Life goes on!

My brain is on overload! Last week I was to have a doctor's appointment with the "woman" doctor and had to reschedule it. When I did that I scheduled it for today, COMPLETELY forgetting that my dear husband would be away on his God Squad retreat! UGH! I really didn't want to reschedule it again as it is difficult to find appointments (I lucked out with today's, the next one wasn't available until Nov. 25th!). So, armed with my portable DVD player and some Backyardigan DVDs we headed off. I bribed the older two with a movie afterwards. I was so nervous about leaving them in the waiting room. But they did great and when the nurse took my blood pressure it was only 100/70! I thought for sure it would be soaring! I also have lost 2 more pounds since last Wednesday. I have to admit I am feeling a bit better, more energy. I don't think I have mentally come to the realization that this is a life time change. I keep hoping I will be able to get off the medication. But God is working in me that maybe this isn't a "short term" thing. I am praying that I will be able to take care of myself so that I don't have to deal with so many of the complications that come with diabetes later in life. More so, I believe that this is trust issue with God. He is asking me to trust him with my health and telling me to get myself in gear. I am trying.

After the doctor we went to the movies and saw "Beverly Hills Chihuahua". It was just as silly as I thought it would be. Sarah and Matt loved it. They giggled and laughed and had a great time. It was a nice diversion from Andy's absence. The rest of the day was spent running errands and coming home, eating dinner, and off to bed. Andy came home around 9:00 pm and of course, Matt and Sarah were still up listening for the door. They were excited to see him. It's good he's home. I really hate being a single mom - even for 24 hours! It is just so much easier with two! I thank God everyday for such a wonderful husband and father.

Missing.....

I guess that's what I have been! I am still here and hope to return to blogging really soon. Life has thrown me a curve ball and I have been trying to get my brain wrapped around the situation and get my life in some sort of control. The reason for my missing blogs is that on October 2nd I was diagnosed with diabetes. It isn't something that should have come as a shock to me as I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with Daniel, but it did. I am on medication. But this whole idea has thrown me for a curve. I have never really been a "good" eater. I didn't have a healthy diet growing up and have continued some of the same patterns. I have gotten better as I got older and had kids who needed nutritious meals, but I continued eating candy, cakes, and drinking a TON of soda. Not any more!

October 8th I joined Weight Watchers and since my September 25th doctor's appointment I have lost 9 pounds. I am praying that as I lose the weight I should have lost years ago, I will be able to get off the medication. I know that may never happen, but regardless, I need to lose the weight. So much of my time is spent planning meals, exercising, and homeschooling. I am starting to feel a bit in control, but I think it will take several more weeks. Please pray for me as I follow this path. Pray that I can teach my kids how to be healthier so that they aren't in the same boat I am in when they are my age!

To Beebee or Not to Beebee?

That is the question that is currently on my mind! Last week, in an effort to get Daniel weaned off the "beebee" (his pacifier), I told him that it needed to stay on his bed. If it wasn't there when he went down for a nap or to bed, I wasn't going to hunt around for it any longer. Sunday through Wednesday nap was great. He left where it belonged. But after his nap on Wednesday he had it in his mouth and refused to put it away. I gave him a warning, but he failed to put it on his bed. When he went to bed that night, there was no beebee. I stuck to my guns and did not look for it. He had chosen the day he was going off the beebee. He only cried for about 90 minutes. He handled it MUCH better than I thought he would. The next few naps and bedtimes he asked for it, but didn't cry and fuss. I soon figured out why. He has taken to sucking his thumb or finger! When I asked him about it his response was, "It's just like my beebee!" UGH!!!!!! Now I am wondering, is it better to let him have the pacifier or let him use his thumb? I am planning on calling both the pediatrician and the dentist to get their takes. I had no idea Daniel would do the thumb thing when we took the beebee away. Unbelievable! So if any of you parents out their who have dealt with this kind of thing have any sage words of wisdom, I could gladly use them!

The Truth and Nothing But the Truth

Each child is unique. My three are as different from one another as chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla ice cream. Each one is great and I enjoy each one for their different God given traits. I often wonder why God waited so long to give us Daniel. There is a six year gap between Sarah and Daniel. But everyday I see his smiling face, I know why.... for laughter! He is our stress reliever! Has been since birth! He loves us unconditionally, and always has something enlightening to say!

We are currently in the throws of potty training. He is so not into it! But we keep trying. Today he was a bit odoriferous. I asked him, "Daniel, are you stinky?" Before he could answer I also added, "And tell me the truth!" His response, "No! And that's not the truth!" I could not help but crack up! Whether his little brain understood just what he said, or he misspoke, I'll never know. It got me thinking about truth. Our world likes to think that you make your own truth. It is my hearts desire to teach my kids and those we work with about THE TRUTH. Clubs will be starting back up September 29th. Please pray for Andy and the others on staff that have the awesome responsibility of teaching the kids about Jesus Christ. Pray that hearts would be softened towards the Word and that we would have a great autumn/ winter session. This time of year usually brings out the largest crowds as most kids/ families know kids that attend these next few months can earn an invitation to the Christmas Party (pre-teens is December 10th). With times getting harder, many families rely on the coming events to help out (Thanksgiving Meal Give-away, Thanksgiving Church Dinner, Kids Club Christmas Parties, etc.). Thanks for praying!

The Sun Returns!

It was a beautiful sunny day, though the temperature was a might bit chillier than previous days. The wind didn't help any either. But to the beach we went!

Daniel and I headed out first and stayed out for about two hours before he decided he'd had enough and wanted to go home. That was fine by me. Matt, Sarah, and Andy stayed out two more hours, boogie boarding and playing in the water which was definitely warmer than the air.

Tonight we also hit Wonderland Pier and rode the rides. Daniel had a blast, but wanted someone to ride the rides with him.

He finally braved the boats by himself as all of were too big to go on with him.

I can't believe it is Wednesday already. Soon we will be packing up and heading home. I wish we could stay another week. I am dreading going home and starting the craziness of life. I will cherish these next three days.

Not All Days Can Be A Beach Day!

Today was not a beach day. We went out for our morning bike ride and came back to get ready for the beach when we saw this outside.Then the storm hit. It was a great storm! I loved sitting on the porch and watching the storm go by.It rained most of the afternoon, so we stayed inside and played Wii, slept, and read. It was a pretty peaceful afternoon. Tonight, Matt, my mom and I went to Target as Krystal Meyers new CD was released today. She is one of Matt's favorite artists and he really wanted to get the CD on release day. He probably won't open it as he will agonize over whether or not he really wants it for about a week. But he has it in hand and for now that is good enough.

The rest of the week is supposed to be great! It's back to the beach tomorrow!

The Beach

We have been having a blast soaking in the sun and playing in the sand and waves. Here are a few pictures to show our fun.The motley crew! Sam was down for Sunday.

Daniel pretending to surf. There were a lot of surfers out after the big storm.

Matt skimboarding.

Sarah is a fish, spending most of her day in the water.

Daddy and Daniel diggin a tunnel for his boat.

Daniel is very much into making sand angels!