so, it didn’t go so well February 29, 2008

I went for the blood test and it didn’t go so well.  On an empty stomach and with a bundle of nerves, I went to the madison lab near my home, only to find the power out and 15 people waiting in line.  I decided it was worth the drive downtown to the hospital.  The people were really nice and there was no wait.  However, no success. She tried the right arm and then thought if I drank water it might help.  She tried the left arm and thought if I drank more water it might help.  They tried my hand and got the right place, but it wouldn’t come out and ended up spilling on me.  yikes!  Then it hit me that I had had alot of water and I threw it all up.  After a phone call to my doctor, they decided to try again another day.

Another day- no way! So I went to my doctor’s office and told the nurse I knew conditions wouldn’t be better on a different day and asked if there was any other way to test than a full blood draw- what about a finger prick like other diabetics? Instead they are sending me to a week long class and there I will have a finger prick each day.  At the end, they will know if I have it or not.  I hope someone else is planning to prick my finger because I cannot inflict pain on my own self-not happening.  Secondly, I hope they don’t mind a trio of kids who will be with me.  I am hoping that the kids will be enough of a disturbance that they will decide maybe I don’t need the class after all Keep praying.  I need the strength to go to the class!

I’m going tomorrow! February 27, 2008

I am heading to the doctor tomorrow to get this ridiculously long bloodwork test done- I have to have 4 blood draws done and I am NOT looking forward to it.  My sweet friend Julie is keeping my two youngest while I go and I am so very grateful for that.  I have downloaded several Old Testament classes off of Covenant Seminary’s website and I hope it will help me pass the time and not think about what is happening!  Thanks to all my accountability and prayer friends at church who are helping me get this done.

Jump zone here we come! February 23, 2008

Tonight we are celebrating Emma’s 4th birthday by taking a few of her friends to Jump Zone- one of those places filled with inflatables where they can wear themselves out and we don’t have to clean our house!  One small glitch in the plan is that Emma’s mom is pregnant and her daddy has a sprained ankle.  She realizes that this means no one can climb around with her and she is a little sad.  Thankfully, her sister offered to be her buddy on all the inflatables- we’ll see if that is a good substitute.  I will probably be on Cord duty, who is now 9 months, very mobile and very curious.  He has learned so much and it has been fun to see him growing up.  It won’t be long until we are celebrating his birthday. How it is flying!

20’s and 30’s February 21, 2008

Yesterday as I picked up Emma from nursery at biblestudy, the nursery workers who are in their early 20’s told me that Emma invited them to our house for the 20’s and 60’s party that we were having.  I laughed so hard- There has been lots of discussion about how to organize the newly married- some with children- some single- some with 4 children age group that we call 20’s and 30’s.  We are making an effort to have some kind of fellowship once a month and we kicked it off with a dinner at our house last night.  Next month, someone else in the group will host something and invite everyone.  We had a great time, but I couldn’t help but think about a group that was so randomly organized as to be grouped by random decades- 20’s and 60’s, 80’s and 40’s, etc.  Maybe Emma is on to something!

Back to reality February 19, 2008

The weekend was incredible.  My friend Amy, who is always able to arrange for the best places to stay, provided a lake house on Lake Martin that was incredibly beautiful.  My favorite part was the backporch with its amazing view and large space for relaxing.  We talked all day out there.  The lake house had conversation cards that asked interesting questions. I’ve known these girls forever, but it was really fun to ask random questions and hear everyone’s answers.  I wish I could get those cards for our house.  The other “main event” was watching season 2 of “The Office”.  I love getting to watch back-to-back episodes of a show without commercial break. So fun!

One other perk that I get from going every year is that I get introduced to so many things in the fashion/gadget world.  This year was no exception.  But was is most impressive about this group is what they do and who they are.  I love hearing how Amy is able to create day camps, manners classes, and art lessons for her third graders while still finishing her master’s.  It was awesome to see Lisbeth be a new mom and get to hold little Anna Beth.  Lisa has a life that is most similar to mine right now.  We had great talks about what makes our life meaningful as we are at home.  Meredith has such amazing relationships with those in her life that she has befriended and cared for and Jennifer is always an encouragement to all those who are around her.  

When I arrived home and saw Olivia and Emma, they both commented on how young I looked. Hilarious! (Emma said I looked 15 and Olivia told me I looked younger than when I left).  Maybe I need a few more of these weekends in the year.

Favorite weekend February 15, 2008

Every year my college friends and I get together on President’s Day weekend for a reunion. It is always one of my favorite times of the year.  We alternate the places we go- usually someone’s home or the beach. This year we are heading to a lake house. There are 6 of us, and we have been able to do this since 1997.  It only gets better each time.  Our agenda is just to hang out, watch movies, laugh, eat fun food and laugh.  I like to include sleep, since I won’t have any children with me I get to go in two hours and I can’t wait!!!

Valentine’s Day February 13, 2008

I think Valentine’s Day has turned into such a special holiday in our family.  Before our kids were old enough to understand, the focus of the holiday was all about eric and me.  It was a lot of planning and pressure (for Eric that is!)

Now that we have kids, it has really turned the focus to our family and having a time to express how valuable and special God has made each of them.  We started a tradition of having a Valentine’s lunch.  We have red foods (strawberries and yogurt), sandwiches cut in hearts, cupcakes with red sprinkles- the usual holiday ideas.  Then we take time to focus on each person and tell them what we love about them.  Eric and I help the kids write down what they love about mommy and daddy and their sibling.  Last year brought tears to my eyes.  It was wonderful to be able to shower a child with all that you love about them, humbling to be told why you are loved by such precious little ones and important for our children to hear their mommy and daddy thank and admire one another. For one focused time we are all aware that we are loved, supported, needed and valued for the unique things that we bring to the family. I hope this time grows to be something that they look forward to every year- I do!

tryin to make me go to rehab…and I said no no no February 11, 2008

With a little nod to Amy Winehouse- my week has been filled with rehab- but it is because my mom had her knee replaced and is now in rehab services at a nursing home.  She is not excited about it- She is supposed to be there 20 days as she works with a PT and an OT.  Her therapy is going very well and she is doing better every day.  But emotionally it can be so hard to be alone.  We have been trying to help the time pass for her, but we live two hours from her so it involves a lot of travel.  I am taking the kids to see her Tuesday for an afternoon visit.  I know it will lift her spirits and every day that she stays improves her health.  I know she will get better and return to her home soon- but there are so many who have long term situations and will be in places like this for so long.  It has given me such admiration and respect for those that care for others in their lives- especially long term care.  And it has challenged me to remember those that are secluded and isolated from community. We were made to be in relationship with others and when we are not, we can suffer in so many ways.  So I pray that in my heart and in my children’s hearts that we will develop thoughtful ways to include them in relationship.

my first game of cybertag February 3, 2008

I am trying to be a good friend and cybertag team mate so here I go- thanks megan.

Now the directions – Share five random and/or weird facts about yourself; Share the five top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list; Tag five people at the end.

fact #1:  I laugh uncontrollably when I eat really rich desserts- like cream filled chocolate doughnuts. It is like a tickle in my throat and my eyes can’t focus.  Very embarassing! My husband has covered for me many times when I get hit with that kind of reaction to my dessert

fact#2: Whe I was in elementary school, I wrote a letter to a millionaire who published requests for help in the newspaper.  Nothing altruistic or noble in my request- I wanted a waterbed and my parents wouldn’t buy me one.  The paper published the letter and the millionaire said no.  My dad still has a copy of the letter from The Birmingham News. Needless to say, my parents were very surprised and probably very embarassed!

fact #3: I have been to my fair share of concerts.  The sad part being they were all while I was in middle school and high school.  I think my favorite was Guns N Roses at the racetrack in Birmingham. Oh high school days!

fact #4: I really do not like the bottom of my feet to be touched. I am not a good candidate for a pedicure.  There is nothing relaxing about that!

fact #5: I secretly wish to be a singer- but for some reason God gave me the vocal cords that I have and they are NOT good for singing.  One more thing that I am looking forward to in heaven- redeemed and beautiful singing voices for all!

Five places I want to see or see again:

1) Europe- Kind of broad- but I love how much you can see in a short time of travel. I would love to go with Eric this time.

2) Hawaii- never been, want to go!

3) St John’s- a reminder of our honeymoon. Absolutely beautiful place.

4) Switzerland- Would love to return.

5) Austria- never been, but know that the Sound of Music tour is calling my name!

I am tagging- becky, stephanie h, stacy o, angie j, and sarah b