A Lifetime of Love

I haven’t updated since Monday (as you can tell!) because life has been, well, life. I began school Tuesday. I don’t start my student teaching until next week so I only had classes in the afternoon. While sitting in my first class, I began to have some contractions. Then they were accompanied by cramps, and they were not stopping as the afternoon went on. By the time I got home at 5pm, they were coming closer together and becoming more uncomfortable. I was supposed to attend a lecture series Tuesday evening, but I did not feel well. I told TJ that I was staying home and calling the doctor. My contractions have never been regular with any of my labors, so of course when the doctor called back an hour later, I could only tell him I was having more than 6 per hour. He thought it was best for me to go to the hospital, so I *tried* to get TJ to move a little faster at putting the boys to bed (it was after 8pm at this point). T.G. was in bed, although not sleeping, but at least she wasn’t cr...

Again I’ve fallen behind on my postings. So sorry about that, but life with 3 small kids (and 1 on the way!) keeps me busy and on the move. A lot has happened since Th began school last Wednesday morning. TJ came home with a cat Wednesday night, and that alone has been an adjustment. He (the cat) is 2 years old and really sweet. His name is Rainbow, and his prior owner (a 6 year old girl) must have really wanted a female cat because all of Rainbow’s accessories (cat bed, toys, etc) are pink and flowered. Rainbow is orange with cinnamon swirls on his sides- a really unusual pattern. He came neutered and declawed, and with all his gear, which is why TJ decided to bring him home. We’ve wanted a cat since last spring, but didn’t want to have to pay to have one spayed/neutered or declawed. So, when this opportunity presented itself, TJ couldn’t pass it up. The little girl was allergic to him and despite trying to ignore the symptoms, they were getting to be too much for her to handle. She l...

Opening his book last night All ready to go! Th started Kindergarten today! He didn’t get to bed last night until 9:30pm, but I wasn’t too concerned because he fell asleep yesterday afternoon for about 1 ½ hours after we got home from swimming. I gave him his book, and he loved it! He couldn’t wait to read it. This morning he woke up eager and ready to go. He quickly dressed and ran downstairs for breakfast. After breakfast, he brushed his teeth and combed his hair, and was happy he had some time to watch “Curious George” before we had to leave. I did okay with my tears while we were in our neighborhood, but as soon as I hit the main road, I got teary-eyed. I tried not to let my emotions show, but apparently I didn’t do such a good job. Th asked me why I was crying, and I just told him the air was blowing in my eyes and making them water. He was full of questions on the way to school, and was getting more nervous the closer we got. He didn’t want me to walk him inside, but I insisted j...

I haven’t updated in a few days but we’ve been busy. Saturday morning I got up early and T.G. and I left the house to run some errands before a friend of mine from church came over with her kids. I had asked her a while ago to paint a border on my chalk board (like back in January when TJ got the stuff to make it) but because the board wasn’t made, she obviously couldn’t do it. In the meantime we had asked my MIL to paint it, but she rarely comes out here and when she does visit, it would be difficult for her to paint because of the kids (just so you know, I don't mean that in a negative way. I'm simply saying we usually go to my inlaws instead of them coming here.) As it so happened, my friend’s husband is going through some financial struggles (he is an accountant for a real estate company- with the bad housing market, his hours have been cut in half) so I mentioned it to her again, offering to pay her a small fee. She offered to do it for free, but I couldn’t allow her to sp...

As I lay in bed last night thinking about and replaying the day in my mind, I realized I have been taking my children for granted. Instead of wishing away these days of fighting, arguing, and them coming to me for their every need, I need to be thankful for them. The fighting and arguing means my children are able to communicate their wants and needs to others, unlike some children. By them coming to me for EVERYTHING, they are unknowingly telling me they trust me and know I will meet their needs, unlike some parents. The Lord really worked on my heart last night before I was able to fall asleep, and I am so thankful that He was able to use His Word to rebuke me and teach me. Today is going to be a better day! *Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. ~Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)*

I am having a rough week. As my pregnancy progresses, the first day of school for both Th and myself looms closer, and the reality of my situation becomes clearer, I am becoming more overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. The problem is, I have a limited supply of energy and it's difficult for me to spread it out. I either exhaust myself with the kids and am too tired to do what I need to do, or I exhaust myself completing my tasks that I am too tired to deal with the kids. Today has been the worst in a long time. I lost my patience so many times because it seemed like every time I got the kids occupied with something and proceeded to start my work, they would start to fight or argue or someone would get hurt or someone would destroy the other's track or take his/her toy or look at the others the wrong way or any other possible thing you could think of to cause me to stop what I was doing to go handle the situation. I spent more time walking between my bedroom and the play...

I received my assignment for my Field Experience. I will be in a Special Ed classroom at a brand new high school in the next town, about 20 minutes from my house. My first day of class begins Aug. 26, and I have to report to the high school on Sep. 2. I will go there every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30am-11:30am. I then have to rush back to the college for class at 12:30pm. I guess I'll be packing my lunch on those days! I am excited about starting this new semester, but at the same time, I am extremely nervous. I am taking 6 classes total this semester, and with the arrival of Taco, it's a bit overwhelming. I have been asked often (too often!) why I am even taking classes this semester, and the answer is simple- the classes I am taking are only offered during the Fall semester. If I don't take them now, I have to wait an entire year. I am at the point in my degree where I have to take these classes now, called the Field Experience semester, and then finish up with my full...

I hosted a baby shower for a friend of mine on Saturday, so Friday was spent preparing for it. During the shower, TJ took the boys to Carowinds and T.G. stayed home with me. It turned out really nice, and was actually very relaxing even though I was on my feet most of the day. After the shower, I questioned TJ about his school load this week (this is his final week for the summer term) because I need him to help me move furniture, get boxes of clothes, etc. He looked at me funny, and I gently reminded him that we are having another baby in less than 2 months, although odds are in 1 month. He sort of went into panic mode and, while I went grocery shopping with Th and T.G., he rearranged the bedroom furniture, set up the crib, rummaged through through the attic and brought all the boxes down that I needed, and vacuumed the bedroom after moving everything. I was shocked that he managed to accomplish so much in an hour and a half! So, I spent today washing clothes for Ta and packing up his...

This week’s Bible study topic is on worry and prayer. The Lord has answered (as He always does) a major prayer request in my own life that I would like to share. It may seem simple or not a big deal to some, but for me, it has been one of many huge boulders weighing heavily on my mind since the end of last semester. I shared awhile back about all the scholarships I received this year for school. I am attending this last year of college free of charge- meaning my tuition, books, and childcare (both preschool tuition and babysitter charges) are covered for both semesters all by scholarship money. That alone was a huge blessing, and definitely unexpected, but much appreciated. Beginning last April when I registered for my classes, I began searching for childcare for 2 afternoons per week during this upcoming semester. I used a sitter during the spring semester and wanted her to continue this fall. However, she had not made her school schedule and did not know her availability. I waited. A...

is my 2 front teeth! Th lost his tooth! A friend of ours from church offered to pull it for him (that kind of stuff gives me the heebie-jeebies) and surprisingly, Th agreed. She got a paper towel, had him look out the window, and in a matter of seconds it was out. Th never flinched! He was so excited, as were TJ, Ta, and I! He got a drink of water and ran into the bathroom to look in the mirror. He was so proud, and smiled big at everyone he passed in the hallway. He couldn't wait to get home from church tonight to put it under his pillow for the tooth fairy. He also spent most of the church service feeling the gap between his teeth with his tongue. He looks so cute with his toothless grin! *I am thankful for friends with stronger stomachs than mine-- and the opportunity to witness my firstborn's first lost tooth.* Below is a picture (please ignore the mustard on his face- he had just finished eating a soft pretzel)

We’re home after a long week touring Ohio and visiting family. Our trip was nice, although it started out hectic because we were in and out of the car so often. Last Saturday we went over to my dad’s twin brother’s house (my uncle) to visit with his family. My cousins came over and all the kids played together. Sunday we went to the Akron zoo. It has been 10 years since TJ and I were there last, and it’s changed a lot. It’s a small zoo, but they have animals that the zoo by our house doesn’t have, so the kids enjoyed it. It has been remodeled and it’s really nice. We left the zoo and the kids napped when we got back to my mom’s. When they woke, we went to eat at my favorite Akron restaurant- Swenson’s. It’s a local drive-in franchise that has been around for over 70 years. In the past, males were car hops and females worked in the kitchen. Because of EEO laws, I think that’s changed, but the food still tastes great and we eat there every time we are in Akron. Monday we woke, packed up ...

We’re home! I’ll have another post at a later time detailing the remainder of our trip. For now, I am excited to share some news- Th has his first loose tooth! It began bothering him while we were away, and then on the drive home, he discovered it was wiggly. He is so excited, and he just had to call someone on the phone to share his news. However, he now refuses to eat anything that’s not soft or easily swallowed. He starts school in 2 weeks. I took him school shopping yesterday afternoon between church services so I could take advantage of the tax-free weekend. I picked up actual school supplies a couple of weeks ago, so yesterday was for clothes and shoes. It was just the two of us, and we had a nice time. He is getting more vocal on his likes and dislikes regarding the clothing he wears, so I think he liked having an opinion on the clothing we bought. On our way home, we stopped and got a milkshake to make our afternoon more special. I can’t believe how quickly he is growing up- wa...