The Cornish Family... Chasing God's calling...
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Adoption updates all around...
The two families (including Misha's family) that adopted together are both now in Kiev with their children and are awaiting flights home on Tuesday!
The family that met their daughter with Down syndrome and a cleft lip/cleft palate has been home for their 10 day wait and the new dad is now getting ready to head back to Ukraine to pick her up.
The family in Ukraine adopting an older girl with limb differences is HOME!!
Continue in prayer for the family awaiting a positive court turn out, their son is in an institution and they are having a very slow and difficult process. They filed more paperwork recently so pray that all goes through well!
Another two families that had their court last week in Ukraine are now in their 10 days of appeal period and will be returning next week to get their children. A total of 3 little ones with Down syndrome were adopted between these two families :)
Two families have their dossiers in Ukraine. One was submitted this past Monday and one hopes to submit this coming Monday. They will both be awaiting travel dates to get their new children. One more family has finished their dossier and is working out some kinks in it before it's submitted.
Three more families have received immigration approval this week to adopt from Ukraine. Two of these families will be mailing their dossiers (or just did) and then will be going for translation and then submission. The third family is awaiting some updated forms from their social worker. Please pray that all these families' dossiers come together quickly so they can travel soon!
Our family in Haiti- missionaries now- is doing well and I'm sure appreciate your continued prayers as they live this 'new life' while they await the completion of their son's adoption.
The family adopting two girls from Latvia are in their appeals period and will be returning very soon to pick up their daughters!
The family adopting from Russia that has been waiting on a court date has received it and will be heading back to Russia at the end of this week for court and to bring home their new son!
Another family adopting from Russia has hit major hiccups in their adoption because of the region they're adopting from. Please pray as this family faces big decisions in the near future. Please pray for the other waiting children of this region because it appears we may not be able to continue any adoptions there for children with Down syndrome (in this one region, not all of Russia!)
One of our families adopting from Estonia has met their older son w/ Ds and is waiting an appointment to return to adopt him.
Please keep all these families covered in prayer!!
The family that met their daughter with Down syndrome and a cleft lip/cleft palate has been home for their 10 day wait and the new dad is now getting ready to head back to Ukraine to pick her up.
The family in Ukraine adopting an older girl with limb differences is HOME!!
Continue in prayer for the family awaiting a positive court turn out, their son is in an institution and they are having a very slow and difficult process. They filed more paperwork recently so pray that all goes through well!
Another two families that had their court last week in Ukraine are now in their 10 days of appeal period and will be returning next week to get their children. A total of 3 little ones with Down syndrome were adopted between these two families :)
Two families have their dossiers in Ukraine. One was submitted this past Monday and one hopes to submit this coming Monday. They will both be awaiting travel dates to get their new children. One more family has finished their dossier and is working out some kinks in it before it's submitted.
Three more families have received immigration approval this week to adopt from Ukraine. Two of these families will be mailing their dossiers (or just did) and then will be going for translation and then submission. The third family is awaiting some updated forms from their social worker. Please pray that all these families' dossiers come together quickly so they can travel soon!
Our family in Haiti- missionaries now- is doing well and I'm sure appreciate your continued prayers as they live this 'new life' while they await the completion of their son's adoption.
The family adopting two girls from Latvia are in their appeals period and will be returning very soon to pick up their daughters!
The family adopting from Russia that has been waiting on a court date has received it and will be heading back to Russia at the end of this week for court and to bring home their new son!
Another family adopting from Russia has hit major hiccups in their adoption because of the region they're adopting from. Please pray as this family faces big decisions in the near future. Please pray for the other waiting children of this region because it appears we may not be able to continue any adoptions there for children with Down syndrome (in this one region, not all of Russia!)
One of our families adopting from Estonia has met their older son w/ Ds and is waiting an appointment to return to adopt him.
Please keep all these families covered in prayer!!
Friday, March 20, 2009
OUCH.
In all honesty, I'm embarrassed for him... After all, no one likes to stick their foot in their mouth publicly. But I really hope he has plans for the extraction of that foot. Nothing like having your child put down not only by neighbors and strangers, but by the president? I'm not in to politics. I follow because I like to be informed. But this isn't about politics. This is about my kids. Maybe yours too?
On the other hand, a timely "commercial" from someone else on the subject... I was glad to see this one.
On the other hand, a timely "commercial" from someone else on the subject... I was glad to see this one.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
What is up with this??
I just got a recorded message phone call from a hospital claims department. Fine, I know we have an open claim with them that we're battling insurance to cover (ER visit from when we were on vacation in Nashville in October- just last night in the midst of all that fun insurance stuff I was doing I even printed out the EOB and a nice letter to insurance about why we had the visit...)
Ok, so THEY call ME, and I've now been on hold for 16 minutes?!?! Yes, of course I just hung up. That's ridiculous! Do they seriously think that a recorded message calling and saying "Is this Michael Cornish? If yes, press 1," is good enough reason to keep someone on hold for over 15 minutes? YIKES.
Ok, so THEY call ME, and I've now been on hold for 16 minutes?!?! Yes, of course I just hung up. That's ridiculous! Do they seriously think that a recorded message calling and saying "Is this Michael Cornish? If yes, press 1," is good enough reason to keep someone on hold for over 15 minutes? YIKES.
World Down Syndrome Day?
March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day. WHY?? So glad you asked :)
March 21st is the 21st day of the 3rd month. 3-21. Trisomy 21. Three 21'st chromosomes. T-21. Also known as Down syndrome :)
It's a Saturday this year (um... THIS Saturday actually). Anyone doing something neat? My kids don't go to school on Friday and only K and B go on Monday... I'm thinking about doing something for the church classes that Brianna and Micah are in. Maybe just bring a little snack and a note about our special kiddo (I'll ask the director if they can send it home to their classes). Once the kids are in 'school' I'll probably try to do something fun for it. And if I'd had the thought to prepare ahead of time (HAHAHA...) then I might have done it today instead of next Tuesday. But either way it's a chance at education, awareness, and celebration :). I also think it will be a neat way to 'thank' the teachers, parents and students for their part in my children's lives this year. After all, having a child with Down syndrome in their classes isn't something they knew anything about until they got 'em! So it's a neat way to share and an 'easy' opportunity do do it.
Any plans for World Ds Day? 3-21! :)
March 21st is the 21st day of the 3rd month. 3-21. Trisomy 21. Three 21'st chromosomes. T-21. Also known as Down syndrome :)
It's a Saturday this year (um... THIS Saturday actually). Anyone doing something neat? My kids don't go to school on Friday and only K and B go on Monday... I'm thinking about doing something for the church classes that Brianna and Micah are in. Maybe just bring a little snack and a note about our special kiddo (I'll ask the director if they can send it home to their classes). Once the kids are in 'school' I'll probably try to do something fun for it. And if I'd had the thought to prepare ahead of time (HAHAHA...) then I might have done it today instead of next Tuesday. But either way it's a chance at education, awareness, and celebration :). I also think it will be a neat way to 'thank' the teachers, parents and students for their part in my children's lives this year. After all, having a child with Down syndrome in their classes isn't something they knew anything about until they got 'em! So it's a neat way to share and an 'easy' opportunity do do it.
Any plans for World Ds Day? 3-21! :)
Still waiting..
on pictures! I bet there are some great ones... That's because we brought Mike's nice camera with our nice zoom lens on it... Great for taking photos of the airplanes! And that's why I don't have the pictures yet. Twice now he's brought it home but it didn't make it out of his car and when he told me I could get it out I was working on something else.
But soon!
But soon!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Why I love insurance so much...
or... maybe why not.
Today I got my insurance statement in the mail. It's basically an explanation of benefits for the past 2 weeks worth of claims. The total amount that WE owe on it is $3,381. The last three statements have together totaled $733. This means that within 10 weeks we have had enough 'medical charges' to be billed $4,114. This isn't SO bad, because we know that from here on out our deductible is met and our insurance will be picking up 100% of all in network activity on our account. And better yet, we shouldn't see a bill for $75 of the 'extra' which was applied to our out-of-network deductible because we see that provider through CMS. They cover whatever insurance doesn't, thankfully.
But wait... our Super High deductible is still only $4,000... and then there's $75 for the out of network doctor... so what is the other $39 from?
Oh, I loved to learn this. My OB doctor sends out his labs. To an out of network provider. Oh yeah, and so does our hospital. Seriously.
Right now that is $39. Not a huge deal. Not even a big deal really. Money that we'd much rather not pay out, of course, but not money that will keep us from buying groceries or from getting gas in the car to go to school or work.
But. But my OB will continue seeing me every 4 weeks until the last trimester where he'll see me sooner. And if he needs any more lab work, up goes the cost. And the hospital, well, thankfully I don't generally do the kids' labwork at our hospital because I take them to a children's hospital (but this claim was a urinalysis, not necessary to go to a children's hospital an hour away for that one...). In 5 1/2 months I will be giving birth in that hospital, though. Myself and our new child will likely both have lab work done. Billed to this out of network provider. And there's probably nothing I can do about that.
Oh, and just for fun, labwork doesn't even go toward an out of network deductible, which I won't mention the amount of that number because I don't want you to spit your coffee onto the screen. Lab work is only considered part of the plan if it's done by an in network provider.
Looks like I'll be on the phone tomorrow. I don't want $39 to gain any zeros during the year.
We have a love/hate relationship now, us and our insurance. SO GLAD we have it at all because they will eventually pay out something. But YIKES that it's only March and we have over $4k in bills...
Today I got my insurance statement in the mail. It's basically an explanation of benefits for the past 2 weeks worth of claims. The total amount that WE owe on it is $3,381. The last three statements have together totaled $733. This means that within 10 weeks we have had enough 'medical charges' to be billed $4,114. This isn't SO bad, because we know that from here on out our deductible is met and our insurance will be picking up 100% of all in network activity on our account. And better yet, we shouldn't see a bill for $75 of the 'extra' which was applied to our out-of-network deductible because we see that provider through CMS. They cover whatever insurance doesn't, thankfully.
But wait... our Super High deductible is still only $4,000... and then there's $75 for the out of network doctor... so what is the other $39 from?
Oh, I loved to learn this. My OB doctor sends out his labs. To an out of network provider. Oh yeah, and so does our hospital. Seriously.
Right now that is $39. Not a huge deal. Not even a big deal really. Money that we'd much rather not pay out, of course, but not money that will keep us from buying groceries or from getting gas in the car to go to school or work.
But. But my OB will continue seeing me every 4 weeks until the last trimester where he'll see me sooner. And if he needs any more lab work, up goes the cost. And the hospital, well, thankfully I don't generally do the kids' labwork at our hospital because I take them to a children's hospital (but this claim was a urinalysis, not necessary to go to a children's hospital an hour away for that one...). In 5 1/2 months I will be giving birth in that hospital, though. Myself and our new child will likely both have lab work done. Billed to this out of network provider. And there's probably nothing I can do about that.
Oh, and just for fun, labwork doesn't even go toward an out of network deductible, which I won't mention the amount of that number because I don't want you to spit your coffee onto the screen. Lab work is only considered part of the plan if it's done by an in network provider.
Looks like I'll be on the phone tomorrow. I don't want $39 to gain any zeros during the year.
We have a love/hate relationship now, us and our insurance. SO GLAD we have it at all because they will eventually pay out something. But YIKES that it's only March and we have over $4k in bills...
I cried all the way to drop Brianna off at school today
Though I knew I'd be excited, and there's a whole mess of emotions surrounding this thing that has happened, I had no idea just how much joy and relief and peace and thankfulness I would have when it came. I received a text message that simply said:
But not many experience meeting a child and falling in love and then saying goodbye. Twice. In one week. The emotions that accompanied that week we spent in Korosten, Ukraine meeting Sasha and Misha was one of the most difficult that we've ever been through. So many decisions being made without time or counsel to go through them. Mike, Me, and God. In a 150 square foot hotel room with two twin beds, a tiny refrigerator and a couch. It wasn't easy. But by far it was the closest I have felt with God. Total dependence. Total trust. Total surrender.
I know we did what we were supposed to do... I know God's plan for our lives continues to be walked and that the children He intended to be ours came home to us a year ago. But the pain in knowing that Misha was transferred, the emotions that came when we knew the other family also would not be able to adopt him, and then the guarded hope that this third family would get him... It has been a roller coaster ride for so many people.
Today, Misha, now known by his adopted American name: Micah (how appropriate, LOVE it!), is sitting beside his Mommy and Daddy and his new brother Matthew (also adopted this trip and "sprung free" today!!) and he is coming home.
This verse comes to mind in reference to the Malones:
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
God Speed to you, Malone family, as you travel home with your two new blessings!
Operation Gotcha Complete!Misha was sprung from the mental institution this morning!! Each time a family picks up their child from an orphanage there's a joy that comes with it, a huge thankfulness to that family for their sacrifices to get the child, and an even bigger round of applause for God, the creator and orchestrator of all of this. A child I've met, such as those at my children's orphanage is even a more exciting thing because I can picture the child, their exact circumstances and personality, and I can rejoice that their lives have changed.
But not many experience meeting a child and falling in love and then saying goodbye. Twice. In one week. The emotions that accompanied that week we spent in Korosten, Ukraine meeting Sasha and Misha was one of the most difficult that we've ever been through. So many decisions being made without time or counsel to go through them. Mike, Me, and God. In a 150 square foot hotel room with two twin beds, a tiny refrigerator and a couch. It wasn't easy. But by far it was the closest I have felt with God. Total dependence. Total trust. Total surrender.
I know we did what we were supposed to do... I know God's plan for our lives continues to be walked and that the children He intended to be ours came home to us a year ago. But the pain in knowing that Misha was transferred, the emotions that came when we knew the other family also would not be able to adopt him, and then the guarded hope that this third family would get him... It has been a roller coaster ride for so many people.
Today, Misha, now known by his adopted American name: Micah (how appropriate, LOVE it!), is sitting beside his Mommy and Daddy and his new brother Matthew (also adopted this trip and "sprung free" today!!) and he is coming home.
This verse comes to mind in reference to the Malones:
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
God Speed to you, Malone family, as you travel home with your two new blessings!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Fun day!
Airshow, playtime, baths, and a shuttle launch... the pic's are on Mike's camera so that might take a while :)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Do you have some resources??
Please leave me a comment or e-mail me at mkp1982@hotmail.com if you have an adoption blog (please describe your adoption- domestic/int'l- sn/typical), Down syndrome resources that you think would be helpful to families researching Ds, whether families or friends... or strangers that are curious :)
I'm in the process of putting some tab resources on my blog but would like to have them 'ready to go' when I publish them.
Thanks!
I'm in the process of putting some tab resources on my blog but would like to have them 'ready to go' when I publish them.
Thanks!
Only if you emptied your plate
Kristopher wanted a snack tonight and he'd already heard (before dinner) he couldn't have it until he finished his dinner.
I went to lay down on the couch after I finished cleaning up the other 3 kids and he was still eating. He came and said "I ate some of the chicken like Dad said, can I have my snack?" I told him he had to eat ALL of the rice and he said "I did." "Ok, bring me your empty bowl so I can see." A minute later he says "hold on" then he comes in and sure enough his bowl has only a few grains of rice in it and nothing else. I thought to myself wow, he ate the chicken anyway and opened his snack for him.
Then I went to clean the table and found a mound of chicken at his place at the table. I guess next time I need to be more clear on what I mean by an empty bowl...
I went to lay down on the couch after I finished cleaning up the other 3 kids and he was still eating. He came and said "I ate some of the chicken like Dad said, can I have my snack?" I told him he had to eat ALL of the rice and he said "I did." "Ok, bring me your empty bowl so I can see." A minute later he says "hold on" then he comes in and sure enough his bowl has only a few grains of rice in it and nothing else. I thought to myself wow, he ate the chicken anyway and opened his snack for him.
Then I went to clean the table and found a mound of chicken at his place at the table. I guess next time I need to be more clear on what I mean by an empty bowl...
Strangers Unaware
Just a few minutes ago we were outside and it was just starting to sprinkle. I picked up Emma and walked down to get the mail from the mail carrier as he approached the house and then we were headed back inside. When I got my mail, the mailman said to me "Oh, the Cornishes. Didn't you adopt those two kids?" I was a bit surprised, but we do live in a somewhat small town... "Yes, this is Emma, they've been home with us for a year now." His response surprised me though... "That's just great. My wife was following your blog and I used to deliver for you over on Kansas street (our previous house about 2 years ago). You guys are great. God Bless You." After a quick thank you from me he was on his way, back on his route delivering mail.
Sometimes in 'blog land' the world of Internet and world-wide connections with people who we really don't know it's very surprising to find that someone in our own city has followed along. When I visited the pre-k teacher that my little ones may have next year she said she knew of us from the newspaper article that was written. That was the response of the lady we bought Girl Scout cookies from in front of Wal-Mart as well. They see those three little faces with the features of Down syndrome and I guess in a smaller town it's not so hard to place us. But when someone has continued to follow along after the 'adventure' of the overseas adoption- or outside of the public view of 3 columns in the newspaper- it always surprises me.
I don't know if histhe mail carrier's wife still follows, but if you're out there, thank you! Your husband's words blessed us today!
Sometimes in 'blog land' the world of Internet and world-wide connections with people who we really don't know it's very surprising to find that someone in our own city has followed along. When I visited the pre-k teacher that my little ones may have next year she said she knew of us from the newspaper article that was written. That was the response of the lady we bought Girl Scout cookies from in front of Wal-Mart as well. They see those three little faces with the features of Down syndrome and I guess in a smaller town it's not so hard to place us. But when someone has continued to follow along after the 'adventure' of the overseas adoption- or outside of the public view of 3 columns in the newspaper- it always surprises me.
I don't know if histhe mail carrier's wife still follows, but if you're out there, thank you! Your husband's words blessed us today!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Imagining Tomorrow
It was a bright and sunny day and Mike and I walked as I held this little blonde baby girl on my hip. She had a bright and happy smile and wore her leg braces as she happily bounced when we walked over to the playground area. She went down the slide with peals of laughter. She went in the swing with just a little support behind her and loved swinging. I put her on my lap and brought her down the bigger slides to which we were rewarded with those bright blue eyes and a wide grin. Then we got her back in the car, said goodbye and I brought her back home to go down for an afternoon nap.
This was in the early months of the year 2000. The little blonde sweet girl has Cerebral Palsy and was 2 1/2 years old. I was newly 18 and had been dating my high school sweetheart for 2 years. He'd gone home when we parted ways. I went back to D's house to put her in her crib for a nap.
For several years after that year I spent watching little D we both talked about adopting a child "just like D." She was sweet. She was beautiful. She was perfect. And she was a vessel of God's grace to us as teenagers planning out our lives together.
Little D has two older siblings as well- they're twins that are 8 years older, almost to the day. Mike and I didn't realize it then, but they were wonderful examples, as well as their parents, of acceptance and trust and willingness. Their little sister was different. She didn't talk. She didn't walk. She didn't eat the same way they did. But their acceptance was unfaltering.
Now, as a mom to a 3 1/2 year old little girl with Down syndrome, I realize in the world of parents, families, teachers, friends, church members, and strangers alike... the qualities that this family showed us so early in our relationship were priceless additions to our lives. Not everyone is so accepting. Not everyone is so loving. Not everyone will sit back and not place blame. Not everyone believes that every child is a gift.
I hope one day to share this with D's family. She's going to be 12 years old soon and I only see her on occasion and usually when there's not a lot of time to interact. But this week as I thought about them and their family I realized what impact they had on Mike and I early on in our relationship.
Even now I often find myself saying "that's just like D!" when I see things that Emma is accomplishing or when Brianna was a little smaller and learning to sit up on her own or crawl. My girls, in many ways, resemble little D with her slim build, her light blonde hair and blue sparkling eyes. What a gift, one we didn't know we'd been given when we received it. The gift of knowledge and love that comes from knowing and loving a family that really accepts their child with disabilities as a true BLESSING from the Lord.
Random Friday Stuff
At lunch time I made grilled cheese sandwiches and K ate his... Brianna boycotted... and Emma choked on the 3rd bite and after getting her out of her highchair, turning her upside down, pounding on her back and then scooping the food out of the back of her throat I decided she wasn't eating the rest of it. Unfortunately she has no gag reflex and this isn't such an uncommon occurrence. In my attempt to find something else to satisfy a hungry 6 year old little girl I went to the pantry and found a solution. "Tomato soup cup in hand." Microwaved for 30 seconds to make it warm and put into a bottle with a slightly enlarged nipple. Yummy. Tomato soup for lunch. Good to know this works and she liked it!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The airshow is going on this weekend and our house is in the flight pattern! So instead of paying per person to go down to the field and bake in the sun for three days, we pull up a blanket outside usually :) This year we did decide to go for one day to the actual show. Kristopher really enjoys it and we're going to take him and Brianna and Micah. I don't think Emma will like the loud noises of it this year, so she's going to pass on it. I have a feeling Micah will sleep through a good portion of it just like he did today too.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today while the airshow was starting Kristopher kept covering his ears INSIDE the house... Brianna was copying him and covering her cheeks :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we did go outside, just K, B, and E since M was sleeping, I put down a blanket and gave everyone a cup and some goldfish crackers. Emma actually drank a bottle of juice/water mixed! This is great progress because in the summer time it's important for the kids to get more than just milk to drink and Emma and Brianna generally both just drink milk. Brianna will now drink just about anything out of a fast-food cup so I guess we just need to stock up on those ;)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While playing outside, toward the end of the show, Brianna ran up onto the sidewalk to the front door and fell on the concrete. She said she was fine, got up and kept going, but when she came back to me she had a nice bloody knee. If she would have left it alone I'd have told her to go play, but silly me pointed it out to her and then she wanted to touch it. I guess it didn't hurt... So a few minutes later we brought the blanket, goldfish crackers, sippy cups, bottle, and my sustaining bottle of Sprite, the house phone, the cell phone, and the baby monitor-- and Emma, Brianna, and Kristopher of course-- back into the house and cleaned up Brianna's knee and put a bandaid on it. I didn't have Neosporin nearby so I'll have to get some on there in a bit. She wanted to keep touching it tho so I went ahead and put a bandaid on anyway to keep her from getting blood all over!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I feel pretty good today, and I'm so glad to be able to say that! I'm a little over 13 weeks, so I'm hopeful things are going to be getting continuously better as far as that goes :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As far as my "household chart" goes for this week- my first week trying it- I think it's gone pretty well! I haven't accomplished everything I set forth to do on some days, but most days I've gotten a majority if not everything done. And the important part is that I haven't done it at the expense of time with the kids or sleep or something like that. I only got to one of the three bathrooms yesterday and the day before I didn't mop the goyer. Yesterday I also planned on putting away some of Mike's and my laundry which didn't make it all the way through the wash, so that didn't happen either. And I know for sure that today and tomorrow will likely not "make up" for what I missed earlier in the week, but still, I've gotten more done than I would have without it simply because I saw at the beginning of the day "this is what I'd like to get done today." Sometimes it did... sometimes it didn't... We'll see what happens over the next few weeks and I'll adjust it to show what I'm more likely to get done on different days that I didn't quite accomplish it all this week :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emma likes to sit by me and put her hand on my chest to feel my heartbeat. The past two nights before last night she fell asleep this way on the floor in her bedroom with me because she was awake and wild well past bedtime. She has a new skill and likes to practice it- to our disdain... she is pulling to a stand! Unfortunately, unless she is wearing her knee braces she will likely do damage if she continues to do this. So, we have to discourage it in her crib when she's not braced. The way her knees bend backward when weightbearing is not good! Anyway, Emma has just started putting her hand on my tummy- without prompting- instead of on my chest. I don't know what she's feeling for (generally we thought she was feeling my heartbeat) since there's definitely no movement felt on the outside right now... but it is very sweet nonetheless.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I tell Brianna there's a baby in there, she tells me "no" and walks away. LOL She did put her little babydoll on my stomach after I told her this once, though. I guess she was trying to make me feel better about my confusion maybe :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The airshow is going on this weekend and our house is in the flight pattern! So instead of paying per person to go down to the field and bake in the sun for three days, we pull up a blanket outside usually :) This year we did decide to go for one day to the actual show. Kristopher really enjoys it and we're going to take him and Brianna and Micah. I don't think Emma will like the loud noises of it this year, so she's going to pass on it. I have a feeling Micah will sleep through a good portion of it just like he did today too.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today while the airshow was starting Kristopher kept covering his ears INSIDE the house... Brianna was copying him and covering her cheeks :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When we did go outside, just K, B, and E since M was sleeping, I put down a blanket and gave everyone a cup and some goldfish crackers. Emma actually drank a bottle of juice/water mixed! This is great progress because in the summer time it's important for the kids to get more than just milk to drink and Emma and Brianna generally both just drink milk. Brianna will now drink just about anything out of a fast-food cup so I guess we just need to stock up on those ;)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While playing outside, toward the end of the show, Brianna ran up onto the sidewalk to the front door and fell on the concrete. She said she was fine, got up and kept going, but when she came back to me she had a nice bloody knee. If she would have left it alone I'd have told her to go play, but silly me pointed it out to her and then she wanted to touch it. I guess it didn't hurt... So a few minutes later we brought the blanket, goldfish crackers, sippy cups, bottle, and my sustaining bottle of Sprite, the house phone, the cell phone, and the baby monitor-- and Emma, Brianna, and Kristopher of course-- back into the house and cleaned up Brianna's knee and put a bandaid on it. I didn't have Neosporin nearby so I'll have to get some on there in a bit. She wanted to keep touching it tho so I went ahead and put a bandaid on anyway to keep her from getting blood all over!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I feel pretty good today, and I'm so glad to be able to say that! I'm a little over 13 weeks, so I'm hopeful things are going to be getting continuously better as far as that goes :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As far as my "household chart" goes for this week- my first week trying it- I think it's gone pretty well! I haven't accomplished everything I set forth to do on some days, but most days I've gotten a majority if not everything done. And the important part is that I haven't done it at the expense of time with the kids or sleep or something like that. I only got to one of the three bathrooms yesterday and the day before I didn't mop the goyer. Yesterday I also planned on putting away some of Mike's and my laundry which didn't make it all the way through the wash, so that didn't happen either. And I know for sure that today and tomorrow will likely not "make up" for what I missed earlier in the week, but still, I've gotten more done than I would have without it simply because I saw at the beginning of the day "this is what I'd like to get done today." Sometimes it did... sometimes it didn't... We'll see what happens over the next few weeks and I'll adjust it to show what I'm more likely to get done on different days that I didn't quite accomplish it all this week :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emma likes to sit by me and put her hand on my chest to feel my heartbeat. The past two nights before last night she fell asleep this way on the floor in her bedroom with me because she was awake and wild well past bedtime. She has a new skill and likes to practice it- to our disdain... she is pulling to a stand! Unfortunately, unless she is wearing her knee braces she will likely do damage if she continues to do this. So, we have to discourage it in her crib when she's not braced. The way her knees bend backward when weightbearing is not good! Anyway, Emma has just started putting her hand on my tummy- without prompting- instead of on my chest. I don't know what she's feeling for (generally we thought she was feeling my heartbeat) since there's definitely no movement felt on the outside right now... but it is very sweet nonetheless.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I tell Brianna there's a baby in there, she tells me "no" and walks away. LOL She did put her little babydoll on my stomach after I told her this once, though. I guess she was trying to make me feel better about my confusion maybe :)
I love Fridays in March
On Fridays there's no school, no therapy, and usually no other appointments unless it's a playdate or something else fun. The weather's been just a bit cool in the morning (for the way we are dressed anyway- shorts and t-shirts or tank tops) but by afternoon it's a beautifully sunny 85 degrees today and by evening it's cooling off a bit again. The playroom/porch has sliders on all 4 walls and we open most of these (depending on how much free-roam I feel like giving the kids since one wall of sliders opens up to the master bedroom and to the living room where the littler kids don't usually play). We open the windows in the family room and all the bedrooms and the dining room to get a breeze through the whole house. It's really beautiful out!
And we have really been enjoying this day to really rest, hang out, play with each other, and have fun together. The kids like having a full day of 'playtime' and it's really quite the lazy day for them after 4 days of school for K and B. Monday-Thursday are often busy with preschool in the mornings, then pick-ups around noon, Emma has a teacher at the house at 2 two days a week, and then she has therapy after that on Thursdays. Two days a week I've been tutoring and the kids have a 'playdate' with my student's younger sister (that happens to have Ds too :) she's almost 3!) while we work, and then one night a week M and E have ST here at the house. So every day is different but each day also has between one and three things happening after school. Oh, plus M and B still take naps and E sometimes does too, so that 'shortens' the day a bit.
So you can see why Fridays where we get up, get dressed... eventually... we might go for a walk, play outside, lazy around on the porch, watch cartoons for an hour or so, and generally just enjoy being home. Some Saturdays are like this, but this weekend is our neighborhood garage sales so we'll probably take a long morning walk to visit the neighbors or, if I get my act together, I may put out some of the things in my own garage that are waiting to be re-homed! We shall see... but for now I'm going to go get a few things done around the house with the help of a 3 yr old little girl that wants to 'play with clothes' with me while we sort out the winter stuff!
And we have really been enjoying this day to really rest, hang out, play with each other, and have fun together. The kids like having a full day of 'playtime' and it's really quite the lazy day for them after 4 days of school for K and B. Monday-Thursday are often busy with preschool in the mornings, then pick-ups around noon, Emma has a teacher at the house at 2 two days a week, and then she has therapy after that on Thursdays. Two days a week I've been tutoring and the kids have a 'playdate' with my student's younger sister (that happens to have Ds too :) she's almost 3!) while we work, and then one night a week M and E have ST here at the house. So every day is different but each day also has between one and three things happening after school. Oh, plus M and B still take naps and E sometimes does too, so that 'shortens' the day a bit.
So you can see why Fridays where we get up, get dressed... eventually... we might go for a walk, play outside, lazy around on the porch, watch cartoons for an hour or so, and generally just enjoy being home. Some Saturdays are like this, but this weekend is our neighborhood garage sales so we'll probably take a long morning walk to visit the neighbors or, if I get my act together, I may put out some of the things in my own garage that are waiting to be re-homed! We shall see... but for now I'm going to go get a few things done around the house with the help of a 3 yr old little girl that wants to 'play with clothes' with me while we sort out the winter stuff!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
How far do you go?
I was thinking the other night about ways in which people change, and, honestly, just laziness or truly taking the good 'ole Golden Rule. The Biblical principle which Jesus says is second only to Loving the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength-- Love your neighbor as yourself...
Think about these:
If there's one piece of cake left when you go to have some dessert and that sounds good to you, what do you do?
a) eat it without anyone noticing
b) eat it without shame and let everyone know, but maybe share a bite or two (maybe)
c) ask your spouse (or maybe child) if they wanted it and split it with those interested
d) offer it around before deciding to have it and give it to the person that would like it-- without mentioning that it was the last piece or that you intended to eat it
When the baby cries at 4am and you know he's not stopping without attention, what do you do?
a) roll over and pretend to be asleep
b) kick your spouse and ask them to get up with the baby
c) grumble and bang and turn on lights as you get up, annoyed that your spouse chose a or b
c) get up quietly so no one else wakes and take care of the baby
When you realize one of your kids' favorite movies is coming on at the same time as a show you like to watch what do you do?
a) try not to let them know their movie is going to be on
b) turn your own show on and let them know it's your house and your TV
c) send them to a different room to watch their movie on the 9" black and white TV
d) spend the evening sitting with your child with their movie on even if you didn't care to watch it
If there's a child that wants your attention while you're in the middle of something "important" (which COULD wait), what do you do?
a) tell the child to wait just a minute and never go back to find out what they wanted
b) have the child wait but at least invite them to sit with you, figuring that will make them forget anyway
c) let the child tell you what they want and give them half your attention and the random eye contact and 'uh huh' which appeases them
d) give them your total attention for a time and let them know after a time you need to finish your other work
If someone asks you a question that you know half the answer to, what do you do?
a) tell them you don't know and leave it at that
b) tell them what you do know but don't offer anything more
c) tell them what you know and suggest where they might find someone else to help
d) tell them what you know and offer to find the answer to the rest of it for them or with them
I think that these questions help to figure out where our hearts are. I really do... And maybe a reminder of what things about ourselves we might need some work on. I wish I could say I answered "correctly" to all of those. I know I fall far short.
Think about these:
If there's one piece of cake left when you go to have some dessert and that sounds good to you, what do you do?
a) eat it without anyone noticing
b) eat it without shame and let everyone know, but maybe share a bite or two (maybe)
c) ask your spouse (or maybe child) if they wanted it and split it with those interested
d) offer it around before deciding to have it and give it to the person that would like it-- without mentioning that it was the last piece or that you intended to eat it
When the baby cries at 4am and you know he's not stopping without attention, what do you do?
a) roll over and pretend to be asleep
b) kick your spouse and ask them to get up with the baby
c) grumble and bang and turn on lights as you get up, annoyed that your spouse chose a or b
c) get up quietly so no one else wakes and take care of the baby
When you realize one of your kids' favorite movies is coming on at the same time as a show you like to watch what do you do?
a) try not to let them know their movie is going to be on
b) turn your own show on and let them know it's your house and your TV
c) send them to a different room to watch their movie on the 9" black and white TV
d) spend the evening sitting with your child with their movie on even if you didn't care to watch it
If there's a child that wants your attention while you're in the middle of something "important" (which COULD wait), what do you do?
a) tell the child to wait just a minute and never go back to find out what they wanted
b) have the child wait but at least invite them to sit with you, figuring that will make them forget anyway
c) let the child tell you what they want and give them half your attention and the random eye contact and 'uh huh' which appeases them
d) give them your total attention for a time and let them know after a time you need to finish your other work
If someone asks you a question that you know half the answer to, what do you do?
a) tell them you don't know and leave it at that
b) tell them what you do know but don't offer anything more
c) tell them what you know and suggest where they might find someone else to help
d) tell them what you know and offer to find the answer to the rest of it for them or with them
I think that these questions help to figure out where our hearts are. I really do... And maybe a reminder of what things about ourselves we might need some work on. I wish I could say I answered "correctly" to all of those. I know I fall far short.
Morning conversations
I guess I hadn't thought about this in years, but a conversation I had with Mike this morning reminded me of that feeling of being pregnant for the first time...
When we were getting ready this morning I'd gotten everyone up and dressed and they were eating when I went back to the master bathroom to brush my teeth and hair. Mike was also finishing getting ready and I told him that last night while laying on my back on the girls' room floor I felt the baby move for the first time. It wasn't a subtle fluttering, but a firm pressure so the baby must have been rolling pretty hard against the walls of the small space that he/she has to maneuver in.
We'd noticed at the ultrasound that this little one was VERY active already but I hadn't felt anything and really didn't expect to for some time. Last night there was no mistaking that sensation, though, and there's really no way to describe it. In fact, Mike said to me "that's got to be weird, knowing there's another human moving around inside of you." Hmm, yeah, I guess so... And as I tried to explain, I remembered when I was pregnant with Kristopher and I wasn't sure what the baby moving would feel like. You can read about it, people can tell you about it, you can feel it on the outside of another person's belly, but still- there's nothing that can quite explain how it will feel to have movement inside of your body within an organ that has never before 'felt' anything move. There's never been anything in there TO move...
With Kristopher I'd have to look up when I first was sure I felt him moving- With Brianna I'm pretty sure it was about 14 weeks- and this was much earlier than with K because I remembered how it felt. Right now I'm 13 weeks and there's no question in my mind that what I feel is our little one making his/her presence known :)
It's really a neat step forward in the awareness of a real growing baby inside...
When we were getting ready this morning I'd gotten everyone up and dressed and they were eating when I went back to the master bathroom to brush my teeth and hair. Mike was also finishing getting ready and I told him that last night while laying on my back on the girls' room floor I felt the baby move for the first time. It wasn't a subtle fluttering, but a firm pressure so the baby must have been rolling pretty hard against the walls of the small space that he/she has to maneuver in.
We'd noticed at the ultrasound that this little one was VERY active already but I hadn't felt anything and really didn't expect to for some time. Last night there was no mistaking that sensation, though, and there's really no way to describe it. In fact, Mike said to me "that's got to be weird, knowing there's another human moving around inside of you." Hmm, yeah, I guess so... And as I tried to explain, I remembered when I was pregnant with Kristopher and I wasn't sure what the baby moving would feel like. You can read about it, people can tell you about it, you can feel it on the outside of another person's belly, but still- there's nothing that can quite explain how it will feel to have movement inside of your body within an organ that has never before 'felt' anything move. There's never been anything in there TO move...
With Kristopher I'd have to look up when I first was sure I felt him moving- With Brianna I'm pretty sure it was about 14 weeks- and this was much earlier than with K because I remembered how it felt. Right now I'm 13 weeks and there's no question in my mind that what I feel is our little one making his/her presence known :)
It's really a neat step forward in the awareness of a real growing baby inside...
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Serious Magazine! Check it out ;)
I wanted you to know about this publication I’m a part of called Serious.Life Magazine. They just published the March issue today, and I am in their Featured Blog Directory. It’s a very high quality magazine… you’ll really like it.
The magazine includes a lot of great content from bloggers you’ll appreciate, as well as great features, photos and other content. The magazine is owned and published by a family who have seven kids, three adopted and one who has Leukemia (www.riggsfamilyblog.com). The magazine gives away a bunch of ads to charities and ministries. Besides great articles on interesting people, there is a lot about family, adoption, personal finance, spiritual life, humor… all sorts of “life” topics.
Again, the subscription is FREE, and I know you’ll enjoy the magazine, so take a minute to check it out and sign up to get future issues. www.seriouslifemagazine.com
So... check out the magazine and let me know what you think!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)