Happy New Year everyone!

Well, 2008 was certainly a ride, wasn't it? I feel like it was more hectic than years gone past. Many things happened this year...some I would change, some I wouldn't. I learned a lot. A *LOT*. I got better at things. I feel like I have a fuller life now. Does that make any sense?

I could list 2008 happenings, but I suppose that would seem copycat. My best friend Liss over at Ordinary Exultations listed her year quite eloquently. Be sure to check out her blog.

I want to look forward to this year ahead. We have quite the schedule. *small laugh*. A lot will be going on, but I don't want to forget how to relax, and to chill, and to enjoy my family.

James has been home a lot more often as a result of his job change, and I absolutely love it. Isaac is happier, I'm happier, and I can truly tell that James is happier. That being said, I am ready for there to be a more steady income, but...all in God's time. I feel like the best thing I can do right now is to support James in everything he is doing, and to be the best wife I can be to him. He's such a blessing to me. I completely melted down on his shoulder the other day, and he just lifted me up with the most beautiful words, and made me feel so much better.

Okay, 2009? Let's see. I plan to do something with this yard...*smirk*...that I've mostly (completely, except for sporadic raking) ignored. I'd like to invest in a new couch that is fabulously, completely, surprisingly on sale. *grin* I'd like to write more. I'd like to learn to paint better. Or paint at all. I'd like to learn how to parent and discipline to the best of my knowledge. I'd like to trust in God wholly, every day, every moment, without any hesitation whatsoever. I'd like to bake more bread.

I'm very excited about coming closer together as a family. Going more places together. To the park. On bike rides. (Best Christmas gift this year? James fixed my bike!) On little vacations. Places where we don't need other people or other things to entertain us...just each other. And perhaps a beach. *wink*

2009? I have great expectations. Show us wonder. Show us "change", for real. Teach us to be more raw, more true, more honest.

And? I wanna have fun, too.

Cheers! Celebrate! Kiss somebody!

I'm going to bed early. *Heaven!*

Hem...enhancement!

As many of you know, I work at a resale shop part-time. It's here in town, meaning close, but not *too* close, and it's kind of fabulous!

The coolest part is that Ize, my kid, comes with me. It's a bonus for me, because that's less time away from him, and he gets instant training in adaptation. *grin* "That's right, Ize. There's no nicely organized quiet bedroom here...go find some fuzz to play with." He responds well. Anyhow. Moving on.

The other day...I had to tell ya'll about this...we had some customers with...hem...enhancement up top. They were very aware, both of them, and very proud indeed of their...hem. Enhancement. *titter*

It seemed as if their IQ was substantially lower as a result of this surgery. Who knew that that surgery took pieces of your brain?

Anyhow, long story short, they were *SO* psyched to find like, like, like, this expensive sweater for a lot...like cheaper! Totally!

These were women in their forties. It. Was. Irritating.

I think I'm going au natural for, you know, eternity. Or until I can't hoist them with the strongest underwire. *grin*

Be well!

I love...

Dear God,

Wind.

It blows softly.

It speaks loudly.

It invigorates me.

Why do I like wind so much?

I just do.

Thanks God.

I like wind.

Keep it coming.

Make my wind chimes ring.

Thanks for my hearing aids.

Good night.

Love, Lynne

Getting bettah!

My hand is healing. It still tingles most of the time, and it is still red and purple-ish, but I think it will start peeling in the next few days. Ow.

Don't steam burn your hand. It hurts. Thanks for all of ya'll's help keeping it iced the other night though!

Much appreciation!

Lynne

Intensely busy schedule...

There is so much to do! When I am overwhelmed by "the list", I try to remember to relax and remember everything that I *don't* have to do, and how much I have to be thankful for. How's that for a badly arranged sentence.

Tonight I had barely walked in the door from work when I had to drop everything and respond to the station. Morgan totally stepped up to the plate and took care of Isaac and put him to bed and everything. It made my night so much easier.

The status on our house's foundation/plumbing problems is that we don't know anything. The adjuster (maybe?) came out and looked at the damage that we have and took a lot of little bitty tiny notes. I couldn't read them. *grin*

So...just put that on your prayer list and we'll update you soon hopefully.

Last night we had a random spontaneous dinner party, and it went fabulously! We (Melissa and I) tried 9 new recipes, and only one was a flop. Everybody and their friend came over and ate all of our food, and then we played the couch game. It was a lot of fun. The way a house should be. Filled with people. I liked it.

Quiet is good too, though.

Coming up? EMS Conference, Christmas cards, Thanksgiving, Nutcracker! December...here WE COME!!!

Love, ME

Odd morning...

All bets are off when one of your kids has a stomach virus, right? I didn't realize how much bets are off...My kid has consumed six popsicles this morning. If he can hold them down, he can have them! I'm also in the process of making orange Jello. *grin*

He can eat popsicles by himself! I'm so proud!

Now if we can only get James better too...

Much love, all!

Lynne

Update on Phoebe...

Phoebe is just fine, I'm happy to report...(Phoebe is my Volkswagen)

Sorry for the melodramatic post. It had been a crazy day.

I found this neat website today...very pointless. But still very entertaining.

http://www.googlefight.net

It's a Beta that takes two keywords and measures how many hits they get on Google. Complete with stick figure punching action. Check it out!

Love you all.

Lynne
p.s. Yay for car being fixed. Ew for oral surgery tomorrow. Double ew.

Sanity...

God will never give you more than you can handle...but he'll get close. Has this ever run through *your* head? I hope it has, because sometimes I feel like that twenty times today.

My life, compared to many others', is easy. Painfully easy.

But today...

As I sat in rising water, trying to turn my Volkswagen's steering wheel...somewhat unsuccessfully...My son *SCREAMED* "Mama!" for the first time in his life. Lightning struck right next to my car. And we were sitting in water. Trying frantically to accelerate and wrestle the car to the right to get in a blessedly higher parking lot. We succeeded. I scrambled to get Isaac out of his seat and into my arms where he sobbed for more than 10 minutes.

My son was afraid.

He's better now. Thank you God for your mercies.

Pray for my car.

Amen.

I cannot believe...

That it is October! Wowee!

I'm so behind on my fall to-do list it is scary! Soooo far, it is scary.

I'm ready to get started on my Christmas shopping!

Wish me luck!

An at home day...

Hi all!

Today has been a quiet day...I've done some sweeping, some scrubbing, some laundry, but mostly just horsed around with Isaac. He found one of my hats while I was organizing, and learned the sign for hat in about 2 seconds. Now THAT'S a good feeling. *grin*

He's really a good kid. It makes me feel like a good parent when he behaves. I'm so happy being a mom...I really am. I'm having a good time. My house doesn't always look perfect, but I'm happy, and so is he.

James is such a good dad too...we're really on the same page parenting-wise, so we remain pretty consistent. I think Isaac is happier because he knows his limits...not to say that he's always cheerful when we take something away.

I am really ready for some beautiful cool weather to get here. I'm really excited to do a whole bunch of baking, some light putting-up, etc.

I guess I should buy a ladder.

Ta-ta!

Lynne

Oy...what a trip.

God covers his children...that I can definitely say. Melissa and I evacuated with our two kids to escape the wrath that was Hurricane Ike. It was a little bit crazy. We packed my Jetta full (and we mean full), and took off. We headed first to San Antonio, then the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and then finally Baton Rouge, LA.

We had a good time, and learned to be more confident and independent. I truly think God has this trip happen for specific reasons, many of which I am not aware. We learned to trust that things would be all right, that God was in control, because we certainly weren't.

Isaac and I are back home, where power has been restored, but there is no a/c. The hurricane killed it dead dead dead. Oh well. James is working hard on getting it restored. Meanwhile, I'm trying to be patient. People dealt with this for days whilst I was gone.

I'm warm, so I'm not in a very good mood. I shall try to remedy that...with laundry!

Lynne

Living in a small town...exhausting...

Can I just say that living in a small town, along with its politics, can be exhausting? I won't go into detail...but it is always something. It just wears my brain out.

On a lighter note, Isaac has been dedicated! It was a very nice dedication, very small, and Isaac sobbed through the entire thing. Katelyn, on the other hand, was angelic. You know, because...those are their personalities.

It was really neat (what I heard of it), the thought of dedicating our child's life to Christ, so he may follow him and become a soldier of our Lord. It's exciting that we are here to watch him do that...but also frightening. What if he turns out to be totally rebellious, and not a lover of Christ? I guess those are the kind of worries that God says to give over to Him. So I will.

I will close with a few pictures of the painful event. *grin* My son is absorbing Apple Dapples as I type. That kid can eat! Now that he is past the really painful teething, he's eating everything in sight...but he has opinions now! He's learned how to shake his head "no", and he'll tell you if he doesn't care for your fabulous potato soup. lol...

More later...hopefully.

Lynne

Can't think...

My only plans for this evening are to paint my toenails. That is the ONLY thing I could think of to post to my deep thinking blog.

So there you have it.

Red or silver?

The little things...you know?

I was recently doing a quiz at one of my favorite brainless websites, Sporcle.com. Not that I have much time to devote to brainless exercises, but you never know! I was doing a quiz on the Julie Andrews song, "My Favorite Things". You can find it here.

I started thinking on it a little bit...it's really the little things in life that make it special. It's the tiny blessings that make me the happiest, and the minor differences in something that makes me thank God that I'm there to experience it.

Raindrops on roses...who ever stops to look at the raindrops on roses? They're beautiful, aren't they?



I guess it is a reminder to me to slow down more often. Enjoy the little things.

Like a cute baby in sunglasses.



Or a goofy husband.



Or a sleeping baby's shoes...



Or tummy wrinkles.



Just saying. That's all.

So sad...

I had lost my dear computer Arnold's services as of late, and he is back up and running. James fixed him, for a very affordable price, rather than paying for a whole new laptop, or getting the techno-geeks at Best Buy or Altex to do it for him. Yay James!

I'm not even going to try and keep up with all that has happened in the last month, except for a few words per activity. Try to keep up.

Hurricane, big scare, nothing happened, no big deal, big drama, no laptop, no Pioneer Woman!, no googling, sit around, babies cry, read nothing, no books, need library trip, got library trip, laptop fixed!

Isaac party, awkward conversation, now smooth, people happy, Isaac one!, Katelyn rolling, Isaac walking, Melissa SICK, Melissa better!, James working, Lynne working, Dane working, no car, errands running!

Organizing, for the better, throwing out, lots of stuff, black trash bags, don't look!, do you need this, does it make you happy? You won't miss it, goodbye! Good job! Singing choir, Gathering!, worship now, audition later, nervous, shaky voice, kid sister in room, kill her later.

Pool party, Mom gone, again with the awkward conversation, needle stick, don't ask, missed Dad the whole time, Rachel busy, as always, Rachel busy, love her lots.

So anyway. That's it! It's hot out these days.

Love, Lynne

The Wall...

*sigh*

I know that isn't an inspiring title, but it kind of sums up how I am feeling at the moment. I feel overwhelmed, overloaded, and whiny. I know you all don't want to hear the whining, but I can't think of what else to post about.

Perhaps I need prayer. And a pinch. And a reality check. *OW!* Okay. That's better.

I have a lot of fun decorating projects coming up this week. Hopefully when they are all done, there will be a noticeable difference in the house. That and mowing the lawn. It's getting ridiculous.

I am actually still sick with a cold, and my head is throbbing, so I will retire to making to-do lists and cleaning up my mess and my laundry for now.

*tired*
Lynne

How do people do it?

I saw a lady with triplets yesterday. Triplets. Like the piano teacher's patient instructions...trip-o-let, trip-o-let, three beats, Ms. Moore, three beats!

Right now my kid is sitting underneath my stool, happily covered in Chocolate Chex in his pajamas. It's 11 a.m. I know, I know. We wake up late, okay? Besides, he's teething, and he's allowed to eat whatever he wants to eat. So go away!

Oh, you came here. Right. I knew that.

I'm not super-woman, and I certainly don't have triplets. Yay. I can barely keep Isaac and I happy, clean (sometimes) and fed. Really, the last one is most important. Or being happy. Being clean makes me happy.

I'm just babbling here.

Our A/C is out again. Maybe the heat is getting to me. You think?

I is tired!

Hi everyone...I apologize for the long lapse. A bit has been going on around here. *cue dramatic music*

Our A/C went out. I know, I know. Not a big deal, right? In Texas? In Houston? In JUNE? That's code for PANIC around here.

It had to be James' day off too...it just stopped cooling. It got righteously hot in this house. The thermostat read 96 degrees at one point. Holy Schnitzel!

So. It is fixed. After two different hospitable sets of parents hosting us for two nights, a bizarre date, one or two fights, lots of undone laundry, and a 60 dollar check...it is fixed!

God is good.

I worked today. Saturday is the new Wednesday. Hadn't you heard? James and I are both busy on Saturday, rather than it be a weekendy type of day...it's different.

So yeah. I worked today. It was good...I got a lot done, but I had to stay two hours late to get everything done. I did that on purpose, because I like to reach a stopping point, and to get a lot done, but also to impress my boss, and to show her that I'm trying HARD to be a good employee. I aim to please.

But the main reason that I had to stay that long was this: A woman, probably in her mid-forties, who shall remain anonymous came into the store. Not only did she come in, but she made herself comfortable. The woman tried on ninety-two items. 92. NINETY-two. Wait for it. The best part? Every retail employee's dream? She only hung four items back on the hangers. I *know*. It took me nearly an hour and fifteen minutes to hang everything back up. And she didn't buy anything! I've dealt with her before, and we have labeled her. The D.R.D. Dressing. Room. Destroyer.

She's a force to be reckoned with.

D.R.D.: If you are reading this, turn over a new leaf! Feel pity for the 21 year old employee who is hanging up every single thing you felt the slightest urge to try on WHILE holding a 22 pound 11-month old. Not fun. Go to Target! They get paid more! Or..........hang it back up! I'll put it back on the rack...just hang it up!

She used three dressing rooms. !!! We only have four!

Okay. Rant over.

Melissa is awesome. She brought me lunch, and Dr. Pepper, and a spoon too. And chips. And then she made dinner. She rocks.

Lynne

A good perspective...

Tonight James and I have enjoyed each other's company immensely. Travis, his dad, came over and we all enjoyed a cop movie and some chinese food. Isaac was particularly charming, and went to sleep easily, without me having to nurse him in his room. *YAY!*

Now we're enjoying another movie together, having a little ice cream, and we're specifically not thinking about when he has to go back to work.

It's good.

Business!

First things first...I really want to win this...and I need your help!



I could totally have those cds. A bit.

Go to www.WOWonline.com to check it out!

Love, ME

*SNIFF*

I...(*sob, sob*) love getting words from people. I feel so looooooooooved. I was worried. Can you believe it? I wasn't sure if I had done the right thing. Now I feel better.

I'm going to go dance around a little bit. I might even have a glass of wine! HaHA!

I love you too. I promise to ALWAYS kick you in the proverbial butt when you need it. Will you do the same for me? And then come find me in the closet?

~Lynne

When life hands you lemons...

Make lemonade, right? Right.

That isn't what this post is about. At all.

My baby is teething. My world has stopped. I hold, I comfort, I wipe off yellow snot, I rub gums for hours, I feed popsicles, and goldfish, and applesauce, and yogurt, and whatever my son wants to eat to him. I rock...and rock...and rock...and rock.

Now please excuse me while I put a shirt on that is decent enough to go out in. Thank you. Oh, just one more thing. Next time you see me...please don't tell me it gets better. Thank you.

Lynne

A car thought...

My post isn't entirely relevant to the one over at Rocks In My Dryer, but I was inspired to write about a child experience. Growing up, for the longest time, my family only had one car. A Saab. It's just fun to say. Say it with me...a SAAAAAAAAAAAAB. It was a standard transmission, two-door, silver Saab. No idea what model. I learned how to shift with my mom driving...the ceiling lining hung down around us, and we managed to cram three kids in the back seat. Maybe four...can't remember. It was wonderful. :)

My dad took it to work most days, and we only got it one or two days a week to run errands, going to the grocery with bags crowded around us and in the back hatch. I think at some point we closed it with a bungee cord, because we bought extra food that week.

When we didn't have a car, we rode our bikes *everywhere*...we went to the local Eckerd, where we perused the clearance section at least twice a week. We went to the grocery, loading up the kid trailer with the latest toddler and the aforementioned groceries. We went to the library, carrying books in our backpacks.

It is amazing how times have changed, isn't it? These days, people don't want to walk or ride bikes short distances. I heard recently that a neighbor that lives about 7 or 8 houses down from the neighborhood pool drives her car to swim practice every day. That's less than a quarter mile, I think.

These are fond memories for me...the stop and go, the local Jack in the Box, the fire station, the Willie's, the Bank of America, the local hair salon...

I don't remember the last time I biked somewhere far away...maybe I should.

In the quiet...

Have you ever stepped back and realized that you just learned something about yourself as a person? About your personality? About the nitty-gritty secret stuff that no one knows...but you?

I have had one such-like experience here lately...I'm discovering that I'm not really a big people person, unless I'm really comfortable with those people. I'm non-confrontational, private, and usually pretty quiet. There are exceptions, oh yes...trust me...but on the whole...I can get peopled out pretty quickly. Then I like to hide. But we don't have to go into that right now.

Today, after a crazy weekend of lots of people, I was feeling pretty peopled out. After church (with lots of people), I knew James had plans for part of the afternoon at church. My brain had registered that he would be busy from 3-6. So at 1 pm, when he looked at me and said "See ya, babe!"...I was not happy. I was not gleeful, or cheerful, or any other kind of -ful. In fact...I was a bit miffed. Say what now, buddy? You're not going to be home all afternoon AND evening?

There's more to the story...like the part where I had agreed and even suggested that I drop him off and pick him up later, and the part where he called and invited me to dinner...but that's a different part of the story. I'm still miffed at this point.

Then I got home. My little home, with my little boy...what were our plans for the afternoon, son? Well, Mama...I don't know. Let's play!

And we did. We rolled on the ground. We nibbled things from the fridge while sitting in front of it together. We took a long nap, snuggled in each other's arms. We sat on the front lawn, and played in the grass. I read (part of) a book. We experimented with blowing water out of straws to make pretty patterns on the concrete. And I laid on my stomach in the grass, and watched my son do the same on the concrete and track an ant's progress across the warm pavement. For 20 minutes. My 10-month old stayed still for 20 minutes and watched this huge ant trek across about a foot of concrete. And I watched him do it.

I was reminded of all that the Lord has provided, and I was grateful to Him for gently restoring my peaceful soul with quiet. He told me, in a warm voice, that it was good to retreat from the world and to experience His God-given quiet.

My husband enjoyed his afternoon, and I enjoyed mine.

Thank you Jesus...for ants.

I love my dustbuster...

I LOVE my dustbuster. I really do. I use it all day long. Ask Jonathan. Or Melissa. Or Dane. Or James. Or Isaac. They all know. I *love* my dustbuster.

My dustbuster, or "Old Faithful", as he is sometimes called is used for everything from dust bunnies to the most recent batch of Froot Loops that has been tossed on the floor. *sigh* Such is the more recent frontier of motherhood. I don't scrub grass stains out yet, or lament the fact that I've allowed one of the kids to get a hamster, but by golly...I'll dustbust behind you all day long.

It works for me. Now I want two. One for at the store, and one at home. Maybe one in the car too. So that's three.

I don't have a problem. :)

My favorite words!

I have a new favorite word. This. Is. A. Great. Day. I have a new favorite word! haHA!

Pfffffffffffffffffft. (The thing is...it looks a lot cooler in print than it does when said out loud. Go on. Say it. See?)

I also am partial to: Pshaw! Toodlepip! Pipsqueak!

Do ya'll have any favorite words?

I'm a wordy. Dane has a special word for that, but I don't know it. So for now...I'm a wordy. A wordie. I'm not wordy myself...I don't think. I'm A wordy.

Shutting up.

Toodeloo!

Tire Stores are fun places!

 

YAY!

Saturday!

Today's plans include a picnic of sorts...an afternoon with James, and then a lazy evening.

Sounds nice!

Lynne

p.s. My bathroom has been torn apart. More on that later.

Random searching...

So I started to search for a picture on Google.com, and it (randomly) pulled up all of my recent searches...which include:

IKEA.com
pig-stacking
swan babies
Chocolate chex
Candy Krisp Jalepenos
how to keep a baby out of the cabinets
baby-proofing tips
thank you note etiquette
baby crocs

Ladies and Gents, I think we can safely assume that I'm a pretty random person. And that bizarre thoughts pop into my head randomly...and yes, probably more often than they pop into yours. *grin* Bethany understands. Right, Bethany? Yes.

So anyway...all that to say that I want to share the joy of Chocolate Chex with you. It's a cereal, that isn't horrible for you, but still tastes so scrum-diddly-umptious that you'll fight your kids for the last bowlful. Or handful. Whichever.

Yes! There you have it! Doesn't it look delectable? Only 130 calories a serving, and 10% of your daily calcium! Looks good to me!

(Now if they would only make it in a super-duper, only Chocolatey, none of this rice-y stuff version, my life would be complete. Until the next cereal obsession. Whatever. I'm nursing. I'm entitled.)

Have a beautiful Thursday! I'm going on a brisk walk, and then perchance to Starbucks. Right. Sugary coffee to go with my chocolate cereal. I don't have a problem.

-Lynne

A problem...

(Yes, that is my son on a produce scale...we were the celebrities of Kroger that day. Ask Chris. He was there.)

I have a problem. A baby Crocs problem.

I want them in every color. I don't want them for me...they'll make my feet look big! I don't let my feet look big. I have foot anorexia. My feet are slim. Anyway. That's off-topic.

Of course...these aren't real baby Crocs...those cost a lot. How much, you ask? I didn't know. So I did some research. The research revealed:

First of all...Don't let your children walk on escalators while wearing Crocs.

Kids Crocs are pricey! 24.99 for something they will wear for....3 months? Tops?
(but they are so darn cute!)

Don't work for Crocs.

Fake Crocs aren't illegal. At least making them isn't...

Don't invest in Crocs (CROX)...hee hee...what a good stock label!

I love them, I love them, I love them. They make baby feet even more cute, if that is possible. Just had to share. I have a hat problem too. *chuckle*

*sigh*

It's back. That's good, but also bad. I don't feel so good.

Isaac is into everything today. So far I've taken away fine china (approximately 100 years old), glass pans, several kinds of tupperware, two trash cans, candlesticks, three remotes, and a bottle of baby powder. Not all of this is readily accessible. This baby is a Houdini, except he gets into stuff...not out.

Must run. Pray for sanity.

Not for hormonal or lactating women...

Just like subway cookies...I tell you. Well, I'm not going to tell you right now...like Melissa says...that deserves another blog post altogether.

THIS made me cry. I know. Stupid.

*weep*

Lynne

My baby boy...

 
The time flies by...doesn't it?

I'm being sentimental.

A happy wife...

I had no idea how much of a homemaker I was until I got married. I love keeping house. Yes, it has its ups and downs...but I absolutely love keeping our little place clean and welcoming for friends and family...and especially for my husband.

Someone made fun of me the other day for liking my house clean. I didn't have a quick retort...of course, but I responded that my husband liked it that way and so did I...

She said that I shouldn't bow to my husband's every whim. I suppose she is right...but this is something easy that I can do...and besides...he's hard at work outside mowing the lawn and pressure-washing right now. The least I can do is fold his clothes and keep his floors clean, you know?

Love you honey. I love being your wife.

Lynne

Volunteerism...it does a body good...

I love volunteering. There's something about doing something for someone else, for *free*, that just gives me a warm fuzzy. AND I get to experience all kinds of cool things. I grew up volunteering...it was just something my family did...in all different avenues. We cleaned elderly and infirm people's houses, we wrapped presents, we helped disabled children go for rides in airplanes, we read books, we shelved books...and I continue to volunteer constantly in my adulthood.

I ran into someone today that hadn't heard that I was a member of the volunteer fire department. She said that she admired me...and she'd love to do that...but she didn't "have time"...

Honestly, I think time is just like money. It needs to be budgeted. If you have time to watch tv or that favorite movie once a week, you have time to volunteer. If you have time to brush your teeth twice a day, you have time to pray for a friend. Oprah calls it multi-tasking! *grin*

I guess I'm a little bit sad, because this society is quite selfish...and they don't know what they're missing. You don't have time to volunteer? Au contraire, my friend!!!...you don't have time not to...

And that's just my two cents. I can't wait to volunteer with my kids. I can NOT wait. Look out world! We're changing minds...one village at a time.

I guess I'm being sentimental...and inspirational...all at the same time. Time for a nap.

Cheerio!

Manly toys...

So my work is filled with toys...I work at a resale shop where mommies frequently stop in with their little darlings, or not so little darlings...and they play happily whilst Mom shops. (or not so happily, but let's not get into that.) My son, on the other hand...HA! Leapfrogs, Winnie-the-Pooh, touch and feel books, play phones, and stacking blocks be scorned. What does he go for?

Today, let's see...*sings* On the first day of wo-ork, I took away from Ize...

A power cord for the computer...
2 bungee cords
An oscillating fan
A carpet sweeper
My cell phone
My work phone
The computer
The keyboard
The mouse
The printer
A roll of duct tape
8 paper clips clipped together
A pair of scissors
The set-up for our doorbell...

ETC!

My son? I'm so proud. You head only for the manly toys.

(At least he isn't into dolls...)

My sincerest apologies...

The Czar has informed that I have been lax...and need severe punishment. I have not blogged recently. Heavens. It has been 5 DAYS! So here I am. Doing my punishment.

I WILL BLOG REGULARLY, OR SUFFER THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL BLOG REGULARLY, OR SUFFER THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL BLOG REGULARLY, OR SUFFER THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL BLOG REGULARLY, OR SUFFER THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL BLOG REGULARLY, OR SUFFER THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL BLOG REGULARLY, OR SUFFER THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL BLOG REGULARLY, OR SUFFER THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL BLOG REGULARLY, OR SUFFER THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL BLOG REGULARLY, OR SUFFER THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.
I WILL BLOG REGULARLY, OR SUFFER THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.

Moving on. Punishment completed. On to the actual blogging!

You already know that Miss Katelyn has arrived, so I will not torture you with more information and no pictures. If you want pictures of the lovely lady, head on over to Dane's blog.

New news:

I know I have a good baby...and I shouldn't brag...but I must. Today he has taken TWO 2-hour naps. He will still go to bed tonight at 6:30 p.m. Praise God for Isaac. Now if we could just get him to leave the trash can alone.

Poor kid is teething something fierce. His molars are trying to punch through, and I know they really are bothering him. He likes to be held a lot...and eat cold things. Applesauce and yogurt are very popular these days.

I'm still looking for a pediatrician or a nurse practitioner for him. I'm having a hard time, because we're not vaccinating Isaac as of right now, and most doctors aren't comfortable with that. I AM comfortable with that, and my Mommy instinct is doing just fine. The last doctor we saw threw a fit when we said we weren't vaccinating, and due to some issues, told me to stop nursing him and to switch to formula. Sorry, lady. My kid is fine the way he is. Does he *LOOK* malnourished?
(Look at those fingers...I could just eat them up. MMM!)
Um, no.

Duh.

So anyway...I've got a few calls in to some people, because I'd like to have a pediatrician to go to if anything ever came up, or I need a prescription for an infection or something.

I am doing mountainous loads of laundry today, so I must go...

Ta TA!

Lynne

I love this...

Or as Melissa would say... I *heart* this...

http://www.hasanyonetoldyou.com/

I am a blatant words of affirmation person...when it comes to love languages. I've googled "encouraging words" before when I've needed a boost. Now I have a website!

Love, Lynne

p.s. Go to my pictures online and click on "At The Park"...some serious baby cuteness going on there...

Happy Day!

God is so good, is He not? Thank you, blogging world, for stepping up to the plate...Katelyn Grace was born this morning with minimal intervention, praise God!

I have to say...I don't know what to do with this feeling. I am so protective of Melissa and Katelyn and Dane, I didn't know what to do with myself. At the hospital, I'd start to go back to their room, only to turn around, thinking perhaps they might want family time...to turn around...to finally stop in the hallway and thank God for his ultimate grace.

I did a lot of hallway time (walking Ize in the stroller, or just slowly walking the hallways, whispering my thoughts to God...)over the last 48 hours...and it always surprises me how when life hands you some sort of crisis...or crises...depending on how crazy your life is...you feel like you are in a vacuum. Life just stops outside of what is important to you. I'd come out of a fog to hear the latest update and notice that it was raining outside. Rain? Weather still fluctuates? Isn't that strange?

It's a hard place...being a best friend, but not wanting to step on *anyone's* toes. On the one hand, I want to see Melissa...baaaaaadly. On the other hand...this is family time. I have a hard time breaking rules or being hugely decisive when it comes to things like this. I hope I did all right. James is so much better at that than me. Speaking of James...he's at the hospital right now, holding baby Katelyn. I'm only a tad jealous. A TAD. Ok. We did do the nose...and the hat. But she is a witch. Sorry. Back on topic. It was actually okay, because I came home to put Isaac down for a nap, which he needed...and I grabbed a shower and passed out. We both slept for 2.5 hours! It was most excellent...then we woke up, had some dinner, and we're heading to bed now!

May the Lord bless you and keep you...

Lynne

Tomorrow is the day!

Hi all! I have an *urgent urgent urgent* prayer request. My friend, Melissa Money, needs to have her baby tomorrow. I don't want to explain...I want you to stop reading and pray that this baby wants to say APRIL FOOLS! to everyone by showing up 10 days late...but before Wednesday.

Can't you just see a baby doing that? Chuckling and laughing their way out of the cozy womb into the world and crinkling their nose and laughing? You people though you were going to have to use Pitocin to get me out? Please. I'm HERE! Katelyn? That would be awesome.

Sit down, focus, and pray. Please.

Melissa has been so patient and wonderful, and the one thing that she and Dane have wanted this whole pregnancy was a natural birth. They can do it. They are strong. Melissa is strong. But Katelyn has not arrived yet, and her doctor is ready to do an induction on Wednesday morning. They are worried that with an induction the risks for all sorts of nasty things skyrocket...and they don't want any of those nasty things. I will not go into detail...but we don't want them. Nobody wants them.

Can you join me in lifting up this incredible family? They've done everything right, and now they need a little grace and mercy...

"Heavenly Father, I lift Melissa and Dane and their baby Katelyn up to you now. I know that your plan is perfect, and that Katelyn will arrive when You are ready for her to, but God...doctors don't let women go overdue very long these days, and they are ready to induce Melissa with medication. You know this, of course...and God, I just ask that you would make a huge influence on these doctors and nurses and medical staff by bringing Katelyn before *they* decide to bring her into this world.

Lord, I know you know how pregnant bodies are tired. They are heavy...but a reminder of the baby to come. Melissa has endured so well, but God, I know that she is weary, and is ready to deliver a healthy baby into this world. You've given her the chance...and we're ready to support her through it. We're ready, God.

God, Melissa has been a gleaming example of a woman who immerses herself in Your love and grace, and God, I would ask...I AM asking...show us a miracle...and bring them a baby soon. In Your holy and gracious name...Amen. AMEN!

I'll be sure to post when she arrives.

A good grocery trip...

Don't you just love it when things are just so-so, and you might be having a good day, but you aren't sure, but then something totally awesome just flies in and makes your day? That is precisely what happened to me.

I went grocery shopping today. Without a list. I know, I know...a bad idea. It was a last minute trip and I had a pretty good idea of what I needed. I found wonderful sales...that's the best part! There's something about getting a really GOOD DEAL and saving a whole bunch of money that just makes me grin. I found good hamburger on sale, and ice cream for James too. I love buying something that I know he will love. Something that will make him peer into the depths of our fridge and say: "Ooh. I didn't know we had that." James loves dessert. Ridiculously so. Sometimes the man can eat cookie dough, a bowl of ice cream, and polish off a dozen cookies or so to round out his dessert experience. Maybe with a Dr. Pepper...on the side. *grin* He's great fun to be around when dessert rolls around. Or we roll around to dessert, if ya' know what I mean. :)

I called my mom and Melissa to share the good tidings. Perhaps Wednesday is the magic day to shop at Kroger. I ended up accidentally interrupting Melissa, but she wasn't bothered, so that's okay. Speaking of Melissa...she's still pregnant, for those of you wondering. I don't know who's wondering. Nobody is commenting. But that's okay.

What is the deal with the guy that bags your groceries thinking that a Kroger sticker is your 8 month old's heart's desire? Poor Ize got a little freaked out. You could see him thinking: "Dude. I don't want that. Don't stick that on my shirt. This is my dinosaur shirt, I don't want your icky sticker messing it up." The sacker was not to be deterred. He dodged those little 8 month old hands warding him off to stick a sticker on his shirt. Isaac commenced loud wails. Mama Bear waded in and said aggressively: "He clearly didn't want the sticker, you paper or plastic sacking moron! Do you get a commission PER STICKER? Leave my kid alone!!!" Not. Mama Bear said something to the effect of: "It's okay, sweetie...Mommy will take the sticker away." And she did. But then Mommy had the sticker, and whatever Mommy has is cool...so Isaac wanted the sticker back. So I gave it to him. *siiiiiigh* The drama of Kroger mixing with motherhood. *smile*

It's a good day.

Why is that?

I have a really hard time going to bed early if I know James will be coming to bed later. For some reason I think he would want me to be awake, so he could tell me his stories, etc. I'm tired. I want to go to bed. But he isn't here! But he would want me to go to bed.

Why do I do that? Do you do that?

Isaac is asleep. My shoes are off...I know what I'm wearing tomorrow...I should get a glass of water and go to bed.

I guess I will. Or I'll read in bed until he comes home and regales me with tales of his day.

Miss ya' honey. Come home soon. I love you.

Lynne

Living in Jersey Village...

It is so funny living in Jersey Village. Very small town, we are. Lol...sometimes my life revolves around trash pick-up. Is that sad, or encouraging? Anyhow.

That's what is left on my list for the evening. Take the trash out, kiss my husband goodnight, and crash early. It was a wonderful, but a bit long, day...

Good night all!

Lynne

Changes!

I've dyed my hair a brilliant red. Not natural red...oh my gosh!, your hair is RED, red. I like it. I needed to do something a little wild. Since moving to Seattle and becoming a pen and ink artist wasn't going to happen, I needed to do something. Something temporary, something cheap...something red!

My grandfather always said you couldn't be a Navy Seal if you had a tattoo...so that's out. I like to keep my options open. So I don't tattoo...I dye.

Ya'll should have seen Ize's face when I had a plastic bag on my head...or now that my hair is not a color created in nature except when something is on fire...it is a little bit priceless. (Sorry for the excessive run on sentence there...I apologize.)

In other news, my cousin and his wife are expecting! Theresa and Kevin, congratulations! They're expecting sometime in November, they think. She hasn't been to the doctor yet.

Melissa is still expecting, but we expect that the one they are expecting shall be arriving soon, and then she will be here! Ha HA! I hope to head over to see her tomorrow...maybe take her lunch...have a good gabfest.

I am SO glad that God made me and my family and friends the exact way that they are...tonight at the Business meeting at the fire department, a woman very proudly told me and my mom that she now had "real" furniture. Granted, she went to Gallery, and underneath the veneer it is made out of particle-board, but she loves it because it is "real" and she has 2500.00 on her credit card to pay off. For what? Matching schmancy furniture. I told her to go to IKEA. She said it wasn't nice. I said resale shop...she laughed. I was thinking...you just spent 2500.00 on a BEDROOM SET! You know what I could do with 2500 dollars? Geesh. I wouldn't buy a bedroom set...that's for sure.

Moving on. Ize has a big boy car seat! He sits up and watches me drive now! I can see him anytime I want...it is so nice. I'm not sure how he'll fall asleep, but so far it is working quite nicely. Now I need ("need") to get an umbrella stroller. We'll be streamlined in no time!

Have a beautiful week, everyone! I'm doing some spring cleaning...(now that a cool front has moved in...*snort*) and it is a great feeling! More room for springtime air to fill in my closets! We're cleaning out! Speaking of which, I need to head over to my email to freecycle some of this stuff.

Love to all! Call me if you want to have lunch! (I'll post pictures of the hair soon...)

So supported.

It's late in the Singleton household. Last night I covered for a fellow EMT on the ambulance here in Jersey Village, and we ran two calls back-to-back, resulting in some fabulous quality time with both of my parents, but not much sleep gained...

The result? I'm really tired. Babies don't understand "Mommy just needs a quick nap...". They truck right along, zooming here and scooting there, getting into everything. Every mom will agree with me when I say you cannot, I repeat, cannot rest when there is a baby crawling around *somewhere*. The other day I jumped in the shower, and emerged clean and sparkly to find my son happily ensconced underneath the toilet. Ew. I'm going to have to scrub that more than once a week. I guess soon I'll have to confine him to the Pack N' Play while I shower. Oh well. What was I talking about? Oh yeah. I'm tired. But happy....................

My husband provides for our family, day in, day out, week in, week out...and while it might be stressful occasionally for me, due to stretched finances, or awkward scheduling, or more likely, last minute scheduling, I am FREE to watch Isaac scoot around under the aforementioned toilet, or blog late at night to my heart's content.

James is snoozing at the moment, which is fair, I promise...he is heading to work from 11-4 tonight to earn a little extra money for our family. He's a good man. And he rakes leaves. What more could a woman want? I'm pretty lucky.

Thank you God, for reminding me to count my blessings.

************************************************************************************

Katelyn will be here soon! If you want to know how Melissa is doing, head on over to her blog, and leave her a supportive comment! There's nothing like being 40 weeks pregnant. God, in his ultimate wisdom, prepared us for the randomness and scattered tasks that parenthood requires by making labor a spontaneous, unscheduled event. It is a blessed event, and a wonderful experience, but not knowing when it is going to happen can be a trial. She's doing great.

Easter is coming soon too! I'm very excited. I'm thinking about trying to find a dress to wear (which is a rare thing for a nursing mom) to kind of surprise James. I'm still trying to find the type of style he loves to see me in. Oops. End a sentence with a preposition, a sticky spot you'll find yourself in. Oops.

Have a beautiful evening. I hope it rivals mine. God has reminded me tonight how very lucky I am, and to give thanks.

Back to normal?

Things are feeling slightly more back to normal, now that my trip is officially over, and I am completely unpacked, and the party is over as well. James isn't feeling too well, so that's hindering things a little.

On the "shedd-yule" this week?

• Make curtains
• Do computer work
• Wait for Katelyn!
• Go to work
  

More later, good people! I'm off to read for a bit while Ize is napping.

I'm back!

My apologies, dear friends, for not posting sooner. I was so far out of town, that I wasn't even thinking of posting on my blog. *grin* I just got back from a 10 day trip through Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of West Texas. I had so much fun!

There is no way I could chronicle the whole thing without some organization, so I will do my best to impart the random knowledge that I picked up while traveling.

#1 - Babies do not enjoy scenery. You must entertain them after an hour or so, even though you are gasping at the gorgeous mountains surrounding you. You will make faces, you will waggle your ears, you will make the strangest noises. Yes, you will even listen to irritating little "Leap" sing the alphabet song 20 million times in a row. You might, I say might because I did, you might...feed them little bits of chocolate to hold them over for that last 20 minutes until you reach El Paso, or wherever. *grin*

#2 - Hampton Inns are lovely places, but they do not eat real food for breakfast. They eat rubber eggs and sugary danishes. There is no sausage, no bread, just refined sugar. They have an excellent assortment of juices though. Cranberry Apple...yessssssss...

#3 - Traction is very important when driving in snow. My Jetta gets excellent traction on about 1-2 inches of snow on the road, but when it comes to the foot and a half in my aunt and uncle's driveway, it was a no go. It parked on the road the whole time I was there. The WHOLE time.

#4 - Dogs like babies. All dogs. (Yes...Emily...all boats...) Sorry. Private joke. Casey and Taffy (was that her name?) loved Isaac. They thought that he was their baby. When I went to hold him they both got very upset. Casey really enjoyed licking Isaac right in the mouth. Ugh. :)

#5 - It is wonderful to be able to switch off drivers. We drove approximately 3, 124 miles in 10 days. I stayed in Angel Fire, NM for a few days, and my in-laws stayed in Farmington, NM for a few days. So that doesn't include tootling around various canyons, valleys, or getting lost for 2.5 hours. Switching off is wonderful. Alex saved my life, and my tushy. It was nice to be able to switch seats, sit in the back, laugh with Isaac, or snooze a bit.

#6 - Don't forget your charger. I forgot my plug-in charger, and I was without a phone for a little while in the blowy snow of Angel Fire...and I wasn't able to talk to James for a little bit. AHH!

There is more to come, I need to take the slinky out of Isaac's mouth.

For pictures, there are too many to show here, but visit here.

I'm so glad to be home!

Lynne

Baton Rouge!

French for "red stick", Baton Rouge is a wildly diverse, alternative, but somehow cozy college town. Melissa and I headed up there to see a documentary on birth in a community center that also hosts meetings for Quakers, has daily yoga sessions, and is spiritually diverse. *grin* I forgot to wear my birkenstocks, but there were really nice people. The film was very eye-opening, and I do recommend that you see it. Perhaps not with small children.

We also went shopping! Poor Ize...we subjected him to quite a lot. Needless to say, it was a LOT of fun.

This kind of explains the community center we were at.

Isaac decided he didn't need socks anymore when we were shopping at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop.

More to come...I promise!

Baton Rouge Numbah Two!

I found this picture while shopping at The Royal Standard...and I really like it. I love the boldness of the red, and that grass usually isn't that color. I want that to be in my house. *grin*

This is Melissa, looking fabulous, and Isaac...smiling...and some guy in the background at McDonald's on the way up there...Gosh, doesn't Melissa look great? She is the most chic, tolerant, stylish pregnant woman I know...(and I include myself in my own time of waiting in that group) She was so easy to be with. Yay Melissa!

Next up? Trip to Arizona and New Mexico! And yes, Dad...I know you think I'm out of my mind. I'm not. Love you.

Soon it will be March! Can you believe it?

My sweet husband...

James sent me this card today...and while it doesn't apply to me as much, the fact that he thought about me at work? How sweet! It is too funny too...

Scroll down and click on the Friday card...

It's Friday...I don't care!

Getting ready for two trips!

My car is small...no...it is microscopic. I love it. Other people, not so much. It fits in any parking space you dare it to, with speed and agility akin to that of a...a...small VW. HA! If you don't fit in the front seat, don't ride with me! I prefer being alone sometimes anyhow! (Sorry...there's history there.)

Isaac and I got it ready for it's upcoming trips today. We gave it a bath (so much fun! All wet, Mom!), vacuumed the inside, moved his car seat base and installed the 2nd mirror...now I can see everything Ize is doing in the back seat while I'm driving. A plus when I'm going to be traveling long distances.

Here's what it looks now, with a few baby pics. Who can resist a baby AND a VW?



Soon we're off!

I found this at Lowe's...

I kind of want one. This is so affordable...and black. What a shock.


Only 48.00 for a huge mirror! I'm thinking right next to my armoire...so I can check my outfit. Hopefully Isaac won't tip it over. *grin*

On another note, Happy Valentine's Day! James and I traditionally write each other letters every year. It's such a neat tradition, and I get to hear all kinds of beautiful words from him. I love you honey!

Have a blessed day!

This weekend is going to be so much fun!

Melissa and I are running away. Forever. No, just kidding. Just for a day or two. Dane wouldn't forgive me if I didn't bring his girls back. *grin*

We're heading to Baton Rouge to see this movie: The Business of Being Born. It's a documentary on the "birth industry". We're so excited to see it!

So we're heading out of town Sunday and driving back leisurely on Monday. Perhaps we'll go to the outlet mall and look for baby stuff. *grin* See you soon, Liss!

Thrift Store Goodness...

I know I use that durned ellipsis too often. Apologies... *grin*

Here's what I found today at Goodwill!


These nifty yellow shelves are probably from the 70's...but they're very sturdy and colorful...5 dollars for great storage for Isaac's room! I'm so excited! They come apart too...a useful feature.



I bought this sweet rocking horse for Katelyn's room. Her mommy doesn't know it yet. If she doesn't like it, it didn't cost very much, so she can donate it. It just said "little girl" to me. *sigh* I'm terrible.

I love getting a good bargain, and finding one-of-a-kind things!

The weekend in pictures!

Well, what a wonderful weekend! James and I kicked it off with some good old quality time with Dane and Melissa at the Met Love and Laughter Valentine's Banquet. We ate good food, we all talked a bit, and were generally romantic...lol! We listened to a funny comedian, Carlos Oscar, and enjoyed it...but I think the best part for me was that somebody else cooked dinner and I got to dance with my husband! There is nothing more romantic to me than a good dance, whether it be waltzing, swing dancing, or a nice slow dance...and James delivered!




Saturday we did: Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. I wish we could do this every day for a week...it would be such a vacation! We watched movies...we talked...we ate dessert for breakfast. We got dresses late late late in the day. It was so nice. (I have no pictures because we did...nothing!)

Sunday was church, and a baby shower, and staying up late talking with friends...something we haven't done in a long time. It was really nice. (This is James carrying Isaac to the car after church...he is up so high!)

Here are some pictures from the uber-fluffy pink and red Valentine's shower for Melissa and baby Katelyn. We're excited for her to come, Liss! Only 40 days until she is due!

(Isaac enjoyed the balloons most of all, I think. See? He wore his red outfit. There aren't any pictures of me, because...alas...I did not manage to wear pink. I wore red. I am ashamed. I couldn't manage to leave the house in pink. Maybe I should give up that life goal...is black really so bad? More on that later.)

What's on the schedule for everyone this week?

p.s. They wore vests. Melissa can tell the vest saga much better than I. For the full vest story see Melissa's blog...