From time to time I see a therapist. Named Fred. Usually I go running into his office when I am so overwhelmed and stressed out that I am on the edge of a nervous breakdown -- or at least am at the point where any one and any thing can make me cry.
This last month I've been crying so very much, that I finally decided that if my period was even 2 days late, I was going to go pee on a stick. In other words, take a pregnancy test -- even though I have had a tubal and the chances of being pregnant are TINY. Thankfully, it was just one day late and I didn't waste money on a test.
So it was time. I went to see Therapist Fred. He always talks me through it. I gripe about kids, husband, finances, family, dog, etc. He listens, and then either makes me laugh with a bad joke or reminds me that I'm not supermom and can't save the day for every single person every single time. Apparently it's not quite sinking in because he keeps having to remind me ... but maybe one day I'll remember that.
During my gripe session I griped about the socks. You know, the dirty ones that husband leaves the floor next to the desk. The ones I've griped about before. The ones that pile up and pile up and pile up -- with me half believing the dear husband when every day he tells me that he's going to put them in the hamper that night before bed but then never being surprised when he doesn't. They're gross and disgusting. And then I finally get tired of letting them pile up and gather them up, trying to not breathe in their toxic fumes, and dump them in the washer. Yup, this was definitely worth a therapy session. ;)
Today, Therapist Fred told me hide the dirty socks under the bed. Or I could stuff them in his pillow case. (Chris...are you reading this? Because if you are, Fred said that you aren't supposed to know that he told me to do this, and so you need to pretend you didn't read it. :P And while you're at it, pick up your socks. ;) )
(FTR, Therapist Fred is not the first person to suggest such things, but it makes me laugh when my THERAPIST tells me to do so.)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Meant to get this up yesterday -- Chris interrupted me though
Last one....
It's long. Just to warn ya. But super cute.
It's long. Just to warn ya. But super cute.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
2 Videos -- 1 more coming later today
I took this video in June. And then promptly forgot about it. The house is VERY messy and laundry needed to be hung (what's new?). The video is sorta long, about 4 minutes, but still cute. I was focusing on getting Alex's new words on video so that's why it seems like I'm avoiding Kairi... sorry about that.
And now a video of the house. It's still not completely unpacked, a little messy, and such, but this should give you an idea. :)
Video of the kids coming later today -- have to edit it first.
And now a video of the house. It's still not completely unpacked, a little messy, and such, but this should give you an idea. :)
Video of the kids coming later today -- have to edit it first.
Animal Post
Post one of at least two today -- videos coming
(Clickable pics)
First, the other morning after feeding the kids bowls of oatmeal and then walking into the other room, I came back to the dining room to see Aslan sitting like this:
That's MY seat at the table. And there he set, expecting his food to be served there. For the record, he's never been fed at the table, and never will be. But obviously he considers himself royalty and tried to demand it that morning.
And now for Zoe. Remember when we first got her she was much smaller than we expected:
Then the next pictures of her where these:
And now .... Here's her this past week!
Zoe is sitting a foot or so behind Alex, even though you can't tell it in this post, but it's still a decent comparison shot ... And Alex is cute. :)
(Clickable pics)
First, the other morning after feeding the kids bowls of oatmeal and then walking into the other room, I came back to the dining room to see Aslan sitting like this:
That's MY seat at the table. And there he set, expecting his food to be served there. For the record, he's never been fed at the table, and never will be. But obviously he considers himself royalty and tried to demand it that morning.
And now for Zoe. Remember when we first got her she was much smaller than we expected:
Then the next pictures of her where these:
And now .... Here's her this past week!
Zoe is sitting a foot or so behind Alex, even though you can't tell it in this post, but it's still a decent comparison shot ... And Alex is cute. :)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A Conversation I'm Tired of Having
The screaming in Kairi's bedroom had calmed down after being sent there.
M: Kairi, come down stairs please and talk to me.
K: Coming Mommy! sobbing
M: Kairi, what did you do to get in trouble?
K: I yell at Mommy.
M: Are you supposed to yell at Mommy?
K: Nooooo.
M: What happens when you yell at Mommy?
K: I get a spank'n.
M: And what else?
K: I go to bed.
M: Do you like spanking and being sent to bed?
K: NO!
M: Kairi, remember, don't yell, not even when answering my question. Now, when Mommy tells you to do something next time, are you going to yell at her or are you going to say yes ma'am and do what you're supposed to?
K: I'm going to do it.
M: Thank you, Kairi, that would make me happy. I don't like spanking you.
K: Love you Mommy. Hug?
M: I love you too Kairi. And then we hug.
Repeat entire scenario in about 20 minutes.
I'm TIRED of it.
M: Kairi, come down stairs please and talk to me.
K: Coming Mommy! sobbing
M: Kairi, what did you do to get in trouble?
K: I yell at Mommy.
M: Are you supposed to yell at Mommy?
K: Nooooo.
M: What happens when you yell at Mommy?
K: I get a spank'n.
M: And what else?
K: I go to bed.
M: Do you like spanking and being sent to bed?
K: NO!
M: Kairi, remember, don't yell, not even when answering my question. Now, when Mommy tells you to do something next time, are you going to yell at her or are you going to say yes ma'am and do what you're supposed to?
K: I'm going to do it.
M: Thank you, Kairi, that would make me happy. I don't like spanking you.
K: Love you Mommy. Hug?
M: I love you too Kairi. And then we hug.
Repeat entire scenario in about 20 minutes.
I'm TIRED of it.
Monday, September 14, 2009
While cooking lunch today
I turned around to see
on my floor. Next to it was a puddle of pee that I didn't take a picture of. (You're welcome.) Iimmediately grabbed my camera and then went searching out the naked butt it belonged to.
on my floor. Next to it was a puddle of pee that I didn't take a picture of. (You're welcome.) I
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Crying too Hard to Make Sense -- Just Read The Article
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1212924/Doctors-said-Id-miscarriage-did-premature-baby-fought-life.html
The Post I Meant To Make Yesterday, But Ran Out of Time
Yesterday was the first day in over a week that we have had consistent internet access in our home. It also happened to be the day that I had the absolute least time for being online of the last week.
Yesterday was also the anniversary of a day that has shaped and defined my life for the last 4 years. I cannot adequately describe the memories I have of that day, even though they are still as clear to me as yesterday. But I believe that I can adequately describe how it has shaped my present and my future.
September 11, 2001 rekindled a fire in my then friend, and now husband's, heart to protect and serve his country, just as multiple past generations in his family served. He suppressed that desire for the next few years because of me. But the day came when he could no longer suppress it, and with me finally giving him my "I don't like it but I'll support you no matter what" speech, he enlisted in the Navy. I don't believe that I have ever seen him as proud as he was at graduation minus our wedding day and the births of our children. He may now not enjoy his job, he may become irritated with the bureaucracy and the backwards policies, but I also know that he wouldn't be the man he is today if 9-11 had never happened.
September 11, 2001 changed my view of the world. I went from having a fairly nationally minded point of view, to being more concerned than ever before at events in countries beyond North and South America. I began to take interest in more cultures and histories than ever before. I had always enjoyed them, but at a distance before. Suddenly, I found myself longing to spend time in those cultures and with those people. I want to spend time in Africa and India. I want to go to China and Korea. I want to spend time in the Philippines. I want to go to the Middle East. I want to see the land that my faith originated in, as well as begin to understand and relate to the people there more than ever. I still want to travel through South America, especially Honduras, and preach and teach there as well. For now, those plans are on hold. But I know without a doubt that one day I'll begin my travels. And every time I set off for another unknown place, I'll know that it began on 9-11.
September 11, 2001 did not just shape my current circumstances, and my dreams of travel for the future, but it reshaped my view point of the Islamic faith. It went to being something very distant and foreign to me, to being something that I want to understand and learn more about. Now, before I continue, I would like to point out that I stand very firm in my faith. I'm not in danger of converting (rather, this desire to learn more does nothing but strengthen my faith). But I am on a constant quest to understand more those that share the origins of my faith. I have so many questions about why they do certain things, why they believe in certain ways, etc. And I'm learning more and more every day. I'm learning that the stereotypes I believed for so many years may be accurate for a few, but in the lives of many they are just flat out wrong. I'm learning that while Christians often point to Muslims as examples of people strong in their faith, that Muslims often point to Christians as examples of people taking care of and loving on other people. I'm learning that there are many Muslim women who are much stronger and opinionated than I ever imagined. And I'm learning that people are simply people with problems and arguments and prejudices, no matter what their faith. "We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" -- the only difference in Muslims and I are that we place our hope of redemption of that sinful nature in much different places. Which is probably what leads the Christian faith to being so much more willing to help each other -- we are compelled to by the love Christ has shown for us, rather than by mandate. I know that my life is richer for the knowledge I now have, and I know that my faith is stronger based off of what I learned. And without a doubt I know that I would not have dived into this pool of knowledge and understanding, if 9-11 had never happened.
September 11, 2001 shook our nation to its core. It reminded us as Americans that we are vulnerable; it reminded us that we need to place our trust in God (oh how quickly that was forgotten though!); it reminded us that we needed to love and support each other in this country (something else we should be reminded of on a daily basis). But the reaches of that day went much farther than just to touch our nation, it touched individual lives. I'm certain that I'm not the only person, or even one of a few people, that can trace direct events and changes in their future back to that day. Instead, I'm quite certain that nearly every person that can remember that day has a story to tell about how 9-11 changed things for them.
So now I ask, what impact did it have on YOUR life?
Yesterday was also the anniversary of a day that has shaped and defined my life for the last 4 years. I cannot adequately describe the memories I have of that day, even though they are still as clear to me as yesterday. But I believe that I can adequately describe how it has shaped my present and my future.
September 11, 2001 rekindled a fire in my then friend, and now husband's, heart to protect and serve his country, just as multiple past generations in his family served. He suppressed that desire for the next few years because of me. But the day came when he could no longer suppress it, and with me finally giving him my "I don't like it but I'll support you no matter what" speech, he enlisted in the Navy. I don't believe that I have ever seen him as proud as he was at graduation minus our wedding day and the births of our children. He may now not enjoy his job, he may become irritated with the bureaucracy and the backwards policies, but I also know that he wouldn't be the man he is today if 9-11 had never happened.
September 11, 2001 changed my view of the world. I went from having a fairly nationally minded point of view, to being more concerned than ever before at events in countries beyond North and South America. I began to take interest in more cultures and histories than ever before. I had always enjoyed them, but at a distance before. Suddenly, I found myself longing to spend time in those cultures and with those people. I want to spend time in Africa and India. I want to go to China and Korea. I want to spend time in the Philippines. I want to go to the Middle East. I want to see the land that my faith originated in, as well as begin to understand and relate to the people there more than ever. I still want to travel through South America, especially Honduras, and preach and teach there as well. For now, those plans are on hold. But I know without a doubt that one day I'll begin my travels. And every time I set off for another unknown place, I'll know that it began on 9-11.
September 11, 2001 did not just shape my current circumstances, and my dreams of travel for the future, but it reshaped my view point of the Islamic faith. It went to being something very distant and foreign to me, to being something that I want to understand and learn more about. Now, before I continue, I would like to point out that I stand very firm in my faith. I'm not in danger of converting (rather, this desire to learn more does nothing but strengthen my faith). But I am on a constant quest to understand more those that share the origins of my faith. I have so many questions about why they do certain things, why they believe in certain ways, etc. And I'm learning more and more every day. I'm learning that the stereotypes I believed for so many years may be accurate for a few, but in the lives of many they are just flat out wrong. I'm learning that while Christians often point to Muslims as examples of people strong in their faith, that Muslims often point to Christians as examples of people taking care of and loving on other people. I'm learning that there are many Muslim women who are much stronger and opinionated than I ever imagined. And I'm learning that people are simply people with problems and arguments and prejudices, no matter what their faith. "We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" -- the only difference in Muslims and I are that we place our hope of redemption of that sinful nature in much different places. Which is probably what leads the Christian faith to being so much more willing to help each other -- we are compelled to by the love Christ has shown for us, rather than by mandate. I know that my life is richer for the knowledge I now have, and I know that my faith is stronger based off of what I learned. And without a doubt I know that I would not have dived into this pool of knowledge and understanding, if 9-11 had never happened.
September 11, 2001 shook our nation to its core. It reminded us as Americans that we are vulnerable; it reminded us that we need to place our trust in God (oh how quickly that was forgotten though!); it reminded us that we needed to love and support each other in this country (something else we should be reminded of on a daily basis). But the reaches of that day went much farther than just to touch our nation, it touched individual lives. I'm certain that I'm not the only person, or even one of a few people, that can trace direct events and changes in their future back to that day. Instead, I'm quite certain that nearly every person that can remember that day has a story to tell about how 9-11 changed things for them.
So now I ask, what impact did it have on YOUR life?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
You Coming Too Daddy?
As I've mentioned before, we're moving soon. We originally wanted a house for a yard for the kids and dog, but after realizing that we could have a nicer place while paying less we agreed to look at condos as well. And we found the perfect place. My only regrets are 1)no yard, and 2)we're moving away from amazing neighbors, but that would have had to happen regardless. Either way, I'm still really excited to start moving into the new place -- we start today, HURRAY!
We've been talking about this around the kids, but had yet to actually address the situation with them. Don't get me wrong, they saw the houses with us -- but Kairi seemed to think we were just visiting lots of new places to play. So last night we decided to specifically tell Kairi about it while we were eating dinner. The conversation broke my heart. Here's how it went:
M: Kairi, how would you like to move to a new house?
K: Ummm...
M: You would get a new bedroom and a new bathroom and you would go up and down stairs everyday!
K: Stairs! Yay! I like stairs Mommy.
M: I know you do! It'll be fun!
K: But Mommy, you comin'?
M: Of course baby girl.
K: In a squeaky, almost scared voice, looking seriously at Daddy -- we could tell she was worried.Daddy, you gonna come too?
D: Yes Baby! I'm coming too!
M: Kairi, we're all going. You, me, Daddy... We're all going.
K: Oh no! You not leaving Alex!
M: No! We're not leaving Alex. It'll be you, me, Daddy, and Alex. We're all going.
K: Poor Zoe puppy.
M: What's wrong w/ Zoe?
K: She don't get to go.
M: Yes she will! Kairi, you, Alex, Mommy, Daddy, Zoe AND Aslan are all going to move to a new house. TOGETHER. We're moving together. We all get new bedrooms. And stairs to walk on. And a new living room. And a new kitchen.
K: Ok! I like stairs!
M: I know you do baby. And this is going to be a lot of fun.
K: But Mommy ... what about my house? Where it going?
M: It's going to stay right here. We're going to take our things out of it and move them to our new house.
K: My poor house. Mommy, it gonna miss me.
M: Baby, it'll be ok. And we're going to get a new and more fun house!
K: But my friends are gonna miss me Mommy. Referring to the neighbors I'm sure.
M: Kairi, your friends are going to come see us in our new house. And we'll go see them. I promise.
The conversation went on and on and on like this. She became more and more happy about the stairs and would tell us that she wanted to go up and down the stairs a lot. But then suddenly she'd get concerned -- most of that time it would revolve around making sure that Daddy was moving with us. We frequently heard "Daddy, you wanna come with me? I'm going to a new house. Wanna come? Please?"
Navy life sometimes takes a toll on a child that has a hard time dealing with change. One change and she's suddenly terrified that she's going to lose her Daddy. I hope that moving with Daddy helps her know that he's not leaving her...
We've been talking about this around the kids, but had yet to actually address the situation with them. Don't get me wrong, they saw the houses with us -- but Kairi seemed to think we were just visiting lots of new places to play. So last night we decided to specifically tell Kairi about it while we were eating dinner. The conversation broke my heart. Here's how it went:
M: Kairi, how would you like to move to a new house?
K: Ummm...
M: You would get a new bedroom and a new bathroom and you would go up and down stairs everyday!
K: Stairs! Yay! I like stairs Mommy.
M: I know you do! It'll be fun!
K: But Mommy, you comin'?
M: Of course baby girl.
K: In a squeaky, almost scared voice, looking seriously at Daddy -- we could tell she was worried.Daddy, you gonna come too?
D: Yes Baby! I'm coming too!
M: Kairi, we're all going. You, me, Daddy... We're all going.
K: Oh no! You not leaving Alex!
M: No! We're not leaving Alex. It'll be you, me, Daddy, and Alex. We're all going.
K: Poor Zoe puppy.
M: What's wrong w/ Zoe?
K: She don't get to go.
M: Yes she will! Kairi, you, Alex, Mommy, Daddy, Zoe AND Aslan are all going to move to a new house. TOGETHER. We're moving together. We all get new bedrooms. And stairs to walk on. And a new living room. And a new kitchen.
K: Ok! I like stairs!
M: I know you do baby. And this is going to be a lot of fun.
K: But Mommy ... what about my house? Where it going?
M: It's going to stay right here. We're going to take our things out of it and move them to our new house.
K: My poor house. Mommy, it gonna miss me.
M: Baby, it'll be ok. And we're going to get a new and more fun house!
K: But my friends are gonna miss me Mommy. Referring to the neighbors I'm sure.
M: Kairi, your friends are going to come see us in our new house. And we'll go see them. I promise.
The conversation went on and on and on like this. She became more and more happy about the stairs and would tell us that she wanted to go up and down the stairs a lot. But then suddenly she'd get concerned -- most of that time it would revolve around making sure that Daddy was moving with us. We frequently heard "Daddy, you wanna come with me? I'm going to a new house. Wanna come? Please?"
Navy life sometimes takes a toll on a child that has a hard time dealing with change. One change and she's suddenly terrified that she's going to lose her Daddy. I hope that moving with Daddy helps her know that he's not leaving her...
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