Wednesday, November 30, 2011

after the doctors appointment

I promise not to do a weekly blog about having a miscarriage, but in case someone wants to know...Here ya go.

My appointment Tuesday went like this:

Blood pressure and weight. 2 weeks ago my BP was 140/92 today it was 118/78. I weighted 122.4 2 weeks ago, today I weighed 125.3...so I am an emotional eater....that's okay.

At our Dr.'s office you have to fill out this pink sheet everytime you go. It ask questions like allergies, medical conditions, # of pregnancies, # to term, # premature, # of miscarriages. It took all I had to fill this out and not cry. My goal today was to hold it together.

Next I had another ultrasound (yes, the embarrassing kind) All was going "on course" except my lining was still a little thick.

The doctor saw me next, and hugged me and really wanted to have a moment. But when I get upset I shut emotions off...so we just got down to business and she helped the lining begin to breakdown more. (if you want details, email me...)

Then she wrote me a prescription for pain meds and antibiotics. And gave the directions to "not try to get pregnant until 2 full cycles"

She told me to take it easy, and come back in January.

So that was the extent of my visit. Not to painful. And I only broke down once I was back in the safety of my own car and listening to KLove. When Natalie Grant came on....
"All the weak find their strength at the sound of Your Great Name".

Yes, yes we do.


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The adventures of Fluffy Ice!

For years I have wanted an Elf on the Shelf. But I was torn. I really want the girls to behave and do the right thing because thats what Jesus would want, not because of an elf who would tattle to Santa.

So, after my weekend of disappointments, I decided we needed some Christmas Magic in our house. So off to the "Elf Store" I went.

 I opened our little Elf and began what I hope is years of fun and tradition in our house. The girls woke up to a Northpole breakfast! And the initial meeting of our elf. The girls decided to name him "Fluffy Ice".

He is here for the weeks leading up to Christmas to spread Christmas Cheer. He does silly things, and brings little gifts and only goes home at night to sleep.

We went to visit Santa on Sunday to give him our Christmas List. When we returned Fluffy Ice had moved to his "perch" for the day!
Can you see him? We went to sleep that night and woke up to him in the morning, having a snowball fight with the snowmen!

He is a very silly elf! I look forward to seeing what all he gets into this year! Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? What's its name? How long has he/she been in your family?

Monday, November 28, 2011

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

The past few weeks have been a huge whirlwind of emotions. If you follow me on Twitter you know I have been back and forth to the doctor with good news/bad news.

Well, it started out like this.




To say we were super excited is a huge understatement. We did not believe we were going to be able to have biological children again after the bad pregnancies/deliveries of Madyson and Aubrie Kate.
3 years of no sign of conception, then a huge surprise.

We went to the doctor and had an ultrasound and saw a precious 5week3 day baby sac. I did blood work, and all was wonderful! I had to go back in 48 hours for more test.

48 hours later, more blood work was done and this time, the news wasn't as happy. The numbers went up, but didn't double. I don't know what all that means but I knew it wasn't good.

I began to loose it and called on all my Christian women friends to pray for me. My heart rate wouldn't settle and I was having a very hard time. My precious doctor wanted me to come back the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. I prayed and prayed. She had told me if there wasn't a heartbeat we would do a DNC. I can not begin to discuss with you my thoughts on medical intervention on life and death. My emotions are to raw right now. But after much prayer, I called and asked if I could have an extra week.

Throughout the time frame, I prayed to the Lord that if this wasn't going to develop into a healthy pregnancy for Him to have it end naturally.

The days went on and my pregnancy symptoms grew. Morning sickness, cravings, tiredness.....all I thought were great signs. Until yesterday.

Yesterday, I started to miscarry. A word that I can not stand to say. I spent the majority of the day asleep on the couch, to keep myself from loosing it. Then last night as I was watching Christmas Movies, the pampers commercial with babies and silent night came on and that was it.

I sprawled out in the bathroom and just lost it. I am not angry, and I have no right to ask why. I praise God for answering my prayer of it happening naturally. I long for a baby, and I know he has his plans for our precious #3. But right now, my emotions are crazy, probably do to the amount of hormones in my system....tomorrow I go to the doctor to confirm that "nature took its course".

To my sweet prayer warriors that have prayed for us through this, thank you so much. You have no clue how much they helped. My nerves were calm for a whole week and I know its from the comfort I felt through prayer.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

holidays

I have been reading a lot of articles and forums lately about the retail world and the debate of "Happy Holidays" vs "Merry Christmas"

As a person with a Marketing background, I see "Happy Holidays" to include all holidays from Thanksgiving-New Years. The time when consumers spend 46 billion dollars on goods.

Weather they are buying new table decorations for Thanksgiving, Emptying their accounts on $3 scarves on Black Friday, Purchasing tiny gifts for Hanukkah, Decking the Halls for Christmas, Food for Kwanzaa, party supplies for New Years....all Holidays all part of the "holiday season".

But there are forums and list circulating the web that contain list of stores that use the word "Christmas",  Companies that use the word "Christmas" infrequently and Companies against Christmas

The comments on these sights really open up my eyes. First you have the angry people that comment on everything and usually are on the "Don't say Merry Christmas to me List". Then you have the people who "Will take their money to the stores that promote Christmas, because Jesus is the Reason for the Season."...Then you have people that love their Lord enough to know that they "could not buy one thing from any retailer and still know they have the ultimate gift."

and yes the "quotes" are actual comments off one of the forums

Tonight, I sit and watch the interfaith service in Newtown, CT. Where every religion in the area is represented. Where Methodist-Jewish-Catholic-Pentecostal-and a whole bunch of others came together to pray to for their community, their state, our country....They came together as one family-in peace-for a country that is mourning the loss of over 25 precious lives. 

As I observe this service, I can't help but think about the debate over Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays. We are a country that is blessed with freedom of religion-yet we allow ourselves to become childish over store slogans and holiday greetings. 


  
  

Friday, November 18, 2011

Pin of the Week!

Gobble Gobble!!!! I am so excited that Thanksgiving is less than a week away!!!



Do you cook thanksgiving dinner? I do! I love a big feast! This year ill try to remember to take pictures! I am usually too busy eating.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Traveling with kids!

So i am busy preparing for our LONGGGGG Christmas Vacation and one of the biggest ideas pressing on my brain is the girls "travel bags"

We have traveled ALOT with the girls and I know the greatest thing is their Travel Bags.

What is a travel bag?

Well its starts with a cute backpack (or tote if its a car trip)
GO-GO BAG - OWL


Then it has stuff like their vreader and leapster and snacks


But i love to put new little gifts in there. so far all I have purchased is new mini American girls for trip.


So do you have any ideas of a few more little gifts i could do?







On Sale




Monday, November 14, 2011

A day at the Market...

Saturday Morning my mom and I had a girls morning, just the two of us. Todd was off work for the first time in a month and he offered to keep the girls so Mom and I could go and shop!

Our little town has a precious Market with lots of cute vendors. This year I stocked up on some UBER cute and amazing products. I have decided to link to the vendors facebook pages so you can go and see all the other fabulous products they have!

My first purchase of the day was from J&A Designs. Jonathan and Anna are fellow Clintonians...Anna and I were in the same "Social Tribe" in college and they recently purchased my grandmother's home, where I spent the first 11 years of my life! So to say our roots run deep is an understatement.  If you are on Pintrest you have seen their work. Amazing frames and the most popular stocking holders out there! I purchased 5 frames of theirs and I am looking forward to ordering 3 more!

My second purchase of the day was Lavender Oatmeal Goat Milk Soap from Bright Arrows Farm.  I am always in the market for some soap for madyson. After talking with the 4 girls that help run this farm. We decided on Lavender Oatmeal for Madyson's eczema. I have bathed her with it 2x and I can already see a difference. But the biggest difference is MY skin! I have had these annoying under the skin blackheads since i was 15. I have tried everything and nothing works....I am not lying (nor was I paid to say this) that in 2 days my face is almost cleared up...and my skin is amazingly smooth.

My 3rd and final purchase was from Bailey's Bowdacious Bows. Super cute and way affordable bows! Madyson and Aubrie Kate love the Princess bows! (Great stocking stuffers!)

Friday, November 11, 2011

Friday Pin of the Week:


Keeping with the Thanksgiving Theme....I believe we will be doing this in our Sunday School class this month.




But we will do the "cheaper" version. Toilet paper rolls, construction paper, paper plates

 So I ask...What is on your feathers this year?

......I am thankful for.....

Thursday, November 10, 2011

its a week~

This has been an overload week to say the least...Monday was a banner day in our house. I will explain more on that later this month..

Tuesday was a good/bad day! It was Todd's birthday! He had me drop our 2 puppies off at the vet to get neutered. Remember these "puppies" are a good 70lbs each. As we (Aubrie Kate and I) were driving to the vet (5 miles from our house) Bandit (the least favorite of the two) decided that he was going to "go potty" all over the back seat of my van. Roger (the smart, well behaved one) was sitting up front with me. Within 30 seconds of Bandit's episode, Aubrie Kate, myself and Roger all had our heads out the window and 2 of us were puking our guts up. We pulled over (across from the vet) and Aubrie, Roger and I bailed. I took Roger in and then asked one of the vet techs to go get Sir Poops Alot out of the vehicle. Then I called Todd...the van was not drivable until the "present" was gone. He switched cars with me and Aubrie and I headed on our way to school.

That night we went and had Hibachi with our friends Chris and Darla. A MUCH better end to the day.

Wednesday, I was in a funk and not really feeling well. The weather changing, the holiday TO-DOs.....all just are taking toll on me. So my mom stepped in and made some potato soup for us. Then I vegged out and watched the CMA's.



Which Brings us to today....Thursday. I have been busy at work today and decided to take a 15 minute break to try to catch yall up! Tonight and Tomorrow I will be working to help Darla get ready for Rachel's first birthday!

Saturday we have our holiday market here in town! I am so excited about going and picking up some Christmas presents, Then it is Rachel's party...Then Saturday night we are packing our Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.

Such a fun weekend! Is anyone else in crazy holiday mode?


Friday, November 4, 2011

Friday Pin of The Week!

Its November! My favorite month of the year! Todd's Birthday, Operation Christmas Child Packing, THANKSGIVING and Black Friday!

So the Pin of the Week each Friday will be November inspired.






Are these not the most adorable thing?!?! I plan on making some for the girl's classes!

Follow Me on Pintrest!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Hair Update and Christmas Plans~!

Well...I still have boring hair. My plan was to get it professionally done. But when I saw the price tag, I decided we needed groceries more. So I went to my local hair place and found 2 shades I like. They are now waiting to be applied to my hair! I just gotta get some courage!

I thought I would share our plans we have for Christmas this year! Todd's family use to spend the Christmas season in Northern California with his Aunt and they would go snow skiing. But when we got married we had babies back to back, then Todd's mom was really sick. So for the first time in 6 years we are going back to California!!!


I have NEVER been snow skiing! SO I am super pumped! This will also be Aubrie Kate's first plane ride and mine and Todd's first time to fly together! (He has been busy working while I have been plane hopping to the west coast!)


This is such an exciting trip for our family (with Todd's parents) and I am just praising God that Todd's mom is well enough to take this trip!! CANCER FREE FINALLY!!!

We will be gone for about 16 days (including travel days) So I am busy getting our packing list done, purchasing Christmas gifts to ship to California.....making sure we all have warm ski clothes and all that JAZZ!

Any suggestions on stuff I need? Todd has done this before so he has been helping me buy but I need some inexpensive boots for me and the girls....goggles, hats, and gloves....I have purchased all the snow outfits from ebay and zulily.



**PS I haven't forgotten to show you the pantry....I am just to lazy to upload the pictures!**