I had almost dared hope that we had made it. The winter months had gone by and no one in our family had gotten more than a sniffle. It was almost the end of March...surely I could take a breath and relax. My kids weren't going to get sick.
And then unexpectedly on Good Friday Grace woke up vomiting. I did not expect my first parental experience with the stomach flu to be with my one year old! It was actually fairly mild...involving two hours of us sitting in the rocking chair holding her over a bucket rather than allowing her to go back to bed where we'd be returning every ten minutes to change sheets...finally after a couple hours she just started to scream and made it quite obvious that she was ready to go back to bed. And she made it through the rest of the night without much activity.
Saturday came and went and no one was sick, so we dared to believe we had dodged the bullet. And then came Easter Sunday...and not one of us came out unscathed. Unfortunately, since we thought we'd gotten by without catching it, we decided to visit my parents for Easter. So we spread the love...and the germs.
So here we are a week later and I think we're finally over it...it seemed to mysteriously linger in Hannah and show up randomly throughout the rest of the week. But even that has settled now, so fingers crossed...we're over it.
I have to say I'm disappointed. I was anticipating Easter this year. I really wanted to really take time to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice. And it was a little difficult to do with the circumstances going on. I guess I don't need Easter to reflect on that, but it is somehow easier to do on that day.
To make matters worse, during the week that followed it was incredibly hard to get back into doing my Bible study, and just returning to the habits that I had formed. I hope I can get back into the groove this week...
The only bummer about being better is that now I have no excuse for the mess my house is in. I've finally (mostly) caught up with laundry, but not the folding...but my floors need mopped and I have no good excuse...oh wait...I think I feel a fever coming on... ;-)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Contraband Broccoli
Okay...I've come to the conclusion that there is no rationale where kids are concerned. No, this really isn't a recent discovery, but it was reaffirmed for me today...
While I was making lunch, Hannah got a bag of frozen broccoli off the counter and proceeded to eat out of it like a bag of chips. Grace comes over, thinks that looks like fun, and so they are tug-a-warring over a bag of broccoli.
Humoring them, I give Grace a bowl and Hannah fills it. Grace takes one bite and her eyes get wide and she's like "Bleck! I thought this was going to be good!" BUT, she sees that Hannah is eating it and keeps on munching away anyway. Once she empties her bowl I figure she'll just go on her way, but no...she again goes after the bag. Hannah happily refills Grace's bowl, and so on they go...munching away on frozen broccoli.
I'm certainly not going to stop this activity...normally I do not condone eating before dinner...but yeah, seriously? "No, girls, you cannot eat broccoli! Put it away! You'll spoil your appetite!" THAT would be dumb.
And yet I know that if they were sitting at the table and I plunked frozen broccoli on each of their plates they would turn their noses up and refuse to eat it. There is no logic here.
While I was making lunch, Hannah got a bag of frozen broccoli off the counter and proceeded to eat out of it like a bag of chips. Grace comes over, thinks that looks like fun, and so they are tug-a-warring over a bag of broccoli.
Humoring them, I give Grace a bowl and Hannah fills it. Grace takes one bite and her eyes get wide and she's like "Bleck! I thought this was going to be good!" BUT, she sees that Hannah is eating it and keeps on munching away anyway. Once she empties her bowl I figure she'll just go on her way, but no...she again goes after the bag. Hannah happily refills Grace's bowl, and so on they go...munching away on frozen broccoli.
I'm certainly not going to stop this activity...normally I do not condone eating before dinner...but yeah, seriously? "No, girls, you cannot eat broccoli! Put it away! You'll spoil your appetite!" THAT would be dumb.
And yet I know that if they were sitting at the table and I plunked frozen broccoli on each of their plates they would turn their noses up and refuse to eat it. There is no logic here.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Girls' Night
Tonight I had the treat of getting out of the house minus husband and children! Now normally I am quite a homebody, and even though I enjoy these outings when I get there, I have to talk myself into getting there. I hate sacrificing family time, or even just husband-time to go out and "hang with the girls". It is something I like to do, and even something I recognize as being important to my mental health, but a part of me is always home.
But this week was a long one...I haven't been feeling well all week. I thought for sure I was getting sick, but no...it is just a headache that is hanging on. Everyday at around one I get a headache, it is like clockwork! I've tried different things like drinking more caffeine, completely eliminating caffeine, eating food...nothing really seems to help. Anyway...all of this means that the girls are even more exhausting than usual, my patience runs out quicker, and that goes for patience toward the husband as well. I think it was Monday night when I remembered that this week was my Oasis (Bible Study) dinner and rejoiced!
So it was great to get out and sit down and eat with other adults without worrying about feeding someone else first, cutting up someone else's food, or fussing about whether other people ate. We all sat and enjoyed dinner while secretly chuckling behind our napkins at the thought of what our husband and children were probably eating.
I think what I love most about getting together with other women is discovering how many things are universal. How our kids are doing the same strange/annoying things, how our post-baby bodies are also doing the same strange/annoying things. Lamenting how things have changed since we had children, but rejoicing in the gift our children are. It is great that we can swap stories and advice and uplift each other.
But the absolute BEST part about getting out is coming back home. I loved that Hannah woke up and called for me and then filled me in on all the things that Daddy did (both right and wrong) and caught up on a few snuggles. I love that I have something to say to Eric that is not about the kids and that he, for once, has a few stories to tell me about the cute things the kids did.
It is good to go to bed and for once feel a tad bit energized and not 100% drained. And I miss my kids, so tomorrow should be a good day! :-)
But this week was a long one...I haven't been feeling well all week. I thought for sure I was getting sick, but no...it is just a headache that is hanging on. Everyday at around one I get a headache, it is like clockwork! I've tried different things like drinking more caffeine, completely eliminating caffeine, eating food...nothing really seems to help. Anyway...all of this means that the girls are even more exhausting than usual, my patience runs out quicker, and that goes for patience toward the husband as well. I think it was Monday night when I remembered that this week was my Oasis (Bible Study) dinner and rejoiced!
So it was great to get out and sit down and eat with other adults without worrying about feeding someone else first, cutting up someone else's food, or fussing about whether other people ate. We all sat and enjoyed dinner while secretly chuckling behind our napkins at the thought of what our husband and children were probably eating.
I think what I love most about getting together with other women is discovering how many things are universal. How our kids are doing the same strange/annoying things, how our post-baby bodies are also doing the same strange/annoying things. Lamenting how things have changed since we had children, but rejoicing in the gift our children are. It is great that we can swap stories and advice and uplift each other.
But the absolute BEST part about getting out is coming back home. I loved that Hannah woke up and called for me and then filled me in on all the things that Daddy did (both right and wrong) and caught up on a few snuggles. I love that I have something to say to Eric that is not about the kids and that he, for once, has a few stories to tell me about the cute things the kids did.
It is good to go to bed and for once feel a tad bit energized and not 100% drained. And I miss my kids, so tomorrow should be a good day! :-)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Good-bye Huckabee
I was so disappointed in my country last night. It seems that we can never see something that is good and right and embrace it wholeheartedly--either we allow media to manipulate our thinking, or we are just to blind to see truth.
Huckabee gave me hope for my country, my children, and for myself. He ran a good race, and unfortunately was not able to finish with the win. But he finished well, and that is important, too. He did not participate in dirty politics and was a good, honorable man. I've never been so excited to vote, or so proud of my vote.
I sincerely hope to see him back in 2012. I can't imagine being more excited about another candidate.
As for supporting McCain as Huckabee suggested we do...I do not think I'll be able to do that. My husband I will review and discuss before we make a final decision, but I am fairly certain that we had decided to vote for Huckabee or for no one. Most likely we will still be voting for Huckabee. I don't see that McCain is a whole lot better than whichever Democrat makes it to the end.
Thank you, Governor Huckabee, for giving me hope (for however briefly) and for risking it all to run for our president. I wish you had made it!
Huckabee gave me hope for my country, my children, and for myself. He ran a good race, and unfortunately was not able to finish with the win. But he finished well, and that is important, too. He did not participate in dirty politics and was a good, honorable man. I've never been so excited to vote, or so proud of my vote.
I sincerely hope to see him back in 2012. I can't imagine being more excited about another candidate.
As for supporting McCain as Huckabee suggested we do...I do not think I'll be able to do that. My husband I will review and discuss before we make a final decision, but I am fairly certain that we had decided to vote for Huckabee or for no one. Most likely we will still be voting for Huckabee. I don't see that McCain is a whole lot better than whichever Democrat makes it to the end.
Thank you, Governor Huckabee, for giving me hope (for however briefly) and for risking it all to run for our president. I wish you had made it!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Huckabee Rally
We had the fortunate opportunity to attend a rally for Mike Huckabee on Thursday night. Yes, it was Valentine's Day, but neither one of us would have rather done anything else.
We got a few wires crossed as far as the time, so we ended up waiting for close to two hours in line with both of the kids. So they were pretty much out of patience by the time he actually started speaking. Eric ended up walking around behind the crowds with Grace, while Hannah and I actually got to stand in the front row. That was very nice :-)
Seeing him in person was amazing. Part of me was a little afraid that I wouldn't like him as much as I thought I would. But he was honest and sincere, and as usual, witty and engaging. But most of all he echoed all of the things that are important to me. Prior to learning about Huckabee, I had lost a lot of faith in this country. Unfortunately, I still don't have much faith because of the choices many voters have made, but one thing is for sure, I have hope in the America that Mike Huckabee describes.
Yes, it looks nearly impossible. The odds don't appear to be in his favor. And maybe he won't get the nomination. But maybe he will. God has proven, through the Bible, time and time again that things are done in His time and in His unpredictable way. And if Mike Huckabee is meant to lead, then it does not at all surprise me that God would choose to make it an amazing journey.
Many people have said that voting for Huckabee is throwing your vote away. I disagree with that. If McCain is already the presumptive nominee, and there is nothing you can do to stop it, then why vote? Why go out and vote at all? It is already decided without your input. But if you vote for Huckabee you give him a chance at winning, and every state he wins is a state that McCain doesn't win, and then McCain is prevented from getting those delegates, and from getting the majority that he needs to become the nominee. And if he falls short, even by one, then it goes to the convention and is decided there. And there Huckabee stands a chance.
We have already decided, nominee or no, we're not voting for anyone other than Mike Huckabee come November.
That's my political rant of the day :-)
A blurb from the speech, Huckabee on abortion:
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Politics
I've never been one for politics. Probably has something to do with my grandpa blaming me for the election of Bill Clinton when I was too young to vote. Or perhaps it was that during every quiet moment at family functions, I would hear "Did you see what the Clinton did now?" or something very similar which would lead to the most boring conversation between my dad and grandpa. Blah!
Which is why I surprised myself by getting interested this year. I pretty much ignored the Republican candidates early on because there were so many of them. I tried to sit down and sort them out after the Straw Poll, but I got too confused in all the weird names and different, yet similar, stands. As time went on we heard that Ron Paul was a good choice and investigated him and liked what we saw for the most part. We figured we'd just watch and see what happened with him.
Ironically it was The Tonight Show that triggered my interest. We were tuning in to see how the lack of writers (due to the strike) would impact the show and the guest was Mike Huckabee. Everything he said resonated with what we believed, so we went and investigated him further. We checked out You Tube and really liked a lot of the videos. Even when focusing on a specific candidate it can take a awhile to sort out what they really believe on all the issues.
What amazed me is how open he is about his faith. Some candidates claim that they are Christian but never say another thing about it, and downplay the importance of it in their lives. You are left wondering if they are a "Sunday Christian" or if they truly know our Savior. Mike's strong faith has been pointed out to me as a negative by a few people, and I just don't get that. I think it takes such strength of character to openly embrace a faith in Christ. You can be strongly conservative and get votes that way, without proclaiming your faith. I give him great credit for being unashamed.
Eric loves his Energy Independence policies, which is where he is typically frustrated with Republicans. We both love his stand on Second Amendment Rights. He is not at all wishy-washy about abortion. We think he has some good ideas about Fair Tax, and also immigration.
I've never watched politics like I have been lately. I check the polls regularly and have actually sat through two debates from beginning to end (I usually hate debates because I can't stand to watch people argue and disagree!). The very fact that I am writing this shows that I believe in what Mike Huckabee has to say. Normally I wouldn't want to deal with people arguing with me. I'm not at all confrontational. But with his chances dwindling, Eric and I feel like we can't not speak up about it because, like we usually are, so many people are just not interested when it comes to politics! So they don't know who is who and what is what. Most of the people we know probably won't even vote in the primaries.
So, as soon as February 19 gets here (got that all you WI people, February 19!), we will be casting our vote in his favor. Why don't you check him out, too? You might like what you see!
Which is why I surprised myself by getting interested this year. I pretty much ignored the Republican candidates early on because there were so many of them. I tried to sit down and sort them out after the Straw Poll, but I got too confused in all the weird names and different, yet similar, stands. As time went on we heard that Ron Paul was a good choice and investigated him and liked what we saw for the most part. We figured we'd just watch and see what happened with him.
Ironically it was The Tonight Show that triggered my interest. We were tuning in to see how the lack of writers (due to the strike) would impact the show and the guest was Mike Huckabee. Everything he said resonated with what we believed, so we went and investigated him further. We checked out You Tube and really liked a lot of the videos. Even when focusing on a specific candidate it can take a awhile to sort out what they really believe on all the issues.
What amazed me is how open he is about his faith. Some candidates claim that they are Christian but never say another thing about it, and downplay the importance of it in their lives. You are left wondering if they are a "Sunday Christian" or if they truly know our Savior. Mike's strong faith has been pointed out to me as a negative by a few people, and I just don't get that. I think it takes such strength of character to openly embrace a faith in Christ. You can be strongly conservative and get votes that way, without proclaiming your faith. I give him great credit for being unashamed.
Eric loves his Energy Independence policies, which is where he is typically frustrated with Republicans. We both love his stand on Second Amendment Rights. He is not at all wishy-washy about abortion. We think he has some good ideas about Fair Tax, and also immigration.
I've never watched politics like I have been lately. I check the polls regularly and have actually sat through two debates from beginning to end (I usually hate debates because I can't stand to watch people argue and disagree!). The very fact that I am writing this shows that I believe in what Mike Huckabee has to say. Normally I wouldn't want to deal with people arguing with me. I'm not at all confrontational. But with his chances dwindling, Eric and I feel like we can't not speak up about it because, like we usually are, so many people are just not interested when it comes to politics! So they don't know who is who and what is what. Most of the people we know probably won't even vote in the primaries.
So, as soon as February 19 gets here (got that all you WI people, February 19!), we will be casting our vote in his favor. Why don't you check him out, too? You might like what you see!
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