I want to post a special THANK YOU to Stacie for the wonderful candle and cleaners I received the other day. Sorry I havn't posted in a while, but have been extremely busy with the kids last couple of weeks of school. We have one more week, and summer is here. YEAH!
Stacie, I love the candle, it burns great and smells great. The cleaners are great too. Love the smell...
Hopefully I will be able to post something on Monday, for now, hope everyone has a great weekend.
Please check out Stacie's website HERE!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
FEAR!
Last night we were having meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner. Doesn't seem to harmless, unless you are a 6 year old boy with a loose tooth. Erik was eating and suddenly ran from the table crying, he had bitten down and loosened his tooth even more, problem is he is terrified of having his teeth pulled. He is hardly afraid of anything, and this seems so miniscule to me, but to him it is HUGE! So began the battle of trying to convince him that it was o.k. to pull his tooth. 
Nope, nothing doing, that tooth was not to be removed. So today has come and the tooth is still there. I guess he will eventually get it out on his own has he does most of the others, but there is just something about a floppy tooth in their mouths that get to me.
So last night after everyone was in bed, I began to think about the blessing this little boy has been to us. He was born on June 29, 2001, and he was 7'0. I remember sitting in the hospital holding him that day, and he began to spit up and choke. I immediatly called in the nurses and they told me it was normal. He was my third one and it wasn't something that they had done before so I didn't think it was normal, but I figured they knew what they were talking about. We took him home and when he was 10 days old, we were getting ready for bed, and for some reason it was a feeling I could never describe to anyone but I was just paranoid to leave him alone, I couldn't leave him unless DH was sitting with him, and when I came back and was getting ready for bed, he was sound asleep in front of me, when his eyes flew open and he began to fight for breath. A fear came over me at that moment that I have never experienced in my life. I picked him up thinking it would help him to breathe, but it didn't. I began to try different things with him, but nothing was working. Now I have been trained in CPR, and all those things, but couldn't remember anything of what to do. Here was my baby, fighting for his life, and I couldn't think of what to do. I gave him some breaths and he began to breathe again, but was choking so badly that he couldn't really get his breath. I began to suction his throat and it helped a little. Here was the one time when I should have called 911, but it completley slipped my mind, I called the doctors office and they sent us to ER. When we got there, they began working on him, doing all kinds of tests and put him on oxygen as his oxygen levels were so low. His hads were so tiny that they had to use a flashlight to find his veins. (He was still under his birthweight). I was so afraid at this point, I felt that my baby was going to be gone, a fear I never want to have again. I didn't want to have anyone else hold him for fear that he would slip away from me
He was hooked up to all kinds of moniters and admitted into ICU. They asked questions and some of them were so scary. This was about the time when there was a surge in mothers abusing and killing their babies, and so they were immediatly cautious. They were considering brain scans and all, but ruled it out. He was in ICU for 4 days and they still didn't have any conclusive results to any of the tests that they ran, so they put him into a regular room and released him the next day.
He got to go home but with a monitor so if he stopped breathing it would alert us. By 2 days later he had had another spell. It wasn't as bad as the first, but it scared me. I couldn't just keep not knowing what was causing these spells, so I called his pediatrician, and he seen him immediatly that day. After asking a few questions, he said he couldn't actually diagnose him, but he believed he had GI Reflux. So he sent him to a specialist the next day. He was again admitted to the hospital for a test. This time they inserted tubes through his nose and into his stomach. For 24 hrs, I had to monitor everthing he did. If he coughed, cried, spit up, ate, everything. After 24 hrs he was released to go home and we were just awaiting the results of the tests. The results came back positive and he was put on a special diet, which completely fixed the problem. The final diagnosis was that he had spit up and when he took a breath it had gone into his lungs cuasing him to aspirate. They said he would have been considered SIDS, as we would never have heard him. He was so silent in all his fighting that if I hadn't been looking at him, I never would have known.
I thank God every day for the blessings I have, and when I think about how close we were to losing one of the kids, I still want to cry. He is so special. He is the one to come to me and thank s me for being his mommy, he tells me that I am the best cook, mommy, etc. in the whole world. He still comes and crawls up on my lap for snuggles, and is such a sensitive person. He wants to do the right thing so badly and when he doesn't he gets very repentant. When I imagine our family without him, it makes me hug him more and appreciate more the days I have with the kids. Each one brings something special and different into our family, and they are very much loved.
Sorry for the long post, but just had to share with everyone the miracle this little boy is that he is still here with us today. The doctors said that if we had not been with him we would never have heard him, and he would not have made it. I really believe that God gave me that feeling I had that night, and if I hadn't listened to it, he would not be with us today, and my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Nope, nothing doing, that tooth was not to be removed. So today has come and the tooth is still there. I guess he will eventually get it out on his own has he does most of the others, but there is just something about a floppy tooth in their mouths that get to me.So last night after everyone was in bed, I began to think about the blessing this little boy has been to us. He was born on June 29, 2001, and he was 7'0. I remember sitting in the hospital holding him that day, and he began to spit up and choke. I immediatly called in the nurses and they told me it was normal. He was my third one and it wasn't something that they had done before so I didn't think it was normal, but I figured they knew what they were talking about. We took him home and when he was 10 days old, we were getting ready for bed, and for some reason it was a feeling I could never describe to anyone but I was just paranoid to leave him alone, I couldn't leave him unless DH was sitting with him, and when I came back and was getting ready for bed, he was sound asleep in front of me, when his eyes flew open and he began to fight for breath. A fear came over me at that moment that I have never experienced in my life. I picked him up thinking it would help him to breathe, but it didn't. I began to try different things with him, but nothing was working. Now I have been trained in CPR, and all those things, but couldn't remember anything of what to do. Here was my baby, fighting for his life, and I couldn't think of what to do. I gave him some breaths and he began to breathe again, but was choking so badly that he couldn't really get his breath. I began to suction his throat and it helped a little. Here was the one time when I should have called 911, but it completley slipped my mind, I called the doctors office and they sent us to ER. When we got there, they began working on him, doing all kinds of tests and put him on oxygen as his oxygen levels were so low. His hads were so tiny that they had to use a flashlight to find his veins. (He was still under his birthweight). I was so afraid at this point, I felt that my baby was going to be gone, a fear I never want to have again. I didn't want to have anyone else hold him for fear that he would slip away from me
He was hooked up to all kinds of moniters and admitted into ICU. They asked questions and some of them were so scary. This was about the time when there was a surge in mothers abusing and killing their babies, and so they were immediatly cautious. They were considering brain scans and all, but ruled it out. He was in ICU for 4 days and they still didn't have any conclusive results to any of the tests that they ran, so they put him into a regular room and released him the next day.
He got to go home but with a monitor so if he stopped breathing it would alert us. By 2 days later he had had another spell. It wasn't as bad as the first, but it scared me. I couldn't just keep not knowing what was causing these spells, so I called his pediatrician, and he seen him immediatly that day. After asking a few questions, he said he couldn't actually diagnose him, but he believed he had GI Reflux. So he sent him to a specialist the next day. He was again admitted to the hospital for a test. This time they inserted tubes through his nose and into his stomach. For 24 hrs, I had to monitor everthing he did. If he coughed, cried, spit up, ate, everything. After 24 hrs he was released to go home and we were just awaiting the results of the tests. The results came back positive and he was put on a special diet, which completely fixed the problem. The final diagnosis was that he had spit up and when he took a breath it had gone into his lungs cuasing him to aspirate. They said he would have been considered SIDS, as we would never have heard him. He was so silent in all his fighting that if I hadn't been looking at him, I never would have known.
I thank God every day for the blessings I have, and when I think about how close we were to losing one of the kids, I still want to cry. He is so special. He is the one to come to me and thank s me for being his mommy, he tells me that I am the best cook, mommy, etc. in the whole world. He still comes and crawls up on my lap for snuggles, and is such a sensitive person. He wants to do the right thing so badly and when he doesn't he gets very repentant. When I imagine our family without him, it makes me hug him more and appreciate more the days I have with the kids. Each one brings something special and different into our family, and they are very much loved.
Sorry for the long post, but just had to share with everyone the miracle this little boy is that he is still here with us today. The doctors said that if we had not been with him we would never have heard him, and he would not have made it. I really believe that God gave me that feeling I had that night, and if I hadn't listened to it, he would not be with us today, and my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
I WANTED To Stamp Today!
I got up this morning REALLY wanting to stamp, so after DH left for work, I went to SCS to check out the challenge for today. The color challenge today was Buckaroo Blue, Soft Sky, and Certainly Celery. Great colors for a baby boy card, so I thought I would do it. So I get all my things out, and start creating. Then the battle begins. Alexa decides that stamping is not gonna happen. She immediatly begins crying. I got her to color for a few minutes, but even that didn't last long. I put her up on my stamping space, and she sat there for while, after all, all those punches, ink pads, pieces of paper, and tape are just too much for a one year old to resist. But even that didn't last. It wasn't long before she was crying some more. Then it turned into an all out wail. So I had to leave the card not finished. We came downstairs and fixed lunch and she has been happy ever since. So I don't really know what she was so upset about but now it seems to be over. She really is a joy to have around, except when you want to stamp (HE HE!), she loves to hug and kiss, loves snuggles, and has an extraordinary way of making everyone in the family feel special. One of her favorite things to do is play outside in the yard.
These Pictures
of Alexa were taken of her playing outside in the backyard. One of her favorite things to do. I love this dress, and this pose of her looks like she is praying. She was watching something on the ground, and I just couldn't resist this one. The picture at the top is of her sitting in a box. She loves sitting inside of boxes, any size as long as she can fit. In this picture she has two of her favorite things, her SI (see), and her doggie. I am surprised her TI TI (a huge yellow blanket her daddy bought her when he went to Guatemala) was not with her.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Fresh Bread!!
So, today I decided to bake a fresh loaf of bread from scratch. I found this recipe, and started first thing this morning. This is the first time I have baked a loaf of bread, and was very excited to be watching it rise and smelling the yeast.
So here is the finished loaf of bread. Tasted pretty good too. Smelling it made my mouth water. I definitly didn't do it perfectly, but for my first time I was very happy with the results.
Here is the recipe:
BUTTERMILK BREAD
5 to 51/2 cups of all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons of sugar
2 teaspoons of salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 package of dry yeast
1 cup of water
1 cup of buttermilk
1/3 cup of shortening
1 egg, beaten
This recipe makes two loaves. So you will need 2 loaf pans.
In a large mixing bowl stir together 2 cups flour, the sugar, salt, baking soda, and yeast. Combine water, buttermilk, and shortening and heat over low heat until warm. (Shortening doesn't need to melt). Add liquid gradually to the dry ingredients and beat for 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of flour to make a thick batter and beat for another 2 minutes.
From this point forward, use a wooden spoon and fingers to work in the additional flour. Add flour gradually, until the mass of dough is soft not sticky. Then turn out onto a lightly floured work surface.
Knead the ball of dough until it is - about 8 minutes. Dough will pull away cleanly from the sides of the bowl when it has enough flour.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and put in a warm place until the dough doubles in size (about 1 hr.).
Punch down and cut into 2 pieces. Turn the cut side under and gently press and pat the dough to form for loaf pan.
Cover with wax paper and return to warm place for about 45 minutes or until it has risen to about 1" above the pan.
Preheat oven to 375 20 minutes before baking.
Brush the loaves with the egg, bake for about 40 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and it sounds hollow when thumped.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Today I Stamped!
Today was the Featured Stamper Challenge. I really enjoy this challenge as it gives me a chance to make some of my favorite cards. You can check out this challenge on www.splitcoaststampers.com. I used basic grey and also SU pretty in pink paper for this card. I added some eyelets on the sentiment and cuttlebugged the back panel using Swiss Dots. The CB is one of my favorite tools. I finally got it when I could use a 50% coupon. I love it and don't know what I would do without it now. This CB folder is also one of my favorites. Thanks to someone I know for suggesting it (Thanks Lori). This card was taken from the gallery of Dawnsing. Thanks again for the great gallery Dawnsing.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Long Day!
Well, today has been a long day, and I can't wait for tomorrow. Jonathan and Ashley are going to state competitions tomorrow and I can't wait to see how it turns out. I know they are excited too. I was trying to go with them, but couldn't work out my schedule. I actually think they are more excited about going on the bus than being in the competition. HE HE! Will post more tomorrow.
Monday, May 12, 2008
My New Blog Template
I am so excited. I found this awesome link for blog templates, and fell in love. This is absolutly lovely. I am so happy with it I can't say enough. I want to thank Michelle for my awesome looking blog. If you are interested you can check it out at Shabby Creations.
TARGET!
Check out this, a $100 GC to Target, one of my favorite stores. Check out the Bounty link, it is for all bloggers.
A Mother's Day Memoir
So Mother's Day has come and gone, and it was a Mother's Day to remember. My morning started off with DH cooking lots ( and I mean LOTS) of rice. We were having a dinner for the mother's at church and he volunteered to take the rice. Now, DH is a very good cook, and usually his food is really good, but for some reason he forgot to put the salt, then he burned one pot of rice. He also made the salsa, which came out YUMMY! Well, while he was cooking I was getting the kids ready for church, which I usually do anyway, and ironing, which he usually does, and feeding the kids.
I actually got to use my new gift which was a cuban mop that I have been asking him for for months, and he actually got it for me. It is funny that the simple things make me happy. I told him that it was one of the best gifts he could have gotten me. One of the kids had spilled syrup on the floor, so clean it up I did. Funny thing was, those of you that know DH, knows that he is stickler about the floor being sticky, and here he was, cooking, making salsa and walking in the syrup, without complaining or saying anything at all. When I asked him why he didn't tell me about it he said he was trying to not complain about anything. Now that was a sacrifice. HE HE!
Well, we were finally ready to go, and he had the rice sitting on the coffee table ready to take to the car, and Alexa decided to try it out, so she opened it and started eating, LOL!
All in all it was a great Mother's Day!
Also, thanks for your responses on chores, I have to say I agree with all of you, I think laundry is probably #1 for me too.
Have a Great Day Everyone!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
No Stamping???
What a challenge! I couldn't stamp, so I decided to dig in my box of treasures to see what I could find. First I found the big prima, and then I found these awesome letters, so I decided to use these for the cards I needed for today. I needed to make 2 cards for teachers, so I opted for these simple cards. During my (not stamping) cardmaking this morning, Alexa was just wanting to be held, and also during the posting of it, therefore the lack of information.
She has just gone down for a nap and I can actually type again. She was so cute this morning, Erik was making some noises and she put both hands over her face and said "Oh,Boy!" It was quite funny. She is a regular little character right now.
I have the dreaded chore of grocery shopping today, UGH! The least favorite thing about it is putting it all away when I get home, but if you don't work you don't eat, so I guess I need to make sure I go or I will have to go tomorrow with 5 kids, guess I will go today. I do have to say it is not my most dreaded chore, but it definitly ranks in my top 10.
What is your most dreaded chore?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
COME TO THE PARTY!!!!
Almost everyone loves to party, please come on over and visit. I would also like to extend a welcome to anyone who is visiting me for the first time. As you may see I am new and am just getting started. I am so excited that you are here to visit. I am a mother of five. I have 3 boys and 2 girls.
My hobbies tend to come in cycles, and right now I am into reading, and of course blogging. Other hobbies that I enjoy are scrapbooking, cardmaking (stamping), cooking, talking on the phone (if you can consider that a hobby), playing games, and exploring with the kids.
I love to try new recipes and enjoy cooking with friends.
I would love to recieve comments from you, and would love to visit your blogs
My hobbies tend to come in cycles, and right now I am into reading, and of course blogging. Other hobbies that I enjoy are scrapbooking, cardmaking (stamping), cooking, talking on the phone (if you can consider that a hobby), playing games, and exploring with the kids.
I love to try new recipes and enjoy cooking with friends.
I would love to recieve comments from you, and would love to visit your blogs
WOW!
I didn't know that blogging was so fun! I have been so intrigued by all the wonderful blogs out there. I have just started this adventure but am quickly becoming addicted. I can't wait to meet some other bloggers and share in this wonderful world of blogging.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Taking Thyme
Trying to take time to do the little things. Enjoy the kids and all their wonder. Sometimes I get so caught up in all the things I need to do that I forget to take the time to enjoy them. I love all the little things they do, the hugs, kisses, and all the things they say. Sometimes it is even as simple as a look that says it all. Being a mother is not always easy, but it is definitly rewardign to see them growing and learning. Today I watched as my 13 year old son was playing soccer with his friends and just enjoyed the moment. Seeing him become independant and developing relationships outside his family makes me happy.
I watch my 10 year old daughter and see her growing to become a young lady. She loves her sisters and brother so much and is always eager to help. Yesterday she even took out the garbage for her older brother, just to be nice. She loves playing and helping with the baby and is a joy to have in the house.
Then there the two boys, 14 months apart and always getting into trouble. Today they were literally climbing the door jambs and screaming, running up and down the stairs and playing - ghosts!!! Then I took them outside to play and burn some energy, guess what, they got QUIET! Imagine that.. UGH!! The mystery of boys.
Last but definitly not least is the baby. She is 20 months and is talking up a storm, she loves to watch Strawberry Shortcake, and love to have her "Ti Ti" (blanket) and sippy cup wherever she goes.
I watch my 10 year old daughter and see her growing to become a young lady. She loves her sisters and brother so much and is always eager to help. Yesterday she even took out the garbage for her older brother, just to be nice. She loves playing and helping with the baby and is a joy to have in the house.
Then there the two boys, 14 months apart and always getting into trouble. Today they were literally climbing the door jambs and screaming, running up and down the stairs and playing - ghosts!!! Then I took them outside to play and burn some energy, guess what, they got QUIET! Imagine that.. UGH!! The mystery of boys.
Last but definitly not least is the baby. She is 20 months and is talking up a storm, she loves to watch Strawberry Shortcake, and love to have her "Ti Ti" (blanket) and sippy cup wherever she goes.
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