So often, those times meant to be soul-searching good are clouded by fear and anxiety. Now is one of those times. I feel something on the horizon. Something just for me. Not perfection per se, but a place within myself that I can be ok, in spite of.
We're on week 14 of 3-day work weeks. The extra time that Justin and I have had together has done amazing things for us. Incredibly, Saturday night, we both dreamed that we had a wedding - not back when we got married but now, like a recommitment wedding. Sunday morning, when I mentioned my dream at the breakfast table, Justin about fell out of his chair because though his dream was different, it was incredibly similar. There has been a renewal with us. The past year has been stressful and way too busy for our first year together. These 3-day work weeks have helped to give us time for just us. I love that man in ways I could never explain and he touches my soul in places I never knew existed. Plus, I don't ever feel like he doesn't love me. He is good at showing how deep his love runs.
See, good soul-searching times clouded by the fear and anxiety of possibly not being able to pay bills.
Then there is the Christmas trip to South Texas. We've all been waiting a long time for this moment. Justin's mom and step-dad live by the ocean in a tiny little town not far from the beach, and they live a laid back, easy-going lifestyle there. It's a place of rest and good coffee. Then I find out that I have to send my kids to Chicago. We had all, including the kids, hoped to avoid that dreaded trip, but I'm bound by the law and there is nothing that I can do about it. My heart aches and is broken, yet I'm beginning to realize that I have to find a place of peace with this. It's never going to be easy to send my amazing children to see the monster that only seeks to destroy them to get at me, yet does it in such a way that I cannot do anything about it. All I can do is pick up the pieces because no one cares if you are being manipulated and humiliated. They only care if you have marks on your body that last until you get home. Sorry, I'm going off on a tangent here.
The point is that yet again, this time of soul-searching and quiet peace is marred by fear and anxiety.
Why must it be? I'm beginning to think that I need to learn to shed the fear and the anxiety and embrace the soul-searching and quiet peace. I need to get to that place where I trust God fully. I trust Him that He has our back when it comes to money and that He has our back when it comes to protecting our children. In my head, I know that. In heart, I need to embrace that, and there is no better time than now.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
More Children!
I have about 5 blog entries that have been strumming around in my head...and they are actually good entries but they are getting older by the minute; therefore, I will probably never write them. That's ok though.
Today, I want a baby. I go through this periodically. Call me crazy. I would not be disappointed to get pregnant again. Somedays, including today, Jaden is difficult and I think, "No way. No how." However, even on those days sometimes, I want to be pregnant again.
Today, I'm definitely ready to give it another go. *laughing* Of course, God is the one in control here because I can't even get pregnant yet. Eh, it will happen. When it happens, I will be very, very happy!
And 8 is great! Kristen had a sleepover with a friend Saturday night, so it was just Migc, Jaden and I. I think 8 is my favorite age so far. He's cool. He's still a kid, but he conversates well. He hangs out. He chills, yet still plays. He says thoughtful things. He's such a good kid. I enjoy 8 a whole lot!
Today, I want a baby. I go through this periodically. Call me crazy. I would not be disappointed to get pregnant again. Somedays, including today, Jaden is difficult and I think, "No way. No how." However, even on those days sometimes, I want to be pregnant again.
Today, I'm definitely ready to give it another go. *laughing* Of course, God is the one in control here because I can't even get pregnant yet. Eh, it will happen. When it happens, I will be very, very happy!
And 8 is great! Kristen had a sleepover with a friend Saturday night, so it was just Migc, Jaden and I. I think 8 is my favorite age so far. He's cool. He's still a kid, but he conversates well. He hangs out. He chills, yet still plays. He says thoughtful things. He's such a good kid. I enjoy 8 a whole lot!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
What Was That?
I don't really remember what I wrote about yesterday and I'm not going back to read about it because I will probably be embarrassed! I know I wrote about Jaden being allergic to the animals and I know that I wrote about "being different". Hmmmm scary.
I was quite out of it yesterday. I went to fill Jaden's prescriptions and had to have the woman explain something to me 3 times...and it was something simple. My brain was not firing. I'm on, I think, day 5 or maybe it's 6 now without much sleep. I'd say Jaden did better last night, but he was still up 5 or 6 times, or maybe it was 4? I was a walking zombie.
Today, I'm cleaning like nobody's business. When is the last time you cleaned behind your oven? I do the fridge periodically, but I skip the oven. It's harder to move and just a little scarier for me. I always feel like I'm going to trip something that will make my house explode, which is completely ridiculous because it's an electric oven, but still. I moved it and cleaned under it today. Nasty!! I have to do my best to get out as much pet hair and dander as possible.
Is it possible that an antibiotic can start working within 3 doses? He seems to be draining some of that infection already. Maybe it's the antihistamine he took last night? I don't know anything about this stuff. And yes, Miss Anti-Antibiotic has my son on one. In fact, he has to be on it for 20 days, plus she wrote it to be refilled too, as 20 days may not do the trick. Migc took one once and I always regretted it. Jaden's infection is BAD though! They (I don't remember if I wrote any of this yesterday, if I did, well, you get to read it again) took an x-ray of his nasal cavity. There are 2 cavities on the sides of your nose that are supposed to be white when x-rayed. You can see one side faintly and you cannot even tell where the other side is. Poor baby! He's already draining though. Is that possible?
Well, I'm off to get back to work. Please forgive me for whatever I wrote yesterday. Just remind yourself that I haven't slept in a few days!
I was quite out of it yesterday. I went to fill Jaden's prescriptions and had to have the woman explain something to me 3 times...and it was something simple. My brain was not firing. I'm on, I think, day 5 or maybe it's 6 now without much sleep. I'd say Jaden did better last night, but he was still up 5 or 6 times, or maybe it was 4? I was a walking zombie.
Today, I'm cleaning like nobody's business. When is the last time you cleaned behind your oven? I do the fridge periodically, but I skip the oven. It's harder to move and just a little scarier for me. I always feel like I'm going to trip something that will make my house explode, which is completely ridiculous because it's an electric oven, but still. I moved it and cleaned under it today. Nasty!! I have to do my best to get out as much pet hair and dander as possible.
Is it possible that an antibiotic can start working within 3 doses? He seems to be draining some of that infection already. Maybe it's the antihistamine he took last night? I don't know anything about this stuff. And yes, Miss Anti-Antibiotic has my son on one. In fact, he has to be on it for 20 days, plus she wrote it to be refilled too, as 20 days may not do the trick. Migc took one once and I always regretted it. Jaden's infection is BAD though! They (I don't remember if I wrote any of this yesterday, if I did, well, you get to read it again) took an x-ray of his nasal cavity. There are 2 cavities on the sides of your nose that are supposed to be white when x-rayed. You can see one side faintly and you cannot even tell where the other side is. Poor baby! He's already draining though. Is that possible?
Well, I'm off to get back to work. Please forgive me for whatever I wrote yesterday. Just remind yourself that I haven't slept in a few days!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
New Home
It looks like we will need to find Josie a new home. It seems that little Mr. Jaden is allergic to at least dogs, maybe cats too. He's been sick forever. He is always stuffy. I've mentioned it a couple of times at the doctor and no one really ever looked into it. Well, now he is down and about and climbing on Josie and rolling around dog dander all day long and he seems to have gotten worse. The doctor noticed it as soon as she saw his eyes and asked if we had animals. Nasal x-rays showed his nasal passageway is nearly completely blocked, which would lead to fussy baby and sleepless nights.
No doubt, Justin is very bummed right now. I feel terrible for him! How do you love animals as much as he does and have a son that can't do animals.
I've also been thinking about us moving back to Ark City. We're talking about it...well a little more than talking, ok. Today I was wondering what I might have gotten myself in to. I'm well, what you might call different. That's not a problem for me, but I'm so used to being different and living in places were I wasn't all that different or at least there were others around that were different too. Part of what attracts me to going back home is the idea of being around those back home. I worry that I might be setting myself up for disappointment. I'm an introvert. No matter where you put me, I'll still be an introvert. I'm also a homebirther, cloth diaperer, breastfeeder that uses breastmilk to cure a wide variety of ailments. My goal within the next 6 months to have a garden, a real organic garden. I love tea and alternative medicine. I wear my stocking cap regularly because I like to, not because I'm cold.
We watched Along Came Polly the other night on TV and Justin said, "there's you." I was like, "yeah, the me I wish I were." He said, "no, you don't understand. that's how I see you." Not the commitment part of Polly but the alternativeness of Polly. I've always wanted to be more and more like that and over the years keep getting closer and closer. Will moving back to AC be more of curse? Will I be a total outcast? Will I be that weird woman that lives over there? Or will I be that person that people really don't want to be friends with because she's so strange? Am I making too much of it?
I don't know. I guess we'll see, huh?
No doubt, Justin is very bummed right now. I feel terrible for him! How do you love animals as much as he does and have a son that can't do animals.
I've also been thinking about us moving back to Ark City. We're talking about it...well a little more than talking, ok. Today I was wondering what I might have gotten myself in to. I'm well, what you might call different. That's not a problem for me, but I'm so used to being different and living in places were I wasn't all that different or at least there were others around that were different too. Part of what attracts me to going back home is the idea of being around those back home. I worry that I might be setting myself up for disappointment. I'm an introvert. No matter where you put me, I'll still be an introvert. I'm also a homebirther, cloth diaperer, breastfeeder that uses breastmilk to cure a wide variety of ailments. My goal within the next 6 months to have a garden, a real organic garden. I love tea and alternative medicine. I wear my stocking cap regularly because I like to, not because I'm cold.
We watched Along Came Polly the other night on TV and Justin said, "there's you." I was like, "yeah, the me I wish I were." He said, "no, you don't understand. that's how I see you." Not the commitment part of Polly but the alternativeness of Polly. I've always wanted to be more and more like that and over the years keep getting closer and closer. Will moving back to AC be more of curse? Will I be a total outcast? Will I be that weird woman that lives over there? Or will I be that person that people really don't want to be friends with because she's so strange? Am I making too much of it?
I don't know. I guess we'll see, huh?
Monday, December 1, 2008
He's Always Been Faithful
If you don't know, you should know. Sara Groves sings my heart. It has always been that way. I suppose, as long as she stays close to God and I stay close to God, she will probably always sing my heart. There are few things that I go through, sometimes even daily, that doesn't bring one of her songs to my mind.
This morning it is He's Always Been Faithful.
Morning by morning I wake up to find the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch him amazed, in awe of the mystery of his perfect ways.
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
I can't remember a trial or a pain he did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can't remember one single regret in serving God only and trusting his hand.
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
This is my anthem, this is my song, the theme of the stories I've heard for so long.
God has been faithful, he will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows no end.
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
Paying bills is always stressful for me. We are currently on week 12 of 3-day work weeks for Justin. As talk has it, we have probably 7 or 8 more weeks to go. God has been faithful. As I sat down to pay the mortgage this morning, my stress level increased, thinking of the coming weeks. I went to take a shower and instantly, God reminded me of His faithfulness throughout all of this. Trust me, if I gave you details, your mind would be blown! God has been faithful and He will be again!
Jaden hasn't slept in 3 nights. Last night was the best, but in all, I was up with him 8 times. God is faithful! The two nights previously, Justin and I took turns and we maybe got 3 hours sleep each on those nights and it was stealing time here and there. I made him a doctor's appointment. We must find out what is going on. I've been reading a ton about fussy/high-need babies and he seems pretty typical and probably no end in sight, but I'm learning coping techniques and how to help him too. Those helped last night. God has been faithful and will be again.
For a while now, I keep saying that I need time away. Yesterday, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Justin and I haven't had any alone time since Jaden has been born. OK yeah, we get a little time here and there while the baby is sleeping, but to go somewhere outside the house completely alone, we haven't done that in more than 6 months, not since the morning before Jaden was born. Why had I not realized that? I called my mom, knowing that she has been busy and sick and stuff, but begging. She drove up and Justin and I went and got a cup of coffee at a cool little coffee shop on Douglas, then went to the mall for some cookies, then stopped at K-Mart looking for a fuse for the outside Christmas lights. Two hours and a world of difference later, we came home ready to go through another sleepless night. I can't believe it had been that long. We definitely have to make it more of a priority!
Today, I'm off to see the Gingerbread Man at Crown Uptown with Migc and his class. I've been reminded of the faithfulness of my Lord and I'm ready to embrace my day!
This morning it is He's Always Been Faithful.
Morning by morning I wake up to find the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch him amazed, in awe of the mystery of his perfect ways.
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
I can't remember a trial or a pain he did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can't remember one single regret in serving God only and trusting his hand.
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
This is my anthem, this is my song, the theme of the stories I've heard for so long.
God has been faithful, he will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows no end.
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.
Paying bills is always stressful for me. We are currently on week 12 of 3-day work weeks for Justin. As talk has it, we have probably 7 or 8 more weeks to go. God has been faithful. As I sat down to pay the mortgage this morning, my stress level increased, thinking of the coming weeks. I went to take a shower and instantly, God reminded me of His faithfulness throughout all of this. Trust me, if I gave you details, your mind would be blown! God has been faithful and He will be again!
Jaden hasn't slept in 3 nights. Last night was the best, but in all, I was up with him 8 times. God is faithful! The two nights previously, Justin and I took turns and we maybe got 3 hours sleep each on those nights and it was stealing time here and there. I made him a doctor's appointment. We must find out what is going on. I've been reading a ton about fussy/high-need babies and he seems pretty typical and probably no end in sight, but I'm learning coping techniques and how to help him too. Those helped last night. God has been faithful and will be again.
For a while now, I keep saying that I need time away. Yesterday, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Justin and I haven't had any alone time since Jaden has been born. OK yeah, we get a little time here and there while the baby is sleeping, but to go somewhere outside the house completely alone, we haven't done that in more than 6 months, not since the morning before Jaden was born. Why had I not realized that? I called my mom, knowing that she has been busy and sick and stuff, but begging. She drove up and Justin and I went and got a cup of coffee at a cool little coffee shop on Douglas, then went to the mall for some cookies, then stopped at K-Mart looking for a fuse for the outside Christmas lights. Two hours and a world of difference later, we came home ready to go through another sleepless night. I can't believe it had been that long. We definitely have to make it more of a priority!
Today, I'm off to see the Gingerbread Man at Crown Uptown with Migc and his class. I've been reminded of the faithfulness of my Lord and I'm ready to embrace my day!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Ima weirdo
Should you be on What Not to Wear if you look longingly at the clothes of a candidate and wish that you had them??
Monday, November 24, 2008
I love Spongebob so much that
I should marry him. Oh wait, I'm already married. Well, anyway, I love him. I love him!
Wait, no really, I love Ashley. Yes, it's really Ashley and her amazing kids that I love.
I had to make a quick trip to my mom's yesterday and had a H-E-hockey stick-hockey stick of a trip there. Jaden was not feeling the car. I finally, lulled him to sleep about 30 miles and a stop after beginning our trip. I sang Jesus loves me, Jesus loves the little children and This little light of mine over and over until he finally stopped crying long enough to go to sleep.
On the way home, no amount of Jesus songs were working. We stopped in Winfield and picked up some ibuprofen. I know his throat was sore already and by the time we got to Winfield, he was hoarse. We walked around the store a while and as soon as he saw the truck, he started crying again. I had to get home anyway. Just as I hit K15, I thought, "come on, I have to have some kid music in here somewhere. Please, please, please let me find some kid music somewhere!!" I looked and low and behold, Ashley's kiddos left their Spongebob CD in my truck yet again. (insert the angels singing Hallelujah)
Jaden loves Spongebob's voice. I don't know what it is. As soon as he heard his voice, he was quiet the rest of the way home. So, no matter how I ever felt about Spongebob before, he will always bring endearing thoughts to my heart now. He soothed my baby boy for almost 45 minutes! Something even I couldn't do!
Wait, no really, I love Ashley. Yes, it's really Ashley and her amazing kids that I love.
I had to make a quick trip to my mom's yesterday and had a H-E-hockey stick-hockey stick of a trip there. Jaden was not feeling the car. I finally, lulled him to sleep about 30 miles and a stop after beginning our trip. I sang Jesus loves me, Jesus loves the little children and This little light of mine over and over until he finally stopped crying long enough to go to sleep.
On the way home, no amount of Jesus songs were working. We stopped in Winfield and picked up some ibuprofen. I know his throat was sore already and by the time we got to Winfield, he was hoarse. We walked around the store a while and as soon as he saw the truck, he started crying again. I had to get home anyway. Just as I hit K15, I thought, "come on, I have to have some kid music in here somewhere. Please, please, please let me find some kid music somewhere!!" I looked and low and behold, Ashley's kiddos left their Spongebob CD in my truck yet again. (insert the angels singing Hallelujah)
Jaden loves Spongebob's voice. I don't know what it is. As soon as he heard his voice, he was quiet the rest of the way home. So, no matter how I ever felt about Spongebob before, he will always bring endearing thoughts to my heart now. He soothed my baby boy for almost 45 minutes! Something even I couldn't do!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
I'm a Hippie
I don't know why I watch those baby stories on TLC. I don't know why.
OK, so she had gastric bypass and needed a c-section because of it. OK. I'll accept that. But after the baby is born, the baby is laid on the bed and the dad is there with a camera in her face, talking *about* her. The baby is screaming. I'm sitting here talking to the TV saying, "would someone pick that baby up??" "Don't talk about her. Talk *to* her!"
Scene breaks and they bring the baby (healthy baby) to the mom in a different room. The mom has had time to put more make-up on and fix her hair. She looks very nice as they hand her her baby for the first time and she doesn't seem at all disappointed that she is one of the last people to meet her own baby.
That is so irritating to me!
In fairness, she seems to be a great mom. She seems to have done a great job with her older son, but that birth experience is irritating to me!
************************
Complete different note:
Want to hear a conversation in our house last night?
J: Have you heard about that drawing they're having here in Wichita right now?
M: No.
J: There are about 20 different places around the city where you can sign up to win $10,000 for Christmas presents.
M: Ah, that'd be cool.
J: Yeah, you should go sign up. The catch though is that you have to buy everything the day before Christmas.
M: Oh, I could do that!
J: Yeah, everyone would get electronics.
M: Ha! From China! (said disgustingly)
J: Yes, from China. (said matter-of-factly)
M: I just want cloth pads, wool hats for everyone and some wooden stacking cups for Jaden.
J: Wooden what?
M: Stacking cups.
J: Oh
Ha! Sometimes we can be so different! :)
******************************
And on to something else.
Yesterday, I got an email from a friend that I used to journal with. Right before Jaden was born, I posted my birth plan on my journal and she had lots of questions. She was genuinely interested. She is married but they aren't having babies just yet. From then on, she went on a mission to learn more about pregnancy and birth. Within a short amount of time, she was working on getting certified to be a doula and yesterday she emailed me to let me know that she has decided to become a midwife. How awesome is that! I know that lots of people have played their role in it, but I honored that some of her first searching came about because of me.
Then last week, an Army wife emailed me asking about cloth diapers. She expecting twins. Last night, I finally sat down and sent her a long email with a bunch of stuff and we've been emailing today. She is excited about cloth diapering, at least, part time and breastfeeding. I also got her excited about making her own laundry soap.
Justin thought it was funny that I was brainwashing people into my hippie ways. haha!
OK, so she had gastric bypass and needed a c-section because of it. OK. I'll accept that. But after the baby is born, the baby is laid on the bed and the dad is there with a camera in her face, talking *about* her. The baby is screaming. I'm sitting here talking to the TV saying, "would someone pick that baby up??" "Don't talk about her. Talk *to* her!"
Scene breaks and they bring the baby (healthy baby) to the mom in a different room. The mom has had time to put more make-up on and fix her hair. She looks very nice as they hand her her baby for the first time and she doesn't seem at all disappointed that she is one of the last people to meet her own baby.
That is so irritating to me!
In fairness, she seems to be a great mom. She seems to have done a great job with her older son, but that birth experience is irritating to me!
************************
Complete different note:
Want to hear a conversation in our house last night?
J: Have you heard about that drawing they're having here in Wichita right now?
M: No.
J: There are about 20 different places around the city where you can sign up to win $10,000 for Christmas presents.
M: Ah, that'd be cool.
J: Yeah, you should go sign up. The catch though is that you have to buy everything the day before Christmas.
M: Oh, I could do that!
J: Yeah, everyone would get electronics.
M: Ha! From China! (said disgustingly)
J: Yes, from China. (said matter-of-factly)
M: I just want cloth pads, wool hats for everyone and some wooden stacking cups for Jaden.
J: Wooden what?
M: Stacking cups.
J: Oh
Ha! Sometimes we can be so different! :)
******************************
And on to something else.
Yesterday, I got an email from a friend that I used to journal with. Right before Jaden was born, I posted my birth plan on my journal and she had lots of questions. She was genuinely interested. She is married but they aren't having babies just yet. From then on, she went on a mission to learn more about pregnancy and birth. Within a short amount of time, she was working on getting certified to be a doula and yesterday she emailed me to let me know that she has decided to become a midwife. How awesome is that! I know that lots of people have played their role in it, but I honored that some of her first searching came about because of me.
Then last week, an Army wife emailed me asking about cloth diapers. She expecting twins. Last night, I finally sat down and sent her a long email with a bunch of stuff and we've been emailing today. She is excited about cloth diapering, at least, part time and breastfeeding. I also got her excited about making her own laundry soap.
Justin thought it was funny that I was brainwashing people into my hippie ways. haha!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mama Josie
Jaden has gotten mobile lately. He's not full-out crawling, but he is getting around.
Yesterday, as he succeeded at getting ahold of Josie, our golden retriever, I remembered when they first met and it brought tears to my eyes.
Josie is a very needy dog. When I was pregnant, she followed me around very closely and was so attached to me. She is Justin's dog and I'm not a huge fan of indoor dogs, so it was especially strange that she was so attached to me.
We brought Jaden home at 9pm the night after he was born. He was crying when we walked through the door. The cat freaked and Josie got really excited about the cat and confused about the crying. I was instantly terrified of the cat being anywhere near the baby, but somehow, I knew that Josie was going to be ok.
When we settled in to bed that night, Jaden cried for 6 hours straight. I couldn't do anything all night long to console him. Our bedroom was in the basement then and we had our door closed so that we wouldn't keep the whole house up. We had to let Josie in with us because she was going crazy outside the door. That dog paced the floor all night. She barked a couple of times, but all I had to do was assure her that it was ok and she would stop barking, but she continued to whine and pace all night. She never tried to hurt him. She was just very concerned. Back and forth around the bed, whining and pacing. She was so worried about him.
During those early weeks of colic, she would often go to him when he was crying. She was so attentive. Even though I was concerned that she would be jealous, she never was. She always kept her distance, but was close enough by to make sure everything was ok.
I'm still not a huge fan of indoor dogs, but she'll always have a special place in my heart just because of that first night home and how concerned she was for the new baby.
Yesterday, as he succeeded at getting ahold of Josie, our golden retriever, I remembered when they first met and it brought tears to my eyes.
Josie is a very needy dog. When I was pregnant, she followed me around very closely and was so attached to me. She is Justin's dog and I'm not a huge fan of indoor dogs, so it was especially strange that she was so attached to me.
We brought Jaden home at 9pm the night after he was born. He was crying when we walked through the door. The cat freaked and Josie got really excited about the cat and confused about the crying. I was instantly terrified of the cat being anywhere near the baby, but somehow, I knew that Josie was going to be ok.
When we settled in to bed that night, Jaden cried for 6 hours straight. I couldn't do anything all night long to console him. Our bedroom was in the basement then and we had our door closed so that we wouldn't keep the whole house up. We had to let Josie in with us because she was going crazy outside the door. That dog paced the floor all night. She barked a couple of times, but all I had to do was assure her that it was ok and she would stop barking, but she continued to whine and pace all night. She never tried to hurt him. She was just very concerned. Back and forth around the bed, whining and pacing. She was so worried about him.
During those early weeks of colic, she would often go to him when he was crying. She was so attentive. Even though I was concerned that she would be jealous, she never was. She always kept her distance, but was close enough by to make sure everything was ok.
I'm still not a huge fan of indoor dogs, but she'll always have a special place in my heart just because of that first night home and how concerned she was for the new baby.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Something Happened
Nothing got easier last night. Then, out of the blue, something happened.
After I got Jaden down at a little after 10...eh, I think it was actually closer to 11, but who counting? I stayed up watching A&E, I think. I dozed in the recliner and decided to turn the monitor on and just sleep in the recliner until he woke up at 12:30, as usual. I tossed and could not get comfortable enough to really sleep in the recliner, so I went upstairs to bed at 12:30, expecting to have Jaden wake as soon as I slipped into bed and got merely three seconds away from true sleep.
Then I woke up, startled, at 3:30am. I went immediately to check on the boy. He was turned sideways, the blanket that he lays on was not even close to him and his top blanket was piled at the same end too, but the boy was snoozing away. I stood, debating. Do I go ahead and get him up while I'm here and feed him because I had seen him stir right as I walking in, so I knew he was going to wake and probably as soon as I slipped into bed and was merely three seconds away from true sleep? Or do I chance it and go back to sleep? Justin told me recently that I'm a risk-taker. I suppose so. I risked it and went back to bed. I woke at 4am. Nothing. When Justin came to kiss me goodbye at 5am, I asked him to check on Jaden. He was still laying in the same position...asleep. Seriously? It's been more than 6 hours!!! STRAIGHT!
I think it was around 5:30am when he woke to eat and back to sleep, then up for good at 6:30am.
I feel better today. Partly, I believe, because of the extra sleep (I know, I didn't really get the extra sleep, but I didn't get the stress of the crying baby either so it counts as extra sleep) and partly because I'm reading a book called The Fussy Baby Book - Parenting Your High Need Child from Birth to Age Five by William Sears and Martha Sears. It's validating. I'm beginning to understand Jaden more and I'm beginning to understand my stress more. I'm seeing that I'm what Dr. Sears calls a highly motivated mother. You might say that's good. He doesn't think it's the best way to be. Basically, it means that I try to be supermom. My house has to be clean, my meals have to be planned and done, I have to be on top of everything, while still being the most excellent wife and mother. Having a high needs baby and trying to fit him into that lifestyle is difficult on everyone. I can see what he's saying. I'm not done with the book, so I'm not sure yet how to deal with it. Honestly, I'm not necessarily willing to let any of that go. It's good to be validated though and to realize that this is real and not just me being terrible at life. Oh and partly, I'm sure to prayer and God being in control.
I am thinking though that maybe every day or every other day, I need to take 30 minutes, go find a quiet place away from everyone, while Justin takes over and knit or read or something. I think that might help. We shall see.
Now, I need to go fold some laundry and get the house ready for someone to come look at tomorrow...and give that smelly dog a bath! Hopefully, Jaden will sleep. :)
After I got Jaden down at a little after 10...eh, I think it was actually closer to 11, but who counting? I stayed up watching A&E, I think. I dozed in the recliner and decided to turn the monitor on and just sleep in the recliner until he woke up at 12:30, as usual. I tossed and could not get comfortable enough to really sleep in the recliner, so I went upstairs to bed at 12:30, expecting to have Jaden wake as soon as I slipped into bed and got merely three seconds away from true sleep.
Then I woke up, startled, at 3:30am. I went immediately to check on the boy. He was turned sideways, the blanket that he lays on was not even close to him and his top blanket was piled at the same end too, but the boy was snoozing away. I stood, debating. Do I go ahead and get him up while I'm here and feed him because I had seen him stir right as I walking in, so I knew he was going to wake and probably as soon as I slipped into bed and was merely three seconds away from true sleep? Or do I chance it and go back to sleep? Justin told me recently that I'm a risk-taker. I suppose so. I risked it and went back to bed. I woke at 4am. Nothing. When Justin came to kiss me goodbye at 5am, I asked him to check on Jaden. He was still laying in the same position...asleep. Seriously? It's been more than 6 hours!!! STRAIGHT!
I think it was around 5:30am when he woke to eat and back to sleep, then up for good at 6:30am.
I feel better today. Partly, I believe, because of the extra sleep (I know, I didn't really get the extra sleep, but I didn't get the stress of the crying baby either so it counts as extra sleep) and partly because I'm reading a book called The Fussy Baby Book - Parenting Your High Need Child from Birth to Age Five by William Sears and Martha Sears. It's validating. I'm beginning to understand Jaden more and I'm beginning to understand my stress more. I'm seeing that I'm what Dr. Sears calls a highly motivated mother. You might say that's good. He doesn't think it's the best way to be. Basically, it means that I try to be supermom. My house has to be clean, my meals have to be planned and done, I have to be on top of everything, while still being the most excellent wife and mother. Having a high needs baby and trying to fit him into that lifestyle is difficult on everyone. I can see what he's saying. I'm not done with the book, so I'm not sure yet how to deal with it. Honestly, I'm not necessarily willing to let any of that go. It's good to be validated though and to realize that this is real and not just me being terrible at life. Oh and partly, I'm sure to prayer and God being in control.
I am thinking though that maybe every day or every other day, I need to take 30 minutes, go find a quiet place away from everyone, while Justin takes over and knit or read or something. I think that might help. We shall see.
Now, I need to go fold some laundry and get the house ready for someone to come look at tomorrow...and give that smelly dog a bath! Hopefully, Jaden will sleep. :)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Burnout
I feel like I'm half a minute from burnout.
I'm tired.
Yes, Justin helps, but I'm his helpmate - not the other way around.
It's been 6 months now and I'm just getting exhausted. I have a high-needs baby that doesn't feel that sleeping for any decent amount of time at night is important. He has been going to sleep at around 10pm, then I finally wind down and get in bed around 11pm. He wakes around 12:30am. Then he will give me 2-3 hours of sleep, but after that, he's up every hour and up for the day at 6am. He takes his first nap at around 7:30am, just in time for me to wake up Migc and Kristen to start getting ready for school. He does sleep some throughout the day, but I have things to do. There is always so much to do. No matter how clean the house is at 3:30pm every day, by 9pm, it isn't clean any more. That's not Migc and Kristen or Justin's fault. It's a combination of everyone, including myself. When the baby starts fussing, I tend to drop what I'm doing and leave it right there. Dinner gets picked up, but there is always one or two things remaining for later. It's just never, ever ending. I do laundry every day. Every.single.day. There is always tons of laundry still to do and even more to actually get put away.
I'm getting burned out.
I do get breaks here and there. Justin will take Jaden, but there is always something else for me to be doing or it's for a 5 minute break so that I can get away from the fussing. Sometimes my mom will give me a couple of hours to go do something and that is nice. I'm just feeling it right now.
I want someone else to plan and execute breakfast, lunch and dinner for a whole day. I want someone else to change him, feed him, diaper him, bathe him and keep him from fussing for a whole day. OK, even a few, guilt-free hours would suffice. That's it. I feel guilty. I know he is fussing. I'm out thinking that I need to hurry home because he's fussing and I'm certain my mom needs a break and I'm afraid to leave him with anyone else because he will certainly be fussy and they will think I'm a horrible mother because I have such a high-need baby. Though I know, I know, it's not my fault, yada yada. I'm still certain others look at me and whisper that it's something that I'm doing or not doing. OK, I'm really venting now. Truth is, I'm just tired, worn out and teetering that ever fragile line of burnout.
I miss Migc and Kristen. I don't feel like I ever get to be in the moment with them. I'm always juggling what they are doing/saying with tending to Jaden. They don't seem to mind at all, but I do. Jaden gets me all day with just the two of us. I read, pray, eat, wake up, put to sleep, everything with Jaden in tow most of the time...or I'm off to grab him quickly if he isn't with me - rarely actually in the moment with them.
*sigh* He's awake and crying through the monitor. I will press on, as we mommas always do, but today, I have to press on a little more and push straight through that threat of burnout. You won't catch me!!!
I'm tired.
Yes, Justin helps, but I'm his helpmate - not the other way around.
It's been 6 months now and I'm just getting exhausted. I have a high-needs baby that doesn't feel that sleeping for any decent amount of time at night is important. He has been going to sleep at around 10pm, then I finally wind down and get in bed around 11pm. He wakes around 12:30am. Then he will give me 2-3 hours of sleep, but after that, he's up every hour and up for the day at 6am. He takes his first nap at around 7:30am, just in time for me to wake up Migc and Kristen to start getting ready for school. He does sleep some throughout the day, but I have things to do. There is always so much to do. No matter how clean the house is at 3:30pm every day, by 9pm, it isn't clean any more. That's not Migc and Kristen or Justin's fault. It's a combination of everyone, including myself. When the baby starts fussing, I tend to drop what I'm doing and leave it right there. Dinner gets picked up, but there is always one or two things remaining for later. It's just never, ever ending. I do laundry every day. Every.single.day. There is always tons of laundry still to do and even more to actually get put away.
I'm getting burned out.
I do get breaks here and there. Justin will take Jaden, but there is always something else for me to be doing or it's for a 5 minute break so that I can get away from the fussing. Sometimes my mom will give me a couple of hours to go do something and that is nice. I'm just feeling it right now.
I want someone else to plan and execute breakfast, lunch and dinner for a whole day. I want someone else to change him, feed him, diaper him, bathe him and keep him from fussing for a whole day. OK, even a few, guilt-free hours would suffice. That's it. I feel guilty. I know he is fussing. I'm out thinking that I need to hurry home because he's fussing and I'm certain my mom needs a break and I'm afraid to leave him with anyone else because he will certainly be fussy and they will think I'm a horrible mother because I have such a high-need baby. Though I know, I know, it's not my fault, yada yada. I'm still certain others look at me and whisper that it's something that I'm doing or not doing. OK, I'm really venting now. Truth is, I'm just tired, worn out and teetering that ever fragile line of burnout.
I miss Migc and Kristen. I don't feel like I ever get to be in the moment with them. I'm always juggling what they are doing/saying with tending to Jaden. They don't seem to mind at all, but I do. Jaden gets me all day with just the two of us. I read, pray, eat, wake up, put to sleep, everything with Jaden in tow most of the time...or I'm off to grab him quickly if he isn't with me - rarely actually in the moment with them.
*sigh* He's awake and crying through the monitor. I will press on, as we mommas always do, but today, I have to press on a little more and push straight through that threat of burnout. You won't catch me!!!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Surviving the Dreaded Nursing Strike
Monday night at about 8:30, Jaden decided he did not want to nurse anymore - at all. I freaked! He was up all night Monday night, screaming and crawling away from me. He managed to sleep from 1am to 3am and that was about it.
Finally, at about 4:30am, I took some frozen breastmilk out of the freezer and gave him a bottle. He took it and drank about 3 ozs then latched on to me for a few minutes. Then he slept from about 5:30 to 9am. When he woke up, he wouldn't nurse still. He wouldn't take a bottle either. He refused any attempts at anything.
I got on the computer to call a LeLeche League leader, which I've never had to do, and found that they were having a meeting at 10am across town. It was 9:55am. I threw on some clothes and a bandanna and sped over there, at my wits end. I was starting to turn into an emotional wreck and I didn't know what to do. I was terrified that he'd never nurse again! I talked with a couple of ladies there and really didn't learn anything that would help, except a phone number.
I honestly didn't think there was something wrong with him physically. He just wasn't showing any signs of ear infection or anything like that. I was given the phone number of a nurse that is a LeLeche League leader and has 8 daughters of her own. I called her and she suggested I get him in to the doctor to check for an ear infection, then she talked to me about a bunch of other stuff that was happening that could have caused it and offered some suggestions.
We came home and took a bath, hoping to encourage nursing. Nothing. I took him to the doctor at 1pm. He still hadn't eaten/drank anything at all since about 5am. He has a sore throat. His ears are fine, but he is congested and it's draining into his throat and it's sore. I got him some Infant Tylenol and some baby food, which we hadn't done yet and I really hadn't planned on doing. (I do solids a little differently.) I gave him the Tylenol.
When Justin got home, he ate up those sweet potatoes like he hadn't eaten in 10 hours. Oh wait, it had been 10 hours by that point. We suctioned out his nose really well, then we laid, talking, in Kristen's room and out of the blue, he latched on. (Enter sounds of the angels singing "Hallelujah!")
He slept and several hours later, refused to nurse again. We gave him some milk in a dropper. He wouldn't take the bottle and it had been recommended that if we wanted him back to the breast, not to use the bottle right now anyway. He took some. Enough to know that he had gotten something in his tummy.
During this entire ordeal, Justin and I were stressed and worn out and so concerned! When will he eat again? How will he eat again? At what point do you worry about dehydration? He's only peeing a tiny bit and it smells so strong. Etc. It was heartbreaking and torturous to see him looking at my breast, screaming and turning away. Then doing the same thing at the sight of anything else too. I read that people do this for 3 days. I read that some babies never return. I heard from the doctor that it can be very slow moving back to the breast. I heard from the LLL leader that it will take patience and gentle but persistent encouragement.
At about 9:30pm last night, he latched on just like normal and he made me cry and his daddy very happy. I slept with him on the couch last night, so that Justin could get some sleep and so that he could have access to nurse on demand all night long. He did amazing! I gave him more Tylenol at 1:20am and he nursed pretty much the rest of the night. He's back to normal this morning and trying to make up for what he missed yesterday.
I cannot tell you how happy that makes me. It's crazy that it actually makes me tear up just thinking about it. If possible, I actually feel closer to him than I did before. I'm so thankful that God brought us through it, and that he's working his way back to normal. He did seem to lose a little weight yesterday, but the doctor told me that before it was over, he would probably lose a few pounds and we may have avoided that, and that makes me happy!
Finally, at about 4:30am, I took some frozen breastmilk out of the freezer and gave him a bottle. He took it and drank about 3 ozs then latched on to me for a few minutes. Then he slept from about 5:30 to 9am. When he woke up, he wouldn't nurse still. He wouldn't take a bottle either. He refused any attempts at anything.
I got on the computer to call a LeLeche League leader, which I've never had to do, and found that they were having a meeting at 10am across town. It was 9:55am. I threw on some clothes and a bandanna and sped over there, at my wits end. I was starting to turn into an emotional wreck and I didn't know what to do. I was terrified that he'd never nurse again! I talked with a couple of ladies there and really didn't learn anything that would help, except a phone number.
I honestly didn't think there was something wrong with him physically. He just wasn't showing any signs of ear infection or anything like that. I was given the phone number of a nurse that is a LeLeche League leader and has 8 daughters of her own. I called her and she suggested I get him in to the doctor to check for an ear infection, then she talked to me about a bunch of other stuff that was happening that could have caused it and offered some suggestions.
We came home and took a bath, hoping to encourage nursing. Nothing. I took him to the doctor at 1pm. He still hadn't eaten/drank anything at all since about 5am. He has a sore throat. His ears are fine, but he is congested and it's draining into his throat and it's sore. I got him some Infant Tylenol and some baby food, which we hadn't done yet and I really hadn't planned on doing. (I do solids a little differently.) I gave him the Tylenol.
When Justin got home, he ate up those sweet potatoes like he hadn't eaten in 10 hours. Oh wait, it had been 10 hours by that point. We suctioned out his nose really well, then we laid, talking, in Kristen's room and out of the blue, he latched on. (Enter sounds of the angels singing "Hallelujah!")
He slept and several hours later, refused to nurse again. We gave him some milk in a dropper. He wouldn't take the bottle and it had been recommended that if we wanted him back to the breast, not to use the bottle right now anyway. He took some. Enough to know that he had gotten something in his tummy.
During this entire ordeal, Justin and I were stressed and worn out and so concerned! When will he eat again? How will he eat again? At what point do you worry about dehydration? He's only peeing a tiny bit and it smells so strong. Etc. It was heartbreaking and torturous to see him looking at my breast, screaming and turning away. Then doing the same thing at the sight of anything else too. I read that people do this for 3 days. I read that some babies never return. I heard from the doctor that it can be very slow moving back to the breast. I heard from the LLL leader that it will take patience and gentle but persistent encouragement.
At about 9:30pm last night, he latched on just like normal and he made me cry and his daddy very happy. I slept with him on the couch last night, so that Justin could get some sleep and so that he could have access to nurse on demand all night long. He did amazing! I gave him more Tylenol at 1:20am and he nursed pretty much the rest of the night. He's back to normal this morning and trying to make up for what he missed yesterday.
I cannot tell you how happy that makes me. It's crazy that it actually makes me tear up just thinking about it. If possible, I actually feel closer to him than I did before. I'm so thankful that God brought us through it, and that he's working his way back to normal. He did seem to lose a little weight yesterday, but the doctor told me that before it was over, he would probably lose a few pounds and we may have avoided that, and that makes me happy!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Email Sent to Justin Today - Wise Words
Veterans Day, 2008
In 1948, Gen. Omar Bradley said, “Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living.” The day was November 11, Veterans Day.
Bradley had emerged from WWII as a highly decorated field commander. His military career stretched over 38 years – through WWI, WWII, and the Korean War.
It may seem odd that a man who spent his life dedicated to the business of war would speak so wistfully of peace. But who is better qualified than one who had seen more than his share of war? Bradley understood that wars are fought to attain peace, and that it was difficult to achieve. He had seen the worst of humanity during his military life, but he had seen the best as well – the courage, the optimism, and the selflessness needed to fight wars, and to end them.
I pray the day will come when we finally discover the secret to sustaining peace, when our service men and women are charged with guarding peace instead of chasing it. Until that day, I am grateful there are those who are willing to join the pursuit, willing to defend our freedoms, willing to become known forever as veterans.
To those of you who are veterans, I thank you.
Jeff Turner
In 1948, Gen. Omar Bradley said, “Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living.” The day was November 11, Veterans Day.
Bradley had emerged from WWII as a highly decorated field commander. His military career stretched over 38 years – through WWI, WWII, and the Korean War.
It may seem odd that a man who spent his life dedicated to the business of war would speak so wistfully of peace. But who is better qualified than one who had seen more than his share of war? Bradley understood that wars are fought to attain peace, and that it was difficult to achieve. He had seen the worst of humanity during his military life, but he had seen the best as well – the courage, the optimism, and the selflessness needed to fight wars, and to end them.
I pray the day will come when we finally discover the secret to sustaining peace, when our service men and women are charged with guarding peace instead of chasing it. Until that day, I am grateful there are those who are willing to join the pursuit, willing to defend our freedoms, willing to become known forever as veterans.
To those of you who are veterans, I thank you.
Jeff Turner
Sunday, November 9, 2008
One of Those Moments
During worship this morning, for whatever reason, my thoughts turned toward this recent election. And it crossed my mind, I want to see the glory of God! Part of me, the selfish, arrogant, prideful part of me does the whole "let's see what you get". And I had moved from that somewhat and was starting to come to terms with the fact that he will be my President. But this morning in church was so much different. It was clearly, "God, I want to see Your glory manifest in his presidency".
Then my awesome and amazing Pastor began his sermon on changing our attitudes. He didn't drum this one up for this Sunday. In fact, he's been preaching out of Malachi for weeks now and this was the next sermon. In a small portion of his message, he talked about the elections and about his own disappointment Wednesday morning. What he kept saying though was "God is still on the throne". He is right! God IS still on the throne! Whether or not I agree or will agree with his views or his actions, he will still be my President. I am still instructed in scripture to pray for him. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America - no matter who the President is.
It was a good and incredibly timely message for me. Before I left for church this morning, I yearned to hear God, and I heard God today. For that, I am thankful!
Then my awesome and amazing Pastor began his sermon on changing our attitudes. He didn't drum this one up for this Sunday. In fact, he's been preaching out of Malachi for weeks now and this was the next sermon. In a small portion of his message, he talked about the elections and about his own disappointment Wednesday morning. What he kept saying though was "God is still on the throne". He is right! God IS still on the throne! Whether or not I agree or will agree with his views or his actions, he will still be my President. I am still instructed in scripture to pray for him. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America - no matter who the President is.
It was a good and incredibly timely message for me. Before I left for church this morning, I yearned to hear God, and I heard God today. For that, I am thankful!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Just Par for the Course
I bought this book of coupons (how do you pronounce that? it is a running argument in our house) for the kids. When they do something that exhibits exemplary behavior, I reward them randomly with a coupon. So far they've gotten things like a trip to a museum of your choice, chocolate chips on anything you chose, an extra one of something that you've been told enough of, etc. Tonight, Migc used his birthday cake complete with birthday candles coupon. So we had birthday cake! We even sang him happy birthday. It was fun!
I also made 8 meals tonight. I'm part of a group of moms in the Wichita area and some of us are doing a meal co-op. So, I made 8 sloppy joe casseroles and tomorrow, I will take them and get 8 different meals from 8 different people. That's kind of exciting to me!
Did I mention that Justin is off playing Army boy? So, yes, I made 8 meals, plus a birthday cake and icing (I made my own). That doesn't even include the normal "duties" of running a household alone. Things like breaking up fights, washing diapers, and putting on a complete 3-ring circus for the little man. You'd think I'd be asleep right now, but sleep doesn't come that easy at times like this.
Overall, it's been a good day. I let go of my journal today. It wasn't a good ridance, but it was time. It was a fabalous 3 1/2 years, but I see some things in me changing and it was time to move on. I'm actually enjoying it over here. Right now especially, since few know about this yet, I'm enjoying talking to myself. And, I'm excited about sharing the simple things - the things that make my day, my life.
I also made 8 meals tonight. I'm part of a group of moms in the Wichita area and some of us are doing a meal co-op. So, I made 8 sloppy joe casseroles and tomorrow, I will take them and get 8 different meals from 8 different people. That's kind of exciting to me!
Did I mention that Justin is off playing Army boy? So, yes, I made 8 meals, plus a birthday cake and icing (I made my own). That doesn't even include the normal "duties" of running a household alone. Things like breaking up fights, washing diapers, and putting on a complete 3-ring circus for the little man. You'd think I'd be asleep right now, but sleep doesn't come that easy at times like this.
Overall, it's been a good day. I let go of my journal today. It wasn't a good ridance, but it was time. It was a fabalous 3 1/2 years, but I see some things in me changing and it was time to move on. I'm actually enjoying it over here. Right now especially, since few know about this yet, I'm enjoying talking to myself. And, I'm excited about sharing the simple things - the things that make my day, my life.
What is that?
Jaden has started this new thing. His laugh is this raspy thing. I think he makes himself hoarse, or at least he sounds like it. He does it all of the time, but mostly if I'm around. If I leave or am in a different part of the house for a while, he won't do it. As soon as I return, he starts it up again. Sometimes I wonder if I draw out the worst in him. :)
You have to see it.
Oh man, Jaden just went to sleep in his sling, so I put him in his crib. He immediately woke back up. So I nursed him back to sleep, like usual, but he, again, woke back up. When I tried to nurse him again, he started crying, so I held him up on my shoulder. I cannot tell you how long it has been since he has gone to sleep that way. It was so amazing. With his head against my cheek and his hair tickling my nose. And the smell! I love the smell of my children. It was one of those awesome Mommy Moments.
You have to see it.
Oh man, Jaden just went to sleep in his sling, so I put him in his crib. He immediately woke back up. So I nursed him back to sleep, like usual, but he, again, woke back up. When I tried to nurse him again, he started crying, so I held him up on my shoulder. I cannot tell you how long it has been since he has gone to sleep that way. It was so amazing. With his head against my cheek and his hair tickling my nose. And the smell! I love the smell of my children. It was one of those awesome Mommy Moments.
Pro-Life Does Not Mean Anti-War
Wanna hear what gets me fired up? Compare abortion with the war in Iraq, and tell me that Obama is going to bring troops home. That will get me fired up.
Current causalities in Iraq since 3/2003= 4191
Current abortion rates in USA = approx 3700 per day
I know the Iraq numbers do not include Iraqis killed (terrorist nor innocent) and it doesn't include the rate of suicides when the soldiers return home. Even if you included those numbers, I'm quite sure that you wouldn't come anywhere near 3700 PER DAY.
First of all, I know that Obama likes to play this magician act where he makes sure that your eyes are focused over here so that you aren't paying attention over there, but seriously, he's not saying he's bringing anyone home. Yep, he says he's going to pull them out of Iraq, but he says he's sending them to Afghanistan. That's not bringing them home.
Then, let's talk about life. You say "hey, they can't be pro-life if they support the war." Really? Are you sure? Seriously! I think just the absolute opposite. We could sit on our fancies and not do a damn thing, while they bring that hatred here - on our soil - let's have 9/11 over and over and over again. In our town square. You think it's ok that Saddam Hussein fried fellow Iraqis? I watched parts of a documentary last week, probably on the History Channel, that talked in depth about what he was doing over there. He was testing on them. He was testing his chemical warfare. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn't. When it worked the way they wanted it to, it left entire villages of people dead or severely burned. He didn't intend to only use those same chemicals on his fellow Iraqis.
So, you're telling me that because it's over there, we should ignore it and save ourselves. That argument doesn't hold up - even if you stretched it.
Now, you could argue - what about Darfur? Yeah, I can argue that too! Darfur wouldn't politically advance us, so we don't meddle too much. Shame on us! Seriously, I mean that! But that is not to disqualify the life of Iraqis.
And, soldiers are trained to avoid the innocent. In fact, many have died erring on the side of caution, but that is what they are trained to do. They are not trained to find the innocent and suck them out of their mother's womb.
How do you compare 3700 deaths per day to 4191 deaths in more than 5 years? That doesn't even mention the lives that have been saved by those men fighting over there so that you are safe.
Don't compare my husband to those that choose to support mother's killing their babies. He saved you. The others would be fine if your mother had killed you.
Current causalities in Iraq since 3/2003= 4191
Current abortion rates in USA = approx 3700 per day
I know the Iraq numbers do not include Iraqis killed (terrorist nor innocent) and it doesn't include the rate of suicides when the soldiers return home. Even if you included those numbers, I'm quite sure that you wouldn't come anywhere near 3700 PER DAY.
First of all, I know that Obama likes to play this magician act where he makes sure that your eyes are focused over here so that you aren't paying attention over there, but seriously, he's not saying he's bringing anyone home. Yep, he says he's going to pull them out of Iraq, but he says he's sending them to Afghanistan. That's not bringing them home.
Then, let's talk about life. You say "hey, they can't be pro-life if they support the war." Really? Are you sure? Seriously! I think just the absolute opposite. We could sit on our fancies and not do a damn thing, while they bring that hatred here - on our soil - let's have 9/11 over and over and over again. In our town square. You think it's ok that Saddam Hussein fried fellow Iraqis? I watched parts of a documentary last week, probably on the History Channel, that talked in depth about what he was doing over there. He was testing on them. He was testing his chemical warfare. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn't. When it worked the way they wanted it to, it left entire villages of people dead or severely burned. He didn't intend to only use those same chemicals on his fellow Iraqis.
So, you're telling me that because it's over there, we should ignore it and save ourselves. That argument doesn't hold up - even if you stretched it.
Now, you could argue - what about Darfur? Yeah, I can argue that too! Darfur wouldn't politically advance us, so we don't meddle too much. Shame on us! Seriously, I mean that! But that is not to disqualify the life of Iraqis.
And, soldiers are trained to avoid the innocent. In fact, many have died erring on the side of caution, but that is what they are trained to do. They are not trained to find the innocent and suck them out of their mother's womb.
How do you compare 3700 deaths per day to 4191 deaths in more than 5 years? That doesn't even mention the lives that have been saved by those men fighting over there so that you are safe.
Don't compare my husband to those that choose to support mother's killing their babies. He saved you. The others would be fine if your mother had killed you.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Beginning of Quiet Moments
I've been watching Fox News all night, beholding my future and the future of my children. I'm watching Barak Hussein Obama become the next President of the United States of America, wishing that Colin Powell had been the first black man to be President. I won't go into my misgivings, but I will tell you that just one minute ago, when the crowd erupted, I cried.
Maybe I will go into my feelings a bit more. I cry initially because I feel strongly, deeply that he is the wrong man. Then, I begin to cry realizing what this means for my children. A black man is President. To me, that is bigger than a woman becoming President. I honestly don't know that it will help race relations for the future. I almost feel as if he further divides us, but either way, it is remarkable. I pray ... for our future.
Unrelated to this, I'm on my second cup of tea and am feeling quite settled. Quite content. I've turned my focus lately. I'm taking better care of my home and it feels relaxing to walk around a clean, cozy home. I'm turning off the computer more, and gazing into books and the eyes of my children. I've broadened to social horizons and actually get out to spend time with new friends. I'm investing in others and myself. If only my youngest child were not quite so fussy, my life would be full of patient, quiet moments. But of course, he breaks those moments up with screaming. Even the quiet of the night, is broken up with screaming. He is his father's child.
I leave you with the highlight of the otherwise grueling day that yesterday held.
Maybe I will go into my feelings a bit more. I cry initially because I feel strongly, deeply that he is the wrong man. Then, I begin to cry realizing what this means for my children. A black man is President. To me, that is bigger than a woman becoming President. I honestly don't know that it will help race relations for the future. I almost feel as if he further divides us, but either way, it is remarkable. I pray ... for our future.
Unrelated to this, I'm on my second cup of tea and am feeling quite settled. Quite content. I've turned my focus lately. I'm taking better care of my home and it feels relaxing to walk around a clean, cozy home. I'm turning off the computer more, and gazing into books and the eyes of my children. I've broadened to social horizons and actually get out to spend time with new friends. I'm investing in others and myself. If only my youngest child were not quite so fussy, my life would be full of patient, quiet moments. But of course, he breaks those moments up with screaming. Even the quiet of the night, is broken up with screaming. He is his father's child.
I leave you with the highlight of the otherwise grueling day that yesterday held.
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