Love Letter

So I stole this off a friend's blog.  I thought it was funny and that my friends might share in the enjoyment of this, too.  I can totally relate to this, as I'm sure most of my female readers can, too.  ESPN writer DJ Gallo came up with this on behalf of all those husbands who love sports and may or may not know how to write a love letter to their wives:



Can you relate?

Lessons Learned in a Night

I learned  a lot of lessons last night.  I'll share just a few.

1. Be specific.  Remember my post yesterday where I shared that we were just waiting for an ear infection and I was kinda hoping it would come so that Baby M could start to feel better on antibiotic?  Well, I should have been more specific as to the time frame.  Next time, I will include it to be between the hours of 9-1am where one of our doctor offices would be open and could give a prescription.  Instead Baby M waited until 1am to wake up screaming and crying and then continue to do so ALL night long.  Daddy T and I took shifts because her ear was hurting so bad.  I longed for some meds for her.
2. Babies that can't voice their cry is sad.  Baby M has felt so bad that she has lost her voice.  Daddy T thought he'd like it because she couldn't reach her shrill high pitch scream.  Now that it's gone, he feels bad for her.  (His ears like it, though.)  She has that tiny newborn kind of cry again. 
3. Olive oil is amazing.  I had to call the doctor this morning to see if there was ANYTHING that might stifle Baby M's cry and make her feel ANY better.  We had been alternating the Motrin and Tylenol, but it wasn't cutting  the pain.  We elevated her, let her sleep on us in the recliner, put her in the swing, pretty much nothing worked.  Thankfully, the most wonderful nurse on call told us to get a dropper and put a few drops of olive oil in her ear.  Bam.  It worked.  She slept for 2 hours on Daddy T from 5-7 this morning.  It apparently helps soothe and protect the outer ear, which has become painful from the lack of wax to protect it.  Never knew but now I do and I'm sharing it with anyone else who frequents ear infections a lot.  I should say that you CAN'T use if if they have tubes or drainage out their ear. 
4. 2 sick babies at one time is not fun.  At first, I was glad that at least we could get it over with at once.  However, it's hard to give each one the proper cuddle time that they are seeking without one feeling left out.  We've had lots of couch-time where B can sit or lay in my lap while Baby M lays on my chest or shares my knee.  Making memories....

Now that the drops are in Baby M's ear, she's sound asleep.  Not even B yelling will wake her up, which is good.  Poor baby needs to sleep.  Hopefully by tonight or tomorrow morning the meds will start kicking in and we'll be doing good.  We're still continuing the breathing treatments for both though thanks to all of the coughing, but we're not having to do them quite as often.  B is becoming much more of himself thanks to his meds.  We just have a really bad diaper rash to deal with because he can't control his bottom and that's okay.  He apologizes every time he goes to the bathroom in his diaper.  I keep assuring him that it's okay because the medicine is going to make him not know when he needs to go in time.  Needless to say, potty training is on hold for this week.  He was doing much better, too.  Hope this doesn't mess it up!

Book Review: Here Burns My Candle

I enjoy historical fiction.  I think it's a fun way to learn about history (as long as it's accurate!).  After having read the second book in this series, I decided that I should read the first one.  Thankfully, this one was still up as available to review!

Liz Curtis Higgs writes thick books, but they make you want to keep turning the page so it's not hard to finish the book very quickly.  This was no exception. 

This book is based on Ruth, like the second one.  The story is based in 1745 when Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh determined to capture the crown.  Once Prince Charlie enters the scene, it causes such a disruption that Lady Kerr starts to question what she believes.  This isn't an easy thing to admit to her family or to anyone, because they are not only a Christian family, but a royal Christian family.  Her husband struggles with the issue of infidelity, and her mother-in-law has to learn to try to accept her despite her upbringing and the fact that she is a Highlander and loyal to Prince Charlie.

Each main character is dealing with a major issue, not necessarily an exact issue that is mentioned in the Bible.  I should go ahead and clarify that it is "loosely" based on Ruth.  I found this book very enjoyable to read.

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This book was provided for review free of cost from Waterbrook Multnomah Press. I was not required to write a positive review this book.

Book Review: Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman

Having just finished Seek Me With All Your Heart by Beth Wiseman, I was extremely excited to get Plain Proposal to review.  I have the first four in this series and was so glad that I could grab this book!

This book didn't fail to meet my expectations.  It was a great story about Miriam and Saul.  Miriam likes Saul, but Saul isn't planning on staying in the Old Order Amish community.  He longs for the outside world and all of the things that have been forbidden in their community.  However, Miriam is convinced that she is supposed to be with him, but that's completely out of the question if he leaves.  Another guy, who is staying in the community for sure, is showing interest in her and wants to be with her.  If Saul would only make his decision!  Along with that, Miriam cousin comes to stay with them because of her troubles back home.  As you can imagine, this could cause problems for Miriam and Saul.  The real question is not only who ends up with who, but who ends up leaving the community and who stays and why.

You don't have to have read any of the other books in order to enjoy this book.  It's easy to figure out who is who and the roles they play in the storyline.  If you like books on the Amish community, then you've got to read this one.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: i received a copy of Plain Proposal from Thomas Nelson through BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Say it Ain't So

Sorry for the lack of updates yesterday.  I didn't have enough hands to hold my two babes and type.  Imagine that!  The status is as follows:

B has an ear infection and that yucky upper respiratory infection going around, which has triggered what?  His asthma.  He is starting to come back to life today, which is good. 

Baby M has the infection and is following the same course.  The doctor said she'll probably start running the fever in 48 hours (which will be tomorrow).  In some ways I'm hoping he's right and in another I'm hoping he's wrong.  Wrong because I don't want to go back again, but right because then she would be able to be on antibiotics that would clear her chest and then I could stop giving her....guess what....yeah....breathing treatments.  Apparently she's also on the asthma track, too.  I'm really thinking hibernation will be great for the winter months.  At least the nebby bear is becoming our friend and I don't have to hold either of them down to administer anymore.  Baby M just gets restless after and B, well, read the other posts! 

So, we're just here cuddling and waiting for an ear infection in Baby M....that sounds completely awful.....

Oh...and the poor baby has lost her voice and sounds pitiful crying.  On the upside, her and B have become great cuddle buddies because they get to sleep together for naps.  B even shares his blanket and has become quite protective over her.  He wants to take care of her (with his eyes closed) and doesn't want me to interfere.  So sweet!  I'll post pictures when I get enough hands and time to do that as well.

Get Knocked Down...

Well, it's not me that's knocked down.  It's more like both of my kiddos.  B started running a fever on Friday and it has continued into today.  Baby M hasn't run a fever but has the same symptoms as B did when his first started and has a horribly runny nose and is becoming hoarse.  Pitiful babies!  B's is made worse by his wheezing.  His little ribs are showing now when he breathes and you can hear him try to catch a breath.  We are doing his treatments, but his cough is so bad.  My little bundle of joy just wants to sleep and not move.  My body doesn't know what to do with all of this sitting still!

We have a doctor's appointment today to see what all is going on with both of them.  I just hate giving him those breathing treatments because he shakes so bad and then acts HORRID!  And I do mean HORRID!  He is mean, ugly, and not himself with them, but that's the only thing that makes him able to breathe.  It's just that it takes a good 2 hours or more to come down from this BAD side of the treatments. 

Hopefully the doctor can fix my babies.  I'll try to remember to post an update after we've been.

Mommy Guilt

Today I'm choosing to write about something that I think every mom deals with, but it goes completely unspoken so much of the time.  As you can guess by the quite obvious title of this post, it's mommy guilt.  Mommy guilt can be a beast, too.  It creeps in and makes you feel like you aren't up to par on your mommy skills.  For example, I am with my kids much of the time.  In fact, all but about 3-5 hours out of the week (unless I have church, etc.).  With that said, I still feel guilty when I leave them!  Not only that, but there are times when I feel guilty when I'm with them because I feel like I'm not doing enough.  I know it's weird, but I'm being honest.  Then there's the food.  I feel guilty if B gets a less than healthy breakfast because I'm trying to shove him out the door and he's such a slow eater or if I don't cook dinner one night and we (gasp) order a pizza! 

To be honest, my view of motherhood was almost the opposite of many things that I find myself doing.  There are also those things that I swore that I would never allow or do that I do.  I pictured dinner on the table at 6:00 after having a nice and quiet and peaceful hour to cook.  (Boy, were my eyes opened after B was brought home from the hospital!)  Then I thought I'd clean my house and the floors and table would stay clean.  (Not only do these places stay dirty, but places that I never imagined have become sticky and dirty.  How does that happen?!)  I always pictured my kids sitting still, obeying, and saying "yes, ma'am" and "no, ma'am.  That was just a nice dream while it lasted!  So you can see why mommy guilt crept in.  I definitely haven't lived up to my "to-do" or "to-be" list as a mommy.  I honestly doubt I ever will and that's okay.  I'm trying to remind myself that what matter most is NOT if my house is spotless or if everything is in it's place, although that is a great feeling.  What matters most is that I'm there for my kids, even if that means that I forgo a few "household duties" to play trucks or to build legos or read.  This is not to say that I'm going on a cleaning strike.  It's just that I don't want my eyes to be taken off the most important reason I have of staying home.  I'm not staying home just so I can clean the house, which is a nice by-product!  It's so I can love on my kids, be with my kids, and make lots and lots of memories with the precious gifts I've been given.  So mommy guilt....goodbye!  I'm choosing to be the best mommy I can be without the pressure of being wonder mommy.  If I forget an appointment, or if I forget a birthday, I'm sorry!  Just know that I'm doing the best I can.  (Oh...and I'm pretty sure mommy brain really does exist so please cut some slack for those mommies!)

Book Review: Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs

Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs is a historical fiction book.  It is the second book in a 2-part series.  I haven't read the first book, so it took me a little longer to get into the book and to figure out what all was happening.  I'll say that this book is a pretty thick book!  Not a bad thing, it's just the truth!  However, I think most of her books are pretty thick.

This book includes a lot of the Scottish phrases, which makes the book a little difficult to read in the beginning because I had to keep flipping to the back of the book to find out the meaning of the words.  However, it is no different than reading books from the Amish community.  Once I got used to the words, I was able to read with ease.

This book is a Scottish retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz, so it's a wonderful love story! Marjory Kerr and Elisabeth Kerr have lost everything and have moved to the countryside after Prince Charlie reclaims the British throne.  If you know the story of Ruth and Boaz, then the plot is obviously predictable, but it's still a great story and very well-written.

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This book was provided for review free of cost from Waterbrook Multnomah Press.  I was not required to write a positive review this book.

I love these 2....

"More Baby Jesus"

The other night, Daddy T and I loaded the kiddos up in the minivan we had rented and drove to the top of a mountain to eat some pizza.  Next door to this pizza place is my favorite store...Lifeway.  I hadn't been there in at least a couple of months, which is honestly amazing for me.  I figured if I never went in, then I wouldn't be tempted to buy another book or anything.  I commented to Daddy T how long it had been since I had been in there and bought and book and I guess he was so impressed that he let me go in.  I immediately saw a few books on sale and picked those up.  Daddy T was with B and when he came to meet me, B had a VeggieTales coloring book and a Bible, which he loves.  He climbed up in a chair to wait for me and immediately started to look for the wise men, the boats, and baby Jesus.  This was met with a loud cheer each time he saw any of these, which caused lots of laughs around us. 

Daddy T took my books and B's coloring book to go pay, but wasn't going to buy the Bible since B has a few at home.  However, when B saw Daddy T stick it back on the shelf (top shelf), he got really upset and started asking for "more baby Jesus, please.  More baby Jesus."  Since he knew he couldn't reach that shelf, he led me back to the back of the store and started calling for baby Jesus, in hopes he could find that Bible.  I explained to him that he has several Bibles at home and we could read one when we got home.  Not good enough.  He REALLY wanted that baby Jesus.  When we got outside, after lots and lots of tears, Daddy T reached in the bag and handed him nothing else but "baby Jesus."

Afterwards, I couldn't help but think about God's analogy to us as his children.  I was really convicted after watching this scene play out.  Do I go through life searching for Jesus?  Do I call out for him just knowing that He's going to respond and be there for me?  Would I do absolutely anything just to have a Bible in my hand to read and cherish?  Do I stay excited and thankful that God handed me "baby Jesus" as a price for my sins?  Yikes.  I'd love to say that describes me all of the time, but it doesn't.  I love when God uses my children to show me my relationship with Him.  It's not always a cozy feeling, but it is one that challenges me to be more Christ-like.

Hmmm...I wonder what people would say if I ran through a store calling out for "more Jesus!"  Oh, the excitement of little ones.  I'll definitely miss that when it's gone.