Carbaholics UNITE

A few weeks ago, I decided enough was enough, it's time to lose some weight.

I decided to watch my carb & sugar intake (a modified version of the diabetic diet I followed while pregnant).

I've done fair with it. Not as strict as when I was pregnant & a baby's health was dependent upon me but definitely changed my habits.

I weighed myself several times....

I've gained 3 lbs.

Blessed

I've heard from several different people, different things, describing how God doesn't exactly take care of them... 'He doesn't drop a bag of money in my lap' 'He doesn't pay my house payment', etc.
But He does our's.
Well, kinda.

We're strapped. Well, we're more than just broke, our finances are a bit inside out right now. Due to my tough year last year with hospital stays, emergency room visits, Flynn's medical expenses, etc. We regularly sit down & see "what else can we cut?" and "how do we pay our mortgage this month?"
It can't be a surprise to anyone who knows a teacher's salary that we don't have money. Us four living on that. With me being home, only to babysit & work for church...and Jeff teaching and coaching on the side, it doesn't leave time for any other jobs, let alone extra stuff.

I said all that, to say this: We get blessed. It might not be obvious (well, sometimes it really is)...but the provision of God comes often in subtle ways.
I'll get a large bag of hand me downs for the kids.
My mom will bring a few packages of meat over.
My MIL will pick up Flynn's prescription.
Although those aren't small. They make up a huge part of how we're cared for.

We stress about, 'How are we going to pay for this or that?' But it happens. Somedays I'm all, "Jeff...Jeff....God will provide, He will!" The other days I'm squeezing my migraine & saying, "Jeff...Jeff...How are we going to make it?"

One of my fav chapters in the bible Matthew 6, addresses worry. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the "NIRV" (new international readers version)... Here's what it says (it's lengthy, but really read it to the end, you won't be sorry)...

25 "I tell you, do not worry. Don't worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don't worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn't there more to life than eating? Aren't there more important things for the body than clothes?
26 "Look at the birds of the air. They don't plant or gather crops. They don't put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren't you worth much more than they are?
27 "Can you add even one hour to your life by worrying?
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the wild flowers grow. They don't work or make clothing. 29 But here is what I tell you. Not even Solomon in all of his glory was dressed like one of those flowers.
30 "If that is how God dresses the wild grass, won't he dress you even better? After all, the grass is here only today. Tomorrow it is thrown into the fire. Your faith is so small!
31 "So don't worry. Don't say, 'What will we eat?' Or, 'What will we drink?' Or, 'What will we wear?' 32 People who are ungodly run after all of those things. Your Father who is in heaven knows that you need them.
33 "But put God's kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things will also be given to you.
34 "So don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

There -- aren't you glad you read 'til the end?

I had a thought when I read that just now. I thought about how sometimes Flynn frets. She worries, even at her young age. My immediate response to her in those moments? "Don't you worry...Mommy will take care of it...Daddy will take care of it."

Ever think that's what God says?

I guess it is.

Bragging Part 1

Okay, so I felt a little guilty after that last post. Sheesh, you'd think it wasn't a Friday!!
Anywho, I've decided to do some bragging...

First of all, look at this hotshot, who thinks that everything is to either climb, sit on, or stand on. How could I get crabby with this stinker around?

And then there's my little challenger. She challenges everything. But I'm experiencing the coolest thing with her & that's this: A child who blows your mind because she keeps doing crazy, intelligent things that have me going, "What?, You did that?" Then I look around for anyone who will share the marvel with me (that would be little G). And then when Daddy gets home he says, "She did NOT do that." And I'm all like, "Yep, shore did."
















I really need to find a book about children's artwork, like what's appropriate & what's not. Should she really be drawing faces with all these features? (eyebrows????!!!!) And what's particularly amusing about this drawing is -- notice that everyone but Bubby has hair!


Then there's this guy (the big guy). Who is not only super studly, but has GOT to be the best husband & father there is (no offense Dad). He basically works two jobs (becuz of coaching) and is gone very very long days. Actually, his shortest days are 11 hrs & half his days are 14+ hr days. He could come home understandably exhausted but he doesn't. Well, like last night... he came home after a 14 hour day. He helped me tuck kids in, then did dishes. Yes, I said DID DISHES. What a guy. On my best day I don't deserve him on his worst.





Okay, have I redeemed myself? I hope so... I certainly have no cause to complain. Life is good. I am blessed.

Crabbing part 1

Well, since this blog is my chance to brag & crab (& we all know I do enough bragging), allow me to crab...

The phone rings at 6:30 a.m. today. And it's the beep....beep...beep (fax machine).
Then, just now it rings. I pick it up. Beep....beep...beep. So I check caller ID, it's Wiegmann, Gerald, PE - Wiegmann & Associates
750 Fountain Lakes Blvd St Charles, MO 63301-9840 (636) 940-1056.
So I think, I will just call there.... they'll probably feel so bad that they called here in the 6 a.m. hour (I know I would).

The receptionist (or whomever answers their phone) answers. I say, "Hi, I believe your fax is accidentally dialing our number. It called just now and it also called here at 6:30 this morning."
She just sat there, no apology, no surprise just, "What's the number?"
Me, "OUR number is ###-####. I don't know what number YOU'RE trying to dial."
Her, "Well, YOUR number is the one I need... to go clear it."
Silence.
Her, "Okay, I'll go try to fix it."
Silence.
Me waiting on her to apologize or SOMETHING.
Silence.
awkward silence.
Her, "Alright, goodbye."
Me, "Hm." Click.

What is wrong with businesses anymore??? I have worked in a number of environments serving individuals and NEVER EVER NEVER EVER treated anyone on the phone this way. Especially in this scenario. First of all, when I regularly used a fax, I NEVER misdialed. But things happen, I understand. Just apologize when you call someone's home, potentially wake their sleeping children and rudely alert the person who answers, with, BEEP - BEEP - BEEP...

I was nice when I called her. I was all like, 'this happened, thought you should know, your fax isn't going through...'
She was rude.
Rude.
Rude.

I immediately wanted to call back & ask her why she thought it was okay to be rude to ME, the victim of the violent beeping at 6 am. Why when I did NOTHING to her, nothing but heard the phone ring from my BED (becuz I happen to have the day off which is a MAJOR rarity). And how does their practice run successfully, when her face is the first that's seen & when she handles minor situations like that one, without the slightest bit of etiquette.
But I didn't.

Know why? (besides the fact that I have high blood pressure & don't need to enter into a conflict with a rude person who's not likely to see it the correct way anyway)...

Because she'll go on about her day. Actually, she probably isn't even thinking about me right now (the way I am using my time thinking of her). She's moved on. She's probably being rude to someone different right now.
But to keep dwelling on it, will only use more of my precious and very limited time.

God has other thoughts for me to think. Scripture to meditate.

Okay, I'm going to stop thinking about it. Ready, GO! RIGHT NOW.

Aha Use #1

Breast Pump Shield. Original use: To aid the breast in milk pumping for breast milk storage.

Aha use: Funnel for husband's milk jug kool aid consumption.

You RealSimple readers will appreciate this. And any fellow hoosiers who also use empty milk jugs in leau of a pitcher. Yep, we're that country.

Another use: Can be explained in a quote from one of my all time favorite movies, "Oil Me."

Prayer

DADDY I think Flynn's fish is stuck to the filter, I hope it doesn't die.

FLYNN Mommy my fish is stuck.

MOMMY Maybe we should pray for the fish.

FLYNN Okay.

Head bowed, hand clasped.

FLYNN Now I lay me, down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep.....
etc.

The fish lived.

I Hate You Asthma

If Flynn were a Boy

She would look like this.

For some reason, her 2" eyelashes don't show up in this photo, which adds to the dudeness. She would've made a cute boy--But makes an even cuter girl!!

One of those Email Questionaires

Know these get to know your friends things?.... here ya go (w/ a few dumb ?'s changed, like who is most likely to respond...)

1. FIRST NAME? Amy

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? no

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? 9/11 watching the special on tv of the families dropping flowers into the reflective pool & the reading of the names.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Actually, yes.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? very, very thinly sliced turkey - deli style

6. KIDS? 2 (3 if you count Jeff)

7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so, because I think I'm funny...in a very odd way & I love odd people.

8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Besides this one? Yes, I keep a journal for each kid.

9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Me? Never!

10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep, surprisingly, as so many other things have been removed!

11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? If you'd asked me this 10 or so years ago, I would've said yes, but no it's a resounding NO!!

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Fruit Loops, Captain Crunch (peanut butter), Honey nut cheerios, Lucky Charms, all the unhealthy presweetened, loaded with carbs, oldies-but-goodies

13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yes, I'm trying to teach the kids to do the same

14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Mentally, YES. Physically, not when it comes to having to tap on the strength of the back, which has me walking like Quasi Moto (Sp?).

15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE bubble gum ice cream. Which seems to be a forgotten art. I can't hardly find it anywhere. Heather gets it for me each time I have a baby...so I guess that ice cream train isn't coming through again. ;)

16. SHOE SIZE? Before Baby 1, it was 7.5, Before Baby 2 it was 8 & now it's 8.5. My feet aren't the only things that have spread!

17. RED OR PINK? Definitely red!

18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? negativity... I am the Conductor of the Complain Train.

19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Jeff, during soccer season.

20. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD? Having your brand new baby taken from you because she's sick.

21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? No shoes of course, you'd think we're Asian, NO ONE who lives here walks in w/ their shoes on.... I have grey fleece capris on. Yay fall!!

22. LAST THING YOU ATE? I shamefully admit that it was an apple toaster strudel.

23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The sound of Curious George piping from PBS.

24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? A 'combo color' of orange & green swirl (hmmmm...maybe I'm on to something here...)

25. FAVORITE SMELL? I like clean linen smells & citrus...but I'm a sucker for a freshly bathed baby loaded with lotion.

26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My Mom called from the airport, she & the 'big girls' were boarding the plane for Disney World (don't tell FLynn this, she thinks SHE is one of the 'big girls!')

27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? I love a head full of dark hair...just look at my gorgeous hubby.

28. WORST PET PEEVE? I can not can not can not stand when people are constantly late & I have to wait for them (dr's office, when I am early & people coming in late, still have their appointment time observed anyway!) I have lots of other Pet Peeves, but I'm trying to work on #18!

29. FAVORITE DRINK? I used to love regular coke. Then I had gestational diabetes & had to go to all diets. I became accustomed to that & actually started to prefer diet. Then came the kidney stones & I now prefer white, diet sodas, like Sierra Mist Free. I also enjoy a good diet lemonade & non-caffeine splenda-sweetened tea.

30. FAVORITE SPORT? I'd be divorced if I didn't say soccer. But it's true, even in high school I liked dating the soccer players.

31. EYE COLOR? green-brown

32. HAT SIZE? Who knows their hat size?!

33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yep, legally blind w/o the aid of glasses/contacts, and even with them, I do not have accurate vision (really makes you want to get into a car with me, doesn't it?!!)

34. FAVORITE FOOD? I love Olive Garden's fettuccini alfredo. I always say, 'if it could just be battered, deep-fried, smothered in cheese & dipped in chocolate.'

35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy Ending, but I LOVE suspense/murder type movies.

36. THE LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIES? I can't remember. I do know that last year we went to see 'Weather Man' with Nicholas Cage, it was so off color & vulgar, that we got up & left. I don't appreciate be subject to the F word. Since then, we've found dove.org & now preview movies we're going to see. And Nicholas Cage is no longer my fav actor.

37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? red

38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Neither....FALL!

39. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs

40. FAVORITE DESSERT? apple pie, which comes barely above chocolate cake with chocolate icing, which barely beats out a good Harter's sheet cake

41. OCCUPATION YOU'D HAVE IF YOU HADN'T CHOSE THE ONE YOU DID? There are a lot of other paths I would've chosen, my first major was advertising, I think I could've done well with that. I also very much enjoy writing. And have frequent fantasies of going Broadway &/or exploring drama.

42. DREAM WEEKEND? Sleeping in, going camping, spending a day eating anything & everything with no effects on my body.

43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? hahahahahahahha I barely read a page here & there of the magazines that have set up residency in my bathroom

44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Dell

45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Gilmore Girls, I always thought it looked so gay, but I've started to take a liking

47. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles

48. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Is Paris further from here, or Rome? I've been to both and also went to Menagua, Nicaragua for Missions, but that's not as far as you think.

49. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I do a REALLY good turkey gobble, see me at Thanksgiving

50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? 197something, here in MO

51. Who sent this to you? Kim Zustiak

Perry Dairy Now Closed

The Perry Dairy has now closed its doors, after over three years in business.

If I had a headline for my life, that's what it would have read last week. I sadly weaned my last baby from nursing. And you would have thought that I would be relieved to have my breasts back, after three years of 'loaning' them to motherhood. But I'm not. Because it is just yet another sign of my baby growing up. And an end to a role I played as sole provider to the nutrition of my little boy, and before that, my little girl.

Some women dispise their time nursing. Albeit, it is an inconvenience, it sometimes hurts, it is a major commitment; but I would've fed him for another year if I thought it would benefit him and me. I thank God I was able to do this, some women or babies can't.

It's weird to not be breastfeeding. I started lactating while pregnant w/ Flynn (at least three years ago) and continued... I nursed her through the pregnancy of the baby I lost and through the first trimester of my pregnancy with Gabe. At that point, I just continued to lactate in preparation for Gabe. And then nursed him for 12 & 1/2 months.

So that part of my life is over.

Now onto strong medicines & real bras!

9/11

I was at home, about to leave for work when the news quickly switched over to show one of the towers, with smoke emerging from it. At that time, they didn't have a clue what was about to unfold.

I went onto work, hidden away in my classroom, with my students who were innocent to all that was going on. I tried to hide my concern but was scared all day. At about 10 o'clock that day, when my students went to PE, I along with Jeff & the other second grade teacher, huddled around a tv that I wheeled into my room.

There was still so much chaos but what I will never forget was a phone call that they aired. It was from a man who rushed home to find his wife & little girl were gone. They were from a nearby high rise & although I don't remember all the details...did the wife work at the tower, did he... I don't recall. But I do remember the panic in his voice. And he was crying.

I wasn't a mom then so I couldn't begin to understand the magnitude. Now I do.

So today, I am safely tucked away here in my house with my babies. I am not in New York, waiting in line with thousands others to drop a rose into a pool of remembrance. I am not nervously preparing a speech to memorial a husband, father, mother, sister or brother.

It not only 'just so happens' that myself or none of my love ones live or New York or weren't traveling to DC. There, but by the grace of God, go I....

Happy Grandparents Day

For the better part of my years, I have not had grandparents. But I do have to feel glad that for twelve of my years, I got to live next door to my grandpa.

He was a very gentle & quiet man. He never said much but had a sweet spirit about him. And he was very patient with us obnoxious grandkids.

I remember the night he had his heart attack. My mom rushed over and soon called the ambulance. I will never forget when I stepped into the garage and saw the swirling lights through the garage door's windows.

That was 21 years ago & I still get the nervous, sick in the pit of your stomach feeling.

He always offered me things like REAL licorice bits, "cakes" of gum, saltines spread with potted meat and those cheap little cookies that fit down on your finger like a ring (he kept those in a glass cookie jar).

One morning, when I was in kindergarten, I woke up to him in our livingroom. I must have looked confused, because he proceeded to explain to me that my school had burned down. I remember not believing him... that's every school kid's dream! But he was telling the truth & I got to stay with him that day.

He let my 'outside dog' sleep in his livingroom.

He didn't get mad when I threw apples from his tree onto his roof.

He looked surprised, but didn't get too upset when my cousin & I barged in & said we were having a picnic in his 'utility room.'

That's patience.

When his wife died, he didn't send his two young daughters, five & three, to be raised by someone else...like many men in that era would have. He got their hair cut short & did his best.

He sat in the pew behind us at church. Every Sunday.

He never did anything to hurt anyone.

Those are the memories I have. And on my list of people who are no longer with us, whom I'd like to see, he ranks very, very high.

My kids are just as lucky.

They have grandparents, each with their own offerings, who love them so much, Gabe & Flynn can do no wrong.
My kids will be blessed with so many memories, their minds will hold our parents far longer than life will.

My prayer is many more years for Gabe & Flynn to know them. Many days to spend with them. And an eternity in heaven with them, after we leave this earth.

I see you all now through a different light. A light that sheds love into a heart that already loved you all so much.

Happy Grandparents Day.

Garage Sale - cha'ching!

We had a garage sale, yesterday & today. Sold everything from clothes they've outgrown to shoes I've outgrown to the cute little blow up thing Flynn wore the first time she swam.
Ouch, selling your baby's baby clothes hurts. It really hits you, that you're done. Sniff sniff.
BUT - we did make close to $200. And I celebrated by paying cash at Schnucks this afternoon (10 for $10 sale!).
And can I say...because I am a garage saler, I CAN say this...
People that come to garage salers; they are an ODD bunch! From the lady who argued me down on the toddler bed, to the weirdo who flicked her cig into the grass. Strange.
But their coins spend!

I love Adobe Photoshop!

CornRowTastic

BEHOLD! The "Big Girl Bed"

A little over a year ago, we moved Flynn from the baby bed into a toddler bed...to make room for "Baby Gabe."

When we made this transition, we told her, "You're getting a 'Big Girl Bed'!"

We lied.

THIS:

is a BIG GIRL BED.

Thank you Nana & Papa, for the new bed.

Thank you Hannah, for saving your Barney sheets for 13 years!

Thank you Flynn, for sleeping ALL night.

Gammy's Feet

Flynn- Your feet look just like your Gammy's Feet. I've never seen anything like it - ever.

I remember, when you were in the NICU at Cardinal Glennon. You would hook your long big toe on the edge of the isolette & I laughed & said, "You have your Daddy's feet."

But about a year ago, I saw Gammy's feet & couldn't believe my eyes. They looked just like yours... or I guess, yours look just like her's. You have a fat big toe and the other four toes seem to be turning toward the big toe in respect.

I've never seen such strong likeness.

Memo to All Employees (from Gabe)

MEMO

To All Employees
CC The Owner

From Gabe

Since turning one, a lot has changed.

I have a 2nd tooth. This seems to be advantageous, as I'm now able to bite & tear food (i.e. crackers, bread, cheese, etc.). I'm also practicing how the new teeth will work on skin. I've bit The Owner a couple of times. And I have attempted to bite Sissy. If I can just get at least one on top, then I will be much more successful.

The Owner is trying to change my mode of milk drinking. I'm quite resistant to this change and am hoping that the changeover will not take place. I've set up a meeting with the four of us (The Owner, myself & the milk sources) to discuss the possible change and what we can do to avoid it. The Owner has offered some new cups in hopes that this will ease the changeover. They are very efficient cups but are nothing like the original.

My feet are growing rapidly as is my head. My weight is not pacing the other two. The Owner has commented that I look like an olive atop a toothpic. I have filed a complaint against this comment.

There is still no development on the Hair Project. Things have not changed much in this area. The Owner laughs while rubbing my head. I have filed a complaint against this.

The new toybox is currently only 50% occupied. I have sent a memo to The Owner and our partner companies, Grandparents, Inc. that this occupancy level drastically needs to increase. As it stands, I am unable to reach any of the toys, as the level is so low. The Owner would like to see the level increase as well, as that will occupy me, as well as the toybox.

A strange virus, not computer, has spread through the office. We're hoping the virus will be gone soon, as employee productivity is at an all-time low. Most employees have used all their sick days.

The Owner is also trying to be more structured with all employees naps. There will be another update soon on the progress of Project Nap. The Owner uses the words that she is, "Dying a slow death by lack of sleep." I have filed a complaint against such accusations.

Please be sure to get back with me if you can help with the toybox issue. I will also gladly accept giftcards in leiu of items.

Thank you for your continued company loyalty,

Gabriel D Perry

City Life

Flynn must've told me HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA, about 25 times yesterday. That in & of itself is a gift. Forget the fact that I ended up w/ a fever & a nasty sinus/allergy/cold/virus thing & didn't really sleep last night.

Something funny though about the South County pedestrian system (or lack therof). Jeff was at the McD's by Babies R Us. I ran into the Walgreen, catty-whompus (how do u spell that anyway??) from there. I was all, "Oh, I'll walk over there." Feeling all city-like. Haha... as I stood at one intersection through THREE cycles of lights and it still never turned. But that wasn't even the worst thing... the worst was the STARING. I guess each motorist was shocked to see someone standing there who wasn't either:

• Selling giant pixysticks in exchange for a donation to their church
• Selling Gus's Pretzels
• Selling a paper
• Holding a firefighters' boot & asking for change
• Holding a cardboard sign (which, after standing there for several minutes, I did get a little hungry & started to consider it)

So then, I give up on that intersection & walk down to another. Which didn't even have a signal for the way I was wanting to go. AAAARGH. Forget it. I stood there & waited for Jeff to come riding up in his silver horse, I mean minivan, and save me.

So much for city life.

Double Digits

I hit double digits today (well, I'd been in double digits, but today I hit twin digits).
And there are a few things I'd like to do for my birthday....

Take a shower. An uninterrupted shower. One that doesn't involve little hands reaching through the curtains. Or a voice that charges into the room yelling, "Momma, I have to go to the bathroom..."

Sit down & eat a meal. I mean, feed myself...and only myself. A quote from the movie, A Christmas Story (Jeff, correct me if I am wrong on this, Oh Master of Movie quotes), "My mom hadn't eaten a warm meal in over five years..."

Spend this entire day & not check our bank account balance & have some type of crying spell.

Watch a 30-minute tv show. I don't care, it could be Sanford & Sons. Just as long as no one is standing in front of the tv. Even if they have a cute diaper backside.

Feed a meal where everyone eats, no one says, "I don't like it Momma", no one spits at me, no one wipes their little 1 yr old hand all over their foody mouth, then all over their eyes, nose, hair, ears and me.

Not wipe noses today (even though, to count, I've already wiped noses about 17 kajillion times).

Who am I kidding....
we all know that this is exactly what I want to do...
on my brithday and everyday.

Thanks Mom, for working really hard on this day thirty, a, ahem, I mean, twenty three years ago. I hope the fruits of your labor have paid off.