New TV Rule

We have been encountering some behavior problems with Hannah lately. Seems that she is very much like other 5-year-olds, but I still want to deal with it head on so that we hopefully don't have to deal with it so much later on.

With that in mind, I am enacting a new rule effective Monday - Friday. No TV before 11:00. This will hopefully make us more family oriented, encouraging conversation, uninterrupted school time, and increased creativity. In turn, I am also trying not to do any major house cleaning until after 11:00 so that the kids get more of my undivided attention.

Will this new rule stick? Will it make a difference? Statistics tell us that it takes 21 days to make a new habit. I'll give a report in three weeks!

My Expanding Childhood Vocabulary

I added a new word to my vocabulary yesterday. Mucocele.

On Monday while Hannah was brushing her teeth, I noticed something swelling in her mouth. On closer inspection, it was indeed a swollen portion of her bottom inner lip and it was about 1/2 inch in diameter. Since I knew Hannah was going to see the pediatrician on Wednesday, I didn't panic too much and decided to wait it out.

But when the pediatrician looked at it, he mentioned a few things but then admitted he didn't really know what it was and we needed to see her dentist. Nice.

So Friday afternoon we went to see the pediatric dentist. I had to take Zach with me which was oh-so-interesting. He basically ran amok, playing with the toys out in the waiting area, jumping on the bean bags, frantically telling me he had to take care of business (of course while the bathroom was occupied), and trying to play with the toys in the dentist's reward treasure chest. Meanwhile, Hannah laid on the exam table focusing on The Little Mermaid playing on the TV on the ceiling.

Dr. Roberts greeted us and took one look in her mouth then became all business. He inspected it for several minutes and quizzed me before giving the verdict. It's a mucocele. A very large, very deep mucocele and the largest he has ever seen. Hannah has a tendency to chew on her lip and often bites it while eating. She bit her lip very hard last week. When that happens, the salivary glands usually heal up without any problems. Sometimes, though, they heal improperly and the gland duct is permanently severed. The gland does not know this and continues to produce saliva. Having no where to go, a pocket of saliva builds up under the surface. Usually the gland is close to the surface and can be surgically removed without any complications.

The complication is that this gland is twice the depth of a normal gland, and the swelling is now the size of a marble. After much discussion, he recommended we allow the swelling to continue since it is not causing Hannah any pain. It will burst on its own hopefully in the next week. We go back on May 4 for a follow up and he will determine if it is safe to surgically remove the gland or allow the body an opportunity to reabsorb it which may or may not happen.

So I continue to learn more and more about the human body and all the things that can go wrong. But I am thankful that I am not learning about things like broken bones, snake bites, or appendicitis. I guess this is just part of the joys of parenthood!

Doctor Visits

I took the girls to the doctor yesterday for their well child visits. Hard to believe that Rebecca is now 18 months old.



Rebecca is growing very well and adding about one word a day to her vocabulary. It's really amazing to watch her as she figures things out and tries to communicate with us. Here are her stats:

Weight: 25 lbs, 4 oz (64%)
Height: 32" (60%)
Head Cir: 18.75" (79%)

She got one shot but didn't scream too loudly. I was most grateful for that since I was leaning over her face holding her arms down!

Hannah had her 5 year check up. She didn't fare so well. She failed her right eye vision test and we are going to have to visit a pediatric optometrist to get her eyesight checked out. She also has a large sore in her mouth which is not causing any pain but looks awful. The doctor did not know what it is so now we have to make a trip to the dentist to have it checked out. Thankfully she did not need any shots. Here are the little pea-mite's stats:

Weight: 35 lbs, 6 oz (18%)
Height: 40.5" (12%)

I don't have any clear recent pictures with just Hannah, but here are some recent pics of all three of the kids.

Having a picnic lunch.



Taking a ride in the wagon.

Downsizing

I have entered a new phase in daiper bags. No more do I need the gigantic overnight bag which holds 2-3 sets of clothing, 10 diapers, numerous odds and ends, a swaddling blanket, a few toys, snacks for me and my moochers and whatever accidently fell into the great abyss.

I officially downsized to a small diaper bag yesterday. This has offered both freedom and remorse. I have cleaned up the behemoth, but can't seem to bring myself to put a JBF tag on it yet. I have a few weeks to the sale to sever the connection.

So Rebecca is now using the modest little blue jean teddy bear bag which happens to be the first diaper bag we got after we announced Hannah's coming arrival. (Thanks Grandmommy and Papa!)

He is Risen!

What a glorious Easter morning this was! I am so blessed and I cannot seem to say thank you enough to God for the amazing blessings He just keeps pouring out on me and my family. From life experiences, I know there is a direct correlation between obedience and blessings.

There was a time in my life that I strayed far from God. Looking back, I remember feeling adrift and empty. I knew I was missing some piece of my life puzzle, but I just couldn't seem to figure it out. It was only after several despairing moments in my life that I turned my full attention to the cross. Though I have been a Christian for nearly 27 years now, I know that I did not seek to develop a relationship - a true relationship - with Him for about 17 years. The last 10 years of my life have been an amazing journey. I weep for my fellow Christians who sit in despair as I did, forgetting that our risen Lord is waiting to be the great Comforter, the Healer, the Rock, the Deliver, and the Redeemer. I have learned through my brief journey that there is such freedom in seeking God with all your heart through obedience and worshiping him every day, not just on Sundays or maybe even just at Christmas and Easter.

I had the opportunity to follow through in obedience this morning. When I first learned about our Easter program, I looked at Chad and told him I felt called to be a part of it. When I saw the cast, I felt the tug towards Mary. I knew this was where God wanted me. There was no ambition involved, no puffed up pride. I simply knew that was where God wanted me. And I was so thankful to receive affirmation from our Worship & Arts pastor who also felt that prompting.

I have a lot of experience with stage performance. It is a gift that God has allowed me to use. He has blessed me with a singing voice and with the ability to become a character in ways I could never fully explain. I have used that gift many times to receive glory from man. But today I was so privileged to use that gift to glorify my Lord and Savior. I weeped as I delivered my lines and sang this morning. But as I told Chad on the way home, it wasn't me. I had prayed that God would empty me and fill me with His Spirit. And I can tell you - that wasn't me singing. I could feel the Holy Spirit guiding me. No words can describe. Only tears of joy.

So today I joyfully proclaim that my Jesus is risen! He is sitting in Heaven at the right hand of the Father. And one day I will join him. I pray that you will all be with me. What a breathtaking experience it will be!

Delayed B'day Party

A new day dawns bright and beautiful. I have been so busy this week preparing for Hannah's little birthday party that was supposed to be today. Alas, her two younger siblings decided to be ill yesterday. Though it passed quickly, we still chose to postpone the party until Friday because we just didn't want to spread any germs.

Turns out that it was a good decision all around. Chad has 10 hours of Quasar to complete by tonight, I was struggling trying to get the last errands run (probably because I was dealing with getting-sick kiddos and struggling-with-the-same-illness mommy), and we had two family members hospitalized mid-week.

So the ladybug party will now be on Good Friday from 11-1. And the bonus is that our trampoline is in the front yard in the initial stages of being assembled. Woohoo! Sadly, some family members and friends have to work or are going out of town. But others who could not attend before will be able to be here. It's so hard to gather everyone at the same time so Hannah will probably celebrate her birthday all the way up to the actual birthdate on the 5th. But that's just the way it goes! I have a feeling she won't mind. Wink, wink. :)

Bath Time Imagination

At bath time, Hannah has decided that the wash cloths are sting rays. She makes them "swim" under the water and sometimes they leap into the air like dolphins. This has been ongoing since she learned about sting rays in one of Chad's educational books from childhood. Daddy was leaning over the tub tonight washing Hannah's hair and he asked her, "What are their names?" Hannah proclaimed, "Stinger and Wongo. " I tried not to laugh as Daddy said, "Oh, okay." Stinger I get. Wongo? Who knows.

Girls Only . . . Maybe Not

Since Friday morning it has been girls only around this house. Chad and Zach took a weekend trip to Mississippi to catch up with Papaw. I thought it would be so much fun to just have my girls. Hmm . . . maybe in a few more years.

We started off shopping Friday morning. Not so good. Rebecca made it clear that she was missing her morning nap. Plus the stores did not have what we were looking for. Plus there was an accident somewhere south of McKinney and I-75 was backed up for miles. Nice.

We went to visit my mom Saturday and that went fairly well. Rebecca has to be monitored closely in most homes - she's just at that age. Plus they napped on the way home. So no break for Mommy on Saturday.

Sunday arrived. Spring forward. YUCK!!!! Don't ever ask me what I think about Daylight Saving. DUMBEST TRADITION STILL IN USE!!! Anyone who promotes it obviously doesn't have young children who have to be adapted to a new time zone twice per year. On top of that, I served in the nursery during worship and preschool choir was still on (up until this week I thought I was going to get a break this Sunday). I tried to take a nap while Rebecca slept, but Hannah had ants in her pants and created so many distractions that she finally earned a spanking and was sent to her room. So another day without a break from the girls.

So here I sit at 11:21 PM Sunday night writing this to share with whomever reads this that I miss my boys terribly. They are coming home tomorrow and it just can't get here soon enough. The girls and I are taking Memaw to lunch tomorrow. I know it will mean the world to her. I think that is the only thing that will drag my weary body out the door tomorrow.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me . . .

The Spider Lesson

And this is precisely why I enjoy homeschooling so much:

We have been learning all about the sun in our latest lessons. Today's lesson was about how sunshine can make as feel happy and warm. We were up on the playroom floor and looked up at the sky light to locate the sun. In the middle sky light was a large black spider with a marking on it's rear which at first horrified me.

All three of the kids, though, were absolutely mesmerized. We sat on the floor for about 30 minutes talking about the spider and how she was soaking up the sun's rays just like we were. She moved back and forth checking her new web and the kids talked about every move she made. Even Rebecca laid back in my lap so she could gaze up at the tiny creature. Hannah and Zach tickled me as they ran to their rooms to get their binoculars so they could get a better look.

When Hannah was a baby, I asked a mom at our old church when you start homeschooling with your child. She had 7 kids and I respected her opinions, but I was dumbfounded by her response. She said that homeschooling was more a way of life than something you started and stopped at certain times. I puzzled over this for about 2 years, then I began to understand what she meant. It's called teachable moments. You might have a lesson planned, but you get the wonderful opportunity to adapt it in ways you hadn't thought about before.

I got to teach my kids about the sun's rays in a unique way today because a large and somewhat scary spider took up temporary residence in our sky light. If I had waited any longer, the lesson would be gone. Clouds moved in about an hour later and she moved on to look for some place that had bugs to eat.

Thank you God for the spider you made that helped us learn more about the amazing sun you created on day 4!

Bragging on my Babe

I just want to take a few moments to brag on my totally awesome husband. He has been doing fantastic in Biology and he is having an absolute blast! I am so proud of his determination and his desire to be obedient to God who very obviously told him to take the class. We don't know where this will take him, but we are just planning on staying the course until God gives a new command.

In the midst of taking this class, he continues to work, work, work. Plus he has been clearing briars and making a beautiful path through the woods so we can walk around the pond on the west side. We can't wait to see what it will look like once all the foliage is out.

And if that isn't enough, he takes time to play with the kids and reinforce our school lessons whenever possible. All this while dealing with a wife who randomly has minor meltdowns or who suddenly decides she is completely tired of cooking supper. :)

What can I say? I dreamed up the perfect husband and then God gave me a man who was better than any of my dreams. Blessed, blessed, blessed. I love you my darling Chad!