Tiny Talk

David & I made snowball cookies tonight (aka Mexican wedding cookies).  I didn't get any pictures of the process, because they're kinda messy, but very easy to make.  This was our first time to make them.  

 

 

In the process I went to the bathroom.  I didn't stay long.  Rebekah was sitting on the couch playing with some q-tips I have no idea where she got.  When I got back, she was not on the couch.  She had the last of the powdered sugar, which was supposed to be enough to roll all the cookie balls in to make them powdery.  Grrrr!!!!  (That's why they're not very powdery in the photo and about half of them didn't get any powdered sugar at all!)

 

But then...

 

I got her cleaned up & ready for bed.  Just laid her down just now.  As I was walking out, I said, "Nite nite" and she replied

"Nite nite, Mama"

"I love you."

"I wu boo"

"Sweet dreams."

"Eat eams"

 

What was I mad about?  : )  #16

Baby Blessings & Thankfulness

When I realized earlier this year that car seats expire (and that meant several of the ones we were using were expiring this year) I was a little concerned.  Then we were very blessed at our baby shower to receive new car seats for all four children!  (Gift #13) 

With such a blessing I hated to be picky, but the infant seat we received was a car mounted seat, and I was wanting one that could be carried in for those times when the new baby falls asleep in the car.  My SIL assured me that it would be ok to exchange it, so that's what happened on Tuesday.

In some realms, I realize I am an oddball who gets excited about diapers and car seats, but surely the Mommies out there can understand.  I was very excited about this car seat that I found and the fact that I had a $20 off coupon for it!  Isn't this beautiful!?!?!  (Gift #14)

I'm not really a pink person, so when I saw this gorgeous fabric, I fell in love!  And it came with a "winter boot" that fits over the toes for warmth or to keep little sox from falling out or whatever.  Here it is with the sun shade opened:

Every time people have asked me what we needed for the new baby, I would have to answer, "We don't really need anything, except the car seats and diapers!  But I'd really like to have a double stroller."  My goal was to accumulate gift cards or cash or something for the stroller, because those are pretty expensive.  And I really wanted a Joovy.  I've been entering giveaways for the stroller, but honestly, in the back of my head, I didn't think I'd ever get one.  Then I happened to think of Craigslist.

This morning, I am now the proud owner of a Joovy Caboose thanks to a wonderful family of 6 who used Craigslist to bless us!  (Gift #15)  It is not the latest & greatest model, it's not purple, but it is in immaculate condition and will serve the exact purpose that I wanted it for.

The seat in the front is where Rebekah can sit or the infant carrier can attach there!

And the back can be used as a bench seat for Elizabeth or Rebekah (with the seat belt) or as a standing place for Elizabeth if we're on an adventure & she's tired.

As soon as we got up & moving, I dressed the girls and headed outside to get pictures of it in action! Here's EB showing that she can ride standing:

or sitting:

David is holding the sun visor in this one.  So far it appears to be very easy to use and they're enjoying the novelty of the ride! 

I am Thankful

Yesterday I mentioned how much better David was doing on his school work.  Today, we attended the annual Thanksgiving Feast at Thursday school.  We chose not to attend Thursday school classes this semester because of everything that David was going through at the beginning of the semester.  And with the anxiety he goes through, I was hoping that today would be a good day.  It turned out to be a series of small miracles*, as far as David goes.

He spent the morning in the Lego Loft, while I baked and got the girls ready.  *Then David was the first to be completely ready, shoes & all, waiting by the door.  He fell asleep on the short drive, *but woke up pleasant.  He chose to wait through the line with me while Dad secured a table and the girls. 

Before blessing the meal, our leader asked if anyone wanted to share something they were thankful for real quick.  A little boy raised his hand, then a little girl, then in a room crowded with people, *my shy David raised his hand.  The other two were called upon first and *David waited his turn to say, "I'm thankful for my Legos."  In front of everyone.  People laughed, not meanly, but in an "aw, that was a cute and very honest answer" way.  *And David did not freak out about the people laughing.

During the meal, David went back through the line *by himself to see if there were any more brownies or chips for seconds... twice.  He *waited patiently for everyone to be done eating and *never said he was ready to leave.  It *never bothered him that a preschool girl from the next table kept coming over & staring at him.

Today probably would have been a disaster a few months ago, but today I am thankful for this gift.  I got to see my sweet boy again.   I will call this #12 of my 1000 Gifts and a wonderful way to Countdown to Thanksgiving.

Vacation Thankfulness

 Well, I tried to load a few pictures from our vacation.  Blogger has messed them up every time I load them.  And I'm too annoyed to try to figure out what's wrong and how to correct it.  This is the only one that loaded correctly.

 The little people found stuff to get into all week!

Annoyed, pregnant, tired, swollen... maybe I'll get the rest of the pictures on Flickr in the next few days.  Let me just say it was wonderful to spend a few days with my best friend and see our kids playing together and beating up on each other like they were all siblings.

Deep breath... My sister is starting her Countdown to Thanksgiving this year on Canadian Thanksgiving, which is today!  I'm gonna tie in my things I'm thankful for this year with the 1000 Gifts I started also, so to tie it all together:

11)  I am thankful that I have a friend I can count on, who loves me and my family like we are her family, who lets us crash their week, who rubs my feet and buys shrimp for us to cook while we're there!

Random 1000 Gifts

8)  My new School Shelf!  My niece, Lauren, helped me do the first coat of paint.  Elizabeth helped finish paint it last night.  Now I can get all of our school books off the dining table, and put the markers & such up high enough to be out of Rebekah's reach!

I know that's bad lighting, but you get the gist.  Here's my favorite vignette on the shelf:

I got that mug for free at the big Mardel sale this summer.  The rock is one that David picked up in the Brazos.  And that reminds me that I need to take this year's school photos!


9)  My BOTW (Bargain of the Week):

A new, metal lunch box for Elizabeth, scored at Target for $1.21 because I was in the right place at the right time and asked the right person for the price!

10)  Peep is growing... and peeping.

He will be 3-weeks old on Saturday.  I say "he" because he sure acts cocky.  And there's a reason why cocky means cocky.

Read more about My 1000 Gifts.

1000 Gifts: Relief, Books, Prayer

(Counting my way to 1000 Gifts from God.)  I haven't gotten many pictures of David smiling lately.  Sunday we had the best day that we've had in weeks.  A new doctor (psychiatrist) thought David was reacting to the stimulant medication and pulled him off of it, effective on Friday.  She replaced it with a mood stabilizer and left him on the non-stimulant ADHD medication.  I am beginning to see my child back.

 

5)  Aaahhhh... relief.  

 

So far we've been two days without any major blow-ups, angry fits, or physical attacks from him.  More of the attention-span problems and hyperactivity are back, but I'd rather have ADHD than anger.  And I am thankful that all that anger was medicine-induced. 

 

He's also been sleeping for the last 2 nights, so the insomnia was also induced by the same medication, as was the loss in appetite.  We will continue working on the authority issues, social skills, and the separation anxiety with the counselor. 

 

 

I read recently, ironically, that when you have a child with ADHD you should continually be reading and learning more.  Two of my latest reads have been a wonderful addition to my ADHD library and I highly suggest them to any other parent going through this.

 

6)  Books:

 

- The Power of God with an AD/HD Child by Krista Hain

- The Homeschooler's Guide to Attentional Difficulties: Practical Tips for Daily Success by Jill J. Dixon

 

Both of these have provided encouragement and practical help beyond my expectations, leaving me in tears that these women understand and are sharing their help with me!  I found both at ChristianBook.com.  If you want more information on either book, I would be happy to share more about them!

 

7)  Prayer

 

David's great-grandmother said to me the other day, "I don't know what else I can do but pray."  What an understatement.  I am so thankful for the people who have been keeping us in their prayers and there have been so many people who have told me they've been praying for us.  I am blessed!

I am thankful for the gift of...

4) Sleep, in whatever amount I can get.

I went to bed at 9pm last night.  I am thankful that David finally fell asleep at 12:30am and that I slept, without interruption, from 12:30-6am.  When I woke up, I couldn't move.  David was packed as tight as possible to my back and asleep on my hair.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, 

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.  

Psalm 90:13-15

I got a message from God today

In my One Year Bible, today's NT reading, in bold print (and I have absolutely no idea why some of the verses are in bold, except that I needed to make sure to see this one):

For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen.  For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. (NLT)

3) Thank you, God, for speaking to me!

To be thankful...

I feel like I've been in a constant state of pity party this year.  I've always believed, as Momma taught me, that if you can't say something nice, it's better not to say anything at all.  That's one reason for fewer blog posts this year, compared to my archives.

Well a few days ago, I stumbled upon Holy Experience.  Her post, The Thousand Gifts, explains it.  To summarize - make a list of 1000 things God has blessed you with.

Begin giving thanks for the daily washing in His fountain of Gifts--just on a scrap piece of paper or in a journal. Notice and write down from the obvious to little. And begin to feel more joy, less stress, better health, more connected in your relationships, and more delight in your everyday life. Praise is what we are made for!

So I will begin. 

Friday, August 27, 2010 - Forget about everything that's gone wrong and be thankful for the gifts the Lord has given me.

1)  My family growing up.  I have been blessed - so much more than many - by my parents and my siblings as we grew up on the farm.  We got along most of the time, and we loved each other.  (even though I had a bruise on my arm in my jr high track picture from when my brother punched me because I wouldn't roll up the window in the car)

2) The memories I have of #1.  They are priceless.

Will have to be continued.  But I will continue.  I am not going to give a time limit to get it done, but I will keep chugging along at it.