Our New Family Member

Kangaroo and Buddy - the bobble headed beagle. He's only 6 weeks old and seems to be adjusting to Kangaroo's caresses.

Questions from the Little Ones

Not long ago, my little ones began asking questions about babies, where they came from, and how they get out of where they are. Since that time, we learned that my oldest daughter, DQ, is expecting. Due to the many conversations that DQ and I have had, my little ones now have new questions that I honestly am not sure how to answer. I'm hoping that someone out there will be able to help me answer the questions of very inquistive little 4 y.o. and 6 y.o. girls.

A bit of background, our family is a blended family. My husband, DH, has 4 grown children from his previous marriage. They have blessed us with 8 grand babies. I was also married to another man many years ago and my DQ and The Teen came to us during that marriage. Then I met my husband, got married, and 5 years later welcomed our Little Bird and Kangaroo.

Now, I'm baffled by how quickly the questions have come. Here are a few:

1. Why did DQ's Daddy give them up? When I answered that he didn't GIVE them up, we had DIVORCED...that led to the What is divorce? question.

2. Mommy, Sissy has a baby in her tummy. Where's the baby's daddy?

4. Is the baby gonna come out AFTER Sissy's married?

5. You mean you don't HAVE to be married to have a baby?

6. Is the baby gonna live with us?

There are many more but I'll leave you with these for now. If you have any advice on how to answer my little ones questions, please help. Especially the ones dealing with morality.

Was Broken Heart, Now DQ Update #1

Sometimes it amazes me how quickly we adapt to stressful and trying situations. I'd like to give you an update on the situation here. As you know, we received the news, not quite a week ago, that there will be a new family member joining our household. At first, I was disappointed in my daughter (age 22), but now I'm slowly looking forward to sharing this experience with her and helping her as she adjusts to single motherhood. She's got a lot of growing up to do in a short time.

My husband finally warmed up enough to speak to me about the situation and we were able to have a productive discussion. He's still upset with DQ and hasn't spoken to her yet. She expressed to me how hurt she's feeling by his silence. When I brought it up to him during our separate conversation though, he explained that he's just trying to get his thoughts together before he speaks to her. He wants to say it "just right".

Yesterday, we had a discussion about what she's going to do in order to make a living and support herself. He did have some input there that she REALLY listened to (for a change).

She currently works as a "beverage server" at a local casino...not a job that's really conducive to pregnancy and impending motherhood. We took a few minutes to pray about the job situation. I specifically reminded the Lord that when He created me He gave me a visual learning style. Then I reminded Him, that in order to communicate with me He will have to literally write on the wall (in really big letters surrounded by flashing lights).

A few hours later, LITERALLY, a friend of mine (who didn't yet know of my impending grandmotherhood) called me up and asked if my daughter might be interested in a temporary job paying $13 per hour!!! It's only a 4 - 6 month position but it's closer to home! I told her, without hesitation, a huge YES! Then I told my daughter, who was also very excited about it and at the same time learned that God is really there and listening.

As for now, she went to the Health Unit for a pg confirmation followed by an application visit to Medicaid. Next week, she'll be meeting with a counselor (or helper) at the Women's Hope center. I've told her several times that I love her and she is not alone. I have also warned her that the next couple of years are gonna be real tough but she just has to pull up those boot straps, dig in, and she'll be fine.

Keep praying for us. We have a long two years ahead of us but I'm getting excited to see what the Lord has planned.

My Heart is Broken

My 22 y.o. daughter lives in my home with my husband, The Teen, Little Bird, and Kangaroo. She's currently working as a "beverage server". It isn't the best job around. Her hourly wages are only $2.75 and she gets to keep whatever tips she makes. Basically, she's driving all the way to the job (71.2 miles round trip) for tips. The vehicle she drives is not hers. It belongs to my husband and I but we allow her to use it until she can save enough money to get her own car.

She has no ambitions to go to school or anything. She likes this job because it offers all the perks of a "real" job.....i.e. 401K, health insurance, etc. She really doesn't want to leave this job.

Then, I got the phone call this morning. It looks like I'm gonna be a grand-mother. She had stopped on her way to work to get a home pregnancy test. When she got to work and took the test, it was positive. She called me immediately, crying and blubbering and saying, "I didn't want it to be this way" and "Momma, I'm so sorry".

I told my hubby about it and he just clammed up. Didn't say a word to me all day. Kept a chip on his shoulder. When he came home and I said to him that I needed to discuss it with him, he replied, "I don't care and I don't want to discuss it. There is nothing to discuss."

I'm really feeling torn apart right now. This is my daughter! My child! My first born! I can't just throw her to the wolves! She needs me!

I know there aren't many people who read this blog, but if you're out there....please add my family to your prayer list and add a specific little ditty there for some extra enduring strength for me. Thanks.

Where do babies come from?

My girls asked me that question last night while getting ready for bed!!! Can you believe it!!!? I was stunned. I'm not ready for this sort of "Facts of Life" lesson yet!

DQ (my 22 y.o.) was listening (i.e. eavesdropping) from another room as I explained to them that when Mommy and Daddy show each other how much they love each other, God gives them the gift of a baby and puts it in a special place inside Mommy's tummy. They seemed satisfied with that answer. They looked at me with their big eyes and this "Oh, OK!" look on their faces.

DQ laughed at me when she heard the explanation.

I shore wasn't prepared for the "so, how does the baby get out?" question, even though I knew that it was inevitable and would definitely be next in the line of questioning.

I chickened out. Changed the subject. Just decided it was bath and bedtime and who wanted to get in the shower first. They followed blindly and I was able to avoid it for the time being.

They're so sweet and innocent. Must they begin asking about the bird and the bees at such an early age? For I am NOT READY!

Broken Tooth

My Little Bird began losing her baby teeth in January of this year. Right after Christmas! Eleven short months later, while climbing down the slide ladder during a park play day, she slipped and hit one of the steps with her permanent tooth. This was her second tooth to give to the Tooth Fairy when she began losing teeth.

It broke. I felt so bad. I should've been right there to catch her...but I wasn't. As we exited the park, I was on the cell phone with the dentist informing them that we were on our way in for tooth repair....mud, dirt, and all. Little Bird would not even close her mouth for the entire ride. When she spoke, it was quite funny as she didn't want to close her mouth or use her tongue to form words.

The dentist was great! He took us right in and got us settled into the chair. His assistant came in and got Xray's of Little Bird's teeth to see if any damage was done to the root. He tells me that the tooth is still forming and that the root hasn't finished developing yet. It is because of this that he can't put a "cap" on the tooth. He chooses instead to put a filling on it. The same sort of filling that they use to fill cavities.

He explained every little thing to Little Bird. Every time he touched a tool, he explained to her what it was used for, let her examine the tool, and even let her touch the end of it. I was severly impressed!!!

Since he had to numb her mouth in order to work on it, he explained to her that he would use a special numbing gel that tasted like bubble gum. As he placed that on her gum, he talked to her the whole time! I was concerned that she would go ballistic when she saw the needle but he had a system all worked out so that she never saw it!

He had turned to get the syringe, but held it down below her line of sight while at the same time, reaching up for the light above her to adjust it so that it was in her eyes...causing her to close her eyes. At the same time, he made his move.

When I brush her hair at home, I encounter tangles that are sometimes so bad it causes her to cry. Sometimes she'll even scream. So, we've developed a technique where she will squeeze my knees with her hands when it hurts instead of screaming out loud. As the dentist was giving her the novacaine injection, he was talking to her the whole time. I was holding her hand and also telling her to squeeze when it hurt. She was so brave! What a trooper!!

To make a long story a little shorter, she now has a little filling on that gap you see. It looks just fine, like nothing happened but because it isn't a real tooth, it isn't as strong and now we have to "baby" it. No more biting right into an apple or baby carrots and such things. :(

Firsts

Today was a day of firsts for us. Allow me to share a little. FIRST, I began my day by opening my eyes to the sound of the telephone ringing at 7 a.m. It was The Teen calling to remind me that I'd forgotten to write a check for him to turn in to the school office. My fuzzy brain was thinking...."What check?"....when The Teen interrupted my thoughts with "MOM, You've got to hurry! There's only 2 spots left!" Then it hit me...."Oh, THAT check!!!"

So, picture it if you will. I leap out of bed slipping into the jeans lying on the floor by my bed, dive into a t-shirt, run my fingers through my hair fluffing it as I go, grab my keys, get out the door and into my white Surburban. Three miles later, I'm finally awake....thinking about getting that check written before I get to the school. On 2nd thought... There are only 2 spots left after all. What if both spots are filled before I get there? That fact would result in a wasted check. That wouldn't be a "green" thing! I'll just wait until I get there and THEN I'll write the check.

I arrive, walk in, say hello to the school secretary and ask her if there are any spots left on the list. She says YES and I proceed to write THE CHECK.....for my son's Driver's Education course that he's taking this summer! My baby boy is going to be DRIVING!!! And soon he'll have his FIRST Driver's License! Can you feel the pain? Do you hear the sobs? Whatever am I going to doooo-hooo-hoooo? Aaaaaahhh, the Panic!!!!

Hey! Look! I'm driving!!!

Okay, *deep sigh...in through the nose, out through the mouth**. The emotions are out of my system now. So, I turn around and head out the school's front lobby and into the school parking lot. I walk around. Where did my Maroon Chevy Venture go? I walk around some more, scratching my head. I know I parked it there. Where is it? Surely no one has stolen it out of the school parking lot in the few minutes I was inside!!!

Somewhere, back in the cobwebs of my still sleeping brain, is a vague memory of a White Surburban. Oh, YEAH, I drove the Surburban this morning. Look around some more. THERE it is, right where I left it. I check over my shoulder to make sure no one is watching and make my way over to the vehicle for my departure. I really need to go back to bed and start over!

But alas, I can't. Little Bird and Kangaroo both have an appointment this morning and I must get back home to ready them for this important event. They are so excited to be going to their FIRST dentist visit!

They were perfect little dental patients!!! The Dr. Dentist said they were the most well behaved little patients that he'd seen in quite some time. They politely opened their mouth when he asked them to and most importantly, they didn't bite!!!

Dr. Dentist gave both of them a .....


....for a job well done on brushing their pearly whites! Yay!!! Then he sent us on our way with a very large bag of dental hygiene goodies (i.e. new toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss in mint and bubble gum flavors, and many, many stickers of encouraging words) to improve their brushing habits.

We immediately went to eat Mexican and then spent an hour at the park before returning home with lollipops for treats. Gotta go brush the sugar bugs away before bed!!!!

Chest Pains

Last Monday, I went for a walk down the road with my husband and youngest children. I didn’t get very far at all when I was hit with severe chest pains which took my breath away and radiated up the left side of my neck. We strolled back home where I waited for the pains to pass. When 30 minutes went by with no relief, I told my husband to drive me to the hospital; leaving my girls with DQ.

Upon arrival at the hospital, I was immediately taken back to a trauma room, hooked up to machines, stuck with needles, blah blah blah. About 3 hours later, the docs chose to admit me for observation. Fortunately, all test results were negative (or normal). 2 EKG’s, blood tests for enzymes, monitors, and a treadmill test all showed that whatever I was dealing with was not cardio related. It DID show, however, that I’m very much out of shape. Anyway, if there’s a blockage, we won’t know until an angiogram is done but that won’t be until later…..like much later, when we have medical insurance and can afford such an exam or when it’s absolutely necessary.

I was discharged from the hospital the next day. I went home and proceeded to take 600 mg ibuprofen twice a day along with hugging a hot water bottle at bedtime. After 2 days, there was some relief which led me to conclude that this entire incident and pain was due to a pulled muscle. However, the question remains….how does one pull a chest muscle while walking?

On Thursday, I went shoe shopping with DQ and met a young man who was also purchasing shoes for himself. When I say “young”, he certainly looked to be younger than me. He was in the store with a small packet of papers stapled together at the top. He kept referring to the list while he looked for shoes. I saw him again in the grocery store with his wife, looking at the list and comparing labels on the foods they were putting in his cart. I got curious and approached him, jokingly asking him, “Are you having a lifestyle change?”. His wife responded that he’d had a heart attack a couple of weeks ago, and they were trying to follow doc’s orders by changing the way they ate. During our conversation, it was revealed that this young man is only 29 years old!!!

I learned many things through this experience. I learned that the fast food industry is killing us. I learned that soft drinks leach calcium from your bones, thus requiring those with bone density issues to take calcium supplements. I learned that the only groceries you REALLY need are located on the outside walls of the grocery store….the produce, meat, and dairy. Everything else in the middle aisles are processed junk that our bodies don’t need.

My first lifestyle change resulting from this experience is that I’m boycotting fast food. I’m also joining a gym in order to get some more activity. The fact that this experience began while walking out on the road frightened me into exercising in a more populated area….just in case. Oh, and I’m boycotting soft drinks too….but not just for my health. My other reason is here.
If you’ve read this far, thanks for sticking around to the end. I look forward to reading your comments and suggestions for healthier living.

Bad Teacher!!

I'm such a bad mom, wife, and homeschool teacher. Okay, so maybe not THAT bad but I'm kinda feeling sorry for myself tonight (or this morning...note: It's 2:10 a.m.). My hubs is away tonight so that means that I'm pulling an all nighter. Fortunately, my kids are all safe and sound, snoozing peacefully, while I sit at the computer until the wee hours of the morning while listening to some paid programming on the tube. Every now and then I'll hear a foreign sound, a pop or something that gets my attention. Most often, it's just the ice maker in the freezer. Every now and then, it might be a mouse that the cold weather has driven in. Whatever it is, it and my computer are keeping me from going to bed to get the lovely beauty rest I need. (Lord knows I NEED IT!)

All this leads up to my neglectful teaching. I haven't really "taught" any bookwork since New Year's. I keep telling myself that I'll get back on it...tomorrow. And then for some reason or another, it doesn't happen. I WAS gonna get back on track today (or yesterday since it's now early in the morning the next day), but my Little Bird woke up with a fever and said her tummy hurt. So, I literally spent the day rocking my baby while her feverish little body fought off whatever bug was ailing her. Kangaroo stood by patiently, asking every half hour if she could watch Dora again...and again...and again...and again. Thank God I have 55 Dora episodes DVR'd on my thingy!!! I was able to keep her Dora addiction fed for the day!

Later in the evening, I had to go pick up the eldest child (the adult child) from work. On the way, Kangaroo fell asleep in the back seat and Little Bird perked up enough to serenade us with the alphabet song and at least a dozen questions on the extinction of the dinosaurs. Her inquiries regarding the dinosaurs gave me pause, causing me to consider how I would begin our teaching schedule again. I really need to get on that!!!

But before I do, I guess I should sign off and get a few hours of shut eye. Hubs will need my help tomorrow afternoon and I won't be a bit of good if I'm acting like a zombie!