Yesterday I took Gertie in for her 18-month checkup in the morning. She was great. She doesn't even weigh 20 pounds yet, but Ethan was always small too, so they're not too concerned.
She still won't drink milk, and the doctor even suggested trying chocolate milk, but to add it at home to whole milk. So far the only chocolate milk she'll drink is skim from the store. Her doctor said we're definitely not worried about extra calories at this point. I just worry about the habits forming. I will try it.
Gertie is talking up a storm, and even making lots of short sentences now. She is fun to hang out with. She'll try any word she hears. I like that girl.
Well, on to John. His back has been pretty bad ever since we left the beach, and he's even gone to the doctor once since we've been back, but yesterday, he couldn't walk. It seems different this time because it seems to be getting worse, not better, like it usually does. We took him in to urgent care and they gave him a shot that helped a little, at least he could move. They prescribed him a different pain killer and want to keep him on the anti-inflammatories. The new thing is they said they'd send him to the pain clinic to see if they could help, or even send him to a back specialist. He chose to start with the pain clinic. He truly doesn't have a lot of hope that they'll be able to help, but I think it's worth looking into. We'll see where it goes.
Grace went to the football game with some friends last night. She is growing up, and I miss her. She was going to go to the game with her dad, but that wasn't going to happen. I did love that she took some notes so she could update him when she came home. When she walked in the door, she pulled a notebook out of her pocket and read to us that the opposing team declined two penalties in the first quarter, and Austin declined one. Then she said she really didn't do too great a job watching the game for what was going on. I can relate.
Anyway, I'm resolved to actually take some pictures today. Ethan goes to a football clinic this morning to kick off flag football. He is fired up. I'll take a picture or two. Maybe I'll post again.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Revelation and Tennis
What is on my mind lately is Revelation. We just started Bible study this last week and we are studying Revelation. I've been a Christian for many years now, but I've always avoided this book for some reason, probably fear that I wouldn't understand it. Well, now here it is. We are only into the first chapter, but I am loving it. The images are fascinating. It is a whole different Jesus than the one pictured in the Gospels. I know He's the same, but this is a new face. So far, I love it.
This afternoon Grace had her first tennis match. It was about an hour away, but I really wanted to be there to support her, so I took Ethan and rode along with another friend and tennis mom. We watched her daughter play and had a good time. I was starting to wonder if Grace was going to get to play, when there she appeared. It was a hard game for her. Both she and her partner weren't very good, and they had never played a game before. They were badly beat. As her mom, it was hard to watch because I knew she was having such a hard time of it, but she persevered. I am so proud of her. She isn't even tempted to give up on tennis.
We didn't get home until after 8 o'clock, and that's usually bedtime. Grace hadn't had a chance to practice cello or to work on homework, thankfully there wasn't much. This night just flew by, but they're tucked into bed now, sleeping soundly I hope.
Grace's allergies are so bad right now you wouldn't believe it. She is ENDLESSLY sneezing and blowing her nose. Her meds are in the mail, but it isn't soon enough. I think that made the day even more frustrating for her.
I'm ready to hit the pillow. My heart feels anxious about how my Grace is doing tonight. I am thankful to God for these growing pains, though. I pray I'll be what she needs in a mother and she'll learn to lean on Him when her heart is aching.
This afternoon Grace had her first tennis match. It was about an hour away, but I really wanted to be there to support her, so I took Ethan and rode along with another friend and tennis mom. We watched her daughter play and had a good time. I was starting to wonder if Grace was going to get to play, when there she appeared. It was a hard game for her. Both she and her partner weren't very good, and they had never played a game before. They were badly beat. As her mom, it was hard to watch because I knew she was having such a hard time of it, but she persevered. I am so proud of her. She isn't even tempted to give up on tennis.
We didn't get home until after 8 o'clock, and that's usually bedtime. Grace hadn't had a chance to practice cello or to work on homework, thankfully there wasn't much. This night just flew by, but they're tucked into bed now, sleeping soundly I hope.
Grace's allergies are so bad right now you wouldn't believe it. She is ENDLESSLY sneezing and blowing her nose. Her meds are in the mail, but it isn't soon enough. I think that made the day even more frustrating for her.
I'm ready to hit the pillow. My heart feels anxious about how my Grace is doing tonight. I am thankful to God for these growing pains, though. I pray I'll be what she needs in a mother and she'll learn to lean on Him when her heart is aching.
Monday, September 10, 2007
A Quiet Evening
I've just tucked the kids into bed and now I'm sitting down to watch the football game with John. It's such a nice time in the evening after the kitchen is cleaned up after dinner and the house is picked up and the kids are in bed. Very peaceful.
I worked in Rochester today. It was fairly uneventful, except the day was cut short. That is always a blessing to me. I do actually like working sometimes, but I always feel happy when something cancels or gets cut short.
Ethan had a piano lesson. I don't know what to make of that kid. He seems to like piano. He never says he hates it. But I have to remind him to practice, and I don't always remember. So he is pretty inconsistent at his lessons. Some weeks he does well, and some weeks, not so much. His teacher is very patient, though.
Gertie found a piece of chalk in the house and colored the kitchen floor blue, the dining room floor blue, and the screen door blue. All this occurred while we were all floating around the kitchen cleaning up and doing homework and things like that. I don't know where she found it or how she got away with it. So many places. She loves to color so much that I am in a state of constant paranoia that she's going to find a pen or pencil or crayon laying around (yes, that happens in my house!) and she'll go for the walls. I just know it is coming.
Anyway, I'm tempted to erase this post. I read it and it's really not worth writing down. Some days nothing really noteworthy seems to happen. Maybe those days I should just let it go. I am thankful for ordinary life. I like the way this day has gone. It's been uneventful, but Gertie was in a good mood. John and I snuck away to take his mower into Sears. (Yeah. It sort of felt like a date). I worked and saw a good friend in Rochester that I don't see much anymore. A good uneventful day.
I worked in Rochester today. It was fairly uneventful, except the day was cut short. That is always a blessing to me. I do actually like working sometimes, but I always feel happy when something cancels or gets cut short.
Ethan had a piano lesson. I don't know what to make of that kid. He seems to like piano. He never says he hates it. But I have to remind him to practice, and I don't always remember. So he is pretty inconsistent at his lessons. Some weeks he does well, and some weeks, not so much. His teacher is very patient, though.
Gertie found a piece of chalk in the house and colored the kitchen floor blue, the dining room floor blue, and the screen door blue. All this occurred while we were all floating around the kitchen cleaning up and doing homework and things like that. I don't know where she found it or how she got away with it. So many places. She loves to color so much that I am in a state of constant paranoia that she's going to find a pen or pencil or crayon laying around (yes, that happens in my house!) and she'll go for the walls. I just know it is coming.
Anyway, I'm tempted to erase this post. I read it and it's really not worth writing down. Some days nothing really noteworthy seems to happen. Maybe those days I should just let it go. I am thankful for ordinary life. I like the way this day has gone. It's been uneventful, but Gertie was in a good mood. John and I snuck away to take his mower into Sears. (Yeah. It sort of felt like a date). I worked and saw a good friend in Rochester that I don't see much anymore. A good uneventful day.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
The Transportation Truce
Transportation Truce
I ask that on the way home I could be picked up, unless it is inconvenient (Mom works or something).
The reasons for my request are:
· I stand outside for 20 minutes in a hot, orange vest, and when I’m already sweaty, walking home is too much.
· It cuts into my time for daily activities.
· Ethan and I argue all the time, so we decide that it’s best not to talk to each other, and it gets boring.
· It gives me a headache in the sun.
Thus, I ask, in best interests of me and Ethan, if there is any possibility we can be picked up.
Please sign below in agreement.
Grace x__________________________________
John x ___________________________________
Ethan x___________________________________
Okay. This is no longer in effect, but as I was transferring documents and cleaning up the computer files I came across this. Last year Grace had to walk home from school with Ethan several times, and it wasn't going that well, for the very well-articulated reasons stated above. The reason she had to stand outside for twenty minutes is because she was on Patrol, where they assist the kids in crossing the street after school. Anyway, we were enjoying it again, and thought you may as well.
Friday, September 7, 2007
just thought i'd give an update. School for me and Ethan started on the 4th. Every class is good. bun i am just SO happy to be back in school. My back is starting to hurt though. but we're working on a solution.
Oh, this is fun
Guess what I got last night? A new laptop. We've been having long faces around here dealing with our old computer. I was pushing for a laptop because I just learned that wireless is acquired by purchasing a router. One time. I thought that wireless was a more expensive service provided by an internet provider. Boy, do I feel dumb.
Beth is here. She has set me up so I'm wireless on my new laptop and she's been transferring files all day. It is heaven. I feel so like you now, Heather. John is worried I'll get carried away. I swear I won't.
In other news, the kids have completed their first week of school. All went well. I'm glad the weekend is here and the week was a short one. I have missed the kids. Grace has expressed a few times that she misses her family. She is at tennis until almost 5 p.m. every day. I miss her. By the time she comes home, eats dinner, does homework, prepares for the next day (which is an exhausting task, if you know Grace) it's pretty much time for bed.
My mom is coming down this weekend to join Beth and the rest of us. It should be a good time. We have nothing special planned, but I'm still looking forward to it. I finally put my suitcase away this morning. I don't want to go anywhere for a while.
John declared that this morning, for the first time, he feels like he has nothing to do. A new feeling. I'm sure it will be fleeting. I think he meant mostly in relation to work, though. I like having him home, but find it strange that we do so much running around and projects and errands that it seems like we hardly really see each other most days. I don't like that.
Well, Grace just got home, so I'm signing off. Quality time.
Beth is here. She has set me up so I'm wireless on my new laptop and she's been transferring files all day. It is heaven. I feel so like you now, Heather. John is worried I'll get carried away. I swear I won't.
In other news, the kids have completed their first week of school. All went well. I'm glad the weekend is here and the week was a short one. I have missed the kids. Grace has expressed a few times that she misses her family. She is at tennis until almost 5 p.m. every day. I miss her. By the time she comes home, eats dinner, does homework, prepares for the next day (which is an exhausting task, if you know Grace) it's pretty much time for bed.
My mom is coming down this weekend to join Beth and the rest of us. It should be a good time. We have nothing special planned, but I'm still looking forward to it. I finally put my suitcase away this morning. I don't want to go anywhere for a while.
John declared that this morning, for the first time, he feels like he has nothing to do. A new feeling. I'm sure it will be fleeting. I think he meant mostly in relation to work, though. I like having him home, but find it strange that we do so much running around and projects and errands that it seems like we hardly really see each other most days. I don't like that.
Well, Grace just got home, so I'm signing off. Quality time.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
My story starts with tears. I can't believe I cried, but I did. We are having a great time in Julie's van heading to Iowa City when Gertie looks at me and says, "Messy." I look at her hand and she's got poop all over it. It is coming out her diaper. We pull the car over in emergency mode. I pull her out and try to remove her shirt without getting poop all over her hair, carefully lay her down on the only blanket I brought for her to sleep with, and clean her up. Then I stand her on the ground while I try to clean the blanket up a little before I put the new diaper on. She pees. I clean her up again, put her in her carseat (which is poopy and I haven't cleaned yet so now she is poopy again.) I clean her up again and put her in my seat while I clean her carseat and she pees again. Right about now I turn into the baby and the tears flow. I put her diaper on and clean my seat. Thank God for leather (Julie might not think so.) Now I go into the Wal*Mart bathroom to clean up and try to come out a new woman. I'm thankful for my sisters who pulled me back up and for Gertie who went to sleep.
We checked into our favorite hotel there and the kids swam...and swam...and swam. Tate was a little afraid, but once he learned he could trust the bubble, he was all over it. They were prunes by bedtime, but they had a great time.
All the family came to visit us at the hotel except for Grandpa. They all look great, as usual and it was fun to catch up. I regret I forgot to get the camera out for Ann and Bill and Becca and Ian. They brought us dinner at the hotel. Delicious burgers and dogs and a great salad Ann made. Annabelle is so cute and on the go. She kept them moving most of the time, and they finally gave up. It was fun while it lasted.
Dale and Jean and John arrived later all spiffed up, on their way to their class reunion. We chatted for a bit and took some pictures.
Just before they arrived I had the idea that we should go out to Grandpa's old place the next day. We liked that idea, and Dale said he'd join us if it worked out.
It turned out that it did work out. Dick was agreeable, Dale even brought Grandpa along. They didn't hike with us, but they enjoyed the atmosphere for a bit. Of course, it was preceded by a super fast shopping spree at Target for something--anything--we could hike through the woods and tall grasses in. (I wore my pajamas.) We hadn't planned on doing that, but next time I will.
We have so many memories from that place, and it was fun to take the kids along. They each picked out a walking stick, just like we used to do. They each got tired of carrying it about half-way through, just like we used to do. It was music to my ears when Hunter said he didn't know it was going to be this long of a hike. Memories.
Dick has planted a prairie with native grasses and such. It was beautiful. Gertie and I picked another prairie boquet. It was much smaller this time, and alive with color. It is sitting in a little cream pitcher I got from Grandma when they cleaned out the first Oaknoll apartment. I love it.
Like I said, Grandpa didn't get out of the car, but we improvised and got a picture anyway. He looks great. We had a lovely visit. Julie watched the kids for me and I was able to go over by myself and say hello. It was nice to be able to give Grandpa my full attention. (And to have his.)
And now, on to the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. It was a good morning. Grace is so mature and on top of things now that she took care of all of her own business. She made her own lunch and loaded her things and made sure she was out the door on time. There is much to load up for her because she's in tennis this year. She didn't come home until almost five o'clock. That's a long day. She was tired and we missed her. But I'm pleased to see her growing up into such a lovely young lady.
And then it was Ethan's turn. John and I rode bikes with Ethan to school. He was beaming and excited. He reported that the day was long, but fun. He likes his teacher. John had me take a picture of Gertie and Tate on the bikeride too. We all had fun.
As for John's birthday, it wasn't as eventful as it should have been. We went out to dinner at the Chinese buffet, which he chose. We filled our bellies full and enjoyed the company of each other for a brief spurt before we returned home to get ready for bed. I do love him dearly. I am thankful that God placed him in my life as my husband. (But if I don't quit blogging right now, this second, he may not feel the same way about me.) We're going to Rochester for some birthday boy shopping. Without kids. Yippee!
We checked into our favorite hotel there and the kids swam...and swam...and swam. Tate was a little afraid, but once he learned he could trust the bubble, he was all over it. They were prunes by bedtime, but they had a great time.
All the family came to visit us at the hotel except for Grandpa. They all look great, as usual and it was fun to catch up. I regret I forgot to get the camera out for Ann and Bill and Becca and Ian. They brought us dinner at the hotel. Delicious burgers and dogs and a great salad Ann made. Annabelle is so cute and on the go. She kept them moving most of the time, and they finally gave up. It was fun while it lasted.
Dale and Jean and John arrived later all spiffed up, on their way to their class reunion. We chatted for a bit and took some pictures.Just before they arrived I had the idea that we should go out to Grandpa's old place the next day. We liked that idea, and Dale said he'd join us if it worked out.
It turned out that it did work out. Dick was agreeable, Dale even brought Grandpa along. They didn't hike with us, but they enjoyed the atmosphere for a bit. Of course, it was preceded by a super fast shopping spree at Target for something--anything--we could hike through the woods and tall grasses in. (I wore my pajamas.) We hadn't planned on doing that, but next time I will.
We have so many memories from that place, and it was fun to take the kids along. They each picked out a walking stick, just like we used to do. They each got tired of carrying it about half-way through, just like we used to do. It was music to my ears when Hunter said he didn't know it was going to be this long of a hike. Memories.
Dick has planted a prairie with native grasses and such. It was beautiful. Gertie and I picked another prairie boquet. It was much smaller this time, and alive with color. It is sitting in a little cream pitcher I got from Grandma when they cleaned out the first Oaknoll apartment. I love it.
Like I said, Grandpa didn't get out of the car, but we improvised and got a picture anyway. He looks great. We had a lovely visit. Julie watched the kids for me and I was able to go over by myself and say hello. It was nice to be able to give Grandpa my full attention. (And to have his.)
And now, on to the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. It was a good morning. Grace is so mature and on top of things now that she took care of all of her own business. She made her own lunch and loaded her things and made sure she was out the door on time. There is much to load up for her because she's in tennis this year. She didn't come home until almost five o'clock. That's a long day. She was tired and we missed her. But I'm pleased to see her growing up into such a lovely young lady.
And then it was Ethan's turn. John and I rode bikes with Ethan to school. He was beaming and excited. He reported that the day was long, but fun. He likes his teacher. John had me take a picture of Gertie and Tate on the bikeride too. We all had fun.
As for John's birthday, it wasn't as eventful as it should have been. We went out to dinner at the Chinese buffet, which he chose. We filled our bellies full and enjoyed the company of each other for a brief spurt before we returned home to get ready for bed. I do love him dearly. I am thankful that God placed him in my life as my husband. (But if I don't quit blogging right now, this second, he may not feel the same way about me.) We're going to Rochester for some birthday boy shopping. Without kids. Yippee!
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