help, but because you are their parent and their education falls under your authority, not the public school system's! Again, this book covers way more specific things than this, but it is written truly in the spirit of FAMILY educating their children, regardless of WHERE the child goes to school (although, let it be disclaimered that Bortins is a homeschool mama...which is great with me! But I've read about half of this and I see it as a pivotal book for ANY educator). <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Little-Years-Motherhood-Trenches/dp/1591280818/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347042423&sr=8-1&keywords=loving+the+little+years"><img alt="Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches" border="0" height="200" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/416Eb9lUHgL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" />Loving the Little Years, Rachel Jankovic </a><br />
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This is a FAST read. I'm about 70% finished and just started the other day. I thought it would be funny, but at first it wasn't. THEN, it was. Sometimes, my kids make Jankovic out to be a liar, like when she says in trying times to look at the clock, and do what you need to get done, and in 20 minutes, that crazy time will all be blown over. This isn't the case...ever...in my house. Eventually it has blown over, but maybe 40 minutes. or 200 minutes. Whatever. Anyway, there are parts of this book that are laugh out loud funny....and if you are a mama to young children, you need to read this. Oh, you need to read it-- for the heart warming practical advice and also for the laughs.<br />
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and lastly, <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feminine-Appeal-Virtues-Mother-ebook/dp/B001YWNASW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1347045850&sr=1-1&keywords=feminine+appeal"><img alt="Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother" border="0" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vdWwwtaSL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-67,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="300" />Feminine Appeal, Carolyn Mahaney</a><br />
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I saved the doozy for last. This is a really fast read, I'm almost finished with it and I just started it Monday or Tuesday (it's 9 chapters)... But it will kick your behind, ladies. And some of you probably will hate it because you probably completely disagree with Mahaney (but I don't know who reads this blog. So maybe I'm wrong. I completely agree with Mahaney but I also want to punch her in the liver through most of this book.) This book talks you through Titus 2, and principles applied from that passage such as loving your husband and your children (whaaaat? :) ), self control, purity, working at home, (and I haven't read this far yet)- kindness, submission (don't freak out), margaret's story. I can't speak on those last three because I haven't read those parts of the book. But I can tell you this-- 1) I didn't know that when the Bible references a wife's love for her husband, the greek used is phileo, which is a more personal type of love, as in close friends/supporters. And we all know that's what our husbands need is a close friend and supporter, and for many women (I'll raise my hand) that isn't always what comes easiest for us-- but our husband is called to agape love us-- and agape is the type of love Christ had for us, a self-sacrificing type of love...which is something wives usually have less issue with-- we can do laundry or dishes for our husband even if we are upset or annoyed with them. We can't/don't always easily cheer them on in something that we don't really have an interest in. Anyway, I just found this interesting (not that we are not obligated to love our husband sacrificially, but the direct statements in scripture regarding a wife loving her husband uses the term "phileo"....Also, same is true of our love for our children! We are to support and encourage them, with a phileo love. Here is my favorite passage from the book so far:<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="color: #351c75;"><span class="userContent">(on the kind of love we are to have for our
littles): "What is the ultimate purpose of a phileo kind of love? It is
nothing less than the salvation of our children's souls. This is the
chief end of mothering. Our goal is not that our children be happy,
fulfilled, and successful. Granted, we may desire these things for
them, but our highest objective should be that our children would repent
from their sins, put their trust in Jesus Christ, and reflect the
gospel to the world around them."-- Carolyn Mahaney, Feminine Appeal</span></span></u></span><br />
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Anyway, as you continue to read, Mahaney may irk you. She isn't trying to, but your pride and sin might just get in the way and you might start to kind of despise her. No, you probably won't, but I might. I did. I do. But it's not her, it's me. <br />
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These books are a good kind of burn. The kind that settles in your soul and gives you a hunger to know more of God. So...I say read one today! What books are you reading currently? Feel free to share in the comments, please!!!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-46093273016573667462012-08-10T09:36:00.001-05:002012-08-10T09:36:28.387-05:00The curtain conundrum.Sigh. The last 24 hours has been a teary one, y'all. <br />
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I woke up on a Thursday morning, to discover the big giant blinds in my dining room had become injured by a 6 year old. They wouldn't open....at all. Total jam. A quick googling found some tips. So I clumsily took the 60" (that's 5', people!) blinds down from their post. I examined the interior mechanisms, and saw a tangled up mess. I don't think a Polly Pocket is small enough to get into the area that was all jammed up. But I attempted to untangle the mess. About 2-3 hours later, after a lot of fussing and complaining, I had accomplished nothing...other than broken the valance clips that go to the blinds, which meant I needed to find some new ones of THOSE if I ever got my blinds fixed. <br />
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I.Was.Mad.<br />
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I resigned myself to the fact that we were just going to have to replace them. I got in the car with both kids and headed to Lowe's. Where I discovered only the pricier blinds came in the size I needed, and the color family I needed (NEEDED, y'all. Do you hear it? NEEDED. In all truth, I did need some blinds, because it's hot outside. And my OCD brain needs them to match the other blinds, or at least coordinate. But let's just mention for a second that I don't even LIKE these blinds). Anyway, I look and look, and really, there are NO blinds the size of mine, except for the ones like and similar to the broken ones at my house. And those are all pricey. And I'm not in love with any of them. So I can't justify that. Plan B (which I really kind of liked but didn't want to admit)-- make new curtains! We have no curtains on that window, just the big wooden blinds. And high, floor to ceiling curtains in some rockin' geometric print would look fantastic in my kitchen (which is slowly, ever slowly, getting a face lift). So...we picked up a cheap curtain rod, and headed to the fabric store. Where I found some perfect fabric, on clearance. It was a steal, but still expensive. I didn't really have another option, and certainly wasn't going to find fabric for a better price than that...so I went and had cut what I needed-- fabric, drapery lining, nine yards of each (that's a LOT)...and headed to the checkout. $$$ for fabric. I wasn't surprised at all, I'd done the math. Curtain fabric is expensive, even if it is almost 70% off. And I figured it was close in price to the blinds I would've had to buy to replace the other ones, but it was going to look SO much better. So I was super mad about the cost, but I knew we needed a solution. Home we came, to finish up laundry so I could prewash the fabric.<br />
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In the meantime, I called B-Dawg and blubbered my grievances over the blinds and curtains. "It's just money. It's okay. God will provide." I know. I know know know. But money is tight on a single family income, even when you are doing what you know the Lord has led you to do! And this month has brought 2 teeth cleanings for little uninsured mouths, glasses for the eyes of someone who is now 30, school supplies for this year (and starting a new homeschool program brought a lot of new curriculum for us), cavities being filled for a certain adult male in the household, a chipped tooth needing to be fixed for the littlest of littles, and a dog going under the knife to prevent procreation....quite a hefty lineup of expenses, none of which were really expected, other than school stuff. After I got off the phone with him, he sent me a text. It included the reference to Luke 12:13-34, which is right where we are studying in our Sunday School class. So I knew what it said. But I sat down, and read it through my frustrated tears. High points (read it in its entirety, though!)<br /><br />
V. 15: <span class="text Luke-12-15" id="en-NASB-25475">Then He said to them, <span class="woj">“ Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not <i>even</i> when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-12-15" id="en-NASB-25475"><span class="woj">V. 29-32: </span></span><span class="text Luke-12-29" id="en-NASB-25489"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">29 </sup>And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-12-30" id="en-NASB-25490"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">30 </sup>For <sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NASB-25490g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]"></sup>all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-12-31" id="en-NASB-25491"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">31 </sup>But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-12-32" id="en-NASB-25492"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">32 </sup> Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-12-32" id="en-NASB-25492"><span class="woj">The Lord knows what I need. He will take care of us. He will provide. So I thanked him for that, and just asked that he would provide for us in this situation, as I have seen him do so many times before. I know to some, what I spent would not be considered much, but after ALL those other expenses, it was too much for us to feel good about this month. So I prayed about it, and trusted that the Lord would take care of us. Assuming that meant money would be freed up somehow, He would supply what we needed. So... later that night, the washer was empty and I was going to wash the curtains. I was getting kind of excited because the fabric was just gorgeous. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-12-32" id="en-NASB-25492"><span class="woj">Enter: B-Dawg. With some blinds. THE same blinds. Functioning. In a matter of minutes, he was able to fix something that I could not fix in hours (I didn't even think this was a possibility, because usually, this is not the order of events in our household . If I thought he could fix the blinds, I would've waited to buy the fabric! :) ) Instead of doing a happy dance, my heart was kind of sad. At least I had an excuse to make some pretty curtains if the blinds were broken! I kid you not, I was up for several hours stewing over what to do with this fabric and curtain rod. I was CRYING over some curtains. Ridiculous. Because immediately, B and I both knew that the Lord had provided. Something that was broken (even the dang valance clips! B found some spares in the garage!) was made whole again, and while there was still "want" for the curtains, there was no "need." So...was it wrong for me to keep them and go ahead and make the curtains? My brain would not shut off.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-12-32" id="en-NASB-25492"><span class="woj">No. It isn't wrong to have nice things (to covet them, to live for them, to store them up...yes, that's wrong). It isn't wrong for me to have curtains in my dining room. Gorgeous curtains. But that wasn't the issue at hand. The issue at hand is that we had prayed and trusted God to provide for our family. He did. Not at all in the way I wanted him to. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-12-32" id="en-NASB-25492"><span class="woj">But I know if I keep the fabric (oh, I want to keep it. badly.) and make these curtains, I will every day walk by them and know, the Lord took care of me on that day, and I decided to go ahead and do things my way. I trusted him, he provided, and I continued on my own path. If I (painstakingly) return the fabric (yes, it is returnable...I looked for a loophole!) in obedience, I will walk past my ugly blinds every day, a monument to God's faithfulness. A reminder that He will take care of me, but he will do it His way, not mine. Because His way is ALWAYS best for me. And so, even though I don't love them for their looks, I love the blinds hanging in my dining room, because they are a fixed reminder that the Lord does hear our prayers, and that He will do supernatural (I mean it. Those blinds were BROKEN, people, and there's no way my fabulous husband who is great at many things could ever have fixed them in 5 minutes, or at all, any other day) things to accomplish his purpose. Because, as my dear friend said to me last night, "He cares more about my holiness than my comfort." And oh, how I am thankful to Him for that. He doesn't do it my way. He does it the best way. </span></span><br />
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He will supply all of our needs, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. He's in control, y'all...He is sovereign, even over my decision/circumstance for those stupid ugly blinds. He will always provide-- but He will do it His way-- anything less goes completely against His character.<br />
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So. Go hug your blinds (or whatever your issue is) today. And thank God for taking care of you!<br />
<br />alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-57330102498875938332012-07-05T21:19:00.002-05:002012-07-05T21:21:39.868-05:00June. All of it.June2012...fun month over here, y'all. What have we been up to? Apparently I've been so busy (um...no) that I haven't blogged at all. So here is all of June in one big post. Mostly pictures. Because there was just too much going on to narrate it all!<br />
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Just before June, we took the kiddos to the Harn Homestead in OKC. fun times with friends,<br />
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At the beginning of June, we had a fun time at the park with our cousin, Noah!</div>
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I also got my hair cut at the beginning of June or end of May...</div>
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then again today! ha...</div>
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At the beginning of the month, S turned 6. We had a Yo Gabba Gabba party in May for both boys with our families...but on S's actual bday, our fam of 4 spent the day at the science museum and ate lunch at Hideaway Pizza (yummmm-o). S is really growing up this summer and is a great helper. He has helped R with pottying, he helps R get dressed, he helps with the dishes and the laundry...he's just getting big enough to be a big ol' help. He also is super smart. He can read pretty much anything you put in front of him, and his math brain is fantastic. Good stuff. He is learning (sometimes difficultly!) that our actions speak from what is within us and he is absorbing (usually!) what we are trying to teach him in this respect. I'm so proud of him, my first baby, the one molded pretty much just like me, although his art genes came from somewhere else, further back in our lineage, I suppose! Because I couldn't draw or paint if my livelihood depended on it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDnZ3tHjB3HsBhaTB0XUFVvGazcYZ4yCPZPfV_qyE5WnFR1hERASbdBl3HgyC_Fe35D1wAquyAMPyrs9QBchSqAkoVnXDDhyMs0yESC5cELPM4ONIMHNQmWyIC-y1PSrFHT6s_5Q8ldCx/s1600/DSCN0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDnZ3tHjB3HsBhaTB0XUFVvGazcYZ4yCPZPfV_qyE5WnFR1hERASbdBl3HgyC_Fe35D1wAquyAMPyrs9QBchSqAkoVnXDDhyMs0yESC5cELPM4ONIMHNQmWyIC-y1PSrFHT6s_5Q8ldCx/s320/DSCN0655.JPG" width="320" /></a>super funny daddy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDgkvRX_IddDdgudpi89dZfSzm02puprtu4u_kEU6-zZW5dzbAxA_bHkcMDG3NGtOQlRAeHRY4cjIoQ75PJFGfZSBXmqEh51fKmyWHBDPDqDRRjiSn3aKUJr3fC_UDW9sTM3iuNsyvqHq/s1600/DSCN0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDgkvRX_IddDdgudpi89dZfSzm02puprtu4u_kEU6-zZW5dzbAxA_bHkcMDG3NGtOQlRAeHRY4cjIoQ75PJFGfZSBXmqEh51fKmyWHBDPDqDRRjiSn3aKUJr3fC_UDW9sTM3iuNsyvqHq/s320/DSCN0693.JPG" width="320" /></a> big day. tired them both out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlvVik_L9sSnNm72B8_MpT7fnn1B1UeVR2wgITZ7K8OupVHSXQnEFyk_2jPEYLXN_m2IVGeKBb_KDLPyr-5gWlu4f2y4D__ki_OdRXN8BydFb3LCvJ8sJgD2BbYtOKrifuqtyNBYAAGlS/s1600/DSC_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlvVik_L9sSnNm72B8_MpT7fnn1B1UeVR2wgITZ7K8OupVHSXQnEFyk_2jPEYLXN_m2IVGeKBb_KDLPyr-5gWlu4f2y4D__ki_OdRXN8BydFb3LCvJ8sJgD2BbYtOKrifuqtyNBYAAGlS/s320/DSC_0242.JPG" width="320" /></a>(for S's birthday, Gibby got him some rad golf clubs!)</div>
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In the middle of June, I took a much anticipated, carefully planned vacation with some of my college girlfriends-- we all turned 30 this year and we went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and had a GREAT relaxing time!!</div>
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It was all so ugly. Can't you tell. Feel sorry for us. Terrible trip. :)</div>
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Then...I got back, and we celebrated two anniversaries in one day!! June 28, 2012 marked NINE years of marriage for us....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW3KwzTXcKswXhnxB3OhzEBkavWOLCfWedndz7fMomwKYBMuLNjLmTjbFBJuaINLDv1iphtlC3x9hOdUsPGbtWRyFoJW9UVJLeEU5dj0pzviKKjNmY141QAMpRwF9bKf28oV0Naj2pYr1/s1600/DSC_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW3KwzTXcKswXhnxB3OhzEBkavWOLCfWedndz7fMomwKYBMuLNjLmTjbFBJuaINLDv1iphtlC3x9hOdUsPGbtWRyFoJW9UVJLeEU5dj0pzviKKjNmY141QAMpRwF9bKf28oV0Naj2pYr1/s320/DSC_0447.JPG" width="258" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQfu9jz6vnD_CMqjZJ07LWkEMFmhqxJ98NsohTt5kwvPhsW8ULMRwU9J7Ae8y2XXjl4fwMUZjU54l46MR5Pgl9Yy8hPbgzLEhD5LH7a5npMdo-p5hfDg0G77q9PsOwLxrt24eaLxOIady/s1600/DSCN0713_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQfu9jz6vnD_CMqjZJ07LWkEMFmhqxJ98NsohTt5kwvPhsW8ULMRwU9J7Ae8y2XXjl4fwMUZjU54l46MR5Pgl9Yy8hPbgzLEhD5LH7a5npMdo-p5hfDg0G77q9PsOwLxrt24eaLxOIady/s320/DSCN0713_2.JPG" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQfu9jz6vnD_CMqjZJ07LWkEMFmhqxJ98NsohTt5kwvPhsW8ULMRwU9J7Ae8y2XXjl4fwMUZjU54l46MR5Pgl9Yy8hPbgzLEhD5LH7a5npMdo-p5hfDg0G77q9PsOwLxrt24eaLxOIady/s1600/DSCN0713_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQfu9jz6vnD_CMqjZJ07LWkEMFmhqxJ98NsohTt5kwvPhsW8ULMRwU9J7Ae8y2XXjl4fwMUZjU54l46MR5Pgl9Yy8hPbgzLEhD5LH7a5npMdo-p5hfDg0G77q9PsOwLxrt24eaLxOIady/s1600/DSCN0713_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Date night photo captured by my eldest child...and (there are nine flowers in the other photo (for 9 years, duh!)...gerber daisies...i love)</div>
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AND...we went to orange leaf to celebrate the ONE YEAR anniversary of NO blood transfusions for Ridge!!! Way to go, God!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuThkG2tVERdJsy1vOY9h4MoYIhIQmBb1Njh4jOVAqoJfF1YXNrZ9Z7Fqivq6fkSOmyRn6dKTq_M_NjFGrQPF1iu_7f9iDBenqOZvq_6BNUF2f2OKiMesu-iC4pR6oLfz8z727KpT0dZHq/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuThkG2tVERdJsy1vOY9h4MoYIhIQmBb1Njh4jOVAqoJfF1YXNrZ9Z7Fqivq6fkSOmyRn6dKTq_M_NjFGrQPF1iu_7f9iDBenqOZvq_6BNUF2f2OKiMesu-iC4pR6oLfz8z727KpT0dZHq/s320/DSC_0232.JPG" width="320" /></a>Three years ago, no one knew, but many speculated, that we would never see this sight:</div>
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And now, we don't have to be scared when Ridge picks up a bat and ball, because his last set of labs were fantastic, with a hemoglobin of 12.6 (holllaaaaa!) and platelets of 242,000-- well within normal range!!! We believe in the Lord, our Healer!</div>
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As for the rest of the summer, I've really enjoyed these zinnias that are doing crazy well in our mailbox flower bed...</div>
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And Sawyer finished up his second t-ball season...<br />
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I've been making a few of these for some nappers in the fall--<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMsm9BC5uou76EX8YPvYMGPL-oOKJV4kwzLXEDXf5EsKYEQ-QD7gIcrBTrtx85qq5ubcqJlumNBVbfRMt4zOgrqYgT2AHXplfFpg0Xk2nclvn_nWs4BjPjoPVHwMzRjq0LenRE0qcaKSR/s1600/DSCN0708_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMsm9BC5uou76EX8YPvYMGPL-oOKJV4kwzLXEDXf5EsKYEQ-QD7gIcrBTrtx85qq5ubcqJlumNBVbfRMt4zOgrqYgT2AHXplfFpg0Xk2nclvn_nWs4BjPjoPVHwMzRjq0LenRE0qcaKSR/s320/DSCN0708_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And....while I'd love to stay and chat....<br />
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I really mustache.</div>
<br />alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-42700242991461800952012-05-09T15:33:00.003-05:002012-05-09T15:34:29.029-05:00mamaaaaa!!!Moms. This weekend, we recognize you. We recognize me, too. Because I'm a mom, you know.<br />
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So a few sentiments for you here.<br />
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<a href="http://1x57.com/2012/05/03/letter-from-a-mother-to-a-daughter/">http://1x57.com/2012/05/03/letter-from-a-mother-to-a-daughter/</a><br />
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Any of these will get ya, not only in sentiment, but probably in laughter. I can't just link to one, because they are all really great:<br />
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<a href="http://skitguys.com/videos/theme/mothers-day">http://skitguys.com/videos/theme/mothers-day</a><br />
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And now my thoughts on this most blessed holiday.<br />
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Being a mom is hard work. The fighting. The crying. The spills. The forget-what-I-just-told-you-five-seconds-ago-ing. And we haven't even gotten to the kids yet. :) No, but really, it's tough. Juggling schedules and extra activities and changing diapers and doing laundry (I have a fantastic husband who does laundry and washes dishes and even occasionally cooks to help me out. It's okay if you want to be jealous.) It just gets overwhelming. It's rewarding, but overwhelming. You can lose your temper easily if you're wired that way (I am. It's just the truth, people). Patience can be short. Grace can be lacking. But love is great. And prayer is strong. And I've also read if you just put a big brown paper grocery bag on your head while you're getting kind of upset, it will really just calm everyone down. So we might have to try that sometime around here.<br />
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But one thing that really gets me in mommy-ville is...<br />
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poop.<br />
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Poop, poop, poop. Stop reading if that alone has grossed you out. Just go away and have a happy Mother's Day. Stop back by in 7 months when I finally blog again.<br />
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Poop. Diapers. Some days, I will clean up dog poop. Then change a diaper. Then more dog poop. Then the bigger kid will "hold it" too long and have a small accident. I would NOT be lying if I told you the other day, I was cleaning up a small human's poop out of my carpet-- and it wasn't even from the littlest little in my house! I'm not jokin- I was bawling huge crocodile tears and crying out loud, and sounding
seriously like a child (I know it, I thought it myself "I sound like a
child"). I knew it should be funny, but it wasn't. Not yet. And it still isn't, yet. It wasn't fun. The littles were quarantined to the bathroom-- for the sake of avoiding poop smears everywhere, and for everyone's sanity. The knight in shining armor came home at lunch and bathed them and made things all better. I shampooed those carpets and steam cleaned the bathroom and bleach cleaned what I could....It was bad, y'all. Poop. In. My.Carpet. POOP! gag.<br />
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And let's just talk about bathroom-ing in general. #1? #2? Just blowing your nose? Taking a bath? Whatever. It doesn't matter. Those sweet angels just come on in. There's no privacy. If you need to use the bathroom, get ready...because mamas are gonna have a....<br />
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pottyence.<br />
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not an audience. A Pottyence. <br />
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If someone else has coined that phrase, you're a genius. But for now, I'm calling it my own. <br />
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What is it about those moments? If I'm sitting here with you, child, you could care less about my presence. But heaven forbid I get up for 2.7 seconds to pee fast enough to break a world record...I mean, the world's gonna fall apart if I'm gone that long!!! So you come with me. Pottyence. I know some people's pottyence clap for them when they have success going potty. My littlest little isn't potty trained yet, so he doesn't do that. But still. Gotta love that pottyence.<br />
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For all the crap that is in my house (pun completely intended)... there's more good stuff than bad. :)<br />
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Good stuff like hearing my 5 year old read out loud. Or tell me he likes me best (even though it isn't a contest and if it were, his dad should totally win. but it's mother's day-ish. So I win.<br />
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Or having my 3 year old grab my face when I'm changing his (ugh...poopy) diaper-- he will pull me close to his face and say, "I huv you mommy. I give you a kiss. Eye kiss? (butterfly kiss) Esimo kiss?" I mean. What are you going to do there? You're gonna love that poopy diaper because well, it provided that sweet moment with a usually pretty swift moving 3 year old.<br />
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The poop in the carpet I could do without. The kids who provided it? Never.<br />
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Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-68081425303750665402012-04-22T14:15:00.001-05:002012-04-22T14:15:43.380-05:00so glad to see three! (years. not babies. don't be getting any ideas)Tomorrow, when the sun comes up and we roll our sleepy selves out of bed, the littlest little in our home will be a big ol' 3 year old! A birthday will be celebrated tomorrow! Today, as we ate pizza (birthday boy's choice) and noshed on "cuhcapes" (cupcakes), my little boy BEAMED as we sang "happy birthday" a day early to him. I'm sure his daddy and I beamed, as well. So in keeping with blogging-semi-tradition...here is a letter to my littlest prince, for his special day.<br />
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Baby Ridge-<br />
my how you have grown! Three years ago was a fantastic day in our lives, as we became a family of 4 instead of 3! You looked just like your brother at birth, and stole our hearts from your very first cry....well, probably from even months and months before that! Your first year of life was scary, tragic, hopeless, hopeful, miraculous, tedious, trying, tearful, growing pain inducing, wonderful, celebratory, sad, fantastic, so outside of ourselves that there are really no words to truly describe it. That year, and for at least 6 months following that year, our lives were somewhat horrific. Our lives were also insanely blessed. We saw the hand of God at work in your little life, and in our little lives, in a way we had never before seen. It had been there, we had just been too much of something else to stop and ask for it. To stop and see it. Your trials, your illness, your fight for your life, has taught us so much more than we would have ever stopped to learn on our own. Thanks be to God for you, and everything about you.<br />
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Your second year of life allowed for "normalcy" to begin to creep upon your little mischievous self. You began to fully leave behind the disease that plagued you-- Jesus has taken that away from you. You haven't needed a blood transfusion in 10 months (and counting!) and have not been in the hospital in over 15 months. Your hemoglobin is stable. Your platelets are NORMAL, which prompts me to laughter every time I hear the lab results. You are a living, breathing, walking, talking, smiley miracle. A miracle! A miracle (actually two of them, bc it is not blind to us that our oldest is a miracle himself-- by the grace of God he is here with us, and free of disease) sits at my table every day, and sleeps in my house, and eats my food, and writes on my walls, and throws fits in my floor. A miracle. <br />
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And now, tomorrow, you will be 3. Three years ago, early in the morning, I was getting settled in a hospital bed, in early labor, there to be induced. Labor progressed quickly, and within a few hours, there you were. Easy peasy! We went home a day or two later, life began, life changed, we changed, we are still changed, and God is doing some mighty works in our life...works that would not ever have even been in our field of vision had it not been for that bump in our journey. That rare, rare, almost zero chance of ever happening bump. Praise God for that bump.<br />
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At 3, here are some of your current loves:<br />
*pizza<br />
*hot doggies (corn dogs)<br />
*cuhcapes<br />
*freekas (fruit snacks)<br />
*wearing shoes<br />
*watching yo-gabba-gabba<br />
*our (but mostly your) dog, Thunder<br />
*coloring<br />
*using (kid-friendly) scissors<br />
*making messes<br />
*asking me to leave your plate out so you can eat more food later, as you feel "hungy" again<br />
*jumping on the trampoline<br />
*joking/hiding/sneaking/being silly<br />
*saying "i huv you mommy." "i huv you the most" (huv=love)<br />
*saying your brother's name as "gah-gahs"...this is something you probably could be finished with by now, but we encourage it, because it's just too cute that you say his name so incorrectly.<br />
*stating some of the 12 disciples by memory. Judas Iscariot is my personal favorite- how many 2/3 year olds can say that stuff?!?! too funny.<br />
<br />
You bring laughter (and other emotions, too) into our lives every single day. You are a MESS! A BIG OL' MESS! Potty training is about to change your world this summer, and I am so excited for NO MORE DIAPERS! You have a tender heart- your feelings are hurt easily, you kiss other people when they are hurt, and you say you're sorry if you are mean to someone. You are talking more clearly and can pretty much ask for anything, using complete sentences. You are a joy in our life, and we count ourselves so super blessed to be the family God chose for you! Without you, and what the Lord has already done through your small but large life, we would NOT be the people we are today. Because of the journey God took us on through you, we are still growing and changing into people we couldn't even imagine three years ago. THANK YOU for taking "normal" from us. THANK YOU for the opportunity to start again, to change, to allow God to begin a movement in us, and in our family. <br />
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We love you, baby Ridge! You are one of God's greatest gifts in our lives! All praise to our Heavenly Father for the miracles he has performed in ALL of us, because of YOU, and because of His great great love for us!<br />
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HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY, my brown eyed, dark haired, devious, sweet, sweet, boy!!! Momma (and Daddy, and Gah Gahs) looooves you!!!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-22212598250164554762012-03-25T22:46:00.000-05:002012-03-25T22:46:44.023-05:00in like a lion, out like a lamb...or notSo spring is here. We've had a mild winter and I loved that. I know that meant allergens were high, and we definitely suffered over here....but less cold was fun. I know we need cold and freezes and whatever, I get it...but I enjoyed the mild winter! I love the weather we are currently having...those temperatures where you can wear pretty much whatever attire you want and be comfortable (although today it was really in the 80s and long sleeves and pants would've been hot.)<br />
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I have nothing stupendous to say today. or ever. ;)<br />
<br />
Since a month ago (when I last posted....good job, me)....here's what's been going on:<br />
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<br />
nothing.<br />
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No, probably that isn't true.<br />
<br />
Sometime in the last couple of months, my biggest little lost his first tooth! The second one is super loose and will come out this week, if I were a betting woman.<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, I sojourned to Arkansas for a wedding shower for the last of my college gal pal's to get married. Her wedding is in a few weeks, so I will be trekkin it back to the AR for that shindig again. I always love getting to see those girls (hi, girls!). I hope God puts us all right by each other in Heaven. I know we won't care once we get there, but I think it'd be fun if we were all neighbors. In this life, or in the heavenly realms :).<br />
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Ridge has been sick. Fever, snot, cough...doctor thought strep, nope...flu, nope...so who knows what it was but it went away. he didn't bleed any from it. He had a lab a week or so ago....well, almost 2 weeks I guess. I don't remember. Anyway, we are getting labs drawn every 3 months now, and my goal is in September, when we go back for our 6 month consult/appointment, to get those labs scaled back to every 6 months...and then hopefully NEXT summer (2013) get to once a year labs/checkups. At his last lab, Ridge's hemoglobin was 11.9. It has been 11.9ish for the past 9 months. This is good, people. His platelets, this last lab, were 251,000. This. Is. Fantastic. Normal platelets begin around 150,000. Ridge, on a good day, back in the "scary times" would have platelet counts of 20,000. This is super low. It was normal for him to be in the 10-15K range...we wouldn't transfuse any platelets (they exacerbate his bleeding, even though that makes no logical sense) until he fell below 10K. This is like chemo-therapy platelet levels, I've been told (but I am no expert, so forgive me if that is incorrect. I do not mean to sound intelligent in that realm, because I most certainly am not). ANYWAY...251K is WELL in the normal range, and if I could do a cartwheel, I would've, on that day we received THAT news. That is FANTASTIC, y'all. He is still on no meds. Some other hurdles we've overcome this month: <br />
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He had to be on oral antibiotics for the first time. We've always done shots (thankfully, we haven't really needed abx for much of anything). Anyway, the by mouth antibiotics did not make him bleed (back in the day, even one dose of abx by mouth would make him bleed). So that's a HUGE hurdle, jumped.<br />
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He ate some grapes. I know that seems stupid, most likely, but he doesn't get a lot of fruit with skin on it...and he hasn't had many grapes, but he's had 5 or so at a time, with no ill effects/no bleeding.<br />
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He threw up (if you have a light stomach, skip this paragraph. NOW.) This was once during the fever/cough/snot illness aforementioned. Vomit sicks me out, but a kid with sores and clots and blood in his stomach...well, THAT vomit grosses me out, scares me, and makes me want to cry all at once. Vomit...this time...was normal. It was just barf. Plain old nasty barf. no blood. No clots. Just gross, normal puke. Praise the Lord for pretty throw up.<br />
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He got the chicken pox vaccine. We skipped most all of his vax from 12 mos to now. We will make a few of them up, but not most of them. Chicken pox is one of the two or three I wanted to make sure he gets (although I don't know why...I am not that worried about the chicken pox, although it is a convenience to know we most likely won't get them, now....perhaps I'm naive, but I can think of much worse things he could get than the chicken pox.) ANYWAY, this was his first LIVE vaccine. Ever. I think. He may have had the rotovirus vax once when he was a baby. Before all the big stuff began happening in his little life. Anyway, he handled the chicken pox vax perfectly. BDawg took him, and Ridge cried, but he didn't get a fever, he didn't bleed, nothing. He just got vaccinated, like most normal kids. <br />
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He went to Sunday School- with all the other kids! Now people, this is a big deal. Our kids go into the church service with us. But after church, for a LONG time, we didn't go to Sunday School at all, because we did not want Ridge to get sick, so we'd all just go home together. A few months ago, we started splitting shifts-- Sawyer got to begin going to Sunday School (which he loves!) and Brandon or I would stay in one of the adult classes. the other of us would take Ridge home. Last week, Brandon and I both stayed for Sunday school, but took Ridge with us. He was super good and played in a corner with some plastic cups....and wrote on the dry erase board. But this week, we let him try Sunday School. I was told by two of my friends who were in the nursery working today that he did great! I am so happy for him, and so appreciative of those girls for watching out for him! My heart is happy for him!!! The Lord is good!<br />
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Sawyer is kind of at the end of our Kindergarten curriculum...I think. We still have quite a few days of school left-- so I am looking forward to finding some more relaxing things to do. We still need to learn money (he sort of knows it, but we haven't concentrated big time on it...), but he's got his reading down, and his writing is pretty good, and he can add and subtract and tell time.... now that the weather is nice, we can do some more activities outside....and I really need to teach him to tie his shoes. I know he should know how to do that, but...he just doesn't get it yet. He is getting so big now, and so handsome, and so smart. He is a challenge at times, because he is growing into an individual. He is developing his own character traits, and he is pushing some limits when it comes to obedience, back talk, lying, etc. So discipline is having to be consistent, and it is very frustrating when I know he is not telling the truth. I know he knows in his heart what is right, and he will usually come around to apologizing for things on his own-- he is not inherently obstinate. I want him to always make the right choices, though! That is so much easier for us all! Discipline is never fun. Isn't that the truth?? !!?!? Oh how I love him, though. He is such a sweet sweet spirited boy. T ball begins soon for him. We will see if he takes to it better this year. (The little one can play next year, and I know HE will be ALL over that opportunity. That littlest little of ours is rough and tumble all the way.)<br />
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I blabbed longer than long enough. So I will leave you with that....until next time!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-13153190921641250672012-02-21T16:11:00.001-06:002012-02-21T16:18:56.273-06:00don't cry. or do. whatever.If you want me to be funny, read my last post. I tried, anyway. I don't see a lot of funny coming in this one....sometimes it sneaks through, but don't place any bets on it this time.<br />
<br />
So. It's a beeeeautiful day outside today. I tried to do a little reading outside while the boys rest/nap, but the wind was a teeny bit chilly for me, because I'm becoming old. So I came inside and opened the blinds and pretended I was outside. I also pretended I was a lot skinnier and having fun on the beach with my friends. Which I will actually be doing in about 4 months. But I probably will still be pretending to be skinnier.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I digress. I'm trying to read through the Bible in 90 days, if you've been absent from the blog for awhile. I'm failing. I'm reading it every day, though. And I'm all the way into the Psalms, which I suppose is pretty good considering I really did start in Genesis, on Jan. 1....yes, of this year. So anyway, I'm really only about 10 days behind, because I just couldn't read big huge chunks of the 1sts and 2nds (You know, samuels, kings, chronicles). I couldn't do it. I'm a baby. So I finished Job today. And I've always liked the book of Job. Mainly because all this bad stuff happens to Job, but he doesn't implode or become a recluse or anything. He survives. But there's a lot of good stuff in there. Like how God even talks about dinosaurs (or dragons. or big beastly things. scholars? no, scholars aren't beastly. i'm asking their opinion. I like to think, based on a pro-dinosaurs are in the Bible-scholar I've heard speak before, that dinosaurs are what some of the beasts in Job are...) Anyway...and how Satan is weird and is just roaming the earth. Just roaming around like he has nothing else to do...stupid. Roaming. And God asks him if he's noticed Job...Job who is ever so faithful. And Satan is like, "uh yeah. No wonder Job's so "awesome"...nothing bad has ever happened to him. like ever." So God says, Okay. You can mess with him. I give you permission. (that's another thing...God gave Satan the go ahead. Because He's God. So He gets to be in charge.) So anyway, Job loses all his children and his livestock (as in, they die.) And other stuff. And he is sad and mourns and grieves but doesn't curse God. And then he gets all these sores on him, but he still doesn't curse God, even though his wife tells him to. But he does lament and wish he'd never been born. And the his friends tell him some messed up stuff and disagree with him about everything pretty much concerning how he won't curse God. And finally, at the very end, God is like, Hey Job. Brace yourself like a man. I'm gonna question you and you will answer me. Do you know how to mark off the earth's dimensions? have you seen the gates of death? can you make the constellations do stuff? do the lightning bolts report to you?can you capture (Behemoth, Leviathan, DINOSAURS! okay, i'm not an expert. but these WERE some sort of gargantuan things way back in the day). ANYWAY...God's like, So. Job. Can you do any of that stuff? And obviously, all of it is stuff GOD can do and/or has done. And Job's like, I can't even talk to you. I spoke once, but I don't have an answer. I'm not saying anything else.<br />
<br />
And towards the end, Job notes that God can do anything. That's kind of God's point. Yeah, Job had some really crappy stuff happen to him. REALLY ROUGH STUFF. Hardcore, make you cry until you throw up kind of stuff. But sometimes, that stuff happens. God knows it's coming. I mean, He could stop it if that were His plan, right? But sometimes, He allows that stuff to happen. Yes, suffering and junk just happens in the world. It's part of life. But if God wanted to let us live a life free of suffering, He totally has the power to do that. But He chooses not to. I'm sure there are some ailments that could befall me that the Lord has said "Nope. That's not going to happen to her today." I'm sure when Ridge was born, God could've made sure that the genetic weirdness inside him causing him to have MLT was obliterated. But that time, he allowed that hardship to go through. He had a plan. He knew what was on the other side. He knew that with Job, too. At the end of Job, in the epilogue, we read, "The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former part."<br />
<br />
Amen. Sure, Job never got his kids back, and he lost all those animals and servants...but the Lord did bless him with more kids (I'm not saying there wasn't still heartache and loss from all the stuff that came his way previously. There was. Heartache doesn't just go away, I know that. I'm not being insensitive. Unless I'm being insensitive to myself, because clearly we've lived through some junk.)...Anyway, really really really hard things happen. And they make us really really really hurt. And we cry until we don't think we can breathe. And we are sad. And we are angry at times. And we don't know who to even talk to because who could possibly really understand? But at some point, the hardship is over. It may not end how we want it to, but it does end. eventually. And for those of us who have lived through the hardest time of our life so far, and are now seemingly on the other side...and who have new struggles because of those previous hardships...and who still have days filled with tears.....for those of us who have walked through that darkness, but seen the hand of God at work in the midst of that...for us...for me...I can say, "The Lord has blessed the latter part of the Carys life more than the former part."<br />
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There are hard days. There are days we have obstacles to overcome that didn't exist before our struggles with Ridge's health. But there is no greater truth for me at this moment in my life than the truth that the Lord has done and is doing a mighty mighty work in our lives BECAUSE of that dark time we lived through. Every day is a gift!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-39307746157450482732012-02-13T11:50:00.000-06:002012-02-13T11:50:22.740-06:00date weekend!We don't have a lot of date nights, as far as getting fixed up and going out goes, around here. We might watch a movie after the kids go to bed once a week or so...I mean, we really live it up. Part of this is because we have two kids. That means asking someone to watch them-- of which we have several family and a few friend choices, so no complaints there. But sometimes after a week with two kiddos, getting all fixed up and ready to go out just doesn't have the same appeal as it did 8, 9, 10 years ago. heck, 5 years ago when i was halfway to gigantically pregnant. Another part of this is because we don't budget much for entertainment....because we don't have a ton of extra to budget for that, and because honestly, there are better ways to save our money than blowing it on ourselves. But this weekend, we were able to go and do a few fun things.<br />
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Friday night, we went to dinner at Matthew Kenney in OKC...and you should try it. Very good. It's a raw foods restaurant, but you need to brace yourself, sushi or sushi aversion crowds...it's vegetarian cuisine. And it's fantastic. I don't love sushi, and it has nothing to do with the taste... it is simply because the idea of raw fish gags me (the thought of raw any kind of meat gags me). So we headed to Matthew Kenney, because it looked unique, and I had a groupon there :). We started off with a dragon roll, which was fantastic...then we had a Salsa Verde salad, also fantastic (the chips were made from roasted red peppers....so good). Then for dinner we had tortellini (me) and tamales (b). My advice, for sure, is to get an app and/or salad before dinner, bc dinner is savory but small. The prices are not bad at all for the caliber of restaurant (entrees max out at $12, I think). But heck to the no when it comes to skipping dessert. DO NOT SKIP DESSERT IF YOU GO HERE. In fact, i say get the chocolate ganache tart. It is insanely delicious...with a french press of coffee on the side. Holy yummo. Anyway, it won't be a regular stop for us, but we will definitely go back. Unique, and tasty, and you don't leave hungry. Plus everything is organic and nothing is cooked past 180 degrees, if cooked at all, so it's all really healthy! So good. But we can't go back anytime too soon. Not just bc we are out of fun money for the month...but because of what happened at the end (THANKFULLY) of our dinner. BDawg had paid out...and was waiting at the table with my stuff while I went to the restroom. As I entered the corridor housing the restrooms, our waiter was standing at the bar, and he saw me coming, so he politely opened the door to the restroom for me (they are those one room bathrooms, you know, you have it all to yourself, the way a bathroom should be). I thought, "that's so nice of him!" Until I walked in and thought, "Is this some sort of joke? A prank??" Because there, in front of me, sat a chef. On the toilet. You know, going potty. A girl younger than myself, and hopefully not reading this, and if she is, I'm here to say, I'M SO SORRY AND IT TOTALLY WAS NOT MY FAULT!!! But I couldn't say that. I was flabbergasted. I just stood there like an idiot. Thinking, "this has to be some sort of joke??? right?" but the sweet girl just looked up at me in one of the most vulnerable positions in which one can be seen, and said, "oh. i'm sorry." so i turned around, walked out, and our waiter opened another bathroom door for me...and i turned to him and said, "well now. that was awkward. for everyone." and then I shut the bathroom door. locked it, and triple checked to make sure it was locked, and texted my husband to get to the car right now...i could not face walking back to the table where i would have to see that chef again (because the restaurant is open kitchen and you can see the chefs preparing your food).... Anyway...yeah. To that poor girl...I'm sorry. And I bet she never ever ever forgets to double check the lock ever ever ever again.<br />
<br />
Then we went to see a late showing of "The Vow" at Yukon's old ghetto-fabulous movie theater. We have a newer theater, but it wasn't showing that movie, and we knew it'd be mega crowded at the OKC theaters, and cost more anyway (remember. budget, people.) And in serious, this theater is older...and kinda dirty (the seats are supposed to be blue, i think, but mainly they look brown)...but I'm not dissing it, because we've been there on several occasions and my husband or I one always know one of the students working, and the staff is super duper friendly, and the prices are not sky high, and we don't care about high tech stuff, and I like small towny feel...so it's a winner in our books. Anyway, ...we were able to watch the movie in a theater that only had about half capacity....and I told God he doesn't ever have to give me a teenage daughter if he doesn't want to, because the 37 of them in the theater were enough to make me about come unglued. I mean, you can't deny the attractiveness of Channing Tatum, but if they could just keep the giggles and sighs to themselves, that'd be great. Thanks, girls. And whichever one of you thought it was cool to leave your phone on, not on vibrate, but full out turned up, and then let it ring for what seemed like 5 minutes before silencing it to answer it, well, I want to tell you, thank you. And I want to say, these girls are at every movie in every theater in the United States of America. And they always get on my nerves. And then I imagine buying their mom a cup of coffee or glass of wine, because if I were living with that every day.... I'd love it to pieces, I know. I was the most lovable teenage daughter known in history. Mark my words. A perfect angel. I never did anything remotely exasperating. Ever. Not once. Ever ever ever ever ever. No, really. I still have a halo...somewhere. But anyway, yeah...big ol' thanks to them for making my movie going experience extra special. You know when they didn't sigh or swoon aloud? You know what moment I got to smile to myself? A moment they would never in a billion years understand in their premium youth...the moment when I saw the "other" guy in the movie. Scott Speedman. As in, Ben, from Felicity. As in, way before your time, chickadees. But not before mine. So swoon over Channing Tatum. Swoon away. But I will let my husband just make fun of me for the look on my face when I said, "You know who that is?!?! That's ben, from felicity!!!" and then all those teenagers told me to shut up with my swooning. shhhhhhhhhhhh. okay. they didn't. but i uttered some SHHHHs to them. yes. i'm that person.<br />
<br />
So that ended our Friday night. <br />
<br />
Saturday morning I made breakfast, then B ran some errands while I worked on some craft things. Then we got ready and headed to Thackerville, OK. It sounds small, right? Yeah. It is. But you know what they have there that's super big? I wouldn't know this on a typical day, so I assume many of you do not. But they have the WinStar World Casino. It's enormous, and looks like all these different areas of the world outside-- London, Beijing, um, lots of places. It's beautiful. Outside. We aren't casino goers- sorry to any of you who are-- I don't know how people do that. First of all, I was never aware that many people still smoke in the nation. I think maybe everyone who smokes was all there that day. I mean. wow. Second of all, and I'm sure this is because we aren't acclimated to the environment, but we just didn't "get" it. WAIT- before I go on, we were not there for the casino experience-- we were there for a concert. Anyway, we just didn't "get it"...Brandon said, "it's like grown ups...sitting in front of a video game all day?" Yeah, totally didn't get it. But we were there for a concert that my husband has been hoping he'd get to go to one day, for as long as I've known him. It just happened to be 2 hours away from our house in the prettiest smoke joint you've seen. ALABAMA. Not the state, because clearly i already said we were in thackerville, Oklahoma. Alabama, the band. Anyway, it was a good time, and we came home with a little jingle still in our pockets. That means money, if you don't get the reference....which means you don't listen to alabama. what's wrong with you?<br />
<br />
Anyway, good weekend. Dinner where I got to see another adult using the bathroom. Movie where I decided swoon worthy actors' movies should only be shown in divisions: mothers with their daughters (or teenage girls with a supervised adult) can view the movie at this time, teenage girls without a mother/adult can view the movie at this time, and women who are too old to swoon but do it anyway can view the movie with their friends or significant other at this time, without worrying about 13 year olds and their cell phones. (okay all you 13 year olds-- i know you're sweet girls, most of you, i'm just super sure of it! but you know, sometimes when you get older like i am, you get kind of grouchy and set in your ways. so, you be you. and i'll be me. and when we aren't in the movies together, or any other public place where you are acting kind of inappropriate but you don't really know it because you're 13...well, all the times other than that, we really would be great friends, i know it. really, i do.)...and finally, Alabama concert where I got to see first off, lots and lots of smokers. I got to also see a line for the men's restroom longer than the women's restroom line....and I got to see that we were mostly the youngest age of people at the concert...and I got to see three men in or near their 60s showing off like they'd never stopped. <br />
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Hope you had a good weekend, too!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-13863071994971046132012-01-24T16:00:00.000-06:002012-01-24T16:00:53.874-06:00recoveryI betcha didn't know the reason I've been gone for the past 2+weeks is because I hurt my knee. Running. We assume....<br />
<br />
Yes. It happened. Me...in all of my athletic glory. I was hardcore, people. Run.ning. 6AM-ish, 2 days a week, and only a bit later than that the third day of the week. Yoga/Pilates 2-3 other days a week. And nothing 1-2 days a week (I like those days best). Then it happened. I went for my 6 AM run, and made it about 1/4 of the distance....and my stupid knee just wouldn't stop throbbing. I couldn't sufficiently walk, much less run. So I called it quits, came home, was annoyed. Emailed my friends, one of whom is a doctor...she prescribed a visit to my actual doctor. So...the next day there I was. I still couldn't walk well at all. I'd been icing the knee. I'd been resting it. I'd been taking Advil. Nada. So the doctor pushed and prodded the knee, and was pretty certain nothing was too amiss (no tears, no sprain, etc). Bursitis. An inflammation of the bursa, if you will. That junk doesn't play, people. It. HURTS. Like, makes you wanna cry when you put your underwear on-- not because you are getting old and have two children and have ugly granny panties kind of crying, but cry because you can't even move to clothe yourself. And after that, there are pants....and socks...and shoes. For the love! Disastrous. So anyway, yes, the little fluid filled sac that is supposed to help my joints move smoothly (we have many of these in our body) was inflamed. An RX for some NSAIDS, as well as icing and resting and doing some strengthening exercises was the remedy. After a week of that, and severe limping....and missing activities...and crying....I went back to the doctor. She was more than accommodating to give me a shot right in the knee. Within 2-3 days, I was able to cut back to only taking half of my medicine....and today I haven't needed any. Much less limping. Much less crying. Much less drama from the mama (at least with regards to my athletic injury. since i'm an athlete.)<br />
<br />
So anyway, I feel much better now.<br />
<br />
So my knee is almost recovered. I will be working up my nerve to run again....<br />
<br />
Onto another type of recovery. So I've been reading-- lots of things...The Hunger Games Trilogy (oooooh looooove thooooose), the Bible (a few days behind in my 90 day reading plan...but going strong-- some of those books of the Law....well I had to be put on a slow track plan, self-imposed, for those. But we're almost to 2nd Samuel now, so things are moving a bit more quickly), "7" by Jen Hatmaker (READ.IT.), Interrupted, also by Jen Hatmaker....Boundaries, by Henry Cloud and John Townsend...and a few others I can't think of off the top of my head. So, anyway, through several of these books, as well as several instances in my life lately, I can not shake this.....this thing I can't even put into the correct wordage.<br />
<br />
I spoke with someone the other day who was talking about someone praying with them; in and of itself, that is a wonderful gesture. If someone's praying for me, I love that! If someone feels compelled to pray with me, I love that, too! What I don't love is what I heard next-- in that praying with this person, the prayer that was uttered was more of a lecture and preaching at that person than a communication with the Lord. What is prayer? Is it our opportunity to interact with one another? Perhaps on a level of community, it is. But prayer itself is an open opportunity for us to speak to the living God. If I see a fault in someone's life, first of all, I may not even know the truth there or the entire story, and second of all, if I want to pray for that person's eyes to be opened or whatever, there's no reason I can't ask God for that, but to do so in a way that is so off putting and so blatant and so in front of that exact individual who may be in a delicate situation that I really know very little about? really? I just don't get it. I don't. Prayer is an opportunity for us to fall before the throne of the Lord and to praise Him for who He is in the midst of the ugly that we often are. To ask Him to clean up the ugly parts of who WE are and turn them into the very thing He desires us to become. It isn't my opportunity to preach at someone. If I need to confront someone about something, prayer isn't a hedge to do it so that they will maybe hear me say this about them in my prayer to God and thus get the idea that I think they need to change their ways. WHAT? no. If I think I need to tell someone something like that, that's what I should do. Tell them. Not send a subliminal prayer message. Because that's gonna go over well. If I'm praying, even if it is in unison with a body of believers around me, even if thousands of us are crying out for the same thing from the Lord, prayer is us.talking.to.God. He hears us. It doesn't matter if anyone else does. That isn't what it's for. Nope. That kind of livin' isn't going to 'learn' anybody anything. Love, people. Love. That isn't to say we shouldn't pray FOR people...but...um....we shouldn't preach AT them if we are praying WITH them. nope. I don't think so, anyway. I'm guessing that indirectly that kind of leaves the person on the receiving end of that not really wanting to come back for more of that kind of love.<br />
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I have had conversations recently, some with myself, some with other more sane human beings....about "church". I love our church family-- love the friendly people there, love the honesty that pours out of our pastors, love the sense of family, even though we have not been near as involved as I would like (due to Ridge/health stuff). I love THE church family in general (globally, universally, internationally)-- the body of believers, the absence of definition by denomination, but the relationship amongst us being knit together by our common thread in Christ-- by the salvation He has brought us, and by the change we long to continue experiencing and the change we long to bring and the eternity we hold to. But I don't always love "church" in the sense many Americans think of it...the buildings, the "have to check this off my list for the week" mentality. And it doesn't matter what "church" you go to, there are people in every denomination (some more than others! :) ) who just "do" church. That's what they've always done. Maybe they've said some prayer or walked down some aisle, and far be it from me to determine anyone's sincerity in salvation-- I sure hope people don't try to determine mine, because there are days I'd be better off to just hide under the bed all day-- but really they just "do" church. Sunday morning, maybe a class, maybe Sunday night, maybe even Wednesday night. Heck, I was at the church every time the doors were open from childhood till I was about 18 years old. But for some, that's all it is, a "to do"....a sit-in-the-same-seat-every-week-ritual-and-if-you're-in-my-seat-ima-gonna-tell-ya-that's-fosho redundance. Bless.You. BLESS. YOU. I will pray for you. Not at you. For you. Because when that stuff happens and other people come hungry to meet Jesus but encounter you first, they decide maybe they just won't come back. oooooh that we would BE the church! That we would love the new faces that we see in the BUILDING, in the parking lot, across the street, at work, at the grocery store....that joy would fill our hearts and pour out of our mouths....that tears would fall for the hurting....that prayers of restoration and healing would be prayed....that hungry and homeless would be fed (LITERALLY, PHYSICALLY!) and housed and helped by us, so that Jesus would shine so brightly that our stupid humanity could not cloud His glory! AAAAAAAAAAH! We need to rise up! We need to need to neeeeeeeeeeeed to! If we can not have joy in our hardships, and can not love those who hurt us, and can not give up our flippin seat to someone who obviously had no idea you had to buy season tickets to the show, then what does that say about our love for God?!?! Wreck us, O Lord...for your Glory, and your renown! May our arms be open wide to the hurting, may the scales fall from our eyes and you allow us to see the needs right before our very faces. Humble us! Change all those 'us'es to 'me's so that I don't sound like I'm preaching my prayer :). Lord, give us hearts and hands to love the hurting, feed the hungry, clothe the needy, help the helpless, hold the orphans, care for the widows....not in word, not in prayer alone, but in DEED. Give legs to our words. Change everything so many of us have been comfortable with for far too long. There is recovery that needs to happen, and this movement is stirring in the hearts of many people of God. <br />
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If you need a seat at church this Sunday, I can totally promise that the row we're usually on is full of crazy because our two kids sit with us (one is known to laugh or cry out loud often...the other one is fairly consistent at silently stinking up the area (and this is the one NOT in diapers anymore))...and for those reasons, I will gladly give you my chair. :) <br />
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MICAH 6:8<br />
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-6218533277749835242012-01-11T15:16:00.000-06:002012-01-11T15:16:45.025-06:00Numbers...even this math brain over here can become bored....Okay, so on my 90 day journey of reading through the Bible, I have reached day 11. I haven't missed a day, and you do realize this means I am 12% of the way there. I know, it's only 12%. But dude, that's a pretty decent dent for 11 days! So I'm just getting towards the end of Numbers. Not gonna lie....the last part of Exodus, ALL of Leviticus, and the first half of Numbers...= brutal. I'm glad we have all the details, but...bru.tal. In fact, Leviticus convinced me, on Sunday, that it was definitely nap time. Definitely. So Sunday got a 2 part plan for reading...half before nap, involuntary nap, half after nap. <br />
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But. Numbers ain't all bad. There's some funny stuff in there (not supposed to be funny I'm sure, but I'm a dork, so some of it's funny to me.)<br />
* not funny, but totally eye-roll worthy EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. they do this-- the Israelites. They gripe about EVERY flippin' thing. they want more food. God gives them manna from heaven, miraculously. They get so tired of it they want some meat. God gives them quail- literally tons of it (no one gathered less than about 17 tons of it! seriously! ri.dic.u.lousssss)- tells them they will eat it till it comes out their nostrils. Only they've griped so much up to that point, He decides to just wipe a bunch of them out with a plague. Do the rest of them learn? Nope. The entire book of Numbers is filled with the same complaint, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt???" (um...you were slaves in Egypt. You were totally mistreated. I think you're forgetting how bad it was there.)<br />
*After much griping by the Israelites, Moses asks God (forgive me, I am paraphrasing somewhat) "How am I supposed to deal with these people? Seriously, I'd rather you just kill me." Thankfully, the Lord gives him some other people to help with the difficult ones (which was like...all of them).<br />
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And there's some really good stuff in there. Here's what I gleaned the most from today. The Lord tells Moses that the reason He brought them out of Egypt was to be their God (Numbers 15:41). THE.REASON=TO.BE.THEIR.GOD. Countless times the Israelites ask/say things like, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!" (Numbers 20:5). He allowed Moses to bring you out of Egypt so that He (the Lord) would be your God. That's why. He rescued you from something terrible, and yes, you are living in something not so great either, but just because junk is happening all around you doesn't mean He's forsaken you. Get your heads in the game people (Israelites...oh, and me, too. You? I'll let you decide that for yourself). It isn't just about you (Israelites/me...you?) and your wants. Stuff happens. Did God MAKE the Israelites slaves? Did He MAKE them have no water, no figs, no...pomegranates (the horror!)??? Did He MAKE Ridge have MLT? Did He MAKE my father in law die way too soon and leave us with a hole in our lives??? Did He MAKE my dear sweet friend lose her twin babies before she ever got to hold them? Did He MAKE several friends of another dear friend suffer and fight cancer SIMULTANEOUSLY (as in, all be stricken with it at about the same time?? and two of them are CHILDREN??) No. none of that stuff is fun. none of it is fair. and the Lord can stop it, or He can allow it. Of course He is capable of creating it, because He is the Lord. But did He create that stuff in those people? Well, I just don't know that I believe that. I'm not the end all be all here, but I just don't buy that. But what I do buy is the fact that THROUGH IT ALL, He will take those people affected by those situations and use those situations that are terribly unkind to BE OUR GOD. He is our God. So, whatever you are going through-- WHY?? WHY has God brought you to that, through that??? He wants to be your Lord. He wants to carry you past it and better you from it and love you through the hurt. I know, because he's done it for me. And I am so thankful for that. Even if I did have to read a bunch of laws and ceremonial stuff and genealogies to get to the heart of the message.alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-66154076882834842992012-01-07T12:08:00.000-06:002012-01-07T12:08:41.105-06:00dismemberment {ooook, not really}Today was my first "long" run in our half marathon training. 4 miles. The training schedule operates on a run/walk rotation....so I didn't have to run the WHOLE 4 miles...good thing because at about 3.25 miles my legs literally felt like there were going to kick themselves off my body and just lay down on the sidewalk in exhaustion. So I walked more than I ran the last .75 miles, but I ran as much as my long legs would cooperate. I didn't finish in the time I wanted, but I was still pretty close for having to walk at least half of the last .75 miles. <br />
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Then I came home and stretched for a good long time because I'm pretty sure if I hadn't, my legs would have started a revolution against me. <br />
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And now I'm going to blog about Jesus. <br />
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So...then I read today's portion of the 90 day Bible reading plan. Seriously, y'all...seeeeriously-- sometimes I read stuff and I wonder why some stuff had to be written out twice. I finished Exodus today, and yesterday I read all about all the requirements for the building of the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, the priest's clothing, etc....some serious details, people. So today I get to the part where the Tabernacle, etc are actually being built. And instead of just saying, "and the people built the tabernacle exactly as God had commanded"...it goes ALL through the details. again. I mean, I'm thinking, "did I read this already? did i? I think I did??? What? OH. They are building it now, so we must need to reiterate exactly what they did." That's fine, no big deal, now I get to start Leviticus!!! :) But anyway, back to Exodus. So of course the first part of Exodus is cool with Moses telling God about 10 times that he can't speak to the people and seeming kind of winey and then God says "ok. aaron can talk for you"-- props to God on that one, because I think I'd have lost it with the "I can't. send someone else" stuff. Then there's some more coolness with all the plague, redemption from slavery, the sea swallowing Pharaoh's army, the Ten Commandments, the Israelites having the golden calf made (and Moses grinding it into dust and making them DRINK it. rock on, Moses)...plus when God is going over all the laws...and this probably isn't supposed to be funny, but I was grateful it was in there because it gave me a good chuckle...God says, "do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed." well, I'd for sure not go up to the altar on steps then, because, really...who wants their private parts exposed???? aaaaa! but then all the details about the tabernacle...gollllllly it's tough to read. Some serious directions, there, God. And totally understandable--- God is holy, his house of worship is to be holy, so there were specifications...and it's pretty legit that He himself spoke the details as to what was to be constructed. But the whole time I read that, I'm thinking, "HOW the heck are they gonna accomplish this? How are they even going to remember? Is it okay if it's just "sorta" right? What if they mess up? It's just too much to remember!!!" I mean, I'm just thankful God wrote the 10 commandments on the tablets for Moses, because those alone would've been tough to remember after only hearing once! So...then God makes it clear that he has already appointed those who are to help with the construction of the tabernacle, and he has already prepared them to build it to his specifications, as well as to teach others how to help do so. WHEW~! I mean, what was I thinking? Of COURSE He's gonna take care of that. I'm way to OCD to have been Moses. <br />
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Anyway, I think it's cool that through all of those....rules....God knew what he was doing, and made preparations for it. And his people didn't just depend on someone else to get the job done-- when it came time to build the tabernacle, those he'd appointed, helped to build it, and all of the people who were able gave offerings of supplies-- all the things the tabernacle was to be made of, the people donated if they had it, and the women even wove some of the linen and yarn. They banded together, so much so that Moses had to tell the people to stop offering supplies because they had MORE than enough to build the temple. And when it was all said and done, it was all exactly as God had commanded. They worked together, according to the Lord's calling on their lives, they gave of themselves, and it was hard work, and there were specifications...but they did it....and I'm betting it wasn't always fun (and the Israelites did their fair share of grumbling after being saved from slavery, so I'm guessing that probably some of them were tired and grouchy from working, but maybe not). But anyway, it was a community affair- they didn't depend on someone else to do their work for them, God readied them to do it, so they did it.<br />
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So. along those lines, or totally not, I have felt, and have felt from others, a sense of unrest in the hearts of many believers. Not that Christ isn't enough,but that we aren't. Meaning, what's different about us? Did you know that if your income is $35K, you are in the top 4% for wealth in the world...$50K, you're in the top 1%? Seriously! Over half of the world survives on $2 a day. (thank you to Jen Hatmaker's book "7" for those stats....it's totally worth the read, and I'm not even halfway finished with it yet. you can find it on amazon.com-- paperback or e-reader version). We have houses and cars and oodles of clothes and food and whatevers, and we all want more. Or maybe we don't want more, but we feel like we don't have enough...or we buy more anyway...or we "need" this...or this is 'old' or out of style or whatever. I'm not pointing a finger at you-- dude, I've seen my closet. And my pantry. So you can point a finger at me, if you want-- it'd be justified. But even living in what we see as middle class, we are wealthy in the world's eyes. Maybe not in gluttonous American eyes, but in the world's, we are! But what are we doing about it!?!?! Can we live on less? Yes. Will we? I hope so. What are some small things we can do to change the world? Big things? What can we do? Because most assuredly, we should do something. There are people dying every day due to starvation. Children going to bed hungry, with no parents to love them. Dirty water that is spreading disease amongst communities in many many other countries. LITERALLY dying. Of course, it is our job to also bring Jesus to these people-- but along with living water, how about actual water? I just don't think it would be okay with Jesus for us to say, "Hey. Jesus saves. I'm praying for you." and then walk away and hope those people get some clean water, or vaccines, or PARENTS. WE HAVE THE POWER TO DO SOMETHING. It is time for us-- ME-- to step up and make a difference. Because living the "American Dream" has to be so overrated. Because you can feed someone for a whole day for less than the cost of a drink at Starbucks. Because for what some people spend on car payments and mortgages in one month could provide clean water to a community FOREVER. Because Jesus loved the orphans, the widows, the diseased, the poor-- not in word, but in DEED. And I want to be like Jesus. BE like him, not just "do stuff" that makes me look like I love him- going to church, saying the right things, avoiding certain things, etc etc...because I think anyone who grew up in church and has felt this unrest can shout with me that THAT is not IT. It isn't. praying a prayer or saying a phrase or whatever isn't IT. Jesus came to CHANGE us, and if we are only changed in what we say and in legalistic ways, what the heck is that? Jesus changed us, Jesus redeemed us, and he loved the unlovable. He WENT. He DID. He LOVED. He DIED for the least of these (and that's US, too, people! We aren't good enough! His GRACE is.) It is time to start sacrificing what we might not see as luxuries, but what really are...and using that time or money or whatever to put legs on the faith we say we have. Because I want to be like Jesus. And the WORLD needs to see that in us-- the lost, the dying, the starving, they need to see Jesus with skin on, and it's time we step up and become that. <br />
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I love it. love love love it. I'm so excited I'd run another 4 miles if I had any legs other than these jello ones to stand on for the rest of the day.<br />
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Peace to you on this beautiful, beautiful day!!!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-50235413343925556872012-01-04T15:05:00.000-06:002012-01-04T15:05:48.111-06:00well hey....this keyboard is dirty. and other {more sentimental} sentiments.Seriously, I've gotta be one of the worst bloggers EVER! But, in all honesty, I've said all I need to say over the last several weeks, and it is just now that I have anything else I'm wanting to get written down.<br />
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First some updates and what we're up to, etc. (forgive me if any of this is repeat information, I don't always remember what I share where, socially speaking).<br />
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Christmas: We had a good Christmas; we spent some time at home, some time with family, and some time doing things as a family-- volunteering at the City Rescue Mission (we will be doing this 2-4 times each month from here on out, as we are able), visiting the OKC Museum of Art, eating downtown at Coney Island, watching movies together at home....we had a good break. We were all surprised (well, maybe not BDawg...okay, definitely not him, but the other 3 of us were) when this was in our living room Christmas morning: <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sawyer deemed his name "Thunder," so that is what we're calling him. Isn't he the cutest???<br />
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Here we are on Christmas morning:<br />
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Okay. so there's that. <br />
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BDawg just started back to work today, so that means S and I started up some new Kindergarten learnin'. Today was slow-goin, because of a couple of things-- well, actually 3. 1) It was the first day back...so naturally, it took 12 times longer to do everything. 2) we have a dog that needs tending to, now...because we want him to think he's a person, not a dog, so we try to include him in a lot of things....so today, he mastered writing his name, complete with correct pencil position. I know, you're impressed. 3) Ridge is just getting over some sickies. <br />
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Let's just segue from 3 to here, stating the already stated obvious. Ridge.got.sick. Now, I'm still going to be the best defensive player ever in that arena, because I don't want him to ever get sick. BUT, ladies and germs, you need to hear this-- The boy got sick. Sawyer had some sort of sore throat with low grade fever the other day. Fearing strep like I fear alien invasion (or not), he was promptly taken to the after hours clinic, where strep was DENIED, but abx were prescribed anyway, just to be safe, because his ears were red. So he was better, like, within less than a day--in fact, he told me he got better because he ate some TGIFridays loaded potato skins chips or something. Good job, kid. So that was last Thursday. I didn't think we had anything to worry about when no one else had the sore throat demon Friday...or Saturday....or Sunday....or Monday. But lo and behold, on Tuesday, Ridge had fever. Like...102. Which meant, a year ago, we had to pack our junk and hit the road to Children's Hospital, "just in case" his line was infected. No line=no rush trips to the hossy (hospital). Sooooo...we had to decide what to do. He probably didn't need abx, since they didn't really apply to Sawyer's sore throat anyway. So we decided-- tylenol, and wait. So we did. And today? My normal ridge was back! no fever or anything (good thing we went and spent $50 on new thermometers last night). Best news: he didn't bleed AT ALL from being sick/the fever/etc! Seriously! If we make it through January with no more hospital, then we've made it a YEAR without being there for anything other than checkups/removal of his line! We have gone with no transfusions for six months. Really...let's do a cartwheel. I'll sit here and wait for you, because I don't know how to do one.<br />
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Okay. so there are some updates. Here's what Christmas and the New Year are bringing to me...<br />
1) Reading. Lots of it. I've read Heaven is For Real, The Hunger Games (book 1 only, so far), and most of The Glass Castle in the past 2 weeks. Part of that is due to the cool Kindle Touch my parents gifted me for Christmas. My largest reading feat is a Bible Reading plan-- read the Bible in 90 days (interested? Check out Youversion.com). I'm totally stoked about this, and I'm only 4 days in, but I haven't missed a day yet. I know when I get to all the law and genealogies, it's gonna be brutal...but that isn't THAT much of the Bible. I just finished Genesis...and it was neat to read such big chunks at a time to really feel for the stories more than previously-- to be honest, I've never intentionally read the entire Bible-- I may have read most of it in passing over the past 30 years (oh yeah, I turned 30 a couple of weeks ago. yep. here i am, all wrinkly and old). So anyway, check it:<br />
Joseph takes his sons to Jacob's bedside at Jacob's deathbed....and Jacob, their grandfather, who hasn't really ever even met them because Joseph's been in Egypt ruling stuff...places his hands on the foreheads of the young men (Joseph's sons) and says: "May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, <br />
the Angel who has delivered me from all harm —may he bless these boys. <br />
May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly on the earth.” <br />
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Love.It. Super old man Jacob and young men Ephraim and Manasseh...and that blessing-- that God, who has been Jacob's shepherd all of his life....may that God bless those boys. <br />
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That's a good blessing from a grandpa. <br />
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2)Running. no, I'm not kidding-- so those of you who KNOW me, can pick your jaw up off the floor, or stifle your laughter, which is totally warranted, bc I look like a fool, I promise. I'm hitting the pavement 3x a week training (along with some other friends in other states! get it, girls!) for a half marathon due in Dallas in October. While it'd be expected for me to say it's because I want to get fit or lose weight or whatever, that wasn't my motivation- if it were, I'd have done this well before 2012, people. Here's what's extra awesome about this race-- it benefits World Vision (you know, the organization we bought the goats and ducks through at Christmas time)-- the money raised for the marathon benefits building clean water wells in Africa. Now, that's totally something worth running for! I'm horrible so far, but I've managed almost 5 miles this week, which is a big ol deal for this lazy bones. More to come about this in the future. <br />
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3) cleaner floors. partly because we have a puppy. partly because dirty floors drive me insane. but mostly because for my birthday, my momma gave me this sucker-- which disinfects your floors using only steam. I bet I use it at least 4 times a week. It.Is.Awesome.<br />
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And...that's about all we have to update over here. Here's to hoping I'm sitting at this filthy keyboard (which I'm about to clean) more this year-- at least in the bloggy sense!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-89460445743741440622011-12-07T13:07:00.000-06:002011-12-07T13:07:45.452-06:00For you!Merry Christmas! May the truth of this season and the peace of the baby King envelope your soul, amidst the hustle and bustle all around.<br />
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We didn't send a ton of Christmas cards this year, so if you didn't get one, here's yours-- much love to you all!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpJUGPHf4xz97C7iqomD5XDjsFyS6qm4uAFMJuNL7eWXfnlph-2wMfZXa2yvC-_ZfrwpGmkUc9pHdF1S4d6PAnC6y0rBvYtH4_lz5hT2p5vqDM_6WZVjJ4qWqKdPjqAxNEbYRzRzB8qze/s1600/christmascard2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpJUGPHf4xz97C7iqomD5XDjsFyS6qm4uAFMJuNL7eWXfnlph-2wMfZXa2yvC-_ZfrwpGmkUc9pHdF1S4d6PAnC6y0rBvYtH4_lz5hT2p5vqDM_6WZVjJ4qWqKdPjqAxNEbYRzRzB8qze/s400/christmascard2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-23214538725961222002011-12-05T11:12:00.000-06:002011-12-05T11:12:34.117-06:00such a strange way...No updates here, no wit to be shared, probably nothing too funny-- just some thoughts today. So if that's not up your alley, feel free to stroll along somewhere else... but in the abundance of free time we all have, if you'd like to just read some thoughts...this is the place, perhaps, for you.<br />
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I have an issue with Christmas. I wanted to type "I hate Christmas"...but I won't, because that just sounds crass. But I do have issue with Christmas-- it becomes overwhelming-- and not just for me, I hear it from friends and family, even when/if they don't know they are saying it. The "responsibility" of making sure everyone has a gift, and spending "x" amount, etc etc...It just becomes nauseating. From a gift giving standpoint, I think we should always try to give something personal- I don't mean handmade/homemade, although I LOVE giving gifts like that-- because you can put love into and the person knows you thought specifically of them when you made it, even if the item isn't something they "asked' for...but I mean even store-bought gifts...it's easy to just grab something off the shelf and check that person off your list...but where's the fun in THAT? I think gifts should be personal-- even those from the mall. If you know someone loves this book, or this artist, or this color, or whatever...that's the way we should shop....not just via checklist for each person "Oh i found this for sally, and this for joe, and this for that lady I don't even know but I have to go to her Christmas party..." Sickening. I even said last night to my husband, "I'd rather get so and so NOTHING for Christmas than just get them something random that I don't even know if they'll like." Scrooge, I know. Anyway, it just becomes stressful. And let's face it, with two young kiddos, life is stressful enough. I don't need that extra garbage. None of us do. Don't worry, close friends, family...you won't be getting lumps of coal from the Carys this year...we took care of you...but we tried to make sure we got you something you'd love, or we know you'd use, or we know you'll appreciate, or something you could use but might not ever buy yourself. All of that being said, that isn't even the point of my post. But I will sum that part of it up with-- I love giving gifts. I love it. I love making something for someone I love, and wrapping it, and giving it-- I always hope they like it, but that isn't even the part I love most-- I like the giving of it...I want the gift to bring them joy, but just being able to give something as a way of letting that person know that we love them, I LOVE that. Love it. With that disclaimer offered, I move on...<br />
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Knowing that I have nothing against gift giving in general (or receiving, for that matter), I hope you can read the rest of this without thinking me a Scrooge. <br />
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What if we didn't buy gifts? Or at least didn't buy as many gifts? I mean, I like getting gifts, but I wouldn't be sad if someone did NOT get me a gift. Especially if they did something else with that money. What if we took the money we spent on Christmas gifts every year, and not saved it for ourselves or a future purchase or whatever, but we spent it elsewhere, on a need-- like water, food, vaccinations, clothing, housing for destitute nations and communities? Obviously, I'm not the genius behind this thought process; I'm often too selfish to even think like this. But to me, that is just so much more....lasting. I'm spending the money ANYWAY, why not do something for someone in NEED? We scaled back this year and did some of that, but truly, at least within our own family of four, I think I would love to scale back even more and more as the years go on. Because the joy is in the giving- whether I'm giving to my kids, my mom, my sister in law, whoever-- that's joyful to me. And I want to TEACH my kids that-- I'm not saying they should receive nothing, I'm just saying maybe receiving only one thing isn't ridiculous. They're getting gifts from other family members anyway, just like we love giving gifts to our other family members. Why not?? <br />
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We live in such a "more is more" culture...and as I told a friend even just today, some days, I'd like to just be Amish. Seriously. Full out Amish. I know it's difficult work (not from experience, obviously), and I know most of our luxuries would be non-existent...but I really do think sometimes life would be richer if it were simpler. Honestly.<br />
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Consider this: ' The underdeveloped societies suffer from one set of diseases: tuberculosis, malnutrition, pneumonia, parasites, typhoid, cholera, typhus, etc. Affluent America has virtually invented a whole new set of diseases: obesity, arteriosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, venereal disease, cirrhosis of the liver, drug addiction, alcoholism....In saving ourselves we have nearly lost ourselves.'--Ralph Winter quote, taken from excerpt in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Advent-Conspiracy-Christmas-Still-Change/dp/B003VYBDTO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323104149&sr=8-1"><i>Advent Conspiracy</i><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b></a>by Rick McKinley, Chris Sea, Greg Holder<br />
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wowza. Just some thoughts.<br />
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Along similar lines, in the true spirit of Christmas, I was thinking on something I read today. I just began reading through the Youversion reading plan <a href="http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/rediscovering-the-christmas-season/settings">http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/rediscovering-the-christmas-season/settings</a> "Rediscovering the Christmas Season" this month. I started a few days late in the reading plan, but I'm glad I started it-- day one is awesome. Luke 2:21-40 is good stuff. This is what I thought about, amongst other things, while/after reading it...<br />
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Jesus was born, a baby in this world. When he was taken to the temple to be presented to the Lord, Simeon held him and said to the Lord "...my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people..." He also told Mary, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." I imagine so...as a mother, how much anguish Mary must have endured as Jesus grew up and was crucified. The passage goes on to note Anna, a widow after only 7 years of marriage, at this point 84 yrs old and living in the temple, worshiping day and night. She came up Simeon, Mary, and Joseph and thanked God and "spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jersualem." <br />
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Imagine. This baby has been born, only a few days prior. And sure, some people probably just thought he was a regular ol' baby. But some people knew. The ones who had heard the good news that the Savior had been born....The one who would redeem them from their sins, the one who would be their Salvation...some of them got to see him-- in the form of this little tiny baby, destined for greatness. Imagine! Of course we all know that children will grow up to do...things. Hopefully great things. We see our kids and we know that one day they will be something, maybe even something incredible! But with Jesus, they KNEW. He.was.the.Messiah. Imaaaaaagine. For me, it is somewhat breathtaking. Simeon holds this baby, and he knows. He is holding what has been promised for so long! God has sent the Savior to the world...Simeon knows Jesus will be persecuted, and in His pain, his mother will also have great anguish. Anna, who has lived 84 years to that point-- by our standards, elderly-- sets her old eyes on the Messiah. In baby form. And she knows. She is seeing in the flesh what God has promised...our Deliverer. <br />
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I can't fathom how awesome that must have been. So I will leave you with that. <br />
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...."for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people,"<br />
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Way to go, God. <br />
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Merry Christmas, everyone!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-76006394806842925632011-12-02T18:57:00.000-06:002011-12-02T18:57:10.662-06:00beep beep, beep beep, the horn went beep beep beep. Or not.and also the most busy. of course, around here, it seems it's ALWAYS busy, December or not. we scaled back on gifts this year, and we are letting the boys pick something through World Vision to "send" to a family in need (right now they are leaning towards a goat and 2 ducks). I am working on getting Christmas gifts made for family/friends....and catching up on some crafty orders from some patient customers who have had to wait on my slow, but busy, self for a loooong time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F0Q-46yNylOd5g_dataNY0_YEgXkOoTfE3qJymNU3-Il0VVbIHeOx6p7GWwGfLbSlherEKI0LDiosCZHrnz-__ZeybIj9x7dSos9UufnA9_3HZpRowVw2suAFijbaT19G0EZePn4ulxA/s1600/yellowsuperbeetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F0Q-46yNylOd5g_dataNY0_YEgXkOoTfE3qJymNU3-Il0VVbIHeOx6p7GWwGfLbSlherEKI0LDiosCZHrnz-__ZeybIj9x7dSos9UufnA9_3HZpRowVw2suAFijbaT19G0EZePn4ulxA/s1600/yellowsuperbeetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>i keep thinking of all sorts of things to post about. serious things, pensive things, funny things...but i just never have time to sit down here and write them down. which i miss, because i love this blog...it's a place to just sit and write and if people read it, great, and if not, well, i still wrote it all out anyway, and it was good for my spirit. <br />
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so a quick update: sawyer is learning to skip count (by 2s). He picked up on it quickly, and later that night showed off by skip counting by 3s and 4s, neither of which had been taught to him. Math in his genes? I don't even know if that's possible, but this nerd mom is happy as a lark about that incident. <br />
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Ridge is talking up a storm. He has mastered some sounds he couldn't say even a week ago. It is incredible to watch him go! He's silly, throws fits, wants his way all the time, gets spankins, cries, always wants to eat, and is a smarty pants. Last night, instead of saying 'night night momma' or something like that, he said 'g'ni, boss' *goodnight, boss*.... what a stinker. of course i thought it funny enough i asked him to say it several more times. <br />
Ridge hasn't had a transfusion in just over 5 months. We haven't been hospitalized in about 10 months. We have weaned his medication down so much that he is now taking in the course of a day about what he used to take (as in just a few months ago) in one dose. 4.5 mls all day long of his med, whereas he used to take 4 mls 4x a day, which equals (i love math) 16 mls in the course of a day. it's fantastically frightening. :)<br />
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so I turn 30 in a few days. okay a few weeks, but may as well be a few days. I'm not afraid of it or anything, it's just so....not in my 20s anymore. so, not specific to turning 30, but in general, i like to think back on life experiences. i haven't led an extraordinary life. nothing super exciting has happened to me. but i do have some funny life stories. i don't always remember them all, but there are days that i remember something i haven't thought of in years. like the other day when i was driving home from the grocery store (where i had just scored some super cheap coupon deals...as in like 85% off the regular price after sales and coupons...i'm a nerd.)<br />
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ANYWAY, i was thinking, because someone pulled out of a parking lot a little prematurely-- not dangerously, but i would've waited on traffic to have passed if it were me driving that vehicle...anyway, i thought, "buddy. you should've waited on me to pass...if i wasn't so cautious, i might have not seen you and just rammed my car right into you." and i thought, "if i'd done that, someone would've honked at me." so then i got to thinking about people honking their horns. car horns are sort of....luxurious. i mean, obviously they are there for safety reasons, and for sure if there were a kid, a dog, a jogger, a turtle, in danger, i'd honk to get those living beings out of the way. and i get that if someone cuts you off, because you have been endangered, not because you are road-rageous, you could honk your horn. not that it really would do anything to honk, i mean the incident has already happened, right? So anyway, i can't think of a ton of instances that a horn is a necessity, thus, in some ways, it is luxurious. (i'm not depreciating the value of safety/a car horn...so no one need get uptight about that)...<br />
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ANYWAY, this got me thinking about my high school car and a funny funnnny story.<br />
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I drove an awesome car in HS. It was exactly what I wanted. It was...<br />
a...<br />
1974 VW Superbeetle....yellow. Not much unlike this one (albeit somewhat less shiny...and my sister I doubt loved me for this car choice, because my passion for this vehicle allowed me to obtain it...but she ended up having to drive it in HS when I was away at college...sorry, sister):<br />
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Now. The car wasn't in mint condition or anything. And I was 16 and stupid so I had pictures all over the inside, a hula dancer glued to the dash...all sorts of crap. It didn't have air conditioning, it was a stick shift, the heater was mediocre at best, there was no power steering...it was glorious. No really, i still to this day, miss that car. And I'd gladly take one for Christmas if anyone's offering.<br />
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As a side gig to babysitting after school, I also picked up a brother/sister from their respective schools, and took them to their house. One was in middle school, just up the road from the high school. The other was in grade school, probably 1st grade or so. <br />
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One day, as it was beginning to warm up towards summer/end of the school year....I got in my car to go pick up these kiddos. When I got in and fired up the bug, my car horn just randomly starts honking. I don't mean a little "beep" "beep"....I'm talking incessant. Like this:<br />
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So what am I supposed to do? Well, I did what anyone would do. I started hitting the steering wheel to try to silence the beast. That makes sense, right? Yeah, it doesn't....but I did that anyway. Eventually it stopped. Or so I thought. So I began driving the brief (I mean, literally, as in a block) drive to the middle school. Where....the horn began honking again....and I waved at the sweet girl I was picking up...I'm sure it just looked like I was in a hurry honking the horn (or like I was a total JERK)... but I'm also sure people figured out THAT wasn't the case when I just kept a honkin' as I drove off. How. Embarassing. for us all. So I head to the elementary school. Where I am greeted by a brigade of mothers and their vehicles, picking up their children (the mothers' children, not the vehicles'). There are school buses. And there are what seemed like hundreds of small children. And some teachers. All, it seemed, staring at the lady in the yellow car that just will NOT stop honking. I'm telling you, literally, non stop Janice laugh honking. I wish I could remember what that cutie patootie little boy said to me when he got in my car, but I can't. I know I remember laughing, so it was funny. And if my aging memory serves me correctly, fairly soon after we got off the elementary school's campus, the horn stopped honking. Impeccable timing, I tell ya. And I don't recall that EVER happening again to my vehicle. It may have. But not on that high of a mortification level.<br />
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Nevertheless, I'd take that cold in the winter, hot in the summer, no power anything, dust magnet in and out, smells like gasoline, hula girl on the dash, vw back any day. <br />
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That's not the only funny story I have about that car. Off the top of my head I've got at least two more just as good, to me, as that one. <br />
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Memories.....<br />
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If I don't see you before, although I hope I do, Merry Christmas!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-19697591321161022592011-11-08T09:20:00.000-06:002011-11-08T09:20:56.957-06:00leftover stewSo I've heard of people who make this "leftover stew" from the ingredients they find leftover in their fridge. The idea is incredibly unappealing to me, so don't worry- I'm not about to share a recipe or anything like that....But it has been so long since I have blogged, I feel like that is probably the direction this post will take-- a bunch of leftovers, all thrown together.<br />
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First, the cuteness. Brace yourselves.<br />
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For Halloween, we loaded up a couple of lumberjacks and headed to Storybook Forest over at Lake Arcadia...we went on a Saturday evening, because I had to work on Halloween night. Ridge wasn't too much a fan of the beard on his hat, but dang my kids looked cute. I mean, if I do say so myself.<br />
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So let's do a little up date on each of our lumberjacks:<br />
Lumberjack 1, Tall and Lean-- whose jeans are all highwaters and crack busters because of his giant long legs....wonder where he gets THAT (if you don't know me well enough to have seen me in person...I measure in at just under 6 feet tall). My eldest child has been learning about Thanksgiving here at home while we do school..I've learned so much about it myself that I didn't know before! Mr. Tall and Lean lumberjack blows me out of the water on Scripture memory, as well....it's insane how "spongey" kids are. In fact, our church is starting a conversational Spanish class, and Sawyer and I are going to take it together...He'll probably learn it all way faster than I will, but that's okay with me. He is also really good at math (ahem...). He loves science (right now we are doing a lot of hands on things like sink/float, rough/smooth, etc...and will be making some slimey gak tomorrow. I'm really excited about THAT. Actually, I think it will be fun; I'm kind of a neat freak, so sometimes my endeavors at science experiments end up stressing me out because the kitchen is covered in...whatever. Ick. Anyway...and this child can read. Sometimes he figures things out I wouldn't think he'd know yet...things I haven't taught him (like that "ph" says "f"-- we'll get there this year, but he's already figured it out on his own)...and forget spelling things so that the kids won't know what I'm saying...The five year old gets it every time. Ridiculous! He's awesome. And this week he's been using some incredibly good manners and respect, so that always makes the week go by better! In fact, the other day, he walked in the kitchen and said, "excuse me ma'am...wherrrre is your husssss-band??? i need to ask him a quesssstion." ha ha haaaa. tooooo funny, that kid.<br />
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Lumberjack 2, Short and Stout (although thinning out)-- Now this kid....the dude looks just like his dad. And inherited all of his orneriness as well. He is really talking up a storm now, and it's funny that when he doesn't know a word, he still knows how to communicate.....For example: If he wants to eat, he doesn't say anything about it. He just walks up to you, opens his mouth, shoves his hand towards his mouth and makes some devouring sound. It's funny. every time. When he wants to go somewhere, in the car, he will say "GO!" and then move his hands like they are on a steering wheel and go "brrrrrrrrr" and make some car sound. Super cute, for sure. He mispronounces some things. Like his brother's name. Brother is simply called "goggers"-- and unfortunately for Goggers, it's starting to stick. And it's so funny. My squatty little 2 year old has gone 4 and a half months without a blood transfusion. We have not been hospitalized since January of this year. He still remembers having his central line because we talked about it the other day and he reenacted getting a dressing change...poor kid. He's been doing splendidly. We stepped out in faith Monday and got him a flu shot...which is a big deal since vaccines have caused him to bleed in the past. 24 hours later, we still have not seen any bleeding signs...but I'm still waiting for him to drop off the evidence today, if you will (I know, gross. But such is my life with this one).<br />
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Speaking of flu shots...some little known info for you if you like to keep the sickies away (which, obviously, I like to do)-- I'm not really pro-vaccinating, and I'm not really anti- vaccinating either. I'm pro-knowing what you are doing and is it the best for your kid. For us, vaccines weren't the way to go with Ridge. We will probably catch up on some of them if he continues to do well...we will probably completely not catch up on some of the ones we've missed, because I don't believe they are all as relevant to his health now as they would've been when he was under 2 years of age. So anyway, to keep the flu at bay, we did go ahead and try for the flu shot this year; the rest of us get it or the mist yearly anyway. So that's done. I'm an avid hand washer and hand sanitizer, and I usually clean off the tables at restaurants with a clorox wipe (yes, for real. And yes, the wait staff has told us before "we've cleaned that" and I've said, "Well...I'm going to clean it again." Such is my life. It's okay.) But June-winter bring about some atrocities known as gastroenteritis...or stomach bugs. They are one of the banes of my existence. I hate being throw up sick, and I don't even want to imagine how it would ravage Ridge's belly. And those bugs are really catching...so they are difficult to avoid. So here are some things to know-- alcohol based sanitizers usually won't kill them on your hands (most alcohol sanitizers are 62% ethyl alcohol and that isn't strong enough for stomach bugs...for strep and the flu and other germies, sure...but not the tummy viruses). So whatcha gonna do? A couple options: This one, which you can get online, and I love because it lasts through 10 handwashings or up to 24 hours, and is safe for kids to use, lasts forever...I even have my kids put some around their noses and mouths, because that's where sicko germs enter (I know, I'm a freak. You don't have to tell me...you can think it, but just keep it to yourself, I announced it for you right here). Anyway, this one: <br />
<a href="http://prefense.bigcartel.com/">http://prefense.bigcartel.com/</a><br />
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Or this one, which you can buy at WalMart, grocery stores, and which are buy one get one half price right now at Walgreen's. There was also a coupon for $1 off in this week's paper. This one is a lotion, and our pediatrician has it in her office. Obviously, it won't stay on your hands for 24 hours, it's just like normal hand sanitizer, only a lotion...and kills stomach viruses.<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&sugexp=ppwl&cp=11&gs_id=1u&xhr=t&q=gold+bond+hand+sanitizer&tok=bRYyt4LOL_DoaV9KLjlP3w&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1680&bih=916&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5122802507542871227&sa=X&ei=FUC5TvbaGu2CsgLx0I2iCA&sqi=2&ved=0CH8Q8wIwAA">http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&sugexp=ppwl&cp=11&gs_id=1u&xhr=t&q=gold+bond+hand+sanitizer&tok=bRYyt4LOL_DoaV9KLjlP3w&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1680&bih=916&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5122802507542871227&sa=X&ei=FUC5TvbaGu2CsgLx0I2iCA&sqi=2&ved=0CH8Q8wIwAA</a><br />
The difference in these two are their active ingredients...Wet Ones brand wipes also contain the active ingredient to kill stomach viruses. Just an FYI to all of you who want to avoid the pukies.<br />
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In addition, clorox and lysol wipes do not kill those tummy bugs....it is recommended you clean surfaces with lysol spray or bleach/water mixture....which means if a tummy bug comes through your house or classroom or sunday school classroom or whatever, those would be the most effective ways to clean up the residual germs, which have been shown to remain living on surfaces from one to three WEEKS. for reals.<br />
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So enough of that-- keep your hands clean with the proper stuff....and don't touch your nose/mouth and you should be well on your way to staying well. Unless you kiss a sick person. And I can't help you with that one.<br />
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As for the one I kiss, he's been spending as much time deer hunting as he can (which still isn't as much time as he'd like). So far, no deer. Of course he wants to get a big deer, and so do I, because that's pretty much free meat. And if you've read this blog for long, you've learned I'm all about frugality.<br />
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As for me, I'm still teaching night classes 3x a week and really like it. I have a different schedule next semester, where I will still be able to teach 3 classes, but no longer teach on Saturdays (hooray!). I'm still tutoring some as time allows, and I'm sewing and crocheting (they should really have spelled that word differently. really) in every spare moment, trying to get caught up on requests from customers...so that I can get to work on Christmas gifts for family/friends. I've been making a lot of the beards/beard hats like the boys wore for Halloween...Santa beard hats, beards only for kids who want to be like their daddy, James Harden wanna be beard hats for Thunder fans...really, the beard hats are hilarious. Anyway, it is really busy here right now. I tried to paint our kitchen...about 2 months ago. I got like 1/10 of it finished. Fantastic. So 90% of it is green. The other 10% is lookin cute like this: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhp4C62TuIirVqAsOrr25mFso2uOr5PNS5pNL-vd2N5pec1zhFJbud-HXBMDMpcW1ZSn1FejtxNqKgqS-LiqxYDleoDZNVQU26bksRuGhT4kum5aiMfDSW3Ra4OlCLC3n1BMolY2zptO3C/s320/DSC_8882.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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Maybe one day I'll finish the rest of the kitchen. I bought the paint and everything. Oh well. Homeschooling, night classes, sewing/crafting, keeping up with two crazy kiddos, half painting my kitchen, busy busy life...oh, and I got a tattoo. Yes, I did. It's okay-- I'm the same person inside I was before I had one. So for those of you who don't like it...that's okay, because I do. I got a tree on my wrist with the words "life abundant" underneath, because lately John 10:10 has just been really big to me. I had the artist put a little bird in the tree as well, because my friend was getting the same bird on her wrist that day, in memory of her mom. So here it is, shield your eyes if you don't want to see it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcqq_HM_RicgWc6csdkU6YgB926MWWNR0TV_71eb8NjGmgpFQHOXAgZBYSpSxl1QW14vpzJQ3URHA7F_tK-MEYdCcJwYaAuTmFtoEt3xuBhRcl3V_KT8quR61KiRSlQ0hEUBiZRBtLRth/s1600/DSC_9041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcqq_HM_RicgWc6csdkU6YgB926MWWNR0TV_71eb8NjGmgpFQHOXAgZBYSpSxl1QW14vpzJQ3URHA7F_tK-MEYdCcJwYaAuTmFtoEt3xuBhRcl3V_KT8quR61KiRSlQ0hEUBiZRBtLRth/s320/DSC_9041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I've wanted a tattoo for about 15 years. So...I figured the desire wasn't just a fad I'd outgrow. So now I have one. And I like it. Sometimes more with every passing day. <br />
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Not much else is going on here-- what's new with you? What were your kids for Halloween? Any good Thanksgiving recipes you want to share? We are actually getting to go to family Thanksgiving this year. What about Christmas? What are your plans? Any stellar gift ideas for your kids/family? I have some cute things up my sleeve for my extended family, I have no idea what I'm getting husband, and my kids aren't getting a lot from us this year because well, frankly, they need nothing, and they will get a lot from friends/family, and we just have chosen not to go overboard in our own house this year. But I am going to make one thing for the kiddos that I'm really excited about. I'll share after it's finished...because there are a couple of other kiddos out there that I'm making one for, as well...so I don't want to give it away before Christmas! :) We are really at a point in our life (we being my husband and I) at wanting to be sure the true meaning of Christmas isn't lost in all the gifts. I do want my kids to get presents...but I just don't want to overwhelm them with that in our house...so we will make sure they feel special, but we intend to also spend the holidays doing things as a family as well as doing things for those in need in our community. I figure that showing my kids needs that we are able to meet for those around us, because of God's provision for us, I will be able to teach them a lesson that has taken me much longer than childhood years to learn. It's difficult to not want to "be like everyone else" and keep up with the Joneses...but we are doing our best to throw that mentality out the window and give our kids opportunities for true joy-- joy in their own hearts by doing something that brings joy to others. <br />
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<div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;"><strong>James 1:27</strong><br />
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.</div><div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #134f5c; color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><strong style="background-color: #134f5c; color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></strong></div><br />
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I'm sort of getting distracted by Sesame Street in the background...and I figure I've typed enough for awhile...so if I don't "see" you again before Thanksgiving, have a Happy Thanksgiving!alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-51686416787311687642011-10-02T19:29:00.002-05:002011-10-02T19:32:14.025-05:00i can't sing. but i do.I have a terrible singing voice. Terrible, really. In children's choir, many moons ago, I would always try my best to sing my heart out and be assigned a solo...to no avail. So, while I don't sing solo for any one's ears to hear, I've been known to belt a tune or two when I'm in the car or at home or whatever...and some songs, you can't sing passively, even if you have the worst voice imaginable. I'm talking like Happy Feet quality here-- imagine:<br />
Go ahead and skip to about 1:45 if you are time crunched...(I can't embed the video, it won't let me)<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/e3xDGq8vM9c">http://youtu.be/e3xDGq8vM9c</a><br />
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So, now that you know how talented my singing voice is, imagine me belting something out. It isn't beautiful to the ears, by any means.<br />
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But I've been in love with a song for awhile...so I downloaded the album on itunes...and you have to hear the song (if you haven't already...and let me say this, the entire album is fantastic, so go right ahead....purchase it). But first, you have to read the lyrics....spliced with my commentary/this post.<br />
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Yes, I said you have to. I'm bossy. I once read, "I'm not bossy, I just know what you should be doing." So, yeah.<br />
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Your Great Name; Natalie Grant<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Lost are saved; find their way; at the sound of Your great name </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Jesus.</span> I mean, really-- we are rescued by Him...We are given direction through Him...<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> All condemned; feel no shame, at the sound of Your great name </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Even those who don't know Him, any lack of worth you feel or condemnation you feel...or whatever...that isn't the way Jesus looks upon us-- that is the way some of us, as humans-- imperfect, calloused, ugly and rude, and even sometimes inhumane, as well as hypocritical-- that is the way some PEOPLE who claim to know Christ treat others who seem to not know Him. But that is NOT how Christ looks upon us. He loves us...OH, how He loves us. </span>Some people, and certainly the devil, would have us think that we are too unloveable or whatever, but we aren't. We aren't worthy of the love of Christ, but He looks upon us with unfathomable love. There is no condemnation for those in Christ. He loves us, each of us, all of us. Without Him, we are all condemned to die, but in Him, we are freely forgiven.<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Every fear; has no place; at the sound of Your great name </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> <span style="color: black;">Jesus saw what was coming before it got here-- no matter how big the problem, no matter how scary the circumstance, there is no fear in Christ...The name of Jesus can light the darkest of times. I know.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> The enemy; he has to leave; at the sound of Your great name </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I think this is my most favorite line of the song. The enemy- he HAS to leave. There is no place for doubts and fears and insecurities in my life, in your life. If we are in Christ, we are victors. The devil has no place and no hold on us, and I will not be submissive to the negative thoughts, behaviors, attitudes he sends my way-- because at the sound of the Name of Jesus, the devil is as weak as Christ is strong.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> You are high and lifted up; and all the world will praise Your great name </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Christ is worthy of my praise. He has given more for me than I can ever give back to Him. He is worthy of our praises, and I will write those praises, I will struggle daily to live a life of praise, and I will squawk them out of my sandpaper voice as loud as I can (but I will be polite in doing so around others. I think Christ has a little bit more mercy upon hideous voices than our human ears do. :) )<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"> All the weak; find their strength; at the sound of Your great name </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> True. True. I know it. I don't know how in the heck else we would still be standing after the past two years if it weren't for the supernatural strength we were given, and there is no explanation for the ability for us to still be standing, in tact, other than the grace of Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Hungry souls; receive grace; at the sound of Your great name </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> People all over the world are searching, are in need, and Jesus can meet those needs, through His people, and through His grace. Again, I know.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> The fatherless; they find their rest; at the sound of Your great name </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> This line is difficult for me. It's an easy line to sing over for many of us-- many of us aren't fatherless; my dad is still living, I see him or talk to him regularly. He helped Brandon put a new gate on our back fence recently, and I know if I have a question about that kind of stuff, or about my car, or whatever, I can call him and he can help me figure it out. My kids can sit in his lap and read books with him, they know who he is, and they love him. But some of us are fatherless, maybe in different ways. I think of orphans, or kids in foster care, and how we can be used to show them literal fathers through adoption, and that is totally a way for Christ to become their eternal Father-- we can be the vessel He uses for that. I also think of my husband, and the early loss of his father a few years ago. He had no idea he would find himself in that position so young. It isn't easy, even still. There are days that are difficult. There are days my heart breaks because my incredible father in law will never be a part of our lives on earth again. My husband will not get to hunt with him again, and my boys will not get to hunt with him ever. Sawyer probably won't remember him, and Ridge never even got to meet him. There is no explanation, and there is so much humanity that screams, why??? why did that happen? I won't ever understand. There is no way to fill that absence, but there is a Jesus who loves us through it. We survive, because we have someone to fall to, someone who loves us through it, walks us through it, and gives us strength when we are weak and when we are totally floored by our circumstances. Just saying His name, just calling on Jesus, brings comfort in times like these. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Sick are healed; and the dead are raised; at the sound of Your great name </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I know</span>. My Ridge...he was physically saved and healing is happening in his body. His disease could easily have taken his life-- he has lost so much blood, only to have it poured back into him through transfusions. I can't even believe that we lived through that. I remember telling my mom that I thought living through it would be harder than having him just be immediately better or him even being taken from this earth. I remember feeling totally desperate. I knew things would be okay, but I didn't know HOW- I didn't know if that meant Ridge would be okay, or if it meant we would survive, no matter if Ridge was okay or not. I can't even try to think about what life would be like had Ridge not have survived. Prayers for his healing were going out all over the state and much of the nation. We used to get tons and tons of cards and letters from people we didn't even know, letting us know they were praying for Ridge. And by the power of Christ, Ridge was spared, Ridge is doing fantastically. But not everyone who becomes ill is healed. And I don't think that means people aren't praying for them, I don't understand what it means, and I don't think it's fair. But I don't get to call the shots-- I remember sitting there thinking, more than once, that I would be that mom whose child didn't live....and in the turbulent moment that was, a peace flooded me because Christ wasn't going to leave me, even if that disease took my child. But that disease didn't take my child, and I know it isn't fair that some children live and some children don't, and I will never understand that....it will always disturb me. But I am thankful to Christ that Ridge is still here. <br />
My father in law wasn't healed. No matter how much we prayed and cried for him, he wasn't healed. He was taken, quickly. Within days. But while he died physically, he was raised to new life. He trusted in the great name of Jesus, and I know he is with Christ now. <br />
So. the sick are healed-- either they are left here with us, healed, or they are raised in death if they belong to Christ. And both of those things are only possible by the power of Christ. <br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> You are high and lifted up; and all the world will praise Your great name </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Redeemer, My Healer, Lord Almighty </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> My savior, Defender, You are My King </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us, Son of God and Man </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> You are high and lifted up; and all the world will praise Your great name</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The song is heavy. The song is beautiful. And the power of the name of Jesus is unmatchable. Here's a listen to the song if you want to hear it. And it's okay if you can't sing as pretty as Natalie Grant. I can't, either. :)<br />
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<br style="color: #134f5c;" />alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-80417338219213586412011-09-25T17:59:00.002-05:002011-09-25T19:07:28.531-05:00i needed a map!So here I sit...taking a break from the sewing machine and other busy-things that are getting the stink eye from me today. You can only stare at something for so long before you just need to get away from it....something so inanimate shouldn't annoy me, but I've spent too much time with that stupid machine lately, and she is starting to wear on my nerves. So she gets a break. And I get some iced coffee.<br />
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My kitchen bar is covered in coupons...and a Homeland ad. I fought hard for that ad....get this-- I subscribe to the paper here...on Sundays and Wednesdays. Before we were paying subscribers, we freely received a little bundle each Tuesday with some classifieds, TV show scheduling, and the weekly grocery ads. This was convenient, because it was free. It was convenient because the sales for our store start on Wednesday...so getting the ad on Tuesday meant I could decide what I wanted to buy the day before I went to the store (yes, there are blogs like <a href="http://thefrugalfamilylife.com/">this wonderful one</a> that match all of that stuff up for you...but I'm too type A or something and have to always check the ads myself as well). But getting the paper twice a week means I don't have to get up or have my husband get up super early Sunday AM to go purchase a paper so I can clip the coupons. The nice delivery people just make sure there is a newspaper in our yard on Sundays and Wednesdays. But once I started paying for said papers, the free packet no longer arrived. Which meant I couldn't see the grocery ads until Wednesday morning, but by the time the paper gets here, I've already been to the grocery store. That just wasn't going to work for me. So....I requested the free packet anyway. On the phone, I was told that can't happen. Via email I received no response. So just to be safe, I also emailed our grocery store and asked if they would just mail me an ad. Lo and behold, this past Tuesday, I had the free packet thingamabob in my driveway, just like it used to always be. I also received a Homeland ad in the snail mail on Saturday (which is super early considering new sales start Wednesday.) Sometimes, it pays to say something...I mean, really, I could get the packet (which most people just throw away...) for FREE before, no problem, but now that I am PAYING, I had to beg to get one of those? Really? that makes zero sense to me. Sigh...I got what I needed, anyway, even if it took a few calls/emails to make it happen.<br />
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So. aside from that...I am bracing myself to get up and clean up that mess on the bar, and plan this week's school activities for the eldest child in this house, and grade some tests from my other teaching gig....<br />
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But Friday...last Friday...two days ago....here's what I was doing--<br />
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wake up.<br />
get ready.<br />
get children ready.<br />
eat breakfast.<br />
start eldest child on math and writing assignments...read a book or two after that...practice our memory verses...review the four seasons we learned about this week...count to 20 in spanish....<br />
in between all of those things, fold laundry, change poopy diaper, clean up dishes, pack diaper bag, try not to go insane...<br />
load children in car. begin driving. to somewhere i used to be able to locate as easily as I can locate my own home. only this time, it was different. because i hadn't been there in about 6 months.<br />
drive drive drive, until i could see the downtown part of the city....then think, "oh crap. i don't remember which exit to take."<br />
turn on GPS...quickly look through "recent found places" only to find what I'm looking for isn't stored there. because I haven't been there 'recently'. <br />
finally locate on the GPS where I need to go, but by then most of it's coming back to me. but it took awhile. it was probably something like riding a bike, but not as fun.<br />
take my exit (which is all jacked up because seriously, there is so much construction going on right now....which really inconveniences me when I am driving home from teaching at night....it's late, and i just want to go home, and i can't even get on I40 to get home...sometimes. i know, not the biggest issue in the world, but I'm allowed to find it a mild inconvenience....because that's what it is. nothing more. nothing freakout worthy. but annoying.)<br />
arrive at parking garage of said destination....and even this feels foreign. in my brain i'm thinking "dont' forget to stop so they can give you a parking decal thing." then i remember to myself, "oh no, you don't do that here, you just push that button and the ticket prints out." so I do that. and i pull to the back of the garage where we 'always park' except that we don't. because we don't go there anymore. and it isn't until i see there are no spots back there that i realize the garage is all different. even different than it was six months ago when it was already 'different' and being reconstructed. it's changed again. and i had driven into our area of the garage, going the completely wrong direction. thankfully, no one was coming the RIGHT direction to hit me head on.<br />
so i back out, find another spot, and head in, both children in tow.<br />
we head towards the elevators. no one stops to say hi and ask how we are doing, bc no one recognizes us. this isn't normal. except, it is.<br />
we get on the elevator, and i don't even think about the fact i'm not holding ridge, like i 'usually' do when we are here. he's just standing beside me, holding my hand, while we go up/stop/let someone else on/go up/stop/etc....everytime we stop he gets this weird look on his face, and i think 'how does this seem so weird to him? we've been on an elevator hundreds of times in his life.' only, he hasn't. not really. he HAS been in one, with ME, hundreds of times. but he hasn't been in one, WELL, and standing beside me. and the stop start that gets some of our stomachs turning was getting him. and scaring him, just enough that i could see it on his face. and i was thankful. thankful that he didn't know what that feeling was. thankful that he didn't remember. thankful that when we finally stepped off the elevator and walked towards the clinic, because by now you have surely figured out we were going to the hospital, he didn't know anyone sitting at the desk, not because they didn't know him (although one of them was new and I'd never met her before, so of course she didn't know us either), but because he didn't remember them. he and the eldest child found a seat and started watching Cars on the Disney Channel...when our name was called, in typical child fashion, as soon as we got to the room for him to be weighed, he begins crying hysterically, even though the nurse was one very familiar with us. he didn't know her. he didn't remember her. and glory be, that boy cried and cried in fear of the doctor's office. because he doesn't go there all the time. because he isn't comfortable there. because it isn't NORMAL. and i let him cry and cry and i smiled the whole time. Because THAT is okay. THAT is normal. I wish he felt comfortable there only because I don't want him to be afraid, not because I want to be regulars there. So if he freaks out a little because the nurse wants him to lay down so she can measure his length (height and weight both on track, by the way)...then I will praise Jesus for that because THAT is normal. and we don't HAVE to be normal. But I am thankful that my feisty, fit throwing toddler showed up that day in the clinic office, not my passive, trusting, thinks living in the hospital is normal, baby. I love him no mater who he is or where he is, but Friday...we were normal.<br />
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....And in fact, sidenote, I cried in the parking garage, not because I was sad to be there. I cried because I was so unbelievably grateful that we do NOT have to be there anymore. <br />
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When the nurse took us to the patient room to wait on the doctor, Ridge cried some more until she said, "i'm leaving! i'm leaving!" and as soon as she was gone, he was happy. And as we waited, I wondered if we would have much cooperation out of Ridge once the doctor arrived...we were just there for a checkup (which is pretty much just verbal/checklist stuff), but there is some minor physical contact between dr/patient...and i wasn't sure how the feisty 2 year old would handle it. I mean, granted, this is the doctor who has seen Ridge through it all, counseled us with sound advice and listened willingly to our suggestions/thoughts/worries/ideas....the doctor that I believe God placed in the right place at just the right time. But even though I know this, the 2 year old might not be so understanding of the man in the white coat...But you know what? When Dr. A walked in the room, the first thing Ridge did was smile and wave. Ridge remembered Dr. A. And maybe one day, he won't. But maybe...in a very, very good way, he always will.alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-7235407605079845512011-09-17T06:59:00.000-05:002011-09-17T06:59:54.387-05:00zzzzzzzzzzzzz....I'm so tired I'm practically drooling right here at the computer.<br />
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Saturday mornings start super early now that I teach a class at 8 AM....on Saturdays. I'm not complaining-- the students are fantastic, the material is easy to teach, and I get to wear jeans. It's just early. <br />
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This weekend, on my agenda, is a whole lot of nothing. I hope to get caught up on some sewing, because I never am caught up on that...and to take naps...because I do that at least 3x a week now :)....and maybe to watch some movies (at home) in the maybe-it-will-be-rainy weather. If I can keep my eyes open long enough to read, I also would love to read as much of Radical as possible...<br />
Sunday, church and grocery shopping are the name of the game...Did you know this Sunday is national "Back to Church" Sunday? I didn't. I just learned that this week. So...now ya know. Unless you knew before.<br />
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You know what I think is funny about parenting? Is how it changes you completely and you don't even see it coming. You know a baby will totally rock your world...but last night, at 8:45, I was the only one up and doing stuff in my house. My kids were in bed, and BDawg was in there with them. I think he was asleep, but maybe he was just resting. :) And it wasn't even weird. I mean, it is weird, to be an adult and in bed (or want to be in bed!) at 8:45 PM...but it ISN'T weird in the sense that it is uncommon...bc it is NOT uncommon-when you have kids-to want to go to bed that early...if you're me, you want to go to bed even earlier! I thought this year would bring a couple hours each afternoon to clean up the house and do some crafty stuff while the kids napped/rested. Nope. Like I have already mentioned...at least 3x a week, during their nap, I take a nap. Because I'm tired. Because chasing my favorite 5 yr old and 2 yr old around the house all day makes me tired. Being a parent also means that while it is super fun to go out with friends or the husband, even though both occurrences are rare, it is also just as fun to have the house all to myself for an hour...whereas before kids, why would that have been fun at all? Kids....changing the game completely. Love those kids (no really, I do.)<br />
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I have to go to work. What's on your weekend agenda?alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7955965240549179311.post-79869586288962863572011-09-10T12:40:00.001-05:002011-09-10T12:41:48.890-05:00burns all the way down....Fall-ish weather here has really gotten me in the mood for soup. Like, for every meal (minus breakfast...I'm on a greek yogurt kick there).....It's a bonus on the soup since Progresso was on sale this week and with a coupon I was able to score cans of it for about 75c each. They won't last long with my habitual soup eating, though. My problem is I can't wait for it to cool down a bit before I eat it. I have to eat it right away so that my lips, my tongue, my esophagus, and my stomach are all blistered by the time I'm finished. Ridiculous. I have no patience. Of course, homemade soup is always better, but the same problem exists with that. But bring on the colder weather-- it's time for chicken and noodles, chicken and dumplins, chicken/lime/cilantro soup, good ol' fashioned stew, baked potato soup, broccoli cheese soup...chicken and rice soup....gosh there are so many. my poor blistered digestive system.<br />
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In other news, we are going to <i>try</i> to get Ridge a flu shot this year. We were pretty gung-ho about the flumist, which is what sawyer and I will get, but there are a couple of red flags on it for Ridge, so perhaps the flu shot is in order....We haven't done any vaccinations since he turned 1 year old, so I'm a little freaked out...In the past, vaccines have caused him to bleed. Please pray that if that happens, it will be minimal. We have not had to STAY in the hospital in 9 months or so, and I am more than okay with that. Ridge had a blood transfusion in March, and another in June, and that is it in the last six months. Oh how I like this so much better than the other! That life was hard...every day it was hard. <br />
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What else...Ridge can take his own diaper off now. That's funny...and inconvenient. I sent the kids outside to play the other day and BDawg looks out and says, "um...look out there." and there's my naked two year old...diaper under the picnic table...he's just playing in the dirt. He's funny. <br />
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Sawyer's so smart (I mean, we all think that about our kids...so it's okay if I say it. Your kid is so smart, too.). He can write his numbers at least to 50, probably higher, I just haven't asked him to do so, yet. He can count to 100. He can add almost anything (as long as it doesn't require carrying a 1 or something) you ask him to, as long as you give him an example of how to do it if it's a bit trickier (like 51+23+12). He is reading really well and spelling things by sound, even if the actual spelling isn't spot on. We are very much the same, so time at home can be difficult, but most days it is wonderful and we get a lot accomplished. He has started going to Wednesday night class at church, and when he came home last week he said, "that's the most fun i've had in my whole life!" :) He is getting so big....<br />
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I gave my first exam in one of our classes this week- it was amazing how I had all of the exams graded and all grades posted/averaged in about an hour's time...the program we use is so excellent, much less work on the educator's part...and the tests graded SO quickly. I am still not quite adjusted to a schedule of being gone two nights a week and Saturday mornings, but once I get there, it is fantastic. <br />
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I have picked up David Platt's book, Radical. If you've read it, feel free to weigh in here...Don't spoil any of it- I'm only a couple chapters in. But it's like kick you in the face good. I'm sure many of you have read it or are familiar with it, but aaaaaah-- it's all about what truly following Jesus means-- and it will totally uproot your thoughts/comforts of living the American Dream. Pretty much every page makes you want to be real, be devoted, and stop playing around. I mean, we're talking legit stuff here. The true cost of following Christ....something so many of us are unwilling to do even though we claim we are believers. The dedication required would actually cause some to stop and think, logically, if it was really worth it.... you know,are you really willing to really be a follower of Christ or not if THIS (whatever THIS is) is what He asks of you? Not just someone who says you are a follwer, but really...you aren't at all. I mean, totally slams you in the face. In a good way, I promise. I don't have a lot of time to read, but this is one that I won't be able to put down....one that I even ordered on CD so my husband would "read" it too! :) But it's another thing that "burns all the way down" like the soup....instead of through my esophagus, though, this time, straight through the very core of who we are....not just am I a good person...but am I DOING anything to show that I am WHO I say I am? Are any of us? I could ramble about it forever, but I'd say instead, read the book! Totally!<br />
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Well...I'm going to take a Saturday nap. yes. I am.alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15699518446113288331noreply@blogger.com1