Onward, Upward, and Ever, Ever Forward

Tuesday Trepidations

2012-01-31T15:06:00.002-05:00

No parent wants to wake up to, "Mommy, I gotta..." Eeek! What a way to start a Sunday! Thankfully, I. is very self contained and was well ahead of the curve. The ickyness only lasted from 5:30 in the morning till about 10ish. Well enough to be put out at missing breakfast! Thank you Lord! We opted to keep everyone home from church due to the "run through the family" threat. Thankfully, here it is Tuesday, and nothing major is happening.

On an interesting side note: We've been getting weird prank calls-fake foreign languages, odd ring tones, and the like- so if one of us goes missing, please pass the info along! :)

2012-01-17T14:48:00.001-05:00

What is it about me that makes people think I "have it together"? I am going to go out on a limb and share something that will encourage rakish pompisms... I have had several different moms tell me they have no idea "how I do it". Frankly, anything I do, I do because I don't really have a lot of options to the contrary.

How do I explain to my brood that Mommy isn't here. I've tried that. They simply chirp, "But I can still seeeeee yooooouuuu." Crud. People look at me when we are "out" and assume that I use my calm "Nice Mommy" voice all the time. Nice Mommy gets to come out and socialize when Tired-Out-Of-Her-Wits Mommy is trouped out in front of people other than those who *came from my loins* or who voluntarily subjected HIMSELF to me. (That would be my much-long-suffering dear husband.)

Truth is, I yell at my kids. I've even gotten witchy with the least of these... *GasP* All-to-gether loses it sometimes??! Leper!!

More truth? I fed my boys Clementine oranges and cold dry biscuits for lunch... Really. (I didn't even make the biscuits. Hubby again)

Guilt has a way of adopting just about every mother... My mom still feels guilty because she *didn't nurse me right.* Not one of the *brilliant* medical community felt the need to tell her that I was tongue-tied and couldn't nurse right.

You are normal! It is completely normal to get absurdly upset with your children for the strangest of things. You can be the most calm, cool, collected human on the planet. But slather you in baby-poo, baby-vomit, and baby food, withhold proper food and adequate( more than 4 hours) rest and see how you survive! Let go of the guilt, lock the door of the bathroom, take a bubble bath, and shamelessly feed your kids pb on crackers. This will pass. You will survive. And your children will not remember a thing... :)

Congratulations to us!!

2011-07-02T17:45:00.000-04:00

Noah Micah Elliott finally arrived!! Induction started at 5 AM, epidural at 8 (with great trials and tribulations...), dialated to 10 at 3:55, baby arrived at 4:01...

Easy labor, no complications (other than a stint with my first female anethesiologist).

9 lbs. 7 oz.
21 inches long

Allissa, you made such a huge difference in my life many years ago. Seriously, our lives would have looked much different without your guidance/wisdom.

Not that we need to explain, but for some reason, I feel the need to be absolved from some misplaced guilt. John and I have decided that our family-as far as babies born-is complete.
1. I know that "puts us in God's place" making that decision
2. How could we when people who can't desperately want to
3. I really love my kids and would love to have an infinite number (within reason... :)
4. I have had to do serious insulin injections with all five babies, and my body has not responded well to pregnancy at all these last two babies
5. Totally wish I'd have found this hospital 4 babies ago...
6. I am an AWESOME baby deliverer (just not "carrier)

That being said, I feel guilty not continuing to "bear children", but I am worn out (not by my kids, just my body is less able to cope). To those who have angel babies, am I bad for calling an end to our baby "bearing" years?

Love to all of you!
Angie

The Swing

2010-11-13T16:36:00.000-05:00

So, half a century ago, my siblings all pitched in to get my parents a wooden "yard swing". :) Here are the profusely promised pictures...

Carrying On

2010-09-16T13:56:00.008-04:00

Let's see... It's September already!

Sammy just turned eight months a few days ago. Eight months! That little bugger stood up for the first time on Tuesday. We were at a friend's house, and I went to get him after a nap. He was standing there a plain as could be! :) He has two teeth now, both on bottom. None of the brothers have tested their strength out yet. :) Mommy has been a bit more "relaxed" with him-read spoiled-and he is waking up a few times a night to nurse still. Oh, did I forget to mention that he learned how to climb the one step between the kitchen and back bedroom/bathroom? We'll have to keep an EYE on this one!

Caleb is two now (since June). He sleeps in the bottom of the "big boy" bed with Isaiah, feet to feet. I love that he still takes a nice nap, although for nap, he sleeps in the big crib. Caleb is becoming quite the chatter box! It's fun to hear him try out big phrases. You basically can here the first and last word. Just deduce what the middle is. :)

Isaiah turned three in March. Mommy has been sort of lax in her efforts, but after a peaceful two weeks training, he is completely potty trained. :) We put him in diapers only at night because the trek up to the bathroom is too far for the little guy. After taking a break this late summer, Isaiah will be starting back up with John and I in our preschool work. I am trying to work on singing with the boys more often, and it seems to be working. While he won't sing the songs when we all are singing them, he seems to be absorbing them because they come tumbling out throughout the day. :)

John is five as of June. Wow! Five already? I keep getting asked every other day if his teeth are wiggly yet. :) We had an "episode" a few months back when we talked about it the first time. After getting some books from the library and promise of a cash reward, he is warming up to the idea!

I have been at bread baking again. It got to the point where we were doing cloth diapers-which is fine by me-but being in someone's home and flinging poo is not exactly easy. I decided to make/sell bread for diaper money, and it's nice on the days when I deliver. :)

John is ministering at Wal-Mart in a supervisory position. One of his disciples is a man whose wife, a former Mormon, returned to the home a while back. He talks to John on their lunch break at his house. Thankfully, Wal-Mart has one hour breaks. This gives the two guys time to chat about life. Pray for our friend, his wife and their children. We love them and really want them to come to know Christ.

*Pray for us as we begin regularly attending a conservative Mennonite church starting in October.*

-Insert questions of varying degrees. :) Go ahead, you know you want to!

Peace out!

PS. Pictures forthcoming-as soon as I can find my camera!

Bulk Herb Store .com: Treating Vaginal Yeast Naturally

2010-03-13T12:39:00.000-05:00

Bulk Herb Store .com: Treating Vaginal Yeast Naturally

Sleeping with Your Baby (Co-Sleeping) - March of Dimes

2010-02-11T22:56:00.000-05:00

Sleeping with Your Baby (Co-Sleeping) - March of Dimes

Safe Co-Sleeping with Your Baby - Parenthood.com

2010-02-11T22:54:00.000-05:00

Safe Co-Sleeping with Your Baby - Parenthood.com

Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory

2010-02-11T22:52:00.001-05:00

Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory

Also a good article from the University of Notre Dame

SAFE SLEEPING WITH YOUR BABY - THE LATEST RESEARCH

2010-02-11T22:49:00.000-05:00

SAFE SLEEPING WITH YOUR BABY - THE LATEST RESEARCH

A "need to read" article!

A Thankful Heart

2010-02-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

"A wise woman sets a joyful mood in her home.... She knows that a lighthearted home relieves her husband of stress." :) -Debi Pearl

"All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15)

"... for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Philippians 4:11)

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brougth nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." (I Timothy 6:6-8)

"Most peple have practiced hitting the notes of bitterness, sourness, hurt feelings, and frustration so long that thier soul finds the discordant notes easily, almost without thought. But, you don't have to keep on practicing discord; you can practice joy and thanksgiving just as easily, and certainly with more pleasure." -Debi Pearl

So, today's lesson is on Thankfulness-not just a bland thankfulness, but a thankfulness directed at your life, your circumstances, and specifically, your husband. :) I want to teach my children that I am so thankful that their daddy is a hard working man and that he loves us so much. I can't do that if I am a sour puss when everything goes crazy right before he walks in the door-how DO children time that so well??

As part of my "practice", here is my thankful list:
-Wonderful, hardworking hubby
-4 very adorable, lovable, and happy kids
-nice clothes that I get to wear again... :) Giving birth does wonders
-a really nice place to sleep
-a hefty tax return

I might write more later, but my four year old woke up and is sitting beside me getting bored. :)

Sweat

2010-02-05T10:23:00.001-05:00

So, I've been working out. Try to do it every other day at the least. I realized last night that I'm gonna have to modify my food intake a bit if I want to see results any faster than I have.... :) I do feel a lot stronger than I have because she absolutely kicks your butt in this workout.

Now, before you think I've joined the TV bandwagon, my cousin actually recommended this workout. I couldn't have told you who Julian was from Eve if someone had asked. :)

Cheerfulness

2010-01-29T07:26:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

cheer (chîr)

NOUN:
1. Lightness of spirits or mood; gaiety or joy: a happy tune, full of cheer.
2. A source of joy or happiness; a comfort.
3. a. A shout of approval, encouragement, or congratulation. b. A short, rehearsed jingle or phrase, shouted in unison by a squad of cheerleaders.
4. Festive food and drink; refreshment.

VERB:

cheered, cheer·ing, cheers
(tr.)
1. To make happier or more cheerful: a warm fire that cheered us.
2. To encourage with or as if with cheers; urge: The fans cheered the runners on. See Synonyms at encourage.
3. To salute or acclaim with cheers; applaud. See Synonyms at applaud.

(intr.)
1. To shout cheers.
2. To become cheerful: had lunch and soon cheered up.

Today we are discovering cheerfulness as a family. Over the last few months (read: while pregnant and with a newborn) our family has become less and less cheerful/happy/nice to be with... :) We decided to make an effort to be more cheerful today.

In true tormentor fashion, our enemy has designed today to be very gray and we all feel very groggy... :)

Where to go from here?

2010-01-23T15:32:00.000-05:00

Welcome Baby Sammy! Samuel Elisha decided he wanted to be famous so he chose to be the first baby born at our hospital. :) This picture was in all the local papers around here and we have several momento copies! :) Fun times.

Along with being a famous baby comes a bunch of gift baskets!! Did you know that? I didn't know that! I'll have to plan future babies better!! :) One of the gifts was a gift certificate to a local photography studio. When those pictures come in, I'll tell you more about the family circus involved in getting eight grandkids-all four and under-settled down for pictures. :)

So, fun posting aside, I want to write today-and tomorrow-and the next day-and for however long it will take to figure out my head... :) (Ya, I know, may never happen)

What makes a life? What does it mean to have *something to show for your life*? John and I have been pondering that question (kinda like last time I posted...) again and again lately. We have been looking back, looking beside, and looking forward-not really getting fond feelings for what we see. How do we get our focus back? When we were dating, our dream was to get married. When we were married, our dream was to go to college. When we were in college, we realized God wanted us to leave (we know why now). Our goal became to raise our children (child at the time).

So, we have $40,000 in student loan debt for two degrees that are not employable. No one wants to hire teachers who are ACSI certified, but not state certified.

We have four boys who are growing up really, really fast!
We have a car and a van-thank you Jesus!! :)
God gave John a better position at work, so he gets a bit more moo-lah, but has to work a bit more time.
And we have boxes that contain what is left of any home we've ever had.

Our long term outlook, you ask?
1. Pay off our credit cards (stupidity) and our student loans.
2. Buy a home out in the country where we can raise chickens, goats, and kids.
3. Have babies without using Medicaid...
4. Homeschool our children.
5. Have a God-centered home... (I mean, really God-centered. Not just for show.)

Right now, that looks completely and forever IMPOSSIBLE.... Wait a minute... isn't there some scripture about that or something? I think there just might be!

I love you guys, and thanks for reading. I feel better now.. :)

New Blog

2009-12-08T16:50:00.001-05:00

Check out the sister blog... :)
http://www.mommyherbalist.blogspot.com/

Some pictures of us... :)

2009-11-04T15:43:00.003-05:00

Dear Little Baby Sammy... :)

Caleb, gorgeous as can be... :)

.

This one looks a little cheeky!

Lil' John's first person picture.

Who's tired? Me?

Strong man! :)

Update

2009-10-22T16:32:00.002-04:00

Just a quick note, John didn't get the job. He didn't even get an interview. How do you encourage your man, any suggestions? :)

Sigh of relief!

2009-10-20T12:03:00.002-04:00

Ahhh! We have finally stopped living with my parents and moved to "Helping my parents out" :) Mom had surgery, so I have been doing a bit of cleaning and cooking. :) Fun times! It certainly makes the days go by faster!

John is hoping to get a supervisor position soon... It finally looks favorable, but you know how these things go!

I am getting big and gangly, but I have my boys to haul laundry baskets up and down the steps! :)

Lil' John is being a huge help for Grandma while she is restricted from opening the dog door, pushing, pulling, and doing everything else except for walking right now. He has dragged more laundry up and down steps than he ever has in his life.

Isaiah has started counting in even numbers... And, no, he doesn't count any number otherwise. :) He loves "John Deere's" (any tractor) cause of some movies about tractors.

Caleb is saying trac-tor, trac-tor all the time now cause of the same movies... :) Oh well, maybe a farm is in our future?? :)

Baby Sammy is growing well, and I have been *mostly* good on eating right... They will start having the appointments more often.. Fun times! :)

All in all, if we don't kill the dog first, we might just make it through the Christmas season!! :)

PS. We still only have a Saturn four-door, so if you think about praying about that!! :)

Ramblings.

2009-07-16T20:42:00.003-04:00

Just to warn you, this is not going to be very coherent, but I am bored and full of words.
-Should I get an accounting degree?
-i love numbers, and i think taxes are incredibley fun
-my boys are really happy kids
-i need a computer with a wireless connection
-mosquito bites can be really vicious
-my family is all gone
-john is working 20hrs/week even though he is trying incredibley hard
-john and i earned worthless degrees in christian education because it is only for ACSI cert. and not for state cert.
-i live with my parents!!!!!!! ARGh!
-After seven years, we are down to a car that only will hold three of our kids, all of us staying in one room in my parents! house, and a job that doesn't even pay for rent, much less car insurance, cc bills, or diapers.
-however, the state of michigan entrusts us with nearly $800 a month for food, so this is how we pay babysitters-with food!
-john wesley, mistake?
-mt. carmel, mistake?
-marriage, mistake? NEVER!! :)
-am i ready to continue on the baby quest? not really, not yet
-do i want more kids, yea
-do i want to get pregnant before this baby turns two? no... sad day!
-i am tired of having no energy for the majority of my life
-i am tired of having no *lovin* drive
-i am tired
-if it's a girl, i want to keep trying for a second girl, so she won't be spoiled
-i don't want to adopt yet cause i love my babies and i love seeing how they resemble john or i
-figured out we need to save 20,000 a year to pay off our debts, save for a down payment, and have money to retire on...
-did i mention, I LIVE WITH MY PARENTS!

2009-07-02T08:47:00.002-04:00

So, yeah! I happen to be the worst blogger in the world! I don't even have any new pictures of my kiddos! Bad, bad mommy.... :)

I realized the other day that the last "professional" picture taken of this family was our engagement picture... seven years ago. Dear Alissa took pictures of our first baby as a gift, but we all moved away! Sad day.

There was the impromptu family photo in front of the propane tank after baby #3's dedication...

Oui ve.

So, on to news. Is it wrong to avoid telling some family you are expecting when all they'll do is wail and comment on your poor uterus? How long do you think I can keep this a secret from the naysayers? Dunno! So far, so good, although my younger brother wasn't very keen on the idea.

It's kind of a sad testament to the times when three kids gets you looks and comments about condoms, but four kids! Well, you must be stupid to go there! To that, I say ha! I'll have all the kids I want till the crazy people put legal limits to the number of babies I can have. Besides, at this rate, I'll still be able to enjoy my grandkids for a long time! ;) There are joys to having them early and often!

Pretty Girl

2008-09-24T16:41:00.002-04:00

So, whoever got the idea that mommies can't be pretty? Silly people. Just because God gives us babies does not mean that we aren't gorgeous women anymore!

More Camera Fun

2008-09-20T14:30:00.007-04:00

The three musketeers...
Plotting...
Yodelers
My lil' ninja

Sleepy Baby

Cutie Pie
Stop taking pictures of me!!

Together for a Baby Dedication

2008-09-07T17:33:00.011-04:00

This is our pastor Tom Lorimer with Baby Caleb.

Our first family picture since last year... :)

Lil' John being strong....
David, Angie and Hannah-Banana!

Proud Grandparents

Funny Pictures

2008-09-02T20:49:00.007-04:00

Okay, okay, I know-a little excessive with the posts, it's just that I have so many cool pictures to share, and dial-up only lets me do a little bit at a time. If these posts get too annoying in your inbox, let me know, and I'll take your name off of my publish list... :)

Here are My Boys

2008-09-02T17:58:00.001-04:00

Family picture... there were about 27 versions of this before we could get them sitting still long enough to get them and their comfy bears all together...

2008-09-01T11:20:00.005-04:00

I got this really cool new baby carrier. It's called a second nature baby wrap, and my friend Cynthia sells them. It really is the coolest thing. She has a blog for them-http://www.secondnaturebabywraps.blogspot.com/

2008-08-31T08:14:00.002-04:00

Okay, so the conversation went something like this.

"Let's tell them it's his birthday!"

"No, Mom! They don't do that!"

Pause

"Well, I'm gonna try it! It can't hurt to try."

"Mom, they don't do that! I am telling you, they just don't!"

"Waiter!"

"Si, Senora?"

"It's my grandson's birthday! He's three. Honey, tell him your three now."

"Mumble, mumble, Taco!"

Blank stare...

Well, a big hat, a free ice cream sopapilla, and four Mexican singers later, Yep, they do that!

My Babies

2008-08-30T08:38:00.001-04:00

I don't have anything really to write... :) I just wanted to put another picture up. Since we have dial-up, it goes very, very slowly.

Oh, Lil' John, yesterday he asked if he could pray for supper, and he said, "Dear Father, thanks for this food, *mumble mumble*, Amen!" It was soooo cute!

And baby makes 5!

2008-08-28T14:15:00.000-04:00

On June 19, 2008, our family grew from an even two adults to two kiddos into two adults and a mob of crazy kids... :)