With the exception of Big Daddy's pizza while we are visiting my parents in Fort Wayne, IN; or homemade pizza; since Lamb 1 was born we have had pizza when eating out less than once a year. We live 7 miles away from a town with a pizza place and in our opinion, it's not that good of pizza. We would rather wait and have great pizza even if it is only once a year when we go to IN.
Today we were running errands and Pizza Hut had a special so we went there for lunch. Buffet was $4.99 for adults, $2.99 for Lamb 1, and Lamb 2 was free. Lamb 1 wanted pasta and didn't even try pizza. Lamb 2 ate more off the salad bar (just toppings) than pizza. Lamb 3 slept the whole time and didn't even eat a cracker.
What surprised Ram (and me too) was we only had a few pieces of pizza before we were full. I even ate mostly thin crust. We just aren't used to eating "heavy" meals like that any more.
After lunch we went to get haircuts for Ram, Lamb 1 and 2. A Lutheran friend who homeschools cuts hair in her home. After haircuts the Lambs were able to play with their friends. And then we all had some delicious pumpkin bars. Even though their children are older than ours, the Lambs enjoy going there and their children enjoy playing with our Lambs.
When we got home Ram had to visit someone in the nursing home. He has taken a little vacation from visiting as it is hard to schedule visits when people have family visiting for the holidays. Tomorrow he is back on schedule with confirmation class, Bible class, and voter's meetings. It was nice to have this afternoon for the children to play together and the adults to talk. Later this week Ram will get back on his visiting schedule too.
Ram and the Lambs look great with their new haircuts. Lamb 1 looks really grown up. I'm not doing so well with him turning 5 in 2 months!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy Epiphany!
Ram and I worked together and got the trampoline put together even with lousy instructions. One part said put A and B together and in order to put it together correctly you really had to put A and C together. The instructions said it would take 2 adults to thread the elastic around the bars and I really think we needed 3 adults. I was also trying to get caught up on some paperwork while Ram was working on the trampoline. We finally got to bed at 2 am. I think we'll write on our calendar next year to assemble the Epiphany present earlier than January 5.
The Lambs get so many presents for Christmas from grandparents and church members, that we started giving them each one gift from us on St. Nick Day and then a present they can all use together on Epiphany.
For St. Nick Day Lamb 1 received an animal hauler truck (for his plastic farm animals), Lamb 2 received a small PT Cruiser car, and Lamb 3 received a ride on car. For Epiphany they received the trampoline. It will be awhile before Lamb 3 can use the trampoline so I'm glad he got a big present for St. Nick Day that he can ride with help now. Target had the trampoline on sale with free shipping.
The Lambs get so many presents for Christmas from grandparents and church members, that we started giving them each one gift from us on St. Nick Day and then a present they can all use together on Epiphany.
For St. Nick Day Lamb 1 received an animal hauler truck (for his plastic farm animals), Lamb 2 received a small PT Cruiser car, and Lamb 3 received a ride on car. For Epiphany they received the trampoline. It will be awhile before Lamb 3 can use the trampoline so I'm glad he got a big present for St. Nick Day that he can ride with help now. Target had the trampoline on sale with free shipping.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
Have you heard about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act? (This link was provided as a good summary and it has links for further reading about the law.) I have purchased diaper covers from Avery's Attic and she alerted me to this. This is very troubling on so many levels if it is true. No more buying baby/children items at consignment stores. No more selling of handmade baby/children items on the internet. It would be illegal for me to buy diaper covers from Avery's Attic and illegal for Avery's Attic to sell them to me.
I hope that this is just a hoax, but I'm afraid it's not. I hope that word of this spreads and something can be done before it is too late. Please let me know what you have heard about this and what we can do about it.
I hope that this is just a hoax, but I'm afraid it's not. I hope that word of this spreads and something can be done before it is too late. Please let me know what you have heard about this and what we can do about it.
Baby Stellan
Stellan is home, so I removed the Praying for Stellan from my sidebar. We can still have prayers of thanksgiving for healing Stellan!
Tonight's conversation
11pm January 5:
Me: Honey, do you know it's Epiphany tomorrow?
Ram: Yeah.
Me: Do you know Lamb 1 drew a present on his calendar for tomorrow?
Ram: So, they're expecting something? I guess I know what I'm going to do now.
Ram is currently whistling his way to work to get his tool box and the present out of the basement.
If all goes as planned the Lambs will wake up to this!
Me: Honey, do you know it's Epiphany tomorrow?
Ram: Yeah.
Me: Do you know Lamb 1 drew a present on his calendar for tomorrow?
Ram: So, they're expecting something? I guess I know what I'm going to do now.
Ram is currently whistling his way to work to get his tool box and the present out of the basement.
If all goes as planned the Lambs will wake up to this!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
What I love about being a Mama during the diaper years
My Looper friend Pam, put this list on Loopers today. I think it is a great reminder for those of us that are so busy during the diaper years to take a minute to appreciate what we have. This is her list so there are a few that don't apply for me (at least not yet), but you just can't beat some of these!
Things I enjoy about the Diaper Years
1) Keeps me at the foot of the cross
2) The delicious smell of the freshly bathed newborn
3) Being 'The Mom,' who can kiss owies, give hugs, and make it 'all better'
4) Cute little baby and toddler bums
5) Keeps me humble
6) Soft baby hair at the nape of the neck
7) Wide, sweet eyes looking up at me while nursing contentedly
8) Hearing my kids, including the two year old, sing from memory the liturgy and hymns
9) The hugs of forgiveness that come after repentance
10) It is so humbling
11) The forgiveness my children offer me when I have sinned against them
12) Seeing my 3yo offer to share his toy, cookie, etc with the 2yo with NO prompting from me.
13) Sharing with my older ones a cute antic of the 2yo.
14) Watching my 6yo son hold the 6mo baby in his lap and sing hymns or read a book to her
15) I can't forget that children are indeed a blessing from God
16) When the 2yo brings me 'food' to 'eat' from her little toy dishes, and grins and giggles when I pretend to 'eat' it.
17) The sparkle and excitement in my children's eyes when they run into the house to tell me what they found in the woods *this* time. (snake, lizard, dead bird, saw a deer)
18) The same sparkle and excitement they feel for each other's joys
19) The concern for each other's feelings when one is sad or hurt, especially...
20) When the 2yo approaches the crying 9yo, pats her shoulder and asks 'are you okay?'
21) Seeing the children all vie for who gets to sit on Dad's lap during after-supper devotion time.
22) Watching them sleep
23) The whole family rejoicing together when the potty learning child 'goes' in the toilet!
24) The enthusiastic response when we tell the children we are expecting another baby
25) Knowing I may see all these precious souls in heaven one day, and thanking God daily for the privilege of being their mommy
I would like to add getting to read to toddlers daily as a great joy. I don't know who enjoys the classic children's books more, my boys or me!
I'm not looking forward to #17, but I know it's coming with 3 boy lambs!
I'm hoping that we can take part in #23 soon with Lamb 2, but we'll still be in diaper years for awhile even if that happens.
As my dad always said, changing diapers is a reminder to thank God that the plumbing works for the baby. Thank you God, for blessing me with 3 Lambs to be Mama for during the diaper years!
Things I enjoy about the Diaper Years
1) Keeps me at the foot of the cross
2) The delicious smell of the freshly bathed newborn
3) Being 'The Mom,' who can kiss owies, give hugs, and make it 'all better'
4) Cute little baby and toddler bums
5) Keeps me humble
6) Soft baby hair at the nape of the neck
7) Wide, sweet eyes looking up at me while nursing contentedly
8) Hearing my kids, including the two year old, sing from memory the liturgy and hymns
9) The hugs of forgiveness that come after repentance
10) It is so humbling
11) The forgiveness my children offer me when I have sinned against them
12) Seeing my 3yo offer to share his toy, cookie, etc with the 2yo with NO prompting from me.
13) Sharing with my older ones a cute antic of the 2yo.
14) Watching my 6yo son hold the 6mo baby in his lap and sing hymns or read a book to her
15) I can't forget that children are indeed a blessing from God
16) When the 2yo brings me 'food' to 'eat' from her little toy dishes, and grins and giggles when I pretend to 'eat' it.
17) The sparkle and excitement in my children's eyes when they run into the house to tell me what they found in the woods *this* time. (snake, lizard, dead bird, saw a deer)
18) The same sparkle and excitement they feel for each other's joys
19) The concern for each other's feelings when one is sad or hurt, especially...
20) When the 2yo approaches the crying 9yo, pats her shoulder and asks 'are you okay?'
21) Seeing the children all vie for who gets to sit on Dad's lap during after-supper devotion time.
22) Watching them sleep
23) The whole family rejoicing together when the potty learning child 'goes' in the toilet!
24) The enthusiastic response when we tell the children we are expecting another baby
25) Knowing I may see all these precious souls in heaven one day, and thanking God daily for the privilege of being their mommy
I would like to add getting to read to toddlers daily as a great joy. I don't know who enjoys the classic children's books more, my boys or me!
I'm not looking forward to #17, but I know it's coming with 3 boy lambs!
I'm hoping that we can take part in #23 soon with Lamb 2, but we'll still be in diaper years for awhile even if that happens.
As my dad always said, changing diapers is a reminder to thank God that the plumbing works for the baby. Thank you God, for blessing me with 3 Lambs to be Mama for during the diaper years!
Friday, January 2, 2009
2008 The year of sickness for our family
We are thankful that it was never anything serious needing a trip to the ER or hospital (except for the birth of Lamb 3), but someone in our family was sick much of 2008.
In February Lamb 1 and 2 were on antibiotics for the first time in their lives. They had Fifth Disease and Lamb 2 had an ear infection. I was pretty impressed that Lamb 1 was almost 4 and Lamb 2 was almost 2 years old before they ever took antibiotics.
In June Ram had a rash on his body. It took a long time to get into the dermatologist to find out it was a side effect of having something like strep. It finally cleared up a few months later.
In October we traveled to CA and when we got home we took turns having sore throats, colds, etc. Someone has been sick from October to December. We paid our co payment to the doctor a few times to be told to do all the things we were already doing-use humidifier, lots of liquids, lots of rest, etc. This has been frustrating for Ram as he can't go visit people as a pastor when he is sick.
In November Lamb 1 failed his hearing test so we were off to the doctor to find out he had fluid in his ear but no ear infection. The doctor recommended doing nothing but being rechecked in a few weeks. When we went back it was the opposite-ear infection but passed hearing test. The doctor doesn't know how he did that! When we returned in December for Lamb 1 to be rechecked to see if his ear was cleared up, then Lamb 3 had an ear infection. So then Lamb 3 took antibiotics for the first time.
About a week ago Lamb 1 had a fever and said his leg hurt, I think he was saying he was achy. Early this week Lamb 3 had a fever and threw up a few times. On New Years Eve Ewe got a fever and hurt all over. I was in bed with 3 blankets, coat, warm socks, beaver fur slippers, and hat and still was cold!
That was as sick as Ewe has been (with the exception of morning sickness) since about 8 years ago when I was teaching and I missed a few weeks of teaching with a terrible case of the flu. It was clear to me very soon that mamas aren't allowed to get sick! Lamb 3 still wanted to nurse (and he still wasn't feeling that well so he wanted to nurse MORE often). Lamb 1 was the best but Lamb 2 still needs lots of supervision, especially when he is near Lamb 3. I just wanted to stay in bed under the blankets, but I couldn't. Ram had to lead two church services. I took turns sitting on the couch and supervising the lambs playing together and then taking Lamb 3 to bed with me while Lamb 1 and 2 played. When Ram got home from church he fed the Lambs and put them to bed. They got to bed 2 hours past their bedtime because it took that long for him to make supper and then for the Lambs to eat and get pj's on etc.
I felt a little better yesterday but very weak. I feel like I can hardly carry Lamb 3 through the house. Today we all went to the chiropractor for an adjustment. Today I took a long nap and I still feel sick, but hopefully I'm getting better.
Ram has been wonderful the last few days-cooking, watching the boys, doing lots of dishes, keeping the house picked up, bringing Lamb 3 to me when it's time to nurse him, etc. Lamb 1 and 2 don't really understand Mama being sick, but they are doing the best they can at their ages.
Today we scheduled a recheck for Lamb 3 ears. We're hoping that this recheck is the last ear infection in our family for awhile. And we're praying that we stay more healthy during 2009. And we're thankful for the churches that pay for our health insurance for the doctors and chiropractor. Ram and the Lambs are very good about taking their vitamins. My goal for 2009 is to be better about taking my vitamins daily too.
Hopefully when I get more healthy I can post more. I've been under the covers but awake much of the past few days so lots of topics for posts are running through my head.
In February Lamb 1 and 2 were on antibiotics for the first time in their lives. They had Fifth Disease and Lamb 2 had an ear infection. I was pretty impressed that Lamb 1 was almost 4 and Lamb 2 was almost 2 years old before they ever took antibiotics.
In June Ram had a rash on his body. It took a long time to get into the dermatologist to find out it was a side effect of having something like strep. It finally cleared up a few months later.
In October we traveled to CA and when we got home we took turns having sore throats, colds, etc. Someone has been sick from October to December. We paid our co payment to the doctor a few times to be told to do all the things we were already doing-use humidifier, lots of liquids, lots of rest, etc. This has been frustrating for Ram as he can't go visit people as a pastor when he is sick.
In November Lamb 1 failed his hearing test so we were off to the doctor to find out he had fluid in his ear but no ear infection. The doctor recommended doing nothing but being rechecked in a few weeks. When we went back it was the opposite-ear infection but passed hearing test. The doctor doesn't know how he did that! When we returned in December for Lamb 1 to be rechecked to see if his ear was cleared up, then Lamb 3 had an ear infection. So then Lamb 3 took antibiotics for the first time.
About a week ago Lamb 1 had a fever and said his leg hurt, I think he was saying he was achy. Early this week Lamb 3 had a fever and threw up a few times. On New Years Eve Ewe got a fever and hurt all over. I was in bed with 3 blankets, coat, warm socks, beaver fur slippers, and hat and still was cold!
That was as sick as Ewe has been (with the exception of morning sickness) since about 8 years ago when I was teaching and I missed a few weeks of teaching with a terrible case of the flu. It was clear to me very soon that mamas aren't allowed to get sick! Lamb 3 still wanted to nurse (and he still wasn't feeling that well so he wanted to nurse MORE often). Lamb 1 was the best but Lamb 2 still needs lots of supervision, especially when he is near Lamb 3. I just wanted to stay in bed under the blankets, but I couldn't. Ram had to lead two church services. I took turns sitting on the couch and supervising the lambs playing together and then taking Lamb 3 to bed with me while Lamb 1 and 2 played. When Ram got home from church he fed the Lambs and put them to bed. They got to bed 2 hours past their bedtime because it took that long for him to make supper and then for the Lambs to eat and get pj's on etc.
I felt a little better yesterday but very weak. I feel like I can hardly carry Lamb 3 through the house. Today we all went to the chiropractor for an adjustment. Today I took a long nap and I still feel sick, but hopefully I'm getting better.
Ram has been wonderful the last few days-cooking, watching the boys, doing lots of dishes, keeping the house picked up, bringing Lamb 3 to me when it's time to nurse him, etc. Lamb 1 and 2 don't really understand Mama being sick, but they are doing the best they can at their ages.
Today we scheduled a recheck for Lamb 3 ears. We're hoping that this recheck is the last ear infection in our family for awhile. And we're praying that we stay more healthy during 2009. And we're thankful for the churches that pay for our health insurance for the doctors and chiropractor. Ram and the Lambs are very good about taking their vitamins. My goal for 2009 is to be better about taking my vitamins daily too.
Hopefully when I get more healthy I can post more. I've been under the covers but awake much of the past few days so lots of topics for posts are running through my head.
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