Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Changes
Everyone goes through changes. Some are big, some are small. I have had my fair share of changes in the last few years. My world changed when Mom was diagnosed with cancer. It changed again when I moved to Alabama. And again with the birth of each child. Not all of the changes in my life have been things that I wanted, or even ever thought I could deal with. Yet as I look back even Mom getting cancer has had some hidden blessings in it. The silver lining. I have gotten closer to my Dad, been able to see my Mom in a new way and draw on her strength even more and I have become much more articulate when it comes to expressing my feelings. Today I woke up unable to walk on my foot without extreme pain. After going to the doctors I found out that at the age of 22 I have gout.
For the last 2 1/2 hours I have been crying and trying to wrap my mind around it. After a great talk with my Mom I realized that sometimes the blessings that are recieved through trials aren't given to those going through the trial. I haven't had cancer, yet I have been so blessed because of my Mom's trial. Maybe in 50 years I can look back and see that there is something good that had come out of this. Right now I am just praying for the companionship and comfort that the Lord provides.
I know my life is changing again and I am not sure where it is headed. I hope that this doesn't impact the things I do, but part of me is fearing the worst. The larger part of me however, is calming down and is trying let the Lord lead my path. I trust him and I know that even though I can't see where my life is headed, he can and he is guiding me and molding me into who I am supposed to be. Maybe ill have days where I can't run around and play with my kids, but I can still snuggle up and read stories until im hoarse.
My Grandpa has gout. He's had it as long as I can remember. I don't remember him ever playing rough with us, but it didn't matter. He is still an amazing Grandpa. He wrote a book and I loved to sit and listen to him read it, my imagination soaring. He dug around in boxes one evening looking for a specific book to share with me, if he was in pain, it didn't matter. His love didn't change because he has a hard time walking, or he is in pain. That is the way I want to be.
Whatever happens, happens, and I will make the best of it. 'Come what may and love it' is my new motto. Thanks to Elder Wirthlin for sharing his message that is helping me get over the hurdle of 'having gout.'
For the last 2 1/2 hours I have been crying and trying to wrap my mind around it. After a great talk with my Mom I realized that sometimes the blessings that are recieved through trials aren't given to those going through the trial. I haven't had cancer, yet I have been so blessed because of my Mom's trial. Maybe in 50 years I can look back and see that there is something good that had come out of this. Right now I am just praying for the companionship and comfort that the Lord provides.
I know my life is changing again and I am not sure where it is headed. I hope that this doesn't impact the things I do, but part of me is fearing the worst. The larger part of me however, is calming down and is trying let the Lord lead my path. I trust him and I know that even though I can't see where my life is headed, he can and he is guiding me and molding me into who I am supposed to be. Maybe ill have days where I can't run around and play with my kids, but I can still snuggle up and read stories until im hoarse.
My Grandpa has gout. He's had it as long as I can remember. I don't remember him ever playing rough with us, but it didn't matter. He is still an amazing Grandpa. He wrote a book and I loved to sit and listen to him read it, my imagination soaring. He dug around in boxes one evening looking for a specific book to share with me, if he was in pain, it didn't matter. His love didn't change because he has a hard time walking, or he is in pain. That is the way I want to be.
Whatever happens, happens, and I will make the best of it. 'Come what may and love it' is my new motto. Thanks to Elder Wirthlin for sharing his message that is helping me get over the hurdle of 'having gout.'
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Soft C
For the soft C sound we started off by gathering up all her CINDERELLA books and reading them. I find it surprising(but then not) that she can sight read the word CINDERELLA, but she can. After we had read all 5 of our books, yes, five books dedicated to Cinderella...that doesn't include the other princess', we read a book about the CIRCUS. It looked like so much fun that we decided to have our own circus. She practiced being the tightrope walker by walking the back of the couch with her arms open. She was a bear tamer(we have no stuffed lions) and made sure they listened to her and did their routine. Then we had the best time turning her into a clown. She loved that the makeup was 'so silly!' To end our day she got to watch Cinderella. It was a fun day!
Hard C
For hard C we had a blast! We started off by taking a fieldtrip to CURVES where she got to visit with the CURVES COACH - (Miss Peggy.) Kira loves to go to the gym 'where mommy works out her stress.' It surprises me when she asks to go because when we are there she is so shy. On our way home from the gym we sang 'CASTLE on a CLOUD.' Kira is doing really well learning this song. She loved singing it and we sang it over and over and over again! Upon arriving home we took a picture of a CASTLE. She had to COLOR the picture, apply COTTON to make it on a CLOUD and then CUT the picture out. She had so much fun with this project. It is prominently displayed on her wall. When we had finished with our project we went and laid outside on a blanket and enjoyed looking at the CLOUD. Her imagination is really blossoming and its so enjoyable to see what she thinks. "This one is a monster, a dinosaur, a mommy, Cinderella!" When we had finished cloud gazing we came in for a COLD drink and lunch. We ate CUT up CARROTS and peanut butter sandwiches, which she got to use a COOKIE CUTTER to make in the shape of a CAT. It was a great day!
How much?
So in two days Aurora will be 6 months. I was asked recently how much I would estimate a baby to cost. Wow. What a hard question. With Rora being the second child and another girl, she has cost us much less. I figured it would be fun to breakdown how much I have spent on her.
Hospital visit - $0 since she was born before the insurance change at the new year.
Clothing - I bought her a snugli($6 on sale), a dress($5 on sale), and one outfit($10 - no sale it was to cute to pass up!) before she was born, a pack of tights($2.88) and a pair of warm socks(~$2). We have been very blessed with friends giving us their childrens outgrown clothes - especially Angie! Thankfully between that and Kira's old clothes that is all I have needed to buy. Total: $25.88
Diapers and wipes - 3 boxes of wipes -($10 x3). One set of size small diapers, plus covers(78.00) two extra covers($11 x2) Plus two packs of newborn diapers - before the cloth fit - ($6x2)
Total: $142
Food - Breastfeeding is bestfeeding! So $0 was spent before she started solids. Oops, I did buy one head of cabbage for engorgement ($2). We have bought one box of rice cereal($1.50), two sweet potatoes(.75 x2) and a sippy cup($2.50) Other than that she has eaten what we eat.
Total:$7.50
Necessities - One bottle of shampoo ($1). Two packages of binkis($2.50 x2). One mei tei - thank you thank you thank you Jess! - ($10 bought from a friend). Mommy's sanity...HAHAHAHAHA!
Total: $16
We haven't used childcare since I am a SAHM, so $0 spent. Her clothes are sharing a dresser with Akira's so $0 spent. She sleeps in our bed at night and during the day she sleeps in the bassinet(given to us for Akira - $0) or on the floor. Her carseat was given to us for Akira - thanks Nelly! We bought the stroller for Akira. All her toys are either hand me downs, or have been given to her.
Our total out of pocket expense for Aurora through the first six months of life is... $191.38!
Truthfully, it was more than I thought it would be. However, we did have to buy the diapers and those are a bit pricey. Next baby we wont have that expense! I am sure that by now you are bored going over our finances, but I have to say that it was fun for me to sit here and figure out how much we acctually spent on her. Of course, the life she has added to our family, the love and kisses she shares with me, the joy I get when I see how much Kira adores her and her role as a big sister, all this is worth every penny and so much more than that! Being a mom is the greatest blessing the Lord could have given me. I would spend every penny I have and then some to have the joy that my children bring me.
If we only look at the logistics of raising a child, so much is not taken in to account. You lose the way your heart grows when you feel the baby kick, when it swells as you hold them in your arms and you realize that they have always been a part of your family. The pride that you recieve as they learn to roll, crawl, walk, show compassion for someone else or choose the right. That is why you have kids. You can't just look at the money. You have to take the leap of faith and let the Lord guide your family to become exactly who he want you to be.
Hospital visit - $0 since she was born before the insurance change at the new year.
Clothing - I bought her a snugli($6 on sale), a dress($5 on sale), and one outfit($10 - no sale it was to cute to pass up!) before she was born, a pack of tights($2.88) and a pair of warm socks(~$2). We have been very blessed with friends giving us their childrens outgrown clothes - especially Angie! Thankfully between that and Kira's old clothes that is all I have needed to buy. Total: $25.88
Diapers and wipes - 3 boxes of wipes -($10 x3). One set of size small diapers, plus covers(78.00) two extra covers($11 x2) Plus two packs of newborn diapers - before the cloth fit - ($6x2)
Total: $142
Food - Breastfeeding is bestfeeding! So $0 was spent before she started solids. Oops, I did buy one head of cabbage for engorgement ($2). We have bought one box of rice cereal($1.50), two sweet potatoes(.75 x2) and a sippy cup($2.50) Other than that she has eaten what we eat.
Total:$7.50
Necessities - One bottle of shampoo ($1). Two packages of binkis($2.50 x2). One mei tei - thank you thank you thank you Jess! - ($10 bought from a friend). Mommy's sanity...HAHAHAHAHA!
Total: $16
We haven't used childcare since I am a SAHM, so $0 spent. Her clothes are sharing a dresser with Akira's so $0 spent. She sleeps in our bed at night and during the day she sleeps in the bassinet(given to us for Akira - $0) or on the floor. Her carseat was given to us for Akira - thanks Nelly! We bought the stroller for Akira. All her toys are either hand me downs, or have been given to her.
Our total out of pocket expense for Aurora through the first six months of life is... $191.38!
Truthfully, it was more than I thought it would be. However, we did have to buy the diapers and those are a bit pricey. Next baby we wont have that expense! I am sure that by now you are bored going over our finances, but I have to say that it was fun for me to sit here and figure out how much we acctually spent on her. Of course, the life she has added to our family, the love and kisses she shares with me, the joy I get when I see how much Kira adores her and her role as a big sister, all this is worth every penny and so much more than that! Being a mom is the greatest blessing the Lord could have given me. I would spend every penny I have and then some to have the joy that my children bring me.
If we only look at the logistics of raising a child, so much is not taken in to account. You lose the way your heart grows when you feel the baby kick, when it swells as you hold them in your arms and you realize that they have always been a part of your family. The pride that you recieve as they learn to roll, crawl, walk, show compassion for someone else or choose the right. That is why you have kids. You can't just look at the money. You have to take the leap of faith and let the Lord guide your family to become exactly who he want you to be.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Now...or later?
As the excitement for our upcoming trip to Disney World mounts, we have stopped some of our excess spending to save for souvenirs. That means no more treats when we are on our way home and pass McDonalds(those $.99 sundaes are SOOOO yummy!) Anyways, as we were passing said McD's the other day Kira asked if we could eat dinner there. I asked her which she wanted more, dinner at McDonald's now, or a week long trip to Disney World later. She thought about it for a minute and decided that we could get McDonalds after our trip. It made me so proud! She is learning and understanding that by giving up something small now she can have something better later. She is such a great girl!
Later that evening as I was recounting the story to Josh she came over and tried to negotiate :D She was trying to get McDonalds on our way to Disney! Proving just how smart she is....it just makes me wonder how many more years I can get away with saying 'maybe' and that being the end of the subject! One of these days she is going to call me out on it and realize that it usually means no. At least that day is later ;)
Later that evening as I was recounting the story to Josh she came over and tried to negotiate :D She was trying to get McDonalds on our way to Disney! Proving just how smart she is....it just makes me wonder how many more years I can get away with saying 'maybe' and that being the end of the subject! One of these days she is going to call me out on it and realize that it usually means no. At least that day is later ;)
B...the BABB way ;)
Yesterday we did the letter B. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of the things we did, so you'll just have to use your imagination to determine how cute Kira is:) I know...your imagination doesn't do her justice! ...BACK to the letter B. We started off by going to the library to get some BOOKS. She was only allowed to get BOOKS that had at least one word that started with B in the title. She did wonderfully with this task and chose some cute books. We came home and read 'A BED full of cats;' 'BAKER, BAKER, cookie maker;' and 'The adventures of BINKY BINKERTON.' - I highly recommend this last book. It was so cute! After coming home(and hating the traffic since Nance is closed!) we shared a BANANA and a BAGEL for our snack. We played with BALL's and BLEW BUBBLES. She was sweet to her BABY and made sure she had her BINKY all day! To end off our day we had our dinner on BUNS(philly cheesesteaks - yummy!!) It was a BABBALICIOUS day ;) teeheehee...
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