Growing Pains

I am officially experiencing my first night without my boy. (Except the night I spent in the hospital when Ladybug was born. But, that's a whole different experience.) My dear, wonderful husband took him up camping with a few other families for the weekend. I originally planned on going, but would rather throw up at my own home than...well, you know.

So they left this evening. And besides the normal worry I have for my son being away from me, I miss him. They've been gone for all of an hour and I already miss him. All day, I've been preparing him to go, packing the camping gear and his little bag, and thinking how nice it will be to take a shower this evening. And how much I'm looking forward to those two wonderful naps that Ladybug still takes in the daytime, and that I just might take two wonderful naps myself. And how much fun Fritter will have with his dad, and what a wonderful opportunity for some "bonding". And now I can only think about how I miss him. I tucked Ladybug into her bed, and just to make myself feel better tucked Fritter's animals in bed too. *sigh*

Actually, two naps tomorrow does sound good, and since Ladybug is already in bed, I think I'm off for a nice bath, a cup of tea, and a good book. How's that for hormonal?

Wordless Wednesday: The Mr. Potato Head Edition

Beloved and Blessed

I actually finished reading Beloved and Blessed: Biblical Wisdom for Family Life by Kimberly Hahn months ago. And I finished it quick because it was that good. And I haven't reviewed it yet because I'm...not. ;-)

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't really prepared for what I was going to read in Hahn newest addition to her study on the woman of Proverbs 31. The entire first portion of the book is pretty frank Theology of the Body stuff. Which I loved. Reading this book was like sitting down with a wiser friend to tea and having their wisdom on married life poured out.

Kimberly Hahn also touches on such subjects as responsible parenthood, family finances, child rearing and discipline, and finally (one of the hardest sections for me to read) trusting God when parenting hurts. Some of that last section is reminiscent of one of Hahn's previous books Life Giving Love.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and gained great insight. I look forward to the next in this series. I would highly recommend it to any married woman.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Beloved and Blessed.

*I received this book from the Catholic Company in exchange for an honest review.*

So That Was A Little Negative

My last post that is. Really, I'm not going that crazy, but I do get worried. Funny thing, the morning after I wrote that post, I woke up feeling just awful. Really, really awful. I'm settling into a rhythm of feeling bad and feeling not so bad now though, and that's doable. I'm taking advice given, and taking those moments that are free from yuckiness, and doing those things that need to be done. Like making sure the house doesn't smell like old macaroni and cheese (really, I don't know why it did. We don't eat macaroni and cheese....)

On another note, we started our home/preschool yesterday and things went pretty well. I was able to see where I planned too much, what works and what just isn't going to. One such thing, I thought it would be nice to include Ladybug in the beginning part of our school. It's mostly reading, some praying, a song or two, that sort of stuff, and then we'd do the crafty stuff while she napped. But she wasn't interested in sitting and listening to books that are a little over her head, and getting Fritter to concentrate is difficult when his sister is tickling his toes. ;-) So, for now anyway, Ladybug is going to be excluded from all but the more active school stuff (like the songs and finger plays). It's good though, she gets a whole half hour to herself with me every afternoon.

So anyway, things are good, and my mood is looking up. Thanks for all the prayers!

Going Crazy, Pray For Me

We had a wonderful night last night. We ate at the Outback and then went and saw Inception.

And I felt great. And I was nervous the whole time that I was going to miscarry, because I felt great. And then we got home, and as I laid in bed, I felt sick again, and was happy about it.

This morning, I woke up full of energy. The house smelled like old macaroni and cheese (enough to make anyone's stomach churn), and since I felt so good, I decided to deep clean it. All of it. And then the vacuum dropped on my foot and my dear husband made me sit down and I cried.

The doorbell rang right then, so I wiped my tears away and answered it. Three very cute, bible toting women were standing at my door. They read me a verse from Psalms that promises peace. I didn't buy whatever they were selling, but I took the peace they brought and locked it in my heart. For a little while at least.

I took a nap with the kids this afternoon, and when I woke I felt just awful. I knew I needed to eat, but I also knew that if I tried, I would give it all back. That was a good feeling.

And right now, it's 10:30 at night, I don't feel sick, and I've been Googling all those worries. Google offers no support, though, and only manages to make me more crazy.

So far, I've managed to stay sane with a simple, "Jesus, I trust in you". But right now, it's not really abating my fears. So if you would, say a little prayer for me and Little Cub. Because I think I might just loose my mind this pregnancy.

Happy Anniversary, Nee!

I love you more now than I ever thought possible when we were first married. Everyday you give so much of yourself for our family. "You complete me." ;-)

I don't get many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls
Brought me here

And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

What if I'd been born fifty years before you
In a house on a street where you lived?
Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike
Would I know?

And in a white sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you

Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away

I'm sorry, I know that's a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know

That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

(Ben Folds - The Luckiest)

A Pregnant Woman's Ramblings

My prayers have been answered. I officially am...sick. Very sick. My dear husband and I had a long talk last night about how we are going to get through the next six weeks or so. It pretty much boils down to this: minute by minute. Day by day. Joyous as I am about having morning sickness, thinking about feeling this way for six weeks or more is a little overwhelming. My dear (dear super dear) husband volunteered to do the grocery shopping for me this evening. I'm taking the minutes I don't feel too bad to put something in the washer, or unload the dishwasher, or play with the kids. I'm reading Little Town on the Prairie right now, and I'm so glad I don't have to do all that work while in the midst of pregnancy sickness. Yuck!

On a lighter note, our 5th anniversary is Friday. My only obligation is to find a babysitter. We're going to dinner and a movie. Classic. And totally enjoyable. Somehow, I need to manage to get out of the house to pick up my husband's gift. It's our 5th anniversary. That's a big deal. ;-) I can't tell you what it is in the off chance that he will read my blog and the surprise would be spoiled. Although, he probably already knows what it is. He's good like that.

And next week, we're starting home/preschool with Fritter. I'm ready. I think. And in a few more weeks, Familia starts up again and I need to somehow manage to make sure everyone in our class is registered in time to get their books.

And the clock is ticking down for my husband to leave again for 5 1/2 weeks for work. And this time we don't get to go see him. I've hired someone to come once a week so I can get out and keep my sanity. I'm not looking forward to him leaving. At all. Atallatallatall.

Well, if you've managed to get this far in my ramblings, thanks for reading. I'm off to provide a nutritious snack for the 3 year old. (And his mother.)