Thanks

I love my kids, and I love my husband. I had a wonderful Mother's day with my family. It was such a joy to wake up with my hubby making breakfast for me, and lots of special hugs and kisses.

Life as a Young Mom

Finding time to get on the floor and play, while still making time for myself to avoid burnout (hmm..might have already past that point) is tough. Last week, I really focused on spending good quantity and quality time with Audrey. I forget how fun it is to play, especially when I become overly focused on time for me. Granted, time for myself is important...making it priority over my children is not. After a couple of days trying to be creative (with a little help from websites), I truly enjoyed my time making things with her. I found myself even waiting with anticipation to have her wake up from a nap so that we could play. What a great feeling to have with my child. I have been SO blessed to have this opportunity to stay home with my children, I never want to waste it. Life continues to be a constant balancing act, but when I get my heart in it, it's amazing how God changes my attitude. I still need that time for myself, and I was able to take a day on Saturday, as my dear Hubby took his first full day with both kids. I'm so thankful for him!

Here are some of the fun things we did last week:

Playing in the snow, cloved clementines, and Kisses to count down the days til Christmas (thanks Leigh Ann for the idea!)

Eight Random Things

Mary "tagged" me to write Eight things about myself. I normally don't do this type of thing because it's hard for me to come up with random things about myself. I figured 8 shouldn't be too hard, so I'll give it a try...

1. I used to take gymnastics, and loved it. The only organized athletic thing I was ever really into.

2. I love to go for long walks, especially with someone. This is why I love living in the city. I enjoy talking with Audrey when we go on walks. It's usually a slow walk with her, at this stage, but she loves to chat, make up stories, and ask questions while we go along.

3. I'm not much of a chocolate person (hence the chocolate still around from Halloween). Don't get me wrong, I like chocolate here and there, but I don't crave it. Cookies, now that's a different story. We don't keep cookies around here.

4. I love pretzels as a topping for ice cream...mmm, salty and sweet!

5. I love primitive, folk art, solid wood, well-worn and well-loved decorating and furnishings. Since my focus has not been on buying furniture for our home, we currently support the "basement motif". It's the stuff that used to be in someone's basement, with a touch up here and a slip cover there we've made it our own.

6. I can be very opinionated. I don't like debating because my mind doesn't think that fast, but if given days to come back with an answer I'd be alright.

7. I don't really think of myself as a leader, but in our house my hubby calls me "Take Charge Meggy".

8. I love to talk. I am intimidated by crowds, so many people who don't know me well think I'm shy or quiet....but get to know me a little bit, or chat with me one on one and you'll be tired of hearing me chat. I often wonder if I'm more chatty now that I'm a stay at home mom and those words are not getting out enough.

I'll tag anyone who wants to do it. I enjoy learning a little bit about my friends. Thanks for taking some time to learn a little bit more about me.

My 'Crafty' Project

I am by NO means crafty. I like having a creative outlet, but that outlet usually takes me a long time. I love to scrapbook, but that's the extent of my creativity. Even in scrapbooking, it's a rare occasion when I haven't copied a page. Isn't that what scrapbooking magazines are for? In any event, craft time came at MOPS and I shuddered. We were about to make a flower arrangement. I'm not a big flower person, nor do I have the gift of creativity, but I was supposed to make this project fun (yeah ok). I was going to do my best. I just started grabbing flowers, greenery, and other 'fillers' for the arrangement. Before I knew it, I was getting really into this craft. I LOVE fall, especially the colors, so it worked.

And this is my prize creation...

I can't believe I actually put that together. I was really happy with it. When I got home I put a table cloth on the table (a rarity in our house), and later set the table nicely for dinner. Of course, we had Macaroni and Cheese for dinner....but at least there was some sense of elegance to our home and our meal.

Having Patience

I was hoping to be holding our little baby by this date...my due date. But, alas, no baby yet. We are still eagerly awaiting. BUT, with Albert off today (although he is going into work) I am taking advantage of some pampering for myself. We headed off to the park for a little play time with Audrey, then on to the mall for time for me. Albert took Audrey to the play area and all the other "fun" spots around the mall, mostly the mechanical rides, which for Audrey never move (why spoil the imagination??). I headed to get a pedicure. I don't pamper myself in this way much, the last time was over 3 years ago when I was pregnant with Audrey. It's a great way to relax. I loved it, and wonder why I don't do it more often. Oh yes, I'm too cheap! After my pedicure, it's a must to stop for an Aun*tie An*ne's pretzel. Now, with my tummy satisfied and my feet happy, the day has been worthwhile, even if I'm not holding my little baby (although it is only 12:30).

Ah Patience!

I am trying desperately to teach patience to my daughter. There are days she does really well, and other days I wonder if she's ever heard me. Then yesterday rolled around. Yes, it was Audrey's birthday, it should be a day filled with fun, laughter, and excitement. She certainly had all of those elements as part of her day, but there was also frustration, yelling, disrespect, and even lack of patience - and I contributed to most of that! The day started early, after a night of not sleeping well for me. Audrey was ready for the day at 6:30 (like Mary, that's early for me), but on top of that I had been awake for no apparent reason from 3-5:30. So, I had finally fallen back to sleep when my darling birthday girl came in to wake me for the day. I was not ready....I don't think I ever recovered. I was frustrated and irritated at anything she did that was the least bit of a "bother" for me. By 12:30 we were both spent for the day. She needed a nap badly, and so did I. With afternoon plans, I was hopeful it would be better. For the most part, it was. It was one of those "why was I created to be a mom" days...and what was worse, it was on my daughter's birthday. After venting about the day to Albert, I realized how much I contributed to our day. I need that very lesson of patience that I teach Audrey. It was MY day, when God probably thought, "Does she hear anything I am saying?". I am waiting for this baby to come, surviving with little sleep, and trying to take care of a preschooler. It can certainly be tiring, but doesn't warrant my behavior. I owe Audrey a huge apology, and am hopeful today (after a full nights sleep...AND her sleeping in) that we will have a much better day.

Turning 30

I did it, I made it, I'm now 30 years old! Do I feel it? Yep, I feel even older. All I wanted for my birthday was an afternoon nap, and some time for scrapbooking. No shopping, no long walks, no big party plans (although I did have a wonderful time with friends and family at a "surprise" get together - see a few pictures here)...just a nice relaxing day. Sounds like the wish of a much older, less energetic person, but that's me these days. It takes me several tries to get out of a chair, and usually end up needing assistance if it's available. It takes everything in me to even roll out of bed, and once I do I have a strong desire/need for a walker. I certainly don't feel young at heart, but with the growing belly and pressure of gravity I guess it's to be expected. I think that once I have this baby I will feel younger and feel like I'm still in my twenties, although thirty really isn't that old.

Who I want to be

My dear husband just created a post about his current job, which he loves. Check it out here. It inspired me to write about MY full-time job, a Mom. Now, I know in the months to come this will be changing, my regular routine of mom-hood will be thrown out the window and I'll be taking each day as they come. BUT, despite these changes I'll still aspire to be the best Mom that I can...raising my children to be God loving and fearing little and not-so-little people.

Albert and I were recently having a discussion about our jobs. He talks about his job, the love of it, often and is often found reading books to further himself in knowledge about his content area. I too love my job, and am often found reading books about my content area, and how to better myself while helping to train our children. Unfortunately, I didn't always love my current job. I wanted to desperately to go back to accounting, a job that required nothing out of the ordinary, came with routine, and there was even a policy manual put into place. I knew exactly what to expect in a day. I think I can count on one hand, probably less, the number of times some "wrench" was thrown into my day unexpectedly. I loved it, although I must admit I didn't read books about this content area....BORING! Go from that to complete chaos, needless to say, I didn't handle it well. I wondered why God had done this to me, and if there was any way I could get out of this Mommying thing...I just wasn't cut out for it. With time, much crying, and prayer God lead me through one of the most challenging times in my life, having a child.

That was almost three years ago, and I can now say I LOVE my job. God has taught me so much about Himself, about me, about Audrey, and about my husband through these last three years. I still have so much to learn, and want to grow in this calling of mine. I have days when I long for peace and quiet, time to myself, want to hide, or will scream if I have to repeat myself ONE MORE TIME. I'm not the most patient of people, I do have quite the temper,I don't handle change well, and I don't seek God's advice when I most need it...but for some reason He's always faithful. He always helps me through, He is always there. I couldn't do it otherwise. I know without a doubt that this is where God has called me. I am meant to be a full-time Mom. It's not just for my children's sake, but for mine as well. Never, in the years I was a full-time accountant, could I look back and see God so clearly working in me or in someone else through me. Never, sadly, did I pursue things consistently in prayer or have desires so strongly as I do now. Although I have my days when I'd love to be sitting in a cube listening to the sound of the radio, rather than a little person chatting away - usually repeating herself until acknowledged. I truly don't want to give up being the person that little one wants to tell such "important" things to, and miss out on the great opportunities God has given me and called me to. I can honestly say, I want to do this Mommying thing. I want to continue reading books to learn more about my content area, especially from wise, older, Christian Moms. I eagerly look for new ways to encourage, teach, train, and love my children. All this may mean finding one, two or several new gray hairs in the process, but I will never regret it. My children's hearts are ultimately in God's hands, but my prayer is that I will be one to rise up to His challenge for my life and be His instrument in their lives.

I recently read an older post from Home Sanctuary that was so encouraging, it reminded me why it's so important to have older women, mother's, sisters who have gone before us to help us along our way as young Mom's learning in the process. I am so appreciative to those people who have gone before me, and are helping me along my way...even if they are just a few years ahead.

I am especially thankful God has shown me that MOM is who I want to be.

Poison Ivy update

Just to give you an update from Monday's post...

I was able to go to the doctor Monday afternoon, desperate for anything that would help - even if it meant steroids this late in my pregnancy. Thankfully, by that point I was actually seeing progress. Although the swelling was very evident, I was able to see through my right eye...progress. Because my body was starting to respond to the topical creams I was using, the doctor encouraged me to continue for another day to see if there would be continued success, but gave me a prescription just in case. I praise God that I have not had to use the prescription (therefore avoiding putting steroids into my body), and the poison as well as the swelling have continued to heal. I have been able to get much better sleep, although not fully through the night...but that comes with the territory at 9 months pregnant.

As seen, I DID take the picture, to many peoples encouragement. However, it was after my worst moments, so it'll only serve as a reminder of how badly I am allergic to those three leaf weeds.

Poison Ivy

Last week Audrey and I were out in the backyard weeding. She loves doing this job, and is so proud of herself (I'm proud of her too) when she pulls the weed up by the root. She does a fantastic job, and could do it for a long span of time. However, on this particular night we found out...she's not allergic to poison ivy. Wonderful news!!! BUT, I am. Although, I've seen traces of it in our back yard before, I wasn't really paying attention as I was watching to be sure my daughter wasn't pulling something other than weeds. A day or more later I realized I was starting to get those annoying, itchy rash/bumps brought on by poison ivy, and was immediately wishing I had paid better attention to what I was pulling. Although the rash was annoying, caladryl seemed to be working rather well, and I could go about my day with little irritation. Overnight was a different story, everything seemed that much more irritated, itchy, and sensitive than during the day. This made sleeping quite a challenge, as it already is at 8 1/2 months pregnant. Saturday morning, I woke up with my eye completely swollen shut. Not a good sign, but it was still fairly manageable during the day (just uncomfortable). Sunday, same thing...swollen, this time it wasn't as easy to keep the swelling manageable. So with Cortaide, a bag of frozen peas, and a bit of rest, I was trying the best I could to keep my discomfort to a minimum. Now, here we are Monday morning, still swollen eye, but now it's half my face. Although I can see out of my right eye, it doesn't open far. I'm SO frustrated. I don't want to take anything that will harm the baby, so I called the midwife to find out what I could possibly do. She was very sympathetic and reassured me it would be ok to take a prescription for my discomfort. So, with a dr. appt scheduled for this afternoon, I hope we can finally see some results to this painful week.

And then there's the scrapbooker in me.....do I take a picture of myself so that I can document it for years to come? Why not, it's all apart of this journey! I'd be documenting it if Audrey got it, but I'm thankful God spared her.