Living life like a Sunday stroll... Free and easy down the road I go

The housing search from you know where

2008-01-12T19:36:00.000-06:00

House 1:
First serious contender: 1970's ranch in a nice Plano neighborhood. It was the perfect size for us and a steal! Downside? Nothing had been updated since it was built. Nothing.

It still had the original yellowy-orange shag carpet that looked like it had been skinned off of a Muppet (Zach was very impressed, he kept petting it and saying, "Kitty!"; doesn't Brad have fantastic legs?!?):

Awesome wall paper (I wish I had taken a photo of the "fuzzy" wallpaper to show you):

I had envisioned us redoing all the cosmetic work ourselves and making it ours. I had visions of grandeur: a nice play room for the kids, a luxurious master bath and a kitchen that would have looked similar to this-

So, we had our Realtor draw up a contract for us and arranged a second walk-through. As we looked closer at the ceiling of a secondary bedroom, Brad noticed what appeared to be dirt. During our initial viewing, we chalked it up to neglect. As he pushed on the dirt, the wall began to crumble. One entire side of the house had massive termite damage. Three bedrooms, their closets and two bathrooms would have to been gutted all the way down to the studs in order to make the house livable. Yeah, no thanks.

House 2:
This house was a great house in an amazing Plano neighborhood. It was a bank foreclosure and needed a cosmetic makeover: paint, fixtures, flooring and the like. We told our agent we'd like to put an offer in on it and then we waited. And waited. And waited.... The listing agent didn't return his calls because they had already accepted an offer and executed it before we even walked through it.

At this point, we decided to look a little further out in the country and found Wylie.

House 3:
This house was built in the 1980's and sat on over 2 acres. A four bedroom house on acreage that close to Dallas in our price range? Where do we sign?!?

Brad grew up in a house that had a ravine in the backyard and said he'd like the same. Guess what was about a quarter of a mile from the house? A creek.

The back yard was AMAZING. Room for a pool, a barn, a workshop, an ATV track- whatever we wanted!

The inside? Not so amazing. Well, except for the laundry room- it was huge! Not as big as the one we had in Illinois, but still it could have doubled as a laundry/scrapbooking room. (Just think of all the laundry I could have accomplished!) It was very apparent that a not-so-skilled do-it-yourself-er was trying to flip this house. (Note to all potential flippers: Don't do it unless you are going to spend the money to do it right the first time. Or unless you are a master craftsman, professional tile layer or electrician without singed eyebrows. Just don't do it! Buyers can tell.)

Brad noticed that the bathroom floor looked a little... crooked.

We needed to leave for the day but had already discussed walking through it again before we signed an offer on it. The next week, we headed back out there giddy with anticipation of submitting an offer on “the one.”

As we walked up the driveway, we noticed a rather large snake skin. Ugh. I know this was the country but right on the driveway? :shudder:

This was the critical walk-through. We had seen how great the lot was. We had visions of how we could rework the house into what we wanted. But this is where you're looking for the warts. And we found them.

Brad went to inspect the foundation with our Realtor, so I sat with the kids on the floor. As I looked into the kitchen cabinets, I noticed that the floor was slanted. I hoped that it was just the trim that was crooked. It wasn't. The entire foundation of the house was messed up and there was no way we were going to buy a house for that much money and have slanted floors.

(And as of today, the house is still active on the MLS.)

House 4:
House four was two doors down from house number three (with the same lot size, built the same year). And there was also something else on the driveway that freaked me out: several .44 casings. Ai yi yi!

I know this was the country, but... Casings from a .35 would have been less surprising but the .44s really worried me.

The kitchen had been totally remodeled and was beautiful. However the owners had converted the dining room into a bedroom and the total square footage was too small for us.

House 5:
Oh house five. House five was wonderful: fantastic lot, awesome kitchen and family room, two walk-in closets in the master suite, all the kids rooms were in the same hallway, great potential for a workshop for Brad. We weren't crazy about the neighborhood, but the house more than made up for it.

It was overpriced by about $10K (per our Realtor) when we made our offer. We offered $17K less than asking just to see where that got us. They countered back for $2K less than the asking price. We decided to walk because while we were waiting on their response we saw house number six. (That last sentence is an important part later in this story.)

House 6:
It was on Lincoln Avenue (Brad is from the land of Lincoln), and was very pretty. This house was a two story, 3000+ square foot home with a nice big backyard, complete with pool! We originally hadn't considered homes with pools because they took up the majority of the yards, but we could have easily fit four more pools into this back yard.

We liked the house and made a full-price offer. Then we got a notice that there was another full-price offer on it's way in to the listing agent. We sat down and reworked our offer to OVER asking price. The owner turned it down because the other buyer could close in two weeks and we were looking at five weeks.

Just writing this out is tiring. Can you imagine living it?

House 7:
House number seven is a two year old foreclosure that was priced $50K less than it would cost to build new. It has a smallish backyard but that is really the only drawback to the house. The kitchen and family room are fantastic and so is the master bathroom. There is plenty of room to play and a bedroom for each kid-nirvana! The neighborhood is everything we had hoped for: community pool, walking trails, a fishing pond with a fountain, and close to a neighboring lake.

We saw this house two days before all of the offers were to be presented at the bank. Our Realtor learned that there were two offers at asking price, but none over. We made an offer that was substantially over asking with no contingencies.

We were told to wait. And so we did. (Our offer was presented the first week of November.)

Occasional updates would come from the bank: “You're the only ones being considered for this house. Just a bit longer.” This went on for over two months. Our lease on the townhome was up at the end of January and we just couldn't wait any longer, and asked that our offer for the house be removed.

Brad and I talked it over, and decided to put in another, competitive offer in on house number five. At this point (mid-January) the asking price was the same as what they countered back originally. Our offer was $3K less than asking. $3K! The owner again said no dice- they were holding out for a full price offer. Oh but wait! We could rent it, the woman offered. :insert a huge eye-roll here: They let go a no-contingency offer only three thousand dollars less than their asking price in this slow market on a house that is sitting empty. (Note: Our first house was a wonderful house but we over-paid for it and yes, we could have come up another three grand, but we didn't want to be in the same situation as we were before.)

So... there we were: no house and our lease running out in a little over three weeks.

Then, our Realtor called Brad. The bank heard why we were withdrawing our offer on house number seven, and offered us a lease-to-buy option until they can finish up the required foreclosure paperwork. We will iron out the details next week but it looks as if it's a go!

:huge sigh of relief:

Photos will be forth coming!

House hunting- the saga continues

2007-10-30T11:50:00.001-05:00

Story to come later.

Hidden Cookies

2007-10-30T11:35:00.000-05:00

The other night I picked up a package of delicious cookies for Brad and I to share. "Share" in this instance means to share only with each other.

After lunch, I wanted to have a small taste of chocolate. Should you really chance eating a cookie while the kids are not asleep? Yep, I should.

I went over to the cupboard and found the package of sinfully delectable cookies- at the very top and hidden behind cans of creamed spinach (what on earth was I thinking- creamed spinich?!?). Taking great care to not to make the wrapping crinkle, I slipped one out and took a bite. Mmm!

As I tried to put the cookies back in their hiding spot, I heard them: pitter-pat pitter-pat.

Crap.

"What you eatin', Mama?"

"Oh nothin'," I said around a mouth of baked deliciousness.

"A cookie?!?"

"There's not anymore." Liar.

The older one spoke up: "You know, God wants us to share."

Crap.

Right brain vs. left brain

2007-10-25T12:56:00.000-05:00

Click here for the test!

I'm right brained (surprise, surprise):

uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

I'm going to lose my mind

2007-10-25T12:55:00.001-05:00

STILL waiting!

Still waiting.

2007-10-24T15:25:00.000-05:00

Well, we submitted an offer

2007-10-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

Now we wait. And wait. And wait.

Pine Cove was awesome!

2007-10-19T22:30:00.000-05:00

We had such a great time at our parenting conference with Dr. Kevin Leman at Pine Cove in Tyler. We look forward to attending family camp there in the summers to come!

Slacker

2007-10-19T22:28:00.000-05:00

me + blog = slacker

What a great day!

2007-09-14T10:58:00.001-05:00

The kids are with my folks this weekend.

I got to sleep in! And then I worked out, took a nice leisurely shower, fixed my hair. Now I'm watching my all-time favorite movie, "Maverick" with Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster. I'm about to catch up on some email and put another load of wash in.

It's not even 10:30, yet!

Browsing at James Avery

2007-09-06T21:41:00.000-05:00

While browsing the James Avery website, I came across quite a few things that I really like! I don't really consider myself a jewelry person, I really like these designs:

Agnus Dei charm:Sign of faith ring:
Texas flag charm:
Forever band (I'm seriously contemplating asking for this as my wedding band replacement; I'm way too rough on my diamonds.):
Hammered circles cuff bracelet:
Ichthus link braclet:
Linked bangle bracelet:
Scripture of Ruth men's wedding band (If Brad ever loses his wedding band again, I'm buying this as a replacement; isn't it awesome!?!):
Animal's of the Ark bangle:
Christian Symbol Circlet Bracelet:

"Can I tell you just how much I love living in Texas?"

2007-07-25T09:19:00.001-05:00

I say this at least once a day to Brad. I am thrilled down to my very core at being back in Texas. Absolutely thrilled.

The weather has been great! Brad and I joke that it's God's way of easing us into Texas summers, and that next year we had better be prepared for a blast furnace.

Brad is LOVING his job. This project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They looked for a qualified candidate almost a year, seriously interviewed twenty applicants, and offered the position sight-unseen to one person. :) The atmosphere is very relaxed and is quite a change from Caterpillar. He also doesn't have to spend his day in endless meetings. He comes home from a day of coding and is beaming. I haven't seen him this happy with work- EVER.

We've also found a really great church. It's a breath of fresh air for our spiritual well-being. It's good for the soul to find a place where you feel like you belong just as you are. Couple that with solid Bible teaching plus amazing worship, and you've got an awesome church! Here's their website.

As for me, I am thrilled to be back. I don't feel that crushing depression that was a constant companion in Illinois. I try not to analyze the whys and wherefores of the change in my emotional wellbeing, and just thank God for it.

Can I tell you just how much I love living in Texas?

New pictures

2007-07-25T09:07:00.002-05:00

Let me tell you about a sweet little house in Illinois… our house

2007-06-27T16:21:00.000-05:00

It was a little cape-cod style house built in the fifties. It had two bedrooms, two baths, a cozy den in the basement- 1200 square feet.

Old Glory waved in the front of the house. The front flower bed had neatly trimmed shrubs. The bed was also home to over 100 tulip bulbs that I planted the first fall we moved in. The spring of 2002 brought a beautiful harvest of red and yellow tulips. Thanks to the neighborhood bunnies and squirrels who apparently loved to eat bulbs, I never had more than a handful of tulips come up after that spring.

Flanking each side of the two picture windows were charming wood shutters with hearts cut out of each one. They were painted green and contrasted nicely with the gray siding that was installed in the fall of 2002.

We walk in the front door and I see the living room- the glorious red living room. Tomato bisque. Brad cursed (more than once!) about painting that room red, but I absolutely loved it. In the corner are the wood bookshelves that Brad made and installed. I can see the original wood floor- gorgeous even with its imperfections. To the left, I can see my scrapbook desk. It was always packed with my latest purchases, and I spent many hours there with my Hermafix and paper trimmer. I can see our Christmas tree too: with a tiny baby clothed in a red velvet dress; the same baby a year older, wearing a blue velvet dress; then two babies… then three all posed in front of the tree with their gifts.

We turn left, and there’s the nursery. The ceiling was painted blue with free-form stars sprinkled all over. One star in particular was misshapen, and became known as the “broken star.” Brad cursed while painting the ceiling (notice a pattern?), but later claimed it to be his Sistine Chapel. J I see a crib, a changing table, a glider and ottoman, all ready to be used. Later I see that same room with not only the crib and changing table, but also a twin bed. I can hear the oldest two laughing, playing, fighting and crying.

Then there’s our room. I see our bed: with my prized Ralph Lauren bedding (which is being retired), a crib, a rocker and a chest of drawers. I remember sitting in that room watching the terrorist attacks unfold. I remember sitting on the bed learning the news that my grandfather had passed away. I remember laying in the bed for days on end because of complications with each pregnancy, and later because of my struggle with depression.

Back down the hallway was the kitchen. I loved that room. Laminate wood flooring, white kitchen counters, brushed steel hardware, my side-by-side fridge. I remember looking out the back window and seeing our huge pine tree. We hung a squirrel feeder and loved seeing “Sam” come and eat the corn. I see the kitchen sink and remember washing bottle after bottle. I remember standing at the sink and learning that my other grandfather had passed away. I see the hole that Brad cut to install the new dishwasher. I see the new pantry being put in. I see the “non-doored” cabinets to the left of the sink that displayed my Fiesta collection. I also see the “non-doored” cabinets to the right of the sink that held my cookbooks, little picture frames, and my radio. I see the pendant light that Brad and his dad installed over our eating area. I loved that kitchen.

Down in the basement, I see the den- the reason we bought the house. A room that had just been completed before we moved in. That’s where we really lived- played, ate, slept, talked, read. Toys all over. Books on the tables. I remember running down the stairs to Brad with a positive pregnancy test in my hand. That was spring of 2002. A little girl debuted in the winter of 2002. A little boy came along in the spring of 2005. And another little girl arrived in the summer of 2006.

Out in the back I see a swing that was a Mother’s Day gift. I see our drive-way covered in snow (13” worth!). I see it colored with sidewalk chalk, littered with toys. I can smell the delicious hamburgers and corn on the cob that Brad grilled so many times.

I remember the last time I walked through the house- empty and echoing, punctuated by the sound of my tears falling onto the floor, void of all the things that made it home.

It was just a house- a sweet little house in Illinois.

I'm so giddy!

2007-06-25T09:49:00.000-05:00

Our cable and internet are being installed/turned on tomorrow. THANK GOODNESS! After "borrowing" our neighbors wireless network for over a month, I can't wait!

Imagini- VisualDNA

2007-06-18T10:48:00.000-05:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

We have found the Promised Land and it is McKinney, TX

2007-06-06T09:45:00.000-05:00

I think we have decided to settle in McKinney. After getting a feel for the metroplex, the place we like the most is McKinney. It's gorgeous: green, hilly, far enough removed from the hustle and bustle of DFW to feel like a small town, but close enough to great shopping and wonderful restaurants.

City-data.com on McKinney

Speaking of great shopping, IKEA is not more than 10 minutes down the road, and there is an AWESOME outlet mall in Allen (right next door to McKinney). Some of the tenants: Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer, Gap Kids, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nine West (!), Carter's, The Children's Place, Gymboree, OshKosh, Fossil, Bombay Outlet, Mikasa, LeCreuset. I was practically drooling when we went to check the mall out.

There's more to write, but we're preparing to go to Illinois tomorrow for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary!

He's so funny!

2007-05-07T22:46:00.000-05:00

Brad's blog

A blog worth reading (with the Kleenex)

2007-04-30T12:12:00.000-05:00

Noah Steven- Crowned in Peace

A remarkable blog about the life and death of a sweet little boy, Noah Steven. Be prepared to witness the grace and peace that only God can give.

Funks Grove

2007-04-18T21:18:00.000-05:00

These are some pictures I snapped while at the wedding rehearsal for our friends Josh and April at Funks Grove. (Congrats, you two!)

Random ramblings

2007-04-07T16:41:00.000-05:00

All of the kids are napping, dinner is in the crockpot (creamy chicken tacos!), the house is clean, the laundry is (mostly) done and Brad is Wii'ing. I think for the first time in my adult life, I am actually bored.

I still have to go buy something for tomorrow, plus shoes and sweaters for the kids. There's nothing like waiting until the last minute!

Selling a house (and all that it entails) sucks.

I never knew that one dog could shed so much hair.

Why is it so freaking cold? It's a little over thirty degrees and it's the first week of April. I mean, seriously...

We have been blessed with healthy children.

To all you morons I saw on I-44 last week, BUCKLE UP YOUR KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am already sick and tired of all the political jockeying.

TEXAS OR BUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-27T10:15:00.001-05:00

It's a go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Times They Are a-Changin'

2007-03-20T09:49:00.000-05:00

Troy Aikman wants you back
Willie Nelson wants you back
NASA wants you back
And the Bush twins want you back
And Pantera wants you back
And Blue Bell wants you back

Come back to Texas
Its just not the same since you went away
Before you lose your accent
And forget all about the Lone Star State
There's a seat for you at the rodeo
And I've got every slow dance saved
-Lyrics from "Ohio (Come Back to Texas)" by Bowling For Soup

Yep. I've wondered when I'd post on here about moving back to Texas. And it seems as if the time has come. I don't know that I really believe it yet. Besides, Brad hasn't even had his face-to-face yet. But as long as his future co-workers aren't the Devil incarnate, I think it's a go.

This company (Concentra) really, really, really wants him. He's only the second job candidate to be flown down on the company's dime in six years, and he's the ONLY person that has been extended a job without having a face-to-face interview.

We'll know for certain next Monday. Monday!

Willow Creek, Saddleback, mega-churches REQUIRE tithing for membership??

2007-03-19T16:03:00.000-05:00

I ran across this in Wikipedia today and was *stunned*:

There has also been much controversy with the introduction of "membership covenants" in many evangelical churches in North America, spearheaded by many mega-churches. These covenants, such as those introduced at the Willow Creek and Saddleback mega-churches, require giving 10% to that church as a condition of membership. Prospective members must sign off on a contract and are interviewed regarding their lifestyle, including tithing.

I realize that Wikipedia is not an unbiased resource. If you are a Willow Creek, Saddleback or mega-church member, I would appreciate any information that would either confirm or deny this.

Thanks.

Funny felines

2007-03-01T20:19:00.000-06:00

Best. Purchase. EVER.

2007-02-21T16:09:00.000-06:00

Holy cow, this thing is awesome. I can't imagine what it will be like to have less dog hair in the house! Definitely worth every penny.

Two thumbs and two paws up!

When it rains, it pours!

2007-02-15T11:39:00.000-06:00

Brad has a phone interview later today with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

He had a phone interview with JCPenney today also, but had to be pushed back to next week.

A hiring manager of a smaller company (Teksystems, I think) is going to talk to her boss and arrange for him to fly out for a face-to-face interview.

Countrywide Mortgages is also "very interested" in him and will arrange a phone call to "talk details" in the next week.

Also, this morning, a recruiter wanted him to interview with Oprah Winfrey's production company, Harpo. Too bad it's in Chicago!!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Seasons are overrated

2007-02-08T10:05:00.000-06:00

I've tried to be positive about winter. I really have. I've thought about how great it is that I'm burning extra calories to keep my core body temperature where it is supposed to be. I've thought how wonderful spring will actually seem once it gets here.

But this- "highs" in the single digits with windchills below zero- sucks. I mean it really does. I can't tell you how many people have said, "I bet it's nice to have seasons." No, it's not. Not winter, anyway. If I never saw ice or snow again for the rest of my life it would be too soon.

I must say that when the weather is nice in central Illinois, it is *nice.* Gorgeous. Better than Texas. (Yeah, I said it.)

I would much rather live in a place where I can throw a sweatshirt on the kids and run to the store. But no, where I live it's like a freaking production:
Put on shoes and sweater.
Pull the car out.
Turn the defrosters on.
Put the heater on to "blast furnace."
Lock car doors.
Run inside.
Take off shoes so you don't track snow all over the house.
Put baby in a coat and hat.
Put her in the infant seat.
Wrestle Zach to the ground.
Put his sweatshirt on, followed by socks and shoes.
Put his coat and hat on.
Tell Haley for the bajillionth time that she cannot wear her shorts out today.
Get baby.
Put my shoes back on.
Take baby outside.
Unlock car.
Place baby in car.
Lock car doors.
Run inside.
Grab Zach.
Unlock car doors.
Put him in his car seat.
Lock car doors.
Go inside for my coat.
Get Haley's coat on.
Lock house door.
Unlock car doors.
Help Haley buckle.

At this point, someone either needs to potty or has done so in their diaper and I have lost the will to live. I just want a nap.

Seasons are overrated.

Operation: Colorado Camping Vacation- KOA

2007-02-05T10:43:00.000-06:00

Alamosa, CO KOA- Great views, but little shade
Buena Vista, CO KOA
Cotopaxi, CO KOA
Cripple Creek, CO KOA- Not a lot of shade, but wonderful views
Durango, CO KOA- Very nice!
Grand Junction, CO KOA
Walden, North Park, Gould, CO KOA My favorite!
Ouray, CO KOA
Fort Collins, CO KOA- Very nice!

So, that was insane

2007-02-02T16:05:00.000-06:00

The two youngest kids were due for their immunizations. Why not take them both at the same time? It's easier to make one trip instead of two. Sure! Sounds great! Seeing as how our insurance doesn't cover immunizations (thank you, Big Yellow), we went to the health department.

Zach went first and he did really well. Poor guy took the majority of shots with five sticks. Meagan was next with her three. Then we learned that Haley needed to finish up a couple of her shots. And she was able to get her started on school immunizations. Only problem- I had been telling her all day that she wasn't getting any shots. Needless to say, she was less than thrilled and expressed her displeasure by screaming her guts out while getting immunized.

All in all, there were 12 shots between the three kids.

If anything, I saved nearly a thousand bucks by going to the health department. But being the germaphobe that I am, I wanted to scrub the top layer of skin off of all four of us, shower in antibacterial gel, and burn every piece of clothing that touched any part of the health department.

My throat is starting to hurt.

Semi-new pics

2007-02-01T09:28:00.000-06:00

Unedited, sorry!

Poor neglected blog

2007-02-01T09:23:00.000-06:00

Poor thing.

Here's the new recipes that I've lined up for February:

Chili's Chicken Enchilada Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lb. of chicken breast fillets (approx. 3 fillets)
1/2 cup diced onion
1 clove garlic, pressed
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup masa harina
3 cups water
1 cup enchilada sauce
16 ounces Velveeta
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Garnish (if desired)
shredded cheddar cheese
crumbled corn tortilla chips
picante sauce

Directions:
1. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken breasts to pot and brown for 4-5 minutes per side. Set chicken aside.
2. Add onions and garlic to pot and sautee over medium heat for about 2 minutes, or until onions begin to become translucent. Add chicken broth.
3. Combine masa harina with 2 cups of water in a medium bowl and whisk until blended. Add masa mixture to pot with onions, garlic and broth.
4. Add remaining water, enchilada sauce, cheese and spices to pot and bring mixture to a boil.
5. Shred the chicken into small, bite-size pieces and add it to the pot. Reduce heat and simmer soup for 30-40 minutes or until thick.
6. Serve soup in cups or bowls, and garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled corn tortilla chips, and picante sauce.
Makes approx. 12 servings.

Southwestern Chicken
Throw 4-6 chicken breasts in a crock pot and cover in salsa. (I use about 3 cups.) Add a can of corn (drained) and a can of black beans (drained). Cook on low all day. About 1 hour before serving, throw in one block of cream cheese and shred the chicken. Serve it over white rice or scoop it into flour tortillas and roll them up like burritos. Completely easy and very tasty!

Layered Mexican Chicken- Weight Watchers
Ingredients
1 serving olive oil cooking spray (5 one-second sprays per serving)
2 pound uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast(s)
30 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained
3 cup fat-free sour cream
2 cup shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, or Mexican-style cheese blend
8 oz chopped green chilies, two 4-oz cans
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
12 medium corn tortilla(s), cut into 2-inch strips
1 cup salsa, mild, medium or hot

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a lasagna pan with cooking spray.
2. Place chicken in medium saucepan and fill with enough cold water just to cover chicken. Set pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes; drain. When chicken is cool enough to handle, cut into 1-inch pieces.
3. Transfer chicken to a large bowl and add beans, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheese, chilies, cumin, and pepper; mix well and set aside.
4. Arrange half of tortillas in bottom of prepared lasagna pan, overlapping pieces to cover surface. Top tortillas with half of chicken mixture, layer with remaining tortillas and then top with remaining chicken mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese.
5. Bake until filling is bubbly and cheese is melted, about 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing into 12 pieces. Serve with salsa on the side.

Parmesan Baked Chicken:
-2 egg whites
-1/3 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
-2 Tbsp reduced fat Parmesan cheese (grated)
-2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In mixing bowl beat egg whites until slightly frothy. The mix breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a pie-plate.
3. Dip chicken in egg whites and then bread crumb mixture, coating both sides.
4. Lightly coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Place breasts on sheet; bake for approximately 12 minutes, turn over and bake for approximately 12 minutes. (I then broil it for a minute or two for extra 'crispy' top)

Pancake Casserole
1 1/2 C. Bisquick
1 T. Sugar
2 Eggs
3/4 C. milk
1/4 C. Syrup
1 1/2 C. grated cheese
12 pieces of bacon - cooked and crumbled
mix bisquick, sugar, eggs milk and syrup together. Mix in 1/2 of the cheese and a little of the crumbled bacon. pour into pam sprayed pan. cook at 425 for 10-15 min. add rest of cheese and bacon to top and return to oven until cheese is bubbly.
Serve with butter and syrup

Company French Toast
1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 t. cinnamon
6 eggs
1 ½ cups milk
2 t. vanilla (my addition)
1 loaf white bread

Melt butter and pour into 9x13 pan. Add your brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well to make a paste to cover bottom of dish. Layer 2 layers of bread over sugar mixture. Beat eggs and milk and vanilla together and pour over bread. Cover and let stand in fridge overnight. Preheat oven to 300-325 and cook uncovered for about 45 minutes, Cut into squares and flip over onto plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. (Doesn’t need the sugar though)

Chili's Monterrey Chicken
1 boneless skinless chicken breast
2 tsp Barbeque sauce (I like KC Masterpiece - Original)
2 slices of cooked bacon
1/4 cup shredded Monterry Jack & cheddar cheese
chopped tomatoes
chives
Pound chicken breast to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Season with salt & pepper. Cook chicken in skillet until done on both sides. Transfer to baking sheet and top with barbeque sauce, bacon and cheese. Broil in the oven until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with tomatoes & chives.

Bacon Chicken
This easy and delicious recipe takes just minutes to make.
INGREDIENTS:
6 slices bacon
1 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. olive oil
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
PREPARATION:
Cook bacon in 12" skillet until crisp, about 4-6 minutes. Crumble bacon and set aside. Pour bacon grease out of skillet, but don't wash or wipe it. Add butter and olive oil to skillet. Saute chicken breasts in this mixture over medium heat, turning once, until chicken is cooked and no longer pink in center.
Place chicken in ungreased 12x8" baking dish.
Cook onion and garlic in drippings remaining in skillet. Cook until onion is softened, then stir in salt, pepper, and cooked bacon. Spoon over chicken breasts and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted. Serves 6

Chicken and beans

1	lb chicken breast strips for stir-fry
1	package (1.25 oz) Old El Paso® taco seasoning mix
1	can (15 oz) Progresso® black or pinto beans, drained, rinsed
1	can (11 oz) Green Giant® Mexicorn® whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, undrained
1/4	cup water
	Tortillas, if desired

1.	Spray 10-inch skillet with cooking spray. Add chicken to skillet; cook over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in center.
2.	Stir in seasoning mix, beans, corn and water. Cook over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce is slightly thickened. Serve with tortillas.

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-21T21:10:00.000-06:00

The bags are packed, the house is clean, and every single stitch of laundry is done (which could be a miracle in and of itself!). We're off to Texas in the morning- early, as in 4:00.

In other great news, I learned today that I've lost a pant size! And while that's good, I don't know how long it'll last. I'm looking forward to all the great food. And in honor of said food, I leave you with the lyrics of my new favorite song, "Texas Cookin'" by George Strait:

Texas Cookin'

I'm going down to Austin, Texas
Ease on down to San Antone
Get that bar-b-que and chili
Eat my fill then come back home
I'm gonna take my baby with me
We gonna have a high ol' time
We gonna eat till we get silly
Sho' do make a beer taste fine

Chorus:
Oh my, momma ain't that Texas cookin' something
Oh my, momma stop yo' belly and backbone bumpin'
Oh my, momma ain't that Texas cookin' good
Oh my, momma eat it everyday if I could

Well, I know a man that cooks armadillo
Tastes so sweet he calls it pie
I know a woman that makes pan dulce
Tastes so good it gets you high

Get them enchiladas greasy
Get them chicken steaks fried
Sho' do make a man feel happy
See white gravy on the side

Chorus

Well, I know a place that's got fried okra
Beat anything I ever saw
I know a man that cooks cabrito
It must be against the law

We gonna need a big ol' sausage
Big ol' plate of ranch-style beans
I could eat the heart of Texas
We gonna need some brand new jeans

Merry Christmas!

Happy birthday Donnie/Grandpa!

2006-12-15T14:34:00.000-06:00

Christmas Carols for the Psychologically Challenged

2006-12-05T17:28:00.000-06:00

1) Schizophrenia---- Do You Hear What I Hear, the Voices, the Voices?

2) Amnesia-- I Don't Remember If I'll be Home for Christmas

3) Narcissistic-- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

4) Manic-- Deck The Halls And Walls And House And Lawn And Streets And Stores And Office And Town And Cars And Buses And Trucks And Trees And Fire Hydrants And...........

5) Multiple Personality Disorder----We Three Queens Disoriented Are

6) Paranoid---Santa Claus Is Coming To Get Us

7) Borderline Personality Disorder--- You Better Watch Out, You Better not Shout, I'm Gonna Cry, and I'll not Tell You Why

8) Full Personality Disorder--- Thoughts of Roasting You On an Open Fire

9) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder---Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

10) Agoraphobia---I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day But Wouldn't Leave My House

11) Senile Dementia---Walking In a Winter Wonderland Miles from My House in My Slippers and Robe

12) Oppositional Defiant Disorder---I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus So I Burned Down the House

13) Social Anxiety Disorder---Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas While I Sit Here and Hyperventilate

14) Attention Deficit Disorder--We Wish You......Hey Look!! It's Snowing!!!

Storm pictures

2006-12-01T11:11:00.000-06:00

Way overdue pics

2006-11-21T21:37:00.000-06:00

(And to the grandparents reading this, I will be uploading them and printing them off for you. Check your emails for the confirmation notices. )

Our resident rodent and dog-tormentor, Sam:Ham #1
Ham #2:
The birtday girl:
Ham #3:

This outfit is affectionately dubbed, "The Elvis (top button is unbuttoned, and the collar flips up)":

Public Service Announcement

2006-11-21T21:08:00.000-06:00

Public Service Announcement for those who use elliptical trainers:

Make sure the bolts that are attached to the pedals are well greased. If not, you could wind up snapping the bolt and suffer a bruise roughly the size of a grapefruit on the inside of your knee. (And man, it hurts!)

End of PSA.

My New Favorite Comic Strip- "Baby Blues"

2006-10-18T09:40:00.000-05:00

For Gampa

2006-10-15T13:08:00.000-05:00

In memory of what could have been.

Brad earned a gold star!

2006-10-07T13:01:00.000-05:00

Zach and I both got sick Thursday night. All day Friday, he took care of all the kids and even managed to plant some mums. I think we're on the mend now (thank goodness).

Well no news is good news, maybe...

2006-10-05T17:09:00.000-05:00

We're having our doubts about Artis, but if it's not meant to be, then it's not meant to be. It is what it is.

We also have a recruiter that has submitted a job for Brad at Southwest. It would be in the pay range that we are asking for and we would get free plane tickets! (And they just added destinations in Hawaii to their routes! Woohoo!)

Just FYI-

2006-10-05T17:08:00.000-05:00

The stomach flu sucks.

Just thought I'd pass that on.

Late breaking news

2006-09-27T11:29:00.000-05:00

We got this email last night:

Brad,

I have met with the team, and we are interested in next step logistics and providing an offer.

Yea!!!!!!!!!

Artis Consulting

Erma Bombeck quotes- enjoy!

2006-09-26T14:38:00.000-05:00

All of us have moments in our lives that test our courage. Taking children into a house with white carpet is one of them.

Before you try to keep up with the Joneses, be sure they're not trying to keep up with you.

Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?

Housework is a treadmill from futility to oblivion with stop-offs at tedium and counter-productivity.

Housework, if you do it right, will kill you.

If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it.

My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint.

My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one else cares. Why should you?

Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.

One thing they never tell you about child raising is that for the rest of your life, at the drop of a hat, you are expected to know your child's name and how old he or she is.

Onion rings in the car cushions do not improve with time.

People shop for a bathing suit with more care than they do a husband or wife. The rules are the same. Look for something you'll feel comfortable wearing. Allow for room to grow.

There's something wrong with a mother who washes out a measuring cup with soap and water after she's only measured water in it.

What's with you men? Would hair stop growing on your chest if you asked directions somewhere?

When a child is locked in the bathroom with water running and says he's doing nothing, but the dog is barking, call 911.

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me".

I never leaf through a copy of National Geographic without realizing how lucky we are to live in a society where it is traditional to wear clothes.

Mothers have to remember what food each child likes or dislikes, which one is allergic to penicillin and hamster fur, who gets carsick and who isn't kidding when he stands outside the bathroom door and tells you what's going to happen if he doesn't get in right away. It's tough. If they all have the same hair color they tend to run together.

"I have a theory about the human mind. A brain is a lot like a computer. It will only take so many facts, and then it will go into overload and blow up."

"Every day of his or her life a child is plotting an event that will age you 20 years in 20 seconds."

Talkin' with Meagan

2006-09-18T17:54:00.000-05:00

Circles

2006-09-12T20:43:00.000-05:00

It's funny sometimes how life can go in circles.

During our courtship, Brad was in Illinois. I was in Texas.

We made plans- big plans. Plans like, when would we meet face to face, who would fly up or down over the next school holiday, what size my ring finger was, what style of tuxedos the groomsmen would wear, where to spend our honeymoon, what mortgage company to select.

We've still have been making plans- big and small plans. Plans such as going to Disney World with Brad's family in February, making appointments with urologists (ahem- no more babies; three is enough!), plans about dance classes for Haley.

And a week from tomorrow, we'll have made a full circle. Big plans will be made. Except Brad will be in Texas and I'll be in Illinois. After a lot of prayer and tears, we will know one way or the other. Either he takes the job or we stay put. Either we move or we stay in our (cute, but small) home. (That's not to sat that if this job doesn't pan out we won't ever be moving to Texas; we'll just put it on the back burner for a time.)

We're closing in on another circle: fall. I can feel it coming. It's cool and damp. Summer is gone. We're in limbo right now- one day is nice and warm, the next cool and cloudy. And it makes me angry. Right-in-the-pit-of-my-stomach angry.

I hate winter here in the Midwest. The cold gets into my bones and I'm chilled all day. My socks and legs of my jeans get sopping wet from the snow when I drag the trash out to the alley. I've slipped on the ice rink that forms in the Target parking lot more times than I can count. I become a virtual prisoner in my home. It takes an act of Congress to get the kids out of the house on day that doesn't require three layers, two mittens, one "systems" coat, and a hat that will invariably find its way into a gray slushy mess that had been glistening, white snow a day before.

I'd like to think that my anger about winter is just a God-given biological instinct to keep me from shutting down completely, but I'm not sure. I think I may just really hate winter.

I really hope he gets the job.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9).

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)."

In Memory

2006-09-11T16:30:00.000-05:00

Artist/Band: Foster Radney
Lyrics for Song: Everyday Angel
Lyrics for Album: Another Way to Go

Miss Laura fed the hungry in the church house basement,
After she retired from teaching school.
She'd pick my son up in her arms on Sundays,
To teach him all about the golden rule.
I heard those stories about Selma and Tuskeegee:
How she helped Martin fill the jails.
All I know is she had the strength of ten grown men,
Even though her hands were small and frail.

She was an everyday angel, the kind without wings.
Walking around in this world, just like you and me.
Angel, living out love.
The kind of people we could use a lot more of.
Just an everyday angel, everyday angel.

Marilyn was waiting outside my old man's office,
Trying to hide the bruises on her face.
He said: "You don't have to get knocked around anymore,
"You can come and live at our place."
I didn't know till I had kids of my own,
But I learned a big lesson that day.
What you do means a whole lot more,
Than anything you have to say.

Go be an everyday angel, the kind without wings,
Walking round in this world, just like you and me.
Angel, living out love.
The kind of people we could use a lot more of.
An everyday angel, everyday angel.

Dave was gonna meet his wife at a coffee shop in Brooklyn,
When he heard the alarm sing out.
911, he was running up stairs that he never got back down.
Down, down.

He was an everyday angel, earnin¹ his wings,
Trying to save people who are just like you and me.
Angel, living out love.
The kind of people we could use a lot more of.
An everyday angel, everyday angel.
Everyday angel, everyday angel.

Everyday angel, yeah.

Coming soon to a mailbox near you! (Only if I have your address.)

2006-08-27T20:48:00.000-05:00

I've been scrapping!

2006-08-22T15:49:00.000-05:00

My first try at digitally scrapbooking!

Life according to a toddler

2006-08-21T11:49:00.000-05:00

Posted for my Zach-man:

If it's on, I must turn it off.

If it's off, I must turn it on.

If it's folded, I must unfold it.

If it's high, it must be reached.

If it's shelved, it must be unshelved.

If it's pointed, it must be fun with at top speed.

If it has leaves, they must be picked.

If it's plugged, it must be unplugged.

If it's not trash, it must be thrown away.

If it's in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor.

If it's closed, it must be opened.

If it doesn't open, it must be screamed at.

If it has drawers, they must be rifled.

If it's a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, computer monitor, or table.

If it's full, it will be more interesting emptied.

If it's empty, it will be more interesting full.

If it's a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.

If it's a stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest and must be pushed by me instead.

If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.

If Mommy's hands are full, I must be carried.

If Mommy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.

If it's paper, it must be torn.

If it has buttons, they must be pressed.

If the volume is low, it must go high.

If it's YOUR toothbrush, it must be inserted into MY mouth.

If it's MY toothbrush, it must be inserted into YOUR mouth.

If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.

If it's a phone, I must talk into it, unless there is someone on the other end.

If it's a bug, it must be swallowed.

If it's not food, it must be tasted.

If it's food, it must NOT be tasted.

If it has a tail, I must yank it.

If Mommy wants me to come, I must run away.

If Mommy wants me to go away, I must CLING ON FOR DEAR LIFE.

If it's sticky, it must go in my hair.

If it's bath time, I must run around naked until I'm caught.

Ten rules kids won't learn in school

2006-08-21T11:42:00.000-05:00

1. Life is not fair. Get used to it.

2. The real world won't care as much about your self-esteem as your parents and your school does. This may come as a shock, but it is reality.

3. Sorry, you won't make $40,000 a year right out of high school. And you won't be a vice president or have a company cell phone either. You may even have to wear a uniform that doesn't have a designer label.

4. If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss.

5. Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping. They called it 'opportunity'.

6. It's not your parent's fault or your teacher's fault if you mess up. You're responsible. This is the flip side of "It's my life" and "You're not my boss".

7. Before you were born, your parents weren't boring. They got that way paying your bills.

8. Life is not divided into semesters and you don't get sommers off...not even sprink break. You are expected to show up everyday for 8 hours and you don't get a new life every 40 weeks.

9. Smoking does not make you look cool. Watch an 11-year-old with a butt in his mouth. That's what you look like to anyone over 20.

10. Your school may ber "outcome-based" but life isn't. In some schools, you're given as many times as you want to get the answer right. Standards are set low enough so everyone can meet them. This, of course, bears not the slightest resemblance to anything in real life--as you will find out.

Analogies and metaphors

2006-08-15T17:09:00.000-05:00

Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays. Here are last year's winners:

1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master

2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free

3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it

4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. Coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef

5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up

6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree

8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine

9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.

10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup

11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. Instead of 7:30

12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.

13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease

14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. Traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m., at a speed of 35 mph

15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.

16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met

17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East River

18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut

19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.

20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work

21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.

22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something

23. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant

24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.

25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.

Pecans in the Cemetary

2006-08-15T10:54:00.000-05:00

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery
fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of
sight and began dividing the nuts. "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me,"
said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard
voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard,
"One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." He just KNEW what it was. He
jumped back on hs bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a
cane, hobbling along.

"Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are
down at the cemetery dividing up the souls."

The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk." When the boy insisted
though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, "One
for you, one for me. One for you, one for me...."

The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the
Lord." Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see
anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence
tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.

At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the
fence and we'll be done."

They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the kid.

New pics of the kids

2006-08-15T10:51:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I wish God would send registered letters

2006-08-15T10:49:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I wish God would send registered letters detailing what's going to happen next. But then, that would eliminate the need for faith then, wouldn't it?

There must have been illicit drugs in my epidural

2006-08-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

In the few minutes after Meagan was born, Brad and I were holding her and talking about who she looked like. Then it hit me that this was the last first time I would hold one of my kids. I said to Brad, "Are we sure we're done?"

Yeah.

That's the only reasonable explanation for a question like that. There had to have been illicit drugs in my epidural.

Signed,
A mommy to three

I guess macaroni and cheese everywhere isn't so bad...

2006-08-10T22:04:00.000-05:00

Love vs. Spanking (a psychological conundrum)

2006-08-09T13:46:00.000-05:00

Some of America's populace think it is not proper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of "those moments."

One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.

They usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together.

I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

And I thought I had a small house!

2006-08-06T21:26:00.000-05:00

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

The story of Meagan Jean

2006-07-25T10:52:00.000-05:00

May 4, 2005: Our second child, Zachary arrived in our lives at exactly 9:00 A.M. We had one boy and one girl. We're were done having kids, right? Wrong.

Summer, 2005: Between our garage sale, eBay and friends, we gave away all of our tiny baby clothes and maternity clothes. Every stitch of it. Except for some outfits that I *loved* Haley in. I mean, loved those outfits. I was puzzled as to why I couldn't get them to sell on eBay or at a garage sale. That's when the niggling thoughts started: Maybe we'll have another girl who will wear them.

Fall, 2005: Depression hit hard and fast. I'm not going to go into the gory details, but let's just say it was awful and it's something I don't ever want to experience again. Fortunately, my counselor directed me to a psychiatrist who helped me straighten out my medicines. My emotions were all still churned up after this whole thing, but at least I was heading in the right direction.

Late November, 2005: I went to an orthopedic specialist to have him check out my knees. (My first knee injury came during a game of capture the flag at Eagle Lake Camp. The second injury came after a nasty fall during a skiing trip during Spring Break my senior year in high school.) After a preliminary x-ray, it was discovered that both of my knees are arthritic and that bone spurs were present. He decided it would be best if I had an MRI to see what the extent of damage was. The nurse that did the scheduling asked when my last cycle was. "Well, it has been a couple of months. I've had a rough go of it and my body is all off right now." She said they would have me go for a blood test before the MRI just to make sure.

*Blood tests are much more accurate detecting the hormone that is produced when a woman is pregnant.

I arrived early for my pregnancy test. The lab tech gestured down the hall and mumbled something about the bathroom. I told her that I was sent for a blood test and she shook her head and said, "We're going to do the regular test." I knew a blood test had been ordered for me but who am I to argue with someone who had a pocket full of needles and other instruments of pain?

I was sent down to the basement to where the MRIs are done. After the second longest wait in history (the longest wait was still to come that day), a smiling nurse called my name. She sat me down behind this curtain right behind the door. What a weird dressing room, I thought.

The smiling nurse then said, "Your pregnancy test results were inconclusive so we're going to have to send you back for a blood test."

"Inconclusive?" came my question in a squeaky voice. "What does that mean? An error in the test?"

"Well, it could have been an error or it could be that it was positive."

At that point, my head began to swim. I just can't be pregnant. Zach is only 6 months old, Haley is just now 3, and I am still an emotional basketcase. There are some days I can barely get out of bed to brush my teeth. How can I take care of an unborn baby, too? It's too soon to be pregnant again- my body hasn't recovered yet. What harm am I doing to this baby if I am pregnant?

As I navigated the hallway back to the lab, my thoughts were racing. I tried to concentrate on the chance that maybe there was something wrong with the test. I reached the lab and told them I was sent for a blood test. They had me come in while they gathered the order and vials. I asked, "What does an inconclusive mean on a regular test?" The techs and nurses looked at one another, laughed and said, "It means you're probably pregnant!"

I lost it. I started crying buckets of tears right in the middle of the lab. A very sweet tech took me to a room and sat me down. I was embarrassed but I couldn't get the tears to stop. In between sobs, I managed to tell her why I was crying. She comforted me and prayed for me right there in the room. After I settled down, she took my blood and sent me back to the basement.

On my way back to the MRI, I called Brad at work. I can't remember what I told him but it was something like, "There's a chance I'm pregnant. They're doing the test right now. How fast can you get here?" Being the great guy he is, he said he'd be right down.

I was still walking down to the MRI office and over the loud speaker came a lullaby. The hospital plays it over the entire hospital when a baby is born. I started crying again.

I called my parents to tell them what was going on and to pass the time. My mom, always in grandma mode, said, "What if you have twins?!?" Yikes! Not one but two babies?

Brad finally walked into the office and I talked with him until another smiling nurse called my name. We went down the hall to a real changing room where a doctor was waiting for me. The doctor sat down with me, and the nurse handed me a couple of tissues. The doctor then said, "Your blood test was positive- you're pregnant! But there is some concern. The hCG level was quite low- an 11. This means that you're very newly pregnant (like today) or the pregnancy is threatened."

Talk about emotional whiplash. I went from not thinking I was pregnant, to finding out that I was, to learning that the baby may not make it, in the span of thirty seconds.

July 11, 2006: I felt very ill after dinner. I had a massive headache and a killer pain in my abdomen. I stayed up almost all night. I called my doctor who wanted me to go in to the hospital to be checked out. Due to my past history with pre-eclampsia and my (then) current symptoms, it was decided that I would stay in the antepartum ward until I delivered.

July 20, 2006: I had the Cervadil put in at 8 P.M. I slept pretty well but did feel the contractions.

July 21, 2006: My OB came to check me out at 8 A.M. He said I was 2 centimeters dilated and proceeded to break my water. My pitocin drip was started soon after and so was my epidural. (Heaven in a needle, I tell you!) My OB came back to check me at 3:30. He said I was only 7 centimeters and I still had a few hours yet. With the very next contraction, I felt the overwhelming need to push. I had Brad call the nurse, and she checked me when I had the next contraction. Her eyes got wide and said, "This baby will be coming before too long!"

They stopped my OB before he left for another hospital and got my room set up. All the while I'm trying my hardest not to push. Finally I get the all clear to push. One push got her down in my pelvis. The next push came her head and shoulder and it was all over.

She was great. Healthy. Crying. Pink. And adorable. Even though she was four weeks early, she weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19 inches long.

In honor of our fifth anniversary...

2006-07-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

our cake:

Aunt Glenda's

Dream house

2006-07-03T13:21:00.001-05:00

four bedrooms
at least 2 full baths; still considering an additional 1/2 bath
garage entry is in the back of the house
jacuzzi tub
closed off toilet area
gameroom/playroom
walk-in pantry
big, fenced in back yard
sunroom
island in kitchen
ranch (I'm so tired of dragging clothes up and down stairs)
NO pool
nice community- pools, parks, etc.

Pregnancy #3: Week 34

2006-07-03T09:17:00.000-05:00

Week Thirty-Four

Your baby acts completely like a newborn, with her eyes opened when awake and closed when sleeping. You may also find her settling into more of a routine for sleeping & awake times.
She has learned to blink. She can also see more clearly when there is a bright light on your stomach and probably has the outline of all your organs memorized!
Antibodies from your blood are being tranferred to him. These immunities continue to build until birth. Then breastmilk will add even more protection against disease.
Your baby may have already turned to a head-down position in preparation for birth. If he is your first baby, he may be settling into the pelvis with his head pressing against your cervix.
Fingernails have reached the end of the fingertips now. She may scratch her face even before she is born!
Your little one's length is 17.7 inches (45cm) and weight is 4.7 pounds (2146 g).

Pregnancy #3: Week 33

2006-07-03T09:16:00.000-05:00

Week Thirty-Three

Amniotic fluid is at its highest level during your pregnancy.
Your baby's head size has increased 3/8ths of an inch due to rapid brain growth.
Neurons and synapses are developing in huge numbers -- forming connections in your baby's brain will give him the skills he needs to thrive as a newborn. This week, he may be able to coordinate sucking and swallowing with breathing.
While most of his bones are hardening, his skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. The bones will be able to move slightly to make birthing easier.
You baby takes intermittent deep breaths -- of water! That's okay, though since she gets oxygen from the placenta. This breathing exercises muscles and encourages her lung cells to produce more surfactant (a protein essential for healthy lung development).
If your baby is a boy, his testicles will be descending from his abdomen into his scrotum. Sometimes one or both testicles won't move into position until after birth.
Your infant is now 17.2 inches (43.7cm) long and weighs 4.23 pounds (1918gm).

Pregnancy #3: Week 32

2006-06-20T10:38:00.000-05:00

Week Thirty-Two

Your baby is up to 3.75 pounds (1702gm) now and is 16.7 inches (42.4cm) long.
You might notice she's not moving around as much now. Don't worry! She is fine -- just running short on room. She still has plenty of growing to do though, believe it or not!
All five senses are working. Your little one is fascinated and practicing testing these out as much as possible!
Toenails are completely formed even though she may not be quite ready for a French manicure.
Hair on your infant's head continues to grow in. Will he have dad's black hair or your red hair?
Brain scans have shown that babies have periods of dream sleep (REM) starting around the eight month. What do you suppose your son is dreaming about?

Pregnancy #3: Week 31

2006-06-15T12:55:00.000-05:00

Week Thirty-One

The rate of physical growth slows down just a bit, but even though she doesn't get much longer, she will gain a lot of weight the rest of the pregnancy.

Fat continues accumulating. This layer of fat turns her skin from red to the rosy pink she will have as a newborn.

Calcium, phosphorus and iron are being stored and his bones are growing and hardening.

Your baby is 16.2 inches (41.1cm) long and weighs 3.3 pounds (1502gm)

His brain enters another period of rapid growth, producing hundreds of billions of new nerve cells! Amazing!

She may move to the rhythm of music. Studies with heart rates show that she also prefers some types of music to others -- already!

Lungs are the only major organ left to complete development. Remember, that while you may be anxious to meet your little one that these last few weeks can be vital - with each day increasing your baby's ability to breathe on her own.

Pregnancy #3: Week 30

2006-06-15T12:54:00.000-05:00

Week Thirty

Did you know your baby is nearly three pounds now?

His head is getting larger to accommodate a period of rapid brain growth. Don't forget to continue to "teach" your baby in the womb by exposing to music, literature, and simply talking to him.

A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him. As he grows and fills your uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease. Funny, you certainly won't feel any lighter!

She spends more and more time practicing opening and closing eyelids. Her eyes can move from side to side, following a light source. She may even reach out to touch the light.

Early lanugo is beginning to disappear that served to protect your baby's skin from the water in the womb. Your little one's own hair may begin to appear.

Toenails are entering their final growth stage.

Bone marrow is now in charge of red blood cell production. These red blood cells will continue to service your child's body by transporting oxygen and removing the wastes (carbon monoxide and other gases).

Your baby has the capability now to produce tears -- yes, within the womb.

By the end of this week, your baby is now 15.7 inches (39.9cm) long and weighs 2.91 pounds (1319gm).

Pregnancy #3: Week 29

2006-05-30T13:42:00.000-05:00

Week Twenty-Nine

Your baby's head is in proportion with body now. He appears more like a newborn each and every day!
Fat continues to accumulate under the skin -- only now preparing for entering the *real world*.
Your baby's brain can control primitive breathing and body temperatures.
His eyes can move in their sockets. Soon he will be able to follow a blinking light.
Your baby is increasingly sensitive to changes in light, sound, taste, and smell! Various studies show that your baby may indicate preferences (or disdain) for particular tastes or odors at this stage
He is also moving from side to side, but probably still is head up. In the next few weeks, he will move to the head down birthing position. At times you may feel as if he is performing somersaults for a circus act!
Her length is now approximately 15.2 inches (38.6cm) and weight is 2.54 pounds (1153gm)

Pregnancy #3: Week 28- it's a girl!

2006-05-30T13:40:00.001-05:00

Week Twenty-Eight

It's a girl!
*= Her weight is approximately 3 pounds, 4 ounces (already).

Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!
Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut!
Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from inside!
Your baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.
Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in your womb!
Lungs are capable of breathing now (but baby would still struggle and require medical attention if born now)
Talk to your baby often, reading stories, singing songs and more. He or she can recognize your voice now and will often calm to it later on!
Your baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds (1005gm) and is 14.8 inches (37.6cm).*

Pregnancy #3: Week 27

2006-05-30T13:40:00.000-05:00

Week Twenty-Seven

Your little one's brain continues its rapid growth. Don't forget to share music, conversation, and even books with your baby!
Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. Your baby's hearing continues to develop, he or she may start to recognize your voice as well as your partner's.
Lungs continue to grow and prepare for functioning outside of the womb. Each day in the womb greatly increases survival rates!
He also continues to take small breaths and although he's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when he's born.
Eyelids are now open more. Your baby can distinguish between light and dark.
Retinas have formed.
Your baby will grow over ½ inch this week alone! You may suspect this phenominal growth rate repeats in the preteen years!
Average size is now 14.4 inches (36.6cm) and 1.9 pound (875gm).

Pregnancy #3: Week 26

2006-05-30T13:39:00.000-05:00

Week Twenty-Six

Your baby may weigh about two pounds now (average is 1.7 pound, 760gm) and is 14 inches (35.6cm) in length
To support the fetus's growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.
Air sacs in the lungs form now.
Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after the baby is born.
Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, your baby's eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week. Depending on ethnicity, some babies will be born with blue or gray-blue eyes (which may change color in the first 6 months of life) and some will be born with brown or dark eyes.
Retinas begin to form.
Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable.
Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If you shine a light on your abdomen, your baby will turn his head, which according to researchers, means his optic nerve is working.

Pregnancy #3: Week 25- 100 days to go!!

2006-05-04T19:24:00.000-05:00

Week Twenty-Five

The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints, ligaments and rings. These will protect the all important spinal cord which serves as the information transmitter for your child's body.
Blood vessels of the lungs develop.
Your baby's nostrils begin to open. There is a study out of Belfast that suggests babies at this stage have the capability of scent preferences!
The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now. When baby is rooting for food later on, these will be valuable!
His swallowing reflexes are developing.
Dexterity is improving. Your baby can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm.
Your child has now obtained an approximate length of 13.6 inches (34.6cm) and weighs 1.46 pound (660gm).

Pregnancy #3: Week 24

2006-05-04T19:23:00.000-05:00

Week Twenty-Four

Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.
His body begins to fill out with his appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn.
Taste buds begin to form. If mom drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his distaste.
Little creases have appeared on his palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved as he sucks his thumb.
Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.
His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.
This week your baby is officially considered viable.
Baby weighs 1.3 pound (600gm) and is 11.8 inches (30cm) long -- almost the length of a ruler!

The cowboy and the yuppie

2006-04-20T09:10:00.000-05:00

Forwarded to me by a friend:

A West Texas cowboy was herding his herd in a remote pasture when suddenly a brand-new BMW advanced out of a dust cloud towards him. The driver, a young man in a Brioni suit, Gucci shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses, and YSL tie, leans out the window and asks the cowboy, "If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, will you give me a calf?"

The cowboy looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, "Sure, why not?"

The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer, connects it to his AT&T cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite navigation system to get an exact fix on his location Which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an ultra-high-resolution photo.

The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility in Hamburg, Germany. Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses a MS-SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response.

Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech,miniaturized HP LaserJet printer and finally turns to the cowboy and says, "You have exactly 1586 cows and calves."

"That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves," says the cowboy.

He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car. Then the cowboy says to the young man, "Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my calf?"

The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, "Okay, why not?"

"You're a consultant for the National Democratic Party," Says the cowboy.

"Wow! That's correct," says the yuppie, "but how did you guess that?"

"No guessing required." answered the cowboy.

"You showed up here, even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked. You tried to show me how much smarter than me you are and you don't know a darn thing about cows. Now give me back my dog!"

Country music is three chords and the truth. -Harlan Howard

2006-04-18T21:53:00.001-05:00

These are a couple of songs that remind me of special people in my life. This first one, while I can't say we would be classified as "old," reminds me of my best friend since elementary school: Candace. As I was cleaning out a closet, I ran across a picture of us in college. It brought back tons of great memories!

My Old Friend
Artist: Tim McGraw

"My old friend, I recall
The times we had hanging on my wall
I wouldn't trade them for gold
Cause they laugh and they cry me
Somehow sanctify me
They're woven in the stories I have told
And tell again

My old friend, I apologize
For the years that have passed
Since the last time you and I
Dusted off those memories
But the running and the races
The people and the places
There's always somewhere else I had to be
Time gets thin, my old friend

Don't know why, don't know why
Don't know why, don't know why

My old friend, this song's for you
Cause a few simple verses
Was the least that I could do
To tell the world that you were here
Cause the love and the laughter
Will live on long after
All of the sadness and the tears
We'll meet again, my old friend

Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye

My old friend, my old friend
Goodbye, goodbye"

This other song reminds me of Pop, my grandfather, who passed away in 2003. I also love the last verse- I can't wait to see my Makers face.

"When I Get Where I'm Going"
Artist: Brad Paisley
Album: Time Well Wasted

"When I get where I'm going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly

I'm gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

(Chorus:)
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah when I get where I'm going
Don't cry for me down here

I'm gonna walk with my grand daddy
And he'll match me step for step
And I'll tell him how I missed him
Every minute since he left
Then I'll hug his neck

(Chorus)

So much pain and so much darkness
In this world we stumble through
All these questions I can't answer
So much work to do

But when I get where I'm going
And I see my maker's face
I'll stand forever in the light
Of his amazing grace
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
Hallelujah
I will love and have no fear
When I get where I'm going
Yeah when I get where I'm going"

Pregnancy #3: Week 23

2006-04-18T21:53:00.000-05:00

Week Twenty-Three

Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since he hasn't begun to form body fat.
Bones located in the middle ear harden.
Your baby is able to hear. (Dads, did you know: low-frequency sounds mimicking a male voice penetrate the abdomen and uterine wall better than the higher frequencies of the female voice?)
The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.
The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.
If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day. .
The average baby at this stage weighs 1.1 pound (501gm) and is 11.38 inches (28.9cm) long.

Pregnancy #3: Week 22

2006-04-11T12:55:00.000-05:00

Week Twenty-Two

Your baby weighs close to a pound at this point!
Your baby can now hear your conversations more clearly than before!. When you talk, read, or sing, expect her to hear you. Studies have found that newborns will suck more vigorously when read to from a book they heard frequently in utero.
Eyelids and eyebrows are fully formed.
Fingernails have grown to the end of the fingers.
Be prepared for all those "Why" questions coming! Your baby's brain has entered a stage of rapid growth, especially in what's called the germinal matrix. This structure deep in the middle of the brain serves as a kind of factory for brain cells and disappears shortly before birth. But the brain's amazing expansion program continues until around the five birthday.
With some help from mom, baby's liver is starting to break down bilirubin, a substance produced by red blood cells.
If your baby is male his testes begin their descent to the scrotum.
Primitive sperm have formed and he is producing testosterone.
Length is 10.94 inches (27.8cm); weight is nearly 1 pound (430gm).

Pregnancy #3: Week 21

2006-04-05T15:03:00.000-05:00

Week Twenty-One

White blood cells are under production. Leukocytes (or white blood cells) form our body's defense sytems. They help fight infections and diseases.
Your little one's skin has changed from translucent to become more opaque.
Your infant's tongue is fully formed. If you were able to peek you might catch your son or daughter practicing giving you a raspberry!
If your baby is a girl, her womb and vagina are formed. Unlike males, females have a limited supply of eggs in their lifetime. At this point your daughter will have 6 million eggs. This amount decreases to approximately one million by birth.
Baby swallows more this week. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel. This is good practice for his digestive system!
Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. Some research suggests that baby sets her internal clock to match the outside world's even before birth! Your eating and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise serve as her signals.
Length is now measured crown to heel.
Baby measures about 10.51 inches (26.7cm) and weighs nearly 12.7 ounces (360g).

Choices, choices, choices

2006-04-05T14:56:00.000-05:00

All of these homes are priced very closely together. Let's compare:

Here's a cute house in the local area, although it would be a good 20 minute drive to the city. 4 bedroom, 2.25 bath, total square footage: 2057 Decent school district. Although one kid would sleep in the basement. (If I won't live in a basement, there's no way I'm putting one of my kids in there.)

A home in the DFW metroplex, located in an excellent school district. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, total square footage: 2,046. From the listing:

Family home with great drive-up appeal features a beautiful eat-in kitchen with bay window, black appliances, gorgeous tile flooring and lots of cabinet and counter space. The spacious family room has a wall of windows for natural light and a wood burning fireplace with mantle perfect for those cold winter nights! The master suite is located downstairs and includes an oversized arched window, ceiling fan and walk-in closet. All secondary bedrooms are generous in size and are located upstairs. You will love relaxing on the covered back patio with ceiling fan! The adorable playhouse in the backyard stays. Additional features include great storage space, fresh interior and exterior paint (Jan. ‘06), tile in utility (Dec. ‘05), tile in kitchen (Jan. ‘06) and a pretty wooded creek adjacent to the property.

Another home in the DFW area, also in a very good school district.

4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths
Size:	2,318 Square Feet

4BR/ 2-1/2 bath 1 owner home in a great location on large corner lot. Separate living and dining areas. Gas Fire place in Den. Kitchen with eating area. Large MB with 3 additional bedrooms up. Oversized hot tub on covered patio. Water softener, sprinkler system, security system. Walking to 2 athletic parks. Cat 5 cable in bedrooms.

Pregnancy #3: Week 20

2006-04-03T15:44:00.000-05:00

You're half way there!
The rapid growth stage is about over. While things have slowed down, this next stage is vital to survival.
The baby's heart grows stronger. Find a quiet place, lay flat on your back. Locate your own heartbeat by finding your pulse. Next lay your hand on your belly. You may be able to distinguish the two heartbeats!
His legs are reaching their relative size. With the increase muscle develop occurring as well, you will start feeling much more than tiny flutter kicks soon!
Immunities are being transferred from you to your baby now. These immune cells will protect her from viruses you've already had for up to six months after birth!
The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.
Your baby may startle in reaction to loud sounds. Amazingly, she can actually hear noises outside of the womb. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby becomes accustomed to during her development stages often are calming after birth.
If your baby is a girl, her uterus is starting to develop. She has approximately six million eggs in her ovaries. About one million will remain at birth.
Baby is about 6.46 inches (16.4cm) and weighs around 10.58 ounces (300g).

Texas Women

2006-04-01T07:51:00.000-06:00

Three men were sitting together bragging about how they had set their new wives straight on their housework duties.

The first man married a woman from Pennsylvania and bragged that he had told her, she was going to do all the dishes and all the house cleaning that needed done at their house. He said that it took a couple days but on the third day he came home to a clean house and the dishes were all washed and put away.

The second man married a woman from New York. He bragged that he had given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes, and the cooking. He said that on the first day he didn't see any results, but the next day it was better. By the third day, his house was clean, the dishes were done, and he had a huge dinner on the table.

The third man married a Texas girl. He boasted that he had informed her that his house was to be cleaned, dishes washed, the cooking done and laundry washed. And this was all her responsibility. He said the first day he didn't see anything and the second day he didn't see anything either, but by the third day some of the swelling had gone down so he could see a little out of his left eye!

Got to love those Texas Women!!

The real meaning of an engagement ring

2006-03-30T13:34:00.000-06:00

It is a statistical fact that women who marry live SHORTER lives that women who never marry, and men who marry live LONGER lives than men who never marry. I think that is why men give an engagement ring when they propose...it's a form of compensation:

"Here...this for the life I'm about to suck out of you."

Pregnancy #3: Week 19

2006-03-22T15:47:00.000-06:00

Your baby has the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. He has a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.
Throughout baby's body, nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly.
Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted and continues to grow.
The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will begin to form behind the milk teeth.
If baby is female the uterus starts to develop. If you're having a girl, the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are in place.
If it's a boy, the genitals are distinct and recognizable.
Your baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her kidneys are making urine.
Your little one's size is around 6.02 inches (15.3cm) and 8.47 ounces (240gm).

Zach loves his tub!

2006-03-14T10:15:00.000-06:00

Pregnanacy #3: Week 18

2006-03-14T10:13:00.000-06:00

Week Eighteen

Vernix (a white cheese-like protective material) forms on baby's skin with the lanugo (soft, lightly pigmented hair covering the body and limbs); both serving to protect your baby's skin during the months in water.
Your placenta continues to grow and nourish the baby. Don't forget those prenatal vitamins!
Tiny air sacs called alveoli begin to form in lungs. He'll be putting these lungs to good use in just a few months!
Her vocal chords are formed. She goes through the motions of crying but without air she doesn't make a sound.
Features of your baby's heart, including ventricles and chambers, should be visible during an utltrasound.
Your baby measures about 5.59 inches (14.2cm) this week and weighs about 6.7 ounces (190gm).

Grace Based Parenting/Discipline

2006-03-08T14:20:00.000-06:00

When Haley first came along, I decided that our parenting was going to be: "I'm gonna do my own thing, you know go with the flow, keep it loose and easy, not stress about milestones and achievements." Since then, we've made it past the "Oh-my-gosh, what-in-the-world-am-I-doing, I-don't-want-to-screw-up-my-kid, I'm-going-to-freaking-lose-it-if-I-don't-get-some-sleep/shower/time for myself"-phase. I've decided that my parenting needs a better direction. (I think I've known that for quite a while now, but have now decided to do something about it.) I've been reading about different parenting strategies and came across Grace Based Discipline (or Grace Based Parenting) and it sounds very interesting to me. I'm going to order a couple of different books about it and I thought I'd start with these:

Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel:
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Kimmel, author and founder of Family Matters ministries, likens many Christian parents' attempts at rearing children to putting together a puzzle without first studying the completed picture located on the box's cover. Kimmel states that families of faith tend toward extremes, either being overly permissive or overly legalistic. This is not a particularly new concept, but Kimmel pulls it off with interesting storytelling and sound biblical parallels. He says Christians frequently believe that the battle for a child's heart and soul is fought on the outside-with rigid rules and boundaries-when in fact just the opposite is true. He underscores the importance of communicating the unconditional love that Christ offers and affirming this timeless message of grace to one's family. Despite the numerous examples the author cites where parents fail, this text is overwhelmingly upbeat with hope and possibility: Parents who strive to live a life of faith characterized by daily trust in God will pass on this message of possibility and potential to their offspring. Kimmel asserts that this "radical" mode of parenting will meet the three essential needs in kids' lives: for security, significance and strength. He assures parents that these needs can be met with grace-laced love, purpose and hope. Kimmel's gentle heart is evident in every chapter, and his obvious passion will spur frustrated parents to keep at the task with new resolve and optimism.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Description

Parents in our post-modern world tend to be committed to but anxious about their child-rearing responsibilities. They have tried countless parenting books on the market telling moms and dads what to do and how to do it. Many of these are rigid, fear-based books that leave a large number of parents feeling directionless.

Now, there is a grace-based solution from Dr. Tim Kimmel, founder of Family Matters ministries. Grace-Based Parenting is a refreshing new book divided into two parts: the needs we are trying to meet in our children and the delivery system for how we meet them.

Kimmel recommends creating a grace-based home environment that allows children to meet their full potential, to parent children in the same way God parents us. He presents a child's true needs--according to Scripture--and provides parents a realistic, do-able way to meet them. The result--spiritually strong children who grow up with a sense of calm and a heart full of purpose and confidence.

Parents will welcome Grace-Based Parenting.

Families Where Grace Is In Place by Jeff VanVonderen:

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Building a Grace-Filled Marriage and Raising Creative, Contented, Capable Children Without Legalism or Manipulation.

Christian parents want to do things right. They put their best efforts toward having a Christian marriage and raising Christian kids. But many end up tired, discouraged and feeling like failures. Why is that?

From both his professional and personal experience, Jeff VanVonderen shows that the primary cause comes when Christian husbands, wives and parents focus on a spouse or child's behavior, then set out to apply pressure, make rules and control attitudes and responses. When people spend their lives trying to transform or "fix" their spouses and their kids, the natural result is exhaustion, depression and the hopeless sense of wanting to bail out of it all.

Here is a message about how God's grace can transform relationships within a marriage and family. The first step is learning the simple difference between God's job and ours. God's part is to fix and change. Our responsibility is to depend on the Holy Spirit, serve our families and help to equip them to be all they can be. Healthy relationships between husband and wife, between parents and children, are possible only when the filter of God's grace is placed over the processes of marriage and parenting. The Christian family's ultimate goals of harmony, obedience and full potential can be arrived at without using legalistic and manipulative methods.

Pregnancy #3: Week 17

2006-03-07T10:49:00.000-06:00

Week Seventeen

By week 17, your baby weighs about 4.97 ounces (140gm) and is 5.12 inches (13cm) long.**
He or she has a much more normal "human" appearance now. She holds her head more erect and her body and limbs are longer in proportion to her head.
Pads are forming on his tiny fingertips and toes. Soon those individual swirls and whorls will be apparent.
Her eyes are looking forward now, but they are still firmly closed.
Meconium (composed of products of cell loss, digestive secretion and swallowed amniotic fluid), is accumulating in the bowel. This black gooey substance will become your baby's first poop!
The umbilical cord is growing thicker and stronger and continues to rush blood and nutrients to your growing baby.*
If your child is male the prostate begins to develop.
Her skeleton is tranforming from cartilage to bone. The bones remain flexible to make the journey through the birth canal easier.

**: My last ultrasound showed that the baby was weighing 6 ounces at week 16.
*: The ultrasound also revealed that my cord has three vessels- that's very good!

I should probably rethink my Coca-Cola habit

2006-03-02T17:16:00.000-06:00

Top left: web of a spider on LSD
Top right: web of a spider on mescaline (a hallucinogen)
Middle left: web of a spider on hashish (pot)
Middle right: web of a spider on caffeine
Bottom: web of a "drug-naive" spider

Pregnancy #3: Week 16

2006-02-28T18:04:00.000-06:00

Fat begins to form underneath skin, providing your baby with insulation for the coming months.
Did you know that both baby and placenta are now about the same size?
Your little one has reached 4.57 inches (11.6cm) and approximately 3.53 ounces (100gm).
His head and neck are held straighter now.
This is a week of "mights!" You might hear the tiny thumps of his heartbeat with an external monitor now. The genitals are developed sufficiently that an experienced sonographer might be able to determine if your baby is a boy or a girl.
Her heart is pumping as much as 6 gallons of blood a day and beats at a rate about double your heartrate.
If you could take a peek inside, you would witness your child's reflexes in action! (Sucking, swallowing and blinking are now evident.) She is probably even hiccuping even though you don't feel it yet!
Your baby has learned to breathe! This is apparent from the regular movements of his chest. Isn't it amazing that he is able to breathe "underwater," inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid? These actions help the lungs to develop and grow.

Camping in Illinois- reference

2006-02-28T14:05:00.000-06:00

Argyle Lake State Park
Beaver Dam State Park
Big River State Forest
Cave-In-Rock State Park
Chain O'Lakes State Park
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Delabar State Park
Dixon Springs State Park
Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area*
Ferne Clyffe
Fox Ridge State Park
Giant City State Park
Illinois Beach State Park
Kickapoo State Recreational Area
Shabbona Lake State Recreational Area
Siloam Springs State Park
Starved Rock State Park
Stephen A. Forbes State Recreational Area

Pregnancy #3: Week 15

2006-02-21T11:59:00.000-06:00

Week Fifteen

You may begin to feel some fluttering movements as baby kicks, flails, twists and turns (but don't panic if you don't yet). She can also grasp, squint, frown, grimace and maybe suck her thumb!
Your baby's legs have grown longer than the arms and the body is now longer than the head.
And you'll be happy to note that he is moving those arms and legs often!
His skin is very thin -- so thin blood vessel are visible. It's covered by a fine, soft layer of hair called lanugo. Lanugo comes from a Latin word meaning "down." This hair is thought to help insulate your little boy.
The three tiny bones in his middle ear have begun to harden. The auditory centers in your baby's brain haven't developed yet, so she might not really understand what you say but her hearing capacity is in the process of developing.
Fingernails and toenails are growing.
Eyebrows are beginning to grow and even the hair his head is sprouting. It will probably change color and texture after birth.
All this and your little one is an amazing 3.98 inches (10.1cm) long and may weigh 2.47 ounces (70gm).

Application for permission to date my daughter

2006-02-21T10:54:00.000-06:00

NOTE: This application will be incomplete and rejected unless accompanied
by a complete financial statement, job history, driving record, lineage, and
current certified medical report (including drug tests) from your doctor

Name:________________________ Nickname/Alias:___________________

Date Of Birth:____/____/____ height:______ Weight:______ I.Q.:______

G.P.A.:________ Soc. Sec.#______-___-_______

Driver's License#____________________

Boy Scout Rank:_____________Good Standing: Yes_____No_____

Home Address:_______________________________

City/State/Zip_____________________________

Home Phone#: (___)___________ Car Phone#:_______________ Pager#:__________

Do you own
Van?____
Truck with oversized tires?____
Car with a trunk full of speakers?_____

Do you have any of the following:
An earring_____
nose ring______
belly button ring_____
piercings on any other body parts_____
Tattoo?______

Explain:_____________________________________________________

(If you answered YES to any of the above questions, discontinue and leave the premises immediately.)

In 50 words or less, what does "LATE" mean to you? ________________________________________________________________

In 50 words or less, what does "DON'T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER" mean to you? ________________________________________________________________

In 50 words or less, what does "ABSTINENCE" mean to you?
________________________________________________________________

Church you attend_____________________ How often______________________
Best time to interview your pastor?_______________________

Fill In The Blank. Please answer freely, all answers will be confidential.

If I were beaten, the last bone I want to be broken broken is: ____________________________________________________

The one thing I hope this application does not ask me is ____________________________________________________

Now answer the question you filled in on B
____________________________________________________

NOTE: If you have answered any of the previous questions dishonestly (and I will find out), discontinue application. It is advised that you leave the premises quickly keeping your head low and running in serpentine fashion.

I swear that all information provided above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge under penalty of death, dismemberment, electrocution, and/or hot pokers.

_____________________________
Signature (This means sign your name)

Thank you for your interest. Please allow four to six years for
processing. You will be notified in writing if you are approved. Please do
not try to call or write. If you do attempt any communication before your
application is approved, automatic disqualification will result.

If your application is rejected, you will be notified by
two gentlemen wearing white ties and carrying violin cases
answering to the names GUIDO and LOUIE

Pregnancy #3: Week 14

2006-02-15T17:33:00.000-06:00

Week Fourteen

Thyroid gland has matured and your baby begins producing hormones which will be used throughout his or her life.
In boys, the prostate gland develops
In girls, the ovaries move from the abdomen to the pelvis
Your little one may have learned to suck his thumb by this point!
Your child's bones are getting harder and stronger by the day!
Your baby's skin is very transparent still
Lanugo (very fine hair) covers the baby's body and will continue to grow until 26 weeks gestational age - Generally this will be shed prior to birth. Its purpose is to help protect baby's skin while in all that water!
Your baby is 3.42 inches (8.7cm) long and weighs about 1.52 ounces (43 grams) - approximately the weight of a letter!

Long overdue pics

2006-02-07T11:18:00.000-06:00

A Texas sunset

Two days after Christmas- in Texas

I've been shopping for the new baby!

2006-02-07T11:07:00.000-06:00

I've already picked out going home outfits!

If it's a boy, click here.

If it's a girl, click here.

And pajamas for mom (in lavender).

Pregnancy #3: Week 13- 189 days to go!

2006-02-07T11:04:00.000-06:00

Week Thirteen

Your infant is about 2.91 inches (7.4cm) and weighs around 0.81 ounce (23gm) - This is about the same weight as 4 quarters.
If you could peek in again you may spot your baby as he begins to practice inhaling and exhaling movements
Eyes and ears continue to move and develop
Baby's neck is getting longer, and the chin no longer is resting on his chest
Her hands are becoming more functional - Your baby may find it comforting to start playing with her fist.
At this point all nourishment is received from the placenta
On your next doctor visit you should be able to hear heartbeat with a Doppler by now - (Don't worry though if you can't, the heartbeat can be confirmed through U/S). Your baby's heartbeat is much rapider than your own and may remind you of the race towards birth that he is running!

Note: We heard the heartbeat with a Doppler at week 10.

Pregnancy #3: Week 12

2006-02-07T11:03:00.000-06:00

Week Twelve

Vocal cords begin to form - While perhaps not quite ready to be introduced to the nearest opera stage, your infant will use these immediately following the moment of birth. Bet you can't wait to hear that first cry!
Those precious eyes begin to move closer together - Are you wondering if he will have mommy's crystal green eyes, daddy's laughing brown ones, or maybe out of the gene pool will emerge grandma's clear blue!
Ears shift to their normal place on the side of the head
Intestines move farther in to your child's body
His or her liver begins to function - Responsible for cleansing the blood, storing nutrients, and providing needed chemicals, this is an important event!
The pancreas begins to produce insulin
Guess what? Your baby's average size is now at a whopping length: 2.13 inches (5.4cm) and weight: 0.49 ounce (14gm)

Pregnancy #3: Week 11

2006-01-27T11:56:00.000-06:00

Only 200 days left!

From now until your 20th week of pregnancy — the halfway mark — your baby will increase his or her weight 30 times and will about triple in length. To make sure your baby gets enough nutrients, the blood vessels in your placenta are growing larger and multiplying.

Your baby is now officially described as a fetus. Your baby's ears are moving up and to the side of the head this week.

Pregnancy #3: Week 10

2006-01-27T11:53:00.000-06:00

Better late than never!

Week 10:

By now, your baby's vital organs have a solid foundation. The embryonic tail has disappeared completely, and your baby has fully separated fingers and toes. The bones of your baby's skeleton begin to form.

This week, your baby's brain will produce almost 250,000 new neurons every minute.

Your baby's eyelids are no longer transparent. The outer ears are starting to assume their final form, and tooth buds are forming as well. If your baby is a boy, his testes will start producing the male hormone testosterone.