Nathaniel got stitches just in time for his 3rd birthday.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Camera on the blitz...
...but rest assured, our children are still adorable. And their antics are still being recorded, thanks to Target's 2-for-$10.99 disposable camera! We might just spring for a new one (thanks to the monthly savings, ala Dave Ramsey), or wait until our rental house sells to shell out the dough (any prayers for that transaction would be appreciated).
The news:
Ben only has four days of school left. Praise the Lord!
Nathaniel got 4 stitches on his forehead almost a month ago. Hurrah for Fentanyl lollipops!
Abigail is grabbing toys, eating rice cereal, and putting everything in her mouth.
And Jess enjoying her casual work status and has discovered ER nurse blogs. Check them out here, here, and here.
...but rest assured, our children are still adorable. And their antics are still being recorded, thanks to Target's 2-for-$10.99 disposable camera! We might just spring for a new one (thanks to the monthly savings, ala Dave Ramsey), or wait until our rental house sells to shell out the dough (any prayers for that transaction would be appreciated).
The news:
Ben only has four days of school left. Praise the Lord!
Nathaniel got 4 stitches on his forehead almost a month ago. Hurrah for Fentanyl lollipops!
Abigail is grabbing toys, eating rice cereal, and putting everything in her mouth.
And Jess enjoying her casual work status and has discovered ER nurse blogs. Check them out here, here, and here.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Works for me Wednesday
This might be obvious to those logical, sequential people out there (like my hubby), but it was a total revelation to me. I've been doing a big weekly Walmart shopping trip (Excel spreadsheet grocery list and all) for about 2 1/2 years since I discovered Flylady. Advantage: only one trip to the store. Disadvantage: lots of groceries. Managing with two kids has proved challenging, but the worst part was from the produce section (when I have to kick toddler out of the cart to fit the delicate stuff in) to the end of the checkout, when I'm juggling a fussy infant, whiny toddler running around, trying to sign my credit card slip, and load the last bags in the full cart while hurrying to not hold up the customer behind me. Some how the lettuce and bananas always ended up being squished by the milk gallons. Then it dawned on me--because the light stuff is unloaded on the conveyor belt first, it goes back into my cart first and there is nowhere for the heavy stuff to go.
So the revelation is this--unload the groceries onto the conveyor belt in order from heaviest to lightest. This might take a bit of doing since they're usually on the bottom of the cart, but there's time to do it because you're waiting for the person in front of you. Then, when crunch time comes and you're paying, the bags are already in order and you don't have to think about the poor eggs and lettuce getting mangled. Works for me!
More tips at Rocks in My Dryer.
This might be obvious to those logical, sequential people out there (like my hubby), but it was a total revelation to me. I've been doing a big weekly Walmart shopping trip (Excel spreadsheet grocery list and all) for about 2 1/2 years since I discovered Flylady. Advantage: only one trip to the store. Disadvantage: lots of groceries. Managing with two kids has proved challenging, but the worst part was from the produce section (when I have to kick toddler out of the cart to fit the delicate stuff in) to the end of the checkout, when I'm juggling a fussy infant, whiny toddler running around, trying to sign my credit card slip, and load the last bags in the full cart while hurrying to not hold up the customer behind me. Some how the lettuce and bananas always ended up being squished by the milk gallons. Then it dawned on me--because the light stuff is unloaded on the conveyor belt first, it goes back into my cart first and there is nowhere for the heavy stuff to go.
So the revelation is this--unload the groceries onto the conveyor belt in order from heaviest to lightest. This might take a bit of doing since they're usually on the bottom of the cart, but there's time to do it because you're waiting for the person in front of you. Then, when crunch time comes and you're paying, the bags are already in order and you don't have to think about the poor eggs and lettuce getting mangled. Works for me!
More tips at Rocks in My Dryer.
Back in the saddle again!
So, as some faithful readers may have noticed, I've been absent for a few weeks. The last month has been pretty tough for me, a perfect storm of returning hormones, sleep issues, work changes, parenting struggles, spiritual uncertainty, financial stress, etc. Two weeks ago, I couldn't name one part of my life that made me happy. Looking at my children made my heart break with guilt (for my horrible parenting) and pity (that they would have to grow up in this horrible world). I was exhausted, tearful, and probably a drag to be married to....and thinking of that made it worse. Then I would read these mommy blogs about all of these creative women who sew, cook, sing, clean, pray, blah, blah, blah....and I just wanted to crawl under my covers and die. Having emerged from this depression, I'd like to encourage any other mommies out there that I don't have my act together, and share some tips for how I got through it:
1. After the fact, I realize that it was probably mostly hormones. The cycles resumed and suddenly the sun was shining again. I'll try to remember that next month. =)
2. Surrendered myself to God. God knows that I scum. He loves me anyway. I found that focusing on my scumminess was kind of an obsession, like picking a scab--it hurt but was satisfying too. I think the trick is to not be self centered, even during the down times.
3. Got a massage.
4. Went to the witch doctor (chiropractor). She diagnosed me with a variety of infections, put me on some supplements, and prescribed the "fungus diet" (no sugar of any kind, no yeast, alcohol, cheese, dried fruit, fruit juice, or soy sauce) for three weeks. I feel better already.
5. Made a new schedule. The kids and I had been sleeping in late, skipping naps, and going to bed late. Now I get less sleep by getting up early, but somehow it feels better.
6. Let Ben take care of me. I got several much needed naps, backrubs, and encouragement sessions.
Anyway, it's good to be back!
So, as some faithful readers may have noticed, I've been absent for a few weeks. The last month has been pretty tough for me, a perfect storm of returning hormones, sleep issues, work changes, parenting struggles, spiritual uncertainty, financial stress, etc. Two weeks ago, I couldn't name one part of my life that made me happy. Looking at my children made my heart break with guilt (for my horrible parenting) and pity (that they would have to grow up in this horrible world). I was exhausted, tearful, and probably a drag to be married to....and thinking of that made it worse. Then I would read these mommy blogs about all of these creative women who sew, cook, sing, clean, pray, blah, blah, blah....and I just wanted to crawl under my covers and die. Having emerged from this depression, I'd like to encourage any other mommies out there that I don't have my act together, and share some tips for how I got through it:
1. After the fact, I realize that it was probably mostly hormones. The cycles resumed and suddenly the sun was shining again. I'll try to remember that next month. =)
2. Surrendered myself to God. God knows that I scum. He loves me anyway. I found that focusing on my scumminess was kind of an obsession, like picking a scab--it hurt but was satisfying too. I think the trick is to not be self centered, even during the down times.
3. Got a massage.
4. Went to the witch doctor (chiropractor). She diagnosed me with a variety of infections, put me on some supplements, and prescribed the "fungus diet" (no sugar of any kind, no yeast, alcohol, cheese, dried fruit, fruit juice, or soy sauce) for three weeks. I feel better already.
5. Made a new schedule. The kids and I had been sleeping in late, skipping naps, and going to bed late. Now I get less sleep by getting up early, but somehow it feels better.
6. Let Ben take care of me. I got several much needed naps, backrubs, and encouragement sessions.
Anyway, it's good to be back!
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