The Watering Times

Since I have been a wonderful coffee drinker, good diet soda drinker, and a horrible water drinker, I decided to change it all up. I am highly increasing my water consumption to 8 cups a day for starting out. I was going for 3 liters, but I still want a couple of cups of coffee. This water intake has cut out my daily pot of coffee that I can easily drink. Obviously, it helps with my bloodsugar levels, because I don't have to give myself insulin to cover water! Honestly though, I don't really enjoy it. Yes, it helps to add lemon, but I'm not going through that hassle every time I drink water. Which is a lot. This has got to be easier for me to do, as a stay at home Mom, than it would be for many others. My husbands biggest excuse not to drink water is having to take bathroom breaks. Anywho, I will keep at it, this is only day 3. In fact Day 2 I only got 5 cups in because we went to see "Disney on Ice : Rockin Ever After" and I was trying to avoid multiple trips to the toilet(didn't work)! Yes, my life is somewhat lame, just the way I like it! So, the goal is to become a wonderful water drinker, good coffee drinker, and a horrible diet soda drinker. This shouldn't be too difficult to stick with for the rest of my HEALTH! I got this!

26 years and starting over

I have started pretending like I have diabetes and carb counting and eating better, which is dorky because I really do have diabetes. I just celebrated my 26th year this past February. And yes, I skipped a cake and ice cream celebration. Instead, I celebrated by making an appointment with my first ever Endocrinologist. I have only ever gone to Specialists during my 5 pregnancies, because I cared so much about the precious cargo inside my tummy. Now, I am focusing on myself because I am precious, too. I am precious to them, to few, to many, who knew?! My First Ever Endocrinologist Appointment went a little something like this..... Nurse: Do you have your meter? Me: >>>>>>Hands over meter Nurse: (decently hiding disgust)Wow that's an old one! Me: It's my favorite one I have ever used. Nurse: Do you have your pump? Me:(still in lobby)Yes, but I have to disconnect. (Pointing at lower hip area) Then I get called back for an hour, YES A FULL HOUR of Pure HELL!!!! When I went back with the nurse it wasn't bad, weight and height check. The nurse had to pull out a smaller blood pressure cuff, which made me curious. Then came in the Endo and started the hour mentioned above. If you have diabetes then you probably know about the Drill Sergeant feeling you get from your Doctor. It isn't enjoyable but so necessary for me to stay in good control. This time though, is different. This time I am listening to someone who really knows what she is talking about. I have had much better blood sugars, so it was totally worth the drill and kill hour spent with her and many more to come. I have monthly appointments that will hopefully get less frequent with tighter control, since she is an hour away on a 2 lane highway, with a dangerous rock wall on one side. I don't like it! She actually looked at my feet which no Doc has ever done and I was, I am sad to say, unprepared for! Doc: Can I see your feet? Me: (decently hiding horrificness of showing unprepped winter feet) uh ok Doc: (decently hiding disgust, but horrible liar) Your feet look alright Me: Yeah, for a Sasquatch!......Ok, I maybe just thought it at the time. I personally think these appointments should include a full body massage due to the blood sugar lowering benefits. Be massaging me as you are drilling carb counting into my head and that I have to count carbs every single time I eat something. Carb counting should be second nature to me?! Well so should the endomassage! Those appointments would be so much more enjoyable. She is testing me for thyroid problems(again), celiac disease which surprised me even though I know I am sensitive to gluten. My A1c was 8.5 which I chose not to fret on since I am doing better. I have to get the labwork done 1 week before my next appt. I am getting a new meter with a backlight, that links to the internet to download my bloodsugars because, like my pump company that I got it from told me, "We don't even support that meter anymore!" However, my little meter did still give an accurate reading so IN YO FACE BD haters!! I kid, I kid. But really, I hope I don't feel the need to say I'm joking everytime I joke. I think I pretty much summed up the appt. aka a necessary evil. Hahaha. I am expected to go back having checked the accuracy of my morning, noon, and nighttime basals which includes fasting. I love Dinnertime!

Book Review : EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS

With signs of Christmas still lingering(at least for me), I decided to review, Everything Christmas by David Bordon and Thomas J. Winters and I am so glad I did! I Love all things Christmas and I love this book, which is all things Christmas! Chapter 1 is titled, December 1, and so on with each chapter, to use as an Advent Calendar, counting down the days til Christmas. It starts with the History of Christmas. Then on to the story, Christmas Every Day, which gave me a chuckle. The Index lists the different topics in the book, such as: ~Christmas Crafts and Decorations...ornaments, tree tips ~Christmas Dinners...in different countries ~Christmas Gifts...Ideas, top ten lists ~Christmas Memories, Letters, and Reflections...King George V, Charles Dickens ~Christmas Poems ~Christmas Quotations ~Christmas Recipes....some yummy ones ~Christmas Scriptures ~Christmas Songs...and the History behind them ~Christmas Stories ~Christmas Traditions ~Christmas Trivia and Humor All in all, I would recommend this book. It will make a great gift year round. Read Chapter One "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."

I wanted to share our shadow picture from a couple of months ago. It is in our backyard, only our Daddy is missing. He is always at work.

You know, it seems like time really hit the gas pedal once I had children. Everything goes by so fast! Of course, juggling 5 kids, a husband, dog, homeschooling, housework, diabetes, does keep me busy! I could sure do without the diabetes! It's been 25 years with this crap!! Only other type 1's can truly understand how hard it is..... Here is a picture of my loves from Valentines Day 2012. I love this picture! Lainey will smile for pictures now, usually, just not here!

And now I have to post a picture of my precious niece, who I still haven't met. I mentioned my Twinster having a baby when I first started this blog, so here she is....

That is all I have for now. Maybe I'll change this blog to My boring blog! Or maybe I'll actually post once in a while.

A Few of My Favorite Things!

And it just keeps getting better!

Our 5th Baby, Our Sweet Lainey.....

This is our precious Lainey Noel on December 18, 2010 at 4 days old, the day she came home. She was born on her big sister's 4th birthday, 3 weeks early because she just had to have the same birthday as her sis. ;o) Actually, it was a tough pregnancy for me. I went in at 37 weeks huge and miserable and had almost a pint of amniotic fluid taken out of my belly because I had so much and it caused my water to brake and sent me into active labor immediately. Right away Lainey's heartrate started dropping, no matter what position I was in, my baby girl wasn't doing good. I think it was around 9pm on Dec. 13 that they started the amniocentesis. I was taken in for an emergency c-section and Miss Lainey was born around 12:15 am on December 14, 2010. First time I haven't heard my baby cry within seconds of being born. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck which happened when the fluid was taken out, to much to fast. My baby was purple when she born. I didn't get to see her right away. I was exhausted, laying there drifting in and out of sleep. My hubby got to hold our baby and let me see her for a minute, then she was off to the NICU for 2 days because of low blood sugar, followed by Pediatrics for 2 days because of jaundice. I was released Friday night, Lainey was released Saturday morning. They wanted to keep me until Saturday because of my blood sugar issues, but he decided to let me go Friday night when he came to check on me and my Mom and my Children were all visiting me. I felt guilty and sad leaving without my baby and not rooming in with her, but my Mom and Hubby were already being stretched so thin that I didn't want to exhaust them anymore than they already were. Plus, I missed my kids and was so extremely emotional.
Saturday morning I called the hospital to check on Lainey and was told she might be released later that morning. We started getting ready to go up, Hubby ran an errand, I jumped in the shower and they called back as soon as I was in saying she had been release and we could come and get her. Just hubby and I went and we couldn't get there fast enough! Unfortunately, we had alot of snow and it seemed like it took forever to get there. When we finally got to our baby, we were given a little guilt trip by the nurses about how our baby wanted to be held and the nurses had to pass her around. They had her all pretty in pink. We waited around about 2 hours for the paperwork we needed to sign. I changed her hospital clothes for the second choice outfit I brought her. The first choice outfit said Baby's First Christmas on it, but it was too small. Lainey was born weighing 8 lbs at 37 weeks.It's weird when you first bring home your new baby. You have to figure out your new normal because everything is different. We have found it and we love it!

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado should be a must read for everyone. I loved his writing style, very easy to read and understand. This book is full of examples of how to be a better person, helping others, following Jesus, not just existing, but doing. Outlive Your Life was a very inspiring read for me. I read it in two sittings and will likely read it again. This book gives a strong message not to judge others, as Jesus does not! Everyone has a story and everyone is worthy in Jesus's eyes. Just one person can make a difference if they desire to.
Max also suggests we pray often, as it says in the Bible. The power of prayer is just that, powerful! Pray for others, think of others, help others, love others just as Jesus does. Always have a loving heart, no matter what. Every chapter ends with a prayer and has relevent scripture to the chapter's message. There is also a study guide to discuss and really think about the chapters content. The bottom line is, if we follow Jesus and do as HE would do, we will make a difference even after we are gone.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Surprise, Surprise!

We are expecting number 5!!!!! It is a shock to us, we thought our family was complete. Hubba said he figured we'd have another one. I have always wanted a big family, but due to my high risk diabetic pregnancies, and the fact that I've never had the best control, we knew it would be better for me not to have any more. I almost think miracle baby because I am that shocked. I was not even slightly worried about being pregnant. Out of the blue, my Mom's best friend calls and wants to know if I'm going to have another baby. "No," I say. Well, she just wants me to have 5 kids, because she is one of 5. Just 2 days later my Mom's sister comes over and asks me if I'm pregnant? I tell her no, and how odd that A.S. asked me that 2 days ago. Well af was due the next day and didn't show. I figured that my Aunts just messed with my head, but 3 days later I got a 3 pack of pregnancy tests, figuring I was just late and would probably start as soon as I got the tests. Boy oh boy was I wrong! The pregnancy line came up instantly, before the control line. I was sooo shocked. I still am. I don't feel pregnant, though that will come soon enough. I am tired already. I have already decided to do school for part of the summer, so we can have the month of December off. Luckily, the kids won't mind at all. They like being busy. This will give us more time to focus on Lexi's birthday/decorating/Christmasshopping/celebrating/newbabyarrival/lovingonnewbaby! How overwhelming it will all be. December has always been a busy month, and we just went and added to it, again! I wish the birthdays were in the Spring and Summer, that would be so much easier. I better start seriously picking gifts up now, to lessen the load for my highly pregnant self come December. I am already getting excited for Christmas! Merry Christmas everyone! ;o)

Free books!!

I found a couple of sites that will give you books to read, if you are willing to write a review and post it on your blog. The thing is you have to qualify. I applied to one, but I haven't been blogging much and I have no followers or comments, since I haven't really told anyone about my blog. I am guessing those two factors will cause me not to qualify, but hopefully! I applied at Tyndale blog network. I am also thinking about Booksneeze and Waterbrook Multnomah. To be continued....

November is here!!

That's right, November is upon us! We have already completed 2 successful months of homeschooling, 2 birthdays, and a fieldtrip to a bird refugee. Child #1 had her birthday the end of September, turning 9. We had a barbeque with lots of family showing up, all the Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. It was loud, hectic, and FUN! Like every year, C said it was, "the best birthday ever!" So glad that we could oblige! ;o) J just had her 7th birthday this past Friday. Unfortunately, she wasn't feeling well, had been fighting a fever the day before, and just didn't feel well. D & A were also sick with puking and fevers, though the puking wasn't bad. A had the croup, sounding horrible. She sounds better now, but is still coughing, as is D. Now CJ and I are getting sick. So is Grammy who never gets sick! We all have scratchy throats and I have a cough.

CJ was layed off in October. He has been home since right before C's birthday. We have loved having him home. We are hoping he can find a job around here with benefits!! He was called back to work on Halloween, but left the next day for a week. So far, he has been home at nights, but is heading to Montana for a couple of days on Wednesday.

This weekend the first Holiday bazaar of the year is here! How exciting! I love this time of year even with all the stress it brings me! Maybe because it reminds me of my childhood and the wonderful feelings and memories of Christmas! I strive for my children to have those same feelings and great memories!

More importantly, this weekend I will have a new niece! My twin sis will be induced on Friday, Nov. 6th unless Miss Avery decides to come sooner, which we are thinking she will!

I almost forgot....

to say it's Donnie Wahlberg's 40th birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNIE! I have been a major fan for the majority of my life. I am, of course, one of his twitter soldiers, lol! He is always such a positive, inspiring person beside being soooo HOT. And WOW does that man know how to move his body and work a crowd! I have watched a few Donnie videos today in his honor. I love Donnie Wahlberg! Man I sound teeney bopperish, but I am what I am.......

Second time

My hubba hubba went out on the road again after being home for 2 weeks! It was a mostly fun filled two weeks. We barbequed alot and went to 2 more. This past Saturday we went to our county fair and boy did our kids have fun. I cannot believe how expensive it is to take the family to the fair for a day of fun! The rides alone were $80.00! Food and drinks was another $70.00. What a croc!!
Tomorrow I have to take kid 2 for a check up. She needs a note from her Doc stating she is healthy and can be sedated for dental work which is next Wednesday the 26th.
School starts Sept. 2nd. I am homeschooling for our 1st time. The only teacher supply store semi-local(45 miles away)has closed due to bankruptcy. We went there last week just to find this out. We had never been there before, but it sure did look like a fun store. It had only been closed a week and still had everything in it. We were super bummed! We ended up going to Office Depot and spending too much on some of their overpriced school things.
We finally got our printer set up(just need ink and paper) then I can use many of the online resources for homeschooling. There are so many sites....the girls school uses Starfall.com, which we love. I will be subscribing to Edhelper.com this year as well. Also Harcourt.com has good things for learning.
I still need to set up the classroom. I think it will be in the kids playroom. I have all kinds of learning posters and things to hang on the walls. I want to get an alphabet trim for the top of the room. I'll check out Dollar Tree or find one online to print out and have the kids color. Kids 3 & 4 are going to be given more structure for the first time as well. I am going to do preschool homeschooling with them. I need to get our schedule and lesson plans worked out soon. =)

Newbie

Well this is different. My first time blogging. I have a private online journal that I post in, but it's PRIVATE! This is not. But, I am boring so I won't be followed by many. I must say, I am glad to be boring! All the big bloggers with lots of followers seem to have some sort of hardship in their lives, I have noticed. In fact, I am guilty of following a few of those people.

My Nightowlism has kicked in. It is 11:50pm. My hubba is at work and I am joining the blogging world. I should be cleaning my kitchen up. The Children and I are making Grammy a birthday cake tomorrow. Now I will have cleaning to do first. Grammy will be 54! We want to make sure she has a great day. I think everbody's birthday should be treated as a special day. All employees should get their birthday PAID off! Seriously!