Good morning.  My 3 beautiful angels decided it was party time at 6 am.  Mom put her pillow over her head until 6:50 at which time baby K decided party was over nursing was necessary and began crying.  Its gonna be a LONG day.

Kaylin was clingy most of the day yesterday~~so I just let her cling.  She took a 2 hour morning nap, and a 3 hour afternoon nap.  She hasn't morning nappped in months and months.  She also had about 4 "unauthorized" nurses.  I think she was fighting off the Samuel  bug.

I apparently have to change laundry detergeant as she had baby blister things all over her feet.  I didn't get new socks recently, but I did recently switch detergeants cause I KNOW she was allergic to the last kind.  Sooooooo  I guess I'm gonna buy some All free~~or some kind this time. 

Her blisters were mostly gone yesterday~~but I didn't want to put socks on her, cause I didn't want her to get them back which I believe contributed to the whineys.  She HATES being sockless (which she did NOT get from me)  I hate shoes & socks. LOL  So finally I remembered a pair of socks that we have reserved especially for biking that I KNEW hadn't been washed in the new detergeant so I put those on her and that improved her disposition greatly.  But now there dirty so what do I do today?

Such hard decisions    Maybe I'll buy some new socks today.

Samuels totally better.  YEAH!!!!!  He actually asked for seconds last night.  So we definitely know he's mended.

I didn't quite finish the stenciling on the wall yesterday.  But that was 'cause I chose to take care of Kaylin, and by the end of the day was just TIRED.  So I snuggled up on the couch in front of Andromeda & Mutant X (HIGHLY recommend Andromeda)  but then I'm a sci-fi fan  

Poor Rob he was supposed to go to work at 2:30 this morning as per usual~~I had a nightmare at 3:30 looked at my watch & realized he was still in bed with me.   Soooooo no shower or breaky for him this morning.  Got to call him in a bit and make sure he's functioning ok. 

Church today, and we get to go! didn't count on it because of the sickos.  So I'm glad we get to get out of the house!!

Father God, I pray for this day that I would honor you in it, and not be focused on me.  I would ask for wisdom in dealing with others, and the words to say to help, and encourage.  I pray that Kaylin would not be too clingy, and that you would enable me to learn from you.  I thank you so much for enabling me to NOT holler lately, I pray that you would help me to continue to bite my tongue.  I pray for Samuel that you would enable him to stay dry at SS today.  And for Zeria that she would enjoy SS.  I ask for Rob that you would help him to catch up & breathe at work seeings he got such a late start.  In your sons name Amen

I'm missing the board I left.  Its a secular board.  But it was where I was the most comfortable.  But what am I missing?

Am I missing the crazy games we used to play?  Am I missing the friendships.  The friends I'd made there I still talk with on aim or have the ability to talk with if I so wish. 

You know what I'm missing the feeling that I belonged.  It was the ONLY board where I felt like I belonged to the clique.  I do not say this to be hurtful about others boards.  We just had a lot in common.  Yes there was differences, but we were having too much fun to care  

Until somebody got carried away, and asked questions that offended my faith.  And I chose to protest~~rather then walk away.  I was told I was over reacting.  I've had at least 3 people from the board ask me to come back~~2 today. 

The topic I protested did not go away~~it just moved to its own board.  Where I can choose to pretend it doesn't exist.  But it does.  So is it right for me to "ignore" it...or??????

Father God, decisions, decisions.  I miss the friendship and the camardery.  I miss the laughing, and knowing that I'd get sound advice when I asked for it.  And my kids did that too~~when I complained big time about the latest kid disaster.  I tried to get it at a 3rd board~~but its too big to "belong" there.   And why the heck do I feel so comfortable at a non-Christian board?  Could I go back & maintain my integrity by NOT reading that board.  Or would that mean compromising my faith?  Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are noble, if there be any virtue if there be any praise think on these things.  Philippians 4:??  Help me please.  Tonia

Liz A I  think I hate you   Okay I don't...but man am I addicted to your marble game. 

http://www.netives.com/content.jsp?object=/Games.web/Marbles.web/Play.inc.jsp

Its wonderful for playing while chatting, while not chatting, while waiting for things to load, while pretending I DON"T have housework to do...you get the picture~~check it out its entirely too much fun!

Psst while I'm at it~~how do I do those cool xanga links that everybody does~~somebody told me but I didn't immediately try it and I can NOT figure it out.  TIA

Good morning.  Its beautiful outside.  We went to bed last night~~and Rob said its so quiet.  I said yes that because its NOT raining.  We had a good chuckle about it it seemed like something was wrong. 

I "think" Samuel is feeling mostly better.  He actually talked & walked today.  And ate a bit of cereal.  He's laying down again, but hopefully he's on the mend.

I painted my bathroom floor Thursday night.  And stenciled butterflys all over it last night.  I'm gonna put a border on top of the sponge painting this morning (I hope)  And stencil on top of that tonight.  (I hope)  And then I'll present pictures of the finished product. 

All of my house has little unfinished spots.  I'm hoping to get one room thats completely finished~~so I started with the smallest room in the house. LOL  And the only money I've spent was $9.95 for a gallon of wal-mart paint.  Everything else I already had from other projects. 

I would love to get out in this day and I KNOW Zeria would too but I think we're gonna be house bound today so as to let Samuel finish getting better.  I'm soooooo glad the girls didn't get this bug and that I didn't either.

Rob had a unexpected thing happen and he got Thanksgiving off at the last minute YEAH!!  A co-worker was looking for more hours, and he said well you can work for me Thanksgiving she called her hubby & he said go for it.  Soooooo I can go to my family function with all my family. 

A funny on my teenage brother.  He's 12 years old.  And thinks VERY concrete.  Anyhow teacher confrences have come up and the teacher told him to take the letter home announcing them and bring it back.  (She did NOT say give it to your parent)  So Gabe in all honesty took the note home, brought it back the next day & gave it to the teacher.  My mom started looking around for it knowing that they were supposed to have come.  Finally she says "g---"  why didn't I get a note about parent-teachers confrence.  He says "Oh I was supposed to give it to you?"  The teacher said to bring it home & take it back~~so thats what I did.  (OOOPS)

When my mom finished laughing.  She said well whens the appointment.  G--- said oh its at 4:30.  4:30 when?  mom asks.  Oh I don't know just 4:30 you can just come down everday at 4:30 until the teacher wants you.  (I think I'm glad G is her son )

Father God, today as we're house bound once again I pray that we will honour you in all we do.  I pray that Samuel will start feeling better soon.  I ask that my headache will go away and stay away.  And I pray that I will find the right balance of playing with the kids today & making them play by themself.  I ask for Rob as he goes to work that you would give him the energy to function and keep him alert as he has such a early start on Saturdays.  In your sons name, Amen

Thinking here...its my blog I'm allowed to ponder  

I found out an acquaintance is getting a divorce.  She has 5 kids.  And has practiced co-sleeping, and never telling your children no.  I.E.  they decide when their tired and crash.  So her & her hubby NEVER have time alone. 

And now she will be left to raise 5 children on her own. 

Now I understand that co-sleeping works for many, but I've also seen many marriages truely struggle.  Before marriage, my dh told me that he felt the bed was for him & I no others.  Which I said was fine~~unless there was nightmares etc.  And he agreed with the compromise.  That was the way it was when I grew up...and I NEVER resented not ALWAYS being able to get to my parents.

Actually all of my siblings thought it was VERY cool how much my parents treasured that room~~and there privacy.  Not knowing the whole details of that   My parents always had a bedtime for us.  And it was quite early.  7:30 until I was 10.  9:00 until I was 14.  And after that it was in our rooms quite at 9.  But we were allowed to read etc.  The early bed time was NEVER resented.  It just was.  My dad got up very early to go to work.  (4:30)  And needed some quiet time with mom & quiet so he could sleep~~he's the worlds worst sleeper.  And we respected the wishes of our parents to have their own space, and boundarys. 

Did we feel unloved because our parents told us no?  Did we feel abused or abandoned.  NOPE.  And the irony of it??  All of us as adults are raising our children pretty much the way our parents did.  Because we like the fact the way we turned out :-p   Sure our parents did a few things wrong~~and I'm probably making some of the same mistakes.  LOL  But we NEVER resented them telling us no.  And demanding the right for their own space.

And they are still married after 30 years.  So they must have done something right.....

Okay quick~~my server isn't bumping me off & xanga is letting me in.  BLOG before something goes wrong.  I've only been bumped off 3x in the last 15 minutes.  And well we won't discuss trying to get into xanga. 

I spent the morning mostly offline playing telephone tag with the caseworkers answering machine.  Her machine said it was Wednesday and she was out of the office.  So I left a message at 8:45 am and then again at 12:45.  She returned the second message about 45 seconds later. For which I was VERY greatful

Well we have one more hitch and then we can get James.  There negotiating how interstate compact works.  I don't think she's ever done a out of state adoption before with a private agency, so as soon as she gets a hold of one other person she'll be able to give me a closer idea of when we can get him.  *sigh*  I will be patient I will be patient I will be patient

NOT!!!  

Okay got that out of my system.  All prayer is appreciated.  TIA

Samuel is sick today.  A fever of 101.8 a tummy ache, and not moving.  The not moving is the scariest.  He just doesn't like to sit still and he has literally not moved all day.    He also hasn't eaten.  But he's still sipping water.  Sooo for now I won't call the ped.

Its pouring rain at our house.  For the 3rd day.  (UGH)  Major flooding and mudslides all over our state.  Makes for dh's drive to be intresting.  We're safe~~as we live on a mountain.  But his commute goes along a river that does NOT like to stay in its banks. 

I'm getting offline again now that I've blogged & gonna stay offline until 5 when I KNOW the caseworker will be gone.  I NEED a second line.  LOL

Blog on all

Good morning.  Its raining cats & dogs & elephants.  And has been for the last 24 hours.  Gotta love Washington!

Heard around my house in the last couple days~~

Mom are you going to the midwife to have the baby taken out of your tummy (Samuel)  No its too early Sam it will be a long time before it can come out.  (Yeah, Samuel mom's gota little hole in her pants and when the babies ready it will come out of there )  (Mom dies laughing, and then gives a brief Science lesson.

In the van~~we're singing Oh be careful little eyes what you see....etc.  Samuel introduces a new verse~~Oh be careful little shark what you bite  

I love my crazy kids!

Kaylin has learned from her big brother how to go BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!  gee thanks daddy for taking him shooting the shot gun.  I love hearing those sounds out of my goldilocks baby.

Oh yes, and she brings the little play dog up to me & goes RRRRRRRRRR (growling).  I think she needs to play with Zeria more.  LOL

Its my moms birthday on Friday~~and I'm the chief birthday maker.  And the party will be at our house.  Only our immediate family will be coming~~all 20 of them (bug eyes here)  Fortunately my big open house~~basically all of downstairs is a great room.  Swallows them pretty good.

The menu will be quiche (very easy) salad (brought by sil)  and birthday cake (brought by sis)  But what goes with that.  A bread product I'm sure~~but with the teenagers in my family that will NOT be enough to feel the cracks.  Any suggestions?  (Oh and btw I'm a lazy cook~~so work on the KISS theory k?  (Keep it simple stupid )

Father God, I have stuff to do today to get ready, and all I really want to do is crawl in a hole, and hide.  I ask for the courage to face this day.  The patience as I wait for the news from the adoption hearing today.  And the ability to hold my tongue when I'm impatience.  I pray for Rob today that you will give him the strength to say no to temptation, especially in the form of bawdy stories, and awful language.  In your sons name, Amen

Good morning!  I'm a dragging this morning. 

I had my midwife checkup yesterday.  And the baby is growing fine, and everything looked good.  Except for my hemoglobin count.  Which means I'm officially anemic.  So I'm taking iron~~not a biggy I guess, and not too suprising, because my meat intake & green veggie intake has been very low. Their just ewwwwwwww.  LOL.  So I'm supposed to try to make myself eat meat or any kind of protein.  (good luck)  And take the iron.

I got the prescription iron, rather then over the counter because its supposed to be easier on my stomache, and trust me the last time I took iron ~~due to hemoraghing after kaylin was born it was NASTY.  So I'm willing to pay the extra pennys if it will make things easier. 

Babies heartbeat was in the 150s.  And I got a script to go get my second ultrasound~~this one to make sure the placenta is ok.  Because my last ultrasound was so early, they wanted to do a double check.  So now the question begins.

Do I find out the sex or not? 

All opinions welcome

It took the midwife 10 minutes to find the baby's heartbeat yesterday~~and then when she did the baby did NOT want to be listened to   Stayed still for about 30 seconds & then slipped away again.  LOL  It likes hide & seek already

I am forcing my husband to go on a bike ride today.  Before marriage it was his all time favorite thing to do, and he hasn't gone on one in soooooooo long we can't remember when the last time was.    So I told him on Friday he was going to go Monday or Tuesday.  He needs a break some times too! 

So the kids & I will have to come up something to do to entertain each other. 

Father God, I ask for you to be with me today.  That you will give me the strength to bite my tongue.  And to NOT blame others when I'm tired.  I ask that you will help me to find something fun to do with the kids today while Rob is gone.  And that I would have the energy to function today.  I ask for Rob that you would keep him safe, and help him to not overdue it on his ride.  In your sons name, Amen

Well I'm wishing I hadn't turned the computer on.  And checked my e-mail. 

Its not gonna be where were you September 11th...its gonna be where were you in the fall of 2001.  And I desperately hope the answer is alive & praying. 

I wanta get out of my house.  And leave all electronic news devices behind.  I wanta run to a safe place.

But then I remember the only safe place is in God's arms.  And I'm there.  So for now, I'll focus on that.

Believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, you and all your household.  Acts 16:31

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him, and HE SHALL direct your paths.  Proverbs 3:5&6

Behold I stand at the door & knock if anyone here my voice I will open the door & will come in.  (Revelations)

Father God, I come to you for shelter this morning, to hide in your arms, and to ask for your embrace.  I ask for you to protect my family and thank you that I live on the West Coast!  I pray for all of my medical members of my family that if you would have them become involved in healing in the months to come, that you would lead them to your way.  I plead for the salvation of my friends who are lost.  And I ask that they would stop using excuses~~and you would open their eyes to see the truth.  I pray that as I discuss this with my kids, that I would present it as the truth, but not make them fearful.  And that we would be able to trust you today, and every day.  In your sons name, Amen. 

I did temporary decorating of my xanga site.  Gotta check it out. 

I did this for two reasons. LOL.  I love Thanksgiving.  I think its probably my favorite holiday. (yes even over Christmas)  Its just a good time visiting, and eating of course   And all in all enjoying ourselves. 

The second is more & more its getting runover by Christmas.  And what this country, needs more then anything is to be thankful.  We seem to loose sight of that somehow.  (Especially me )  So this is a two week reminder for me that the focus should NOT be Christmas yet, it is thankful season.  I'd like to challenge all who read my blog & any passers by to come up with 25 reasons to be thankful.  You can do its not that hard.

We honored Veterans in church this morning.  I played the Star Spangeled Banner~~which is much easier to do then singing it. LOL.  And then we were asked to stand up and do the Pledge.  Its the first time I've had to do it since WTC.  And darn but my eyes watered up, and I couldn't say the first few words.  Because I STILL love my country, and am proud of it, even with its teenager flaws. 

Okay here's my 25~~where's yours.

I'm thankful for....

My husband,

My kids,

My parents,

MY siblings.

My church

Good reallife friends

Good online friends.

Being pregnant.

My computer

Xanga

The mountains outside my window

My husbands good job.

The benny's that go with it.

Christian friends who understand the hardships of my dh's job.

Visiting with a friend this morning.

My sense of humour

The Bible

God

naps

Flowers

Colors

a warm house

The new space in my house

Breastfeeding

OH & ahem last night

Your turn