The pain to abstain

While browsing a baby community board, I noticed a woman's post, wondering why so many other woman on the board were unwilling to make healthy sacrifices for their unborn children.  True, many others on the board admit to continuing to smoke and drink alcohol.  The woman who posted about this wondered very politely why moms weren't abstaining for the sake of their precious babies, for even the finite period of 9 months.  Let's just say she took A LOT of heat for her post.  Other moms wrote in very defensively and rudely and verbally lashed her up one side and down the other.  I don't reply to posts very often, but felt moved to do so on this one.  I told the original poster that I agreed with her.  One of the others defended her position by stating that she usually smokes 2 packs a day and was down to 5 cigarettes.  It seems she was rather proud of herself.  Another said she 'only' drinks 1 glass of wine per week and that is done in other countries all the time, without ill effects.  Really?!  I mean, really?  

Oh my, how easy it is for some people to rationalize their wants.  In church we have been talking about "the pain to abstain".  Yes, sometimes it is painful to abstain from our wants.  But when there is good reason & good cause, it is important and very worth it.  These women believe that their cigarettes and alcohol are worth taking a risk with their unborn babies' life.  And they aren't even willing to suspend their wants for just 9 months.  We live in a world now that celebrates the "all about me" lifestyle, where our wants are expected to be paramount to that of others.  

The thought makes me sick.  I choose differently.  Yes, I enjoy a glass of wine.  But my baby is far more important to me than wine. You see here in this post a photo of my hands.  My severe eczema typically only affects my feet.  This pregnancy, it has chosen my hands as well.  Holding a pen to write has caused my knuckles and fingers to crack open and bleed.  You will notice I have no rings on.  My fingers began to swell from the inflammation so badly that my last ditch effort to remove the rings was to ask Dan to cut them off.  To keep the wounds from becoming infected, I pour hydrogen peroxide on them daily after I shower. And yes, it stings, but it is effective.  Now, the pain to abstain...in my bathroom drawer lies a prescription ointment that will clear my eczema up in three days.  I have been told to use it if the benefits outweigh the risks to my unborn baby.  To which I respond:  what benefit could there possibly be that would be greater than my child?  None exists.  

The other photo you see is of a purple foot.  Mine.  It is purple from vericose veins, which I am afflicted by primarily during pregnancy...each pregnancy.  I know with each desire to conceive that if God blesses me with a healthy pregnancy, my right foot, leg, and all the way up will turn purple and ache.  In this photo, I am 24 weeks pregnant. The color and ache will increase as I get further along.  Is my comfort worth more than the child God blesses us with?  No, absolutely not.  And what about the women who choose not to abstain from their alcohol and cigarettes for the sake of their unborn babies?  I look at them & find another thing to abstain from...these community boards where selfish women demean those with a healthy perspective.  Au revoir, community boards.  I'm happy I don't belong.  And it turns out the "pain to abstain" often isn't that painful at all.  It's all just perspective.

My Day Played Out Like a Bad Country Song!

December 11, 2012

My day began normally.  I planned to run a couple errands to do some Christmas shopping with Gabby and Evie.  We were on schedule.  At 9am, I went outside to pre-warm the car, taking Paisley, our 2 yr old black lab, with me to go potty.  It was then that my day began to resemble a really bad country song.  Without graphic details, let's just say I discovered Paisley has tapeworms.  I hurried back into the house to get a disposable container I would never care to see again, and used a shovel to collect a fecal sample.  Leaving the sample outside, I again returned indoors to call my husband, and then the vet.  The vet confirmed that what I saw was indeed tapeworms.  All of this was shocking to me.  We keep Paisley on flea meds, heart worm meds and in our own yard. I had never experienced this before in all my years of pet ownership.    

An entire hour later, I had spoken with my husband & our vet, and reset a new course for us that included an out-of-the-way trip to the vet for medicine.  No fecal sample was required, so I had subjected myself to that experience needlessly.  Finally we were on the road.  We picked up the medicine at the vet and drove to our Christmas shopping destination.

As we got in the car to go home, my cell phone rang.  It was the children's school.  Lily needed a change of clothes brought over as soon as possible.  I said I was on my way.  I looked at the clock and stressed.  There was just enough time to drive home and make lunch for the babies so I could get them down for nap on time.  Stopping by home, driving to school, & driving back home would put a serious crimp in my schedule.  Still, Lily needed those clothes, so we went.  

When we finally made it home to stay, I looked at the clock and still tried to salvage our schedule, needing the babies to nap.  So I rushed through preparing lunch, serving & eating lunch, through clean up, & diaper changes.  As a pregnant mommy, I was delighted to see that we were only off our nap schedule by 20 mins!  That meant I could take a short nap during part of their nap....and boy did I feel like I could use one!  I had to skip story time, but got Gabby & Evie tucked in their beds and then crept off to mine.  A short while later, before my alarm could even ring, I was roused by the sound of Gabby talking, yelling, singing, and simply being quite loud.  One of the things she was calling out was "Evie!"  over and over.  She wasn't sleepy and wanted company in her wakefulness.  I resigned myself to getting up, feeling tired and cranky.  Once downstairs, Evie managed to get into everything she shouldn't, pulling DVDs off the shelves and irritating Gabby by grabbing for whatever she had.  I managed to get 1 load of laundry folded, medicate Paisley and unload the dishwasher before the bus arrived.  Not too shabby.  Today the older girls had dance right after arriving home.  The children had time for a quick snack and then it was time to load up and head out.  I grabbed my purse from its usual spot on the kitchen desk, picked up Evie, and loaded us all into our van, locking the door behind me.  After buckling Gabby & Evie's seat belts, I reached in my purse for my keys....which were not there.  I checked to see if they had fallen to the floor.  Nope.  I checked to see if Gabby or Evie had grabbed them or were sitting on them.  Nope.  I knew we were late now.  I hurried to the back door, hoping perhaps I'd left it unlocked.  Maybe my keys had dropped to the floor in the house.  No, the house was locked like Fort Knox.  And there, through the window, I could see my keys...sitting where I had not set them, just staring at me.  I went looking for the spare key where my husband said he placed it, and did not find it.  I cut my losses.  I couldn't get into the house, but I knew there was a spare car key hidden under the van.  So, 5 month pregnant belly and all, I laid on the ground and slid under the van to reach the key.  Success!  We were late, and I couldn't get into our house, but I could get my older girls to dance.  As we neared the dance studio, I started laughing out loud.  I was thinking of my absurd day...tapeworms, derailed shopping plans, change of clothes at school, out of whack schedule, no naps, and locking myself out of our house.  It reminded me of the stuff a really bad country song is made of!

Despite the absurdities of the day, I reminded my children (who had asked why I was laughing) that we all have tough days sometimes. But even on our tough days, God gives us many blessings.  Our car worked, we were all safe, the medicine Paisley needed was available & we could buy it, I brought my daughter her change of clothes before too much time had passed, got my girls to dance, and my husband was home when we pulled in the driveway after dropping them off.  It could have been very different.  I thank God we are all safe and that Dan was working locally today.  Today left me 2 choices...laugh or cry.  I chose to laugh because I chose to remind myself of my blessings.

Sidebar:  The vet said Paisley contracted tapeworms by ingesting an infected flea.  Thankfully the medicine will heal her in one dose, and she is not a danger to anyone else, including the children.  

A Bible with a Colorful Story

Sometimes life is embarrassing.  

Yesterday's church anniversary celebration was a joyful event.  It was fun to celebrate our church over good food, friends, and even a bouncy house for the children.  We walked to our car afterward with a lot to carry...food, treats, diaper bag, children's crafts, bible, and of course 6 children to shepherd.  I had Gabby & Evie, while Dan loaded up our big 12 passenger van.  Once all gear and children were loaded, we drove home. 

Imagine my surprise this afternoon when Dan called me while I was at the boys' karate class to tell me a man had called him, sounding very angry, because he had found my bible...in his front yard.  He was angry because he was tired of people littering in front of his home.  He threatened that if we did not come get it right away, he would call the police!  Class was nearly over.  I got the man's address from Dan and drove there, speculating about how angry the man on the other side of the door was going to be with me.

How had my bible ended up in this man's front yard?  At home, I use a large, heavy study bible, so I likely wouldn't have missed my small one until closer to sunday.  I was shocked to hear that it wasn't at home, let alone that an angry man had it!  During the drive, I guessed what must have happened...Dan's hands were so full as he loaded our van yesterday that he must have set my bible on the roof of our van so he could open the door to load everything...and forgot it was there as his mind was on collecting the older children from the bouncy house.  Once focused on buckling the children into their seats and getting home, no one noticed my bible on the roof!

The man's home is a lovely house with a white picket fence around it, on our route home from church.  I pulled into his driveway & knocked on his door.  An older gentleman greeted me.  I didn't even know his name. I said I was the lady who lost her bible in his yard.  He smiled at me and invited me into his home.  I explained what I thought happened.  He was kind, very sweet and understanding.  He disappeared into his kitchen while I waited near the front door.  He returned saying that it didn't appear worse for wear, smiling.  We made small talk for a few minutes and then I thanked him again for taking the time to call us so I could have my bible back.  As I turned to go, he grinned  and said that he might've told my husband a small white lie...that he didn't intend to call the police; he was just tired of people littering in front of his home.  His chief complaint was all the beer cans and trash he continually picks up.  I told him that would upset me too, and I understood how disrespectful that must feel.  We shook hands, he told me his name, and told me I was welcome to come visit again.  

I have already written him a thank you note restating my gratitude, and inviting him to attend our church with us if he would like.  I will mail it tomorrow.  My bible could have flown from our car and landed anywhere...someone else's house, tall grass, etc.  But it didn't.  It landed in this man's yard.  Accident?  I don't think so.  I don't know what God has planned, but for whatever reason, our paths were meant to cross today.  

One of the lessons learned here?  I'm thankful God doesn't need us to be perfect to love us, because if His love were conditional on our perfection, there'd be no hope for me!   

Thank you to our neighbor down the road for saving my bible and taking his own time to get it back to me.  He cared enough to do that, and maybe just needed someone to vent to about how his home has been disrespected.  

My bible has added another story to its history.  May it continue to bring people together (without flying off a car roof would be okay)!

Gabby & Evie's Tea Party Photos

You can use the link below to view Gabby and Evie's tea party photos.  Gabby is 3 years old and Evie is 14 months.   Enjoy!



http://www.SearsPhotos.com/ViewSharedAlbum.aspx?ShareID=aa3f5f38-675a-4439-b4d0-6505d6361415

Pantry Project

 Over the 3 day Labor Day holiday, we decided to take on a project we've been putting off since we moved in...the pantry renovation!  The small pantry was not painted, & came with a white wire shelving system (which we absolutely hated).  Bottles would never stand up straight because of the gaps between the wire.  And, it was just plain ugly in there.  The shelves were not adjustable, and we found more and more food taking up residence on the pantry floor (bags of chips, rice, etc).  The 1st photo is of Dan starting demolition.  This took longer than expected since the @%*&! tabs on the shelves were put in upside down, right side up, and everything in-between. 

 Nearly done removing the old shelves.  Next will be spackling the many, many holes!  Hannah & I helped unscrew the many screws from the walls.

 During the project, (for 3 days!) our food took up residence on our kitchen table and in numerous bags in our mudroom.  And yes, little Evie could reach many items on the sides of the table <sigh>.

 The first couple cabinets are in!  No turning back now!

 Add another cabinet....making progress.

 We're getting there!

 Ah, the pantry looks so much better painted!  I love paint!  We chose a spiced pumpkin color, the same as our dining room and office.  Autumn is my favorite season, and spiced pumpkin makes me happy. :)  It also pairs nicely with our sage green kitchen!

 Cabinet doors are on, and the paint is looking great.

 Wow!  It's really looking amazing now!  All the shelves are up and they're all adjustable!!!!  We used unfinished oak.  

 The food is put back in and arranged by category.  The little counter top to the left holds my most often used small appliances...the family size crock pot and my industrial strength mega blender!   So easy to reach now...I love it! 

 Yes, I admit it...I'm a total type A.  I LOVE the labels on my pantry shelves!  Seen here is my tea & coffee shelf, which also includes hot cider and hot cocoa.

Two other shelves include italian / rice, which includes pastas, spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, & of course rice.  Another shelf is baking and jello, which includes pudding mix, canned pumpkin, etc.

Other shelves include: snacks / crackers, sandwich / cookies, beans / ethnic.  Hidden behind cabinet doors is more baking (powdered sugar, brown sugar, cooking oil, flour, sugar, etc.).  And in the tall set of cabinets is the rest of the large cooking pots, etc.  These cabinets are a great place to keep the 2 kinds of popcorn poppers, bread maker, big pots, small crock pot, etc.

Thank you, to my sweet honey, who is so amazingly talented at home improvement projects.  It took all 3 days of our long weekend, but when you consider 6 children were running about, still needing meals, baths, etc (& a baby getting under foot every chance she got), that's not too shabby!  Our pantry is now a joy, and we even have extra unused space behind those gorgeous cabinets.  Now all that's left is Dan installing crown moulding & baseboards, and me having the fun of choosing pretty cabinet knobs.  

Thank you, Dan!   We love it!!!!

Beautiful Heartbreak - Hilary Weeks - Every Step

yes.

The Mom Song.flv

Thought I'd post this now that the first day of school is nearly upon us....  

Homeless Man Under Pressure.mov

Love this!  Great song, too.

"To Do List" by Hilary Weeks

She must know me!!!  :)

These Feet Are Made For Walkin'!

WOW!!! My baby girl walked on the 4th of July!!! She took many unprompted steps! I took this video of her minutes ago... Way to go, Evangeline!!! We love you and are so proud of you. Oh the places those little feet will go!

God Sends Angels

Today, Sunday, was our first day at the beach during our vacation.  And today God sent 2 of His angels to our son, Cameron.  

The boys were riding the waves on their surf boards, and I was trailing after them, my iphone in hand, trying to capture their fun with the camera.  None of us noticed that Connor & Cameron were moving farther out...trying to get to the bigger waves to ride.  I followed, watching them through the screen of the camera, zooming in and out, trying to catch the fast action.  And then, so suddenly, ...it happened.  I looked up from the camera and noticed how far out we were.  At the same time as I was taking in the distance with my eyes, I heard my sons yelling, “Help!  Mommy, help!”  The boys were ahead of me, further out than I was.  They had drifted far enough so that they could not touch the bottom.  As I began walking fast and with purpose toward the boys, I took it all in.  The distance between me and them, the fear and urgency in their voices, and the fact that the water around them was calm...they were past where the waves were breaking.  I reached Connor first and grabbed onto his board.  I yelled to Cameron to come toward me.  He was further out than Connor by several feet.  Cameron was scared.  He yelled back, “I can’t!”  And then I saw a reason for urgency...every swell that was flowing through Cameron would nudge him momentarily closer to us, then further out to sea.  The distance between us was increasing, and I could see it.  I was losing him.  I glanced quickly around me.  There were 2 people, a man & a woman, watching, waiting.  Holding onto Connor, I walked toward Cameron.  And I couldn’t touch the bottom anymore.  Hearing Cameron, glancing around, and moving toward him all happened in the same moment.  When I knew I couldn’t touch the ocean floor anymore, I had 2 choices.  Let go of Connor and swim toward Cameron, or call for help from the 2 people who I knew saw us.  In that moment, I felt that I could not let go of Connor, I could not turn my back on Cameron while pulling Connor to where he could put his feet down.  I kept my hand on Connor and my eyes on Cameron, and waved my left hand toward the 2 people and yelled for help.  They heard and came right over.  They swam immediately toward Cameron, and pulled him over to me.  Meanwhile, I ended up with swells lapping over my head, and as we made our way back toward shore, the waves came up from behind and crashed down on our heads.  

After pulling Cameron toward me and walking a few feet with us to make sure the boys were able to stand and walk, they simply disappeared.  They could have been anywhere else at that moment.  They could have easily never noticed us even if they were nearby.  Cameron was drifting farther away from me for those few minutes.  If I had let go of Connor to swim toward Cameron, Connor could have drifted away too.  If I had pulled Connor in toward shore so he could make it back on his own, I would have increased the distance between Cameron & I, and my son would have thought I was leaving him.  I couldn’t leave either of my sons.  God worked through these two strangers to help us.  I do not know their names, and never saw them once back on the shore.  They appeared when we needed help, and were gone afterward.  My sons are safe.  A valuable lesson was learned today about not going out too far, and the power of the sea.  And we all gave thanks to God for sending us angels when we needed help.

Steve, Badger, a Copper Dragonfly, and... God.

There's no photo for this post.  It would have felt rude to take one.  But let me back up just a bit.  This story begins 3 days ago, on Sunday.  Our service at church was about how we live in such a busy & noisy world, and that it is important to make time for quiet reflection so that we may be better able to listen and hear God speaking to us.  


I have 6 children 9 yrs old and under.  I have very little quiet time (while awake).  When I want to read a book, I read little bits at a time as I brush my teeth twice a day and as I get ready after showering.  I manage to work out 20 mins a day on an at-home elliptical machine while my children are still sleeping.  This is the bulk of my quiet, personal time.  In my life, I need even my free time to multitask, so when I pray, it's while working out on the elliptical, and sometimes in the shower.  I think God understands and is accepting of this.  He blessed me with these beautiful children, and I think He's happy I'm talking to Him, no matter how that has to happen.


This morning as I prayed while on the elliptical, I asked God to please help me to know Him better today, to live my day in the way that would please Him.  Anyone who knows me well will confirm that I am an oblivious person.  It's not on purpose that I fail to notice what others see; it's just the way I've always been.  I can't even blame it on my children.  I've been this way since childhood.  My mother use to enjoy testing me when I was in high school.  She would change something in a room at home and when I got home from school, she would ask what was different.  Let's just say it would take me a week to notice a neon sign.  So, today I asked God for His help in knowing him better, recognizing Him in my day, and in making Him happy.


After breakfast, the children & I headed out to run errands.  And there, walking along the side of the road, was the same man I noticed the past several weeks.  He's perhaps 50, wears a back pack, and is always with his dog...a medium size mutt he walks on a leash.  I've seen him often as I've driven by and wondered about him.  He is never without his dog.  He doesn't hold a sign asking for help or money.  In fact, I've always seen him walking.  I remember the first time I saw him, I thought he looked like he'd just walked the Appalachian Trail.  He walks with dignity, straight and not slumped over.


I began to suspect he is homeless. I've been meaning to stop and offer him help. Today we saw him walking along the busy road, with his dog.  I told the children we were going to get him a gift card for McDonalds so he could get something cold to drink and food to eat.  We did a u-turn and made our way to McDonalds.  I asked the lady at the drive-thru if he would be welcome to come in and use the card, explaining who I was buying it for.  She said yes.  She said on the few times he has a little money, he will come in and buy something to eat, and always gets something for his dog to eat as well.  She confirmed that he is indeed homeless.  After paying for the card, we then drove to look for him.  I didn't find him at first.  I asked the children to look for him.  And I prayed that God would help me find him.  It would be a shame to miss him when we had a gift card in hand to offer him.  The children said they spotted him and pointed in a vague direction.  I turned around again, but didn't find him right away.  I began feeling disappointed. And then, a copper dragonfly appeared right outside my driver's side window.  It was a large dragonfly, with big, bright copper wings that looked metallic.  They were not brown, or orange; they were copper, and gleamed like a new, bright, shiny penny.  It flew on just ahead of our car, to the left of my windshield, and stayed close, yet just ahead.  Dragonflies have been my personal totem for a decade.  This one was gorgeous and I was momentarily caught up in looking at it as I slowly made my way around a parking lot. I followed the dragonfly, and it led me right to him....the homeless man and his dog.  I parked the car, now completely focused on the man.  I walked over to where he was sitting in back of a store, the first time I'd ever seen him sit.  I told him that I'd noticed him several times and how nice it was to always see him with his dog.  He commented that his dog is a good friend and takes good care of him.  He was articulate and calm, and spoke intelligently.  He sounded like anyone else I could be friends with, but looked like he'd just finished walking the entire Appalachian Trail.  He had a small stainless steel bowl that looked the size of a cat dish, with water in it for his dog.  I noticed it was clean.  I got the feeling he loves his dog and the feeling is mutual.  I told him my name and he said that his name is Steve, and his dog is Badger.  I said that it's been so hot, and that we'd really like to offer him a small amount of comfort with a gift card to McDonalds so he could get a bite to eat and something cold to drink.  It's been 95-100 degrees out.  He thanked me with genuine sincerity and gratitude.  He said that he likes sweet tea and would enjoy some today.  I told him 'you're welcome', and 'God bless you'.  I walked back to my car, feeling good about helping Steve, good about how he cares for his dog, and hoping we see him again.  As I began to drive away, the copper dragonfly flew up to my driver's side window again.  I hadn't seen it since I found Steve and parked.  It stayed beside my window for only a moment and then flew away.


I  reminded my children that though we were on our way to run errands during a busy morning, it only took a few minutes of our time to help another person and make a big difference in his day.  


I asked God this morning to help me know Him better today and live my day to please Him.  I had no idea what that could mean, but left it up to God.  I don't think it was a coincidence that the copper dragonfly guided me right to this man I was seeking to help, & having trouble finding.  And I am reminded that Jesus lived His life on earth helping those who were in need of help.  I hope I made Him smile today.  And I hope my children took a lesson to heart... a lesson worth repeating.

Evie's 1st birthday

What a beautiful day for a beautiful baby!  Evie turned 1 year old on Saturday, June 16, 2012!!!  She had an enormous balloon by our mailbox, and other balloons tied to her highchair.  Dan made her scrambled eggs for the very first time (couldn't have eggs until 1 yr old).  She loved them!!!  We went on a walk around the neighborhood, and Evie wore her pretty birthday shirt and pretty skirt.  She loved smashing her little fingers into her birthday cake.  The children all enjoyed helping Evie open her presents.  As is our tradition, Evie received a Madame Alexander doll as one of her gifts.  A favorite gift this year was a xylophone piano.  It was a happy day, celebrating a most wonderful little girl...our sweet Evie.  Evangeline, we are so very glad you are here!!!

Father's day lunch out

Daddy chose to eat out at Zaxby's for Father's Day lunch today.  We like their grilled chicken salads, and the children like their chicken fingers.  The placement of our family was a little different today.  Hannah & Gabby wanted to sit together at a separate table, while the boys wanted to do the same.  That left Dan & I sitting with Evie and Lily.  Our main table felt so empty, even with the others right nearby.  You should hear Gabby say grace...so sweet in her toddler voice!

Hannah & Gabby sitting together near our main table.

Hannah & Gabby say grace before eating.

The boys wanted to sit together, by themselves.

Forged in Fire

While evie napped today, Dan took the other children to the pool.  Hmmmm...what to do with 1 1/2 hours while I was at home with a sleeping angel?  Here's what I did...  I call this "Forged in Fire" because the heart is pink and copper, with fire rising from the heart.  It is about 18" with a gold lobster claw clasp.  Nice piece to show for nap time.  After nap?  Evie and I joined our crew for some Father's Day fun at the pool!  :)

Date Night June 16, 2012

Tonight Dan and I went to another painting class for our date night. This time, we channeled our inner Monet! Water Lilies was a lot of fun. Dan did the right canvas while I painted the left. They will hang side by side on our wall, making one complete painting. What fun, and we have our masterpiece to show for it!!!!

My little bakers

Hannah, Lily, & Gabby are pretending they are "Georgetown Cupcake" bakers! We are making 2 banana breads this time. Maybe they will last longer than a few hours this time!

Rainy Day Fun

What to do with 6 children on a rainy day? Turn the kitchen table into a fort! And somehow, the chairs became a walking trail! It has been a good morning for baking banana bread too. I love rainy days!!! I'm ready for a cat nap now. :)

Serenity Swallow Bracelet

This is my latest creation...

The bird is suppose to be a swallow, and the bracelet is in a lovely, rich blue and antique gold.  Fun to make!   :)

Baby Boat

Evie loves her baby boat!   She was excited just to see it and was kicking her baby feet as we put her in.  The smile never left her face the entire time she was in it!!!!   It's so easy to make this little baby happy    :)   Now if it were only so easy to keep a hat on her!!  I lost count on the number of times she tried to pull it off.  :)

Pool Fun 2012

 A few pictures of my little ones at the pool.  They have a great time!  The pools are heated.  There's a large pool that's only 4 ft deep and a children's hot tub that is warmer.  Then there's a little baby pool that's only 1 ft deep!  It works out great for every age.  The boys didn't want me to take their picture...I'll have to be sneakier to capture them!