Field Trip to Edventure & the Vein Specialist!

In the butterfly gardenEddy with Emma Grace and Madeline

Eddy's shoe

Inside Eddy's stomach

Madeline, Alex, and Emma Grace bulldozing the "brick" wall

Emma Grace and Madeline in the Fire truck at Dalmation Station

I've been meaning to post since Monday but our preschool has been taking up most of Jase's morning naptime and I'm barely getting a shower! We had a fabulous visit to Edventure! We went last Friday, August 28th with Julie and her two younguns--and we made several other stops along the way....when you go to Columbia about once a month, you have to combine trips! The visit went great---furthermore, we got in free since Jason's office (Fire Marshal's Office) hires the workers for Dalmation Station. Thanks to Miss April for allowing us to be one of her "friends"!! Here are some of the pics from the day. I think Emma Grace really liked "The Little Pig" grocery store they have best (wonder where she gets that from?)--we had to visit it twice along with Dalmation Station. Emma Grace learned to go down the fire pole by herself at Dalmation Station and was actually pretty good at putting back her grocery items she "bought".

I really enjoyed the Butterfly Garden; it's only there until the beginning of October, so you need to get there soon if you haven't had a chance to visit. There were SO MANY butterflies!! The first thing the "gate keeper" told us (it's extra to get into the butterfly exhibit and you have to have a time to enter/leave) was to be careful where you walk so we don't squash the butterflies. Ha! Nice!! Easy to say when you're not watching a 1 year old, a 2 year old, and a 4 year old! We did fine, though, and it was good to hear Emma Grace say, "Momma, is that a monarch?" She does learn something at home! Ha!

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I had my own little Field trip to the vein specialist in Columbia yesterday! Boy, was that a new experience for me. God bless all the plebotomists out there! I guess the moral to the story is "Vanity is not worth it!" No, really, I did find out after an ultrasound on my horrible looking calves that I do have medical necessity for work on my legs (insurance would cover the work I need done), but that 20% of $9000 is ALOT of MOOLAH (like $1700)! More than what we paid to have either one of our children!!

So, with having only one salary (and really even if we had two salaries), we still cannot afford to have this work done on my legs until they become everyday paining-me problems. I have cramping about once or twice a week during sleep, but generally they don't ache where I have to take medicine for pain. Now, this may become true as I get older, but for now, I will have to put the needs of my family above my own. Such is the life of a mother. I couldn't rightfully and willfully spend that much on myself!!! I'd have to sing the song, "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you" if I did that. Our 10th wedding anniversary is coming up next summer, so I think I'd rather see that $1700 go towards a nice week-long vacation somewhere really nice with my hubby than to think my legs sure do look great and feel great, but, eh, I'm stuck at home looking at them myself! There's always future years like when I'm 40 or 50-something (come to think of it, I was the youngest person in the waiting room yesterday!). They probably waited too and put the needs of their family first, too. Thank you, God, for this insight! I'll go lotion down my sleek legs now that I shaved for the doctor yesterday---special events, don't you know?!?

Knee Pits

I just had to write to let you know that I have LOTS of "pits" according to Emma Grace! At lunch yesterday she told me that the applesauce had spilt in her "knee pit". I nearly blew out my tuna fish salad sandwich across the table! Had to ask for clarification on that, but I really knew what she was getting at...just wanted to hear her explain it. Then she told me that I had LOTS of pits...elbow pits, toe pits, knee pits, and of course arm pits! Oh, the thought process of a 4 year old!

I must update you all (all 6 of you!) to let you know that we did start homeschooling yesterday!! :) It went super! We're using Sonlight's Pre-K 4/5 curriculum along with Math-U-See Primer and Handwriting Without Tears. So far, we love it. Our scripture memory verse this week is Proverbs 4:20 "Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully." Emma Grace is a very intriguing little student and she just thrives on "the next activity". I love her sponginess and the way she soaks up everything.

We are trying to do schooling while Jase is doing his first (morning) nap from usually 9:45am-11:15am. It doesn't take nearly as long as I had anticipated, but I must remember this is just preschool, not 4th grade or 3rd grade like I taught. I also must get a shower during that time, so we started handwriting and DEL (Developing the Early Learner) early while Jase was still awake and EG was working at the bar stool today. I HAD to get to the grocery store between 1st nap and 2nd nap or we were going to be out of milk, fresh fruit and veggies all together....and my kids LOVE strawberries, grapes, bananas, etc. Everything went fine, even hauling two to the grocery store and post office. You have to be ready...have eaten lunch...kids aren't tired...just having been diapered...and juice and snacks readily available. OH, and my list was organized by isles in Wal-mart, so I was ready for the attack!!

We're hoping to get to take a "field trip" to Edventure Children's Museum either tomorrow or Friday! Looks like it's going to be a fabulous school year! You can pray for us to accomplish all that God would have to accomplish and that He would be uplifted and glorified in all that we say, do, and learn.

Words of 4 year olds

Sometimes the words of Emma Grace just make me smile from ear to ear. Last night while her daddy and I were praying with her before bedtime, Emma Grace prayed, "Dear Lord, thank you for my mommy, my daddy, and my baby brother Jase. I just love Jase so much, Lord, and I thank you that he is in our lives. I thank you for taking care of him. I wouldn't want anything to happen to him. In Jesus' name, Amen." Jason and I just smiled at each other after it was over. It was one of those moments where the world is at peace. It was late (10:00pm) and she and her daddy had been at the skeet shoot since 4pm (Jase and I joined them after naptime in time for dinner at 7pm). She was worn out and had been running around the Harkins' yard after dinner with her brother, so maybe that's why he was fresh on her mind and in her prayers.

I have noticed lately that she's been very protective of Jase. When I walked with them out to the mailbox the other day, Jase wanted to walk further down the dirt road to the other side of our semicircle driveway. Of course. My little explorer! WELL, that was not a good idea according to Emma Grace. She was SCREAMING, "NOOOO, MOMMY, NOOO....don't let him walk down the road, NOOOO! What if a car is coming?!!!" I assured her that mommy is watching for cars and wouldn't let anything happen to Jase. We did have to move off the dirt road onto our grass because there was a truck coming not long after that...and these people going down our road go WAY too fast! Her little momma instinct is already at work! :)

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On another occasion just a few minutes ago before Sunday afternoon naptime, I was cleaning off the table from dinner and Emma Grace and her daddy went in the livingroom and began folding the laundry that had been sitting there on the couch since last night. I knew this was going on and I really appreciated their help since I was still cleaning off the 4 placemats from where they had helped to make messes. Folding laundry is one of the few chores that she still likes to help me do (used to be that she liked helping to dust and vacuum, but now it's just folding laundry and mopping the kitchen floor).

The funny part was when she came in the kitchen while I was still putting away containers in the fridge and said, "Mommy, Daddy and I folded your laundry. Wasn't that nice?" Oh yes, mommy, is more than appreciative that you helped to fold MY laundry. MY laundry. MY laundry....it resounded in my head. The M.Y. part. Now, I know she's only 4 years old, but I assured her that mommy was so glad they helped to fold my 3 shirts ('cause that's ALL that was mine in the stack! no kidding!). I asked her if she and her daddy helped to fold her laundry and Jase's laundry and Daddy's laundry? She kinda looked at me funny and said, "Uh huh." I told her, "Thank you for helping to do our FAMILY'S laundry." We all appreciate it! And, yes, I do appreciate any little bit of help. Hopefully she'll one day grow to understand that laundry is not just mommy's job to do. Just like clearing the table, unloading the dishwasher, making beds, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, mowing the lawn, cooking dinner, etc. are all things our FAMILY enjoys the benefits of and must help to take care of. Bless her little heart...wonder where she learned that it's all MOMMY'S laundry?

It's the little things in life...

It's the little things in life that can keep me going. Amazing to me how changing one chair at the kitchen table gives me a fresh attitude and helps me to go on daily feeding children, wiping little mouths and little hands, cleaning placemats after each and every meal and snacktime 2-3 times a day, etc. The kids recently rearranged the "kiddie table" and the high chair to opposite sides of our kitchen table from where they once were. No problem...I actually wish I had thought of that about 3 years ago---that same high chair has been exactly where it is since we moved into our house 4 1/2 years ago. Can you tell I'm a woman of ROUTINE? I get stuck in a rut and not much changes.

Well, I decided that since 3 years ago we have added a black sewing machine chair to our kitchen table (which is white and natural wood) to accommodate more than just our 4 person family (like when the grands come over to eat), I would move the black chair to MY spot where I normally sit and feed 2 children...oh, yeah, I guess I do eat occasionally also. O.k. I make it a priority that I get to eat and no one is debating that by the fact that now I am very "healthy" (on a diet!) and really trying to rethink my views on food. I guess I should tell you that the black chair has a cushion tied into the seat of it, and it's the ONLY chair with such a cushion. Usually, the men avoid the seat or move the cushion out since it's hard for their legs to fit under the table while sitting on the cushion. Emma Grace sometimes sits on the seat when she doesn't want her booster seat, but now I have given up my rickety-sounding white chair for the black cushy chair!!! And man, has it given me the grandest outlook on sitting for HOURS at that table feeding little ones! My hiney feels so much better and I can see the "world" from new heights! The hummingbird feeder, the side field....all look so much better the way I'm facing now that the high chair is on my right versus my left and my hiney is smiling (o.k., no smart remarks, please!). Why hadn't I thought of this before?

I think now I'll go about rearranging the pictures on the wall, changing our bedroom furniture around, pulling out books that have been on our shelves for years and rereading them. Who knows what life could bring now?!! :) Well, I'm off to rub down my feet with that good, smelly foot lotion...one of those other things that just makes me feel pampered and good. It's just the simple things in life....priceless!

Hot Topic: Couponing

Today's hot topic (at least for frugal mothers) seems to be couponing and using those coupons in conjunction with sales ads at grocery stores and drug stores. I'm ALL for saving money...in fact, my husband will tell you he is not allowed to go grocery shopping. I may ask him to pick up a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread if we're at the very end, but even in that I am VERY SPECIFIC about what kind of bread or milk. He is not a bargain shopper...doesn't like the challenge. Me, on the other hand, I'm a sucker for a good deal! Give me 50% off and I'm game. I love looking for a good deal, and the fact that websites like www.southernsavers.com and www.thethriftymama.com and www.moneysavingmom.com do all the leg work for you is just WONDERFUL! Now, I don't pay others money to give me the coupons I need as in the Grocery Game (I think it's like $5 or something like that), but I'm pretty advanced in my cutting coupons, filing them in my system, and checking those websites before I go to the store to make sure I'm matching super duper coupons with super duper sales.

My problem with the whole thing is the idea is to stockpile a bunch of items so that you have them when needed. This is so you don't have to go out and buy papertowels or whatever the needed item is at that time at regular price. Yes, that's a bad idea...that's how my hubby operates and it doesn't save us A.N.Y. money. Now, I know we'll eventually use papertowels and need more for a long, LONG time to come (assuming we live past today...which by the way isn't for certain), but why does it seem that some people are buying items they don't normally use just for the sake of having it free or at a reduced cost. I mean, I saw a blog the other day where the person had written how she had gotten like 3 shampoos and 3 deodorants for FREE at her local CVS all by using coupons along with sales ads and then accumulating ECB (extra care bucks) to pay for the remaining deodorants and shampoos. It was a remarkable plan and I applaud her for figuring all that out. I mean, it really takes planning and rationalization to think that whole process through. That sounded like a fabulous idea and one I should head over to CVS to take advantage of.

Problem is, I don't use P*rt shampoo or D*gree deodorant or whatever kind was in her "deal". It would do me no good to stockpile these things since NO ONE in my household uses these things. We are generally a pretty standard, simple family, and we don't buy what I call frivolous things....things that are not completely essential. Like mouthwash, poptarts, room deodorizer, scented Gl*de candles, F*sion razors, P*lsar toothbrushes, sparkly toothpaste for kids, etc. Who really needs these things? I've had no cavities since I was 2 or 3 and I have not missed out in not having mouthwash.

Now, we do buy another kind of deodorant and another kind of razor and another kind of manual toothbrush, but we do not need to have all the name brand's latest and greatest in order to be clean, well-groomed people. Generic 2-ply toilet paper and generic toothbrushes equivalent to Or*l B will be just fine. My cheap razor works fine, too. My hair is specific to one type of shampoo (P*ntene if you must know), so I do cut coupons for that anytime I see one and I would LOVE to have a free deal at CVS on that. I guess some people just like P*rt shampoo and others have to have their candles to make their house smell good, but I plain old refuse to start buying things and "working deals" just to get all that junk stockpiled that I may NEVER use. I find the most helpful part of those websites with great deals is the food section where you can get peanut butter for FREE and cereal for $.14 a box. That's what I'm talking about!!! I know we'll use those things.

Well, I'll shut my blogger trap for now and go finish finding my great deal on Eb*y for homeschool curriculum for our 4 year old's preschool this year! See, I told you I'm a sucker for a great deal!

Good News!

I have a praise item to report! Some of you know I had some lab work done recently at the OB/GYN office for my hormone levels (no shock to anyone), thyroid, prolactin, iron, cholesterol, etc. Thankfully all of them came back normal except two. The prolactin, which comes from the work of the pituitary (located in your head) helps to control milk production. SHOCKER---I have milk!!! Duh!....have had it somewhat since before I was ever pregnant with Emma Grace! Well, the nursing is over and has been, but the milk remains. It's annoying wearing breast pads all the time! Thus the reason my prolactin was 86.4 instead of below 20 (really, it's supposed to be between 2.0 and 10.0 unless you're pregnant, but they wouldn't worry about 20.0 in a woman who has finished nursing in the last 4 months even). Also, my cholesterol (the LDL--that's the bad one, not the triglycerides) was a little elevated. But not elevated enough that I will need to go on medication. The doctor just prescribed "diet and exercise" as I'm sure they always do for elevated LDL's. She did put me on dostinex, the same medication I took before to stop the milk, which helped us get pregnant with Emma Grace.

The praise comes in on days when I take the dostinex (twice a week--Saturdays and Tuesdays) and when it DOESN'T cause a headache. For the last week or two I've been trying to figure out if it was the medicine causing the headaches, which I am able to rid with tylenol usually, or if it was being out in the sun or not having anymore sodas on this diet or if I was just hungry. Well, I still don't know yet if it was the dostinex, but on Tuesday I took the medication with breakfast as I always do and I was THRILLED that I went the entire day and all day yesterday (Wed.) without a headache of any kind. PRAISE! Wonderful! Whatever it was, the Lord saw fit to give me a no headache day. :) Let's just hope I can have a good Saturday this weekend while my mom is here and we have 2 parties to attend with Emma Grace.

Y'all have a super weekend! May YOU be blessed by the Lord!

Our 9th Anniversary

The beach line near Springmaid.
Swinging on the Springmaid Pier around midnight on our anniversary.
Eating seafood at Sara J's in Garden City! Oh. My. Goodness.

For our 9th anniversary we were able to go to Myrtle Beach together for a couple of days (thanks to Bibbi and Papa Jeep for watching the children for us!). Actually, it was for Jason's SC State Firefighter's Convention that he always goes down this time of the year and it always falls on our anniversary (oh, how fortunate am I! Ha! Didn't even get to go last year b/c we had a 5 week old baby). Anyway, the cost of the room at Springmaid is covered and all of his meals are covered by work (he really did have to work each day even if just for 2 or 3 hours on our anniversary). The main expenses were my gas since I couldn't stay the whole week and my meals.

We did a lot of things; I went Christmas shopping and got all the kids' things! Oh, what a relief! I also got to.....listen to this.....READ in peace out by the pool and coast around the lazy river for nearly 2 hours! WOW. I know you're all jealous right now...especially if you have little ones. :)

But, the most important thing is that Jason and I got to spend quality, uninterrupted time with each other! How wonderful! I'm now reaquainted with Jason's chest hairs! Ha! I had forgotten that he even had them since it isn't very often that I get to lay my head on his chest for snuggle time. We last had that quality time without children back in Feb. when we went to the mountains together for a super weekend. And I hope that we can have a date night or two the week we go back to Garden City in September for a full family vacation, but we'll have to see. I may see if a sitter wants to come with us for the week! I know lots of families who do just that! Kelsey, are you available? :)

I must tell you, my husband wrote the sweetest, most loving note to me for our anniversary. Simply beats all the Hallmark cards he has ever gotten for me in the past. I cannot tell you how I love this man...he loves me for who I am and helps me to be all that God has intended for me to be. How blessed I am!

Girls, ladies, all you who are single even if you are just 12 years old...start NOW developing the list for the kind of characteristics you want in a godly husband. I don't mean "macho" or "muscular"...I'm talking long-lasting qualities that edify the Lord. Don't just make the list, but stick to the list. Don't date anyone who wouldn't qualify. Then, begin praying diligently for that godly man. Pray for him each day...pray for him to be developing into the kind of leader you would wish for in a godly husband and godly father. Pray for his patience, contentment, and strength. I am SOOO glad I did this and God has been faithful in bringing me that man. First, though, He had to develop me into a godly woman that Jason would want in a wife and mother. Oh, please don't get me wrong, we "have not yet arrived". We have our downfalls and areas that we need work in, but oh, how wonderful marriage can be when lived according to His principles instead of our own!! Praise Him!

Well, here's to 59 more years (oh, wow, that makes me 94 years old---hey, it can happen and I'm praying for it!)!