I have been experiencing some pretty bad pain in my hips for about a year and a half now. Last year, I had an MRI done and discovered that I had a few hairline fractures. Of course, they asked me all of the necessary domestic violence questions that really made me feel a bit uncomfortable, but I know they are necessary. No, Aaron doesn't push me down the stairs...I just make it a regular habit of falling down them myself. Really. SO, during the MRI it was discovered that my IUD was twisted. I had it removed in December and Elliott was conceived in January. At this point, the pain was really bad and I honestly dreaded thinking about the extra baby weight on my hips. The incredible thing is that I experienced ZERO, ZIP, NADA pain while pregnant. Now, however, it is worse than ever. When I sit, it takes about 5 minutes of walking around before I am somewhat comfortable again. It really is a drag. I have an appointment with my doctor next Tuesday to figure out what is going on. Arthritis runs thick in the blood on my mom's side of the family, so I wouldn't be surprised that the pain is caused from this. I am just too damn young for this. So, if you call my house, and I don't answer...it is because I can't to the phone fast enough because of these darn hips.
Anyway, enough of the whining.
Our school carnival was this weekend. Sigh. I am glad I was in charge, but I am ever so glad it is OVER. We had a lot of fun new games including a jail (recommended by my sis in law Jen). It was a hit. The principal was put in jail 14 times. The kids loved it. It is a ton of work for the amount of money we bring in. Our school is super small and we don't open it to the community. It seems we can never get past that $1000.00 mark of a profit. Oh, well..it is fun for me and the kids love it.
So, I have been wrestling with some stuff lately. Mostly about Forgiveness. Good stuff and the good kind of wrestling. The kind of wrestling that will eventually make you a better person. I posted a couple of weeks ago about this. Our church is doing this 8 week series on Discovering Community. Aaron and I are taking it this time around. It basically is discovering who we are as a church, discovering your gifts, and what to do with the gifts God has given you. For me, it has also been about the areas that God wants to break into your life. Last night, we talked on Forgiveness/unforgiveness and it hit me pretty hard. I guess I harbor unforgiveness in my life, which in many situations, I thought was taken care of. I guess I struggle with at what point do you know that you have totally forgiven someone? The phrase you can forgive, but never forget really stands true for me. When things come back up when people have hurt me in the past, those feelings also come back to the surface. So, have I really forgiven? I am peeling away the layers to discover what real forgiveness is.
In family news, Andrew is completely PARANOID about the Swine flu and thinks he is going to be the next victim. I am not really sure where he is learning that all of these kids are dying, but it really is starting to irritate me. We have INTENTIONALLY kept the tv off news stations. I know this is serious, but I also think the bird flu was hyped up, the whole duct tape on the windows after 9-11 thing was a bit out of whack, and now this. I pray over my kids every night...the past couple of nights I have prayed protection over them from this nasty flu and for what their little ears may hear.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Everyday.
When I was in college...
Everyday, I went to class, almost late, everyday.
Everyday, I stayed up way too late.
Everyday, I ate at the nasty cafeteria.
Everyday, I thought coffee was for old people.
I did laundry once a week.
Most everyday, I thought kids were gross.
Everyday, I didn't care about what blessings were.
When I graduated and got a real job...
Everyday, I still was able to sleep in, but was never late for work, because I was supposed to be responsible for something.
Everyday, I worked children who were probably better off out of their homes, but my job was to try to keep them in their homes.
Everyday, I got a full nights sleep.
Everyday, well almost everyday, we ate out.
Everyday, I had clean clothes because laundry was never an issue.
Everyday, I was forced to stay young working with teenagers in our church.
The thought of coffee, still made me think of old people.
Today, I still have the "everyday's". They are much different.
Everyday, I am exhausted from the everydays.
Everyday, I hope for a full nights sleep. (I am actually getting close). .
Everyday, I repeat myself to my children and husband of the things needing to be done.
Everyday, I am my family's cafetetia.
Everyday, I enter the dungeon of a basement to search through what I am going to find to wear because there is no clean laundry.
Everyday, I drink alot of coffee.
Today, I have 3 kids that I LOVE EVERYDAY.
Everyday, I NOW know what blessings are.
Everyday, I think that my life is fuller than ever.
Amen. Thank you God for my full life...even if it means I have to go on a manhunt for a clean pair of underwear, everyday.
Everyday, I went to class, almost late, everyday.
Everyday, I stayed up way too late.
Everyday, I ate at the nasty cafeteria.
Everyday, I thought coffee was for old people.
I did laundry once a week.
Most everyday, I thought kids were gross.
Everyday, I didn't care about what blessings were.
When I graduated and got a real job...
Everyday, I still was able to sleep in, but was never late for work, because I was supposed to be responsible for something.
Everyday, I worked children who were probably better off out of their homes, but my job was to try to keep them in their homes.
Everyday, I got a full nights sleep.
Everyday, well almost everyday, we ate out.
Everyday, I had clean clothes because laundry was never an issue.
Everyday, I was forced to stay young working with teenagers in our church.
The thought of coffee, still made me think of old people.
Today, I still have the "everyday's". They are much different.
Everyday, I am exhausted from the everydays.
Everyday, I hope for a full nights sleep. (I am actually getting close). .
Everyday, I repeat myself to my children and husband of the things needing to be done.
Everyday, I am my family's cafetetia.
Everyday, I enter the dungeon of a basement to search through what I am going to find to wear because there is no clean laundry.
Everyday, I drink alot of coffee.
Today, I have 3 kids that I LOVE EVERYDAY.
Everyday, I NOW know what blessings are.
Everyday, I think that my life is fuller than ever.
Amen. Thank you God for my full life...even if it means I have to go on a manhunt for a clean pair of underwear, everyday.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Blast off...
The kids were on Spring break this past week. My sister in law came up with the term "spring NOT SO break" that I like to use every now and then. Having the boys home had it's good moments and then "those" moments that you wished spring break didn't exist. We had horrible weather, but we tried to make the best of it. We started some paper mache sculptures (that we didn't finish yet), we went to see Mall Cop at the dollar theatre, we went to the zoo and we made a rocket launcher. I have to say, making the launcher was more fun for me than for the boys. I really dig any kind of science experiment, especially if it involves materials around the house.
We finished our launcher on Friday night and needed to wait until Saturday morning for the launch. Being that this thing could potentially be a hazard, I thought launching it at night was a not so smart idea. It was a success. I plan to make these for all of the birthdays we have coming up. Initially, the project cost around $18 because we did not have the necessities like pipe cleaner and pipe glue, Teflon tape and those types of materials. The next one should cost less than $8 from start to finish. Here is our vidoe of our experience.
And then...
Here is the instructional video on how to make a launcher.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icQhLT4QCO8. There are 7 parts to this video that you will have to navigate through.
In other news, Elliott is getting his top 2 teeth in. He would take a bottle for 36 hours because the pain was so bad. He ate his trusty sweet potatoes and fruit medley, but had nothing to do with the bottle. We ended up mixing some pedialite in his food. He is better now, a little needy, but better.
We are planning a family vacation. Can you believe it? I think we are looking at Marco Island in Florida. Aaron has 413,000 Marriott points that we can use. We plan to stay for free at a Resort there. It would still leave us with about 250,000 Points left for a vacation for the 2 of us. Another bonus, we will fly for free too. Because he travels all over, he has really raked up the points. Sooo, why haven't we done this yet? Anyway, there are several pools, watersides, a lazy river right there on site. We are looking to visit the Everglades too. We all really need to get out of Ohio for week.
We finished our launcher on Friday night and needed to wait until Saturday morning for the launch. Being that this thing could potentially be a hazard, I thought launching it at night was a not so smart idea. It was a success. I plan to make these for all of the birthdays we have coming up. Initially, the project cost around $18 because we did not have the necessities like pipe cleaner and pipe glue, Teflon tape and those types of materials. The next one should cost less than $8 from start to finish. Here is our vidoe of our experience.
And then...
Here is the instructional video on how to make a launcher.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icQhLT4QCO8. There are 7 parts to this video that you will have to navigate through.
In other news, Elliott is getting his top 2 teeth in. He would take a bottle for 36 hours because the pain was so bad. He ate his trusty sweet potatoes and fruit medley, but had nothing to do with the bottle. We ended up mixing some pedialite in his food. He is better now, a little needy, but better.
We are planning a family vacation. Can you believe it? I think we are looking at Marco Island in Florida. Aaron has 413,000 Marriott points that we can use. We plan to stay for free at a Resort there. It would still leave us with about 250,000 Points left for a vacation for the 2 of us. Another bonus, we will fly for free too. Because he travels all over, he has really raked up the points. Sooo, why haven't we done this yet? Anyway, there are several pools, watersides, a lazy river right there on site. We are looking to visit the Everglades too. We all really need to get out of Ohio for week.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Welcome James Ross!
We have a new 2nd Cousin! Aaron's cousin Nick and his wife Alison welcome James Ross! What a cutie. Another little guy for Elliott to Rumble with. Congrats Nick and Alison!
Easter and lots of pictures...
Just a cute picture of Els.
We left for my dads on Friday to celebrate Easter with him. Some of the highlights include...
*Blessing of the Easter Dinner -“ŚWIĘCONKA” at St. STANISLAUS church in Jackson.
The blessing of the Easter food or the “Święconka” is a tradition dear to the heart of every Polish person and was observed every year in our home growing up. Even though I am not Catholic, I try to do this with my children because it is part of my heritage. The custom of blessing the food for Easter arose from the discipline of fasting throughout Lent and the special Easter fast during the Easter Tridium. After the Priest blessed the baskets and was making his way up to the alter, Elliott let out the BIGGEST burp! Of course the church's acoustics were horrible and the burp echoed through the church. The old fella softly said "that is the basket that I'm eating out of".
*An Easter egg hunt where Owen cried when he received an adults x-large shirt as a prize. Come on, what is a 6 year old supposed to do with an adults shirt? That is like giving an adult a baby diaper for their prize for bingo. The look on his face was priceless though.
*Going on a clue hunt for the Easter baskets in the morning. Even Grandpa had to find his.
Mr. Shoe came out and even had a special message for him.
*My dad said something like "you know what, the Easter bunny left something in my room for you (handing him an envelope with $10 in it). Owen opened it and said "Grandpa, I know this isn't from the Easter bunny, cause this is really sloppy writing".
*We didn't go to church. Being in a different town and such we didn't want to put the kids in children's church at a different place. For them to sit with us in a very traditional service, just wasn't going to happen. We opted to spend the morning with dad, just visiting.
*Coloring eggs...
*I also took pictures of my new great Niece Iayla. She is a cutie. She looks just like her dad. There is nothing of my niece Trina in that little baby. It will be fun to see Elliott and her grow up together like Andrew and her daughter Amelia did.
*And last but not least, Aaron Attempting the moonwalk. Good thing nobody was giving out a prize for best dressed. He loves those Gingerbread pajamas. They tie in nicely with a plaid dress shirt.
We left for my dads on Friday to celebrate Easter with him. Some of the highlights include...
*Blessing of the Easter Dinner -“ŚWIĘCONKA” at St. STANISLAUS church in Jackson.
The blessing of the Easter food or the “Święconka” is a tradition dear to the heart of every Polish person and was observed every year in our home growing up. Even though I am not Catholic, I try to do this with my children because it is part of my heritage. The custom of blessing the food for Easter arose from the discipline of fasting throughout Lent and the special Easter fast during the Easter Tridium. After the Priest blessed the baskets and was making his way up to the alter, Elliott let out the BIGGEST burp! Of course the church's acoustics were horrible and the burp echoed through the church. The old fella softly said "that is the basket that I'm eating out of".
*An Easter egg hunt where Owen cried when he received an adults x-large shirt as a prize. Come on, what is a 6 year old supposed to do with an adults shirt? That is like giving an adult a baby diaper for their prize for bingo. The look on his face was priceless though.
*Going on a clue hunt for the Easter baskets in the morning. Even Grandpa had to find his.
Mr. Shoe came out and even had a special message for him.
*My dad said something like "you know what, the Easter bunny left something in my room for you (handing him an envelope with $10 in it). Owen opened it and said "Grandpa, I know this isn't from the Easter bunny, cause this is really sloppy writing".
*We didn't go to church. Being in a different town and such we didn't want to put the kids in children's church at a different place. For them to sit with us in a very traditional service, just wasn't going to happen. We opted to spend the morning with dad, just visiting.
*Coloring eggs...
*I also took pictures of my new great Niece Iayla. She is a cutie. She looks just like her dad. There is nothing of my niece Trina in that little baby. It will be fun to see Elliott and her grow up together like Andrew and her daughter Amelia did.
*And last but not least, Aaron Attempting the moonwalk. Good thing nobody was giving out a prize for best dressed. He loves those Gingerbread pajamas. They tie in nicely with a plaid dress shirt.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Disaster shoot.
Took the kids pics tonight...
Can we say "disaster"? Lighting was wrong, no time to work with it because of a cranky baby and hearing complaining from 2 other boys that think taking pictures is "Lame". I am so going to go to studio next week and they can deal with it. Serioulsy.
Can we say "disaster"? Lighting was wrong, no time to work with it because of a cranky baby and hearing complaining from 2 other boys that think taking pictures is "Lame". I am so going to go to studio next week and they can deal with it. Serioulsy.
Feeling Cold.
The weather is plain frigid. We had a bit of a flurry yesterday mixed with a little rain. Last week, I put my fake (but look so real) forsythia in my vases around the house hoping that it would speed things up. I guess the old wives tale stands true about after the forsythia blooms, you can expect another snowfall. Last night, I brought my 2 body pillows downstairs along with a quilt made by Grandma McCullough. My routine during the winter months is to crank up the heat and make a little bed by the heater vent. Of course, the blanket covers the vent so I get all of the yummy warmth. I have been doing this since I was about 4 years old. My older sister Nancy and I use to do this when I was a wee little thing. Our huge door wall is right there so I usually peep my eyes out of the blanket and look outside and do some soul searching. It is my time of quiet (well, for the most part...the big game was on last night). As I was ready to break out in the heat sweat, I started to think of the many things that are on my mind and my response to them. I am cold...not only because of the weather, but my heart is cold. I am compassionate to those who suffer and those who are afflicted. I bleed compassion every time I step inside my son's Elementary school. I bleed compassion for those who have lost someone they loved. i hurt for the victims of exploitation, sexual slavery, the hungry. On the flip side, I have a hard time showing love to those who hurt others, those who manipulate others, those who care about their own desires. I always thought I had a compassionate and understanding heart. In my "soul searching" I discovered I have a "selective" compassionate/understanding heart. As a Christian, we are to love the unlovely. For me, this is probably my biggest obstacle as a Christian. I don't love everybody. I admit it. It isn't something that marks me as the best person in the world. God loves those people. Why can't I? I know I am only human and cannot measure up to the love of God our Father, but I am not even a smiggen close when it comes to loving these people. Today, my heart is cold and a bit frustrated.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Why oh Why...
WHY Do I keep having problems with anything related to photography? First, back in January, my camera breaks. In March, my external hard drive crashed. It had all of my images on it...no, I didn't back up stupid me. Last night, I took my 2g card out of my camera to edit 3 sittings...my camera says that there are only 64 images left to shoot but when I try to bring them up on my computer...no images on the card! Are you flippin kidding me? Panic mode. Panic mode. Deadline is um...Monday. Call me a pusher offer if you wish, I am ok with that. I work better under pressure. Always have, always will. So, I went online to find some kind of free image recovery program and I found one! It is called Zero Assumption Recovery. There are several different levels of recovery you can "purchase" but the image recovery off a card is a free service. I tried it last night and it recovered 722 images off of my card. AMAZING. So, if you ever need anything like that...it is a tried, true and safe program. My computer has not started smoking or anything, so I guess it doesn't have any viruses. The only tricky thing is bi passing the "purchase me" point and going straight to the free one.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Tired Momma...
How do you like the new look...still working on tweeking a bit.
This is what is on my mind today...
This week, I decided to follow the recommendation of what several of my friends are doing, a weekly schedule. Focusing on certain tasks on certain days. After 4 days of doing this, I have come to the conclusion that they obviously don't work for us. I have been so stressed out this week. I spent the entire day on Monday doing laundry. If you know me well enough, I hate laundry and usually do it because I am forced to because we are out of underwear. Aaron helps out with laundry and that is a big help.
So, laundry all day on Monday made me extremely behind on the rest of the housework. Tonight, I am drained. I look at the vacuum in the living room from Tuesday, I see a sock basket in the living room from Monday, I see an empty envelope that hasn't made it's way into the trash from Sunday, I see a Bible that hasn't been opened in about 2 weeks, I see a toilet that has fungus on it, and I see a pile of laundry in my basement waiting for me to tackle again. Now, I am not blaming everything on this one laundry day I had on Monday, but I think it did set my week up for disaster and got me out of "my nonscheduled" life.
How does a mom and dad teach their children the great "how to's" of life? I fear my sons will grow up to be slobs. I mean, I helped them clean their room like 2 weeks ago and you should see it. I ask them to clean it on a daily basis, and they put every piece of clothing in their hamper (that is the biggest laundry problem), stuff papers behind headboards, and shove items in spots I didn't even know existed. In about 2 weeks, we will go through the same routine of tearing out everything in their room and do it all over. I hear of some families that their children are doing their own laundry, they have these weekly chore lists and complete them all with smiling faces and all. Why doesn't this work for our family? What am I doing wrong here? I would love to have a Saturday morning devoted to helping out around the house, but it just doesn't work that way.
This is what is on my mind today...
This week, I decided to follow the recommendation of what several of my friends are doing, a weekly schedule. Focusing on certain tasks on certain days. After 4 days of doing this, I have come to the conclusion that they obviously don't work for us. I have been so stressed out this week. I spent the entire day on Monday doing laundry. If you know me well enough, I hate laundry and usually do it because I am forced to because we are out of underwear. Aaron helps out with laundry and that is a big help.
So, laundry all day on Monday made me extremely behind on the rest of the housework. Tonight, I am drained. I look at the vacuum in the living room from Tuesday, I see a sock basket in the living room from Monday, I see an empty envelope that hasn't made it's way into the trash from Sunday, I see a Bible that hasn't been opened in about 2 weeks, I see a toilet that has fungus on it, and I see a pile of laundry in my basement waiting for me to tackle again. Now, I am not blaming everything on this one laundry day I had on Monday, but I think it did set my week up for disaster and got me out of "my nonscheduled" life.
How does a mom and dad teach their children the great "how to's" of life? I fear my sons will grow up to be slobs. I mean, I helped them clean their room like 2 weeks ago and you should see it. I ask them to clean it on a daily basis, and they put every piece of clothing in their hamper (that is the biggest laundry problem), stuff papers behind headboards, and shove items in spots I didn't even know existed. In about 2 weeks, we will go through the same routine of tearing out everything in their room and do it all over. I hear of some families that their children are doing their own laundry, they have these weekly chore lists and complete them all with smiling faces and all. Why doesn't this work for our family? What am I doing wrong here? I would love to have a Saturday morning devoted to helping out around the house, but it just doesn't work that way.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
extra hungry and more chocolate...
Why would one be extra hungry, have some vertigo spells, puke, have a craving for chocolate? You guessed it right!! If calculations are correct, another Crawford will be joining our family on or around December 17th.
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