Just out of curiosity I added up what we've spent in gas this month. We drive an older Honda Accord and an older Nissan pickup truck. The damage as of today (and we're about to leave for the beach) is $392.12. Help me understand this...is this normal?!? I was honestly a little bit shocked. I did take one trip to Raleigh when Josh was there for work that I wouldn't have normally taken and we went to the beach last weekend as well. So those aren't things we normally do in a month, but REALLY? I've been working on our budget some and allotted about $250 a month for gas. It looks like I might be hanging out at the ol' abode more.
Wow.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
What IS THIS???
Ok...something's going on with me and I need your imput. I never felt any real contractions with Isaiah other than Braxton Hicks (and then had a c-section because I wasn't progressing), but I'm feeling something much stronger now.
I was up most of the night with some discomfort or another and then started feeling what was like a really bad stomach ache. It came and went and kept me in the bathroom. I thought I had just eaten something that didn't agree with me, but now I'm sitting here at work and though it's not as often it's definitely still there. I notice the same pain across my front and sometimes in my back almost everytime I get up and right when I sit down. I was very crampy all day yesterday and I thought it was from carrying groceries in from the car. This pain is higher and almost feels like a burn.
I know it may be nothing, but just wanted to see if this was normal or not.
I was up most of the night with some discomfort or another and then started feeling what was like a really bad stomach ache. It came and went and kept me in the bathroom. I thought I had just eaten something that didn't agree with me, but now I'm sitting here at work and though it's not as often it's definitely still there. I notice the same pain across my front and sometimes in my back almost everytime I get up and right when I sit down. I was very crampy all day yesterday and I thought it was from carrying groceries in from the car. This pain is higher and almost feels like a burn.
I know it may be nothing, but just wanted to see if this was normal or not.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Isaiah's bed, Mommy's tears
We were on our way home this afternoon from a fun weekend with friends and family at the beach when Josh said that he wanted to go get the todder bed we bought for Isaiah a month or so ago. It's been in storage at his brother's house. We kept putting it off, but tonight seemed as good a night as any...at least to Josh. So an hour and a half later the big crib was broken down, taken out and a smaller but cute, little bed was in it's place.
And now I'm sitting here teary as I just laid my baby boy down for the night in a "big boy" bed for the first time. No more crib. I had no idea I would feel like this, but Josh suspected I would. The tears come as it sinks in that he's really not a baby anymore. He may never sleep in his crib again. I even told Josh through sobs that I almost wanted Isaiah to disobey and keep getting up so it would be an easy decision to put him back in the crib. Of course, I don't really want that, but he's my only baby right now and watching him grow up little by little is hard on this mom's heart. It's been about an hour now and he's sound asleep, curled up with his back against the wall far away from new pillow we gave him for the first time tonights...the way he slept in his crib. He didn't even attempt to get up once. I just can't seem to stop watching him sleep in the video monitor. Sigh.
Ok. Enough. Now for the pictures...
Breaking it in.
Helping Daddy "fig" it.
New pillow, check. Thumb, check. Belly button, check.
Sweet prayer time with Daddy
And our next project: the nursery.
And now I'm sitting here teary as I just laid my baby boy down for the night in a "big boy" bed for the first time. No more crib. I had no idea I would feel like this, but Josh suspected I would. The tears come as it sinks in that he's really not a baby anymore. He may never sleep in his crib again. I even told Josh through sobs that I almost wanted Isaiah to disobey and keep getting up so it would be an easy decision to put him back in the crib. Of course, I don't really want that, but he's my only baby right now and watching him grow up little by little is hard on this mom's heart. It's been about an hour now and he's sound asleep, curled up with his back against the wall far away from new pillow we gave him for the first time tonights...the way he slept in his crib. He didn't even attempt to get up once. I just can't seem to stop watching him sleep in the video monitor. Sigh.
Ok. Enough. Now for the pictures...
Breaking it in.
Helping Daddy "fig" it.
New pillow, check. Thumb, check. Belly button, check.
Sweet prayer time with Daddy
And our next project: the nursery.Friday, August 22, 2008
Divine intervention needed...NOW!
List of things that need to be done before baby arrives on Sept 26th:
1. Move desk and computer stuff out of nursery
2. Find place to put desk and computer stuff
3. Move crib into nursery
4. Move toddler bed into Isaiah's room
5. Teach Isaiah to sleep in toddler bed
6. Clean out closet in nursery
7. Get changing pad, baskets, drawers for closet, bedding and diapers
8. Find a good double stroller for a good price in good condition
9. Arrange for Isaiah's childcare while in hospital
10. Make and freeze additional meals
AAAAH! I really thought writing it all out would make me feel better. It doesn't. In fact, I probably forgot some.
Breathe.
This has been an extremely challenging season for me. I have precious little patience. I am very uncomfortable. I have low energy and there is a lot to do, not to mention an extremely energetic toddler that I'm apparently responsible for. I have a lot to confess and repent of. Frankly, my attitude sucks, and it's embarrassing. I just had to ask my 2 yr old to forgive me...and it was way overdue.
I need this to sink deep into my heart today. I need "the word of Christ to dwell in you [me] richly."
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." --2 Cor 9:8
1. Move desk and computer stuff out of nursery
2. Find place to put desk and computer stuff
3. Move crib into nursery
4. Move toddler bed into Isaiah's room
5. Teach Isaiah to sleep in toddler bed
6. Clean out closet in nursery
7. Get changing pad, baskets, drawers for closet, bedding and diapers
8. Find a good double stroller for a good price in good condition
9. Arrange for Isaiah's childcare while in hospital
10. Make and freeze additional meals
AAAAH! I really thought writing it all out would make me feel better. It doesn't. In fact, I probably forgot some.
Breathe.
This has been an extremely challenging season for me. I have precious little patience. I am very uncomfortable. I have low energy and there is a lot to do, not to mention an extremely energetic toddler that I'm apparently responsible for. I have a lot to confess and repent of. Frankly, my attitude sucks, and it's embarrassing. I just had to ask my 2 yr old to forgive me...and it was way overdue.
I need this to sink deep into my heart today. I need "the word of Christ to dwell in you [me] richly."
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." --2 Cor 9:8
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Advice on cheap textbooks, please
This year, I may be able to actually purchase some music curriculum materials! I was totally on my own last year, making everything up as I went along which is not so fun...so I'm excited!The problem is that they need to be inexpensive as there's not a huge budget for music at my school. I'm basically just looking at buying teacher's editions of the curriculum and possibly the cds that go with it. Maybe a student text to make copies of (not so sure if that's legal).
So anyway, just wanted to see if anyone knew of some good places to buy these kind of materials used...esp. you homeschooling moms. I've been looking at Amazon.com and Abebooks.com. They have the best prices so far.
Thanks to Kelly, I now have the firefox Book Burro which is very helpful. Any other ideas?
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Books and intentional reading
I just added the little book shelf widget on the left. The biggest one available had 5 shelves and it wasn't enough. I am in the middle of too many books. The main reason I added it is for accountability to actually finish reading each of them. I am really bad at that. I have read the first halves of so many good books, just to get distracted by another book or lose interest all together. They are not in any particular order but the one I would like to finish first (because I started it so long ago) is "When I Don't Desire God" so it's at the top as a fresh reminder to myself.
Reading is not something I naturally gravitate toward. I can find plenty of things to do around here that require much less thought and bring about much less conviction...and therefore change. But my desire in reading each of these books is to be purposeful and available for the Lord to bring about the fruit He desires in my life.
A few things I hope to get out of them:
When I Don't Desire God -- it's pretty simple. I want to desire God more than I do right now. I want to aggressively kill sin. I want to love the Word. I want to love prayer. I want to cherish Christ more than anything this world could ever offer me. Here's just one of many quotes on killing sin and war-time living I just read to give you a taste too:
"Yes, there is a mean, violent streak in the true Christian life!...It's a violence against all the impulses in us that would make peace with our own sin and settle in with a peacetime mentality. It's a violence against all lust in ourselves and all enslaving desires for food or caffeine or sugar or chocolate or alcohol or pornography or money or the praise of men and the approval of others or power or fame. It's a violence against the impulses in our own soul toward racism and sluggish indifference to injustice and poverty and abortion.
Christianity is not a settle-in-and-live-at-peace-with-this-world-the-way-it-is kind of religion...Christianity is war."
Stepping Heavenward -- I've just heard a lot about this lady and wanted to learn a little more about her. It's in a journal form which makes it even more interesting and she's extremely honest and raw in her journey with the Lord. I respect that so much. I also haven't read much about another person's life in a long time, and reading of someone's example has had a tremendous effect on me in the past.
Ministries of Mercy -- I really like Tim Keller and admire his urban ministry in NYC a ton. In fact, I have 2 friends who now work for him. Anyway, he has a huge heart for the poor, hurting and needy, social justice, and strategically planting yourself where you are most effect in reaching the world. I was changed by him in college, but haven't had much exposure to him since. I also have lost some of my zeal for going to the hurting. It's been 3 years since I've been out of the country and the effects of that on my heart are obvious. I want the Lord to stir that up in me again and give me fresh vision for what I can do here and now...as well as vision for the future. Josh and I are reading this together and will be meeting with close friends to discuss it...it should be good!
Total Money Makeover -- We want to get out of debt! This is closely related to the other books, believe it or not. When Josh and I made the decision for him to go back to school and become a math teacher, one of the main, driving reasons was to free us up in the summer to go overseas on mission trips....and investigate for the possibility to go permanently one day. It's hard to do that with debt and little to no savings. We need a plan to be able to pay it off, give and save. I've heard over and over how effective this plan is...so here goes.
The Shack -- My parents just recently read this book and are now reading it for a second time. Not only that but they bought one for all of us kids and our families to read too. My dad has been through some intense struggles and suffering in his life and strongly identified with the main character...and that character's healing and restoration to the Lord. In fact, I think this book has been part of the healing process. So, of course I'm going to read it! So far, it's been an emotional roller coaster, but really, really good. I've questioned some of the theology and been blow away by how dead on it is...usually on the same page. I'm about half way through.
Shepherding a Child's Heart -- I don't really need to explain this one. All the things I've talked about wanting for myself I want for my son and future son/daughter. And I realize we are the most influential people in their lives right now. The task is heavy and I feel ill-equipped to lead....a good place to start.
So....I've been thinking of a few different ways to attack this. Probably, I'll start by making one day of the week a "reading day." Meaning, I will set a chunk of free time that day (Isaiah's nap time) aside to focus on reading, but I would really like to hear what you do. I know quite a few of you are big readers so how do you work it in and how do you manage reading multiple books at the same time???
Reading is not something I naturally gravitate toward. I can find plenty of things to do around here that require much less thought and bring about much less conviction...and therefore change. But my desire in reading each of these books is to be purposeful and available for the Lord to bring about the fruit He desires in my life.
A few things I hope to get out of them:
When I Don't Desire God -- it's pretty simple. I want to desire God more than I do right now. I want to aggressively kill sin. I want to love the Word. I want to love prayer. I want to cherish Christ more than anything this world could ever offer me. Here's just one of many quotes on killing sin and war-time living I just read to give you a taste too:
"Yes, there is a mean, violent streak in the true Christian life!...It's a violence against all the impulses in us that would make peace with our own sin and settle in with a peacetime mentality. It's a violence against all lust in ourselves and all enslaving desires for food or caffeine or sugar or chocolate or alcohol or pornography or money or the praise of men and the approval of others or power or fame. It's a violence against the impulses in our own soul toward racism and sluggish indifference to injustice and poverty and abortion.
Christianity is not a settle-in-and-live-at-peace-with-this-world-the-way-it-is kind of religion...Christianity is war."
Stepping Heavenward -- I've just heard a lot about this lady and wanted to learn a little more about her. It's in a journal form which makes it even more interesting and she's extremely honest and raw in her journey with the Lord. I respect that so much. I also haven't read much about another person's life in a long time, and reading of someone's example has had a tremendous effect on me in the past.
Ministries of Mercy -- I really like Tim Keller and admire his urban ministry in NYC a ton. In fact, I have 2 friends who now work for him. Anyway, he has a huge heart for the poor, hurting and needy, social justice, and strategically planting yourself where you are most effect in reaching the world. I was changed by him in college, but haven't had much exposure to him since. I also have lost some of my zeal for going to the hurting. It's been 3 years since I've been out of the country and the effects of that on my heart are obvious. I want the Lord to stir that up in me again and give me fresh vision for what I can do here and now...as well as vision for the future. Josh and I are reading this together and will be meeting with close friends to discuss it...it should be good!
Total Money Makeover -- We want to get out of debt! This is closely related to the other books, believe it or not. When Josh and I made the decision for him to go back to school and become a math teacher, one of the main, driving reasons was to free us up in the summer to go overseas on mission trips....and investigate for the possibility to go permanently one day. It's hard to do that with debt and little to no savings. We need a plan to be able to pay it off, give and save. I've heard over and over how effective this plan is...so here goes.
The Shack -- My parents just recently read this book and are now reading it for a second time. Not only that but they bought one for all of us kids and our families to read too. My dad has been through some intense struggles and suffering in his life and strongly identified with the main character...and that character's healing and restoration to the Lord. In fact, I think this book has been part of the healing process. So, of course I'm going to read it! So far, it's been an emotional roller coaster, but really, really good. I've questioned some of the theology and been blow away by how dead on it is...usually on the same page. I'm about half way through.
Shepherding a Child's Heart -- I don't really need to explain this one. All the things I've talked about wanting for myself I want for my son and future son/daughter. And I realize we are the most influential people in their lives right now. The task is heavy and I feel ill-equipped to lead....a good place to start.
So....I've been thinking of a few different ways to attack this. Probably, I'll start by making one day of the week a "reading day." Meaning, I will set a chunk of free time that day (Isaiah's nap time) aside to focus on reading, but I would really like to hear what you do. I know quite a few of you are big readers so how do you work it in and how do you manage reading multiple books at the same time???
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Jeshus, Isaiah and poo-poo
Josh has been working in Raleigh/Durham all week and because Wednesday was Isaiah's birthday (we have a 2 year old!) I decided to make the drive up so we could celebrate with Josh. My sweet friend Meghann lives there and just celebrated a birthday herself so it made sense to go see her.
Anyway, I'll post more on the birthday stuff later. Our bigger family party is Saturday. But right before we left Isaiah had disobeyed and needed discipline. We had just finished the part where we pray, which usually goes like this:
Me: Jesus...
I: Jeshus...
Me: I'm sorry...
I: I sorry...
Me: for disobeying...
I: fo dishoshobeyin...
Me: Mommy.
I: Mommy.
Me: Please forgive...
I: Peas fogive...
Me: me.
I: me.
Me: Amen.
I: Amen.
We had just finished praying and I laid him down on the changing table to change a very stinky diaper. I guess he wasn't finished praying because here's what came next:
I: Jeshus? I sorry. (pause) Jeshus? I poo-pooed.
He told "Jeshus" all about it so I guess he's on the right track :)
Anyway, I'll post more on the birthday stuff later. Our bigger family party is Saturday. But right before we left Isaiah had disobeyed and needed discipline. We had just finished the part where we pray, which usually goes like this:
Me: Jesus...
I: Jeshus...
Me: I'm sorry...
I: I sorry...
Me: for disobeying...
I: fo dishoshobeyin...
Me: Mommy.
I: Mommy.
Me: Please forgive...
I: Peas fogive...
Me: me.
I: me.
Me: Amen.
I: Amen.
We had just finished praying and I laid him down on the changing table to change a very stinky diaper. I guess he wasn't finished praying because here's what came next:
I: Jeshus? I sorry. (pause) Jeshus? I poo-pooed.
He told "Jeshus" all about it so I guess he's on the right track :)
