Thursday, March 24, 2011

Randompostoftheyearfolks....

So this week has been pretty random.  Just a weird week in general- it is different having two cars!  My life is my own.  :)  It really is very different!  I do miss talking with him going back and forth for lunch and he didn't come home Mon, Tues or Wed for lunch--- it is just different.

I got school done today but it was less than planned... I really, really need to get my school plans down!  I plan to work on that Saturday, Dave will be unavailable to me.... so it should be a good time if I give the kids the privilege of free range of electronics!  It will be all good!

Emily wore her patch better today.  We only went through one and made it a whole two hours.  She fussed, complained and messed with the patch but in the end she kept it on.  I need to order more patches.. I don't know how long they take to get here and I need to keep them in stock!


She kept turning her head a weird way while trying to draw, you can see her eye turning inward a little but the drawing book is directly in front of her, so she kept tilting her head.  Finally she looked like this....

and this







I got my car washed and cleaned at a place on Ella- it is a Christian owned, played KSBJ and inside they have a Prayer wall.  You write your prayer request on this post IT (Pre- KSBJ post it BTW!) and put it on the wall.  I love giving them my business! 

We had to go to the Homeschool Store today to return the cards I got and get the right ones.  BOTHER- just stepping into that place cost me money. I don't have any money right now so bad combo!  I did however take a few minutes to glance at physics curriculum's and might have found the one we will use- Dave needs to look it over though.

Princess Class is over tomorrow! Kindof glad- you know just mark it off my list and one less thing to prepare for or do. BUT I am also kindof sad- I love my ladies!  I get to talk and visit and I feel it is a really good program!  Look for pictures of our banquet and presentation on Saturday!

I have for the past few weeks lamented the fact that I have been having trouble getting the kids to do their chores!  It has really been a problem.  SO we started a new chore system a few weeks ago which I will review for you at a later date- but the kids still weren't DOING things.  You would think they had reverted back to infancy!  So we started doing loss of privilege, loss of activities etc.  It still wasn't working very well!  So Tuesday afternoon I informed the kids I had a new plan- I was going to get them up earlier so they would have PLENTY of time to get their chores done. Well both Wed and today I got them up at 5:00 AM!  I will tell you that the house looks nice, their chores got 90% done today which is major progress but 5:00 a.m tomorrow morning just might be the clincher for us!  :0)

So I said earlier that I was kind of missing time with Dave- today I just FELT like I wanted to see him and called to say lets meet for lunch.  We are very short on money and he was surprised, but went along seeings how this is not normal for me!  I got there and picked him and up and said lets go to McDonald's- another surprise.  I mean we eat there every ONCE in a while but for me to CHOOSE to go is off. Yet we went.. we got there and it was packed!  Normally I would just leave but we went in.  Then when we got inside it took 18 minutes to get our food-  SERIOUSLY.  I promise this is all leading up to something!

We sat down in the play area next to a mom with a girl- probably 4 years old.  She was following Emily around and being so sweet and kept coming back to the table for a bite or two.  She was a beautiful little girl but I thought I detected an eye thing.  So I just kept watching her and wanting to ask but I mean what if she didn't!  Its like asking a fat woman when she is due!  Finally I worked up the courage to ask-

Well she did, she has an esotropia just like Emily's only MUCH worse and in both eyes.  She has had 3 surgeries and getting ready for her fourth.  Her mom answered a lot of my questions and was really reassuring!  It was awesome to get to talk to a mom who had gone through most of it but was still dealing with it. I KNOW that God send me there to talk to that mom!  I just know... nothing else about the whole eating business makes sense or is normal for me! 

I cooked an enchilada casserole tonight- yummy, gooey, cheesy.... YUMMO.  Got it out, rice was done and Dave should have been five minutes away- just long enough for it to set up from the oven!  Great evening... UNTIL I turned and walked away from the oven and the entire casserole dish EXPLODED!  Glass  and enchilada casserole flew everywhere!  A lot of the casserole just dissolved in a mess on top of the stove and sunk into the burner.  GOOD TIMES!  We got it cleaned up and went to Wendy's. So much for thrifty, eating at home!  I was SOOO done!





I have spent over 17 hours talking, being, doing something about the eyes and that is not including rehashing with anyone about Emily's appointment OR the kids science which just happened to be a unit on THE 5 senses!  I am all eye'd in!  I glad that I am dealing with such a SMALL thing compared to other health issues and I know that the WOW will wear off and it will become the norm for us... but right now.  I just want to close my eyes and NOT deal for a while. 

I am really going to get better at this I PROMISE.... but today during school we spent like 45 minutes CUTTING, GLUING and making models of the ear, tongue, skin and eye.  I COULD HAVE PATCHED HER FOR THAT!!!Seriously!  When I make my lesson plans I will have to simply NOTE if it will be a good time to patch and try to work it in so we have to do less of it later that afternoon!  I will get better!

But again I would have to have lesson plans wouldn't I!







Wednesday, March 23, 2011

ARGGGG... A pirate she might be!




So we had Emily's eye appointment this morning.  Dr. Musgrove is very nice and her staff is amazing, so that make everything easier!  She had to have her eyes dilated again- which she DOES not like!  It was worse this time because she already knew what was coming!  But it got done and she does not have to have it again at the next visit thankfully!

She definitely has a vision issue of the right eye. Strabismus Amblyopia (Esotopia)  Dr. Musgrove feels she would like to postpone surgery and attempt simply glasses ( a much stronger prescription than she currently has) and patching for a minimum of 2 hours a day (up to 6). 

We have an appointment on June 26 and Dr. Musgrove will evaluate the progress she has made and decide on further treatment which could include: continued patching, medication and surgery.

She gave me some websites to read up on things:
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Children's Eye Foundation (Amblyopia 411)

Amblyopia is THE leading cause of childrens loss of vision (it equals to all the other ways of losing vision combined)

GO GET YOUR CHILRENDS EYES CHECKED!
This should be done starting at age 3, earlier if your family has a history of eye issues....Please take the time to do this.  People worry about their kids TEETH more than they worry about their vision- the sense that is the most widely used out of all our senses. 

The patches are CUTE!  There are all kinds of designs and she gave us some samples and a website to order more from...

some of the choices are...

regular designed patches...




a non adhesive patch




We even found COLOR your own patches here!

and CRAFT PATCHES
 


If you notice her glasses in the top picture they are DIFFERENT!  It was cheaper to get TWO new pairs of glasses at eye masters in an hour, than order new lenses for her glasses that would take two weeks!  CRAZY!  We will possible get the correct prescription put in her other glasses- we are waiting to hear back from insurance right now.  BUT regardless we felt like waiting 2 plus weeks was not a good option.

The doctor has said she ABSOLUTELY has to be wearing them all the time unless she is at gymnastics and they are actually falling off because of the gymnastics.

We have already done 40 minutes of patching today- gone through 3 patches and it is loads of fun!
She can't for obvious reasons see well out of her right eye and is BEYOND frustrated!  I shall have the fruit of patience pruned apparently!  And it isn't like she is already dramatic, right!

Some options that are best scenario during patching are DOING things. 

-some reading
-video games (the smaller the screen the better)
-crafting
-coloring and writing
-word searches
-Find Waldo type searches
-puzzles
-going to the play ground
-tossing beanbags or balls around


Basically anything that require visual acuity and eye-hand coordination work well.

Doctors would prefer her not doing school work the entire 2 hours she is patched...

2 reasons for this are:
She will get very tired from "working" her eye, and this may result in poor school performance
She needs some specific hand eye coordination and simple writing and reading do not meet this need

So we shall be adjusting our day around this.  I hesitate to "make" her wear her patch out, right now she has NO reason to think it is anything but COOL and okay... if made fun of- well that is a whole different issue!  So for now I will attempt to keep this at home and will try to adjust our day accordingly!  Any thoughts on that???








Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Half way in and half way out...

I am so very weary of the lies that we have had shoved down our throats our entire lives... so very weary.

I struggle so very much with the conversation of feminism and what I KNOW for myself and believe to be true... what to teach my children...how to change my lifestyle to reflect those beliefs.

It is so very, very, very hard.. but again IS IT?  I mean yes, it is but not the conversation it self.  Either GOD said what HE said or He didn't.  That part SHOULD not be as hard as it is...

and you cannot always blame this on the world or those CRAZY lady feminist....most of what I KNOW came from Christian women who have bought the lie.... hook, line and sinker!  Whether they were taught that themselves, whether they have ever searched out the truth for themselves or whether they simply DO NOT want to know the truth I WILL NEVER KNOW of course- that is between God and them.

Although I do maintain that as mentors and teacher- older woman need to be EXTREMELY mindful of what they are teaching to younger woman! The whole millstone around a neck thing comes to mind! :)

I understand that we PICK and choose what we want from the BIBLE.  I understand we use the argument- well we wouldn't REALLY stone a woman for adultery... or woman's clothes come from a woman's store not a mans.   BUT really when does TRUTH means absolute? 

When do we take the Bible literally, when do we not?  DOES anyone else NOT struggle with this conversation???

Whatever is good, whatever is HOLY... think on these things. Well at least until you go read the review of a movie from Plugged IN ONLINE and they give it 4 stars for family friendliness SO its ALL GOOD.

Be fruitful and multiply.... well until you have had 2.5 and then really aren't you good?

Wives be submissive to your husband... well what if they won't lead- then I will take the reins.

Don't hear me wrong--- I am TELLING you I don't have it all down! THAT is part of my issue!  I am 33, not that old, but certainly NOT that young!  I should have it down better by now.  I should be more concrete in my belief.  I should be more knowledgeable about GODS WORD.  The problem lies with the things I FEEL concrete in-- I still don't follow HIS lead and the things I feel knowledgeable about-- I obviously do NOT act on!

this is an excellent article... brings to light the truth in a way that doesn't feel condemning yet.... it does.


Are we really pro life...


My post isn't all about should you or shouldn't you pro create... it is about it all, all the topics that we just LET GO on a daily basis. 

GODS word tells us to be frugal---- yet DAILY I am not! 

GODS word tells us to spread the GOOD NEWS---- yet DAILY I do not!

GODS word tells us to be HIS hands and HIS feet--- yet VERY rarely I am!

GODS word tells us to not go back to sin as a dog to his vomit--- yet I apparently LOVE me some vomit!



HOW do you mesh this... this half cocked way of living in Christianity???

HOW do I explain to my children when you should obey and when you shouldn't???

BECAUSE I haven't quite figured that out yet!

Monday, March 21, 2011

One Thousand Gifts... a practice of gratitude - 7



205. a Sunday dinner with family and wonderful food
206. getting our next few lessons of history planned out
207. an amazing history filled with GODS providence
208. fevers lasting only a few hours
209. husband making quick trips to the grocery store
210. teens going on mission trips.
211. conversations with people who believe differently
212. a husband who is very wise
213. a husband who is very calm
214. studying the history of the birth of a truly great nation
215. turkey lunch meat that is nitrate free...
216. ta da's which is my mother in laws word for surprises!
217.  for smiles amid tears
218. for laughter
219. for a pain pill (leftover from the fall) when my arms starts hurting! 
220. for chicken and rice in the steamer!  easy meal!
221. for half price carnival ride tickets!
222. for my daughter asking for a bonus hit if she gets all her chores done, then explaining to me what a bonus hit is.   Love her creativity!
223. for 3 hours of gymnastics practice the other day!  That is a long time.. but watched Emily get closer to a skill, which is exciting!
224. for shaved legs- once they are shaved!
225. for HOURS of family fun.. and experiences shared
226. for a lunch blessing today with family and with friends.
227. for soreness that means I DID something!
228. for frozen pizza that my son can cook!
229. for 8 beautiful years and two days with my Emily Elizabeth....
230. for her healthy delivery 8 years ago
231. for GOD knowing more than doctors and putting my faith in HIM
232. for the ability to seek forgiveness and understand what that means
233. for healing
234. for understanding dawning



Sunday, March 20, 2011

Sunday Stealing Meme...

Sunday Stealing: The Seven Deadly Sins Meme

I hope I don't really practice all these deadly sins... I just thought it was kind of a cute meme and a way to LOOK at yourself a little.  I do desire all these things I talked about I just have to remember to not put too much emphasis on them vs. people or of course GOD!

1) Pride- Seven great things about yourself:
  • I love being a mom.
  •  I love being a wife.
  •  I can be very thoughtful.
  • I am creative.
  •  I am a get it done kind of person- when I want to.
  • I have boundaries.
  •  Once you are my friend- I am loyal!

2) Envy- Seven things you lack and covet:

  •  people with high metabolism!
  •  People who run.
  •  People who travel.
  •  People who don't suffer from anxiety.
  • Disney Season pass holders.
  • people who can sing.
  •  the ability to follow a schedule- for more than one day.

3) Wrath- Seven things that tick you off:

  •  People who are fake.
  • Customer service that ISN'T customer service.
  • RULE BREAKERS.
  •  People who feel entitled.
  • Messing up my diet on the 2nd day.
  •  People who are ignorant BY choice to what is happening in this country.
  •  finding a chore HALF WAY done!

4) Sloth- Seven things you neglect to do:

  •  return library books.
  • check my voice mail (I DO maintain that it is broken right now... and AT&T cant seem to fix it)
  • save money :)
  •  exercise.
  •  keep my car clean. (my new plan for the new car is NEVER take anything it it!  :)
  •  welcome and invite people into my home.
  • MAIL THINGS!.

5) Greed- Seven worldly desires:

  • a maid!
  •  to travel.
  • money to buy what I want- without thinking about it.
  •  to be beautiful- I mean REALLY beautiful!
  •  to be an amazing photographer.
  • to be a planner of LAVISH parties!
  • a DECKED out RV that is huge!


6) Gluttony- Seven guilty pleasures:

  • UM FOOD.
  • Spending money on home schooling stuff- that I COULD do without.
  •  TV.
  •  hair cuts from TISH.
  •  travel planning.
  • DID I mention food?
  •  Eating out!

7) Lust- Seven love secrets: TMI but WHATEVER--- God meant sex between hubbie and wife to be awesome and fulfilling!  :0)

  • a really good kiss- for NO reason.
  • Making your other half feel sexy.
  •  Hotel sex.
  • Remembering to still WOO your husband or wife.
  •  DATE NIGHTS.
  • Trying new things- DON'T GET STALE.
  • Remember that sex is supposed to be FUN! :)

Head over to Sunday Stealing!!!


Saturday, March 19, 2011

Ah... a lovely award has been bestowed

I was just awarded the Oustanding Blogger Award by my friend Aneisa @ Inside My Head




It is amazing how our cyber friends truly DO become our friends.  During the course of the day we say- "Oh my friend Aneisa had this blog post on..." or "Yeah one of my friends who live in Arkansas felt the earthquake!"   You get to know people better I think, because in reading blogs we get some of the deepest thoughts--- thoughts you dont always share outside of the blogosphere! 

Thanks Aneisa!  I am grateful and appreciate it so much!


The Swagger Wagon....

So with all our recent car drama---

We are now the proud owner of THIS...


Dave signed over his firstborn, entire life savings, college tuition savings, a pint of blood and it was ALL OURS!








Everyone has given the van the thumbs up!  We are very happy and excited and RELIEVED!

****Disclaimer- this car was bought and paid for entirely by myself, Car Max did not give me anything NOR did they ask me to write this blog post.. if Car Max would like to offer us something in return for blogging about the vehicle we bought there (although we did not mention Car Max in the post)... we would be happy to accept it.  This is also NOT a real swagger wagon- I used that term merely to make my husband feel "cooler" while driving a mini van.*****



Friday, March 18, 2011

Baking with little helpers.. makes baking all the more enjoyable.

Emily decided to bake on Tuesday... she wanted her doll to help her.



Too precious!





She got out all the stuff and got her girl all set up-- mama snapped a few pics and left her to the baking! She makes a mean cinnamon muffin!








After we got the out of the oven, I could resist letting the baby taste the cooking! Emily just smiled.




It was a sweet time and rare for Emily to work so long on something and to be "P-l-a-y-i-n-g". It was nice.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Princess Class- Week 2 and 3

We had our second Princess class on Friday.  You can check out what we did at the first class here.


We started out by using our princess dot art books for fun!



I have two different packs of markers but I think I need this SHIMMER pack too!



My kids have always enjoyed these color book and markers- the princess book is the first thing I bought when I knew I was doing princess class!

After we had colored for awhile we started the DVD...



Here are the girls praying... so very sweet!




and here are the girls singing the song and doing the sign language... which they are learning VERY well! I am sure we will video the "final" preformance!



We also used this color page paper to write out scriptures on each week and draw a picture of "what" the scripture represents to you.



WEEK 1 verse was 2 Corinthians 6:18

"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."


WEEK 2  verse was 1 Samuel 16:7
7But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,but the LORD looks on the heart."

WEEK 3 verse was Ephesians 6:7

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,


We also used this chipboard cut out from Michaels to make a banner to remind us of the scripture along with these die cuts to help us remember....

This week the girls began building their castles!








Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Not Wordless Wednesday... but then again are words NEEDED???



(((((This post is written and published in honor of S'more the hamster,
who passed away unexpectedly yesterday.))))))