Doing My Part

On my way to my doctor's appointment today, I decided to stop at good ol' Mickey D's for breakfast. Once I was driving away, with my yummy breakfast burrito in hand, I attempted to roll up my window...and it wouldn't budge. Now for those of you who live around me, you know that the weather was awfully cold with snow flurries. A quick wave of panic went through me as I realized that I had to get on I-15 to go to Orem. I glanced at little Gabe in the back seat and almost started to cry because I knew he was going to get extremely cold! I tried repeatedly to roll it back up with no luck. I did think about canceling my appointment but I really wanted to go. I hadn't been feeling baby B at all during the last couple of weeks and I wanted to make sure she was alright. I sat there, almost crying, trying to figure out what to do. I texted Greg to tell him the joyous news concerning my rebellious window, just because I needed someone to vent to, but I knew he couldn't do anything because he was in Logan. Finally, I calmed my racing mind and turned to prayer. I knew the Lord would help me because this was a righteous desire. Gabe and I said a small prayer asking for His help with the situation and began on our way. The whole way into Lehi, I kept trying & trying to get that darn window up, each attempt failed. When I got to the Lehi McDonald's I pulled in because I knew Gabe would literally FREEZE if we got on that freeway. It was already freezing in the car while going 40mph, with the heat on full blast!! I sat there in the parking lot and decided that since the Lord didn't fix the window, he must have wanted me to figure it out myself and do what I could. So, I texted Greg and asked if there was another route I could take, preferably back roads with low speed limits and waited for his reply. I wasn't sure if he'd reply because I knew he was working and may not get it in time. I sat there thinking that there had to be a way without the freeway. I had mapped out a "I hope that'll work" route in my mind and was about to set out on my journey, when Greg texted back. He gave me some directions that removed the I-15 from my drive. I was SO thrilled!!! Then I glanced at the time and realized that I was going to be late if I took the long way around but I knew I had no other choice. I started my car so I could leave and I had a feeling to check the window once more, though I had a feeling the Lord had helped me via the alternate route I had just received. I was so thankful and excited when the window went up on my 1st try!! I sat there just amazed because I knew the Lord had answered my prayers, AFTER I had done all that I could! He wanted to see if I would do my part to fix the situation not just sit there and wait for Him to do it all. I had Gabe say a quick "thank you" prayer for the blessing that we had received and we were finally on our way.

This experience has helped me to remember that God helps those who help themselves! And I think it was a great opportunity to teach Gabe how loving our Heavenly Father is and that he's aware of each of us and our individual needs.

Consider Yourself Warned!!

Yesterday, I went to JoAnn's to get some stretchy fabric for a shirt I'm gonna be making (that's a whole other story-let's just say, I lack in the knowledge area when it comes to sewing. Good thing those who don't are only a phone call away!). I was about half-way through my shopping experience when I had to take a potty break...of course!! I've decided I'm not only investing in mustard but also in Charmin. It's completely out-of-hand! Anyway, I waddled across the store to the restrooms (they're always on the other side when I'm in "emergency" mode, which is pretty much every potty break...the girls think my bladder is a trampoline or something) and had to drag little Gabe into the "girls" bathroom, which he wasn't very happy about!

Pause...

side story...the other day I was checking out at Walmart and Gabe said he had to go potty. So I sent him with Hannah knowing she's more than capable of dealing with the situation. When they returned, Hannah had a funny look on her face. I finally asked her what was up. She then turned and look at me with a kind-of tickled look on her face and said something like..."they had a little Buddy sized potty for Gabe..." (this is when my head began to think so as she continued I was only listening half way...I knew the front restrooms in Walmart only had full-sized toilets...so as I was replaying what she said in my mind, she continued) ..."and it was hanging on the wall. It was kind of funny looking." Once I processed the 1st part of her statement, my mind cringed as it went onto the 2nd part of her statement....hanging on the wall?!?!? What?!? Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Hannah had taken Gabe into the boys bathroom to go potty and she went in with him!! I stood there speechless, not sure what to say. Finally I asked her if she had actually took him into the boys bathroom. She replied, "he didn't want to go into the girls so I took him into the boys". My eyes, by this point, were huge just from imagining what could have gone wrong in such a situation. I then explained to her that little 9 yr old girls DO NOT go into the boys bathrooms because it's not appropriate. She seemed to understand why but I still couldn't get my mind off of some guy walking into the restroom and finding my 9yr old little girl in there!! And what if he was a freak and decided to relieve himself while she was waiting on Gabe!!!! Oh, the horror stories that could have come out of that situation!!! I'm so so grateful that they were the only ones in there, which is a major miracle.

Anyway...back to JoAnn's...

Once inside the stall, I gave Gabe the "don't touch anything" spill that I always give. Then proceeded to save my bladder from possible destruction via rupture. After I stood up, I noticed something very very disgusting! There was pee all over the floor and I was standing right in it!! I again, repeated the "don't touch anything, especially the floor" command to Gabe with more emotion, this time around. I couldn't believe that someone just left pee on the floor!!! I mean, who does that?!? If Gabe misses for whatever reason...I clean it up! I wipe off the toilet or the ground!!! It's called common courtesy!!! Am I wrong?!?!?

Now for the point of this post....I've never been one who touches the flush handles in any business bathrooms. I just don't! I use my foot to flush. I've wondered a few times, if I'm just being anal about it (after I saw Gabe doing it with his foot at home) because I'm gonna wash my hands anyway...but I just can't bring myself to touch it!! YUCKIE!! Then as I lifted my now pee-covered shoe to flush the toilet, I realized EXACTLY why I don't touch the handles...little boys pee on the floor, lazy mother's don't clean it up, innocent "potty breakers" accidentally step in it and then proceed to flush the toilet with their feet!! That's why!!

I finally got the confirmation that I needed!!! I'm not being anal...I'm being smart! Who wants someone else's pee on their hands?!? The thought freaks me out! For a split second I felt guilty that my pee-shoe was going to touch the handle that many other ladies would touch, but I wasn't about to use my hands...sorry! So, if you're still one who actually flushes the toilet with your hands, in public places, just imagine my dirty-nasty-pee-shoe flushing the toilet right before you! You just might change your mind!

Consider yourself warned!!!

?????

How come my husband never reads my blog?!? :(

(I'm putting this in here as a guilt trip for when he does...maybe I'll get a new pair of shoes out of it!)

Mustard?

For the past several weeks I have had severe charlie horses in both of my arms. I'm sure it's from a lack of some vitamin that my babies are taking from me.

Well last night I couldn't sleep because my left arm hurt SO SO bad!! It kept waking me up and I had no clue what to do about it. The pain continued through the morning & afternoon. By dinner time I decided I couldn't handle it anymore and went online to see if there was some sort of remedy for the pain. Most of the "doctor" sites said to drink OJ (which I tried-didn't work) or to eat a banana (which I cant because I'm allergic). I thought my searching was all in vein and just continued making dinner.

But then, I just couldn't handle the pain any longer...

Have you ever hit a certain point where you're willing to try ANYTHING to fix a certain situation?!? That's where I was at!! While searching all the "doctors" suggestions, I came across a "try this...it sounds weird...but it'll work!!" kind of thread. It said to rub mustard all over the cramping area and it would make it go away. I was like...."yeah, I'll just drink some more OJ and see if that'll help" but I kept it in the back of my mind as a "just incase". So when I hit that point where I was like..."I'm gonna try it because NOTHING else is helping and I just want to chop my arm off", I decided to give it a try. I lathered my arm & hand with mustard and put on a plastic glove. Hannah and Shailee were looking at me like I was crazy BUT I did tell them that sometimes the homopathic remedies really work...though I didn't think this one would.

SURPRISE!! SURPRISE!! Within about 20 minutes the pain had lessened and within about an hour it was pretty much gone. I was amazed!!

So here I sit with a yellow stained arm & hand but it's totally worth it!! I'm gonna have to buy stock in Oscar Meyer mustard because I'm sure I'll be buying a lot of it over the next 20 weeks!!

Who would have guessed?!?

10%

So, I'm wondering if 10% is truly enough. I mean, it's enough for our Father in Heaven who only requires 10% in return for all income he provides for us.

Today I realized that I am only accomplishing about 10% of what I want to in a day. I am so far behind! I can't even look over what I missed yesterday because I'm still trying to accomplish the things I need to get done today. At the end of each day, I lay in bed thinking "what did I actually get done today?" and it's always the same old things....fed the kids breakfast, got Hannah off to school, fed Gabe lunch, maybe did a load of laundry or managed to make it to the store for a few groceries, cooked dinner, bathed the kids, got the kids in bed. And that's it!! No...cleaning bathroom, cleaning out pantry, organized craft room, putting away laundry, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.....

So, I began to wonder if 10% is really enough. I've decided at this point in my life, it's about all I can give. There have been times when I was giving all I had and getting all of my list accomplished. There have been times when I was giving all I had and had to put off what I wanted to finish today until the next day. And then there are times like the present, when I give all I have and I struggle to get ANYTHING accomplished.

I guess the key phrase in that paragraph is "give/giving all I have" because maybe that's where it counts. Maybe as long as I am doing all I can, I just need to accept it. I'm really beginning to hope that the Lord accepts it as well.

During times like this, it's hard to find joy in the journey because I'm constantly feeling like I'm failing. I wonder how my house survives each day, how the kids don't seem effected by the clutter building up everywhere, and how I am beginning to look past things that would have drove me crazy just months ago. How is it that we manage to adapt without falling apart? I think maybe I could fall apart if I allowed myself to but I'm trying really hard to focus on the "good, better, best" things in my life. And the truth is, doing the basics for my family is the "best" thing I can do with my time....the pantry, craft room, closets, etc. would be the "good" things. And even though I REALLY REALLY REALLY want those good things done, they'll just have to wait until my "giving all I have" includes them.

So, I guess for right now....10% will just have to be enough.

"Let Go and Let God"

On Monday the 5th we found out for sure that we're having twin girls. There was a part of me that went..."really?!?" because, as I've said before, we were positive that there was a little boy in there. Now, before I get into my "deep-thinking" mode, I want to clarify that I am in no way "disappointed" to be having twin girls, infact I'm thrilled by it but it really made me take a major step back to review the situation. I love dressing up little girls!! I can only imagine how much funner it is when I'll have two to dress up at the same time!! Can't wait!!!

Now for the "deep-thinking" part of this blog. The reason that I'm bothered that there wasn't a little boy in there is mainly because that means there's a little blond boy out there somewhere that's coming into our family. That thought freaks me out because we're getting old and we don't have much time to keep adding kids into our family. Another reason it freaks me out is the thought of being pregnant again (I've vowed to never do this again), though he might come into our home via adoption but that's not how I understood it.

Let's put this into perspective...at the age of 32, I only had one child. At the age of 36, I will have four children. If there's another little boy out there, along with our little Asian girl that we know we're suppose to adopt, that will make a grand total of SIX KIDS by the age of 40 (ish). That's a HUGE leap in children within a few short years!!!!! THE THOUGHT FREAKS ME OUT...REALLY FREAKS ME OUT!!!

I guess at times like this I just need to "let go and let God" as they say in the South. He's obviously in control because Greg and I have submitted our will to His. I just wish I could see into the future so I could see how this all works out!! I know it'll work out perfectly, as it always does when you let the Lord lead your life, but I'm a little impatient now that I completely misunderstood what he was trying to tell me. I guess I could look at it as, we'll have a VERY productive next few years!!! I seriously can't wait to see how this whole thing turns out...how our family turns out!!

Oh, one more little bit of info about our twins that we found out of the 5th...they are measuring 7" (head to rump) and weigh about 8 oz each. They are exactly the same size and weight...how cute!! They already want to be just like each other. And since they aren't identicle, I'm very curious how each of them will look...another thing I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Here's to the future!! :)

Ultra-sound Results

Today we went to the doctors and of course, had another ultra-sound. I was somewhat worried about this Dr. visit because I had only felt one of the babies move and not the other. I was freaking out thinking maybe they'd only find one heartbeat. I'm glad to say that I was wrong...Yippee!! Both babies are doing just fine and growing well. We go to a specialist on Monday, for measurements and stuff, and it's then we're suppose to find out what the sex of our babies are. Well, I asked my doctor if he had any ideas on the subject. He looked around a bit then finally said that he's pretty sure on what Baby A is but not Baby B because Baby B was in a funky position. Greg encouraged him to keep checking on Baby B, which he did. But again, he had a guess but wasn't at all sure if it was correct or not. At one point he asked us what we thought they were and I said a boy and girl. He then got a smirk on his face. I instantly said, "Don't tell me it's two boys!" He then turned to Greg with an even bigger smirk. My heart about dropped to the floor. Then he turned to me and said, "April fools!" I about hit him because I seriously need another little girl to dress up and put bows on!! So, after his little joke, he went on to tell us that he's pretty sure Baby A is a girl and he thinks Baby B may also be a girl. My first thought was, "that can't be right! I'm having a little boy as well!" But then, I held to the fact that he really was guessing on Baby B because he couldn't get a good look. Greg's face went blank when the doctor said two girls. He really really wants a "Zachary"!

The doctor could probably sense the mood in the room (since he didn't see a boy) and he explained to us that those who specialize in reading ultra-sounds go to 3 more years of school than he did, specifically focused on ultra-sounds and how to read them...and that's why they live in Park City and he lives in the valley. I think he was trying to calm us down and at the same time let us know that he could very well be wrong. I sure hope he is wrong! If he's not, I will really have to figure out how my interpretations could be so off. The dreams seemed so obvious and clear...never two girls, always a boy & a girl! How could I misunderstand?

Anyway, thought I'd share the limited news that I got from today's visit. I know that Monday's visit will be much more productive and we should know for sure what we're having. I haven't given up hope on our little Zachary!