Toss, Toss, Keep

I've hit spring cleaning two months early. He he he Because I have mentioned before that I feel like I am domestically challenged I figure if I clean out a bunch of stuff then there is less stuff to clean up, wash, fold or put away so, I am mid-winter cleaning.

I am cleaning out closets and toys and I have more donations than I am keeping. YAY!! I am doing some serious weeding on our toy collection. I am too sentimental about toys and I always think, "oh they might play with that" or "ahhh, but that was. . . " and so every time I weed out, I always leave back more than I should. Not this week. Reality is, they aren't going to play with them. Period. End of discussion. Toys, clothes, old puzzles, games and books~~nothing is safe!

I'm cleaning out my clothes too. Another area in which I am overly sentimental. "Oh but if I lose 15 pounds that would be really cute" or "I just can't throw that out", come on woman, let it go!!! This is what I told myself, if I throw everything that I can't wear or won't wear E.V.E.R. again then I get to buy new stuff. ~~Smile~~See I haven't really blogged about it, but I am still endeavoring to drop a significant amount of weight and so therefore I will need new clothes. The light bulb finally came on; I don't want to lose weight and wear old clothes. When I lose weight I want new clothes. {Can I get an AMEN} I have actually added to the budget a very small Valerie-just-lost-all-this-weight-NOW-SHOP category. Hubs is in total agreement, actually it was his idea from a long time ago.

I am also weeding out our kitchen "stuff". For some reason we have a LOT of kitchen random thingys that never actually gets used, so it's going out the door too. Space in the kitchen is an issue, I DON"T HAVE ENOUGH, so if its not being used or I don't even know what its used for, it has to go. Like the coffee pot that I am not sure even works and is sitting in the bottom of the pantry collecting dust because we don't drink coffee. And other random items that just seem to be hanging around. Oh and the storage area on our patio is getting a good cleaning out and re-organizing as soon I am done with the stuff inside. Like I said before, nothing is safe.

Makiah is sick, again. Strep throat, pray saints, pray that NO ONE ELSE gets it. {I am serious about the praying, I may even call a fast} The whole house smells like disinfectant wipes and bleach, but I left no door knob uncleaned. I thought about wiping her down with one, but then decided against it.

Other than a major clean out, school resuming, trying to advance to the next level in Mario Bros Wii and Makiah being sick, it's been a pretty calm start to the New Year. How about you?

Tis the Season

Deck the halls with tissues and Benedryl, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Tis the season for snot and coughing, Fa la la la la, la la la la

Ok, I'm done singing now.

UGH! All three kids just had a full round of anitbiotics two weeks ago and Daniel has mass amounts of green snot again, Makiah has a runny nose and Sam too. No fevers thankfully. I am beginning to think this is just going to be how it is until spring (then the allergies begin). At least they are still strong enough to argue, it would be tragic if they could just get along for five minutes. They are very excited about Christmas. Makiah informs me everyday how many days are left until the BIG day.

Tonight I am heading out on the town with my hubby, alone. I know, you just gasped didn't you? So did I! Really, we haven't been out alone in almost two years. So this is a big deal. We are going to a Christmas banquet, so when I say alone, I mean sans kids. But I'll take it people, I'll take it.

I am still up to my eyeballs with presents to make. I did catch a break when we decided not to go to St. Louis until January, meaning two peoples gifts can wait until after Christmas to make. {Love you Fi and Jon} I will get everything done, I will, I will, I will. {That's my pep talk for today} I have also been working on a new project, which I will unveil in the next couple of weeks, that I am REALLY excited about!

Now if that wasn't enough holiday randomness here are a couple of pictures from Sunday night's Christmas Concert. Makiah was unfortunately located behind a large silver bow and so from where I am you can't really see her.





Well, that's all I have for today. The kids are too quiet, so I need to see why that is and then off to finish up another present.

Have a Holly Jolly Friday!

What's Going Here You Ask??

Maybe you don't want to know. Sickness of all types of yuck have been going on here. Just when we thought things were getting better, Sam and Makiah started running fevers and had sinus ick. So I took them to the doctor and they both have Upper Respiratory Infections and that caused Sam's asthma to jump in too. Daniel on the other hand was doing great. I thought, "we are nearing the end of the illness tunnel", when I was snapped back to reality by fever, cough, runny nose and sinus ick. Yes, Daniel is now sporting his very own URI. So I continue with the disinfecting and nose wiping.

At this point I am wondering if a thermal cleaning is possible. Just zap it all!

On an up note, the weather has been grand and as soon as the kidlets are well again, we are heading outside. We may do school outside every day--just because.

Anywoo, in an attempt at a real post, I thought I'd at least sing the praises of our trip to St. Louis, now two and a half weeks old. It was wonderful. We had a grand time of ministering, relaxing and fellowship. It was so needed. There are some people that will always be important and play an important role in one's life and the church family we have over there are those people. Dear friends that are more like family than friends. We all hold them dear and always will. I don't think it will ever matter how far we roam from each other, we will always be close.

I am getting back into the swing of the Great Slim Down. I have to say that I let up during all this mess, so much to do besides exercise. Yes, I kind of fell of the wagon for a few days, but I am not going to stop. I re-started the exercising today. Actually when I weighed, I found a nice surprise. I just knew that I had picked up a pound or two. I was truly amazed to find that I had lost another 1.8 pounds. I'll take that! I am also going to start seriously training for the Heart Walk that is quickly approaching. I plan on being out the door by 6 in the morning and on the track. Can't wait actually~~the solitude, just me and the iPod. It may end up being more for my mental health than exercise at this point!

Well, I need to get ready for church now. Hubs is staying home with the sicklets so that I can actually go to church.

So I'm Back Now

We are back home. Daniel has been in the hospital for the last three days. He had rotovirus and became extremely dehydrated.

He is finally doing better and has more energy and strength now. My poor little guy had lost TWO pounds even his little eyes were sunken. It was horrible.

Needless to say now that we are back home I have much to do in the way of cleaning, disinfecting, laundry and catching up on a LOT of lost sleep. Hubs did a lot of cleaning while I was gone, but I feel the need to deep clean the kitchen and bathrooms--just in case any little germ bugs decided to hang around.

Miraculously, no one else in our household got this nasty virus and I am giving God full credit.

I will do my best to be back tomorrow with an actual post and pics--but at this point I am no longer making any promises!

Off to rock a baby and read a story to my other kidlets.

Just Too Funny Not To Post

The sickness is plaguing us currently. Daniel and I both have the stomach yuck, so therefore, I am not getting much time for anything other than cuddling. So in lieu of an actual post, I give you this. I promise I'll be back with adventures from the Lovelocks in due time.

Bloggy Break Extended

I have oh so many things to share with you all, but I am still trying to get life put back together after our trip. We seem to be having a hard time getting back into the routine of everything. The cleaning is enormous, apparently the maid is still on vacation. Not to mention that Daniel started running a fever again yesterday and so he is kinda "I-want-you-and-only-you-and-if-you-try-to-leave-this-room-I-am-going-to-cry-big-sad-tears-until-you-get-back-in-here-and-hold-me-which-is-your-rightful-place!" I was hoping it was just teething, but I think he has a touch of the stomach flu. Ugh!

So this meager offering of a post may be the only post until, well, I am not sure. I do plan on being back up to full randomness by Monday, but maybe as soon as tomorrow. If that cleaning gets done.

I may have to fire that maid.

Something Simple

I am at home tonight, rather than at Bible study. Daniel is sick again. Poor baby is running a 102 degree fever and has a bad ear infection. So because I am busy being mommy (and that's fine with me) and I am trying to get laundry done, I decided I would just let you all watch a beautiful song. This song has been in my head all week.

I am trying to read the Bible through in a year and you just don't know how it is blessing me. I am loving it! The Word is coming alive as I read it, as if I've never read it before (and I have). I am so thankful to have the privledge to read the very thoughts and intentions of God. It's awesome.

I pray you all enjoy it. If you don't about God's love, grace and mercy--you should. Please watch/listen to the whole thing. It's a beautiful song with an awesome message.

He Should Be Up Until January

Today was the big day. The day of the Homeschool Christmas Party. I am glad it's over.

It was a good day. The kids all had fun, but for some reason I can't help feeling it could have been better. Samuel kept raiding the candy bowl, he had about 55 Hershey Kisses. That is only a slight exaggeration. Hence the title. That doesn't include the brownies that are now so high up in the kitchen, I can't reach them without a chair.

The kids are getting better, finally. Cross your fingers, knock on wood and say a prayer. Not in that particular order.

Everyone still has snotty noses, but I have a feeling they will be here until spring. Daniel is the only one that is still sick, sick. He has a terrible cough. I took him back to the doc yesterday and he has broniolitis and infiltrates in the left lower lobe of his lung. So he is on another round of antibiotics and breathing treatments as needed. Today you can tell he is feeling better. He is to stay away from people until Sunday, as to not get exposed to anything else. It seems everyone is sick.

Christmas shopping is pretty much done, just have a couple things left to buy. I am glad. The crowds are getting really crazy.

I got my Pampered Chef stuff yesterday from the party I had. I love all my stuff and I am so excited. I almost broke out into Merry Christmas to me, Merry Christmas to me. I love free stuff. I can't wait to use it all. I guess that means I have to cook.

Just kidding.

I will be trying out lots of new recipes, so watch out, because they will probably be coming your way too!!

Well, I have to wash, comb and braid my daughters' fiercely curly hair--let the weeping and gnashing of teeth commence and then I think early bedtimes are in order. That is if Sam sleeps at all.

I'll be back tomorrow with a ranting post you won't want to miss. Truly.

No Blog Fodder, But I Am Posting Anyway

There isn't much going on around the Lovelock abode this week--unless you count the sickness, busted lips, falling down the handicap ramp at church, the schooling, the potty training, the lack of motivation and various other things.

I guess I'll start from the beginning.

Tuesday Samuel jumped off a piece of furniture, shocking I know. None of you would ever believe that Samuel climbs or jumps from things.

Ok, he jumped off and in his hand was a remote. He jumped and landed just so, that between the remote and floor all making impact with his mouth it busted his lip. It bled for a little while, but not too long and it looked okay--for a busted lip. Then yesterday when he woke up I looked at it and the swelling had gone down and so I figured all was well. A little later he came to me and said he felt something in his mouth. A big bump had formed with yellow in the middle. I am sorry for those of you now gagging. I guess I should have put a disclaimer in. So I tried all day to call the doctor, with no avail. The flu and other various diseases are rampant down here and so they were excessively busy. I opted to take him to the urgent care center after dropping Hubs, Makiah and Daniel off at Bible Study. Now he is on 10 days of antibiotics. That's my boy! Way to bust a lip. His first of what we feel, will be many. Of course his humor is still in tact because while sitting in the waiting room he asked my friend if "he could climb on the chairs like a monkey". An exact quote I promise.

Obviously he learned nothing from the remote, floor, jumping incident.

Last night after church, Makiah was running down the handicap ramp, which is wood and it was raining. I turned and told her to slow down, that she was going to. . . and just as I said fall, she did just that. Bet you all thought it was going to me doing the falling. Feet went out and she landed right on her hinder parts and now has a sore tail bone. I thought at first that I was going to be making another trip to a medical facility, but alas it's just sore.

Daniel's eyes are crusty again and now his poor little nose is all clogged up and so he can't have his binky and breathe. A most terrible problem, believe me. He also can't drink a bottle and breathe which frustrates h
im greatly. He sucks, breathes, cries, coughs, sucks, breathes, cries, coughs--you can see the pattern developing. So my sweet baby, today, is a grouchy baby. Mama understands, but still for a long day it makes. He isn't the only one having sinus issues, all except Hubs is suffering. Tis the season for blowing noses, fa la la la la la la la la. I may have to write a whole song!

As for that lack of motivation thing, that would be me. I have a very long list of stuff to do, but apparently my motivation up and left--no notice, no forwarding address. Hopefully it will miss me and return quickly.

I did finally get to watch all of the best 5 hour movie I have ever seen. I like Gone With the Wind, but I have to say that I absolutely LOVED Pride and Prejudice!! Not the recent one, but the older one starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. If you haven't seen it, you should. Just a warning though, most husbands probably won't sit and watch it with you. My hubs was having no part of it. Too boring in his opinion. That is just HIS opinion though.

Well, now that I have thoroughly bored you long enough with my randomness and slightly whiny post, I shall close. My grouchy, sweet baby is crying for mama. I think we'll all settle in for a nap.

The Genius of My Two Year Old

Makiah is sick. She has a fever and pharyngitis. I am so sick of sickness. She is on antibiotics and she is resting. Hopefully by tomorrow she will be feeling better. I hate it when my babies are sick, I feel so bad for them.

My son, the whirling dervish, has been puttin' the smack down on his mama this week. Is it really only Wednesday??

Anyhoo, he has just been wild. He is just into everything. I can't leave the room because I am afraid of what he is going to get into during the 2.3 seconds I'm gone.

Today has been particularly bad. He just went from one thing to another. And when he was intercepted, would let out a piercing scream and stomp his fat little feet. Yep, you read right, stomp. his. feet.

Stomping feet, piercing scream equals a very upset, and verging on insane mama.

Let's just suffice it to say that I ~ahem~ spent the day correcting him. I redirected, positively reinforced and a few other things and he still bounced off the walls.

~~~Yes, now that you all think I am terrible mother who can't control her child, please, a little mercy.~~~

It's days like this that I ask the good Lord why he didn't dispense as much energy to me as he did to him, that way I would at least be able to keep up.

So at one point when he was actually being good, he crawled up in my lap and looked up at me and said, "I weally love you, mama, I weally do. You da best mama."

Then, as my heart was happy and frustrated (with him) at the same time, he looked up and said "mama you make me so happy."

Well, my frustration started to dissolve, and even though he had been a royal rascal all day, I just couldn't help but smile.

I was sure that he would hate me for being a big meany mommy all day (almost everyday) and yet he still said that he loved me and that I made him happy.

So even on days where I spend most of my time following behind him, cleaning up disasters and praying for nap time--I fiercely love them.

As days like this come to a close I am challenged to be a better mother and realize that my kids love me even with my flaws. And I love them, even in their rascalness.

During my thoughts, God interrupted me and said "it's the same with you". And I begin to think about how I am a rascal, creating disasters for the Lord to clean up, forgetting my time with Him until I am too tired to put a complete sentence together and generally, well, a rascally Christian. How often is God frustrated or saddened by me? Yet, God looks down at me and smiles. I'm His daughter and I make Him happy (I try anyway) and He loves me even though I'm flawed. I'm so glad for the mercy of my Heavenly Father and my children.

So my challenge tomorrow--better mother and Christian. That's a tall order, I better get some rest.


We won't even discuss wife in this, my head will start hurting. :)

Pass the Tissues Please

Well, Hay Fever season is upon me and I am having so much fun. I can't breathe, my head feels swollen and my throat is sore. I just generally feel YUCK!

Okay, I am done whining. . . . for now anyway.

Daniel is better now, no more fever, just a junky cough. Hopefully within a couple of days that will be gone too. Makiah's upset stomach never went any further (thank you Lord, prayer works people) and Samuel seems to have escaped this recent round of illness (another thank you Lord).

Daniel is teething so his snotty ways may hang around for, oh, say the next six months, but hopefully not. Except for the first son, my other two had horrible snotty issues associated with teething. I am hoping Daniel takes after his oldest brother. The doctor said she could see one just below the gum and it should make it's appearance soon. But babies often fool even the best of doctors, we'll see.

Daniel's palette now includes squash, green beans, peaches, pears, bananas, carrots applesauce and sweet potatoes. He loves his food and eats the whole jar, followed by a bottle. He's still a peanut, but he's growing steadily so that's all that counts. He is up to just over sixteen pounds. He reminds me so much of Nathaniel. He has the same temperament, holds his hands the same way, does several of the things Nathaniel did. It's a good reminder though. I can't believe it, time is moving so quickly. *sigh*

Makiah is doing well in school. She is dramatic about it, but she is doing well. Her reading skills have increased tremendously, not that she was behind, it's just gotten smoother. She is still flying through her work, I think we'll switch her to the A Beka program next year, give her more of a challenge. I need to get her in some type of music class. She is always singing, making up her own songs. We have music time everyday as part of school. I want her to take piano lessons, but I am having a hard time finding someone around here that teaches children. Most of them have a full schedule and aren't taking new students.

You know, I don't have enough on my calendar, I need to add something else. I don't mind really, I want her to learn.

Samuel is still up to his old tricks. He loves to take things apart and see how they work. The other day I found him sitting in the lower cabinet, taking my blender apart. Yes, the blender, you know the kind, sharp blades, glass pitcher--that's the one.

He has figured out that if he moves everything back he can hide in the lower cabinets. It's great really, thinking that your two year old has vanished, and start to feel panic rising. Yes, before I knew that he had discovered his "house" I searched all over, I just knew that he had opened the front door and was heading down the street to Guitar Center. Finally, as I was rushing through the kitchen calling his name again, he pushed the doors open and said "yes mommy". My heart began to beat normally again and I told him he can't hide from mama and that if I am calling him he needs to answer.

We'll see if that works, if not, at least I know where to look.

What's Going On Around Here You Ask??

Nothing truly blog worthy, but that hasn't stopped me before.

Daniel has an upper respiratory infection. He has a fever, wheezing and a very red little throat. I hate it when my babies are sick. He is so good, he's not fussy or anything, but you can tell he doesn't feel good.

As I was leaving to take Daniel to the doc, Makiah looked up from her school work and she was pale. I asked her what was wrong and she promptly told me that "she felt like she was going to throw up".

Great, I thought, this is shaping up to be a great weekend!!

I have needed to switch my drivers license from Missouri to Indiana, well for nine months. So today I decided was the day. I was just going to take the time and go over there and get it done. Of course, you can't just walk in and get a license you have to actually take the written test, which is fifty questions that I haven't considered for thirteen years! So I sat in the car reviewing the book and then off to take my test. I passed with flying colors.

My eye sight has gotten progressively worse over in the last year and I had a feeling I wouldn't pass the eye test without the glasses that I never wear. Why wear them when you can just squint?

So I took them with me. I tried it first without the glasses and failed miserably. I kept thinking, there is no way that this is really that blurry. So, much to my chagrin I put the glasses on and barely passed. If I had missed just one more they would not have given me my license! Ack!

Yeah, I knew they were getting worse, but to think I really have to wear glasses all the time now is just slightly frustrating to me. And that my current, never worn pair are no longer good enough.

I don't know why, they are only four years old!

So guess who goes to the eye doc tomorrow and will be walking out with a new pair of glasses, whether she likes it or not.

Well now that you all are caught up on Lovelock life, I think I'll close now. My peanut is calling to me.

Ugh and Yuck!

Yep, folks, I have another ear infection accompanied by none other than an upper respiratory infection. I don't feel like doing anything. I have been in the recliner most of the day and I drank a whole Simply Orange (64 oz), in hopes of licking this thing quicker than the last time.

Back to the recliner, my eye balls are burning.

Goodnight.

We're Havin' Fun Now

Well folks the packing is in full swing and we only have three days before the movers arrive!! I woke up yesterday with a severe pain and took myself to the doctor and I have yet another double ear infection and sinus infection. Oh, yeah, way fun. Nothing like packing from the horizontal position, I spent most of yesterday laying the in the recliner and telling Hubs what could go to the trash and what was priceless treasure! I could barely stand up straight. Needless to say I haven't done very much in the last 36 hours, but I am on the mend and will work like a crazy woman the next three days. We are making more progress than I think, I just hating packing and moving. This is unfun, which in Lovelock Land would be the opposite of fun! I don't know if it truly is a word (too tired to care), but it is tonight!

Now, whew, I feel better. Nothing like a mini rant to start off a post.

Well, I have lots more to say, but Hubs is quietly yelling(yes I know, but somehow he is accomplishing it) from the other room that I should be in bed and not typing. He's right! Need some sleep, so I can work like that crazy, afore mentioned woman, tomorrow.

Daniel is asleep, so I should do the same before he changes his mind.

TIme to count my blessings and close out Wednesday. I bet you all think I don't do that, count my blessings, considering the whininess of this post, but I do.

Maybe I'll be more cheery tomorrow. I'll try.

Goodnight.