tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55517429037964138362024-03-13T21:16:43.990-04:00Yarns from the RiverThe adventure continues...mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-34972764967509633132013-10-13T14:25:00.001-04:002013-10-13T14:25:34.464-04:00Dragon's Tooth<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-qlFWTRaEb6TgB0mV7Zs4bcHweimPP0KR2R6akMd0GVVIoCdhGxaNCx_b7kbpf0etNa_1pY6g7traeHtCGphzVcdXTp1ieHlML0SMT4W5sjgB0grC8XpuK3JOBAqwEV_9FkZp1ZqO2M/s640/blogger-image-1450229587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-qlFWTRaEb6TgB0mV7Zs4bcHweimPP0KR2R6akMd0GVVIoCdhGxaNCx_b7kbpf0etNa_1pY6g7traeHtCGphzVcdXTp1ieHlML0SMT4W5sjgB0grC8XpuK3JOBAqwEV_9FkZp1ZqO2M/s640/blogger-image-1450229587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjmKcarYAcvTVPAfQTQx3_EXmuqxZZGWmpMo8QmgU_rDYQYJwZTL64RjQBX4LzBZmVYgKqKfUrOq1vFs_9WJ_Q6AM70qOW_m5NjEraEm9eghm_tN63vwJfxEFZrZeccR0UwxvLMxMI7A/s640/blogger-image-644896135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjmKcarYAcvTVPAfQTQx3_EXmuqxZZGWmpMo8QmgU_rDYQYJwZTL64RjQBX4LzBZmVYgKqKfUrOq1vFs_9WJ_Q6AM70qOW_m5NjEraEm9eghm_tN63vwJfxEFZrZeccR0UwxvLMxMI7A/s640/blogger-image-644896135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfNmGNazoS1iJiaAE-YGfV3-Vn0lHEHCXTbGXuHnGXjSlOadnPh9FSjVOlnYv2bIOAtasGzKlNfds4JED6Iqtc7RpenLVaDdA03lakNSPDhzNBlURzDIMMBe4SzJCwlC7smM-hX39vA0/s640/blogger-image-1199618220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfNmGNazoS1iJiaAE-YGfV3-Vn0lHEHCXTbGXuHnGXjSlOadnPh9FSjVOlnYv2bIOAtasGzKlNfds4JED6Iqtc7RpenLVaDdA03lakNSPDhzNBlURzDIMMBe4SzJCwlC7smM-hX39vA0/s640/blogger-image-1199618220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNJcQeDRkIngCUTX55tWO9vj-eOYjLtqgvEsgWwnjSvALbMom8K2IiyWOSvPqWp7tqipcDrOXRHtdVLzk8yi_A6lRuwhva42vbIVWSMLNLZkl8BAJMEkkkmfQsrmkkq2pmZPPTE-TSTI/s640/blogger-image--1057271228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNJcQeDRkIngCUTX55tWO9vj-eOYjLtqgvEsgWwnjSvALbMom8K2IiyWOSvPqWp7tqipcDrOXRHtdVLzk8yi_A6lRuwhva42vbIVWSMLNLZkl8BAJMEkkkmfQsrmkkq2pmZPPTE-TSTI/s640/blogger-image--1057271228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQyQAib87kkjkqyVqriKBiFwfJ0T91Sv66krv6USuNT6vEYtQ7VeCh93wS0PtDdjXBTIrkC-E10PyeIvSu5tF3E6X_4lTu53LKpghDcXqgZSbmali4BmK_5xivzF0Hg60Xix9rbJzaXM/s640/blogger-image--1288630124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQyQAib87kkjkqyVqriKBiFwfJ0T91Sv66krv6USuNT6vEYtQ7VeCh93wS0PtDdjXBTIrkC-E10PyeIvSu5tF3E6X_4lTu53LKpghDcXqgZSbmali4BmK_5xivzF0Hg60Xix9rbJzaXM/s640/blogger-image--1288630124.jpg"></a></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNJcQeDRkIngCUTX55tWO9vj-eOYjLtqgvEsgWwnjSvALbMom8K2IiyWOSvPqWp7tqipcDrOXRHtdVLzk8yi_A6lRuwhva42vbIVWSMLNLZkl8BAJMEkkkmfQsrmkkq2pmZPPTE-TSTI/s640/blogger-image--1057271228.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfNmGNazoS1iJiaAE-YGfV3-Vn0lHEHCXTbGXuHnGXjSlOadnPh9FSjVOlnYv2bIOAtasGzKlNfds4JED6Iqtc7RpenLVaDdA03lakNSPDhzNBlURzDIMMBe4SzJCwlC7smM-hX39vA0/s640/blogger-image-1199618220.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjmKcarYAcvTVPAfQTQx3_EXmuqxZZGWmpMo8QmgU_rDYQYJwZTL64RjQBX4LzBZmVYgKqKfUrOq1vFs_9WJ_Q6AM70qOW_m5NjEraEm9eghm_tN63vwJfxEFZrZeccR0UwxvLMxMI7A/s640/blogger-image-644896135.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-qlFWTRaEb6TgB0mV7Zs4bcHweimPP0KR2R6akMd0GVVIoCdhGxaNCx_b7kbpf0etNa_1pY6g7traeHtCGphzVcdXTp1ieHlML0SMT4W5sjgB0grC8XpuK3JOBAqwEV_9FkZp1ZqO2M/s640/blogger-image-1450229587.jpg"></div>mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-36786766306574002622013-05-22T12:01:00.001-04:002013-05-22T12:01:29.403-04:00Simplifying is Not SimpleSimplifying is not simple for me.
There are six humans living in approximately 300 square feet.
There are five small cabinets in in my kitchen, a reasonable pantry, and a small refrigerator/freezer.
The adults each have a cabinet for clothes.
There is a wardrobe for the kids, but their clothes are in under-bed storage bins, stacked. The wardrobe currently holds a few hanging clothes, but mostly craft supplies and toys.
We have too much stuff.
I've pared it down over and over, but I can't seem to make it fit. Thank the Lord, the weather has been kind to us and we can eat outside. Our dining table is covered with boxes of clothes and other things that are homeless. I have 2 bags that are ready and desperate to get to the Good Will, but haven't made it. We had a wonderful time making hats for the Kentucky Derby, but now they need to go... somewhere.
I keep telling myself we will figure it out, but we haven't. I guess I'll just keep shuffling stuff around!mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-34510594892250262142012-09-20T07:58:00.001-04:002012-09-20T07:58:57.606-04:00It Happens SlowlyWe took HokieBoy to his first Cub Scout Pack meeting here. <br />
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HokieHubby has officially completed his first week of work. <br />
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We've been to church 2 Wednesdays and 1 Sunday, and we've been asked to join the choir. <br />
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A new friend invited us to a pig roast this weekend. <br />
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Kentucky is becoming home. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxhZ7lq6qyJBi9N3mQDgCMk1rgclXnzPTGUciptUJoZidN-A7qfbLBw_1Zz7pRqUCx_j9WsB_txQHM0mP3MZgBhgh2FX7pTfecrJeLGQo7nhsKjd5fl0RZE2ozQZSSFxpzgwkaVZIyZI/s640/blogger-image--345390879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxhZ7lq6qyJBi9N3mQDgCMk1rgclXnzPTGUciptUJoZidN-A7qfbLBw_1Zz7pRqUCx_j9WsB_txQHM0mP3MZgBhgh2FX7pTfecrJeLGQo7nhsKjd5fl0RZE2ozQZSSFxpzgwkaVZIyZI/s640/blogger-image--345390879.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6CVKPUAFfNQjnzB8eFUmU_CRL92cky8hBTvWy3rbDghbzOekGTOYof84BGAzlRhI5KQR9tbcLBe_r16L-a710BusUkZciISAMbWlIAQYDsuOQaz_ZDWL4x6mwuzXA4qttsaPg8xEXoY/s640/blogger-image-665738570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6CVKPUAFfNQjnzB8eFUmU_CRL92cky8hBTvWy3rbDghbzOekGTOYof84BGAzlRhI5KQR9tbcLBe_r16L-a710BusUkZciISAMbWlIAQYDsuOQaz_ZDWL4x6mwuzXA4qttsaPg8xEXoY/s640/blogger-image-665738570.jpg" /></a></div>mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-11558975321791611702012-09-11T20:52:00.001-04:002012-09-12T08:45:45.809-04:00Challenges, or Why I Can't Relax Even in KentuckyWe had planned to go to church and then hit the road. Instead, we went to church, came home, and hurriedly threw stuff in the trucks. A couple of the neighbors came to say they were sad to see us go and offered to keep an eye on the place for us. We exchanged phone numbers, and I made sure that people knew the alarm would still be functioning and monitored. We didn't leave until almost 6. <br />
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The first leg of our journey put us back in Buena Vista, where we have family land and camped last weekend. It was after 11, and all the girls were sleeping when we arrived. We opened up the camper-house and we all snuggled in for the night. I wished it wasn't so late and that I didn't need to sleep, because I wanted to sit in the quiet and watch all the stars. <br />
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The sun woke is around 8am, a little later than I wanted, but not too bad. We hitched up the house and headed off for breakfast. We were on the road around 10am. Most of the trip went well. The Bronco, which I was driving, has been temperamental over the past several months, but it was behaving well for me. Then we got right about to Frankfort, Ky. <br />
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One of the Bronco's quirks is a sticky fuel gauge. See, it reads empty, even when you fill it. I decided I'd be more comfortable putting a few gallons in before we left the interstate for the park, which is tucked in the middle of nowhere. Just as we get onto the interstate, the truck sputters and stalls out. This is another quirk. I'm a dead duck. I managed to pull to the side of the road, in the shade, but with vehicles flying past me at 70 miles an hour. I'm told to wait a half hour before trying to start the truck again. HokieGirl and I just chill and try to relax. After the half hour finally passes, we say a prayer, and the truck starts right away. <br />
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Just before the next exit, the truck sputters and coughs again. I panic and get off the road. This time, I'm about 2 miles from our friends' house, so I head there. We made it safely. They were not home, but they rarely lock their doors. I texted her, and sure enough we could go inside. <br />
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HokieHubby had gone on to set up our camper-house. It was another 45 minutes past Frankfort, so HokieGirl and I had plenty of time to just hang out. HokieHubby got back to us and changed the part in the engine that he thought was the problem and we swapped trucks. We finally made it to camp just before 10pm. Success. <br />
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Tuesday morning dawned clear and beautiful. We hung out and worked on unpacking and organizing. Around 2, it was obvious HokieBaby needed a nap. We piled into the truck and headed for town and the grocery store. I was almost done when HokieHubby showed up telling me I needed to call someone right away. We had gotten a call from our alarm company that there was a front door alarm pending and he told them to send police. When the police arrived, the front door was open, but didn't seem to have been forced. He was able to secure the door using a lock that we don't use because we don't have a key. Thanks. <br />
<br />
HokieHubby and I are racking our brains trying to figure out how someone got in our house without forcing the door open. Everyone I called who was near Ptown was not home or unable to go to the house to investigate. Our neighbor finally called me back and went to the house to look it over. <br />
<br />
My dining room window and blinds were wide open. The police officer obviously did not investigate very thoroughly, as he left a note on our door notifying us of a false alarm call. Thanks again. <br />
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The open window did not explain how the front door had been opened without being forced. Finally, we realized there had been a spare key hanging on the hook on the dining room wall with all our other miscellaneous keys. Who knows how long the person was in there before he decided to open the door. <br />
<br />
HokieHubby had called his former captain, who was on his way to secure the house. He told us that it looked like the burglar tried most of the windows before the one he opened, which had been locked but was now broken. <br />
Captain G changed the door lock, screwed the window shut, and double checked all the other windows. <br />
<br />
So, late start, engine troubles, and a B&E. Could we please have an uneventful Wednesday?mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-52455151948780950852012-08-29T09:20:00.001-04:002012-08-29T09:20:42.379-04:00Trying to Relax and Enjoy the RideSo much to do. So overwhelming. It would be one thing if we were packing everything for the move. We have to decide what to take in the camper, what to store in Virginia, what to store in Kentucky, and what to get rid of/sell/donate. <br />
<br />
I've decided to stay calm and just try to pack the camper. We are camping for Labor Day weekend and leaving the camper in Buena Vista. It makes sense to put as much stuff as we know we need in the camper so we don't have to cram the truck next week with stuff we should have packed. Then we will be able to focus on emptying the house when we get back. <br />
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HokieHubby was supposed to get a call confirming the details of the new job on Monday. When he hadn't heard from them by lunch on Tuesday, I told he ought to call to see what was up. Turns out they are waiting for some of the other candidates' bloodwork and polygraph results. Now we wait some more to find out what the new start date will be. Hopefully it won't be too much later than September 11th. We already made our reservations for a campground on the 20th. I guess we will get a couple of days to settle in and relax before he starts. <br />
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I keep making notes of projects for improving the inside of our new home. The cabinets and pantries need a little help. I plan to stack clothes in my little cupboard, but right now there's a hanging bar in each and no shelves. The kids' wardrobe will be for school storage. I bought large utility totes from my 31 Gifts girl for each kid and that is where their clothes will be kept. We are trying to minimize to amount of toys. This is very tough with 4 kids, all 8 and under. <br />
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It's all part of the adventure. It's tough right now, but it will be awesome later! I hope. mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-85482192962172774612012-08-28T12:04:00.001-04:002012-08-28T12:04:16.176-04:00Naming the New House While Trying to Empty the OldSo I want to name our new home, but I totally stink at naming things. The previous owners called it Campasaurus Rex. We are Hokies, so maybe something related to Tech. I keep thinking about turtles and how they carry their homes on their backs. I want to call it something fun. Maybe it will come to me. <br />
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We've taken some stuff out to my mom's house. I think I may have underestimated the amount of stuff we will be keeping. We have too much stuff. I was hoping to sell furniture, and what doesn't sell I plan to donate. Much of it isn't worth storing, and certainly not worth hauling 600+ miles. I have donated about 6 large bags of clothes. <br />
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I start to feel overwhelmed when I look beyond the necessities. There's just not enough time to do all this the right way. We are home today and tomorrow, camping Thursday through Monday, and Kentucky bound the next Sunday. I suppose I could focus on loading the camper since we intend to leave it on the hill after camping. <br />
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Ack!mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-17790433032027051222012-08-27T08:38:00.001-04:002012-08-27T08:38:38.214-04:00Taking the Plunge from PtownWe did it. <br />
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HokieHubby got the job in Kentucky. <br />
<br />
We bought a 30' travel trailer. <br />
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We are the stars in our own reality show: "Extreme Downsizers." <br />
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It's a madhouse around here. I consider it a miracle every time I manage to get a meal on the table. There is stuff everywhere. More than usual. <br />
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I'm not sure if the kids really get that we are not taking all of their stuff with us, but I guess they'll figure that out later! I should probably take pictures through the whole process. <br />
<br />
Anyway, the adventure continues! I plan on renaming the blog, and writing more often. I also need a name for my behemoth camper/tiny new home. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5sPHa1OME4gCVS64foJftyBX1OUyPnCTA_Oxr-Pj3NUtd17-N_E7Ds7Vffln4sRZPX5P-2f1s-dYq2htlo-lMor9GJJZfv_nFDfOvIvvy4zesMcoOwT_Pvsd7AgI74Qd5BzGa3E8qsg/s640/blogger-image--1018650445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5sPHa1OME4gCVS64foJftyBX1OUyPnCTA_Oxr-Pj3NUtd17-N_E7Ds7Vffln4sRZPX5P-2f1s-dYq2htlo-lMor9GJJZfv_nFDfOvIvvy4zesMcoOwT_Pvsd7AgI74Qd5BzGa3E8qsg/s640/blogger-image--1018650445.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68vLNKwtdW3wvnSki-hH4uYZbOKl08y63WoZ6fnohYZLRGBzo517WNHOsk3omFhdWvL0tabChVG49i9Lgc9vLxzVBydneoCAI95DyB2TBUirnj4nzg9zUCbdJZyoro_3ddNnTCxi-Pi4/s640/blogger-image--2012898442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68vLNKwtdW3wvnSki-hH4uYZbOKl08y63WoZ6fnohYZLRGBzo517WNHOsk3omFhdWvL0tabChVG49i9Lgc9vLxzVBydneoCAI95DyB2TBUirnj4nzg9zUCbdJZyoro_3ddNnTCxi-Pi4/s640/blogger-image--2012898442.jpg" /></a></div>mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-17456858942830722532012-08-06T15:38:00.001-04:002012-08-06T17:01:50.025-04:00Back in the summer of 2010...HokieBoy has been going to speech therapy at the public elementary school for 2 years now. In that time, we've learned a good bit of how speech therapy works. We've learned what to look for, that some skills are just not appropriate for young children, and how to help children make correct sounds. Recently, HokieBoy's therapist indicated that HokieGirl may qualify. I had not been overly concerned, because I felt she was hitting the most of the right sounds for her age. (By the way, she just turned 4, but she looks and acts a little older, like maybe a late 4. It throws people off sometimes.) But, when a speech professional suggests that there may be a problem, well there is certainly no harm in having an evaluation. If there is a problem, therapy through the schools is free, and HokieBoy's therapist is great.<br /><br />So, today was our opening evaluation. We dropped off the other kids with a friend and headed off just the two of us girls. We walk into the meeting room, and here's where I realized the set up must have felt a little intimidating to my girl. It was a conference room with a long table and 7 adults already seated. I pulled a chair out for her and sat down. <br /><br />She whispered, "Mama, can I sit in your lap?" Of course! While I'm answering questions I let HokieGirl play with my hands. "Look, Mama! I made your hands into a triangle! Look! Mine is a smaller triangle!" I murmured, "yes!" into her ear and continued answering questions about her birth and baby milestones. "I made your fingers make a diamond! Here's a tinier diamond! And now I'll make the tiniest diamond!" <br /><br />At this point the speech pathologist pulls out her box of toys and invites HokieGirl over to play, while I continue to answer other questions.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-15411535641510768602012-08-06T15:38:00.000-04:002012-08-06T15:38:08.934-04:00Wait. A Blog Entry? No Way!It's been a very long time. I could go on and on about how long and how much has happened since I last blogged, but I won't. Instead, I think I'll write about the future.
HokieHubs is heading to another state with HokieBoy. He is interviewing with another Fire Department. When he gets the job, we are going to do the unthinkable: by an RV (travel trailer) and park it in a campground while we decide what our next step will be.
That's right. A 30-ish foot camper with 4 kids and a puppy.
I'm insane.
I'm also excited. I know it will be challenging to downsize. But I think it will be exhilarating. We will be forced to part with much of our belongings and only keep that which we truly need. Some of our things will move in with my mother. Some of it will be sold. Much of it will be donated. An awful lot of it will go in the garbage.
I think this will be an awesome experience for all of us! At least I keep telling myself that!mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-17739064460944115292010-07-21T22:47:00.002-04:002010-07-21T22:51:03.204-04:00fb in PtownI think facebook has killed my meager blogging skills. It's so easy to just type in whatever you're thinking at the moment and limit the characters. It makes me sad. I'll be better about blogging. Maybe. I hope. I like blogging. For now, I'll keep knitting my Hanami, which needs a clever name. Another day. I have no ac in my living room right now and it's about 100* outside. I can't think. Good night.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-30275728013350453532010-05-06T07:54:00.002-04:002010-05-06T08:05:19.049-04:00Storytelling in Ptown. Or not.I wish I could write. I mean, I can write, but I wish I could write well. You know what I mean: the kind of writing that inspires and entertains. Some of my favorite blogs to read are by gifted writers. These blogs are more than simply records of events. They are stories of events. I wish I was a storyteller.<br /><br />Here's an example.<br />HokieBoy was in the tub the other day with his hand on his manparts. So I ask him if he needs to pee. He says no. So I asked why he was holding himself. He says, "I love my penis. My penis makes me happy. My penis makes pee. I hate pee. But I love my penis."<br /><br />See, there's a record of what happened. Funny, but not terribly gripping. (Get it? He was gripping... nevermind.) How can I make this into a story of what happened? I want to tell the truth without exaggerating, because the truth is funny enough. Maybe I should find a class or something in all my extra time.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-52712605743280249702010-04-10T21:44:00.004-04:002010-04-10T22:08:29.915-04:00Not a lot of Knitting in PtownI have so much to say, and no idea where to begin. So I will write a little today, and maybe I'll feel a little better.<br /><br />I finished the race last month! My goal was to finish it before they closed the course, and I succeeded. In fact, I completed 13.1 miles in a little under 3 hours. (Just for fun: they close the course after 4 hours.) Then, I thought I was going to die. For about 7 hours, I wanted to throw up. I felt like I had the flu. In the meantime, I was throwing a party for my four year old. I was fun that evening. Finally, I managed to eat some birthday cake and I was healed! Guess a little sugar can go a long way.<br /><br />HokieBabyGirl hasn't been gaining weight these past two months. At her 4 month checkup, she was 10# 2oz and just below the bottom 3% curve. That was about where she had been all along. At 6 months and 2 weeks, she was 10# 4oz. She fell not only off her curve, but off the chart. She gained 2 ounces in 2 1/2 months. Not good. Her pediatrician wants me to supplement with formula and come back for a weight check. I am working with a Lactation Consultant, supplementing my diet, pumping frequently, and supplementing HBG with pumped milk, formula, and fatty solids. Turns out, she kind of likes avocado mixed with rice cereal and formula. <br /><br />I'm a little stressed out about it. I'm trying not to post anything about it on facebook. My mom and dad follow my facebook page, and I think my mom is mad at me for not just putting HBG on formula and getting over it. I don't like formula. I nursed two babies successfully for a year after rough starts and I'm not giving up on this one. I can do this. I have the desire, the support of my husband, professional assistance, and time at home to do this. What I don't need is to hear things like, "formula isn't that bad; I agonized over it for you and your sister; it's come a long way in 30 years." The bottom line is this: I want what is best for my baby, and I believe with all my heart that breastmilk is best. If I cannot bring my milk supply back to where it must be to feed my daughter, then I will do what needs to be done for her to thrive.<br /><br />Needless to say, there is not a lot of knitting going on around here. Oh well.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-75718323335857084892010-02-05T16:54:00.002-05:002010-02-05T17:33:34.630-05:00Life as a Mother of 3 in PtownHere I sit in my cozy living room, thinking about all the changes that have happened since I last posted anything on here. I am now a mother to 3 beautiful babies. I own the biggest truck my husband could find (a 2002 Ford Excursion. It runs on diesel.) We have a wood stove in our living room, a new powder room, and our washer and dryer are now downstairs. I am also on my way to being an "athlete," if I can get my act together.<br /><br />HokieBabyGirl was born on September 14, 2010, despite my doctors being convinced I wasn't in active labor. She was 36 weeks gestation and is classified as a near-term preemie (37 weeks being considered term.) That makes hers my longest pregnancy (HokieBoy was 32 weeks, HokieGirl was 34.) A week later, we drove to Richmond and got the Great Orange Beast, or GOB. My mother in law and her sister came down from the 'Burgh for a long weekend to meet HokieBabyGirl. We spent Thanksgiving in the 'Burgh and Christmas at home. After the New Year, we went back to the 'Burgh to celebrate Christmas with HokieHubby's family. They had some lovely snow (around 8 inches with fresh snow falling each day), and I truly thought that would be it for the snow for us this year. I was wrong, as our little cottage was covered with 8 inches of the stuff last weekend, all falling between 0345 and 1200 on Saturday. Now a week later, most of it has melted and a new storm is on its way. We are predicted to received 1-3 inches tomorrow. Yuck.<br /><br />I signed up to run in the Shamrock Half Marathon on March 20th. <span style="font-style:italic;">WHAT???</span> That's right. I, a woman who *hates* to sweat, signed up for a 1/2 marathon. I haven't run since college, and even then I was never successful. I haven't worked out since then either. I have not performed any serious exercise in over 10 years. Why would I want to run a 1/2 marathon? Because I'm sick of being overweight and out of shape. I don't want to be the fat and frumpy mom anymore. So, I set for myself a concrete goal with a deadline. I am not interested in running the entire 13.1 miles, just completing them. <br /><br />I'm knitting a little more now. I've completed my Swallowtail shawl that I began in July, and now I wonder how on earth I'm going to use a rainbow striped lace shawl. I made an orange and maroon hat modeled off the hats worn on the sidelines of the Steelers games. I made a little hat for HokieBabyGirl that caused a mommy friend to request one for her son's birthday. Normally I would decline, but I love this woman and I couldn't resist. Fortunately, the hat took very little time.<br /><br />Now that my baby is 4 1/2 months old, I think I can honestly say I'm getting the hang of things. Now that's not to say I'm good at things. It took a while, but we are getting to MOPs regularly and to Bible Study each week. Of course, the fact that we are not traveling again until May helps with the mindset. I *know* what I should do each day to make life easier, but I'm not all that great at follow through. I *should* restock the diaper bag each evening, reload my gym bag (yes, I have a gym bag now! That's another major change in my life!), and take care of basic chores each day. If I could stick to routines life would be very easy.<br /><br />A mommy blogger I follow is doing a piece about Mommy Myth Busting. She has been a SAHM for some time now, but is trying on some other hats for a book. This week, she is a working mom. She is learning about how hard it is. I can only imagine how hard it is. It sounds like a great idea: give the kids to someone else to look after and go hang with grownups all day. Then, you've had enough time to miss the kids and when you get home your happy to spend the evening with them. Yeah, right. I can just see it. Get up at the butt-crack of dawn to get myself ready for work. Then get 3 kids dressed and ready to go. Feed everyone and let the dog out. Get everyone in the car and to the sitter. Be stuck in an office all day. Sure, I might get to chat with grownups, but I'd also have to answer to a real boss. Then, by the time I get home from work and picking up the kids, I have to get dinner on the table because you know we are all *starving*. I. Don't. Think. So.<br /><br />I will continue being a homeschooling sahm. Our days are ours and I can do as much or as little as I want. I do need to be a better home manager though. My house is a constant wreck. We have entirely too much stuff. I call it crap, but HokieHubby gets upset with that term. My plan for now is to finish the baby's room and then go through the kids clothes and get rid of as much as possible. After that comes the toys. Oh the humanity!mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-45106989159614345692009-08-15T13:48:00.003-04:002009-08-15T13:52:30.991-04:00Pictures 8.14.09<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5mpLDbRCeMkWeqes2gL6CNxxONrMaczS1yQ3f9vilHsRE1B0YZR9Ey-TyAlcFj17tq9hvAzoOHaSm1YohltMZuzUt_yDiPbld9FZIr6PjvmTXC7ijlSMm5PIHMt_tQ6i681QjknSt3c/s1600-h/nat+on+con.aspx"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5mpLDbRCeMkWeqes2gL6CNxxONrMaczS1yQ3f9vilHsRE1B0YZR9Ey-TyAlcFj17tq9hvAzoOHaSm1YohltMZuzUt_yDiPbld9FZIr6PjvmTXC7ijlSMm5PIHMt_tQ6i681QjknSt3c/s400/nat+on+con.aspx" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370249775804953122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytBfNvPSWWqnP0B5sYLz-TzJxP7dyLUAsiKO9pu_Y5AnEsZQbzDwrchEiGyduFOpde4FdHQNdhcyMSPVj7ivaqDYF33MF36Pv2umk3YcPEfezMvXDxA-5pb3GyFBzCYgaKTdCo3WVfKY/s1600-h/nat+on+chair.aspx"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKPXpO9XAJNf5QQbeypCmA-5n7BcyNRWE7OAk2ZAifPTpmDo8bHTjvvxfkpoXP2reReu_F9OhaleQ_KD28nBpgbZhnGQ9n2fABqfZGqJ0CUJzBhIxKbqtf8tA6SObrci5155IlANp-Xg/s400/3+goofy+nat.aspx" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370249263809786594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNdeLt_0ys3HNoaRU6uU6_V3NFDWab2PjLjnQIHF4ynugSWnWCWZ-PVeSG5fAbE1U8oDoQBbqq4UftBq1r6i0VYpX8zoG7U-NNrDL3ggBXX7Bhp3qommhavROTZUq94pFlXGW31zb8e4/s1600-h/3+goofy+con.aspx"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNdeLt_0ys3HNoaRU6uU6_V3NFDWab2PjLjnQIHF4ynugSWnWCWZ-PVeSG5fAbE1U8oDoQBbqq4UftBq1r6i0VYpX8zoG7U-NNrDL3ggBXX7Bhp3qommhavROTZUq94pFlXGW31zb8e4/s400/3+goofy+con.aspx" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370249253081809538" /></a>mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-81804551043949986302009-07-22T09:26:00.002-04:002009-07-22T09:39:31.324-04:00Menu Plan Mo-Wednesday??Well, shoot, it's Wednesday and there is no updated Menu for the week. Things have been a little crazy at our little Ptown Cottage. We are still in the middle of the new bathroom/laundry closet remodel and the HokieChildren and I spent the night with my mom. So we've been making it up as we go along, which isn't always the best. The house is sucking up all of our extra funds, so I'm facing the fact that I cannot just run down the street to get pizza or Chinese food. It's a good thing we have a ton of food in the house right now.<br /><br />Breakfast: cereal, eggs/bacon, cream of wheat, oatmeal<br />Lunch: pb&j, soup, spaghettios, leftovers<br />Dinner:<br />Monday: potluck, aka whatever-is-in-the-icebox-that-hasn't-died-yet<br />Tuesday: Chinese Stir Fry and tomato & cucumber salad<br />Wednesday: breakfast for dinner<br />Thursday:<br />Friday:<br />Saturday:<br />Sunday:<br />Monday:<br /><br />After today, everything is pretty much up in the air. My inlaws (mother,aunt, sister,nephew, sister's boyfriend, his son) are coming down today/tomorrow for 2 weeks. We are all on a budget though, so eating out will not happen often. Fortunately, I have stuff in the freezer.<br /><br />steaks, baked potatoes, corn on the cob<br />pork roast with veggies<br />spaghetti<br />pork chops (might have to buy more)<br />fajitas (will need to get side dishes)<br />steaks again (I have many)<br /><br />We'll be winging it frequently. We're planning to spend time at the beach so maybe we will picnic and even cookout there. It's all a big fat question mark.<br /><br />Good thing I'm pretty easy going!mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-82944804136604774542009-07-17T20:13:00.003-04:002009-07-17T20:42:15.760-04:00Pregnant and Anxious in Ptown*Caution* Ramblings of a hormonal pregnant woman ahead. Read at your own risk!<br /><br />HokieHubby and I decided some time ago, back when HokieGirl was teeny, that we might want to expand our little HokieFamily. We knew this wasn't necessarily going to be a popular idea. HokieBoy was a 32 week preemie and spent a month in the hospital, then came home on a heart monitor. When he was about 5 months old I was diagnosed with post-partum depression. HokieGirl was a 34 week preemie whose main issue was she was too tired to eat to get rid of her jaundice. (By the way, you wouldn't know it the way she's been eating since then!) With my medical history, why risk it when others could be premature as well? We had one of each gender, so why would we want more kids? More kids mean more expenses and I'm a stay at home mom so would I go to work? HokieHubby and I carefully considered these things and decided that yes, we do want more children. So, we did... *ahem* get pregnant.<br /><br />The first two pregnancies were pretty easy. I had no indication that I was going to have preemies until less than 12 hours before they were born, and even then we were trying everything to get them to stay put. I loved being pregnant. Sure there were parts I could have done without: heartburn, difficult sleeping positions, having to use the bathroom all the time. Labor and delivery weren't terrible, although there were moments I'm sure I have forgotten. Recovery sucks: ice packs, sitz baths, and having a hard time sitting or using the bathroom. Oh, and pumping milk for a preemie 8 times a day is killer on your nipples. I'll only briefly mention the agony of walking around and seeing pregnant women everywhere and my baby was in the NICU, fighting for life. (I think I have a very small grasp of how women who miscarry must feel in public. A very, very small grasp.)<br /><br />This time around, I'm a little older, and yes there is a difference between being 25 and pregnant and being 31 and pregnant. I've been rather surprised at that. My body is handling this one much differently. I needed maternity pants from the second month. My back aches differently and my uterus seems to sit lower from having been through this twice before.<br /><br />Mentally, I'm a basketcase. I try to rely on God all the time, praying that he will take the anxiety from me and help me to let him keep it. I don't think I ever had Braxton-Hickes contractions with the other two, but I've been having them every day for over two weeks now. I was in the hospital once already because they got regular instead of random. I'm 28 weeks pregnant, which means we still have 4 weeks to go until I know roughly what to expect with a preemie and 6 weeks until my doctor says he's okay with me delivering. What I want more than anything, though, is to make it another 10-12 weeks so this HokieBaby can be full-term. I'm afraid of failing again. I know it's not my fault babies don't stay the full 40 weeks. (I also know there are plenty of women out there who wish their babies would be born a little early.) I don't want to leave my HokieBaby at the hospital again. It almost killed me to leave the first one, but I spent hours everyday at his side. The second one wasn't as bad because I had HokieBoy at home who needed me and HokieGirl wasn't nearly as sick as HokieBoy had been. <br /><br />Each week that passes and I am still pregnant is a huge relief that I didn't even know I was waiting for. I have prayed, and others have prayed for me and this baby. God knows what my desires are, and I know that He has plans for me and baby. I know that He will use all things in my life for good because I believe in Him. Is it terrible that my prayer is that He allows me to have a perfectly typical birth rather than allow me to suffer through another premature delivery? Use me in my joy as a testament to God, that He hears our prayers and grants miracles!<br /><br />October 9th is a long time away. I feel as though I have been in a mini-goal mindset forever. 24 weeks, then 26 weeks, now 28 weeks. Each week is a blessing. I know this, and I am so thankful that I can get and stay pregnant when some of my friends struggle with infertility or miscarriage.<br /><br />If you are a Christian, please pray for me and my little one. Please pray that God will continue to take my anxiety even when I keep taking it back. Pray that I'll be able to leave it with Him. I know that Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, but I am human and prone to thinking I can do this on my own. Please pray that this little one is born in October, healthy and full-term, but that if He should allow otherwise that I will rely on His strength at all times.<br /><br />If you are not a Christian, I appreciate your friendship as much as my Christian friends and welcome your warm thoughts for my family. There is room in my life for caring people of all religions or no religion.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-40993909222570350002009-07-17T18:48:00.002-04:002009-07-17T20:13:23.836-04:00The Week in PtownHere it is Friday, and I was thinking not much had happened all week. Then I went day by day and realized we have been pretty busy.<br /><br />In knitting news, I have decided to try polygamy. I just wasn't making progress on <a href="http://www.flintknits.com/blog/?p=151">FLS</a>, and since I was already breaking my tradition by working on squares for a <a href="https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/evanperdew">friend's 7yo</a> who has a large tumor, I cast on for the <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_232">Funky Monkey</a> from <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/">Blue Moon Fiber Arts</a> that I bought last May. I think I may like polygamy. The squares are great for doctors' offices and the monkey (so far) has been good to just pick up and work on a little at a time. I work on FLS in the evenings when things have settled down and I can focus. I ordered <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19_22_309">some yarn</a> for <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_253&products_id=2613">Baby Mine</a> sweater and I can't wait to cast on for that.<br /><br />HokieHubby has decided that on Sundays when he's coming home from work, he's going to pick up donuts. I have decided this is actually a fantastic little treat. It only happens every three weeks. The HokieChildren have so much fun out on the front porch with icing covered chunks of donut. Hokiegirl had pink frosting and sprinkles all over her face and hands. Love it!<br /><br />We have spent hours at various hardware stores this week, the whole family or the HokieParents individually. HokieHubby has ripped a huge hole in the floor of our downstairs bath. There are no longer fixtures in the proper room. We now have new insulation under half the area, and new plumbing for the washer and dryer and the new sink. The floorplan of our downstairs won't be changing too much, except that there will be a washer and dryer instead of a shower, and the sink and commode will share a wall.<br /><br />The HokieCat took advantage of the absence of floor and made herself at home under the house two nights in a row. She doesn't come out much during the day, so she wasn't missed until after we were all in bed Tuesday night and she didn't join me. HokieHubby had take pains to cover the hole to keep unwanted critters out of the house. Wednesday she didn't come out until just before the kids went to bed. The hole was larger that night, though, and HokieHubby apparently left a spot big enough for her to slip on in. Thursday night we waited for her to come out for the evening visit and HokieHubby closed up the hole as tight as he could. HokieCat wandered around crying all night and this morning because she wanted to go back in her hole. Can't win.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-50987460668427639742009-07-15T15:23:00.000-04:002009-07-15T15:24:23.763-04:00Wordless Wednesday<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwdgIwxyUT-yO8uZS517iu_qQS0VNbvBgeKilxkMbs7RZctGjxY0c_klDCLdEOMNCPhvPRTkRruOPc0CN0MGmOK6gyq5KO0Yi69fpQgpMC3ADYeFhi7xT-7CvR1GoTF4o8-O-0He3_A0/s1600-h/photo-763765.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwdgIwxyUT-yO8uZS517iu_qQS0VNbvBgeKilxkMbs7RZctGjxY0c_klDCLdEOMNCPhvPRTkRruOPc0CN0MGmOK6gyq5KO0Yi69fpQgpMC3ADYeFhi7xT-7CvR1GoTF4o8-O-0He3_A0/s320/photo-763765.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358769980255284466" /></a></p>mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-62845117401420524222009-07-13T11:01:00.002-04:002009-07-13T11:35:00.907-04:00Not Me Monday!<center> <a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net/"> <img src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/NotMeMondayButtonV6copy.jpg"/> </a></center> <br /><br />It's Monday again and time for a post worthy of <a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net">MckMama</a> ... or not!<br /><br />I did not wake up this morning before the HokieChildren and (knowing that for my own sanity and their protection I should go ahead and get up and do a little something for myself) roll over and try and sleep some more. After a week of getting up early for the World Changers and thoroughly enjoying the quiet mornings on the front porch, I know better than to give that little luxury up!<br /><br />I have not been avoiding emptying the clean dishwasher or folding the clean clothes in the vain hope that HokieHubby would catch on and do it for me. I am such a good wife/mother/housekeeper that all the chores are done before the clean clothes wrinkle or the sink fills with dirty dishes.<br /><br />I did not allow the girls from the World Changers to entertain my HokieChildren all week just so I could have some peace inside the house. There is always peace in my house! Just because my children adored those girls and were fascinated by all the paint and tools and the girls seemed to enjoy HokieChildren does not mean I would take advantage of them that way! (By the way, I truly did keep asking them if the kids were okay and finally decided this peace was an extra unexpected blessing.)<br /><br />And it was not I who was grumbling about the storm 10 minutes after I had been enjoying it when I realized that my tropicana plants that were booming like crazy had been flattened. And I did not curse when I realized there is a chance all my squash plants have been squashed as well. I love summer storms and take the good with the bad. I am grateful once again that our tulip poplar was removed earlier this year because this was another storm that would have cost us if that tree had been standing. I was not secretly thankful that the power outage across the street was not caused by my tree, especially when I found out that they have been without power all night and all morning. I only feel sympathy for the homes affected.<br /><br />I am not the kind of mother who secretly takes pride in her HokieChildren's public behavior while forgetting how proud I am when we get home and chaos reigns. I never lose my temper and always remember to take a time out. I have never told my HokieChildren that I wanted to put them out with the trash, only to hear something very similar come out of HokieGirl's mouth yesterday.<br /><br />And after hearing my HokieChildren say they didn't want me anymore, discussing the situation with them and then later hearing, "I want to keep you forever, Mama," I did not cry.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-24397726138003358982009-07-13T10:37:00.003-04:002009-07-13T10:44:35.438-04:00Menu Plan Monday, Part 2Here we go again... let's see if I can make this a habit!<br /><br />Breakfasts: cereal, eggs, bacon, toast, bagels, pancakes<br />Lunches: leftovers, pb&j, ham sandwiches, egg salad<br />Dinners:<br />Monday: hot dogs<br />Tuesday: chili, cucumber salad<br />Wednesday: pork chops, squash<br />Thursday: leftovers<br />Friday: breakfast for dinner<br />Saturday: steaks on the grill, corn on the cob, salad<br />Sunday: homemade chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese<br />Monday: out to eat with inlawsmamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-58012530596003921412009-07-12T19:17:00.003-04:002009-07-12T19:37:38.196-04:00Mad Mama in PtownI think I've done a pretty good job loving on my children and they love on me right back. Until today.<br /><br />"I don't want you anymore!" came from HokieBoy's mouth this evening.<br /><br />HokieGirl followed that with, "you a bad Mama!"<br /><br />Oh my.<br /><br />Here's what happened. We were hanging out in the living room. HokieHubby had left for another overtime shift. I was messing around on the computer. The HokieChildren were playing with trains and a ton of track. Things were going well until HokieGirl tried to run her train on a stretch of track where HokieBoy's train was running. Screaming and screeching ensued. They were warned that they needed to play nicely or the trains would be put away. So, niceness reigned for a few minutes.<br /><br />Suddenly all heck broke loose with both HokieChildren screaming at each other again.<br /><br />I broke it up by saying it was time to pick it all up and put it away. HokieBoy comes to me crying and whining that they will play nicely this time. I stood firm. They put the tracks away, both of them crying hysterically. <br /><br />In the meantime, I went outside to check on the newly flattened tropicana flowers in my front yard. They found me and begged me to let them play trains. When I refused, that's when those horrifying, knife-like words flowed from their little mouths.<br /><br />"I don't want you anymore!" and "You a bad mama!"<br /><br />I guess I am officially a mom. My children hate me. At least for a moment.<br /><br />We went inside and I talked with each of them alone. When asked why he didn't want me anymore, HokieBoy told me it was because I keep getting mad.<br /><br />"Why do I get mad at you?" I asked.<br /><br />"Because I play with the fan or touch things that could hurt me, or for climbing over a gate or other dangerous things."<br /><br />Okay, not going to argue with that, but, "why am I mad at you this evening?"<br /><br />"Because me and HokieGirl were fighting."<br /><br />Aha!<br /><br />"Should I be mad at you for not be nice with each other?"<br /><br />"Yeah."<br /><br />A very similar conversation followed with HokieGirl. I think they may be getting the hang of it.<br /><br />Oh, and about five minutes after our talk, HokieBoy pops out with this gem:<br /><br />"Mama, I want to keep you forever."<br /><br />Maybe I'm getting the hang of it, too.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-7887288319526331412009-07-11T10:08:00.003-04:002009-07-11T10:34:44.451-04:00Beautiful Mornings in PtownI found myself having to check the calendar over and over this week. Could it really be July? We here at the HokieCottage awoke each morning to beautiful temperatures and sunshine. Each morning this week I hauled myself out of bed before 7, got dressed, and then enjoyed tea or coffee on my porch. We were waking up early because the World Changers were here all week working on our home. This was a group of lovely people, mostly teens, who repainted our front porch, rebuilt the ramp to the shed, repaired and repainted our living room ceiling, and installed new windows on the back of our house. <br /><br />More importantly, these young people shared their deep love for Jesus with our family. Now, you might know that I love Jesus and am already striving to share that love with my children. So why was it important to have these Jesus Lovers in my home all week? We need to surround ourselves with our family. It is with family that we can re-energize our own faith. Also, I believe that while my teaching as mother is of utmost importance, my children need to hear about Jesus and His great love for them from other believers. These young people touched my children's lives. They played with them, ate with them, read Bible stories to them, and prayed with them. One of the churches represented sent HokieGirl a book of Bible stories and songs. One of the boys from that church (who we never met as he wasn't on our crew) sent HokieBoy his personal Bible. It was the Bible his pastor gave him when he gave his life to Christ. <br /><br />So this morning, Saturday, I ate my breakfast alone on my freshly painted porch. It may have been the last lovely morning we will see for a little while, as the weather is supposed to return to it's wonderful summertime heat and humidity. I thought about those wonderful kids who served my family with love for our Savior. I thought about how they did so with no thought for earthly rewards. Their reward for the work they did is waiting for them in Heaven. But they should know that the work they did was more than just fixing a house. They planted seeds of faith for my children. They showed strangers love. They gave me hope for my children's future and my own.<br /><br />They Changed the World for the better.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-79343419283670558622009-07-07T20:03:00.002-04:002009-07-07T20:10:09.113-04:00The Talk in PtownSo the World Changers are in my neighborhood doing improvements to some of the homes. This is a program sponsored by churches and the kids pay to come out and do this. It's a mission thing. Anyway, we applied and were accepted to have some work done on our house, which is a true blessing, especially because the projects they are working on have been on the back burner since we are preparing for the new baby.<br /><br />So that's just the background for the conversation that took place on my front porch yesterday between the HokieKiddos and the World Changers Crew:<br /><br />HokieBoy: We're having a baby sister, but we don't know what her name is going to be.<br /><br />World Changer: Are you excited that you're having a baby sister? I don't have any brothers or sisters.<br /><br />HokieGirl: That's okay. You can grow a baby in your womb so you can have a baby sister.<br /><br />Let's hope the teenage World Changers wait until they are older and in a loving, committed marriage and don't take HokieGirl's advice anytime soon.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-78446572696184169412009-07-06T20:31:00.002-04:002009-07-06T20:42:57.689-04:00Menu Plan MondayOkay, so I tried to plan menus in the past: monthly, weekly. It never works. So I read a woman's blog who is also trying to be more organized. Here I go!<br /><br />Breakfasts: oatmeal, cereal, egg sandwiches, bagels<br /><br />Lunches: pb&j, ham sandwiches, <br /><br />Snacks: grapes, apples, cheese/pepperoni and crackers, <br /><br />Monday: ham, macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes<br /><br />Tuesday: spaghetti<br /><br />Wednesday: country ribs (crockpot), zucchini % squash, macaroni and cheese<br /><br />Thursday: chicken enchilada<br /><br />Friday: leftovers<br /><br />Saturday: Kristen's Party<br /><br />Sunday: Sunday with Mama<br /><br />Monday: hot dogsmamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5551742903796413836.post-52879315927891821932009-07-06T15:20:00.002-04:002009-07-06T15:32:47.828-04:00Not Me MondayJoining in with <a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net/">MckMama</a>'s fun:<br /><br /><center> <a href="http://www.mycharmingkids.net/"> <img src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/NotMeMondayButtonV6copy.jpg"/> </a></center> <br /><br />I did not stand idly by this week while HokieHusband allowed our HokieChildren to swim in our very green pool. I would *never* allow the pool to get/stay green, much less allow children to swim in it.<br /><br />I also did not have contractions on Tuesday that got regular in the evening and then go to the hospital where they decided to stop. And I was not told that I was dehydrated. I drink tons of water daily and take plenty of time for myself throughout the day to prevent such things from happening.<br /><br />That said, I did not take my HokieChildren to see Monsters V. Aliens knowing full well that HokieGirl would probably be afraid of the movie. And she most certainly did not spend most of the movie in my lap complaining about the "bad robot" and how this was a "bad movie." I would never take her to see a movie I wasn't positive she would like.<br /><br />And at the YMCA, I did not sit in a lounge chair while someone else's mommy and daddy played with my HokieChildren, and even if I had I would have made sure they were parents I knew.<br /><br />Oh yeah, and today I did not entertain myself on the internet while the teenage girls from World Changers played with my kids all afternoon.mamahokiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12927977842773215673noreply@blogger.com0