UPDATE: The photo is the view from my front door, taken with the new camera. I love the look of fresh fallen snow. My husband teases me by saying, "Look at all the snowy trees!" (faking excitement)
Y'all, I am so excited! I could just about burst. My man completely surprised me on Christmas morning with the camera I have had my eye on for quite some time. The camera that I knew was beyond our Christmas budget. As much I am loving the camera, the thing that excites me the most is that he went above and beyond and gave up some things to give it to me. I was floored! Abby said, "I think Mom is going to cry." I found out that he sold some of his things and didn't tell me. Then, in true Dave Ramsey fashion, looked high and low to get the best deal. In the end, he made the purchase from a camera store, and we will be attending a camera class sometime this month. Once I figure out how to post pictures on this blog, I will show you some of the pictures I have already taken.
On to today, Rick is on a call out. The kids spent the night at my sister's house for a cousins New Year's Eve party. I wonder if they stayed up until midnight or not. Rick and I were able to go out on a date. (Sweet!) Today, I'm cleaning and getting organized. Let the decluttering begin. I'm off to tackle another pile...
Friday, January 1, 2010
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Christmas Break Has Begun
What a week! Not at all what I expected, but things are coming together nicely. Abby is finally feeling better. She is talking up a storm! Having a few days were she didn't have the energy to talk much was almost as bad, if not worse, than strep throat for her. As my dad says, "She just can't help herself. Abby has to talk." So true.
We still haven't done our Family Movie Night and milkshakes. We wanted to wait until Abby was feeling better. Rick is on a call out now, so maybe tonight. Elf is on tonight, and I love that movie. Maybe we'll skip Red Box.
Christmas shopping is almost finished. Just a couple little things left to do. I haven't even begun the wrapping yet. Rick and I usually work on that together. He wraps and I do the name tags. Gifts don't go under the tree until Christmas Eve night.
I'm off to do some more cleaning. I have got to get this house back into shape before I can lose myself in the kitchen with some Christmas baking. Merry Christmas!
We still haven't done our Family Movie Night and milkshakes. We wanted to wait until Abby was feeling better. Rick is on a call out now, so maybe tonight. Elf is on tonight, and I love that movie. Maybe we'll skip Red Box.
Christmas shopping is almost finished. Just a couple little things left to do. I haven't even begun the wrapping yet. Rick and I usually work on that together. He wraps and I do the name tags. Gifts don't go under the tree until Christmas Eve night.
I'm off to do some more cleaning. I have got to get this house back into shape before I can lose myself in the kitchen with some Christmas baking. Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
On the Mend
UPDATE: Abby headed back to the doctor this afternoon because we thought she was having an allergic reaction to her medicine. The doctor thinks it is something viral on top of everything else. We got a different prescription for Abby just in case. Since she has been on an antibiotic for 24 hours she can go back to school tomorrow. Thank you, Lord! The kiddo is getting restless.
It wasn't the flu after all! Abby had a doctor's appointment today and her strep test came back positive. Now she is on antibiotics and Motrin. I can certainly tell when the Motrin is working as well as when it getting close to time for another dose. One more day home from school, and then she'll only have two days until Christmas break begins.
Rick stayed after work to plow, so we are going solo tonight. Scrambled eggs and toast for dinner. It's filling, but gentle on Abby's throat. :)
It wasn't the flu after all! Abby had a doctor's appointment today and her strep test came back positive. Now she is on antibiotics and Motrin. I can certainly tell when the Motrin is working as well as when it getting close to time for another dose. One more day home from school, and then she'll only have two days until Christmas break begins.
Rick stayed after work to plow, so we are going solo tonight. Scrambled eggs and toast for dinner. It's filling, but gentle on Abby's throat. :)
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Flu is Here
Rick and I headed out for our date day with no worries. The weather was beautiful and we were finally able to spend some time together. The plan was to have our date day and then go pick up the kids for a family movie night (courtesy of Red Box) and cake batter milkshakes from Steak 'n Shake. Rick isn't really a birthday cake fan.
I started feeling really nauseous about halfway through the day. I thought I just needed to get something to drink. It didn't work. We ended up coming home early and I went to bed. I felt so much better after a good night's and part of the afternoon's sleep. Abby, on the other hand, was pretty miserable. Yesterday was spent in her bed being as still as she possibly could. On the plus side, I was able to finish reading "On the Banks of Plum Creek" to her. We ended up reading for 3 hours! I didn't even realize how long it had been. I'm thankful that God gave us a sweet time together in the midst of the flu. Abby is home from school today, and hopes to head back tomorrow.
I love my man! He was disappointed that his birthday weekend didn't turn out the way we had planned. I can't say I blame him. He made not one, but two Walmart trips for the needed Ginger Ale and Motrin, and some other necessities. And not one complaint from a guy who hates to do grocery shopping. Rick said we'll do the family movie night and milkshakes once everyone is healthy again.
Happy Birthday, Rick! I love you madly!
I started feeling really nauseous about halfway through the day. I thought I just needed to get something to drink. It didn't work. We ended up coming home early and I went to bed. I felt so much better after a good night's and part of the afternoon's sleep. Abby, on the other hand, was pretty miserable. Yesterday was spent in her bed being as still as she possibly could. On the plus side, I was able to finish reading "On the Banks of Plum Creek" to her. We ended up reading for 3 hours! I didn't even realize how long it had been. I'm thankful that God gave us a sweet time together in the midst of the flu. Abby is home from school today, and hopes to head back tomorrow.
I love my man! He was disappointed that his birthday weekend didn't turn out the way we had planned. I can't say I blame him. He made not one, but two Walmart trips for the needed Ginger Ale and Motrin, and some other necessities. And not one complaint from a guy who hates to do grocery shopping. Rick said we'll do the family movie night and milkshakes once everyone is healthy again.
Happy Birthday, Rick! I love you madly!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Stretched
Winter has finally made itself known in NE Ohio. This is the first winter that my husband, Rick, has been behind the wheel of a snowplow. While we are enjoying the overtime, getting used to being on call has stretched us both. Rick has been staying a my parent's house this week so that he can be closer to work if he gets called out at night. It's been 4 nights in a row away from home. We have been saying all along that we needed to move, and this week has shown us that the sooner we make that move the better. Our house will be going on the market in January.
Rick and I have already agreed on a couple different things regarding this winter. First, any overtime money will go towards our emergency fund. Second, we will have a evening away after the plowing season is done. It really helps to have goals and something to look forward to.
On the plus side, tomorrow is Rick's birthday. Rather than purchase gifts for him, we are going shopping together. He will have his birthday money to spend, and we'll hopefully be able to finish Christmas shopping for the kids. We did the same thing for my birthday and I loved it. Date days are awesome! I am especially thankful for it after having to be apart so much this week. Thanks to to my in-laws, Ken and Linda, for watching the kids tomorrow.
Rick and I have already agreed on a couple different things regarding this winter. First, any overtime money will go towards our emergency fund. Second, we will have a evening away after the plowing season is done. It really helps to have goals and something to look forward to.
On the plus side, tomorrow is Rick's birthday. Rather than purchase gifts for him, we are going shopping together. He will have his birthday money to spend, and we'll hopefully be able to finish Christmas shopping for the kids. We did the same thing for my birthday and I loved it. Date days are awesome! I am especially thankful for it after having to be apart so much this week. Thanks to to my in-laws, Ken and Linda, for watching the kids tomorrow.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Unexpected Gifts
For the first time, Rick and I got up bright and early on Black Friday in hopes of getting a Nintendo DS lite for Matt. He has it at the top of his Christmas list, but knows it's a higher priced item and doesn't really expect to receive it. Our early morning adventure paid off and we were able to get a the game system at a great price. I can't wait to see the look on Matt's face when he realizes he has the gift he wanted, but didn't expect.
This year has been a good one for our family. Yes, there has been plenty of transition, but it's been good just the same. We had an unexpected gift from God along the way that has just been precious and completely unexpected. The gift of time has lead to some perspective and allowed me to see God's provision.
Back in April, Pastor Evan asked people in our congregation in they would be willing to share a cardboard testimony about God's work in their lives. After some delay, I decided to share how I had been abandoned by my biological mother, but I was not forgotten by God. Isaiah 49:15-16 says "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." I am so thankful to the Lord for showing me those verses and letting them go from my head to my heart. God was working on something awesome that I couldn't see yet, in the middle of this.
About a month later, Abby had to do a family timeline for school. We worked on together and got it done. I started thinking about my biological mother's side of the family and realized I would like to know just a little bit about their family tree. All I was hoping to figure out was a timeline. I headed to ancestry.com and entered the information I knew. Along the way, I found my biological aunt's email address. With a good dose of trembling, I sent off an email asking for the information. Not only did I get the family tree I was hoping for, but so much more.
At the same time I was making the decision to do that cardboard testimony, my Aunt Wendy was at my biological grandmother's house and gathering up photos and notes about my biological mother, me, and my sister, that she thought should be preserved. Aunt Wendy and I have formed a friendship, I have those photos and notes she gathered that day, as well as perspective on a lot of things I thought I never would understand. I have seen God's protection, provision, and most of all his love. What an unexpected gift in an amazing form.
So what about you? In what ways has God shown up with an unexpected gift in your life?
This year has been a good one for our family. Yes, there has been plenty of transition, but it's been good just the same. We had an unexpected gift from God along the way that has just been precious and completely unexpected. The gift of time has lead to some perspective and allowed me to see God's provision.
Back in April, Pastor Evan asked people in our congregation in they would be willing to share a cardboard testimony about God's work in their lives. After some delay, I decided to share how I had been abandoned by my biological mother, but I was not forgotten by God. Isaiah 49:15-16 says "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." I am so thankful to the Lord for showing me those verses and letting them go from my head to my heart. God was working on something awesome that I couldn't see yet, in the middle of this.
About a month later, Abby had to do a family timeline for school. We worked on together and got it done. I started thinking about my biological mother's side of the family and realized I would like to know just a little bit about their family tree. All I was hoping to figure out was a timeline. I headed to ancestry.com and entered the information I knew. Along the way, I found my biological aunt's email address. With a good dose of trembling, I sent off an email asking for the information. Not only did I get the family tree I was hoping for, but so much more.
At the same time I was making the decision to do that cardboard testimony, my Aunt Wendy was at my biological grandmother's house and gathering up photos and notes about my biological mother, me, and my sister, that she thought should be preserved. Aunt Wendy and I have formed a friendship, I have those photos and notes she gathered that day, as well as perspective on a lot of things I thought I never would understand. I have seen God's protection, provision, and most of all his love. What an unexpected gift in an amazing form.
So what about you? In what ways has God shown up with an unexpected gift in your life?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Mommy Guilt
Rick and I attended parent/teacher conferences Monday night. Both Abby and Matt are ahead of the curve, which is wonderful to hear. Matt's teacher brought something to our attention which I am very grateful for, but at the same time I am experiencing what I call "Mommy Guilt" over.
Ever since Matt started school he has had trouble with handwriting. He hates to write and I always thought it just wasn't on his list of favorite things to do. The other thing he has consistently done is write his numbers backwards, especially on a timed math test. Every year at conferences Rick and I would ask about it, and were told he'll grow out of it. His first grade teacher said if it continued into later years (Matt is now in third grade.) to look into further. That brings us to the present. While Matt is doing well, he is still writing numbers backwards and now he wrote his name backwards like a mirror image. His teacher said she was still in the process of learning about it, but she thinks Matt has dysgraphia. I'm so thankful to have a name for what Matt has been struggling with. As soon as we were home from conferences I got on the computer and started researching.
Here comes the guilt. I found an article explaining this learning disability, symptoms and learning strategies. The more I read the more I recognized things that Matt has struggled with. Things we used to battle over. It has to do with spacial reasoning. People with dysgraphia are often very intelligent, but can't put their thoughts to paper well because of having to walk through how to form the words. Another symptom is not being able to hold a pencil in the normal way. Matt makes a fist to hold his pencil. There are other symptoms as well, enough for me to print out the article and send it to Matt's teacher. I highlighted everything that reminded me of Matt. I feel horrible for having battled over these things and now I realize it was not his fault.
On the plus side. Matt's teacher has already begun to work with him. His school is going to provide therapy so he can learn how to properly hold his pencil, and an IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting is going to be scheduled. That means that Matt will have the help he needs with assignments and tests. All of this a relief to me because at least now we have an answer to something that we have always wondered about.
Ever since Matt started school he has had trouble with handwriting. He hates to write and I always thought it just wasn't on his list of favorite things to do. The other thing he has consistently done is write his numbers backwards, especially on a timed math test. Every year at conferences Rick and I would ask about it, and were told he'll grow out of it. His first grade teacher said if it continued into later years (Matt is now in third grade.) to look into further. That brings us to the present. While Matt is doing well, he is still writing numbers backwards and now he wrote his name backwards like a mirror image. His teacher said she was still in the process of learning about it, but she thinks Matt has dysgraphia. I'm so thankful to have a name for what Matt has been struggling with. As soon as we were home from conferences I got on the computer and started researching.
Here comes the guilt. I found an article explaining this learning disability, symptoms and learning strategies. The more I read the more I recognized things that Matt has struggled with. Things we used to battle over. It has to do with spacial reasoning. People with dysgraphia are often very intelligent, but can't put their thoughts to paper well because of having to walk through how to form the words. Another symptom is not being able to hold a pencil in the normal way. Matt makes a fist to hold his pencil. There are other symptoms as well, enough for me to print out the article and send it to Matt's teacher. I highlighted everything that reminded me of Matt. I feel horrible for having battled over these things and now I realize it was not his fault.
On the plus side. Matt's teacher has already begun to work with him. His school is going to provide therapy so he can learn how to properly hold his pencil, and an IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting is going to be scheduled. That means that Matt will have the help he needs with assignments and tests. All of this a relief to me because at least now we have an answer to something that we have always wondered about.
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