July 1, 2009
Tonight's Menu: Chicken Soup, Jell-O.
Aw, bummer. Czarina has strep throat, and the Duke has an ear infection, the poor dears. Unfortunately, we've exposed at least two families to the strep throat, so I had to call and 'fess up. Boy, that is not fun. Because as much as the mom tells you, oh, don't worry, it's not your fault, these things happen... you know somewhere in the back of their mind, you're on the bad list. :( Or, at least, they "owe" you, and it's probably coming back in the form of a stomach virus or something later in the year. Nah, it's not that bad. I'll just feel pretty rotten if any of their kids gets sick because of us, you can't help it.
The Duke had to give blood today, because the doctor was concerned that his ear infection might not be caused by the normal bacteria. I'm not going to be alarmed by that, but it does seem strange to me. They'll call me with the test results, and hopefully, whatever it is will respond well to treatment. The actual blood giving-- well, let's just say we were ALL crying in the room. Czarina because she was feeling bad and had a fever of 103 at that point, the Duke was screaming and fighting the evil needle, I'm crying holding him down, and Chipmunk was crying because everyone else was. HeroBoy was the only one, happily munching down on a sucker while we were all in hysterics.
It weren't pretty. Nope.
But, I'm glad it's all done. We had such a bad night with the two kids, with no improvements today, so I knew not to ignore it. I'm waiting now on both of their antibiotics to be ready, so we'll start those this afternoon. And HOPEFULLY, everyone will be well in time for at least a little bit of 4th of July celebrating. We'll see. Gotta roll with the punches, ya know?
Good news though-- I actually feel good today. Thank goodness!! I don't think I could have handled all this otherwise. Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the bad days.
Well, I'm off to check everybody, and dispense popsicles. (Doctor's orders) Happy Wednesday!
Child of Mine , The Sick Ward | By WonderGirl | 3:43 PM | Comments (5)
June 30, 2009
Being Green
but not in the good way.
I haven't written much lately, I know. I've just been feeling rather blah. This Friday, I'll be 14 weeks pregnant, and I'm really hoping that I'm going to start feeling more normal. Right now, I just have a very weak stomach. I can't eat much, or find the right things, or something. I don't know, it's not so much the nausea (although that does sneak up on me quite viciously at times), but it's more like you feel after you've gotten over a stomach virus. Sort of hungry, but you know nothing is going to settle right. Nothing really sounds good or tastes good. If I do manage to get something down, I almost immediately have heartburn.
So sad.
No, I'm not having a pity party, just reporting on my absence lately. A lot of the days, I'm just trying to make it through, and the other days, I'm too busy catching up! So, not much for blogging lately.
We've got plans to go out of town for July 4th-- but, the kids are all coming down with a fever virus. They feel pretty rotten, but no other symptoms, except the Duke complained that his tummy hurt. So, we definitely can't do anything until that's all cleared up. I can't bring any of them around the older folks in our family, or new baby Hazel! I'm hoping in a day or two we'll all be fit for company, and we can resume plans. Saturday, we're supposed to have a fish fry in Monroe, and I think I might cry if that falls through. But I cry about everything these days. I cried at Horton Hears a Who just today, when they stuffed poor Horton in the cage at the end. I couldn't stop myself! I cry, and then have to laugh at myself while I'm doing it.
I'm such a mess. This pregnancy has got me good. I don't know if it's because I'm 33, but I suspect that might have something to do with it. It's just not as easy on your body as you get older. You'd think, having done this a few times before would make it a breeze the FIFTH time around. But, I'm hanging on by a thread many a day. This is not me complaining!! Honestly, I'm just saying. It's all in perspective, I know it's temporary, it's worth it, all that. I wouldn't change it for anything. I'll just be glad to feel normal- to enjoy eating again.
Well, I'm out for the night. I've got to make rounds, check foreheads, kiss warm cheeks.
Goodnight, all. Hope you have a great week!
Fruitful , The Daily | By WonderGirl | 10:09 PM | Comments (6)
June 22, 2009
Wee Hours Wee One
A lot can change while the world is asleep! I woke up to the wonderful news that my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this morning. Hazel Lydia was 8 lbs. and 6 oz., about 18 inches long, and gorgeous! I can't wait to meet her, can't wait to hug my sister. Thank you, God, for the safe delivery of this little child. He is so gracious to us!
Kith and Kin | By WonderGirl | 10:03 AM | Comments (2)
June 21, 2009
Summer Saturdays
When we lived in Birmingham, we hiked a lot. It was our family past time, and we loved it! It was a great way to "commune with nature." Here in Louisiana, though... well, you don't hike voluntarily. It's hot, humid, the undergrowth is FULL of briars and snakes, and not to mention the mosquitos, which are often mistaken for BIRDS around here. You don't traipse around the Louisiana wilds unless Yankee troops are on your tail. Then, you 'git.
Sorry-- past life or something there.
Anyway, so, we've been missing our nature walks. However, we're recently discovered a new family activity, fishing! It's not as cardio-vascular as hiking, but you probably sweat off a pound or two in an afternoon. (A few more Saturdays, and I'll be back in my skinny jeans, pregnant or not!!) The kids are having a ball, and seem to have a lot of luck in the little pond near our house. King Pen has been busy baiting hooks and untangling lines for several Saturdays in a row now, and I do think he's a fishing convert as well.
The three oldest kids pile up in his old red Ford truck for the one minute drive to the pond, windows down, poles in the back. I follow with Chipmunk in the van so we can leave early if need be-- and here is what we do:
HeroBoy, waits patiently for his cork to bob:
Czarina with a tiny brim and a big smile:
The Duke and Chipmunk watch for turtles, or tadpoles, and amazingly, do not fall in (this time):
King Pen puts on another worm:
Chipmunk can't figure out why the fish aren't biting-- he IS wearing his fishing hat, after all:
And HeroBoy, still waits, loving every minute of it:
And me... well, I take the pictures. Although, I know what to do with a worm if King Pen's not around. I did grow up in the South, after all. But MY dad's truck was green.
Child of Mine , The Daily | By WonderGirl | 8:47 PM | Comments (5)
June 19, 2009
One Down, Two More to Go
Milestone day for me today. I am 12 weeks pregnant, and finished with my first trimester. Thank heavens!!
I'll be honest, it's been rough. I didn't really get morning sickness until about 7 or 8 weeks, and it was mostly in the evenings. Aside from nausea, I have had a really weak stomach. I can't eat much of anything. Nothing sounds good, nothing sits well-- eating has been a total chore. But, oh happy 12th week, it's starting to taper off a bit now! Instead of all bad days, I'm starting to have good ones sprinkled in there. A few foods are starting to taste better, sound good. I don't have as much queasiness in the evenings-- though it still hits me pretty hard occasionally. (Last night was the worst so far-- but the night before that I was fine! How weird.) Anyway, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so that is encouraging. And as inconvenient and unpleasant as those things are, they are signs of a healthy pregnancy, so I won't complain! I am so glad I made it through those "iffy" weeks. Chances of miscarriage drop dramatically after the 12th week, and I can stop holding my breath now.
I AM feeling the baby move, very early on with this one. It's like a little tickle-- almost like someone giving butterfly kisses against your skin. It's very sweet. Believe it or not, I've been feeling it for a few weeks now- which seems impossible. But I think it's just the way my body carries a pregnancy, that makes it easier for me to detect it. Anyway, it's a really nice sensation. It feels like a little whispered "hello".
We've decided to find out what gender this baby is, in about a month and a half. We usually don't do that, but at this stage in the game, we need to know. I had gotten rid of all our baby stuff, except a few toys (and the crib, fortunately), so we're starting from scratch! I need to know so I can prepare, physically. And mentally, too. If I am going to be a mother of FOUR boys, I'll be thrilled, but I need to get ready. I need to start working out or something- some sort of training regimen! Ha. And if it's a girl, I definitely need to switch gears mentally, because I'm totally used to boys at this point. So, either way, we're finding out. Which will be fun. I'm thinking of getting the ultrasound technician to just write it down and put it in an envelope, then letting the kids read it to us later. Especially if they can't be in the room with us.
Well, I'm rambling, I know. I've just had pregnancy on the brain lately, and wanted to jot some of it down! I'll wrap it up for now, but I can't promise it won't come up again! Ha!
Hope you all have a great weekend, and a happy Father's day. Catch ya later!
Fruitful | By WonderGirl | 9:26 AM | Comments (4)
June 17, 2009
Oh Thank Goodness
The AC is repaired!! The guy made it by after hours, which I was sooooo grateful for. Honestly, I almost cried, I was so happy! Ah, hormones.
The Daily | By WonderGirl | 9:54 PM | Comments (1)
Whining
Oh.
my.
stars.
It's so hot. Our AC has fritzed out, on possibly the hottest day of the summer so far. I can't think!! I can't move! I can't lift my pinky finger to do a single thing that needs doing.
The Daily | By WonderGirl | 2:45 PM | Comments (0)
June 16, 2009
Bendable
So, my arm is ever so slightly better today. I've been babying it, and that seems to help. Hopefully in a couple days, it will be back to normal. How weird, though. I can only fathom that she irritated or damaged a nerve in there, because it's not injection site pain. The pain extends radially about four inches in all directions. Crazy. But better, so that's good.
Just didn't wanna leave ya hangin'! Going to get the kids in the pool now. Adios!
| By WonderGirl | 3:25 PM | Comments (4)
June 15, 2009
Ow
One of the less pleasant tasks of the day was to have my blood drawn at the doctor's office. I don't like it, but I usually handle it as well as anybody else. They find my veins right off, and just get straight to business. However, my arm has gotten increasingly sore throughout the day-- to the point where I can't bend or straighten it all the way, nor can I lift anything with my hand! What gives? I've never had that kind of reaction before, but I am in serious pain here! Did she hit a nerve? There is no evident bruising or swelling-- but this is just not normal. Anybody have a similar experience?
Babylicious , The Daily | By WonderGirl | 10:29 PM | Comments (3)
Seeing is Believing
So, finally, I saw a doctor today. Sitting in the waiting room as big bellies paraded past me, I felt incredibly out of place. I didn't realize how uncertain of this pregnancy I was until that moment. I began to think, I've just been fooling myself-- inventing symptoms-- 'cause there's no way I fit here.
At the moment of the ultrasound, I prepared myself to see an empty space. A black void, where a baby should be, but wasn't. Because, I've been there before-- expecting to see something, then not, and that is a cruel blow. Once that's happened, you're skittish. Spooked. So, I'm laying there with however much dignity one can gather up in a backless, paper gown-- and I hold my breath. Until, yes, there it is! A little human being. I am not crazy, I didn't convince myself of anything-- I really am, actually, truly, pregnant with my fifth child.
Whoa.
That's big potatoes, people. There's no denying it anymore-- life is about to change. Am I ready? Who is? I'm just trusting that God will provide us with everything we need to grow this way. Patience, fortitude, time, space, money... I'll admit, it's a little scary to me at this point. I don't want to get buried in the details of it, I know it'll all work out, so I don't think too hard on it. But there are moments, there are fears-- will I be enough? Can I stretch far enough to handle it all? I know I can't. But I do know that when I've reached as far as I can go, God goes the rest of the way. That's incredibly reassuring.
Well, that's it for now. I've got Monday to tend to. I'll be back tomorrow, because I've got plenty to write about-- I've just been holding off till this appointment was settled. Now, my brain is cleared up a bit, and I'm not in limbo anymore-- so let the writing begin!
Fruitful , The Daily | By WonderGirl | 11:17 AM | Comments (8)
June 9, 2009
Worth a Thousand Words
This picture:
Yes, that's what you think it is.
What? You didn't know 5 was the new 4?
So, we're going public at 11 weeks. I haven't seen a doctor yet (next week was the soonest they could work me in!) I feel 99% certain everything is just fine, but I need to hear a heartbeat for that last 1%, ya know? Once you've been there, you're just never 100% confident again. Ce le vie. Anyway, we're very happy, and expecting 1/1/10 to be an exciting New Year's!
Now, I just have to start working up my witty responses to "They're all yours???" I've got a pretty funny list going so far.
Fruitful | By WonderGirl | 10:39 PM | Comments (26)
June 8, 2009
Back on Campus
If you think of it, please say a prayer today (and tomorrow morning) for King Pen. He's headed to LSU to take two parts of his licensing test. The section tomorrow is the most difficult- grading, and he's been studying for it for months. Many people don't pass their first time around, but he's determined (and a little stressed out.) The other part, which he takes this afternoon, is the plants section. He feels pretty good about that one, fortunately.
So, all prayers are appreciated! Specifically, you can pray for clarity, recollection, and timeliness for him. Each part is about five hours long, and that can be a little intense.
Once he's passed all five parts, he will be able to go into business for himself as a Landscape Architect. This has always been our ultimate goal, and to be at this stage of it is very exciting. We've still got a long way to go, but this is a major step in that direction.
Thanks! Hope you all have a happy week!
Kith and Kin , The Daily | By WonderGirl | 10:46 AM | Comments (4)
June 7, 2009
June sevenths
I love my husband.
I mean, really, really, really, I love him.
Today is his birthday, and it's a time when I am extra aware of just how amazing he is, how blessed we are to have him in our lives. He won't like this probably, but I just want to tell you how unselfish, how giving, how steady, and how devoted, he is. He loves us completely. He brings so much into this family, you just wouldn't believe it. He is the energy that moves us, the direction we flow. Who we are as a family is so influenced by him-- he's just got that charisma about him. He is our pied piper, who has led us on a merry adventure.
I should write this out as a poem or something fabulous, but after a full day of fried catfish and bible school presentations, it's too big a task. How can I sum up the man I love in a few stanzas? Words just don't do it. The most I can say is that he is my number one blessing in this life, and I know it beyond a doubt. He's been tried and tested, and he stands up. You know? I respect him for all the things you know about him, and a million others that only I can ever know... He is, and always will be, the love of my life. I am utterly, and totally proud to call him mine.
Happy Birthday, dearest. Thank you for sharing your life with me, and may we have many more June sevenths to celebrate it together.
Kith and Kin | By WonderGirl | 9:35 PM | Comments (1)
June 3, 2009
Faith of a Reformed Child
This week, I've been toting the kids back and forth to Vacation Bible School, at a large Baptist church in town. I saw this as a great opportunity for them to socialize, have fun, hear about Jesus, and for me to have a few spare hours to myself. It didn't matter to me that it was a Baptist church, and that we are Presbyterian. I actually think that the exposure to the wider, broader Church is not a bad thing. We know pretty solidly what we believe, we do adhere to a certain denomination--- but we are all part of the body of Christ.
So, with that in mind, I knew that the topic of salvation would probably come up this week. And I was right! Excitedly, Czarina came home with the wonderful news that her little friend that we've been bringing along with us, prayed and asked Jesus into her heart today. Wow! I was so glad that Czarina got to witness that first hand, that she stayed with her friend in the room as she prayed. I expressed to Czarina what a blessing that was, what an exciting day!
It did give us an opportunity to talk about salvation. See, the teacher told Czarina that because she was baptized as a baby, she should probably talk to her mom about whether she is a Christian or not. I think this was a little unsettling for Czarina, but I appreciate what the teacher was saying. Not knowing enough about Czarina, she directed the topic back to her parents, and I am grateful for that. She didn't force theology on an eight year old-- she was as neutral as possible, and I was glad for her sensitivity.
Salvation for a child from the Reformed faith just doesn't fit the standard Protestant formula. We have raised Czarina to believe that she IS a Christian. We've always told her, you belong to God. We've taught her, this is what we do, how we worship, how we pray, how we behave as Christians. We've been training her to be this person from the instant she was born. It is our belief that by putting her on that path, it will be more difficult, more alien, to turn AWAY from that- than it would be to expect her to start out in absolute unbelief and find her own way eventually. Does that make sense? But it's more than just that. It's believing that the promises God made to us, the ones about being the God of our children-- that those are true. That they belong to Him, because He said they would. We don't have to wait around for them to reach a certain level of wisdom or comprehension-- they are His now. They will grow in their understanding of Him, just as we do as adults. They will work out their salvation, just as we do, every day for the rest of our lives.
It does not mean that there doesn't come a point of self decision. Everything we learn from our parents, we at some point decide whether or not to believe for ourselves. Every value, every priority, every principle-- we decide. And this is no different. It's a process that we as her parents are very involved in, because the conversations we have are ways that Czarina is "working out" her salvation. We talk, then we talk again, and then again. It is more of a linear experience, rather than an instantaneous one. She is consuming it, day by day.
Today, we got to a very meaty portion, probably the most solid and satisfying to date.
After telling me about her friend, she asked me with some uncertainty, "Mom, do I need to pray like *Jennifer did?" My response was, "Well, Czarina, what did Jennifer pray?" She told me that she did the ABC's. She Admitted that she was a sinner. She Believed that Jesus was the son of God. Then, she Confessed her sins and repented. And then she was "saved".
So, I asked Czarina-- well, do you know that Jesus is the son of God? Yes, of course, she answered. Do you know that you are a sinner and can't go to heaven without Jesus? Nodded yes, certainly. And do you ask Jesus forgiveness for your sins? Again, a confident yes.
I could see the understanding in her eyes. She knew that she, too, is "saved". She just needed to hear those things verbalized that are already in her heart. She understood that praying that prayer would be redundant for her, because she's believed those things for as long as she can remember.
I don't know that all of my children will have the same exact salvation experience as Czarina has. I do expect similarities, though, and I pray that I will have many conversations with my children over the years about what it means to be a Christian, and how that happens. It is my hope and prayer that it will all be a blur for them, that they will never really remember a time they didn't believe they were a Christian. I hope they remember conversations at the kitchen table, that grew more profound over time, in which they worked out their salvation.
I hope they never know a time apart from Christ, only a deepening relationship with Him through their whole lives.
Now, all that saying, I do not think that the Christian experience has to be defined this way. It obviously does not. God is a God who loves variety, and He is glorified by the many ways His followers come to know Him. Whether we are converted in childhood, in adulthood, at an alter call, or a garden stroll, or our mother's lap-- it is all to His glory and by His grace. I just wanted to share our perspective on it, because it is maybe a little uncommon in some of our circles.
Tomorrow, when Czarina goes back to VBS, she has decided to tell her teacher that she is already a Christian, that she has believed the ABC's for a long time. I'm proud of her, joyous of her confidence, and thankful that God has given my child a believing heart. My cup overflows.
**
Child of Mine , Spiritual Places | By WonderGirl | 12:37 PM | Comments (5)