Monday, October 15, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Beans Have Been Spilled
On my last post, I casually mentioned that I needed to be packing, but gave little (ok- no explination). We are moving! The move date will be sometime in the middle of November. We have had the house for a little while now, we've just been waiting to make the official announcement until we had a closing date, which we are still waiting on- at least we're down to a definite week! Our family has been so blessed, thus far, at how simple & relatively easy this process has gone. We've had (and still have) so many friends that have had such a hard time either finding a house or selling one, that I really feel a little guilty telling the story, but for those of you who haven't heard- I'll give you a short version. The Lord has truly been gracious to us!
Early this summer our realtor called us to let us know that there was house for sale in an older neighborhood that we love (okay, stalk for available houses) in the city we currently live. She said she didn't know much about it but it was a good price for the square footage. We took a look and decided that while it would be quite the updating project, the space was perfect for us and too good of a deal to pass up. So, we made an offer and had a contract on the home. There were several things found in the home inspection that we felt needed to be repaired before we were willing to buy, but the owner was not willing to fix things. So, we let it go and decided this was just not the time for us to move- we hadn't really been looking anyway.
Well, a couple of months later I was looking at real estate online and saw that the house was still for sale and the price had been lowered considerably. We gave our realtor a call and she found out that they had done a lot of the repairs we wanted. So, we made another offer and the home owner accepted!
In the meantime, the realtor showing the house had a young couple looking for their first home who had had a hard time finding something they liked and deciding to make an offer before the house sold. So, she asked if she could show them our house before we put it on the market. We agreed, they liked it, and now it looks like we should all be playing trading spaces in a little over a month!
I wish I had a photo of the outside to post, but it has already been taken off the web. We'll definitely post some before & after's as we make progress on the renovations!
Early this summer our realtor called us to let us know that there was house for sale in an older neighborhood that we love (okay, stalk for available houses) in the city we currently live. She said she didn't know much about it but it was a good price for the square footage. We took a look and decided that while it would be quite the updating project, the space was perfect for us and too good of a deal to pass up. So, we made an offer and had a contract on the home. There were several things found in the home inspection that we felt needed to be repaired before we were willing to buy, but the owner was not willing to fix things. So, we let it go and decided this was just not the time for us to move- we hadn't really been looking anyway.
Well, a couple of months later I was looking at real estate online and saw that the house was still for sale and the price had been lowered considerably. We gave our realtor a call and she found out that they had done a lot of the repairs we wanted. So, we made another offer and the home owner accepted!
In the meantime, the realtor showing the house had a young couple looking for their first home who had had a hard time finding something they liked and deciding to make an offer before the house sold. So, she asked if she could show them our house before we put it on the market. We agreed, they liked it, and now it looks like we should all be playing trading spaces in a little over a month!
I wish I had a photo of the outside to post, but it has already been taken off the web. We'll definitely post some before & after's as we make progress on the renovations!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
My Career Makeover
Every so often when I just really have nothing better to do (or am just procrastinating from finishing 3 of 4 paintings or say packing my entire house!), I check in with the people at Tickle Tests to see what they have enlightening to say about me through their little quizes. Today, I took the career makeover. Sometimes I agree with them, but today- I have to say the answer seems to be from somewhere in left field. I love that one of my career options is news anchor, when I answered the question "where would I go for news" with "I don't follow the news". Or that another option is socialite- is that even a career? I must have missed that in the college course catalog. How did that come up as an option- I put that Hollywood gossip was a waste of time!? However, I do like the way I look illustrated in a cruise director's uniform and might could put up with living in Oprah's shoes for a day or two- I am after all the "soul doctor to the world".
The Career Makeover
My Result: Cruise Director
Who's like you:
Oprah Winfrey
Likely careers:
Talk show host, HR director, news anchor, teacher, spiritual leader, socialite
Monday, October 01, 2007
First Day of October in Mississippi
I am wearing corduroy pants and a 3/4 length sleeve shirt, inside, perfectly comfortable. My son is playing in his swimming pool with his boats, outside, sweating to death in a swimsuit. Happy Deep South Fall, everyone!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Two Great Emails
I'm posting two of the greatest "mom emails" I've gotten in awhile. I always hate forwarding this kind of stuff, so here you're subjected to it under your on free will- if you'd like a copy, let me know.
The first is a great reminder of how important our work is not only to our children, but to us and our relationship with God. When you've dried your tears, watch the video. You'll probably cry again, but this time because you'll be laughing so hard at our day put to music.
Enjoy! :
I'm invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?"
Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please."
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.
She's going - she's going - she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
* No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
* These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
* They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
The underlined statement makes sense. When things are done wrong, everyone sees it.
"Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend, as in fact you do." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
The first is a great reminder of how important our work is not only to our children, but to us and our relationship with God. When you've dried your tears, watch the video. You'll probably cry again, but this time because you'll be laughing so hard at our day put to music.
Enjoy! :
I'm invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?"
Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please."
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.
She's going - she's going - she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
* No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
* These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
* They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
The underlined statement makes sense. When things are done wrong, everyone sees it.
"Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend, as in fact you do." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Budding Artist
Since you don't all get the privilege of having Wilson jump in your car after school and yell, "Hey Mama, look what I made!", I thought I'd share some pictures of his creations from Big School.
This was the picture from the first day that we were completing at 8:00 that night because he didn't want to get his hands dirty at school.
Red Circle week 
Painting skills- each week they have a color and shape that they look for
The above 2 are from the "God bless my friends & family" week
This week is "I am special"
As you can see, I think it's time to get my camera serviced- sorry these are blurry. Guess we'll be having a field trip to De Ville Camera later!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Wilson Wit and Wisdom
A few months ago Wilson went into a maternity store dressing room with me. I had several things to try on, one was a dress. I got the dress over my head and shoulders, but that was as far as it was going. When I tried taking it off, it was quite apparent that it was not going the other direction either. After a few tugs and hearing a few threads pop, I called the cashier to come remove me from her merchandise. This was apparently more embarrassing for Wilson that it was for me because several weeks later we were in another store and as I entered the dressing room with an arm load of potential purchases, Wilson stopped. He looked at me and said, "Mom, you not gonna get stuck"!!
Our best pal, Nathan had his birthday party a couple of weeks ago. It was a bug party and everyone had a blast. As a favor he gave out small, plastic magnifying glasses and plastic bugs. Wilson has been attached to these treasures like they were gold since we left the Werne's house. He momentarily left them on the coffee table and went into another room while we were at my mom's a few days ago. His daddy picked it up and, being his "curious" self, began to fiddle with it, ending in the glass coming off of the handle (in his own words, Pat Pat & Paw you'll appreciate this, "it came apart"). He slyly stuck the glass back on the handle and waited for Wilson to return. As soon as Wilson picked it up, the pieces of course "came apart" again. Phil gasped as if in shock and asked what happened. Wilson looked right at him and said "who did it!?"
Wilson is very aware of any and all flags flying right now and lets you know when there is an American flag or a Mississippi one. We were watching a video the other day and he recognized that there was a flag on a ship, but didn't know which it was. I explained that it was the French flag- it goes with the country France. When I asked him what country we live in he replied "Big Daddy's country" (my dad's undeveloped land near Pisgah).
"Where's my Granna . . . where's my Granddaddy . . . where's my Grandjohn?" (that would be my 18 year old brother) I said where's John? "He's in Mississippi" (he's currently a freshman at MS State).
After asking him multiple questions about his day at preschool, "Mama, your driving me peanuts!" I guess a combination of me telling him he's driving me crazy and making me nuts.
Our best pal, Nathan had his birthday party a couple of weeks ago. It was a bug party and everyone had a blast. As a favor he gave out small, plastic magnifying glasses and plastic bugs. Wilson has been attached to these treasures like they were gold since we left the Werne's house. He momentarily left them on the coffee table and went into another room while we were at my mom's a few days ago. His daddy picked it up and, being his "curious" self, began to fiddle with it, ending in the glass coming off of the handle (in his own words, Pat Pat & Paw you'll appreciate this, "it came apart"). He slyly stuck the glass back on the handle and waited for Wilson to return. As soon as Wilson picked it up, the pieces of course "came apart" again. Phil gasped as if in shock and asked what happened. Wilson looked right at him and said "who did it!?"
Wilson is very aware of any and all flags flying right now and lets you know when there is an American flag or a Mississippi one. We were watching a video the other day and he recognized that there was a flag on a ship, but didn't know which it was. I explained that it was the French flag- it goes with the country France. When I asked him what country we live in he replied "Big Daddy's country" (my dad's undeveloped land near Pisgah).
"Where's my Granna . . . where's my Granddaddy . . . where's my Grandjohn?" (that would be my 18 year old brother) I said where's John? "He's in Mississippi" (he's currently a freshman at MS State).
After asking him multiple questions about his day at preschool, "Mama, your driving me peanuts!" I guess a combination of me telling him he's driving me crazy and making me nuts.
Monday, September 03, 2007
What's in a Name
Well, after much debate and a horrific view into the names on my side of the family's ancestry around the dinner table yesterday, we have settled on a name for little Shu-Shu (assuming we can break the habit of calling her Shu-Shu!). Her name will be
Miller Adelaide Ethridge
Miller is Phil's mom's maiden name and Adelaide is name that we just like. Maybe we'll get to take her to Adelaide, Australia one day- the place where her daddy first heard the name! As for what she will be called, we're throwing around Miller, Millie, and Addy. Of course, there was good ole great-great aunt Zora. Hmmm . . . .
Friday, August 31, 2007
This is for you Lori-
hope you get a minute to read it!
Lori is a friend of mine that I met in my former, pre babies, life when I was working. After years of claiming she and her husband beyond a shadow of doubt, would never, ever have children, they are joyfully expecting their first baby a couple of days after Shu Shu is due! In response to an email I sent her wishing her well and letting her know how excited I was that a wind of change had blown her way, she replied that I was such a GREAT mom, and should offer workshops, and blahba-dee, blah, blah, blah. I have not replied to that email, because quite frankly I am overwhelmed by the praise and find it quite misplaced. So Lori, just in case my greatness is casting to big of a shadow in your general Floridian direction, here goes. . .
I had cheeze-its, brownie bite cookies, and a coke for breakfast. I yelled at my dog and banished him to his crate for scooting his behind across the floor thereby leaving a trail- someone needs to invent doggie toilet paper. Wilson is watching Toy Story 2 for the second time today- it's only 10:15. I cried this morning because thinking up something to wear was just too overwhelming (I decided on a t-shirt and sweat pants- an outfit worthy of a melt down). So, this my dear friend, is how I respond to the marathon of all parenting challenges- spending the entire night in your child's bed while he cries out in his sleep every half hour for you (who is RIGHT THERE) due to a high fever.
Here's how Wilson has greeted his day- no fever, down from 104 less than 12 hours ago. Watching a movie, eating his breakfast, running to me, thrilled to pieces that he "finally" found the picture of the the Radiator Springs sign in his Cars book. It has sound buttons to match certain pictures placed in the story line. He can now push the sign button. I had no idea that he had been on the hunt for this wily Where's Waldo of illustrations, but he's in there "reading" right now (which means pushing each button as he comes to it on the page) and he came running in here and in an astonished voice said, "Mamma, I FINALLY found that sign, I found that picture of the sign!". I, having no idea what he was talking about, of course had to follow him into the den to relish in the discovery with him.
All of this just makes me want to look at him and say, "Were you THERE last night!? How in the name of WHATEVER do you have the clarity to make new discoveries and the energy to RUN to tell anyone about them. How can you be WELL! We were in the same twin sized bed, right? That was you feverishly crying, whining, chattering, and flailing around ALL NIGHT LONG like a crazy person, right?"
Maybe not. Maybe I'm the crazy one. We all know our own mom's are a little nuts, maybe I've just finally turned the corner.
So, Lori, I'm calling off the workshop today and your homework won't be due until next week- I've got hot dogs and cheez-wiz to cook up for lunch. And if I'm not in class on Monday, call Whitfield, I'll be in the pretty padded cell singing Woody's Round-Up (Wilson's new favorite song, that we play on repeat).
Lori is a friend of mine that I met in my former, pre babies, life when I was working. After years of claiming she and her husband beyond a shadow of doubt, would never, ever have children, they are joyfully expecting their first baby a couple of days after Shu Shu is due! In response to an email I sent her wishing her well and letting her know how excited I was that a wind of change had blown her way, she replied that I was such a GREAT mom, and should offer workshops, and blahba-dee, blah, blah, blah. I have not replied to that email, because quite frankly I am overwhelmed by the praise and find it quite misplaced. So Lori, just in case my greatness is casting to big of a shadow in your general Floridian direction, here goes. . .
I had cheeze-its, brownie bite cookies, and a coke for breakfast. I yelled at my dog and banished him to his crate for scooting his behind across the floor thereby leaving a trail- someone needs to invent doggie toilet paper. Wilson is watching Toy Story 2 for the second time today- it's only 10:15. I cried this morning because thinking up something to wear was just too overwhelming (I decided on a t-shirt and sweat pants- an outfit worthy of a melt down). So, this my dear friend, is how I respond to the marathon of all parenting challenges- spending the entire night in your child's bed while he cries out in his sleep every half hour for you (who is RIGHT THERE) due to a high fever.
Here's how Wilson has greeted his day- no fever, down from 104 less than 12 hours ago. Watching a movie, eating his breakfast, running to me, thrilled to pieces that he "finally" found the picture of the the Radiator Springs sign in his Cars book. It has sound buttons to match certain pictures placed in the story line. He can now push the sign button. I had no idea that he had been on the hunt for this wily Where's Waldo of illustrations, but he's in there "reading" right now (which means pushing each button as he comes to it on the page) and he came running in here and in an astonished voice said, "Mamma, I FINALLY found that sign, I found that picture of the sign!". I, having no idea what he was talking about, of course had to follow him into the den to relish in the discovery with him.
All of this just makes me want to look at him and say, "Were you THERE last night!? How in the name of WHATEVER do you have the clarity to make new discoveries and the energy to RUN to tell anyone about them. How can you be WELL! We were in the same twin sized bed, right? That was you feverishly crying, whining, chattering, and flailing around ALL NIGHT LONG like a crazy person, right?"
Maybe not. Maybe I'm the crazy one. We all know our own mom's are a little nuts, maybe I've just finally turned the corner.
So, Lori, I'm calling off the workshop today and your homework won't be due until next week- I've got hot dogs and cheez-wiz to cook up for lunch. And if I'm not in class on Monday, call Whitfield, I'll be in the pretty padded cell singing Woody's Round-Up (Wilson's new favorite song, that we play on repeat).
Thursday, August 30, 2007
What's new?
What a peaceful little sleeper- on mom's side of the bed, head on her favorite pillow! Wilson came and got in our bed one morning last week and fell back to sleep. He looked so cuddly and sweet I really couldn't do anything other than take his picture, even though I would have given anything to be in his exact spot!Too bad that peaceful sleeping doesn't happen all night every night. Like last night when his high fever kept him up so he slept on a pallet on our floor. He had a low-grade fever on Monday, but it did not affect him at all. Then Tuesday he woke up asking to go to school. I told him we'd have to take his temperature, but if he still had fever he couldn't go. To which he replied, "P-leeease let me goooo to my BIIIIG school!". 97.7. He went to school. Then I spent the better part of yesterday fussing at him to quit whining so much, only to discover at 7:00pm that he had 102 fever. Mom of the year, right here!
I think the official diagnosis is the crud. Thankfully, though, not strep. I have to say he braved the swabbing of the throat much better than I expected. Of course, it was the first time- I'm sure from now on he'll be much more wary of 10" Q-tips.
As we were leaving the office one of the nurses gave me a "bless your heart" look as she asked when I was due. When I told her January 16th her jaw about hit the floor. Then, I guess just to double check, she asked how far along I was. When I said 20 weeks she just about passed out. I guess it's safe to say that Shu Shu (no, we still don't have a name yet- does anyone know the Chinese meaning of Shu Shu, we may just stick with that!) is going to be a big baby. I'll round up and say I've gained about 2 pounds and at our last appointment she was measuring at 63%. Maybe she'll take after her great grandmother. My grandmother has a note from a relative congratulating her on a childhood achievement and being a "large girl". Shu Shu has made her first visible flip- apparently she likes Hello Kitty candy. I was taking a bath last night and had some cherry sours. I looked down to see her making some very big gestures of approval.
Well- those slice and bakes aren't going to put themselves in the oven. I better go . . .
Thursday, August 16, 2007
First Day of Preschool
"My new BIG School"
The new smile
A little better- is he going to preschool or 1st grade!?
Jack wanted to join in the funToday was Wilson's first day in Mrs. Erika's ("E-ika's") room at Trinity Preschool. I think it went quite well from his description (new songs, not old ones, he got to play in the gym and tried to catch the green ball, they read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, and had cheese crackers for snack). He didn't cry when I dropped him off, which is a HUGE milestone, but when I asked if some of his friends cried he said they did. Then I asked if he cried and he said he did, so maybe the day got more emotional as it went on! Their art project for the day was paint prints of their hands on a piece of paper labeled "My First Day at Trinity". Wilson's is blank. He didn't want to get his hands dirty.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Yet Another Good Report
Yesterday I had my regularly scheduled appointment with my doctor. It was the third ring of the circus that this pregnancy has become! About 40 minutes after I'd gotten there, someone called my name to come back. I turned around and it was the sonogram tech. I walked over and asked, "Am I seeing you today!?" She replied yes, if that's okay. I let her know that I had just been to see Dr. Perry about 2 days before so she said, well come on in and let me go check and see if they still want the sono. She came back and said, never mind- they don't need one today, go back to the waiting room, they'll call you back later. About another 45 minutes goes by and my name is called again. I turn around to see, who else, the same sonogram tech. She said never mind, the doc changed her mind, the report hasn't come down from Dr. Perry yet, we're going to do it. So we go back and do the second sonogram for this baby in less than a week. After that I went back to the waiting room. The nurse came and got me a few minutes later and took me back to have my bp taken and to talk to my doctor in her office. During the conversation we talked about how often I needed to be eating and it came up that I hadn't eaten since about 1:00- it was now 4:00. She said, "Yeah, it's probably about time for you to eat again" in a tsk, tsk kind of tone. Well you know what, if y'all would decide what you need me here for, when I actually need to have what done, or at least install some vending machines, I might could stick to your eat every two hours schedule!
Here are the latest pictures of our Shu Shu- the most photographed fetus this side of the MS (we're up to 5 sonograms in only 18 weeks!) She was a pretty big wiggle worm this time, so the pictures are all sort of blurry- here's the best 2 out of 5.
Here are the latest pictures of our Shu Shu- the most photographed fetus this side of the MS (we're up to 5 sonograms in only 18 weeks!) She was a pretty big wiggle worm this time, so the pictures are all sort of blurry- here's the best 2 out of 5.
Hand on forehead- "I can't believe you didn't bring the video tape or dad or my brother this time!"
Full profile- she has legs!
For the Loyal Jack Fans
I've caught a little grief for not keeping up with Jack's blog as some of you think I should. For you few, I'll direct you to look back in this blog's archives where I wrote extensively on the topic of "I'm no Good at Daily Journaling, Therefore Don't Expect Very Regular Posts". Then I'll add that I don't really remember how to log into his account to update. So, I'll fill you in on him on our regular, family blog. Last weekend we rented a Rug Doctor from the grocery store to clean the carpet in our bedroom. Jack was less than thrilled with our weekend guest. Here's a video of him bravely defending us from it. The video would be longer, but our memory card won't hold a solid weekend's worth of his "bravery" (And it did last all weekend, except for when I scared the pee-willy out of him by opening the laundry door which is behind it in the picture. Apparently he takes after me, gets a little focused on the task at hand and any sudden movement in the periphery can give him a heart attack. He also ran for the hills anytime it was on, but other than that, a true stoic.)
Friday, August 10, 2007
Shu Shu is a She She!
Well, I know I said that we'd be finding out what flavor this new baby is next week, but I had an unexpected appointment today and we found out that we're having a girl! Quite honestly, it's quite an adjustment to think about pink shoes, hair bows, and baby dolls, but the grandmammas and Wilson are thrilled enough for all of us until the news becomes more real. She was quite the little wiggle worm and that was with me having had no breakfast- I think we have a fire ball on our hands!
Most importantly, she looked perfectly healthy and we had a very in depth look at her. Like I said, this was an unexpected appointment. A nurse from my doctor's office called yesterday morning and said that there was an opening at one of the prenatal specialists in town's office and that my regular doctor wanted me to go in today and have a targeted sonogram. So we spent about 30 minutes looking at all the bones, vertebrae, and movements she has. I have my regularly scheduled appointment on Tuesday so I'll find out then why the sudden need to go to a specialist. But as of today, everything looked as perfect as could be. She's measuring one day behind her due date. So, the fact that I haven't been able to eat a lot doesn't seem to be bothering her one bit, which is really the only concern I've had.
No names yet, but I expect that will come in a new post very soon. Here are a couple of the pictures we got. She likes to suck her thumb and we also caught a glimpse of her patting herself on the back. Pretty funny!
Most importantly, she looked perfectly healthy and we had a very in depth look at her. Like I said, this was an unexpected appointment. A nurse from my doctor's office called yesterday morning and said that there was an opening at one of the prenatal specialists in town's office and that my regular doctor wanted me to go in today and have a targeted sonogram. So we spent about 30 minutes looking at all the bones, vertebrae, and movements she has. I have my regularly scheduled appointment on Tuesday so I'll find out then why the sudden need to go to a specialist. But as of today, everything looked as perfect as could be. She's measuring one day behind her due date. So, the fact that I haven't been able to eat a lot doesn't seem to be bothering her one bit, which is really the only concern I've had.
No names yet, but I expect that will come in a new post very soon. Here are a couple of the pictures we got. She likes to suck her thumb and we also caught a glimpse of her patting herself on the back. Pretty funny!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Saturday at the Lake
Today we spent the day in Louisianna at Lake Bruin with our community group from church. We had a great time- following are a couple of pictures and I'll direct you to the Werne's blog for more pics and a great video of the tubing highlights. Thanks, Kilman's- we all had a blast!
There was a tractor- need I say more?
Dad & Wilson swimming in the lake
There was a tractor- need I say more?(Also, this is the new face you get when you ask Wilson to smile for the camera. At least he's participating in the process now instead of screaming "NO!")
Friday, August 03, 2007
May I Rant?
Mr. Politician:
It's not enough that I have to endure your chubby face in my mailbox EVERY day of the week, and your commercials on TV all day long, and you and your "helpers" ringing my door bell all day thereby setting my dog into a frenzy and potentially waking my child only to hand me another copy of the chubby face emblazoned flyer, xeroxed copies of tear stained letters from your wives, pictures of your poor kids and their fake smiles, you are now calling my home at all hours of the day. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! It's obvious that you know we don't want to talk to you. You hide behind "private caller" & "1800 service" so, in turn, we don't answer. But that's not enough for you- oh no. You or one of your family members, church friends, or dog sitters leaves a message- not a live one mind you, but a recording. You don't even WANT to talk to us. You just want yet another opportunity to force yourselves on us. If I had a question for you or was even remotely interested in what you have to say- I can't have any sort of exchange with you. So here's what I have to offer in return- I'm not voting. There I said it- I'm usually a very patriotic, everyone should vote kind of person, but now I'm not going to vote for any of you on August 7th. (They always say every vote counts- what would happen if NONE of us went? I mean what if literally NO ONE showed up. How funny would that be? Who would be the winner? I'm just curious, not trying to start a movement or anything.) There is also supposedly a demographic of people that chronically doesn't vote. Although I usually do, I think I'm still in the age category that all of you are supposed to be reaching out to, to draw in to really sway your campaign. All you've done for me is tick me off. You'll find that our generation responds quite well to a Sesame Street type approach. Everyone gets about 15 seconds. Set your platform to music and come up with a little song and dance to accompany it. No need for a lot fluff- just the bare facts. Quite frankly singing "The Ladybug Picnic" gets me to the count of 12 every time and I can still remember most of the words to Rubber Ducky from 25 years ago- I can't remember any of YOUR names or what the difference is between any of you from any of the 25 times I've had to avoid you TODAY.
One common thread among all of our local candidates is street repair/beautification. For the past 3 months all you've done is make the place look like a city dump. At every entrance to every neighborhood and on every street corner there are approximately 50-12 campaign signs. As if I'm going to be driving along and say "well, I've seen 83 signs for this guy but only 81 for that one, guy number one must really have his stuff together. I'm gonna go with HIM. He's got great cardboard sign placement- he'll take our community places." Although it's almost as annoying, just have your friends put ONE sign in their yards- bombarding us as we leave our neighborhood doesn't help your cause.
I had to get this out because it was just building up and I'm scared people are going be greeted at my door with a cordless phone and a pile of glossy card stock being hurled out past them into oncoming traffic if I get one more UNSOLICITED call (I guess y'all conveniently kept yourselves out of the candidates for the "do not call list") or stack of junk mail (honestly, how many copies of the same advertisement do you think I need filling up my already overflowing garbage can). At least with telemarketers it's a real person you can either ask not to call back or get the satisfaction of hanging up on. I'm scared of where this obsessive campaigning trail is leading. Next summer am I going to open my front door to find a cardboard cut out of you and your family standing there with a recording of where you go to church and what your opponent did behind closed doors?
I think a nice independent publication produced a week or two before the election and mailed to each registered voter would be a good start. Everyone who has their hat in the race gets a page- double spaced, size 12 Times New Roman font. You may have one section to list factual qualifications you have for the job (sorry, the fact that you are a member of a church or the NRA does not count- both are required just to maintain a residence below the Mason Dixon line)and in the second section you may list goals you have for your term- be careful here, this will be a legally binding document. Note there's not much room here to tell me anything about your opponents or other public officials that have "gotten in the way" of you doing your job. We'll go with Mr. Rogers here- don't worry about your neighbor, you just worry about you. I haven't decided yet if I want to see your face printed on your page or not. This will be your only contact with the voters other than any public debates you wish to take part in, phone calls you wish to answer AT YOUR RESIDENCE (your phone number WILL be listed on your page), and I'll allow a final list of candidates to be published in all newspapers a few months before the election. Still interested in running?
Thank you for your time,
Maggie
PS- sorry if I've offended any of my regular readers, but you did choose to read the whole thing and it wasn't addressed to any of you!
It's not enough that I have to endure your chubby face in my mailbox EVERY day of the week, and your commercials on TV all day long, and you and your "helpers" ringing my door bell all day thereby setting my dog into a frenzy and potentially waking my child only to hand me another copy of the chubby face emblazoned flyer, xeroxed copies of tear stained letters from your wives, pictures of your poor kids and their fake smiles, you are now calling my home at all hours of the day. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! It's obvious that you know we don't want to talk to you. You hide behind "private caller" & "1800 service" so, in turn, we don't answer. But that's not enough for you- oh no. You or one of your family members, church friends, or dog sitters leaves a message- not a live one mind you, but a recording. You don't even WANT to talk to us. You just want yet another opportunity to force yourselves on us. If I had a question for you or was even remotely interested in what you have to say- I can't have any sort of exchange with you. So here's what I have to offer in return- I'm not voting. There I said it- I'm usually a very patriotic, everyone should vote kind of person, but now I'm not going to vote for any of you on August 7th. (They always say every vote counts- what would happen if NONE of us went? I mean what if literally NO ONE showed up. How funny would that be? Who would be the winner? I'm just curious, not trying to start a movement or anything.) There is also supposedly a demographic of people that chronically doesn't vote. Although I usually do, I think I'm still in the age category that all of you are supposed to be reaching out to, to draw in to really sway your campaign. All you've done for me is tick me off. You'll find that our generation responds quite well to a Sesame Street type approach. Everyone gets about 15 seconds. Set your platform to music and come up with a little song and dance to accompany it. No need for a lot fluff- just the bare facts. Quite frankly singing "The Ladybug Picnic" gets me to the count of 12 every time and I can still remember most of the words to Rubber Ducky from 25 years ago- I can't remember any of YOUR names or what the difference is between any of you from any of the 25 times I've had to avoid you TODAY.
One common thread among all of our local candidates is street repair/beautification. For the past 3 months all you've done is make the place look like a city dump. At every entrance to every neighborhood and on every street corner there are approximately 50-12 campaign signs. As if I'm going to be driving along and say "well, I've seen 83 signs for this guy but only 81 for that one, guy number one must really have his stuff together. I'm gonna go with HIM. He's got great cardboard sign placement- he'll take our community places." Although it's almost as annoying, just have your friends put ONE sign in their yards- bombarding us as we leave our neighborhood doesn't help your cause.
I had to get this out because it was just building up and I'm scared people are going be greeted at my door with a cordless phone and a pile of glossy card stock being hurled out past them into oncoming traffic if I get one more UNSOLICITED call (I guess y'all conveniently kept yourselves out of the candidates for the "do not call list") or stack of junk mail (honestly, how many copies of the same advertisement do you think I need filling up my already overflowing garbage can). At least with telemarketers it's a real person you can either ask not to call back or get the satisfaction of hanging up on. I'm scared of where this obsessive campaigning trail is leading. Next summer am I going to open my front door to find a cardboard cut out of you and your family standing there with a recording of where you go to church and what your opponent did behind closed doors?
I think a nice independent publication produced a week or two before the election and mailed to each registered voter would be a good start. Everyone who has their hat in the race gets a page- double spaced, size 12 Times New Roman font. You may have one section to list factual qualifications you have for the job (sorry, the fact that you are a member of a church or the NRA does not count- both are required just to maintain a residence below the Mason Dixon line)and in the second section you may list goals you have for your term- be careful here, this will be a legally binding document. Note there's not much room here to tell me anything about your opponents or other public officials that have "gotten in the way" of you doing your job. We'll go with Mr. Rogers here- don't worry about your neighbor, you just worry about you. I haven't decided yet if I want to see your face printed on your page or not. This will be your only contact with the voters other than any public debates you wish to take part in, phone calls you wish to answer AT YOUR RESIDENCE (your phone number WILL be listed on your page), and I'll allow a final list of candidates to be published in all newspapers a few months before the election. Still interested in running?
Thank you for your time,
Maggie
PS- sorry if I've offended any of my regular readers, but you did choose to read the whole thing and it wasn't addressed to any of you!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
A Not So Brief Summary of the Summer So Far . . .
I apologize for the lack of "good" posts over the past few months. But I think, I may be "back". The first sign of my "backness" was that while Phil was out of town earlier this week I stayed up all night crafting; as opposed to a week ago when he was out of town and I went to bed at 8:45 so I wouldn't have any more chances to throw up. It's been about 72 hours since I lost anything deposited to my stomach, and I have to say it feels good. Hopefully, a corner has been turned!
Anyway, without further ado, here are photos and a video from our summer thus far:
Anyway, without further ado, here are photos and a video from our summer thus far:
We went to Uncle Rusty's lake house for his 50th birthday party. Wilson had tons of fun hanging out in their boat house practicing his kayaking.
That same weekend, Tate came back for a sleepover. He has gotten a little chunky since moving in with his grandparents, so we put him on a strict diet of water and exercise while he was here. Wilson was his trainer.
Next we were off to Memphis to see our Aunt Suzanne and Cousin Lindsey (and the boys in their family, too!) The first morning we were there, Wilson helped Suzanne in her garden- here he's showing off a cucumber he helped picked.
That afternoon we got to have lunch on a REAL train!
Here's Wilson patting Daisy, Suzanne's bunny. If you've ever asked Wilson what a bunny says and he's responded with a growl, this is the rabbit that started that!
Wilson was fascinated with their dog/cat/rabbit door! That's him waving to us in the first picture- what a comedian!
The next week we went to Perdido with Granna. This is Wilson in front of one of two cars in our parking lot that had quite original paint jobs and hood ornaments. (it's worth your time to click on the first one to enlarge it- note the grin on his face!)
Wilson spotted the huge bird from the balcony of our condo one night. We, of course, had to immediately head down to chase it.
These are from the 4th of July at Pop & Mim's house:
Nothing like sword fighting with a flower pot man, or sittin' on dry land in boat with your Paw
Feeding Daddy blueberries.
Here's Wilson, Daddy, and Uncle Andy with their tour group at the Jack Daniels distillery
Dad and Wilson with the Jack Daniels car.
Back at home, spending the morning in the pool with his new boats.
And here are our new crafts:
Wilson painted this frame and added the construction truck stickers, then we put a picture of Shu Shu in
I've been looking for something to hang in the corner of Wilson's room over his low bookshelves, and found this mobile in a fun new craft book I bought. I replaced the circus animals in their pattern with trucks, rockets, and planes. Of course, the craft lady was able to stop all traces of air movement when she took the picture of hers, so all the things hanging were facing the right direction- I haven't mastered that skill yet!New Blog Member . . .
. . . new look! I hope you like it. We'll know (Lord willing) on August 14th if the newest member is pink or blue.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Happy First Birthday Seth & Tyler!
This week our good friends Seth & Tyler Lott turned 1 and yesterday they had their birthday party! It was "lotts" of fun and great to catch up with their mamma & daddy- we can't wait for y'all to get back up here for good!
After we'd been there for about an hour Wilson looked at me and said, "These are the same babies!" He had a great time testing out all their new toys while they ate the wrapping paper.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
A Few More Quotes From Wilson
As usual, I remembered a few more the day after I posted!!
We were at my aunt's in Memphis a few weeks ago, swimming in her pool. My mom kept asking Wilson to jump in to her and he kept saying, "no, not right now." So finally she said, "well when, do I have to make an appointment!?" He turned to her and said "NO, NO PAPPOINTMENTS!!" and ran away.
One of the few things that remains okay for me to eat (who knows why) is Cool Ranch Doritos. I had had some for a snack yesterday and later gave Wilson a kiss on the cheek. He said,"ooo, mamma, you stinky!" I said what are you talking about?! He came back and sniffed around my face and said, "yea, you stinky!" I think I remember why I quit eating Cool Ranch Doritos like 15 years ago.
I'm sure there will be more to follow . . .
We were at my aunt's in Memphis a few weeks ago, swimming in her pool. My mom kept asking Wilson to jump in to her and he kept saying, "no, not right now." So finally she said, "well when, do I have to make an appointment!?" He turned to her and said "NO, NO PAPPOINTMENTS!!" and ran away.
One of the few things that remains okay for me to eat (who knows why) is Cool Ranch Doritos. I had had some for a snack yesterday and later gave Wilson a kiss on the cheek. He said,"ooo, mamma, you stinky!" I said what are you talking about?! He came back and sniffed around my face and said, "yea, you stinky!" I think I remember why I quit eating Cool Ranch Doritos like 15 years ago.
I'm sure there will be more to follow . . .
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
A Few New Quotes from WEE
We are still playing "poop for prizes" around here and things are going much better. Today he let me know he needed to go and I told him he'd get the new puzzle he'd picked out. As he was on the potty "pushing"- "allllmooost theeere . . . alllmooost goot my puuuuzzle. . . .almost there . . . "
Tonight I let him know that he had to stay in bed- if I heard him come out or turn his light on, I'd come back and spank him- "and you'll bring a spoon?" yes, I'll bring a spoon "and you have a spoon in your purse?" yes, I still have a spoon in my purse. I guess he's just making sure he knows where they all are.
My dad and brother just got home from a 5 week trip to Alaska. After I had talked to them for the first time, I said "Wilson, guess who's home?" "BIG DADDY & UNCA JOHN!?" "Yeah- we're going to go see them" "And Big Daddy's gonna love me and John's gonna pick me up and love me"
Currently he's quite excited about his new sibling and talks about Shu-shu all of the time "shu-shu's gonna pat me on the back" "shu-shu's gonna play with this truck" "we'll put shu-shu in her bed and she'll love her lion". He's quite certain "shu-shu" is a girl and apparently that she's going to think he hung the moon and will be ready and willing to massage him, play trucks, and go to bed upon command. I should have been so specific in my hopes for him!
This week we've had Bible School and he's been pretty excited about going. The second day he came running through the kitchen saying, "I turn da TV off, let's get my shoes, it's time to go!"
Tonight I let him know that he had to stay in bed- if I heard him come out or turn his light on, I'd come back and spank him- "and you'll bring a spoon?" yes, I'll bring a spoon "and you have a spoon in your purse?" yes, I still have a spoon in my purse. I guess he's just making sure he knows where they all are.
My dad and brother just got home from a 5 week trip to Alaska. After I had talked to them for the first time, I said "Wilson, guess who's home?" "BIG DADDY & UNCA JOHN!?" "Yeah- we're going to go see them" "And Big Daddy's gonna love me and John's gonna pick me up and love me"
Currently he's quite excited about his new sibling and talks about Shu-shu all of the time "shu-shu's gonna pat me on the back" "shu-shu's gonna play with this truck" "we'll put shu-shu in her bed and she'll love her lion". He's quite certain "shu-shu" is a girl and apparently that she's going to think he hung the moon and will be ready and willing to massage him, play trucks, and go to bed upon command. I should have been so specific in my hopes for him!
This week we've had Bible School and he's been pretty excited about going. The second day he came running through the kitchen saying, "I turn da TV off, let's get my shoes, it's time to go!"
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
ONE HUNDRED and how many days?!
Did I miss read it, or does the ticker really say that I'm going to be pregnant for the REST OF MY LIFE? I haven't blogged in a while because I'm basically sticking to the "if you don't have anything nice to say . . . " philosophy. So if you want the honest truth I have really been feeling pretty cruddy for the past, oh, let's just say several months. The other night after having been sick, yet again, Phil said, "I guess Shu Shu (Wilson's nick name for the baby) is a picky eater." I think Shu Shu is a picky gestater. I tried to make myself feel better on the 8th, because I looked down saw that it was the 8th and said okay, at this time in how many months, I'll be packing my suitcase to go to the hospital tomorrow (I'm assuming my section date will be Jan. 9). It came out to 6 months and that was no consolation. If anyone has a flux capacitor in their possession, I'm in dire need of some time travel.
Maybe in a couple of days I'll share some pictures of the 3 trips we've been on in the last 3 weeks. I'll just have to get some files from various people, I keep forgetting to take my camera with me. I need to get a purse sized one, so I "never leave home with out it".
Monday, July 02, 2007
Ode to Jack
Jack has begun his own page for those of you who may be interested. We love you Jack Man!
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