Catching up!

Alright... I know I've been slacking. Things have been a little hectic and somewhat distressing. I tend to "clam up" in such times, hoping that things will get better faster that way! So far it hasn't worked, but I'm stubbornly determined! :)

So, a few weeks ago we had to put Magnum down. He had gotten really sick, and there wasn't much that could be done besides exploratory surgery. We put him on a special diet and hoped for the best. He seemed to be doing a little better, but then he was bitten by a rattlesnake. In his state there was no way he would have made it, and no way I wanted to put him through anything more. So, we put him down. I still cry every day. I know... he was a dog, but that dog got me through a lot of really rough times. I spent lonely nights cuddled up on the couch with him while William was deployed (both times). He sat patiently, and whimpered his concern while I cried my way through the difficulties of infertility. He was part of the family, and I am truly grieving the loss.

On another note, I have really been struggling with my body's inability to function properly. Many of you know that I have thyroid issues couples with PCOS. This dynamic duo is incredibly frustrating. To give you an example, let's go back to 2005. I was diagnosed with PCOS and hypothyroidism in late January. They first wanted to address my thyroid issues and put me on synthroid. It was HORRIBLE! My symptoms got MUCH worse. I was so tired I would sleep for 14-16 hours, and even when I was awake I couldn't focus. I gained over 50 lbs in less than 8 weeks! When I went back, the docs said it wasn't my medicine!!! Really? I'm just being THAT lazy? I didn't know that was physically possible!!! Anyway, my PCOS only contributed to the problem, by helping me sport a patchy mustache, brightly glaring pimples, and radical mood swings! I was gorgeous AND pleasant!!

Anyway, after I had Wyatt, my problems came back full force, and I haven't been able to get them under control. However, I am on a determined mission to take the control back! :) After a LOT of research, I am on a new regimen of natural alternatives to help me balance myself. I am also on a mission to get into better shape. I'm hoping the stuff I'm taking for my thyroid will help balance out my metabolism. So far, I've lost 10 pounds and just over an inch! I hate devulging things like this to other people, because I worry that they will constantly "judge" how I'm doing ("Looks like she missed a workout or two!"). However, by posting my results here, I will be somewhat more accountable. So, my loyal family and friends, if you have similar goals, post your results and let me know I'm not alone!!! :) Hopefully, next time I see each of you, I will be in my skinny jeans, and will be a balanced, normal individual!

Secret Admirer

So, most unexpectedly I have begun receiving anonomous gifts on a fairly regular basis. The first gift was left on the porch, and I was certain it was a mistake, that it wasn't really meant for me. With the second gift, however, there was no misunderstanding. It had been positioned so that I would find it when I got in the truck the next morning. On the off chance that this had been some scheme of my hubby's, I questioned William. He just stared at me with that look that means he truly has no idea what I'm talking about (by the way, that look simultaneously says "honey, have you gone off your meds again?"). So, that leaves me with two other possiblities. While I'm flattered by the thought that went into these gifts (what woman doesn't enjoy a random gift every now and then?), I find them slightly inappropriate. I'm just not sure how to react to this. I'm still not sure which of the two individuals might be guilty (and I'm sure neither will admit it), but I intend to speak with them both. It needs to be made clear that it is inappropriate to be leaving such gifts for me, at my own home! I just hope that feelings won't be hurt too badly. Obviously, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to keep the gifts, either, so I will have to return these:


















Gift #1





Gift #2

WASHABLE Fingerpaint!

I found a new recipe for fingerpaint, and I wanted to pay homage to the brilliant woman who decided to put soap into the paint! Simple, clean fun!

I scored a HUGE roll of butcher's paper at a yard sale for 50 cents, so we're set for hours of indoor fun this winter (I'm gathering an arsenol of activities to keep this crazy man busy!)!

As you can see, Wyatt managed to get the fingerpaint everywhere, including his white socks (really, though, is there any other way to create a fingerpaint masterpiece?). It rinsed right out without a problem!

New Bathtime Fun!

So, I believe I've mentioned that the bathtub is my
favorite babysitter, and lucky for me, Wyatt loves to spend time in there as well. While the watercolor paints are still fun, some of the excitement over his new bathtime activity had worn off. Never Fear, mom's creative ingeniousness to the rescue! A few drops of food coloring, and he didn't want to get out for hours! His new blue water was so exciting! When blue gets old, we have lots of other colors and combos to choose from! And no, it doesn't stain anything... it's too diluted. Just one more success on the ever-growing list of Mom's Sanity Saving Boredom Busters!

BUGS!!!

So, let me preface this post by admitting that we did live on base for 6 years, and thus became accustomed to the benefits of living "in town," including the reduced number of pests. However, I did grow up in the country, so it's not like I'm completely clueless about what to expect. And yet, I was completely unprepared for the plethora of creatures we would share our living space with when we moved out here. We had only been here a few days when I saw a six foot snake slithering across my driveway. It was just the first of many, most of which were thankfully bull snakes, and as large as they were/are, they really don't bother me much (the rattlesnake next to the porch was a different matter!). What I find the most difficult to deal with are the plagues of biblical proportions we have been experiencing!




First came the frogs. Our front yard had hundreds of them, literally. Wyatt and I thought it was fun at first to go and catch them in the afternoons. It quickly became unnerving, however, when we couldn't go anywhere without nearly squishing several frogs with each step we took! Then came the grasshoppers, which are still in abundance. I don't care for those creepy little insects anyway, but when they're large enough to actually take a chunk out of my leg, I have a serious problem. And don't bother arguing that they don't bite... yes they do. I know it.

See? Isn't that terrifyingly disgusting?!!! I HATE GRASSHOPPERS!

Now that we have moved on to flies, I've decided I've got to refocus my scripture reading so that I can prepare for the rest of the plagues from the story of Moses!

Cheap Entertainment

Wyatt has developed an enthrallment with flashlights, and we have been thrilled with his choice of entertainment as it only costs us the occassional battery. He recently developed a new game to occupy his time and include this new found toy, so I thought I would share!

WHAT??!!!

I know it's been awhile, so my blog isn't exactly updated. I promise to get to that ASAP. However, I received an email this morning that left me nearly speechless. Now that I have found the words to describe my appalled outrage, I'm going to share them! :)

So, for those of you who don't know, I am currently pursuing my doula certification. It has been fantastic so far, and I am learning so much! The information is empowering, and I am so excited to begin attending births! Anyway, this current pursuit has lead me to seek out resources and connections with other individuals and organizations with the same interests. In a discussion forum email from my Birth Arts International discussion group (BAI is the program I'm getting my certification from) there was an announcement about a new technology being introduced into labor rooms. The Labor Pro and the Birth Track are two machines (nearly identical) that allow for continuous internal monitoring. While I'm not a fan of continuous monitoring, what appalled me most was the method used.

The company describes the technology as providing a "non-invasive" method of continuous trans-vanginal monitoring. What they consider non-invasive, however, is hysterical! First four small probes are attached to the mother's pelvis (not so bad). Then probes are SCREWED INTO THE CERVIX AND THE BABY'S HEAD! This is for the ENTIRE labor up until delivery!!! I'm wondering what exactly qualifies as invasive?YIKES!!!

There are so many problems with this! Let's name a few... increased pain, increased risk of infection, increased impersonal approach to labor, decreased mobility for mother, and further undermining a woman's ability to give birth on her own!!! AAAHHHH!

Of course, women may "refuse" the use of this technology. Anyone who has ever given birth in a hospital knows how impressionable you become to the hospital's "suggestions." Women shouldn't have to fight off something so horribly unneccessary and INVASIVE!!!

Alright, I'll get off my soapbox.

Finally... A Bedroom!!!

So, William has been so insanely busy that he just recently got around to putting our bed together! For the past 6 weeks, we have been sleeping on the floor... well, on the mattress on the floor. William built our bed, so the pieces are too large for me to put together all by myself. So, while the announcement of our newly furnished bedroom may not make tomorrow's headlines, I am certainly excited!

Pop goes the... appendix!

So, last week William started complaining about his stomach. He blamed my cooking, and I loaded him up with Pepto after threatening to make him fend for himself from now on (which would most likely lead to starvation). The next day, he was sent home in the middle of the afternoon because he hurt too badly to do much work. By that evening, we decided to make a trip to the ER. After a short evaluation and a CT scan, they asked, "How would you like to take your appendix out tonight?" William was all for it... I was wondering if the good doctor might feel inclined to do it pro bono!

Anyway, it all went fine, and William is back home recuperating. Our Tricare insurance had just expired two weeks prior to this little adventure (of course!!!), so I'm preparing to deal with the hospital finance department! OH JOY!!!

"Water" Colors

I really needed to get some work

done in our house today, and Wyatt refused to entertain himself. So, I filled the tub, gave him some watercolor paints, and left him to his own creative devices. It worked like a charm!!!

Our New Home

Our new little home... it needs some work, but we're so excited about the potential! The picture doesn't show it, but the log siding still needs to be finished, and there's no established lawn next to the house. We just brought in new dirt and got some seed down this weekend, so hopefully we'll have an established lawn before summer is over!

Catching Up!

Alright... It's been a while. Our crazy life got a little too crazy, and my blogging suffered. I've seen the error of my ways, however, and have renewed my comittment to you, my faithful followers!

So... William completed his 6 years with the Air Force, and we are settling into our new home outside Yoder. We are loving being so close to my parents (they live just one road over)! Wyatt loves to visit Grandpa and Mima, and he's loving all the room outside!! William is loving the ranch work, and I have been incredibly busy with all the work to do around here.

We ordered 34 chicks that will be laying eggs for me this fall, and we plan to get a couple of piggies and maybe even a milk cow! We finally have our (HUGE) garden in, and I've got my work cut out for me once the veggies start coming on!

All in all, we're loving our personal reenactment of Little House on the Prairie! :) That's the short of it... if you need more details, it's probably been awhile, so pick up the phone and give us a call!!!