My parents have been planning to take my kids camping. The plan has been for them to take them today and come back Monday. To some of you this might not seem like a big deal, but I have never had my kids leave the house, all of them, overnight, at the same time. NEVER. We did have all the kids spend one night at my sister's about 18 months ago. One of those, leave them at 8, come back by 10 the next morning (Liza was still nursing, so I needed to not be gone long). Prior to that, the last time Eric and I had 2 nights without kids was for Eric's class reunion when I was expecting Liza (which ended when my kids called and said Grandma was super sick, couldn't get out of bed, so we hurried home).
Now, having nights alone hasn't been a priority for us. We've figured out how to make our marriage work without it, we're ok, but it sure has sounded nice to be able to watch a movie, by ourselves, prior to 9 p.m. To not have to get up early and feed kids, etc. Maybe even lay around and read a book and not think about food.
This week there have been some enormous issues brought to light in our church. There is a Very Important church meeting due to it. Yep, you guessed it, tonight. Sigh. And now Josiah has a fever. I do believe God is reminding me we are fine without the time off.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Pictures
I figure most people look at my pictures on Facebook. But since some of you don't really know me and some of you *gasp* don't have Facebook (weirdos!!!!), I will post a few here!
I took this one of Eric and Liza at the beach in New Jersey. I just love this picture!
All my kids just loved the beach.
The oldest three got to learn how to surf. I think they are all considering moving to the beach and being surfers permanently.
This is one of my favorite ones of Abigail.
Beka and Liza. Beka is always helping the other kids.
Don't let this picture fool you, this is a very rare, almost unseen moment in life. We will treasure this picture always!!
I took this one of Eric and Liza at the beach in New Jersey. I just love this picture!
All my kids just loved the beach.
The oldest three got to learn how to surf. I think they are all considering moving to the beach and being surfers permanently.
This is one of my favorite ones of Abigail.
Josiah has such a cute grin!!
Beka and Liza. Beka is always helping the other kids.
Don't let this picture fool you, this is a very rare, almost unseen moment in life. We will treasure this picture always!!
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| I can't figure out how to space those last two pictures. Ack. But I did learn there is a "add a caption" thing, so whatever. I love this picture of Beka!! |
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| My boys and their cousin, Caleb. Their poses crack me up! |
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| A sweet picture of Seth and Caleb. |
Allergies
The day after we got home from vacation, my allergies returned with a vengeance. For the last 3 years, I have felt like I'm exhausted all the time. I just assumed it had to do with getting older, 5 kids, etc. Well, NO. I am allergic to Colorado. :-( I felt much better while we were on vacation. I'm back to wanting to stay in bed all day, feeling lazy, unmotivated, burnt out. Sigh. I know I can take meds for it (and am currently on Zyrtec, Benadryl and Nasal Crom - yuck). I'm just wondering if there is anything you can do to stop having allergies. Seems like we should have figured this out by now!!!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Weaning
For those of you who don't know how truly weird I am, this should dispel any myths of me being normal from your mind.
I am in the process of weaning Liza. Yes, she is almost 3. Yes, I have nursed all of my children for more than "normal" (in the US, that is). Just to give you an idea, I have nursed for 11 and a half years total with the 5 kids. Liza has nursed the longest, mainly because I'm not pregnant! I've usually had to wean the kids once I am pregnant, due to pain, contractions, exhaustion, whatever.
So why am I weaning her? I was really ready to be done a couple of months ago, but knew that with this big trip coming up, nursing her would be very very helpful. Which it was. But somewhere in all of this my milk pretty much dried up. Which means nursing her became very painful. VERY painful. If I could have weaned her in the middle of the trip (when she wanted to nurse extra!), I would have.
We got home Saturday evening, Sunday I told her we were going to have to stop having "nu-nu". She took it fine. Monday morning, she woke at 5 and nursed. That was the last time. I talked to her about it later that morning, reminded her that mommy was hurting and we needed to be done. We were both fine.
And then yesterday...she wanted to have nu-nu before her nap, but took it pretty well when I said no. We cuddled, rocked and she was fine. Granted, she didn't take a nap until we got in the car, but that was to be expected! Then last night, bedtime, she fell and hit her head on the floor. She wanted nu-nu, she was crying, I almost gave in, but then she hugged me instead and seemed ok. And that was when I wasn't ok. I started to cry. I have loved nursing my kids. It has been such a special bond with each of them. It always feels so good to be able to "fix" things. And now it is over. We aren't planning on having any more babies, so it is over for good.
So I'm sad and feeling quite old.
I am in the process of weaning Liza. Yes, she is almost 3. Yes, I have nursed all of my children for more than "normal" (in the US, that is). Just to give you an idea, I have nursed for 11 and a half years total with the 5 kids. Liza has nursed the longest, mainly because I'm not pregnant! I've usually had to wean the kids once I am pregnant, due to pain, contractions, exhaustion, whatever.
So why am I weaning her? I was really ready to be done a couple of months ago, but knew that with this big trip coming up, nursing her would be very very helpful. Which it was. But somewhere in all of this my milk pretty much dried up. Which means nursing her became very painful. VERY painful. If I could have weaned her in the middle of the trip (when she wanted to nurse extra!), I would have.
We got home Saturday evening, Sunday I told her we were going to have to stop having "nu-nu". She took it fine. Monday morning, she woke at 5 and nursed. That was the last time. I talked to her about it later that morning, reminded her that mommy was hurting and we needed to be done. We were both fine.
And then yesterday...she wanted to have nu-nu before her nap, but took it pretty well when I said no. We cuddled, rocked and she was fine. Granted, she didn't take a nap until we got in the car, but that was to be expected! Then last night, bedtime, she fell and hit her head on the floor. She wanted nu-nu, she was crying, I almost gave in, but then she hugged me instead and seemed ok. And that was when I wasn't ok. I started to cry. I have loved nursing my kids. It has been such a special bond with each of them. It always feels so good to be able to "fix" things. And now it is over. We aren't planning on having any more babies, so it is over for good.
So I'm sad and feeling quite old.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Our Trip
I know I promised I would blog more and even would blog about our trip. Well, we are home. I'm trying to climb out of the pile of laundry which seems to have sneaked into every corner of my house. We had a wonderful time on our trip! I only wish it could have been longer and we could have seen more people, gone more places.
Now, about that drive. Here are the stats - approximately 3500 miles, 72 hours, $1400 in gas (9 mpg while pulling a trailer!!!). It stunk. Horrible stunk. The only redeeming part of the drive was when we got to see people we love along the way. Funny though, the kids didn't mind it!!! When I asked them if all this driving was worth the time out visiting family, there was no hesitation in their answer, "YES!". Crazy kids.
Abigail videotaped the van and camper before we left. Here is what we traveled in:
We took lots and lots of pictures! Three cameras (mine, Abigail's and Rebekah's). Both of the girls can take video with their cameras. And they did!!! I will have to unload some pictures off of my computer here soon if I want my computer to continue working!!!
***As noted by Trish, that camper looks pretty small. And it is! It is only 21 feet long and weighs about 4000 pounds. How did we all fit? Well, it is a hybrid camper, which just means it is sort of a cross between a normal camper and a pop up. There are 3 queen size beds that pop out of the sides.
Now, about that drive. Here are the stats - approximately 3500 miles, 72 hours, $1400 in gas (9 mpg while pulling a trailer!!!). It stunk. Horrible stunk. The only redeeming part of the drive was when we got to see people we love along the way. Funny though, the kids didn't mind it!!! When I asked them if all this driving was worth the time out visiting family, there was no hesitation in their answer, "YES!". Crazy kids.
Abigail videotaped the van and camper before we left. Here is what we traveled in:
We took lots and lots of pictures! Three cameras (mine, Abigail's and Rebekah's). Both of the girls can take video with their cameras. And they did!!! I will have to unload some pictures off of my computer here soon if I want my computer to continue working!!!
***As noted by Trish, that camper looks pretty small. And it is! It is only 21 feet long and weighs about 4000 pounds. How did we all fit? Well, it is a hybrid camper, which just means it is sort of a cross between a normal camper and a pop up. There are 3 queen size beds that pop out of the sides.
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