Well, the-not-so-nice odor still remains, but in a lesser concentration. My husband has not fixed the hole yet, so we are hoping that once the wall is closed up again, we will be breathing fresh air. He did paint on a sealer of sorts, claiming itself to be a "killer of stains" and an "odor barrier." Painted twice. Still smells. This is worse than the first (we've had two) cat urine smell we had. [Ironically, in the same room.] Some concrete, plastic, and duck tape fixed that one. Maybe we should use the same method for this problem?

My child will be eleven months old tomorrow, and the girl still has no teeth. Trying to progress her food coarseness is hindered by the no-teeth factor. Though, she does quite well at mashing food with her gums, she does balk at certain chunkier foods.

She cares not for the skin of a pea, though she will eat the insides . . . if I squish them out first. I haven't given much inspection to the food she spits out, but I think she may do the same with corn. Eat the inside, spit out the outside. She will not eat a meatball if in tomato sauce, but rinse it off and she mashes away.

Meal time has become quite an adventure. However, I have decided I am not enrolled in the school of thought that allows young ones to totally and with abandon experience their food in all ways possible. She may not throw her food, bathe herself in it, or imitate Van Gogh with it. She will be allowed some leeway, but I foresee many reprimands being given and not happily received.

We thought we had mold. It was actually just mildew, and . . . . another surprise.

There was a very nasty odor coming from our wall. First thought was mold. Well, it wasn't mold. We paid a company to come out and investigate. No mold. It was mildew. The insulation had gotten wet. But you just take it out and replace it. Unfortunately, the nasty smell was still there.
The mold people said to just let it air out. My husband said it had to be more than "just let it air out." His nose couldn't stand it any longer. He started cutting the drywall away from where the odor was emanating. Mouse dirt . . . . everywhere.

Thank goodness there were studs in the way, so it was contained to a small 1 x 3 foot section of the wall. It was not a pleasant clean up. He did this last night.

Still very stinky this morning.

Allowing a loved one to face reality, does not mean you don't love them.

I heard this paraphrased statement on New Life Live! today. I feel it is a very true statement. When a person is allowed to fall because of their mistakes, this doesn't mean that those family members who could have stopped it don't love them. It shows their love.

Everything went well on Friday with my sister.

Tip #531: Use Fels-Naptha soap to get stains out of your clothes.

Tip #739: Eat a carrot to get food out of your teeth.

Sunday night . . . turned into Monday morning without me sleeping until 3:00 am. My sister needed me. I thought I was helping her. I did help her.

I can't control the doctor.

My sister made a decision against the advise of many. Did I help her as much as I could? I think so. I could have pleaded, held her back, blocked her path. But what would be the purpose? She was determined. It was her decision, she would take responsibility.

I hope she does. I pray she does.

Today, I am going to see her. I want to see her. I think she wants to see me.

Tomorrow, she has meeting. I pray it doesn't go the way I want it to. I pray it doesn't go the way my sister wants it to. I pray it goes the way God wants it to. He knows what my sister needs, even if she does not like it, and can't see how it could possibly be for her good.

He knows. Trusting God is letting go of our own way. Letting go of control. It is hard, but He is always with us.

I love you, Sissy-Pooh.

What shall I say?

I just don't know.

To my husband . . .
and my dad . . .
and my fathers-in-law . . .

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!


Our camping trip was a success. We had a relaxing time. We read, watched the fire, played games, kept the baby from eating stones, spent time with family and friends. (My parents and aunt went too. Actually many people we knew were there. You see, it was a family camping event with our church. We reserve a number of sites and families sign up to go. We have dessert together Friday night, and dinner together Saturday night and the leftover desserts. Each family brings something. We took White Chili. Very yummy.)

We had a fire Friday night, all day on Saturday, and until we left today. We are very smoky. I like that smell. Although two and a half days of it, is a bit much.

I forgot some things. I always do. But you'd think I would remember a coat for my daughter. And something warm in which she could sleep.

More stains.

A diaper accident Saturday morning. Had to wash the onesie, pajamas, sheet, and Pack N' Play mattress.

Campfires. S'mores. Extra chocolate.

A very nifty water station. Rigged by . . . ME! Involving a hose, a bucket, a stick with two "Y"s in it, a hole in the ground, and some stones. I took a picture. Actually I took video, but my dad got a picture.

We had a good time.

I am running around very busy-like today. We are going camping this weekend. I have shopping and packing to do.

Good for me that my parents and sister are available to watch the munchkin, so that I can do my running around much more quickly. I love to have my daughter with me, but taking her in and out of the car, with that car seat, is very tiring. And if I leave it in there and just take her out, I have to do some calisthenics to get us both in the back seat without hitting either of our heads, than try to fasten in a wiggle worm, who very much likes to arch her back while twisting.

This is our first camping trip as a family of three. We are looking forward to it.

What's in a name?

My name means bound or tied. What does that mean for me? Am I bound to something? Or someone?

If you could pick your name by it's meaning, what would you pick? I haven't decided yet.

This week's lesson is on Sarah. I am reminded of keeping my impatience in check. Sarah knew of God's promise to Abraham, that he would have a son who would become a great nation. Being 90 years old, she had most likely given up on the idea of motherhood. But God said Abraham would have a son. She was his only wife. She thought the idea rather funny.

As time went on, her finite mind told her God was taking too long. She decided to do things her way. She told Abraham to take her maidservant as his wife, in hopes that she could bear this promised child. Not only did Sarah come to resent her maidservant, who had a son, but Ishmael and Isaac, for Sarah did indeed bear a son, and their descendants have been at odds to this day.

Sarah didn't trust that God would do what He said.
How am I like Sarah?
What matters do I take into my own hands?
What consequences have I suffered for my impatience?

I need to be willing to wait for God's blessings. I know they will come. I have evidence of that fact. God's plans are far better than my own. I settle for "good." God will give me "excellent."


Quick update ~ I won the battle yesterday.

Evidenced by the dirty tops of my daughter’s feet, my floors are not as clean as I supposed them to be. Not that my floors are dirty either. But when I have a young one dragging her feet along the floor, it is unmistakably obvious that I need to mop a little more often.

Her clothes, as of yet, are not showing evidence of the same dirt that shots from the tops of her feet. Her clothes do, however, show evidence of the hole in her chin.

Once again let’s talk about stains. Now, I have a mildew stain problem on some clothes. Today is my wash day, and I am at war. Well, maybe just a battle or two. I am going to tackle washing our pillows today. I haven’t washed them before. We’ve had them for five years. Seems to me I should have washed them several times by now.

I bought a women’s devotional book. Well, I guess it isn’t necessarily a women’s devotional, but it is a devotional study of women of the Bible. It is set up to study a woman a week. I have only read about Eve so far. I should be much further. That is my problem. Taking time during my day to be with God. To study His Word. To commune with Him. I try when my daughter is napping, which is usually the best time. It is basically impossible to spend quality time with Him, when she is awake. I was doing quite well in taking time before she was born, but since August 1, 2004, I have had trouble. I need people to keep me accountable.

Please keep me accountable.

My husband is a wonderful man. He is an unselfish man. He always has my best interest in mind. He loves me and tells me so, many times a day. He finds me beautiful, regardless of how I actually look.

He knows that being home with our daughter is rather stressfull at times and is always willing to take over when he gets home. In fact he wants to. He will take it upon himself to get her dinner ready. He will feed her. He is a little wary of giving her a bath by himself, mostly because she is a greased pig in the tub and requires four hands, if not more. He will spend time playing with her after dinner. He likes to put her to bed. He wants the time with her. . . . to hold her, make her laugh, rock her, soothe her when she is upset. In fact, he does a much better job at rocking her to calm her down than I do.

Even from the time she was born, we have shared the responsibility of caring for her. He would get up and calm her or bring her to me to nurse. I tried to let him sleep, since he had to go to work in the morning, and I could stay home and nap when she napped.

He is taking off work to watch our daughter while I take a trip with my best friend. He knows that she is both our responsibility. He doesn't step aside from his responsibilities.

I truly thank God for bringing my husband into my life.

My friend talks about my forever war with stains.

I can usually win, if I treat them right away. I have to say though, that that is not always practical. I end up having a pile of laundry sitting on my dryer waiting to enter my washer. I like white clothes, you just bleach them. Though it is believed by some, that bleach weakens fabric. Clorox says it doesn't. Well, of course they would say that. I still bleach.

New mothers, beware. Bananas are one of the hardest foods to get out. Also squash is high on the list. Again the trick is to rinse it out immediately, or as close to immediately as you can.

A poop story follows. Read at your own risk.

This past week my young one went in her diaper. Well, I thought, being the good mommy that I am, I will go relieve her of her dirty diaper. I picked her up, and we went upstairs. I laid her down on her changing table and readied myself for the struggle that ensues. (She is a major wiggle worm, constantly trying to roll over.)

I noticed my arm seemed wet. Being a mother, I smelled it. My nose didn't like it. I looked at my daughter's bottom. The one leg of her white bloomers was not white. Apparently, the diaper did not do it's job very well. Half of what was inside the diaper was also outside the diaper.

I will say no more, save that she got a bath.

For those dying of curiosity, the stain did come out. No bleach required.

Most of my writing, so far, has been about my daughter and life with her. She is a huge part of my life, so it is understandable.

But about me.

Well, I like to put words on paper . . . . or screen. I usually can't think of what to write. I enjoy putting words together to make fun sentences. And to make people smile when they read it.
I enjoy reading. And since I am able to listen more than just sit and read, I have been listening to my books on tape. I have a bookmobile card and take out books on tape. I especially like John Grishom. And I like Mary Higgins Clark.

I love to sing. I have sung in my church choir. I plan on joining again next fall. I sing tenor and like the harmony it creates. I love hymns and the stories behind them. Many hymns were born from heartache and loss. Many from the praises of thankful hearts. Some are meaningful because of the places they were sung. I believe the younger generations are not being taught the beauty of hymns. They mostly only want to sing praise songs. If you think about it, though, many hymns are praise songs. They are just arranged differently. Fanny Crosby wrote hundreds of hymns, many of which were written in praise to her God and Lord. I also like praise songs. I like both styles. What I have to be careful of is singing and not paying attention to what I am singing. I need to be more mindful of the words, whatever the song.

I also like to play my flute, though I haven't picked the thing up since before my daughter was born. I don't really have much flute music, though I can play from our hymnal. I wish I could play and sing at the same time.

I like to play games, all sorts. Board games and card games, mostly. Scrabble, Phase Ten, Rummy, Yatzee, Tri-Ominos, Quiddler, Taboo, Cranium, Rummikub, Set, Skip-bo, National Parks version of Monopoly, to name a few.

I should exercise. And drink more water.

Things that bother me:

Poor grammar, people not using turn signals and other poor driving decisions, people's lack of courtesy, poor customer service, litter bugs, disrespect, our cat's recent behavior, losing.

Things I like:

The smell of my daughter, the feel of my husband's arms around me, playing Scrabble, winning, playing all my letters in one move in Scrabble, winning, talking with my friends, spending time with my sister, relaxing at the cabin, a glass of orange juice, milk and pretzels.

Now, of course some of the items in the "things I like" section are inconsequential. (There's a Scrabble word for you!)

And there's something to say about sleeping in your own bed after being away.

My friend from college came to visit today. We went to the pool. We had quite a crowd there. My friend, her husband, and two children, my sister, two cousins, my daughter, and myself.

My daughter was a little better in the water this time. She held on to me for dear life. She buried her head in my shoulder. She started to fall asleep, but when I got out of the pool to lay her down, she decided she was ready to play. I went back to the pool, and my sister took her. She did end up falling asleep.

I played with my two young cousins, 5 and 3 years old. They enjoy the water. They enjoy playing. Seemingly, we were in the right place. The older one likes to be whipped around, touch the bottom, and dunked. She likes the shallow end of the big pool. The younger one likes to splash and play in the baby pool. She is a little shy of the big pool.

Later that night after we were childless due to sleep, my friend, her husband, my husband, and me played Rummikub. We enjoy that game. My friend won, than I won. I like winning.

Although it was a short visit, it was good to see my friend and her family. Her daughter is 2 months younger than my daughter. We hadn't seen each other since my girl was a month old, 9 months ago. The two girls were very cute together, especially since they have the same name. Call one name and get two smiles.

Baby girl went swimming today...for the first time. We won't be calling her a fish, yet.

My sister and I went to our community pool today. My daughter got her toes dipped in the pool. She did not like it. She sure wanted to hold on, too. My sister taught swimming lessons with babies before, so she did the "one"; "two"; "three"; dunk. My daughter was alright with it. I tried it. I miscalculated and accidentally dunked her on "one." She got a mouth full of water, and I think some came out her nose. She sneezed, too.

We will keep trying.

I was sooo tired yesterday afternoon. My sister was over, and we were watching Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Toward the end, I couldn't keep my eyes open.

My mother-in-law stopped in to see us, and I couldn't stay awake. I slept through most of her visit. It was not very polite of me, I know. I apologize.

In the evening, I was planning on going to a hymn sing at church, but I completely was not paying attention to the time. I would have been late had I gone, and I would have had to eat very quickly or missed dinner altogether. Plus, I felt too tired to try to go. Even ice cream following the event was not enough to coax me into my car.

Before the sleeping sickness hit, I did mange to solve the ceiling fan conundrum. My husband had installed a ceiling fan in our daughter's room on Saturday. He had it all finished, but when he turned the power back on, there was no spinning blades. He checked all the outlets in her room, but they all had power. On the other hand, the outlet in the bathroom was not working. He figured out that the wires went from the outlets in her room, to the fan, to the bathroom outlet. He wired everything correctly, but it was a puzzle to him that the fan was not working.

I took a look at things to add a new set of eyes. I first started with the curcuit box, since it was an easier choice than climbing to the attic to inspect the wiring. Although trying to see into our curcuit box isn't exactly the easiest thing either. Using the flashlight, I looked closely to see if any where flipped. One on the very bottom seemed to be. So taking the chance of something happening, I reset it. On my approach to our daughter's room, I saw spinning blades. I exclaimed with happiness that I found the problem. We all rushed to the room to stare at the ceiling.

Yep, the fan was working. When my huband pulled the chain to check the lights, it was as if the sun was in the room. 120 watts puts out quite a brilliance in a small room.

Our daughter slept in breezy slumber that afternoon.

My daughter loves to play with toys. She crawls around with them in her hands. She shakes them to hear the noise. She knows right where they are and heads for them when I set her down. The only thing is, they are actually the cat's toys. She likes them better than her own.

Maybe the toy industry should think on that one.



The camera is fine. After fresh batteries, it is working like it's old temperamental self.

Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday dear my friend,
Happy birthday to you. (Yesterday)

My ten month old might have accidentally broken our digital camera. She grabbed at the strap when getting picked up, then she let go of it. It fell, making a nice crashing sound on the hard floor.

Goodness, I am tired. But it's a good tired.

My day has gone well. I have accomplished much.

I made the needed purchases at Wal-Mart; cleaned the bathroom; vacuumed the downstairs and the bathroom; dusted some dust; filled, ran, and emptied the dishwasher; baked a cake; fed my daughter; and wrote about my day.

I feel good.

Some would wonder how I could find fulfillment in just being a wife and mother. But I would say I can find great fulfillment in following God's plan for me as a wife and mother. I enjoy making our home a place where my husband loves to be. I may not be thrilled to scrub the toilet, but I am satisfied to see it clean. Not every part of housekeeping is glamorous, but I glow and feel wonderful when my husband says the house looks great, and thanks me for all I do.

And if molding the life of another isn't the most rewarding job, I don't know what is. My daughter depends on my husband and me for everything. Because I am the one home with her most often, it is more my responsibility to teach our daughter what we want her to learn. If I think ahead to the immense task of instilling our values, morals, and beliefs in our daughter, my head spins. Can I do it? Will my daughter stray from the Truth? This is the hardest job I will ever undertake.

I am very fulfilled. My life has meaning and purpose. I have an identity. I am a wife and a mother. My family is important to me. All this is true because I am a child of God, and Jesus is my Savior. I am who I am, because I have given Christ first place in my life. I am not just a wife and a mother, I am who God wants me to be.