Takes a Lickin' But Keeps on Tickin'

...I feel like that was my motto this week. I'm so thankful that first of all we don't know all of what a weeks holds on Monday when we start the week...and I'm most thankful that God gives us the grace we need for EVERYTHING the weeks holds when we ask Him for it.

I, like Cel the week before last, spent most of this week fighting the stomach bug. Wow. There's nothing like being a mommy and being sick...yucky. Tuesday afternoon I just couldn't keep it together at work any more, so I headed home. I picked up the kids from the sitters...and the 4 of us headed home for what I hoped would be a quiet afternoon...especially since I was fairly certain that my eyes were going to pop out of my head and my stomach was going to explode. Sorry.

Not so quiet of an afternoon. Y'know it's bad when you find yourself thinking..."I wonder if they would really destroy the WHOLE house if I were just to close my eyes for a few minutes." They were in rare form.

Then in the midst of all of this...I look out into the pasture and see one of our cows (who's about to have a calf any day now) doing something really weird. I took a second look. It didn't look like she was calving, but she kept lifting a rear leg up in the air off to the side of her body. Very strange. She'd do it over and over again. She just looked troubled. I called Sam; he said I probably should check on her if I could. If I could... ugh!

I threw on some shoes...upset stomach and I tramped into the pasture. I climbed the gate and was promptly greeted by our crazy cow. Every farm has to have a crazy cow I guess---ours is Daisy...she's my dad's. Maybe she'll go live with them...soon. Anyway, I pushed my way past Daisy to Maizy (the cow in waiting! :) ) No, she was NOT calving. Silly cow was stuck on some kind of vine. She was lifting her hind leg to try to get untangled. She did NOT want my help so it took longer than it should've but I got her.

I called Sam with the "no calf" news---and he laughed at the reason for her odd behavior. I'm afraid I wasn't seeing the humor. These cows...they taunt me...I'm pretty sure. I'm a novice...they know it. They're like sharks; they smell blood in the water.

Sam and I were able to finish our week (Friday night) with a Friendship Banquet at our school. I have to admit that I am in awe of the blessing that our Christian school is to our family. I am excited to see our children grow up and participate in the activities and opportunities that our school provides. As you listen to the testimonies of parents, alumni, current students, you are reminded that we as parents are entrusted with an amazing responsibility...raising our children to grow to be Christlike. I am so thankful for the Sunday School teachers, Christian School teachers, friends, and family that help Sam and I in our God-given responsibility to train our children in the "way they should go." I am blessed to be part of great school!

We're "Lysoling" Again..and Other Various Points of Interest

Well, it's happened again. Our kiddos (and Sam) have been bit by the stomach bug. UGH! Thankfully (I'm choosing to see it this way---hard choice, but I'm choosing to be thankful!) it is BEAUTIFUL...did you catch that?! BEEEEAUUUUUTIIIIIFULLLLLL!!!! outside today! Gorgeous! Wonderful! Anyway, because of the wonderful weather---I have windows open airing out the joint! :) I'm hoping that maybe...just maybe that will cause the length of this bug's visit to be shortened.

On other points...I did manage a quick trip to Wal-Mart to grab a few things. It was nice to "shop" by myself --things go so much quicker. Then since I am a "newbie" couponer...I am quite proud of my next accomplishment. I went on over to CVS which has become one of my favorite places these days---armed with my diaper coupons...including some GREAT ones from coupons.com. Then on top of it I had some extra bucks and some $4 off of a $20 purchase. Yep, it was great! I came home with 6 packs of diapers and 1 pack of pull-ups---for a VERY small fraction of what I should've paid for them! Aaah---it feels good.

My dad is recovering from his most recent surgery. Things went well on Thursday. The tendon ended up being intact so they did not have to do any repair to it...just another fairly extensive procedure. He'll be back in for surgery #2 (actually #3 if you count the ORIGINAL surgery) in a couple of weeks. He's having to be regular with his pain meds to manage the pain, but overall he's doing okay.

Little Man is progressing on the potty training. He really is doing very well. He stays dry most every day with a few accidents here and there. He was thrilled with the newest "undies" I brought home from Wal-Mart today. He really does crack me up so much of the time. He definitely marches to the beat of his own drum. Which is fine. He makes life interesting, and now that he's talking--he has plenty to say!

Our Girlie was the hardest hit by the bug this week. She unfortunately has been struggling with it off and on all week long with the worst yesterday and today. It seems when she gets this---she gets it for the duration. Poor thing. She's loving reading at school, and she is anxiously awaiting birthday number 6 at the end of April.

Tank---well, he's looking like he's in his 6th month of pregnancy...I'm NOT joking! It's great! We haven't had a chubby baby at this point in their lives yet so it's kind of fun. He and Little Man are basically wearing the same size in most things. He is pretty much a nut. He's grown attached to a blanket...just like his older brother. He has managed to master "please" in sign language...which seems especially cute since it involves him rubbing his rather plump belly! My favorite is when he climbs (WHEN---he's ALWAYS climbing on something!) on to the coffee table in the family room and stands on it while rubbing and beating his belly. Hilarious! The whole time he's giggling or "chattering."

This week was a particularly long week at school. I had a fairly large issue to deal with at the beginning of the week which just seemed to really drain me mentally. So in reality although I'm not thrilled that the kiddos are sick (and we will miss church once again...) it is nice to have an excuse to not be very ambitious this weekend...to just love on 'em and cuddle. Who needs clean laundry?!?!?

Oh, it appears we have a septic tank issue. Some of you know we had some pretty extensive (and random) damage due to a lightning strike on the house in early fall. Well, it appears that unbeknownst to us...the septic tank took a hit as well. We got some "emergency" assistance this morning---a follow up visit will be required on Monday with probably a replacement. The Lord is good that this happened BEFORE Sam got insanely busy because y'all I just don't think I could handle THAT particular mess by myself.

Well, this is just to give some news. Not my usual post, I know. Over and over again I am amazed at God's goodness and blessings to us. As much as I am really looking forward to spring, I (like I mentioned in an earlier post) still hesitate to embrace it as it means Sam's life (and in turn the family's) takes on a maddening pace. Every year I marvel at the way that God gives Sam the energy and strength he needs for each day. It appears a break in the weather or soil conditions comes at just the right times so that he gets a short reprieve...and we get an opportunity to spend some time with him. I really am proud of Sam; he is definitely using the talents and abilities God has given him as best he can. Even though there's some hesitation on my part to fall headlong into spring---I still feel like I perk up when we're able to have the windows open for fresh air, when we can hear the birds singing, and when things become alive again---new life! Beautiful!

Have a blessed weekend with your families, dear ones. May you marvel at God's goodness as His creation comes alive in the coming month.

Saying Goodbye

I've never been a fan of "goodbyes," and I'm afraid my children have inherited this trait. Cel from a very young age would refuse to tell my parents "goodbye" when it was time for us to leave or for them to go. She just plain wouldn't talk at all, and sometime she would just avoid the situation completely and go about her "business." It appeared sometimes as if she didn't care that they were leaving, which bothered me. However, it became more and more apparent as time went on, and as I watched her during these farewells---she just didn't want them to go so in hopes that they wouldn't go---she WOULDN'T say goodbye. She'd cry terribly after they'd walk out the door or we'd pull out of the driveway. She'd stand at the doorway and watch the taillights on the car, or she'd ask for them after we pulled out of the driveway.

I have to admit in my life...because I've had to say my share of "goodbyes" (both permanent and temporary) that I would like to avoid the situations completely if that were an option. I mean really---denial is sometimes welcome. Why actually SAY it---I don't want to---it doesn't make me feel better---just avoid it. I still cry every time I say goodbye to my Dad. I don't get off the phone with Sam (in most conversations) without saying "I Love You" because I just don't want to get off the phone with him. I'm just not good at the "farewells." They're just plain heart-wrenching. Frankly my heart breaks when I think of others that have to say goodbye to loved ones.

Well, tonight was a "goodbye" night. I DIDN'T say it though. I refuse. Tonight a bunch of us got together to send a friend off. She's had a rough year(but God is good!); her husband is deployed with the Navy...she has three little ones. She sold her house recently, and she will be living with relatives for a few months in another state while she waits for her husband's return (which will move them across the country). My heart aches for her because I know it is difficult...I don't know completely how SHE feels because I'm not her, but I know it hurts. Change often hurts. Leaving the comfort of the known for the uncertainty of the unknown is UNCOMFORTABLE. I'm thankful that she has a Heavenly Father; He knows it all. He knows her thoughts and fears...he knows her needs...even the needs she doesn't know about yet. How COMFORTING is that?! Amazing.

Anyway, one of the worst parts about this goodbye is that this friend and I have not gotten the opportunity to develop our friendship as I think it could have developed. I'm disappointed that now I will miss the "face time." This is not the end of our friendship though. I have said before that many of my friendships (partly due to all those goodbyes) are "long distance" friendships. I have rich friendships with dear sisters in Christ that I haven't seen in years. That's the best thing about friends...especially friends that share your relationship with Christ. You have an eternal bond...you're family. I am reminded of the line from the song that says "friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them."

Jodi, may God continue to bless and guide your little family as you take this next step. Please know that you are in my thoughts and in my prayers. God has so much for you---of that I am sure!

Fears

Have you ever noticed that most of our fears are completely irrational? I am constantly reminded that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." I need not fear...God is in control. He cares for me; he loves me. Now, does that mean nothing uncomfortable or "bad" will happen to me...the answer---nothing that is not in His plan for my life. I understand that, but it is hard to practice that some times.

Tomorrow my dad goes in for his 2nd surgery on his Achilles tendon. I am fearful. Routine surgery. I am fearful. I fear the loss of another loved one. Fear. It gets me nowhere. It accomplishes nothing. Why are we so bent on taking things into our own TINY hands?! Why do I think that my fear...worry...will do anything. So I am striving to give my fears, concerns, my dad to God. I'm laying them at His feet. I know not what tomorrow brings, but I do know the God who controls the tomorrows.

My Little Man Turns Three

Sorry, I have been MIA for 2 weeks now. It has been crazy around here. Between working and being a wife and Mommy...things have been non-stop. We're trying to get as much done as possible before Sam's busy season starts up. I try to prepare myself each year for "its" arrival...the months where HE is pretty much MIA for days on end...I never quite manage to actually "prepare." It always hits me like a ton of bricks, but then we settle into the new routine.

Well, this past week was full of excitement...Little Man turned THREE on Tuesday! Can you believe it?!!! THREE! We had a SMALL celebration at ...where else, but Chuck E Cheese with just one other family. It was great! I honestly can't believe it has been 3 years since we welcomed him into our family! Amazing. In many ways his birthday is a reminder of a, well, kind of a rough year for me. 2006 was not one of my favorites---except of course for Little Man's arrival!

2006---

February 23rd I taught 6th grade all day. By the end of the day as I was going up and down from the floor to standing grading book report projects, I was starting to feel pretty uncomfortable. But who wouldn't be at that point in the day and at that point in a pregnancy. I wasn't due for another 2 weeks, but the signs of impending labor were upon me. I had a regularly scheduled check up that evening, so as I closed up my room for the night and headed out, I wondered if it would be my last day in the classroom. I haven't been back in an elementary classroom as a full time teacher since then...seems so strange.

By the time I pulled into the parking lot at the dr's office where Sam was meeting me, I was sure I was having some random contractions. I ordered take out from a local restaurant to be ready for when we were done with our appointment, and I headed inside. Well, poor little guy was a little sluggish so they made me rest with some juice---I was stinkin' hungry, y'all! I just wanted my cheeseburger! By the time the doctor checked me I was 4 cm, and my water was bulging (sorry if that is TMI!). She gave me two options---because I was complaining about wanting my cheeseburger!!! :) Option 1--head to the hospital, they would admit me, and wait for his arrival--NO dinner till he's born! Option 2---go home, eat my dinner :), and head to the hospital when the contractions were 10 minutes apart. I, of course, chose option number 2.

I'm not sure that Sam was in complete agreement with the arrangements, especially when the nurses joked about seeing him on the evening news delivering a baby on the interstate. Little did he know that wasn't too far of a stretch!

By the time we got home, I really couldn't eat much because frankly I was uncomfortable. I packed a bag for me and for Cel, called my bosses and told them the situation, called my parents and told them to be ready (they lived about an hour and half away), and we headed to bed. I still remember vividly that night. I remember laying there gripping Sam's arm or the headboard periodically as the contractions although not completely consistent were pretty intense. They finally got to about 10 minutes apart so we called the hospital. The doctor (not sure WHY) said that I could wait until they were 7 minutes apart and then come in. I reminded him that it was my second, and he said 7 should be fine. I added, "my first labor was pretty quick." You should still be fine; don't call just come when they reach 7---he said. I should've known.

For the next hour my contractions did some random things and about the time I was ready to tell Sam...we gotta go. My water broke...yep, it broke. I remember thinking..."uh-oh!" Because that was exactly how I felt..."uh-oh!" because...I felt ready to push at that very instant. I couldn't move...the contractions were intense...and we were 30 minutes from the hospital...in freezing rain!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!!! Sam tried two calls to people who were supposed to be ready to take Cel at a moment's notice...NO ANSWER!!! He finally called my principal, who lived about 15 minutes away, to come get her. Those 15-20 minutes of waiting were probably the longest minutes of my life! Wow! I waddled out to the car so we could leave as soon they got there. Sam had the car backed up ready to pull out of the driveway BUT it was on a hill---gravity was working against me. I told him that he HAD to move the car or I would deliver right there. They finally got there to get Cel--we basically threw her at them and flew out the driveway. The roads were slippery, and Sam was frantically driving 90 miles an hour---the whole time letting me squeeze his hand and telling me "don't you dare push in this car!" Yep, isn't that great. We pulled up to the emergency door entrance (my parents were on their way); we "jumped" out---ha ha ha---I couldn't move...he got me in a wheelchair, told the security guard I was ready to push, gave him the car keys, and up to labor and delivery we went. Funny tidbit--after we were holding our little Micah---Sam says--"I really hope that was a security guard!" :)

The nurses in L&D thought I was one of those crazy women that don't know anything 'bout "birthin' " babies---and they moved SLOW!!! Three times in this process they made me get in and out of a wheelchair...seriously! C'mon! Just let me have this baby!!! Finally someone checks me----followed by a yell into the hallway---"Ladies, we're ready to rock and roll in here!"

Hellooooo!!! That's what I've been trying to tell you! What?!?! Back into the wheelchair? Are you serious?!?!?! Yep, down the hall to the delivery room---back OUT of the wheelchair---some silly nurse trying to start an IV---nurses everywhere!!! Sam tries to sit down to get out of their way---I respond with "you're not sitting down for this!" :) Gotta love those hormones!!! Poor guy, he was just relieved to NOT be delivering his own baby!!! Doctor comes in, sits down---says nothing. We were holding Micah Thomas---less than 20 minutes from the time we pulled up to the emergency room! WHEW! He was long and skinny---he was an excellent eater from the first moments! Wow! I'm still in awe thinking about it. My parents were able to make it shortly after he was born. Their first grandson.

I went home too early because well, I'm just not good at being a patient and being in bed. I was home alone with my nearly 3 year old and newborn just a day after getting home from the hospital. It was crazy. Spring came early that year, and Sam hit the ground running the first of March! My head swirls when I think of that first month, but the Lord is so good...gracious. I loved our little family!!!

April 2006---my grandmother's health was failing rapidly. I flew down to Mississippi with my little baby and toddler along with my parents to sit at her bedside. A week we watched her slip away. Sunday, April 24th---she passed away---Micah was two months old that day. I had never watched someone die before. Never watched them take their last breath. Never seen the life drain from someone so quickly. It was so obvious that our bodies are merely shells once our soul leaves us. It shook me.

That summer I left my kiddos behind with Sam and family---I flew to Korea for a school trip. It was so hard to leave them, but it was an interesting trip nonetheless. During that time, my mom had the opportunity to have Micah to herself one whole day. She loved it. They had a good day. She was proud of that day.

Summer was ending...school was starting. I was taking on a new position at school---organizing bus routes, overseeing our international students, AND advising the yearbook staff. August proved to be crazy with all the preparations. I spent the weekend before Teacher Inservice with my parents. I cherish the memories of that weekend---because what I didn't know was that would be my last visit with my mom. The Friday of that week, I received a call from Dad saying he had to take Mom to the hospital. She appeared to have some sort of infection; they had her admitted, on oxygen, and she seemed to be improving. Saturday...well, it went downhill. Sam and I headed to Maryland to be with Dad and Mom. They had Mom in a chemically induced coma. We left on Sunday afternoon---with Mom's last "sign of recognition" being a smile at Cel. By Monday it became obvious that something was terribly wrong with Mom. Dad called Joshua and I in. We both drove to Maryland with our families. That week was one of the longest weeks of my life. Here again...I found myself sitting in a hospital room---seemingly watching someone I loved slip from us. That week was bittersweet in many ways. My sister in law was amazing. She took care of all 5 kiddos (her 3 and my two)---selflessly so that Joshua, Dad, and I could be with Mom. Sam went back and forth from PA to MD trying to keep things together at work and still be with the family. We shared so many memories those hours of sitting...we laughed, we joked, we cried. No one really ready to admit what we all knew---Mom was dying. It became perfectly clear by the end of the week that Mom would never again be Mom. Saturday, September 9th, my Mom went to meet her Savior. No more pain. No more suffering. Home.

The remainder of 2006 was a blur. So many emotions...trying to regain some sort of routine...normalcy...a new normal. A new normal that I didn't want to accept. Thankfully, the Lord allowed us to be a reasonable drive from Dad so about every weekend he was with us or we were with him. My birthday came---the first "family thing" without Mom. Then Thanksgiving...we all gathered in her dining room without "her touches." Finally---Christmas...her favorite holiday. It was hard, but God's grace was so evident in our lives.

2006---so many memories. A new life...the loss of others. I can't believe all that has happened in the past 3 years of my Little Man's life. I am so glad that God doesn't show us the road ahead, but He promises that He is with us each step of the way. I'm thankful that He knows the plans that He has for us...that they are plans of hope...of future.