Consider It Therapy

And just when I thought

2009-09-25T22:25:00.002-05:00

Well, I thought the most important prayer worthy news of the day would be that the buyer backed out on buying our house. Boy was I wrong! I found out that a dear friend of mine's husband (who is also very dear to me) had surgery today. Please pray for Rick. Alice and Rick mean so much to me and to my family. I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am that God has allowed our lives to intermingle.

Then, I come home and through another blog, I learn about a woman, diagnosed with breast cancer, a new mother (just came home from the hospital with her baby girl), passed away. Please say a prayer for this family. I cannot imagine what this family is going through and what this baby girl's life will be like without her mother. Oh, how I love my children. Please, LORD, never let me take it for granted. . . Please let me be your instrument to teach my children about you. Please allow me to see my children accept YOU and to follow YOU. Give them a heart to know you, LORD.

It's amazing how God has humbled me through this day. I am so caught up with ME that I forget that it's not about ME. It's about Him. I am sorry. I am sorry to my wonderful Savior that loves me despite my faults. I am sorry to my friends that need my prayers more than me. I am sorry that there are so many families suffering and in pain while I am concerned about selling my house. I cannot imagine how any of you still want to befriend me after seeing this selfishness in me. To those of you that have needed me-- I am here, and I am sorry. . .

A tummy ache healed from shopping?

2009-09-24T17:55:00.002-05:00

Kate has been complaining of a tummy ache off and on for about three weeks now, mostly when I am at work, rarely, when I am home. So today I had decided maybe I should take her to the doctor, but when she told me that a trip to the galleria (instead of going to Mother's Day Out) would heal her tummy, I decided that maybe a doctor visit was not in the plans for the day.
We arrived at the galleria at 0930. Did you know that the galleria doesn't even open til 10am?

Well, I have never had a desire to pop in at 0930, so I had no idea. We walked around and looked in the windows until the stores started to open their doors. Then, we shopped. Then, we shopped some more until next thing you know it was lunch time. Will met us for lunch and then we shopped some more. Kate loved the lego store! She begged for lego's, but we bought NONE! I cannot believe I didn't give in to her. . . But, then Will found out from his mom that she still has his old lego's from when he was a kid in her attic! So, Kate will get already paid for Lego's! Even better.

Tomorrow is the day that we should hear back from the guy who has a contract on our house. He sent the home inspector out this past Monday (the day it flooded), and he said he would review all of the things that the inspector found and get back with us Friday. So, once again, I am nervous. I still feel like this is the move God is telling us to make for our family. I just continue to be nervous that things won't just "fall in to place". But at the same time, I am warmed up to the idea of living in Denver and being with my family and I am ready to get the show on the road. . . Cause that is exactly what it will be with two kids on a 22 hour drive. A show. I should probably contact TLC or NBC to see if they want to do a reality show or a documentary.

Clinicals are almost over. I have about 60 hours left and then I am done with clinicals! Yay! Then, I just have to get through all of my tests, graduate, and pass boards. . . stress. . .

Well, I am glad that a little shopping did Kate's tummy some good. Hopefully, she will feel better once her mommy is not gone all the stinkin' time!

Where have I been

2009-09-16T00:06:00.003-05:00

Well, I have been on sabbatical from publishing blogs. Okay, really I have been working and doing clinicals nonstop for weeks on end now. As a matter of fact, I am at clinical right now (missing my family) at 1207am blogging. The alarms are dinging, the babies are screaming (well, the ones that aren't intubated), and people keep walking by my door talking very loudly.

My goal is to make it through the next few weeks/months and by the first of the year, I should be blogging consistently. Consistently from a new location. Denver. Colorado. That's right. You heard me correctly. We are loading up and heading out west! As soon as the house sells. So, before I go into great detail. Here's a link to my house. Check it out. Let me know what you think and PLEASE spread the word. I want it sold, so I can start looking for a new home =)

2009-08-08T17:39:00.001-05:00

I finally figured out how to get the copy and paste to work! Well, actually Alana did...but I'll start blooging again now that it's fixed!

Why does copy and paste not work

2009-07-02T09:23:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I have a few blogs that I wanted to post. Normally, I type them in word and then copy and paste over to blogger. This hasn't worked in weeks. Anyone know why?

Guess what I am eating and how much I weigh

2009-06-26T21:49:00.003-05:00

Okay, so it is official. I eat when I am stressed. I eat BAD foods when I am stressed. I cannot control myself. I have no self control when I am eating. Here's what I mean: This is what I had to eat tonight for my after dinner/ before bed snack:
Any guess as to what it is? You would probably be totally appalled at the lack of nutritional value and the flavor combination. I keep saying that I will eat healthier when I am finished with school. I don't think my health can wait that long. I stepped on some scales today at work to see my weight. Any guess how much I weighed?

So now I have the obligation to myself (after I finish this bowl of) to alter my UNhealthy lifestyle.

2009-06-23T20:18:00.002-05:00

If anyone knows how to add more hours to a day or more days to a week-- that would be great. Just let me know.

Do everything without complaining or arguing

2009-06-18T21:34:00.003-05:00

6:30 a.m. on my only off day for 7 days and I am sleeping peacefully. "Mommy, I'm hungry. Please fix me a peanut butter sandwich"

The dishes are piled up on both sides of the sink

The laundry overflows out of the laundry basket onto the floor

The milk jug is empty

"Mommy, I need you to take me to the potty."

I have a paper due in two days

I haven't had eight hours straight of sleep in a very long time

I miss my kids

I miss my husband

It is so hard to do EVERYTHING without COMPLAINING OR ARGUING! I am so selfish. I want it all to work out the way I want it to work out. I want to spend lots of time with my family. I want to be done with school. I want my bills to be paid. I want the clothes to wash themselves. I want the dishes to wash themselves. I want the food to cook itself. I have had to stop myself SO many times in the past two weeks for wanting to complain or argue.
It's so hard to set a good example for my children and ask them to do everything without complaining or arguing if I can't do it myself.
I'm trying. I am trying to consciously tell myself to just do it and don't complain (out loud) about it. Maybe if I tell myself enough I will just quit doing it. I don't mean to be such a complainer.
At least I have a husband
At least I have children
At least I have a home
At least I have food
At least I have a job
At least I can go to school
At least I have my salvation

~ Do everything without complaining or arguing ~Phillipians 2:14

Ethics

2009-06-17T22:30:00.003-05:00

I have spent about eight hours today working on a paper for one of my classes. While doing research for my ethics paper, I found a quote that I really like. It's from Hippocrates:

"To attempt futile treatment is to display ignorance that borders on madness"

Only 176 more days. . .

2009-06-12T04:29:00.002-05:00

56 hours of clinical done. Only 124 more hours to go this semester. One neonatal A&P exam down. Two more to go. One MAJOR exam down. Three to go. I have barely had any time to study because of work and clinicals, much less work on the required assignments! So, hopefully, tomorrow someone can find something great for Will to do with the girls so I can get some of these assignments done!

If you’ve ever read my blog before, you know I am not a procrastinator. Well, unless it involves my kids. Then, I feel obligated to procrastinate.

To all of my wonderful friends, those that I talk to on at least a weekly basis and those that I don’t even know: I apologize for the lack of time that I have recently invested in our friendship. I am a bit overwhelmed with STUFF. Don’t worry, it’s almost over. Only 176 days until graduation. . .

Incentives

2009-06-11T21:03:00.000-05:00

Sticker incentives. We allowed Kate to earn stickers when she was having trouble taking naps during the day. When she filled a card, she was able to get a reward. It worked great.

Recently, since I have been working and doing clinical so much, the girls have not been easy to get to bed. They really miss me (and I REALLY MISS THEM, TOO!) So, we decided to start the sticker incentive back.

This is Cali’s first time at the sticker incentive thing. . . I don’t think she cares about being rewarded as much as she does being with her Mommy--- She only gets stickers when I am NOT here. Sad.

No NAP for me!

2009-06-10T22:59:00.000-05:00

Cali was so determined to NOT take a nap today unless I slept in her bed. I did not have time to take a nap in her bed today. So while I was working, she crawled up next to me on the couch. Then, I heard a snore.

I thought this would be the perfect time to paint her fingernails and toenails. After all, she wouldn’t be moving and touching and kicking.
It worked! She was so happy to see the results!

Random girl pics

2009-06-10T16:29:00.001-05:00

Tick

2009-06-05T22:04:00.003-05:00

I have seen one too many fits pitched around this house lately. I was over it. I got out the video camera and videoed Kate and Cali having a melt down. After their meltdown, I finished getting them ready for bed. Will put Cali to bed so I could talk to Kate about her behavior without Cali interrupting. I showed her the video of her pitching a fit. She was sad that she acted that way.
While she watched the video, she begged me to never show it to anyone. So, I promised that if she would try really hard to not pitch a fit that I would record over it.

As we discussed her behavior and what I could do to help her with it (I know that sounds cheesy, but I want to know what makes her tick), ironically I found a tick on the back of her head. A big, ugly tick! I knew that she would get freaked out quite easily, so I yelled for Will to come to the bedroom. I had to yell a few times because he didn’t come right away. [The yelling woke Cali up, who decided to come see what all the yelling was about]. When he got in the bedroom, I told him the situation.

Tick.

Attached.

To the back of . . .

“No, Mommy, NO! Don’t hurt me!” “What’s a tick?” “What do you mean?” “I can’t breathe” “Don’t hold me down” “Why’s it on me?” “Help!” “You’re hurting me!” [All the while Kate is screaming, crying, turning blue, flailing on the floor].

Will and I hold her down, after struggling for a few minutes, I pull the tick off (with a nice hunk of her bleeding skin) and proceed to show it to her. I explained it something like this, “See this bug, Kate, it was eating your head. That skin in its mouth is from your head. It was sucking the blood right through your skin. It was stuck to your head and it wasn’t going to let go until I pulled it off.” I then let it crawl on a piece of toilet paper for a couple of seconds so she could see that it was alive. Then, Will smashed it and killed it. She finally started to breathe normal again and the screaming stopped.

I thoroughly checked her and Cali for more ticks at this point (I won’t talk about how I think Cali is a masochist and sat in my lap for me to “Do me Mommy. I want a tick.”). The whole time Kate is asking thirty questions. “Where did it come from? How did it get on me? Do they live in houses? Did it get in my bed? Why do animals have ticks? Why did it bite me? Why didn’t it hurt? Do ticks hurt? Have you ever had a tick? Did it hurt?. . .” on and on and on.

So, I answered all of the questions, calmed them both down and put them to bed (did I mention this whole ordeal only took about an hour or maybe a little more?)After putting them to bed, I walked to the kitchen where Will was painting and mentioned that he should check that place on the back of her head tomorrow to make sure it looks okay and that there isn’t any kind of rash or anything. I very casually said, “Bless her heart, I don’t want her to end up with Lyme Disease after all that!” A few minutes later I hear, “MOM, come here!” I go in the bedroom and she says, “What’s Lyme Disease?” Oh, geez. . . she’s a certifiable hypochondriac at the age of four, like mother, like daughter

What age is okay to wear make-up?

2009-06-03T21:20:00.000-05:00

When your Mommy starts wearing make-up more regularly (because her friend Marion took her for a makeover at Bare Minerals), it makes you think you should wear it too! Two is an okay to start wearing make-up, RIGHT???

Slip n slide

2009-06-03T11:08:00.004-05:00

Saturday was my “study day”. Here’s what I was studying for most of the day:

We bought this wonderful slip ‘n slide from WalMart for $5. It was worth every dollar. The kids played for about an hour. Cali thought it was a wonderful idea to run sit in my lap after she “slid” each time. Needless to say, I was soaking wet and I never “slid” myself (Not that I would, it just looks too painful for an adult.)

Alana came for a visit Friday night/ Saturday. . . Here she is cuddling with Cali on the couch. . .

Break it down

2009-05-25T22:33:00.002-05:00

Galatians 5: 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

The law. God’s law. Given to Moses. The ten commandments. Look at the last six. Honor your father and mother (Love your neighbor. . . this includes your parents). Do not murder (Love your neighbor as yourself. . . don’t be angry with your neighbor). Do not commit adultery (Love your neighbor. . . don’t lust upon her husband). Do not steal. (Love your neighbor. . . don’t take it because they won’t even miss it). Do not lie (Love your neighbor. . . don’t make up something). Do not covet (Love your neighbor. . . don’t keep up with the Jones’ . . .or the Goggins’ or whoever your neighbor might be!). The last six commandments are about our neighbors, our fellow man.

How can we love our neighbor as ourself if we are angry, lying, lustful thieves that don’t care what our parents say and want what everyone else has and can’t be content with our own lives? Yea, I stink at these, too. I’ll just address a couple of them (we could be here for hours if I talked about them all). . .

I have questions about the honor your father and mother. Who are my father and mother? Biologically speaking or figuratively? I do not dishonor anyone, but I don’t exactly acknowledge the honor thing. . . I’ll have to look into this. . .

I get angry. I get really angry. I have real anger issues. (I saw a shrink when I was younger, she said it was good to be angry and to express my anger, because if I held it in it would lead to depression. . . another story for another day. . . ). So, how do I deal with my anger? I pray. It is so hard to do when I am frustrated, but I am overcome with convictions from being angry. I don’t want to be angry. I don’t want to get angry. I don’t like being angry. I am mean when I am angry, but I’m working on it.

Galatians 5: 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Sometimes, it is so easy to point out our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ’s faults. It is so appealing to point out someone else’s faults (especially since we ARE all Christians and we should be held accountable). But are we holding each other accountable or are we tearing apart the kingdom of Christ. Are they really faults or do we just consider them faults because it isn’t in OUR plan? If I am a follower and proclaimer of Jesus Christ and YOU are a follower and proclaimer of Jesus Christ, then why do we point out each other’s apparent wrong doings (?SIN?) to other believers? Shouldn’t we be working together?

If God calls you to a ministry, who am I to judge if that is the right ministry for you? If you feel God leading you to make a decision, who am I to question that decision? Just because it is not the decision that I would make, does that mean you are wrong for making that decision?

Eight weeks

2009-05-24T15:44:00.001-05:00

Here’s to the next eight weeks. Eight more weeks in this semester of school. And only one more semester after this one! Praise God! I have truly enjoyed the last couple of weeks off from school. I will be so excited when I graduate and can spend more time with my family!

Cali has been peeing in the potty for the past few days (since I have been off work). She’s been pooping in the potty since about this time last year, but we haven’t pushed the issue of peeing in the potty (especially since her MDO class this year didn’t consistently potty train). Hopefully, she will keep it up when I go back to work.

Kate is growing up so fast. She is still in love with her kitten, Strawberry. She drags her all over the house playing with her. If she colors, the cat is in her lap watching. If she’s watching a movie, the cat is right beside her watching it with her. If she’s doing puzzles. . . well, you get my drift. We’ve been working on reading and writing activities. She does a good job reading and writing when SHE wants to do a good job; otherwise, she acts like she doesn’t know a letter from a number. . . Where does she get this stubbornness?

Will is well. He actually saw me for the last few days. AND I washed all the clothes and sheets, cleaned the house, scrubbed the girls bathroom and stayed up late watching LOCKED UP with him a couple of nights. Hopefully, he will survive for the next eight weeks without quality time with me. . .

Me? I'll let you know after Tuesday--

Am I trying to please YOU or God?

2009-05-20T21:56:00.002-05:00

It is so hard to not get caught up in worldly things when living in the world. (Like, where else would I live, Mars?). How can I be an example and let Christ’s light shine through me without trying to please the world. I mean after all, if I am trying to be a godly example and make people see Christ, then shouldn’t I please them and not make them feel guilty for their actions?

It is so hard to give the, “God loves you and He wants what’s best for you speech”. After all, Satan came to steal, kill, and destroy and right now, Satan is doing just that. We are at war. Not in Iraq or Iran. Here, in the United States, right now. We are at war in our houses, in our families, in our jobs, and in our friendships. Satan is infiltrating our lives. He is trying so hard to strengthen his army. I am so glad that I am on the WINNING SIDE of the war by following Christ.

Why do I pretend that knowing Christ is all love and butterflies? It’s not. It will be, but it’s not. My life is not perfect because I follow Christ. Nor do I know anyone’s life that is perfect because they follow Christ. I still have bills to pay, sick children, financial needs, and other needs that need to be met. I fail miserably as a wife, mother, friend, and nurse. But I am confident that my eternal home is secure. (I am also confident that God provides for ALL of my needs in Jesus Christ, even though it is not the way that I plan it!)

Sharing Christ so that others have an eternal security with Christ is difficult. I am sure that many false conversions begin this way. “Please, ask Jesus to forgive you for your ‘sins’ and to live in your heart.” Seriously? People think that’s all it takes to become a Christian? You think that all a person needs to do is to repeat some heartless prayer and POOF! they get a free ticket in to heaven? Come on people. No one should be that ignorant. No one should water down God’s word and His gift of eternal life to introduce someone to Jesus Christ. If you do, just don’t bother. Their heart isn’t ready. Yes, Jesus wants everyone to come to a knowing relationship with him (2 Peter 3:9), but you can’t pick and choose the parts you want to accept and follow (or share).

There’s a difference in living like the world to reach the world and living like Christ to reach the world. Oh, how easy it is to confuse the two. I feel myself wanting to please people so often. Why do I care if people like me or accept me? I shouldn’t. I should only care that I am being a reflection of Christ (and I sure do fail at this). So, as I spend my next four days off from work and school, I hope to begin this change. I hope to make my actions and words pleasing to God, not to others.

Galatians 1: 10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Cali's first REAL haircut

2009-05-12T22:18:00.004-05:00

My baby girl still doesn’t have much hair on her head at all, but at least it isn’t so pitiful looking now. . .

I cannot imagine what my baby girl was going through when she had these…

2009-05-12T22:11:00.003-05:00

As much as I love spending time with them, does it really need to be while she’s sleep deprived on Benadryl? Not really quality time for either of us.

But now that she is over it and off the Benadryl (Praise God!), can she fall asleep before 9 pm at night?!?!?!?

I know I have said it before

2009-05-11T22:18:00.002-05:00

but, these verses lay heavily on my heart for my children. . .

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. ~ Philippians 1:9-11

Happy 18th Wedding Anniversary!

2009-05-06T17:02:00.000-05:00

I had the privilege of watching Marion’s kids for a few hours Monday night, May 4th. It was Marion and Brian’s 18th wedding anniversary! WootWoot! I am so grateful that she let me watch them. Olivia and Cameron (their oldest) are the biggest help with the kids and Baby Daniel is a Gerber baby. He is 11 months old now and weighs as much as Cali! Here are a couple of pics from the evening.

FOUND KITTEN

2009-05-06T07:47:00.001-05:00

Dreamy was in the girls bedroom. She came out this morning when they came out. Geez. She runs from them all day. Who would have thought she would be in their room? Well, Happy birthday to me! She's back!

MISSING CAT

2009-05-05T23:34:00.002-05:00

It’s not Kate’s cat, Strawberry. It’s not the little 6 ounce kitten everyone was so worried about. It’s the other cat, Dreamy. The whole reason I even gave in to getting a cat- for a calico. Preferably, a calico that reminded me of my first cat, PawPee. PawPee was given to me by my grandmother’s friend, Jimmy. I was never allowed to have pets, but when I was going through some difficult times in my teenage years, he thought it would be a good idea for me to have a pet. So, he talked Nonnie in to letting me have a cat.
After having kids, I did not really want pets. I wanted to just spend time with my kids and a pet was just something else to take care of (and who has time for that!). I still only wanted to do this, but, the more Kate asked, the more willing I was to give in and get one. Under one condition, that it was a calico cat. Well, our neighbors cat had kittens, no calicos. Then, Marion called and said that her friend had found some kittens and guess what? One was a calico. Yay! So, we went over to see them and Kate didn’t care too much for the calico. She fell in love with the runt. Well, I didn’t want to take home the runt. I wanted the calico. So, we opted to take both kittens. They wouldn’t be as lonely. Kate and Cali both could have one. I would be so happy to have a calico (share her with Cali). She reminded me so much of my first kitten. I even found old pictures of my cat and showed them to Will, the girls, and Marion. It made me think about Nonnie. It made me think about how much I missed her. It made me remember how much she loved me and wanted me to be happy. It reminded me how I loved something and cared for something for the first time in my life (big step for me). It reminded me of the pain that I was going through at the time. It reminded me that PawPee was my only honest form of therapy at the time. My brother even stopped by here and got to see Dreamy. He thought she looked like PawPee,too.
So, we took them home. We named them (well, Kate and Cali named them). We bought them supplies ($100). We took them to the vet and paid their entire first year, plus this visit UP FRONT ($750). I come home from work today. Will had decorated for my birthday. The kids sang. We ate cake. The kids brushed their teeth and went to bed. Will left to go play tennis. I looked for Dreamy (mine and Cali’s cat). I couldn’t find her. I called Will. I’m sure he thought I was overreacting. No cat. No Dreamy. Never found tonight. Will has no idea what happened or where she is. He says he is pretty sure she couldn't have gotten out, but not 100%. What a happy birthday I will have tomorrow. She hasn’t even been here a week. If she got out, she won’t be back. She can’t find her way back. She’s too playful. She’ll probably be killed.
So, now, I am up typing this with a 6 ounce kitten in my lap. Why? Not because I like the kitten as much as everyone else. Because she is meowing and crying. She misses her sister. I enjoyed the moments of reminiscing that I had. Now I am mourning over the financial implications and over memories. Not from this kitten, Dreamy. She hasn’t been here long enough. Over the memories of my past, especially Nonnie. But, everything happens for a reason. Cali’s young. She won’t know the difference. Kate will be fine with it. She said Dreamy beat her cat up anyway. It’s one less mouth that Will has to feed. One less pee/poop Will has to clean. Guess we will see what tomorrow brings. I wish Will would stay home and help look for her. Not that she can be found. I just don’t feel like spending my birthday looking for my lost cat, to just not be able to find her. . .

It's over

2009-05-04T11:42:00.001-05:00

The test is over. I passed. Thank you, Lord! I'm off to spend time with my kiddos. Oh, and Cali's cat's name is Dreamy. She named her.

Final Exam for this semester

2009-05-03T22:41:00.002-05:00

My final exam for this semester is in the morning at about 10ish/1030ish. Pray that I do well. I am exhausted and sick. I am having MAJOR test anxiety-- don't know what that is about! Well, actually, I do. I am ready to be finished with school. I am ready to have my life back. I am ready to spend lots and lots of time with my kids. I am ready to not rush anybody into anything. I am ready to have some patience. I am ready for time to not matter as much. I want my family back. I miss them. I broke down and cried tonight. I can't study. I haven't been able to study for this finaly because of guilt. Guilt about NOT spending enough time with my kids. Guilt about being a sorry mommy that works all the time. Guilt about being guilty. God, I know this is what you want me to do. PLEASE, give me the strength and the wisdom to get through. . .

Kate has a new love

2009-04-29T22:22:00.002-05:00

Today I got a call that there were some kittens found in a dumpster and one was calico. I said I would only have a calico cat (this was what my first pet was). So, we went to look at them. The calico looked good, but Kate IMMEDIATELY fell in love with what I think (hope) is the runt of the litter. There were six kittens total and the one that Kate fell in love with (her name is now Strawberry Shortcake) is about half the size of the others. She plays and eats and has peed, but I am worried she might be sick. She really likes to sleep and she is so much smaller than the others. Will is going to take them both to the vet in the morning. Hopefully, whatever she has is treatable, because Kate is in love with her. She informed me that her kitten was the best kitten in the whole world.

Oh, and her name. Originally, Kate named her Ella, but after we arrived home she changed it. She said she didn't look like an Ella, she looked like a Strawberry Shortcake. We couldn't get anything shorter out of her. . . I'll let you know what the vet says about her health.

Since I worked on Easter, I didn't get to see the girls in these dresses on Easter

2009-04-27T12:51:00.004-05:00

Easter baskets came a day early at our house

2009-04-27T12:44:00.002-05:00

Since I had to work Easter, the girls received Easter baskets a day early. Seeing that Easter is not about the presents anyway, this was NOT a hard decision to make.

The Christian's come to visit!

2009-04-27T12:24:00.002-05:00

Tina, Gino, Corbin, and Caroline Christian came for a visit over Easter. They were mostly here to see their family, but we were able to spend a little time with them also. Corbin and Kate have been playing together since they were about 6 months old (until Tina moved to Utah). It is amazing how much they have grown! It is also amazing how much they LOVE each other. They wanted to ALWAYS be right next to each other, the whole time they were here! It's so sweet. Caroline and Cali did fine playing together. Cali was mostly just "watching" as these two "strangers" played with her things.

I miss you already, T!

I really do

2009-04-16T22:29:00.001-05:00

I really do have pictures to post from our visit with The Christians and from Easter. It will be later this weekend before I can post them though. If you are reading this, I would really like a quick prayer for my test on Friday morning. . . that would be great! I'll post back soon!

The THIRD day

2009-04-11T22:20:00.001-05:00

I wonder what the disciples were thinking many, many years ago when Jesus had been crucified the day before? I wonder what they thought as they spent their Sabbath day without Him? Do you think they felt deceived? Do you think they were totally and utterly confused about the whole situation? Do you think they just wanted to move on with their lives and put the past behind them? Unfortunately, I think that is how most people will view tomorrow, Easter. It’s just another day. But it is NOT just another day! Our future did not end at Christmas, when we celebrate Jesus’ birth. Our future did not end at all. It exists because Jesus Christ is real. He was born. He fulfilled prophesy. He died. He overcame death and rose again on the third day. I’m not here to convince anyone. I am here to discuss the facts, to share what I know to be true. Maybe someone will be intrigued by the facts, pick up their bible, and discover for themselves who Jesus is. I don’t have all the answers, but He does.

The angels spoke to Mary and Mary Magdelane. The angels reminded them how quickly they had forgotten. They said, “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24:6-7).

Tomorrow, we celebrate that day. The third day. Don’t forget.

Tomorrow

2009-04-07T22:02:00.003-05:00

April 8th will finally be here in just a few short hours. In less than 24 hours, my friend Tina, her husband, Gino, and their children, Corbin and Caroline, will be in town from Utah! YAY! Kate and Corbin are 8 weeks apart. They played together a lot before Tina uprooted to St. George. Caroline and Cali are about 3 months apart. They barely got to know each other before they left. Hopefully, they will play well together tomorrow!
I am happy they are coming here, but I sure would like another vacation to St. George! It is BEAUTIFUL there!

And for those of you who have prayed for my prayer requests a week or so ago:
Alice had her surgery and it went well. We are now praying for complete remission!
Stellan is on a teeter totter and can still use your prayers.

How will I find time to finish studying when my girls need my attention?

2009-04-01T15:39:00.003-06:00

After MDO today, I REALLY needed to get some studying done. I put some blankets down on the ground, took some play dishes outside, carried my reading material outside, and studied. Kate did a great job digging for worms. Cali did a great job making me coffee (pretend coffee. . . I don’t really drink coffee, and if I did I would not let my two year old make it). I did a great job studying with just me and the girls. Then, I was able to study for a little while longer before the girls needed to come in for a snack because my mother-in-law came for an afternoon visit. Here are some pictures from our outside adventure. Yes, I did have to pause from my studies to take pictures of my sweet girls.

Colossians 3:12

2009-03-30T20:54:00.001-06:00

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Compassion is when my whole body aches for a baby suffering and struggling just to stay alive on a breathing machine. Compassion is when my head aches from fighting back the tears as a mom holds her baby for the first AND last time.

Kindness is when Kate shares her last M & M with Cali even though they each had the same amount to begin with. Kindness is when my friend comes to my house and does my laundry when I am so busy with school work, NOT when I leave a kitchen sink full of dishes just so I can complain about it later.

Humility is when Will does not boast on himself for his artwork, but only God. Humility is when I know who my maker is and I acknowledge it. Humility is when I give credit where credit is due—to God, NOT when I brag on my accomplishments.

Gentleness is when I explain to the girls why they are in trouble and what they did wrong, NOT
yelling at them.

Patience is when I pray and ask for God’s guidance in my future and wait and wait and wait for a response. Patience is NOT when I am driving to work in traffic. Patience is NOT when I am waiting on the girls to do something that I have asked them to do.

How can I be more compassionate, more kind, more humble, more gentle, and more patient?

Prayer

2009-03-25T09:10:00.004-06:00

There are many people in need of my prayers right now. I hope I have prayed for them all. If you come to my blog, please remember two special prayer requests today.

1. Alice Mitchell is having her robotic Da vinci thymectomy today (This will mean COMPLETE remission, Lord willing).
2. Stellan

Thanks!
Brandy

About the Ten Commandments...

2009-03-20T12:21:00.001-06:00

Lord, help me to do this.

7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. ~Deuteronomy 6:7-9

No, we don't get to do this often, but here we are. . . caught on camera

2009-03-20T07:20:00.001-06:00

Yes, it DID snow last week... and today it is 75 degrees

2009-03-08T13:59:00.003-06:00

Everyone was posting about snow last week. I was busy catching up on studying. It sure was nice to have that "extra" day last week. So here I am a day (or week) late and a dollar (or lots of dollars) short. . .

BUT for those of us who didn't have bread or milk or any good groceries in the house--- Do not fear, Alabama is pretty consistent in how fast snow melts. Just hours after the beautiful snow....

One Mommy's story of a public bathroom

2009-02-25T22:27:00.002-06:00

I guess this story is at the top of the list for “requests” by my friends. They really like for me to tell the story to their friends to make their friends laugh as well. So, in hopes of making everyone have a little snicker… Here goes…
A few months ago Will, Kate, Cali, and I went to eat with some friends of ours that we had not seen in a long time (funny thing, I still don’t think they have even heard this story). I was aggravated because we were eating lunch at a later time than usual (do I need to explain the food thing again?). We get our food and I go through the whole “mommy” thing, where only MOMMY can get my food ready for me to eat, only MOMMY can pass me my drink, only MOMMY can cut up my food. So, only taking a few bites of my food, Cali emphatically proclaims, “I need to doo doo.” Bless her heart (and Kate’s), the girls cannot say poo poo, they insist on saying DOO DOO. I usually follow with a “you need to poo poo?”, emphasizing the POO POO part --- to no avail.

So, since I am already upset about eating late, which not only puts me in a sore mood, but the girls as well, I say aloud, “Sure, why not? Kate, do you need to go, too?” Now, if I didn’t want her to respond with, “Yes”, then I should have never asked because of course if Mommy is going, she needs to go too (By the way I am in love with this because I know I will not always be her favorite person). So, I venture off to the public, germ infested, e.coli breeding facilities and proceed to help Kate potty first. I cover the toilet seat with half of the roll of toilet paper, pick Kate up, and place her on the toilet seat. She has this down. She knows the rules for pottying in a public bathroom. She usually rocks back and forth on her thighs, hands up in the air trying not to touch the potty, while trying to potty.

While she is pottying, I am unsnapping Cali’s jumper (one piece, snaps between the legs all the way down to the ankles). Kate finishes, I whisk her off the potty, put her to the side, give her a piece of TP to wipe, replace the TP on the potty (because most of it was pulled off when I whisked Kate away), and place Cali on the potty. Kate finishes wiping, throws her TP in the potty, which sends Cali into an uproar. She is trying to potty and Kate just through something in her potty! Now, remember, Cali does not have the rules to pottying in a public place down yet, her hands are firmly planted on the TP’d toilet seat, and she is just talking away to me. “Cali, hurry up and poo poo so we can go eat.”

“Mommy, I doo doo more.”

“Yes, I know, just hurry up.”

This conversation continues while I am trying to tuck her pants legs from her jumper under itself so that it stays out of the potty in the back. About this time I hear, “Mommy, this floor smells soooo good!” In about two seconds I thought, “She’s kidding right?” I was convinced I would not turn around and see… yes, I did turn to see my four year old on all fours sniffing the floor!

I don’t know exactly what I said, but I did explain that the nice smell was from the deodorizer that sprays about every two minutes (I think it probably sprayed ten times while we were in there). I was explaining while I stripped her shirt sleeves clear up to her shoulders and proceeded to wash her in the sink. I was so carried away by the thought of all the germs on her and trying to get them off, I totally forgot Cali’s pants legs were tucked in the back of her clothes. I noticed this as I pulled a paper towel off and handed it to Kate. I snatched her up off of the toilet, water dripping from her pants legs, and slapped her diaper back on her. I am now ranting to Kate to NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. I wash my hands and Cali’s arms and hands and carry her back to the table. (Everyone has finished eating but me by this point). I sit her across my lap with her legs dangling, so I can finish eating. Will wants me to be able to enjoy my meal, so he reaches over and picks her up. I DID NOT laugh when he asked, “Why are her pants legs wet?” . . .

I will lie down and sleep in peace

2009-02-24T21:59:00.002-06:00

Since Kate was ,"awfully lonely" in her room by herself, she moved in to Cali's room (months ago now). It is totally normal to hear laughter and playing after the girls are put to bed. Cali throws her blankie and her paci over the crib, Kate retrieves it and they both giggle. They are too silly! Sometimes, after they are asleep, I go in to their room and pray for them. The other night when I got home from work, I opened the door only to see this...

She didn't even flinch when I took about five pictures! I picked her up and put her back in her bed. It's funny how kids just go to sleep when they are tired. Why can't I just go to sleep when I am tired? Instead, I worry. I think about what I need to do, what I should be doing. I worry some more. I have tried to turn my worries into prayers to let God take control of them.

"I will lie down and sleep in peace,

for you alone, O LORD,

make me dwell in safety."

~Psalm 4:8

Hurricane force winds and a bed of nails

2009-02-20T11:23:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday we took a trip to the McWane Center with the girls, Kelly (Will's roommate from college), and his little girl, Kerrianne. The girls had a blast! I was so happy to spend some fun time with them. Notice Cali's face in the reflection of the aquarium (She's on the far right of the picture at the catfish's head)!

Well, I'm off to shower and head to work! I MISS MY GIRLS! I can't wait for tomorrow, so we can play and have fun.

The Great Gates of Kiev

2009-02-18T00:11:00.002-06:00

The Alys Stephens Center at UAB hosts the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and has family day (not sure how often). But Will's mum (pictured above with Kate)has been taking Kate about once a month to the "concert". Over the Christmas holidays, the kids were asked to "paint to music". While listening to The Great Gates of Kiev by Modest Mussorgsky, Kate painted the above picture (the top one). The bottom one she painted while listening to rap music (ok, so I made that part up). Anyway, she won an award this past weekend at the concert and we are really proud of her. She is embarassed by all of her accomplishments (I have no idea why). But, a few people had asked to see a picture of her picture. Oh, and yes, she paints for money (I'm trying to see if she can outsell her dad this year). . .

Oh, and the other two pics are just because I love my munchkins!

Putting our lives in God's hands

2009-02-17T12:56:00.003-06:00

"Putting our lives in God's hand doesn't mean we do nothing. Instead we do all He puts in our hands." ~Pamela McQuade. I have this torn out quote hanging above my desk. I know it looks tacky, but I just need the reminder.

It gets really difficult being a wife, a mother of two very active, young children (that I would love to spend every second of every day with), a full-time graduate student that works full-time to pay the bills and does clinicals (unpaid). Sometimes I forget why I am doing this. Then, I remember it's because He has given me these tasks.

As I sit here right now (really wanting to go back to bed and take a nap before work), I am trying to get some school work done so I can spend ALL of my Saturday morning before work with the girls.

God, thank you for the blessings that you have poured out on my life. ALL of which I am totally undeserving. Thank you for my family. Thank you for the two most perfect children for me. Thank you for my husband who doesn't understand me, but loves me anyway. Thank you for my friends that comfort me and love me. Thank you for loving me and allowing Jesus to provide us a better future. Thank you for my job. Thank you for all of your provisions.

I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread

2009-02-10T11:34:00.001-06:00

If you have known me for any length of time, you know that I must eat frequently. There is no medical explanation for my mood if I do not eat (my blood sugar is high enough without food--- it is NOT hypoglycemia). But I tend to get a little temperamental if I do not eat regularly. Why do I let food decide if I am going to be in a decent mood or not? I’m sure there are people who do not know me well who are thinking, “She has lost her mind; she is not fat”. Well, this is not about fat (even though my last post eluded to that). It is about the control that food has over me. If I enjoy the taste of something, I eat more. I want more. I will spend more to get more. Then, I eat more. Once I eat more, I want more, so I spend more to get more, so I can eat more (get the point yet).

I have realized recently just how many things get put before God, food being one [sleep is the other big one, but since I am quite dysfunctional without sleep (because I fall out), I have decided to save that for when I physically feel better from my recent illnesses]. With all this being said, the verse this post is based on has created a need to act.

Job 23:12 “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-09T21:36:00.002-06:00

Seriously. I could have three posts for Happy Valentine's Day. I wonder if I should title them all the same? Well, Happy Valentine's Day to me. . . I got an AbLounger. Yes, you heard it right. An ab lounger. My husband says he has given me two years to get this baby fat off and since I haven't done it on my own he is going to motivate me (okay, so maybe I said that). I don't know how I will fit it into my already full schedule, but, I am going to try. At least for a few days.
And not that I can consider it a Valentine's Day gift, but since that is the next closest holiday, Will and I are getting new cell phones. That's right, if you call me, you might actually get me on the phone! Well, that is in about 5 to 7 days from now. If you call me before the new cell phone, please still expect major delays. I called my cell phone provider tonight, told them I was cancelling, and now we are getting two new phones, a cheaper base plan, and internet on our phones. Glad I decided to cancel that service!
I don't start my new position until March 3rd, but beginning March 3rd, I will be back to 12 hour shifts (7a-7p). Yay!
Cali's two year check up is in the morning. I hope I can find my list of questions/paranoid mommy concerns to take with me. . .

Happy Birthday, baby girl.

2009-02-01T17:00:00.000-06:00

Two years. I cannot believe that my baby girl is TWO years old. Wow. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful blessing. We had a very small birthday gathering. Cali is young and we don’t have any “regular” friends to play with that are her age (Since Tina moved Caroline away a month after Cali was born =(). So, the party was small and there were no kids her age. But she still had a blast. She wanted to go outside, but here in Alabama, we don’t like going out when it’s 20. That is not warm. At all.
Oh, and the pacifier picture? What can I say, the girl still loves her paci. . .

Two, already?

2009-01-30T21:37:00.002-06:00

I cannot believe that Sunday my baby girl will be TWO! I don't even have a gift yet. I cannot believe how much she has grown. I cannot believe it. I am too excited (and nervous because I have not had time to plan the details). I did make Will go to the store and order her cake (I cannot believe I let him do this!) But this is it ladies and gents. This (hopefully) is the only time I have to let someone else do all the fun stuff (and not so fun stuff).

Pray for my dear friend Alice this week. She is going through a tough time with her illness and her treatments and I have mono so I cannot go visit.

Pray for me, I have a test Tuesday. I am so unprepared!

Thank you, Lord, for healing Rachel. Thank you for my girls. Thank you for the small family of four that you have created with us. Thank you for the time we spend together. Thank you for the possibility of a new schedule at work. Please be with me as I go to work and do clinicals. Please be with the girls and Will as they do their things. Bring us home safely to each other each night. Thank you for Jesus. I love you. In Jesus name, Amen.

God still performs miracles!

2009-01-29T18:24:00.003-06:00

Sunday I received an extremely depressing call that a friend of ours from church was undergoing double bypass surgery. Rachel is 35 years old. She had her first baby last Monday evening, delivered early at 35 weeks due to pregnancy induced hypertension. They went home on Friday, by Friday evening she was having left arm pain and coughing up blood. She was rushed to the ER and they discovered she had a mild heart attack. She was put in the ICU to be monitored more closely. Her cardiac cath was scheduled for Monday since it was not "life threatening". . . yet. But on Sunday, the cardiac cath/ open heart team was called in early for a patient needing an emergency heart cath. That patient was fine, but since the team was there, they decided to go ahead with Rachel's case. She flat lined on the table in the cath lab (her heart stopped beating, completely). The doctor immediately opened her chest and began internal compressions (cardiac massage) to circulate the blood through her body. For fifteen minutes she received compressions until they could place her on heart lung bypass and do open heart surgery. She came off of bypass sometime close to 3pm. Her heart was beating on its own. Doctors assured her husband that this was one of many hurdles she would have to jump to her road to recovery. The plan was to wake her up slowly over 3 to 5 days. God had other plans. many prayers have been lifted up for the healing of Rachel and the recovery of Rachel. By 330 am Monday morning, she was awake, alert, and extubated. Her husband was able to talk with her and she seemed to remember everything. God still performs miracles. Rachel is a miracle. Just ask the doctors. THANK YOU ALL for your prayers for Rachel. Continue to pray for her healing and for her premature baby, Leah. God is so awesome!

A hamster

2009-01-18T22:54:00.003-06:00

"Please keep all of the pet hamsters safe, so that one day one can come live at our house. In Jesus name, AMEN." ~Kate
Our neighbor bought their son a pet hamster. We haven't even seen it yet and Kate already wants one. . .

A crazy week

2009-01-16T16:06:00.002-06:00

Monday morning I woke up early to get started on my first semester of my last year of graduate school. My laptop would not charge. I sent Will to buy a new plug. He took my computer and my plug to make sure it worked before he left. The Geek Squad said it was not my plug. It was my motherboard (doesn't that word look like it should not come out of my mouth...). Said it would be about $500- $1000 to fix. WHAT?!?! So, after a LONG day of thing after thing going wrong (I'll spare you the details). My brother concluded it was the power cord. Still waiting for the new one to arrive. Still without a laptop. Getting behind on school work by the day. . .

And I am having to use Will's mac (which I love), but not only will South Alabama NOT let me do most of my schoolwork on a mac, but Will actually has his own work that needs to get done.
Wow, how did my blog turn into me complaining? Oh, yea. I guess that is a good outlet to vent. But, if your wondering why no blogs are appearing. I'm a little busy not having my own laptop to do my work on everyday =( But, if I can get Will's computer to view the disk Marion made--- I'll have more pics of the girls up soon! (Since I am STILL without a camera, I don't have any of my own).

School started back today

2009-01-12T01:42:00.002-06:00

I am so glad that I have my family and friends supporting me through NNP school. All I did was log on to look at the calendar. wow. wow. Is it possible to be overwhelmed before the semester even starts? this could possibly be my last post this year. wow. I was just going to look at it before I went to bed. wow. I'm kinda glad I can't get the printer to work; otherwise, I would be organizing this stuff tonight. wow. well, I guess I better get some sleep. this might also be the last decent night of sleep I get this year. wow.

Why I do not want to go to work today

2009-01-09T12:31:00.003-06:00

I let the girls stay home from MDO, but I still don’t feel like we spent enough time together

Kate wrote me a letter (all by herself), it says “Mommy I love you”

I’m tired

I feel rundown

My head hurts

My neck hurts

I don’t have an appetite

I don’t feel like doing anything

I need gas in my car

I have to go in early for a staff meeting

It’s cold outside

God, please give me the energy, strength, and attitide to go to work. I miss my family. I feel so empty just thinking about being away from them. Come and fill that empty space. Be close to me. Don't let me linger on how much I miss them and all the reasons I don't want to go to work. Let me focus on you. I have faith that you will bring me through. School is starting back in just a few days. Along with all of the studying, papers, assignments, exams, and MANY, MANY hours of clinicals, you have allowed me to be part of a wonderful family. I already feel like I don't see them enough. Please multiply the time that we do have together so that it feels like we are spending lots of time together. I'm making myself depressed over the whole situation. I don't feel well, but I think a lot of it is mental. I am mentally drained and I need a pick me up. I need to be able to have more time to express my love for my family. They miss me, too. Kate tells me DAILY. Be with Kate, Cali, and Will. Help them to have a good next three days (since I won't really see a lot of them). Give us all peace. Get me out of my rut. Send me someone to share your word with at work. Let me be a light for you, Lord. Don't let my attitude hinder your work. I love you. In Christ's name, AMEN.

Now all they want is Mommy

2009-01-09T00:23:00.002-06:00

Okay, so we will all quickly realize that I am NOT a photographer (I wish I were, but I am a little preoccupied with other things). I could not resist taking these pictures the other day when the girls cleaned their play room. After they both moved in to Cali's room, Kate's room became the play room. When we were cleaning I found Baby. Kate got this doll from my brother, Sandi, and Chloe when she turned a year old. She had to have it to nap and to sleep from that point moment forward. We were going through all the toys and deciding what to get rid of and what to keep. Kate said we could get rid of the baby. I still don't want to get rid of the baby. It has so many memories for me =) I took pictures so I can tell Kate about Baby when she gets older. My little girls are growing up so fast! I cannot wait to get finished with school so we can spend more time together!

Do I look like I want to be kissed???

2009-01-07T00:35:00.001-06:00

Back to work

2009-01-04T20:58:00.002-06:00

I have been on my seven days on seven days off schedule since the first week of August. This past week I have finally had seven of my days off! It was so great. I love spending time with Will and the girls. I used to think that I could never be a stay at home mom (too stressful), but after spending all this time with the family this past week--- I LOVED not having to go to work and being able to just enjoy them. So, tomorrow, I am back at work for seven on. I work a double on Monday, Saturday, and Sunday (all dayshift doubles). This is my last chance for overtime to help out with some bills before I start back to school on Monday the 12th. I'm not looking forward to it... I miss Will and my girls already =(

I pray for safety and protection over Will and the girls as I go back to work this week. I pray for my safety and protection as I work this week. I pray that Will has a good week with the girls and that the girls have a good week as well. I pray that they don't miss me too much. I pray that the time I do have with them feels like longer than the time I am away from them. I pray that these next seven days (and twelve months for that matter) go by quickly, stress free, and pain free! I pray that God will use me to further His kingdom. I pray that God will use Will and the girls to further His kingdom. I pray that I have the mental, physical, and spiritual strength to make it through. I love you, Lord. Thank you. In Jesus name, AMEN.

Cheating God

2009-01-03T21:44:00.004-06:00

Tithes. I have not heard a sermon on tithing in over five years. I think that a sermon on tithing would step on a lot of toes. I think that a sermon on tithing would convict a lot of people. I think that a sermon on tithing is not what an in-debt, out of work, America wants to hear. I think that Jerusalem didn't want to hear what Malachi had to say about tithing either. I think that a lot of people have not read Malachi (okay, or most of the bible for this matter). I think that some people that read my blog would actually go get their bibles to see what I am talking about. I think that some of you know what I am talking about. I think others quit reading after the word "tithes" in the first line. So, for those of you who would not go get your bibles, and those of you who are still with me. Here is what Malachi has to say about ROBBING GOD in chapter 3:

6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

Okay, now did you read verse 8 and 9? Read it again. The whole nation was cursed because they were not giving tithes and offerings to God. The whole nation. God considers this stealing (Commandment 8: Do not steal). Wow.

Now, re-read verse 10. Now that is big. How awesome is that? The more I give back to God, the more fulfilled I am. I have heard stories about Rick Warren tithing 90% and living off of 10% (reverse tithing). Wow. I want to do this. I know that it can't be an immediate thing (at least not for me), but it is an attainable, long term goal.

So, where do we stand on tithing? Tithe. It works. Tithe first. Before the bills. It's the only way it will work. It's the way God desires it to be. Remember Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)? Abel gave from the firstborn of his flock. Cain brought some of the fruits (consider this a "convenient" offering). God looked with favor on Abel's offering, but not Cain's offering. Cain got angry. Angry because God did not look with favor on his offering, his convenience offering. Then, there's God, knowing Cain's bitterness, and he says to Cain, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." Cain was bitter and instead of making things right with God, he rebelled. Don't rebel. Do what is right.

Playhouse and Cake

2009-01-03T21:28:00.002-06:00

It is amazing how many things and people can fit into this tiny house! The girls love their playhouse (as do we, when they are entertaining each other=)! Here are some snapshots of it.

Also, I thought everyone might want to see my "birthday cake" we baked for Jesus on Christmas Eve. I looked everywhere for my cake pans (they still have not shown up!). When I could not find them, I just baked cupcakes. Kate had already decided what she wanted the "cake" to say, so Will just put all the cupcakes together while I was at work and they decorated it.

Now, for some news... BAD NEWS FIRST... There won't be any pics for a while (at least not any new pictures). My camera is experiencing technical difficulties and if Kodak won't cover it under the warranty, then we will not have new pics for a while. Sorry.

Then, the GOOD NEWS... God-willing, I graduate NNP school this year =)

Christmas

2009-01-01T21:25:00.002-06:00

Christmas. Another one come and gone. Why is it that Christmas is such a milestone for the year? Why is it that we say, “slow as Christmas” or “Christmas will be here before you know it?” I can remember so much more about Christmas time than any other time of the year. So, what did the girls get from us for Christmas this year? An indoor/outdoor playhouse ($78), each got a pair of rainboots ($12.99 +tax each), each got a "hopball" ($5.99 + tax each), each got a barbie ($9.99 +tax each), Kate got a word puzzle ($10), Cali got 3 new easy puzzles ($7), Kate got a kid camera ($24), Cali got a Leap frog fridge letter thingy ($15).

And while I do believe that while people pride themselves on worrying about Christmas being commercialized, the worry and the publicity of the concern will not change the world. Like most things, it's what you make of it. Well, to be quite honest, the bible tells us how the story ends. The Bible tells us things will get worse before they get better, but in the mean time, what could make a difference? If it is changing the commercialization of Christmas, then I am sure that it must begin at home. There is a difference in knowing the story of Christmas and experiencing the story of Christmas. Not only the birth of Jesus, but the life of Jesus, the purpose of Jesus. Teaching our children about the ten commandments, teaching our children the law of God, teaching our children about SIN, teaching our children about the penalty for SIN {insert HELL, yes, I said HELL here}, teaching our children about our payment for SIN {Jesus, in case you are new to this}, and the importance of a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ, not just a knowledge and “belief”. Then, when we are done teaching our children, let us tell our neighbors, let us tell the people we meet, let us tell the rest of our family. I may be teaching my children, but I fail miserably every day at telling “everyone else”.

Elsey's Final Appearances for 2008

2008-12-24T20:29:00.000-06:00

Elsey made her final appearances for 2008. She left us on Christmas Eve to go spend the year in the North Pole. Kate misses her. She misses her so much, I am thinking Elsey MIGHT stop in for a "check in" in a couple of months... Who knows. Here is Elsey on Will's sculpture.

Here she is hanging from his University of Alabama medallion from graduation.
Thanks, Tina, Gino, Corbin, and Caroline for sending Elsey to us! We love her and we miss her!

GET DOWN FROM THAT LIGHT, YOU'LL BURN UP!

2008-12-23T00:51:00.004-06:00

The scurrying around our house upon awakening is quite entertaining! When Kate found Elsey hanging from the light in the foyer I heard, "Elsey, get down from that light, you'll burn up! MOM!!! Don't turn the light on! We can't let anyone turn the light on, Elsey might burn." (Maybe I should have thought of that before I let Elsey get on the light!)

Elsey has had so much fun playing at our house the past couple of weeks. I have not uploaded all of the pics, but when I do, I'll share some of her temporary hiding/relocation spots.

This Lipscomb family has had its share of illness this past week (Please, God, continue to protect Cali as You heal the rest of us.). Kate's stomach bug resolved quickly. She never really felt the effects of it. She moved in to Cali's bedroom. We now have an official play room. Will and I contracted Kate's stomach bug on Friday evening. Will suffered for a shorter time than I did. I was not finished eliminating the "bug" from my body until about 530am on Satuday. (Kate promised me she did not eat a bug and she did not give me or her dad any bugs to eat, but she did apologize for making us sick). We missed my work Christmas party Friday night. We missed my family Christmas party on Saturday. Will's grand dad is in the hospital with pneumonia. Will's mom is in the hospital because she choked on a gummy bear and had to call 9-1-1. Will's family Christmas is cancelled. And the week has just begun. . .

Some new pics of the girls in front of the tree (no one wants to pose for a picture, they both just want to look at them).

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness ~Psalm 6:17

2008-12-18T21:22:00.003-06:00

This week has been full of exciting things! Tuesday was my appointment at the surgeon's office.

My friend Marion gave me this scripture before the appointment, "The king asked, 'Why does your face look so sad even though you are not sick?'". (Nehemiah 2:2).

It did not help as much as I wished it would have. I was nervous when he said yea, there's definitely a swollen axillary node there. . . yes, I feel the lump. . . the part that really caught me off guard was when he said, "nah, it's nothing to worry about." Huh? What!? Seriously? PRAISE GOD! Psalm 16:9 "Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure!"

Apparently, among my many other unique features (some people insert the word anomaly here), I have bony deformities of my ribs that cause my breast tissue to feel abnormally hard on the edges. SWEET! I'm glad God made me special. . . in more way than one.

Sorry it took me so long to get back. We have had an eventful past three days. I'll try to sum it up beginning with Tuesday: to the surgeon, received good news, picked up the girls from MDO, don't really know until last night when Kate puked in her sleep and it did not wake her up. Will just heard her coughing (she has not been sick), went in and she had thrown up. So, we cleaned her up, pulled off the sheets and I put her in our bed. About an hour later our sheets needed to be changed. Cleaned her up again. Today she feels better. I feel better.

I want to leave you with a story. A story found in Luke 17: 11-19. Ten men suffering from leprosy. Ten men healed by Jesus. One man praised God in a loud voice. Nine men did not acknowledge their healer. Why? Who knows. I just know that I NEVER want to be those nine men. EVER. Maybe I was not in need of a healing today, but I believe that God sent me what we needed: a reason for my abnormality. I do not expect God's blessings, but I am extremely grateful. God knows my heart. He knows it better than I do. My responsibility is to not only praise Him, but to tell others of His power, His mercy, and His grace. God is awesome. He does wonderful things. Sometimes, He does things and we do not even acknowledge what could have been.
Thank you, Lord, for allowing everything to check out abnormally normal at the doctor's office. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for protecting me.

Oreo Truffles

2008-12-15T22:44:00.002-06:00

We should have been reading books, doing bed time prayers, and cuddling, but no, we were making OREO Truffles... or as Bro. Bo calls them "balls of sin" [THANKS, Marion!]. YUM! Here's the recipe (did I mention I bought a CHEAP food processor JUST to chop the oreos to a fine grit):

1 package of Oreo cookies (I do not like Chocolate mint anything, but I bet the mint oreos would do well for those of you that do... just not me).

1 8 ounce package of soft cream cheese

chocolate for dipping

Puree the Oreo cookies until they look like you should be planting a tree instead of eating them. Then, use a mixer to mix the cream cheese and the oreo dirt until it turns to mud. Roll into small balls, put in the fridge for about 15 minutes, then dip in the chocolate (whatever your favorite is). Cool and enjoy!

I have a doctor appointment bright and early at 9:15 in the morning; hopefully, all is well and I will discover what everyone else already knows... I am an overreactive, compulsive, obsessed creature when it comes to the fear of dying and leaving my children motherless. I pray that I find God's purpose in this situation and that I handle it how He would have me to handle it. Thanks for the prayers!

TEN?! more days!?

2008-12-15T00:35:00.005-06:00

Christmas happenings... WHAT!? Christmas?! Already? I think I have been saying this for weeks. The tree is up, the ornaments have been placed...

The tree has almost taken a tumble once or twice (the kids think the ornaments are to play with and then put back. They are not real good with the putting the ornaments back GENTLY, yet.) I probably will not put up a picture of the Christmas tree. We took the duct tape off this year, so it leans quite a bit (maybe that is why it has almost tumbled a couple of times). But, I will post a picture of ELSEY in our tree . . .

ELSEY is our Elf on the shelf. One of my best friends, Tina, sent ELSEY in the mail to us (Thanks, T ;). Kate is really enjoying Christmas this year. I stayed in Sunday School with the girls this morning and Miss Lisa and Mr. Brian brought in their toy manger scene (which is just like ours at home... except baby Jesus has been misplaced...). Kate did such a good job answering the questions about the "Christmas story". Thank you, Lord, for a child who listens to your word. I pray that my children will always desire you and seek you with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength. I pray that their desire for you burns so strong that Satan himself cannot snuff it out.

I pray that my children have a heart to know God, to have faith in the birth, death, resurrection , and second coming (which is coming!) of Jesus Christ. I cannot express my desire for this enough. I pray that God will use me to teach my children of His love. Paul's prayer in Phillipians comes to mind often for not only me, but for my children...

Dear God,
I pray that your love abounds more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.
In Christ's name, Amen.

*** The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect us from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

"I love you, Mommy" in sign language

2008-12-11T01:08:00.006-06:00

Kate has learned how to sign "I love you in sign language". Sometimes she will call my name to get my attention, then she will hold up her "I love you" and smile. I ADORE THESE TWO KIDS! Even as one of them wakes crying at 113am, right now...

I did nothing to deserve these two wonderful girls. I did nothing to deserve the wonderful husband that I have. Nothing. If anything, I have completely and utterly ruined so many things. But instead of punishment I get this? Thank you, LORD for coming to this earth. Thank you for the birth of Jesus Christ. Thank you for hope. Thank you for joy. Thank you for the cross. Thank you for the empty tomb. Thank you for faith. Thank you for words of encouragement.

***Matthew 6:27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

***Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

November 04, 2008- Happy Birthday, Kate!

2008-12-11T01:01:00.002-06:00

Okay, so I did not go back to the beginning of the year with my posts... But, I did want to tell about some things in the recent past. Kate's birthday. She turned FOUR. My baby girl is FOUR years old. It is so hard to believe that she was so little and so helpless just FOUR years ago. WOW. She is completely in to Hello Kitty these days. Thanks for the Hello Kitty doll, Tina, Gino, Corbin, and Caroline! She loves it. Now, she sleeps with blankie and Hello Kitty (both of which were given to her by Tina...hmmm...).

Giggly Cali & Dad watches SpongeBob with Kate

2008-12-11T00:55:00.002-06:00

Cali can be such a giggle box. I love it when she is is a good mood! This are pics from last month that I thought I would share. The bottom picture is where I caught Will and Kate watching Spongebob together while Cali napped.

I love my family!

Actually Starting to Blog

2008-12-10T09:40:00.005-06:00

Well, I guess the time has come. I said that I would start a blog of my own (and actually update it) at the first of the year. So, it’s a little early. I am finally out of school for this semester. I am out until January 12, 2009. Then, it gets hard. I have one year left, 3 semesters total, 560 more clinical hours (unpaid). I cannot wait to be finished. I cannot wait to not have school obligations. I cannot wait to spend more quality time with my family.

So, my plan is to update as sporadic (but frequent) as possible. We’ll see.

I am starting my new blog a little early. Consider it therapy.

***Psalm 5:3 "In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."***

Go back with me to four years ago. Four years ago, Kate was about five weeks old (doing math in my head… who needs a calendar?). I was breastfeeding, so my breasts were HUGE. But, I had three small nodules in my right breast. Dr. Lyle assessed them and sent me to see a surgeon. The surgeon sent me for ultrasounds and last I heard from the office (4 years ago), it was nothing to worry about it, probably just a plugged duct that would not unplug itself. Now, fast forward to about 7 weeks ago. Breast self exam (no need to mentally picture me doing a breast self exam, there are plenty of others to watch online). Hmmm, another nodule in my right breast. Maybe it is the same one from four years ago, I just have not felt it in a while. Literature says to watch it through a few cycles and see what happens. Well, obviously a few cycles have not happened in 7 weeks, but I think it’s bigger. But more nervously, I have swollen axillary lymph nodes (they are actually swollen below my clavicle on the right, but these are considered axillary). So, today, my friend Caryn comes over (She’s a nurse). She feels the lymph nodes and the nodule (maybe I should say mass… that just sounds so bad… ). Not knowing who to go to (Do I go see my primary doctor or my GYN or a surgeon???), she recommended a surgeon she used to work for, Dr. Rader. My appointment is Tuesday. 9:15a.m. Please, PRAY.

I do not want to talk about it. At least I do not think I want to talk about it. At least not until after Tuesday. I think I would worry more and stress more if I had to talk about it. So, if I get stressed, I’ll go to God. Then, if I feel the need to share, I’ll share. I am so grateful to all of you I call friend and to all of you who call me friend. But, I think I need to focus on what God wants. I’ll update as soon as I know something on Tuesday about the breast thing. Until then, I’ll post about the happenings around here. Consider it therapy.