Thursday

Today started out with a 3 1/2 hour trip to the lab for the 3 hour glucose tolerance test. Let me tell you, I am glad that is over with. That "glucola" is nasty and I will be glad to never have to drink it again. I won't know the results until my doctor's appointment next week.

This evening, Paul brought home our Christmas tree- a real one! The kids were thrilled and we were reminded why we bought an artificial tree. It took quite a bit of time, toothpicks and poker chips (don't ask) to get that tree standing sturdy. And even then it almost fell over while we were decorating it. We lost one ornament-one my sister in law made us when we moved from Florida. It was full of sand. Sand that got all over the floor, along with the glass from the ornament.

Sam enjoyed helping with the tree and put all his ornaments on one branch. We had the usual disagreement of the Yankees/Red Sox ornaments and which would hang higher. Paul Jr. even went so far as to suggest instead of the star that we put a Red Sox hat on the top of the tree. I told him to go ahead, but there would be no presents for him from me under the tree. He said it would be worth it. We'll see. As of now, there is a star on our tree. And as of now, the ornaments are hanging at an even height. We'll see how long that lasts. It seems at least one of them moves up higher each night.

I don't have a finished picture of the tree because it needs some TLC. Which is just a fancy way of saying that I need to go fix it- even out the ornaments, and make sure there are none dragging the ground. I was too tired tonight, so it will have to be tomorrow. I do have some pictures of it in progress.

Potty Training, part 2

We started potty training, part 2, a few days ago. It's going much like potty training, part 1 went. He just doesn't get it. He's not associating that feeling that you have to go with telling us and getting to the potty. I've NEVER had this much trouble potty training a toddler! All my others were potty trained by this age-and did so easily. But, we're not giving up. He's ready- he shows all the "signs" of readiness, so we are going to stick this out. I am determined that he be potty trained by the time Benjamin arrives.

Wordless Wednesday

Mid-1970's

That Time of Year Again!

We got down the Christmas decorations tonight at the insistence of my daughters. I was not as excited as they because, although I love Christmas and decorating, I know the mess it makes as we decorate and I was not ready to face that mess yet. But I gave in and we pulled out the boxes, and now, the house is a mess! I am tired and done for the night, but I guess it will all still be waiting for me in the morning. We are toying with the idea of getting a real tree, again at the insistence of our children. Since it's been so long since we've had one, we really don't know how much it costs. So we will check it out and see if it will work for us this year.

We had good services this morning. Several families were out due to traveling or sickness, but the spirit of God was evident. Sam was a wiggle worm during church and it's getting harder and harder to hold him on my lap. Makes me wonder how I will control him and a new baby also.

Sleeping Angel

A few days ago, I laid down on my bed and fell asleep. Sam crawled up beside me, and fell asleep himself. As I woke up, I looked over and this is what I saw:

What a cutie!

Thanksgiving Day, 2007

4:23 AM

was the time on my clock this morning when I got up (on purpose) to hit the after Thanksgiving sales with my son Zack. I promised him months ago I would take him. He had begun working on a regular basis and was saving up for some item, and we decided it would be great if he could wait until today to buy it. Well, he waited and he bought it today. We were in line in 37 degree weather at 4:45am along with many other people. He got the item he wanted and a few more for Christmas presents. I picked up a few presents also. We were done by 7:30 and then we had a nice breakfast at Cracker Barrel. He's growing up so fast- he'll be 15 in about 6 weeks, and has grown several inches in the past few months. Sometimes I get so caught up with my older son, Paul, turning 18 this next year, that I forget Zack is right behind him. Zack has always been a unique person and has brought life and laughter to our home. I can't imagine life without him and I can't imagine him moving out of my house.

20 Years

20 years ago today, Paul asked me to marry him. We were in Baltimore at the time, home from college for the Thanksgiving break. I knew he was going to ask me, but I had no idea it would be at Thanksgiving. In the afternoon, he asked me if I would like to go to the Inner Harbor and walk around. I, of course, said yes! But I asked my 2 year old nephew Joshua if he would like to go, not knowing what the purpose of the trip was. Somehow, between my mom and sister, they persuaded him not to go and Paul and I took off.

20 years is a long time- sometimes I just can't believe it's been that long. But today, on Thanksgiving, Paul is at the top of my list of things to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving

Doctor's Appointment

Bad news: I failed the glucose test. I go next week for the 3 hour test.

Great news: My blood pressure was 128/72. Wonderful for me this far into a pregnancy. I guess I have one more thing to be thankful for this year!

Now, it's off to the kitchen! We're making creamy pumpkin pie, chocolate pie, cream cheese pie, pumpkin roll, fudge, sweet potato souffle, broccoli casserole, corn and rolls. Paul is smoking/deep frying 3 turkeys; my mother and sister in law are bringing the rest. We are going to be set for food for tomorrow!

The Day Before Thanksgiving

Growing up, it seems one of the most exciting days in the year was the day before Thanksgiving. My Dad took my younger brother on a trip to upstate New York with him, and they were gone from Monday morning to late Wednesday night. That left just my mom, my sister and I. Mom always made it fun when dad went away, and preparing for Thanksgiving made it just that more fun.

When I was in school, we only got Thanksgiving and the Friday after off. But mom let us take the Wednesday before off to help her prepare for the big day. (Although, looking back, I really wonder if we "helped" her!) We cooked and cleaned and just had a great time together. I really don't remember anything we cooked (we did cook didn't we mom??), and of course I don't remember cleaning (I'm sure I wasn't a great help there!), but I do remember the fun we had just spending the day together.

One of the greatest memories from my childhood. Thanks mom.

Woo-Hoo

Check out my pregnancy ticker at the top of my blog- 100 days to go! That's just a little over 3 months. I'm ready for this baby and to be done being pregnant.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow for the dreaded glucose test. I'm not expecting to pass it, but I do have a slim hope that I might. It would be the first time, but who knows.

Monday

I had sort of a lazy day today! I think I was tired out from all the housework we did the end of last week and I took two naps today! The house was unusually quiet this afternoon and I took advantage of it!

I finally got to start my baby quilt.

Sometimes it seems starting is the hardest part.

I ironed all the fabric (which took a LONG time- my least favorite part), cut out all the strips and sewed them together. I rather enjoyed it.


Tonight Ellie made some delicious peanut butter cookies. It was her first time to make something all by herself and she did great! The recipe only called for three ingredients (pb, sugar and an egg) and everybody loved them.




Have a great evening.

Sunday

We had a wonderful time this afternoon hosting a few families from our church for lunch. Paul smoked some meat, and I made cheesy potatoes and green bean casserole. Everything was delicious, but the fellowship made the meal. We have found that in order to get to know families more intimately, we need to have them in our home. Our fellowship meal at church is great, but even that doesn't lend itself to really getting to know someone. I enjoy having people over, but I do not have the gift of hospitality. My husband does, which made for some intersting situations early on in our marriage. Thank God we learned how to work with each other instead of frustrating each other.

This week will be spent getting ready for Thanksgiving. We will have Paul's parents, brothers, sister and brother in law and a family from our church. We always have a bunch of people over- one year we had almost 30! We had a few years where we did not live by any family, so we started the tradition of having people over who had no other place to go. We had several older people over the first few years we lived here and really enjoyed it. My inlaws help by bringing various parts of the meal so I don't have to cook it all. Paul always takes care of the turkeys- I think this year he is smoking it. He does make the best turkey!

Saturday

It's late and it's an early morning tomorrow. Tomorrow is hospitality Sunday at our church and we have several people coming over to join us for lunch. Today was spent in preparation for that and I'm tired tonight- I was tired when I woke up this morning!

Have a wonderful Sunday worshipping our Savior.

Friday

We cleaned all day today, and as a matter of fact, we cleaned all day yesterday also! It has been a while (TOO LONG) since we've had a work day at our house and boy did the house need it. We were able to get alot of things done that needed done. Everyone pitched in and helped with good attitudes (well, mostly) and our house was gleaming tonight.

My brother Jon and his family came by around 3:30. They were on their way further north, but stopped in for a visit and dinner. It was so nice to see him, his wife Julie and their two children. All the kids had so much fun playing together outside in the leaves and we had a nice visit. Paul smoked some meat on the smoker which came out delicious! It was a wonderful afternoon and evening.

It's hard to believe that next week is Thanksgiving already. While I love Thanksgiving, I almost don't want it to come, because as soon as it hits, the holiday rush is on. By holiday rush, I mean how quickly the days pass. Before we know it, Christmas will be here and gone. I just love this time of year, with the cool weather and the anticipation in the air, that I hate for it to end. However, knowing that there is a baby waiting for me in 2008 certainly changes that mindset! Have you looked at my ticker at the top of my blog? 104 days to go. Wow. I can't wait.

Paul and the Gyroscope

Christmas Giveaway

Go over and check out 5 minutes for mom's christmas giveaway! They are giving away different things all through the holiday season!

Wordless Wednesday

Our Family, 1999

Tuesday

I spent the first half of today recovering from our trip yesterday! I was so tired and sore. But the kids really enjoyed the museum and it was very interesting. They liked the fact that it was so hands on. Even Sam enjoyed it. They had a room for children under 7 and we played in that room for a while. There was so much stuff in there that it was almost overwhelming!

A few minutes after we arrived, I snapped this picture of Sam:

A little while later, he went back and stood behind this prop and put his head through. He somehow got his head stuck (I still don't know how he did it) and cut under his eye and his eyelid and scraped his nose. He screamed and cried, but then he was fine and never let it slow him down.
Here are the girls on the "gyroscope". Anna had a blast and swung herself around and around. Ellie, however, was a bit more cautious.

Anna also rode this bike on a narrow track way up off the ground. She said it was scary and she was afraid she might fall off.


And here is Sam, riding a motorcycle (or as he says, "a mocorcycle").

I was very meloncholy today, and I really didn't know why until I realized what date it was. November 13. 4 years ago, I lost the 11 week old baby I was carrying. I knew the date was coming up, but it caught me off guard. I feel sometimes that I put too much emphasis on losing that baby, but it is a part of who I am. I almost feel that my life is divided into two parts: the part before I lost the baby and the part after. I would have never guessed how much a miscarriage changes and defines your life. I don't mourn that baby as much as I did at first; I only occasionally think about him. But he is part of who I am, and that will never change.

Tired tonight

We spent the day in Augusta, a 2 1/2 hour drive from our house at a science museum called, "Fort Discovery". The kids really enjoyed it, as did Paul. I, however, enjoyed the first 1-2 hours and then was ready to go. I am exhausted and cannot wait to close my eyes tonight! More details tomorrow....

Sam's first night in his Big Boy Bed

Sam slept in his big boy bed for the first time last night! He did great- staying in bed the whole night and even when he woke up this morning. I don't think he understands that he can get up by himself, and I'm not telling him!

Here he is taking a nap this afternoon.

This picture is from our services this morning. As you can see, Paul "decorated" the stage area with all his hunting stuff as an object lesson. The sermon was on treasure- that where your treasure is, there your heart is. Paul was showing us part of his "treasure". It was another great service today- a wonderful spirit
was evident among God's people and our church was full again. God is good.

Images from Our House

Zack and Sam
Paul and Sam Oldest and Youngest
Trigger
Picking up Trash
A boy and his dog

 

Climbing at the park

 

Fishing

 

Sam and Dad

 

Flowers for Mama

Sam's New Big Boy Bed

We finally found Sam a toddler bed. We've been looking since we found out we were expecting another baby way back in June. Paul and I had our hearts set on a race car bed, but they were hard to find within our price range. So today, the girls, Sam and I went to the Salvation Army. I said to Anna right before we walked in, "Wouldn't it be great if we walked in and saw a toddler bed with a mattress at a decent price?"

Sure enough, we found one! It isn't a race car bed, but it's still cute and I couldn't beat the price! We did not want to pay over $50; this bed, with the mattress, was only $14.95!! Somehow we fit it in the van, brought it home and the girls did a great job scrubbing it clean.

Sam really does like it; he had just woke up from a nap that was not quite long enough and nothing was pleasing him. We'll see how he does in it tonight- I am hoping and praying he will stay in bed, but he might just enjoy his new found freedom!

Doctor's Appointment

I had another doctor's appointment this morning, and other than having to wait a long time, everything went well. My blood pressure was right where it was supposed to be and the baby sounded good. I go back in two week for the glucose tolerance test- can you say YUCK??? For those of you who don't know what it is, you drink this very sweet, syrupy drink and an hour later, they draw your blood and see what your glucose level is. I've taken this test 5 times and failed it 5 times. So I am not real hopeful that I will pass it! When you fail, you take the same test, drinking the same drink, except it lasts for 3 hours and they draw blood every hour. Fun stuff. Thank goodness I've never failed that one.

It has turned chilly here in the South. We were down in the 30's this morning. Paul was so excited to start the fireplace this morning and I must admit, it did warm up the front part of the house. It was almost too warm! That is a nice change from previous winters.

The boys and Paul are gone again, trying to find some deer to shoot! Please pray they shoot something- they try so hard.

Wordless Wednesday

Trigger

The Blessed Hose

Sam was in a singing mood that lasted a very short time. I did manage to capture the first line of the Doxology, which he calls "The Blessed Hose."

Sunday

We had a wonderful church service yesterday. There was a such a sweet spirit in our church that hadn't been there in several weeks. We were full, with a lot of first time visitors, which is always encouraging. Paul preached an outstanding message on ownership- how God owns everything we own. The music was perfect and so worshipful.



But the most powerful element of the entire service was when Paul (my husband, the pastor of our church) got down on his hands and knees and knelt before a certain man and began to wash his feet. This man had just apologized to the church for something that was done, and Paul wanted to show that this man and his family were restored to the fellowship. There was absolute silence in the church as we all watched this image of servanthood.

As I was sitting in the back, taking all this in, I could almost envision God sitting up in heaven, saying to Himself, "No, I am not finished with this church yet." Our church has gone through a rough time lately, and yesterday was a confirmation that God is not finished with us yet.

Samuel

Our 2007 Ornament

Well we found an ornament today! I actually found 5 that would work for our size family. 2 we already had from years past, 1 I didn't really care for and 2 that I liked. Paul said he liked this one the best, so this is the one we got:


Here's a picture of Ellie and Sam playing on the computer tonight:

Oh yeah, no luck with deer today. They didn't even see one.

Friday (already?)

Where do the weeks go? It seems this one just started and now it is the weekend already.

Paul and Zack are out hunting this morning in hopes of Zack shooting his first deer. A friend of Paul's invited them out to their hunting land where he has seen many deer. They were so excited last night that I hope he shoots one. I'm anxiously waiting the phone call that will tell me it has happened.

Monday we took the kids to the little park in our community. It was an absolutely stunning day and perfect for a picnic. It was so nice to have all of us there, something that doesn't happen all the time anymore. Sam just ran and ran and swang and ran some more. He just doesn't run out of energy.

Last night I was able to get to the fabric store by myself. I hadn't done that in a long time, too long. I have been itching to make a quilt for my new baby and wanted to look at some fabric. Unfortunately, I didn't find what I was looking for. But I will keep looking! I want this baby to come home in a quilt made by his mom. Ellie was the only other baby I brought home in a quilt I made and I am looking forward to doing it again.

Today is a busy day, at least for part of our family. Paul and Zack should be home around 11 and we are hoping to run up to Christmas Made in the South, a big craft fair that comes each year. Our main purpose in going is to buy an ornament for our tree. We buy an ornament each year with all our names on it and the year; we have quite a collection now. I am not sure that we will find one with 8 names; finding one with 7 names was rather difficult. My most treasured ornament is the one we bought in 2003, when I was expecting the baby I eventually miscarried. We were so full of hope and excitement and when I see the name "baby" on that ornament, I am reminded ot that.

Have a great day.