Happiest Place on Earth

Happiest Place on Earth

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Black Friday...


  • Yesterday was quite an adventure! For the first time, I took my kids out shopping on black Friday. Overall, they did very well, but I did have some help! The only real shopping disasters were:
    1. The sales were stupid. I, of course, knew this before I got up at 2:55 a.m. I did wait in line at Kohl's, for about an hour and fifteen minutes, for a slight discount on Swiper the Fox for my niece. At age four, she doesn't read this, but the rest of our family does, so... shhh...
    2. Small children do not do well at "Deals". Come on... you know you want to touch everything there, too...

    The real problem, for me, was the fact that it is very difficult to eat out when you are supposed to be watching your carb intake. I thought that bacon, sausage, and eggs would be a safe bet for breakfast (notice, NO carbs). It wasn't. An hour later, my blood sugar level had skyrocketed to 208! So, I called the emergency line, just to see what I ought to do. The answering service lady put me through to someone else, on whose voice mail I left a message. No one ever called me back... I think their emergency line needs some improvement. At any rate, after lunch my level had plumeted to 67, and it was 61 after dinner. It's not supposed to get below 70, but what was I suppposed to do? No one seemed too interested in taking my call. I did consume something with sugar in it, after dinner, because I figured I probably needed to. Thankfully, my numbers seem normal again this morning, but if anyone from the doctor's office calls to yell at me, they are going to get an earfull of their own.

    I did get MUCH of our Christmas shopping finished, so I'm happy about that.

    Probably the funniest part of the day happened after we got home. Phil was getting his last few things from the car, and I went out briefly to grab a couple more shopping bags. When Phil reached the front door, it was locked... by none other that the wonderful and very two-year-old Caleb. Grace was sleeping, and Seth was in the bathroom. We kept telling Caleb to unlock the door, and he kept knocking on it, instead. We would say, "Caleb, unlock the door," and Caleb would say, "I knocking on it!" After a few rounds of this, I sat down on the step and just laughed! Phil kept pounding, so eventually I shouted, "Wilma!" I really hope the neighbors weren't paying any attention to all of this! Seth eventually emerged from the bathroom and let us in. It's a good thing he wasn't asleep, too...

    And so now, it's Saturday. And on this lovely Saturday morning, I really need to go do some schoolwork. Except... I really don't want to. So... I will likely continue to procrastinate for at least a little while.

    Is it December yet?

    Lisa

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Thursday, November 23, 2006

And So...


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Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Holiday Picture Time...

  • Ahhh... just finished the yearly trip to the portrait studio for family pictures! So... we all got dressed in matching clothes, I safety pinned a non-maternity shirt into low-rise maternity jeans (whose dumb idea was that, anyway...), put make-up on for the first time in a long time (probably since August), and off we went. Overall, it was one of the better experiences we have had, and it topped last year by a gazillion times! I think the pics. will be cute...

    For all of you who continue to wonder... I have two favorite baby boy names... They are...

    Seth Matthew and Caleb Ethan...

    That's why we've already used them... hehehe... Sorry, that was mean... But not sorry enough to take it off my blog...

    Lisa

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Monday, November 20, 2006

No Kidding...

  • Did you know they make low carb. ice cream!!! No one in their right mind who can eat regular ice cream would ever want it, but it's pretty good when it's all you can have!

    Lisa

    Comments (1)

    • abbet1213
      thats funny about the low carb ice cream. And by the way great picture. lol thank you for you comment it really means a lot to me. If you can sometime you should come into Krogers and buy some food. Ya know most normal people buy food. haha Oh, and we have low carb ice cream. haha I think....! love abbe
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Saturday, November 18, 2006

Scraps...

  • I did it!!! I got Caleb's baby book finished today!!! I really wanted to finish it before this next little one arrived, and it is done... YES!!!

    That's not to say that I'm still not WAY behind on my scrapbooking. I have 2 years worth of stuff that needs to find its way into albums for Seth, 1 year worth of stuff for Grace, and 1 1/2 years worth of stuff for Caleb. However, all of their little baby books can sit side by side now, and I am excited...

    Of course, I 'm going to have to start a new one, altogether, in just a few weeks...

    Lisa

    PS We are watching the game. Everyone here says, "Go Blue" except for Seth... hehehe... L.

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Friday, November 17, 2006

Big Baby...

  • Well... here's the latest ultrasound pic. of our gigantic baby...

    He weighed in at 5 lb. 12 oz. on Tuesday, and I was only 33 weeks! I am now officially jealous of my friends who have given birth to five or six pound babies... Someone, PLEASE tell me it's December...

    Lisa

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Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Aspiring...

  • Quote of the day, from Caleb, "I want be elephant I grow up!"

    He's going to have to grow a whole lot...

    Lisa

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Friday, November 10, 2006

Who Signs Your Feet?

  • This post has been several days in the making... in my head, at least. And, it's another one of those things that probably belongs on my other xanga, but I decided to put it here, anyway...

    Recently, my kids were watching one of their all-time favorite movies, Toy Story II. I have seen it many times, but something happened to catch my attention this time around. It comes in the form of a quote from the infamous Buzz Lightyear.

    A little background...

    In the original Toy Story, Buzz believes that he is the "real" Buzz Lightyear of Star Command. Through a series of events, he is finally convinced that he is, indeed, merely a toy. The revelation is startling, to say the least. At first, Buzz thinks his life is over, but he eventually begins to realize what it means to be a toy, and as the idea sinks in, he ends up being a pretty good one. In Toy Story II, we find Buzz walking through an aisle at Al's Toy Barn. Another Buzz Lightyear toy, one that is on display, tackles him to the ground and insists that he must return to a box until he is, in essence, bought. This second Buzz clearly believes that he is the real Buzz Lightyear. Buzz (the one we all know and love) puts his head in his hands and says, "tell me I wasn't this delusional".

    And I started to think about how easy it is to begin to believe that we're something we're not. Just because we have the cardboard spaceship, the laser lightbulb, or even the anti-gravity belt, doesn't necessarily mean we can fly.

    What I'm trying to say is, we'd better make good and sure we have what really counts. It's simply not enough to look the part of a Christian. Following the few rules that make up the general western Christian philosophy is not enough to make our relationship with Christ real. Just because you don't engage in the "big 3" (sex, drugs, and beer) doesn't mean that you are holy. And just because someone else does doesn't mean that they are not genuinely accepted by Christ. He has a way of working in the lives of all people... and often, I think it's easier with those who don't think they have it all together...

    Near the end of the movie, both Buzz Lightyears show up in the same place, and the other toys are confused about who the "real" Buzz is. Of course, they are looking for Andy's toy. The "real" Buzz pulls back the other Buzz's helmet (kind of like breaking down our fascade), and he starts to choke. At that point, I thought the toys would recognize the "real" Buzz. But, for a moment, they just stand there looking. Then, Buzz shows them the bottom of his space boot. It says, "Andy," in permanent marker. And now, it's clear to all, who the "real" Buzz is...

    Who signs your feet?

    Lisa

    Comments (1)

    • pomohoro1212
      Beer? What about rock n' roll? Uh, wait, nevermind.......

      Rom. 10:15-21 seems appropriate.

      And, I might add, "Whose feet do you wash?" That has a lot to do with the signature on your own. There, now that I'm humbled into oblivion...
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Sunday, November 5, 2006

Roosters...

  • Quote of the day, by Caleb, "Cock-a-doodle-doo"... said repeatedly. He didn't want to go to bed and figured if the "rooster" kept crowing, it was morning... hehehe...

    Phil is my hero tonight... He found me some sugar free chocolate.

    Rescue Hero mission of the day... flood... Don't ask...

    Lisa

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Saturday, November 4, 2006

Grape Memories...

  • Seems like everything in life is a real adventure lately...

    Yesterday I decided to take Seth and Grace to the Y when I went for my walk The idea was that they would play in the YAC while I walked, and when I was finished I would pick them up and take them swimming. Sounded like a fun plan...

    However, when we got to the Y, the YAC was closed... even though it is supposed to be open! The temptation here was to say, "OK... forget the walk... one day won't hurt," and to head straight to the pool. I thought it over for a few seconds and realized that even though it would have been easier that way, it really wasn't the right thing to do. So...

    I dragged the kids up a couple more flights of stairs to the running track...

    Initially, I wasn't sure if I should have them walk with me or just sit and watch. I figured they would never make it the whole 24 laps (1 mile), but they started walking with me anyway. And it was great! In the end, they did complete the entire walk, without complaint, and they probably could have done it faster than I did... Super kids!

    As we were walking, I was reminded of a simpler time and place. When Seth was not quite two years old, we moved to Iowa. After cleaning... and unpacking boxes... and getting the house somewhat set up, I needed a break. So, we loaded Grace (9 months old at the time) into our stroller and walked to the park. The only problem was, I only knew the location of one park in our new town. And, of course, it was a really long way from our house. I wish I could remember exactly how far, but I'm sure it was at least 300 miles! Seth and I walked... and walked... and walked... and walked...

    Amazingly enough, he still had energy to play when we got there! We had so much fun that day. Here's a pic. of Seth at the park (though I think this was taken several months later):



    After we enjoyed our play time, we decided to walk back to the church (only about 150 miles away), as I didn't think Seth could make it all the way home. When we finally did get home, it was around 3:00. Seth laid down for a nap and didn't wake up until the morning! That was the one and only time this ever happened, as I am the mother of three sleepless wonders!

    The experience, itself, is a good memeory to recall. But there's something else I learned from all of this. There are some things you simply don't know until after the fact...

    That day, while we were walking to the park, we were spotted by an "unchurched", single father of two of our teens. He talked with his girls that night about what a good mom I must be, and got a good laugh out of the fact that Seth had walked the whole way when he learned that part of the story later. I became very close to those girls over the next 14 months. Hopefully, I was able to be a good example for them.

    That day, while we were walking back to the church, we were spotted by a mother of two of our teens. She noticed that we were struggling a bit (we had to take some breaks at various places along the way) and asked later if she should have offered to help. Later I learned that it was probably better that she didn't, since her less than acceptable relationship with her own children was a huge part of our untimely demise there.

    And, that day, while we were playing at the park... having the time of our lives... A wonderful man in a rental car just happened to drive by. No doubt, he wondered how we ever got there, and he was terribly tempted to stop and play, too. He didn't, because he wasn't sure members of the church wouldn't see him and wonder what in the world he was doing at the park, as opposed to in the office. A lot changes in 4 1/2 years. I'm thinking Phil would stop now...

    So back to last night...

    Upon completeing our mile, I let the kids take several runs on the balloon game, while I caught my breath. It was cute to watch how Seth refused to "race" against anyone but Gracie. Then we went for our swim. And did I ever get soaked! I think I chased the kids around enough to pay them back, though!

    Lisa

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Friday, November 3, 2006

Lapped...

  • There is something somewhat embarrassing about having other people lap you over... and over... and over again... However, I have "run"... hehehe... a 20 minute mile the last two days. Please, no comments from my military friends. This is good for an out of shape, hugely pregnant woman!

    Grace had her last gymnastics class for this session, last night, so we are going back to once a week. Thank goodness! Seth has his last soccer game this weekend. Swimming is over for us until January. Only six weeks left of the school semester (mine), and the kids have finished a ton of their school stuff for the whole year, already, so I had to order new curriculum for second semester! I think we're finally slowing down and getting ready for baby (still namesless... hehehe). Well, except for Phil, who will get busier and busier as the weeks go on! I wonder if we will get bored...

    For anyone who wants to know, blood sugar levels are lookin' good so far. Now, if I can just get through the next seven weeks or so, we'll be good to go. I am actually hoping for baby to arrive a little early, on his own. We'll see how it goes, but it would be nice to have him here before Christmas!

    Although I am sure this experience will change my eating habits forever, I am really looking forward to downing a bunch of pizza and some M & Ms again, someday... I am starting to feel a bit sick when I think of eating more cheese... peanut butter... eggs... meat... etc.

    Adding to a recent post... I miss "scooping the loop", too...

    Lisa

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Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Happy Halloween 2006...

  • It's November!!! Which, of course, means that it is closer to December than yesterday... hehehe...

    What a busy Halloween we had! It started with an appointment to fix the brakes. They feel awesome now. Then, Caleb and I did the WIC thing. He has grown a ton. After that, I helped the kids get through some school stuff. Thankfully, we thought ahead and did most of our Tuesday work on Monday, because we never would have had time for everything if we hadn't... After lunch, I went to an appointment with a diabetic educator. (If you don't already know, I have gestational diabetes... just another... uh... exciting turn of events in this pregnancy... ugh...) I am now on a low carb diet, and I have to poke my finger four times a day to check my blood sugar. Right now, it seems awful. However, I am sure that it will become as routine as taking the blood thinner is, and I am ready to do just about anything to avoid having to take insulin. A week ago, I was concerned about being chocolate deprived. I am handling the withdrawal fine, though... hehehe. My main concern now is being milk deprived! Milk should not be bad for anyone in any way. It is just not right. I also cannot drink juice. This would probably not be a problem for most people, but since I am a strictly milk, juice, and water drinker only (except on very rare occassions), I am thinking that I am going to hate water by the end of this! At any rate, I think I'll survive and probably gain some healthier eating and exercise habits in the process... That's the positive side. I went straight to my regular OB appointment from there, and it went well. Next time I get to have another ultrasound to see how big the baby is now, and it should give us a good idea about how big he plans to get!

    Upon leaving the doctor's office, I quickly shifted gears. I ran to Wal-Mart and did some shopping at break neck speed. Then I drove home and proceeded to strip the kids down and throw them into Halloween costumes as quickly as possible. In the process, we forgot Buzz Lightyear's purple "helmet". Fortunately, Seth never realized this, and I am not about to tell him. I am also relatively sure that Tinkerbell's wings were on upside down, but that only gave her more character... We left a few minutes late for Trick-or-Treating, but the kids did pretty well for the1/2 hour we were out! Tinkerbell was, undoubtedly, the life of the party on every block. I am sure no one is surprised by that! Unfortunately, near the end of our Trick-or-Treating time, she ran into the grim reaper. That kind of ended her good experience, as she was terrified. I think next year we'll have a party. Later, we stopped at McDs for free scary sundaes. That was fun. Here are some pics. to commemorate our Halloween experience. By the way, I was too exhausted... or maybe lazy... this year to make creative costumes, so Disney did all the work...

    "Buzz Lightyear"
     "Tinkerbell"
    "Woody"
    "Uh... Woody's Dad"


    "Ice Cream Time"
    And now, it's Wednesday. It's also time to go poke my finger... again... And then to head back to the wonderful world of Kindergarten and First Grade... Not to mention the two year old who keeps screaming that he wants to do school...

    Lisa

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