Friday, April 24, 2009 4 comments

Celebrating Joel

Three years ago today, I wasn't feeling too well. I had been a stay at home for about 3 weeks by this time and Jonathan and I were doing fine. But this day, something wasn't' right. I pulled out my trusty What to Expect When You're Expecting book and discovered that what I was experiencing was labor. This was a new experience for me because I was induced when I had Jonathan (and that story will be saved for his post on August 19). I called the doctor's office and he told me to go to the hospital so that they could check me out.

This was one time that I didn't quite know what to do. My husband was at work. My mother-in-law was out of town visiting her sister in the hospital. My mother was with my sister-in-law who was also pregnant because my brother was out of town. I wasn't scheduled to deliver Joel until 3 weeks later by c-section. I told Lee what we needed to do and then I had to wait for him to get home from work and I had to find someone to keep Jonathan. I called my mother-in-law and they hopped in the car to come home to help me. Thanks mom! My pastor agreed to keep Jonathan for us until Nana got home. I think he drove Jonathan around for a couple of hours that day. Thanks Pastor Ray! Finally, we got to Labor and Delivery and I was dehydrated and having contractions. We thought that once I got hydrated, we'd be able to go home. But my cervix began changing, so I delivered Joel at about 5:15 pm on April 24, 2009.

The main difference between Joel's delivery and Jonathan's was that I had a spinal to numb me for the c-section. I was very aware of what was going on. Hearing the first cry was an awesome experience. I got to see him and kiss him, then my husband went with him to the nursery. I went to recovery. The next thing I remember was waking up in my room alone. I didn't understand why Lee was not with me. I asked the nurses and they thought he was in the nursery. I called the nursery and was able to talk to Lee and found out that Joel needed to be on oxygen. But in that drug induced state, I couldn't comprehend what he was saying. The pediatrician on call came to my room to explain that Joel's lungs needed oxygen and that he should be off in a couple of days. This was not how I imagined I would spend the next few days. Joel had to have chest x-rays everyday and was on oxygen for 5 days. The only time I got to see him was when I went to the nursery. It was hard not being able to hold him. We got to go home on Saturday. He has had no after effects of this problem.

My two boys are 20 months apart! And it was hard in the beginning, but we found our groove and it's been quite an experience. I am so thankful for my boys and I know that they are gifts from God.

Joel has had a good three years. It's been easier during the transition phases. I took him off the bottle soon after he turned one. He was potty trained soon after he turned 18 months. He tries very hard to keep up with his big brother. Jonathan did all these things later than Joel did so it felt like my baby grew up way too fast to this mother's heart. I was advised early on to enjoy each phase the my children go through. And I've really tried to do that and focus on the positive aspects of things. Yes, there have been hard times, but it's been worth it. My children are friends and miss each other when they are not together. But my favorite thing is...

Hearing Joel say "I lub you mama!" and give me kisses on both cheeks.

Here are a few pictures of my Joel-y!

Joel at 3 months with his big brother Jonathan

Joel at 3 months

Joel drinking out of a sippy cup for the first time.

This is typical Joel at 1 climbing onto everything

Joel at 2 years old with his new sandbox.

Joel at Easter 2009 after a fun egg hunt.

Joel in his favorite shirt saying cheese!








Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3 comments

Circumscribed

I tutor a couple of teenagers in Geometry. Today, we were working on Inscribed and Circumscribed Triangles.

A circle that circumscribes a triangle is a circle containing the triangle such that the vertices of the triangle are on the circle.

A circle that inscribes a triangle is a circle contained in the triangle that just touches the sides of the triangle.

The problems we were working on asked the student to determine if the circle circumscribed or inscribed the triangle. But what she so shyly pointed out, I kept saying circumcised.

We both had a good laugh about that. I had no idea I was saying it, but to a 17 year old, that topic can be embarrassing even when you had no intention of discussing it.
Monday, April 20, 2009 5 comments

My experience with making granola bars

If you've been reading my blog, you know that I am making changes in my eating habits. So I've increased my water intake and am making better choices of snacks. Another area that I'm working to improve is my kids eating habits. None of us are really breakfast eaters. I don't usually eat breakfast, so I haven't encouraged my kids to eat breakfast. But that is changing.

I went grocery shopping on Saturday and got Cheerios and frozen waffles for the boys to eat. Sunday, I just made the waffles, put them on the table and told the boys it was time for breakfast. They sat down and ate the waffles, then some watermelon. And actually enjoyed it. We had a nice relaxing lunch too at Nana's. They had a snack later, then ate supper. Eating meals was not a hassle for me. And when I told the boys they had to wait for pudding until their snack time, they accepted it and went back to their playing. Having menus planned and snacks planned has helped me a lot in this.

So as I'm taking a shower later, I realize that I've been a mother for almost 5 years and I'm finally getting it!

For me, I wanted to find something that I could eat that was healthy but would not require a lot of preparation. So I decided to make granola bars. I chose "Best Granola Bars" out of Tosca Reno's book The Eat-Clean Diet for Family and Kids. First, I needed to buy the ingredients. I spent 1 1/2 hours in Publix on Saturday mainly because I was looking for these ingredients and I wasn't sure of what I was looking for or where they would be. I found everything I needed in Publix - some in the diet section and the rest in the organic food section. You can also buy the oats, muesli, nuts and protein powder at health food stores.

I made the granola bars Sunday morning and found it quite easy. I let them cool while I was at church. When I got home I cut them into 1" x 4" bars and stored them in snack Ziploc bags. I put half of them in the freezer for later. My husband and I actually like them and I know I'll make them again and again.

Weight loss update - I have lost some weight. But I'm not sure how much. I've used 2 different scales. Soon, I'll get an accurate number and may or may not tell you. :) On one blog that I follow, the writer actually has a ticker showing her weight loss. I don't think I'll go that far as I'm embarrassed to let the world know my numbers.

Here is a pictorial of the finished product and of my attempt to be creative in food pictures. Enjoy!










0 comments

Best Granola Bars

Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup dry muesli
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
2 scoops protein powder
1/2 cup raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup raw, unsalted sesame seeds
1/4 cup raw, unsalted almonds chopped
1/2 cup sultana raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp dark agave nectar
3 Tbsp organic honey
3 Tbsp safflower oil
Pinch ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a small bowl, mix cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, agave nectar, oil and egg.
3. Add wet to dry ingredients and mix until just blended. Mixture should be lumpy.
4. Press mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes. The edges will be lightly brown.
5. Remove from oven and set on wire rack to cool. When cool, cut into 1"x4" bars.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 171 / Calories from fat: 70 / Fat: 8g / Saturated Fat: 1g / Trans Fat: 0g / Protein: 6g / Carbs: 23 g / Dietary Fiber 1.5g / Sodium: 20 mg / Cholesterol: 0mg
Sunday, April 19, 2009 0 comments

Emma

I just can't resist posting pictures of Emma. She is a cutie. I'll get to meet her next weekend. We are all looking forward to that.


Emma and Daddy


Emma and Mommy



Friday, April 17, 2009 2 comments

Five Favorite Quotes

Angela's Adventures


Friday High Five is hosted by Angela over at Angela's Adventures and Minor Mishaps. If you want to play along, check out the rules here.



5 of my favorite quotes



"I love you too, mama." Jonathan and Joel


"If we did all the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves." Thomas Edison


John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. " Jesus


"Friendship isn't about who you have known the
longest....but about who came and never left your side."


"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sunday, April 12, 2009 0 comments

He has risen!

Mark 16:6-7 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "
Saturday, April 11, 2009 2 comments

Bike Riding

We've been riding outside lately. Jonathan still uses a tricycle because I want him to master it before moving him up to a bicycle with training wheels. Joel has been riding the scooter. It's been fun. Today, I took my camera - Enjoy!

Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: Bike Riding
Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox scrapbook
Friday, April 10, 2009 1 comments

Smilebox

I tried a digital scrapbooking sight called Smilebox. I think I like it. Here's what I created. You can use it free, but your creation will include ads. You can pay a small fee to eliminate the ads. Enjoy!

Click to play this Smilebox photobook: Mary's 37th Birthday
Create your own photobook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox photobook
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Coloring Easter Eggs

Jonathan posing with his finished eggs.
Joel posing with his finished eggs.
But he didn't want to show them.

Autumn: I am waiting to see your pictures of the boys decorating their eggs. Did they love it?

Me: They had a good time and want me to boil more eggs. It was some what of a let down for me. Maybe I should have had my own dozen to decorate?

Autumn: In what way was it a let down?

Me:
After we colored them, the boys hardly did anything with them. I tried to show them that they could decorate the whole egg, but they just did the top. But they had fun and I'll post pictures soon.

Autumn: The point is that they had fun. Next year they
may get into it even more. It was their first year. Focus on making good memories because time flies too fast. I really want it to slow down sometimes.
The above was a conversation I had with my friend Autumn on facebook. What she said about focusing on making good memories is good advice. I don't often do crafty things with my kids because its hard for me. I find it hard to just let go and let the kids do what they want. For instance, I kept trying to get the kids to decorate the whole egg, but they just wanted to do the end that they had facing up. When they were done, they were done and quite proud of themselves.

A few of the eggs were cracked after boiling them, so I knew we would not eat them. Jonathan wanted to know what was inside the egg, so I peeled one and cut it in half to show him. He peeled the second one and proceeded to crumble it up in his hands. But he had fun.
So I think I was successful in making good memories.
And we'll do it again next year.
1 comments

BSP: My first job

A NY accounting firm hired this green southern college graduate to be their receptionist. I remember having a hard time saying Brock, Schechter & Pollakoff and being able to pronounce the clients names. But I was well liked by the partners and staff. I moved up to the secretarial pool and thought I was something when I started typing financial statements and correspondence. I was only there for 3 years and 2 months. And I only left to move back south after my divorce. I made about $21,000 a year and they offered me $25,000 to stay back in 1996. I wonder how things would be different now if I had.

Thursday, April 9, 2009 2 comments

Milk glass

I love milk glass. Most of what I have is Westmoreland. I thought I'd share a few pieces with my blogger friends. Lee went to the Valdosta Daily Times on Saturday and brought home a Universal Red Tea Pot. I think it looks great with my milk glass glasses with cherries.


He also brought home this pink milk glass relish dish. I love it and it is in perfect condition.


This last piece is one of my favorite pieces that I have displayed in my kitchen.


I have lots of other pieces. But I'll display them when I am in a bigger house. They will have their own buffet or hutch to live in. :)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 2 comments

Peach Orchard Quilt Shop

The Valdosta Daily Times held it bi-annual yard sale on Saturday, April 4, 2009. Lee likes to go and check things out. He can usually find glassware or pottery that he likes at reasonable prices. He always brings me a gift too! This time I got several things which I will blog about later, but what I am extremely excited about is this:

There is a quilter in my town who finishes quilts with her long arm quilting machine! I am so excited about this because I love to piece quilt tops, but actually quilting them is not easy for me. The long arm quilting machine makes a quilt look polished.

Now it's time to get a quilt top finished..........

Here is the quilter's information if anyone is interested.



Tuesday, April 7, 2009 0 comments
Jonathan's preschool has chapel every Wednesday. This past Wednesday they told the story of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. For Christians, it is a well known life experience. But there is nothing like hearing your 4 year old tell you how bad guys killed Jesus by nailing his hands and feet to the cross. That Jesus died for our sins and that He was buried in a tomb, but now He's alive! You can find these events in Matthew 26-28. I hope that you will take time to read these passages and meditate on them.

I bought my kids this book and they love it. It's given me the opportunity to explain to them what sins are and how wonderful that Jesus took our sins upon him and died so that we could be redeemed. But that it's awesome that he rose from the grave and lives forevermore.

I'm looking forward to the day when my children come to me to be introduced to my Savior, Father, and Friend Jesus!
Monday, April 6, 2009 0 comments
My brother-in-law Bill posted some new pictures of Emma today. This one cracks me up:



1 comments

Vitamins

If you've seen me lately, you would understand why I am working on losing some weight. So I've increased my water intake, try to make better food choices, take smaller portions and eat more often during the day. I've just felt tired and lethargic. Last night, I realized that I haven't been taking my vitamins.

I took them today and expect that I'll feel much better. So much so, I think I'll exercise today!

Healthy living to you all!
Sunday, April 5, 2009 2 comments

He can sleep anywhere!

Tonight after having a snack, Joel fell asleep -

He's in an awkward stage right now where he probably still needs a nap, but if I give him one, he doesn't want to go to bed at the same time Jonathan does. On school nights I put the boys to bed at 7:00. I have to work to keep Joel awake until then. As I was browsing through some pictures tonight, I discovered that Joel can fall asleep anywhere. Enjoy!










Friday, April 3, 2009 1 comments

It took 75 minutes

Today, I had lunch with the other Mary and her kids. Then went to Books-A-Million, where my mother found me. Then I went to JCPenney with her. Since it was a beautiful, sunny day, I took the boys to Drexel Park. After a good day in Valdosta, I left the park at 4:30 in order to be home by 5:00.

At 5:00, I found myself at the intersection of Norman Drive and Hwy 84 going west. I called Lee to tell him where I was. I continued west on Hwy 84 and was stopped at Ousely Road by the DOT doing road work. I couldn't tell what kind of work they were doing, but suddenly I saw cars in both lanes making u-turns left and heading east on Hwy 84. Then I saw the "road closed" sign. They closed the road right in front of us. I called home to find out if I would really have to turn around and go back to Valdosta. Surely there was another way to get to Quitman from here. Nope! So I too made the u-turn left and headed east on Hwy 84.

At 5:25, I found myself again at the intersection of Interstate 75 on ramps and Hwy 84 (just a couple intersections before Norman Drive). I decided to go up James Road taking me to St. Augustine Road. Halfway there, I encountered another "road closed" sign. Sighing, I made another u-turn and went back to Hwy 84. I decided to take I-75 North from exit 16 to exit 18 to get to St. Augustine Road.

At 6:45, I arrived at home in Quitman. A trip that normally takes 30 minutes, took me 75!
 
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