For the past several weeks, every day is a struggle for me. I get so frustrated with my daughter. She is constantly doing what I tell her not to do. Not often does she follow directions the first time and without threat of punishment. I know she is only two (almost), but it still seems that she should be able to follow simple directions. The times are definitely terrible.

I tell myself that I have to be patient and guide her through her tantrums. But I find that all I want to do is spank her severely and put her away in her crib. I am trying not to spank her, because I really don't want to hit her, but timeouts aren't all that effective right now. Nothing is.

I wonder, why can't she play with her own toys, she has enough of them. But no, she has to play with everything else, making a mess. Which of course I end up cleaning up. She helps because I tell her she needs to clean up after herself, but face it, a two year old just doesn't clean up as well as an adult. I end up doing the brunt of the work. Why can't she just obey?

And being pregnant doesn't help. I am extra tired, my back and legs ache much of the time, and I am more emotional, which is why I am probably so frustrated all the time. I am just plain tired of repeating myself and being ignored. I long for the time when she is asleep, or my husband or family member watches her. Caring for her is very draining.

But still I love her and can't imagine not having her here. I know it will get better, and she will be more obedient as she gets older. I continually pray for God's guidance.

Yet again our five year old cat is on our nerves. Before we moved she wouldn't stop biting and attacking our feet. Now in our new house, she's afraid of the basement, the best location for the cat box. We started her in our room (no place for a cat box.) Then the extra room (will be Joshua's room - still no place for a cat box.) Then right outside the basement door (we're getting closer.) Then the bottom of the basement steps. At that point there would be a long stretch of time when the box would go unused, and we didn't find presents anywhere. Eventually she would need to go and would cower down the steps to do her business.

Then we got the new kitty. We moved the cat boxes back to the spare room. After having them there for a few days we moved them back downstairs. There was an "accident" done on purpose in the spare room. Yesterday we put the box in the basement again. Another "accident" in our room. Kalli thought it was new location and started to relieve herself. I quickly changed her mind. The cats were band from all rooms upstairs. This morning another accident in the dining room. The box came back up from the basement and is sitting at the top of the stairs. We have to find a location that suits us both. The basement is apparently not an option if we don't want to be cleaning up messes. It's current location is not acceptable for us humans, though not two minutes after relocating it there, Patches used it and Kalli went investigating.

I have not found any new messes.

I just realized I completely forgot to report that during our ultrasound on the 28th of June, our son made his presence known. We weren't going to find out if we were having a boy or girl, but my husband spied that he was a he. Though the technician confirmed it, we still know that there is a possibly we could have another daughter. Which could mean she might go without a name for a bit. We were having difficulties deciding on a girl's name, but have since ceased with racking our brains. We already had a boy's name picked out - Joshua Edward.

He has also been making his presence known, by the moving I am feeling. I have felt him for several weeks now. It still amazes me that there is a little person inside me, that God is getting ready for us to meet.

We finally named the kitten Kalli.

My cousin and aunt are up from NC. I haven't seen my cousin in a coon's age. He is finished his stint in the Florida Keys and now is taking a vet job in Wilmington, NC. He and auntie came up before is new job starts.

And last night, we (my husband, sister, cousin and I) went to a Phillies game. We splurged on seating, in the $44.00 area, hoping for a foul ball. None came our way, but we did see the Phillie Phanatic upclose and personal. He was a seat away from us. My cousin got a few pieces of memorabilia. On our other trips to a game, we tend to get there after the first inning has already started. But not this time. We had time to eat our hoagies before the National Anthem. And see the first pitch.

I made what I thought was a grave error and forgot to go to the bathroom before we left. My husband spied a port-a-potty, and we made our way to it. I have never in my life seen one of those so full. It was disgusting. The liquid line was maybe five inches from overflowing. I thought I'd go anyway, but then noticed no toilet paper. I just headed right out of there at that point. My sister was headed over to use the facilities, but I turned her right around and brought her back to the car, explaining she did not want to go in there. I think the experience allowed my bladder to not need to be emptied like it thought it needed.

I am not sure when, but my sister bought my child a small pool. Despite her unhappy relationship with water, my daughter loves it. She sees it in the garage where we store it and points to it, saying "pool." We hardly fill it, and since it sits on a slight angle only half of the pool has water in it. It is great for a child who stands for her baths and cries half of the time. She has come so far as to kneel and lay on her belly, yet she won't sit on her bottom. She has toys, on e being a cup that she likes to fill and dump down her front. She even has a head first method of getting in the pool.

I am hoping that this will prepare her somewhat for our week at the beach. Although I do realize a placid two inch, half filled pool is quite different then a constantly moving, ever deepening, always pulling ocean. The sand alone may be a factor.

We will see. I was told that one trip to the beach while I was a youngster found me terrified of the water. My family tried and finally the last day or so, I found the water to be great fun. But I was sorely unhappy to have it end so soon. If only I had given it a chance sooner. I think my daughter will.

We finally got our chest freezer. Three weeks it has taken us to get it from a friend. The rain was a big hindrance, along with having to borrow a big enough vehicle, and someone to help move it. I think my husband planned to go pick it up at least four times, but it kept raining.

Well, this morning dawned clear, my parents' van was available, and my father was a willing mover. It is finally in place in our basement. It is plugged in getting cold. I needed to clean it out before it got too cold. I missed my opportunity. I had to unplug it, let it warm up, clean it, than plug it back in. But alas, it is now freezing inside, holding some of our food. Yeah, extra food storage space. I plan on shopping for extra food this coming week.

In my new house, there is ample room for extra food storage, and I am taking full advantage of it. Soon I will have an extra refrigerator in the basement as well. Then I can stock up on milk and yogurt and other refrigerated goodies. I have extra shelves in the basement as well for dry goods. They are full. I don't have a pantry in my kitchen, but I do have a Hoosier which has become my pantry. We are vacillating back and forth about redesigning our kitchen or leaving the cabinets as they are and just replacing the countertop. There is a big price difference in the two choices. I think we are leaning to redesigning but waiting a few years to save up for it.

Back to my day . . . In the afternoon we relaxed and napped. For dinner we went to my cousin's house, were we joined my aunt, parents and sister for a picnic of sloppy joes, tuna macaroni salad, tossed salad, lima bean casserole, and corn on the cob. Yes even though we were at my cousin's house, she and her family were not present. They were up in Maine. Their dog needed some visiting, plus they have a pool, so we went there.

Of course our child ate little. She likes to make like she eats more, though, but then spits it out. She can hold quite a bit in her little cheeks. She had fun running around though, getting dirty. We ended up giving her a bath. That was a fun endeavor, creating a water mess, since she thought it a good idea to have water on the outside of the tub using a small pitcher. Two towels later she is dried and ready for bed, along with her parents.

Our yesterday at the NJ shore was a nice change from boxes and unpacking. We got there around 10:30 and relaxed for a while. Napping for our daughter was concern since we forgot the portable crib. My husband took care of it by rocking her and letting her sleep on his chest. He also got a nap in. It was very precious seeing the two of them sleeping.

We headed to the beach then, were our daughter wanted nothing to do with the sand. She wouldn't een let us put her down on a blanket. But after a little cajoling she became quite fond of teh beach, so much so that we tired of chasing after her. She'd run up and down the beach, keeping sure of staying free and clear of the water. She never did warm up to the water, which was the boiling temperature of about 63 degrees. My toes could barely stand it. She would be standing where there was no water, and then all of a sudden the water was after her, and she'd run away with a shriek. She had a grand time.

We finally retreated to the beach chairs which we never really got to sit in, because we were playing in the sand with our daughter. We'd build towers and she knocked them down. I was able to make 8 towers before she smashed them to ruins. After playing in the sand she took to running around in the dry sand. She ended up with sand everywhere including her face. We were worn out from keeping her in check, so headed back early. We cleaned up and eventually headed to the boardwalk.

We wanted some yummy pizza from Mack and Manco's. It was so busy we decided on take out and still had to wait in a line. Their pizza is very tasty and worth waiting in a short line. She settled on a bench to munch our late dinner. Last year I witnessed a very brazen seagull steal a woman's pizza right from her plate. Your eyes have to be ever watchful with seagulls around. It was later at night and the seagulls were not around during our dinner.

I stopped and bought some fudge, my husband got some coffee, and I got a Henna tattoo. We got back to the house much later than we wanted to. We ended up leaving for home much later than we wanted to also. And there was traffic. Ridiculously long traffic. It took us almost an extra hour to get home.

It was a good, relaxing, long, tiring day.

We went shopping at the local hardware store. My husband mowed and edged. It looks great. I pulled weeds - still have more than halfway to go, but what is done looks good. We have a parking space that is stone and weeds. I am trying to get rid of the weeds. I pulled many and also sprayed weed killer on them.

We also have an overrun-by-weeds garden area. I am not even halfway done weeding that. I hope to plant something in it soon. I need to get weeding to do so. It is a tiring and hot task. I spent a long time pulling at weeds.

We ended the day with a trip to Applebee's with my parents. I do like not having to cook, especially with a non-air conditioned kitchen.

No puppy. They didn't pick us. We still have no name for our kitty.

My husband is off for four days. He was allowed to take off Monday without the usual two weeks notice.

Tomorrow is working on the house, and we are headed to Ocean City on Sunday. My mom's cousin invited us down for the day.

Yesterday and today were trying. Not the whole day, but enough of it. I was right about our daughter. She was a pip near lunch/naptime and dinner/bedtime. I am very fortunate that I am not a single parent. I look forward to the times when my daughter is sleeping (and my husband is home.) Naptime is a time when I relax and do something for myself, and after bedtime for our daughter, I look forward to spending time with my husband and not having to chase after and reprimand an almost two year old.

Last night I had a meeting. My husband had a meeting. Mine was rescheduled, his was canceled. It was nice to not have to go anywhere. Especially since my husband has two more nights this week where he will be gone. I don't look forward to having only a short break from the care of my daughter. She is very trying right now. When she gets tired, she is very cranky and not very cooperative. She does what you ask her not to do.

But my husband is very kind and has offered to come home for lunch on the days he will be gone at night and take care of our daughter's lunch and nap, to give me a break. Right now I told him it wouldn't really work, because his bosses have asked if he would work 50 hours a week for a while. The company is behind on work and can't seem to find help. The bosses and another worker are all going to be trying to work extra. He would get his time and a half, plus $50.00 in cash. The extra 10 hours is not mandatory. If he came home for lunch, it would make it even harder to get in an extra 10 hours a day, since he works while he eats.

I was very touched by his offer, though I turned it down. For now. There are days where he is out and about on work errands and has a chance to stop by. That is a nice change for our day.

We are progressing. The bathroom is unpacked, and several more boxes emptied. Blinds are up, and the shower head is changed.

We were suppose to get our chest freezer today, but the clouds have not stopped dumping rain on us all day, or for the past three days. So, the freezer is on hold until the rain has stopped falling. According to the weather reports, that will probably be this weekend.

We ordered a new computer armoire and entertainment center. Our previous ones just won't fit in the new house.

The biggest news of the day is that we adopted a kitty today. She is a gray tiger-stripe and unnamed as of yet. Our two top choices are Zoe and Tabitha, though my husband wants to name her Whiskers, I vote for Zoe. We'll see. I also put in an application for a Labrador mix named Caesar. He is 20 months old, housebroken (very important), and good with children.

My husband has nicknamed me Zookeeper.

We started slow this morning. Slept in. We had my husband's brother's graduation party in the afternoon. They planned on having it outside. The rain changed that. It was crowded inside, but it was a good time. We saw some family we don't see often.

My sister came over and we started to watch Syriana. It was getting late, so we stopped it. My husband and I lost interest in it. It was very hard to follow. It was long. We don't have a desire to finish watching it.

We are all moved in, yet not at all unpacked. Though, I am unpacking a little more each day.

We do like our new little abode. I have changed all but four of the knobs in the kitchen. Four are left because they didn't have enough. Our first plan was to redo the kitchen, but our neighbor is a carpenter, so we are planning on having him, if he wants the job, make us a custom cabinet to go on the wall where none currently exists. We'll buy a new refrigerator and put the current one in the basement. And I discovered I can't stand the dishwasher, so I get a new one of those. I will just live with the dishwasher and sink being 10 feet apart.

My husband bought and put together his first lawn mower, and I think he wants to mow tonight. I did laundry yesterday and got to hang it outside. I need to do something about the clothesline, though. I also need clothes props. My line was rather saggy. I do like my "new" washer and dryer. The previous owner left theirs. They are a bigger capacity than my old ones. So, maybe I can wait on a new set. I wanted a front loader washer.

We are having companies give us estimates to replace the heater, install AC, and replace galvanized pipe with copper. We had the locks changed. We also decided the windows need attention sooner rather than later. That was a project we didn't budget for. But the money we save on the kitchen will go into the windows.

Dinner now needs my attention. Oh, we were going to have grilled chicken salad. I thought that would be good. It's a hot day, cook outside and not heat up the kitchen. Well my plan was perfect until I went to start up the grill and realized my parents still have our propane tank. The movers don't move pressurized gas. So, the kitchen is hotter, and the chicken is cooking on the stove.

We went to the Phillies game today. It was rather warm and sticky. My legs were quite wet from touching those plastic seats. It was kind of gross. We were in the sun for a short time, then the shade came. There was also a breeze, which helped us stay slightly cooler. We also had our hats to shade our eyes from the sun glare off the field.

Our girl was with us and didn't really much care to watch baseball. She much more enjoyed going up and down the steps, playing in my purse, squirming, and making a general all around distraction of herself. We only got to see bits and pieces of the game.

We are still tired from our move.

Today is my husband's father's 60th birthday. He doesn't like a big fuss at all. Of course I told him the day of his birth is a day to be celebrated. He just gave me a look.

We went over for dinner and pie. We had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and strawberry rhubarb pie. It was a scrumptious meal. Gary's step-mom was able to take off of work and be home to cook. Usually her job takes her out of town, and she isn't always home to cook. She was glad to be able to do this meal for him.

We put our daughter to bed at their house and watched "It Could Happen to You." Our girl took an extra long time to fall asleep, because she was in unfamiliar territory.

We hadn't seen the folks in a while and thought we should get over there. We also wanted to see what they had done with the place, because they have their place up for sale. They had painted and done some other things. The house looked very nice. The have an agreement on a house to buy, so hopefully they sell their house soon.

Tonight, after choir, was a farewell time for our church's organist. She is retiring after 23 years of service at our church. She is retiring mainly because she is having hand surgery in July. Since her hands are rather important for playing an organ, she needs to take time off, and I guess decided it was time to take time off permanently. She plays beautifully and has been very faithful in her playing. She will be missed.

I sent out information cards about my being a consultant for Creative Memories. I have to follow up with them next week. I may get a get together out of it. There are incentives to have lots of get togethers and have high sales, but I don't think I am going to make it.

My daughter finally got another tooth, her ninth, on Sunday. She is 22 months old.

I am loving our new camera. It takes very nice photographs, it has a very short delay between photos, and I haven't had to recharge the battery yet. It holds two cards with the capability to store many a photo. I have also taken a few videos with it. I am liking our new camera.

As I write, my husband and daughter are napping. My husband didn't have good night sleep and was not feeling well this morning, so just my daughter and I went to church. He has been sleeping all morning. My daughter fell asleep on the way home. I have a chance to write.

I plan on maybe napping later, watching the Phillies, and doing some Creative Memories stuff.

We should go see my husband's dad, since they have done some work on their house to get it ready to sell. We also just haven't seen them in a while.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!, my dear friend.

On our anniversary weekend, our car's muffler started making some interesting noises. As it turned out when we had it looked at, that the muffler blew a hole. No rust, no apparent reason for a hole, just had a hole.

Today, my car felt left out. On our way to my husband's step-uncle's house, my car decided to have muffler trouble of it's own. The front muffler pipe fell down. We had to have the car towed to our repair shop. We will find out about what's wrong on Monday, after the guys have a chance to look at it. Needless to say, we never made it the uncle's house.

Just as soon as we got home, I went looking at cars on line.

Before all this fun happened, my little family went to Lansdale Day. The town closes main street and people set up their wares. There is food available and many manners of things one might need, from new gutters, to Avon, to jewelry, to pottery. We were foolish and didn't take the stroller, so we had to share caring our daughter and the stuff we purchased. We saw some acquaintances we had not seen in a while. It was a nice morning. We did have to dodge a few raindrops.

We ended the day with a movie. My parents watched our daughter and my husband and sister, and I went and saw "X-Men: The Last Stand." It was good. I might just have to buy it. I still want to see the second one.

I had my next prenatal visit today. I got there right on time and was taken into the exam room promptly. My sample, weight and blood pressure were all checked. I was told the doctor would be in shortly. I waited 15 minutes. I was clothed. I was half considering leaving and rescheduling, when the doctor came in. He wrote some things in my file and listened to my baby's heartbeat. He asked how things were going, wrote a prescription for my 20 week ultrasound, and sent me on my way. I think all that took roughly 7 minutes. I see another doctor on my next visit. We'll see what kind of "bedside manner" he has and how speedy he is to show up once the nurse leaves.

Note: If you remember at my last appointment, I had to wait 30 minutes in a paper gown before the doctor showed up. I am not going to be kept waiting that long again.

I decided to try my hand at Creative Memories. I am now a consultant. I am not sure exactly what all I have to do, but I do know that I have a certain amount of time in which to it. If I fail to follow through with the requirements in that time period, my consultant status is deactivated.

Tonight we have off from choir practice. I like having a break. We will soon have all summer off.

We had a baby shower for my cousin and his wife this weekend. This is their first child. They don't have anything yet. Well, now they do since we had the shower. Though they still need clothes. They have chosen to wait to find out if they are having a boy or a girl.

This weekend was also our anniversary. We got some cards and some "Happy Anniversary!"s. Our anniversary fell on Saturday, which is the day we got married. I thought it kind of neat. It happens every 6 years.

My daughter was being very challenging this morning. I am quite happy she is napping. I am tired of correcting her. She has had at least four time outs in three hours.

I think that because of this orneriness, she was extra tired. This was demonstrated by falling asleep during lunch. But stubborn as she is, she fought it. She fell asleep sitting in her chair, then startle awake and eat another bite. Then she'd fall asleep again, startle awake, and take another bite. I think on the third repetition, I told her we should go upstairs for a nap. She stubbornly said no, picked up a grape, and chewed on it as her eyes closed. Even as I was cleaning her up, she objected to her food being taken away and grabbed another bite.

And unfortunately, I can't let her go on sleeping for however long she would sleep, because I am picking up my aunt at the airport. I am mostly sure that once in the car, she will fall back to sleep.

The wonders of motherhood.

My husband had a very nice weekend, even with the rain of Cooperstown, NY. And as always we have stories to tell.

#1. I surprised my husband by going to a drive-in movie on Friday night to see Poseidon. After a drive of about an hour, we pulled in, paid, and found a place to park to watch the movie. Turning on the radio to tune to the station that carries the sound for the movie, we were reminded that the radio doesn't work. We decided to leave and drove back to the entrance where we paid. We were instructed to go to the concession stand. We drove back over to near where we were and spoke with the owner. She had a speaker that she faces out on of the doors for people like us who don't have their own sound. We thanked her, moved the car for a third time, and went back into the concession stand for our dinner of a hamburger, salt-challenged fries, and not-so-tasty mozzarella sticks. The speaker by the door did provide adequate sound. We had to switch seats, so that I didn't freeze too much with the passenger window open slightly. I also draped an army blanket over me. There was a double feature, but we only stayed for the first movie. We did have an hour's drive back to Cooperstown.

#2. We had a leisurely morning and a bountiful breakfast. As we strolled down Main street toward the National Baseball Hall of Fame, we heard a loud boom. Since it was misty, I thought it was thunder. As we climbed the steps of our destination, streams of people were coming out of the building. I thought it odd that that many people would be leaving at the same time. As we learned later, a squirrel gave its life to get a taste of the building's transformer. The National Baseball Hall of Fame was closed, with an undetermined re-opening. After a picture of everyone milling about, we decided to walk about town for the walking tour. After we enjoyed our tour, we headed back to the Hall of Fame. Still closed. We walked back to the bed and breakfast, for what turned into a two hour nap. Now it was five. The Hall of Fame was closed for the day. Surely it would be open by tomorrow. Other guests at the bed and breakfast did get in again and informed us that they let people in for free once they re-opened. We missed the free deal.

We had another bountiful breakfast on Sunday. We went to church with plans to visit the Hall of Fame afterwards. Just guess who we met at church, besides God. A couple visiting their daughter, who live 45 minutes from us and know our former pastor, and the man who was the former director of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and was now a Director Emeritus. The kind gentleman gave us his card with a personal note to allow us to enter as his guests.

#3. We were on our way home. The turnpike had two unmanned toll booths where you pay 50 cents. No problems with the first one. The second one, however did not like our money. We put in 4 dimes and 2 nickels (US currency), which to my counting equals 50 cents. The machine did not think so. It didn't raise the arm for us to pass. We threw in another nickel. Nothing. My husband pushed the Talk button. A man who must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed accused us of not paying the correct amount and putting in Canadian money. Never once did he think the machine made the mistake. He even sacrificed his own quarter for us. The machine still didn't let us pass. After throwing in the quarter, he went into the building. We guess he finally manually raised the arm for us to pass.

We did have a nice anniversary weekend. Anything to spice up life?

My child has been quite stubborn about saying "Down, please." Though as I listen to what she does say, I wonder if in fact she thinks she is saying, "Down, please." It doesn't sound like it to my ears, but maybe to her, it is. If this is the case, she believes that "please" said with up sounds different then when said with down. I just don't know. The past three evenings, she has sat in her highchair longer than normal, because she isn't using her manners.

I am looking forward to this weekend. My husband and I are going away (a week early) to celebrate our anniversary. We're headed to Cooperstown, NY. While there, we are going to tour the Baseball Hall of Fame and a brewing company. It should be a swell time. My parents are watching our daughter.

Note to self: Do not ever buy a house from someone I know.

I find it very interesting that my daughter has changed so much before our eyes, but yet I couldn't see it.

I just recently sent film to be developed, some rolls from 2003. Looking at my daughter just 7 months ago, there is a difference. I don't notice that her hair is growing, and her face is changing until I look at a younger picture of her.

I feel like I've missed part of my daughter growing up, yet I've been here the whole time.

Today was my shopping day. By the time my daughter and I finished eating, and I got my list organized, it was 11:30. That is usually the time I start working on lunch. But since we had a late breakfast, I decided to head out to do some shopping.

On our way out my daughter thought it would be nice to take her babies with her, a pink doll, and Dora. As she carried them around before we actually left, she kept saying, "Two." She knew she had two babies in her arms.

Her pink baby went on her first shopping experience with us at Wal-Mart. She wanted Dora too, but I said no. We took awhile at Wal-Mart, probably because I perused the $5.50 movie bin. I found some to buy. During our pit stop at McDonald's for nourishment, my daughter was a little perfect eater. She ate two nuggets, and her apples, and all her milk. She did have some problems with pointing and staring at other patrons. She doesn't quite understand that it isn't polite to point and stare, even when it is explained to her.

My girl is a friendly sort. She wiling tells all she meets, "Hi." And now she has started a new thing. She will say hi to someone, then point to me and say, "Mommy," several times. I think maybe every shopper at Redner's was greeted and informed that I was her Mommy. She also was bright enough to recognize the cheese in the deli display window and point to it, then ask for it by opening her mouth and pointing inside. She received some cheese, when reminded to ask more politely.

But all the cuteness came to an end at the conclusion of dinner. After a burnt pot of white chili stunk up the house, we ordered pizza. When our daughter had ended her food intake, she established that she wanted to get down. Without a please. We reminded her she needed to say please. She sat in her highchair asking to get down, without saying please for an hour. She went right to bed with no books or stories.

I didn't have to change a diaper today. My husband handled most of my daughter's care. He had a nasty headache in the middle of the day. He handled it well. It did finally go away.

We went to my husband's dad's house. We went to my cousin's house, where my side of the family gathered for dinner and dessert. Then we went to my husband's mother's house.

We saw our mothers. We got them each a plant. We found hydrangeas and a mum, which were all quite beautiful.

We had a Mother/Daughter Tea today. It was at a restaurant in stead of at our church as it usually is. There was a doll theme. My daughter brought her doll with her. My mom, grandmom, and my husband's mother, step-mother, grammy, and greataunt all attended. It was nice for my husband's side of the family to see our daughter, since they don't get to see her that often.

Every one had a nice time. It was reflective to hear stories of days gone by and about other ladies and their dolls.

The food wasn't all together unpalatable (the sandwich wraps were quite tasty), but they could have provided a few more nonsandwich options. They were also short on the desserts. There were not enough to go around. Actually they had plenty of scone/biscuit things (not very desert-like), but not enough cookies. My mom missed out on the chocolate chip cookies.

The information about the mortgage appraisal for the house we are trying to buy is very, very slow in coming. The appraisal was done last Friday, and over a week later, we still have not heard what the mortgage company's appraised value of the house is. If it is too low, we have some concerns about buying the house. We have heard some rumors that it will be close to what we need it to be, but nothing official, yet.

After dinner, we took some time tonight to look at some houses for sale in the area. No of them worth going into. We didn't like the looks of them at all. Nothing was better than the house we have agreed and want to buy.

We also went out to eat tonight. We tried a new restaurant near us, Bones Grille. It was very tasty food and good service. Our daughter actually ate her food. We had leftovers. It was an all around good food experience, one to be repeated.

I had a Creative Memories Get Together tonight. It was fun. My mom, aunt, and sister were here. My mother-in-law and a co-worker of hers were here. A friend of my mom and aunts was here. I made zucchini bread and peanutbutter cookies. I put out pretzels, peanuts, and carrots. My husband set up the coffee maker. Also available were water, milk, orange juice, apple juice, and iced tea.

If no one had fun with the creative memories part, they should have at least had a good time eating.

I don't understand it, but for some reason my husband felt that he should leave during our fun. He put our daughter to bed, then headed out. He went to a friend's house for a Bible study.

We had my egg casserole again for breakfast. Having it today was just as tasty as yesterday. My friend had never had an egg casserole before. She didn't know what she was missing.

Oh yes, my friend cut my hair yesterday. I forgot that in the morning before we went anywhere, we played outside a bit. Kashi romped after his ball, my daughter ran around, my husband kept Kashi romping by throwing his ball, my friend cut my hair.

Today, she cut it again. I decided to go a little shorter. She did a fabulous job. It is quite cute. It really brings out my curls. She always does a good job on my hair. She also thought her skin needed a trim. She forgets that it's my hair she's cutting and not her finger.

During our visit, I was able to find two things she lost. Her gel for poison ivy, and her exercise cords. Though, I couldn't find her missing keys for her new locks.

After we packed, we ate dinner at Austin Grill. They have great food, but our service was lacking. We had enough leftover for another meal. To let our food settle we walked around the block. During our stroll, we made room for coffee (my husband,) and ice cream (the rest of us.)

On our way home we found more traffic. The Bay Bridge was backed up for 4 miles, causing us an hour delay. We played the alphabet game using car makes and models. My husband won. I won the game we played using signs.

Our last bit of excitement this weekend was when we saw a taxi veering into the other lane. He did it over 7 times that we saw. I called 911. I was patched through to the state police. I reported the taxi, and where we were on I-476. I was asked for my name, and the number from which I was calling. The taxi was in the left lane, going no more than 60 MPH and sometimes slower. He continued to veer, and we continued to watch. No police. We stayed behind him for a while. Still no police. Eventually we had to pass him, because he slowed down to under 50 MPH, while still driving in the far left lane. By this point there were three lanes. He had passengers, too. It at least kept us awake.

We didn't get home until 10:15 pm. Far later than we would have liked, but not as late as other times. Our daughter had a surprise for us. Her diaper apparently holds more liquid when in the vertical position. Her entire bottom was wet. I had to wash her car seat cover. She hadn't even been asleep as long as over night, but yet she was completely wet along her entire backside. When she sleeps at night, she never leaks out the back. We figure it was because she was sitting instead of lying down.

We went Shopping.

At Target we bought our daughter two swimsuits. They are adorable and have a little skirt. And they're pink. I think most everything that girl wears has at least one spot of pink. We are gong to the beach this summer for a week, so she needs two swimsuits. Of course, if it was up to her, she'd probably be perfectly happy in just her diaper.

We also found my EZ slider plastic wrap made by Reynolds wrap. It's purple, too. My friend got green. I highly recommend the EZ slider to cut plastic wrap. It is better than sliced bread.

We also went to Home Depot for some things, namely drain cleaner, also highly recommend by my friend.

My husband tried getting Starbucks coffee at the gargantuan town-like shopping center where Home Depot was, but the line was nearly out the door. He doesn't like Starbucks enough to wait.
We then ate lunch at a favorite little diner - Taco Bell. I ordered my favorite - Chalupas. Since I discovered them, they're all I get. My daughter made a tasty mess with a burrito.

We then headed to a garden store for my friend to pick up a new bowl for her bird bath. Hers is cracked. They didn't have the green that matches the base she has. So, we actually didn't purchase anything there. She ended up using tar to pitch the inside of the bird bath. It looks quite fetching and will act as a target for the birds to find it easier.

Then my friend did something wonderful. She dropped my husband and I off at Mount Vernon and took our daughter home for a nap. We had a few hours to ourselves. We had a very nice stroll around the lower grounds of mount Vernon. George was quite the innovative farmer.

The next stop was, I think, quite remarkable. It felt like stepping back in time. We found a variety store. And "penny" candy. The candy was more than a penny, but it was the same kind you used to be able to buy for a penny. I hadn't seen some since I was a little girl. We of course piled quite a bit of the sugary sweetness into a basket. Than we wandered around the store for a while. My husband found the toy isle with Matchbox cars and other trinkets he liked as a boy, reminding him of the Five and Dime store from our youth. It was a fun store, and we will be back next time we visit.

Our final stop was for pizza and soda. By this time our stomachs were saying things. It was very tasty pizza. We ate while watching a movie. Then my friend and I played Phase Ten. I won.

We drove to Alexandria, VA today. We were later leaving than we thought, but it wasn't mostly our fault. My husband had an emergency at work and needed to take care of some things before we left. The plan was to watch my friends furry and feathery friends for her while she went to helped her Mother in Texas. Instead her Mother turned tables on her and canceled her flight. So, we plan to visit with the animals and her all weekend.

We also hit traffic in Delaware. I am not sure how long it set us back, since I woke up once we were in it.

We stopped at Wawa for some dinner. The plan was to eat at my friend's house, but the work emergency and traffic set us back, so we got some sustenance. I highly do NOT recommend Wawa's new chicken cheese steak with Cheddar cheese on it. They have to improve that one before I pass it past my lips again. They also have to learn how to melt cheese.

Back on the road again, there were no more stops or issues.

I was standing at the kitchen sink this morning measuring the amount of liquid our glasses hold. I am trying to be more mind of what I am eating and drinking and their amounts. As I poured the water from the glass into the measuring cup, it spilled on the counter and some down the cabinets. My daughter, who was standing next to me munching on her favorite food of Cheerios, opened the right side of the cabinet under the sink, shut the door, then opened the left side. Although she is not allowed to go in those cabinets, I let her go to watch what she was doing. After she opened the left side, she took the dishcloth from the bar it hangs on and started to wipe the water I had spilled off the cabinet. She saw a need and was taking care of it. She likes to wipe things. We use to keep a rag hanging on her high chair for her messier meal times. She would occupy herself by "wiping up" the floor, the table legs, the chairs. She now has her own clean rag to use.

Another thing that I have seen her do that is very cute and imitating, is to "feed" her baby dolls and give them something to drink. She sees us feed her and help her with cups, that she does it, too.

I chose an OB/GYN. Though, after my appointment yesterday, maybe I should rethink that.

I sat in the exam room in my paper shirt and paper "blanket," waiting for my doctor to come for half an hour. I think that is too long when one is undressed. When he finally showed up, he asked how I was. I said I was tired of waiting. He apologized and said there was an urgent situation he needed to take care of. I have no problem with waiting if there is something urgent, but I have a problem with no one coming in to tell me this. A nurse should have come into the room and explained that my doctor was taking care of a pressing matter and would be with me as soon as he could be. And if they knew about the situation before they even took me into the exam room, then they should have had me just wait in the waiting room. I will be calling and telling them this soon. I need to update them on my insurance anyway.

My friend said her rule of thumb about waiting for a doctor is 30 minutes in the waiting room and 15 minutes in the exam room. I think I just might adopt these rules too.

~~~~~~~~~

For a while now, my daughter has been very uncooperative on the changing table. I have been quite annoyed at trying to keep her laying still and on her back. Just the other day she grabbed her dirty diaper while I was trying to take it away. I certainly don't need the contents of a dirty diaper falling out.

Well, lately I have discovered that she likes having her diaper changed on the floor. She lays rather still. It is on her terms, I guess. As long as she lies still and lets me change her without wiggling and turning, I'd change her in the bathtub.

I have successfully spent time with God each morning since Wednesday. I know it doesn't seem like a long time, but for me it is. I have decided to get up at 5:40 am, take care of personal needs, then make my way downstairs and pray, read my Bible, and pray. I also do an extra study on women of the Bible. I have found it to be interesting. As I started reading Matthew, I have found some things I didn't realize or forgot about.

Today my little family went shopping. Well, all we did was go to one store, a fruit vegetable and flower stand. We bought our weekly produce and some impatiens and dusty miller. Although we are moving we wanted some color in our flower bed.

After we got home I set to work planting. It looks very nice. Hopefully the rabbits won't find my plants. My husband likes to call our flower bed the local free buffet. I do have alyssum coming up from last year. The rabbits stay usually leave that alone. We like the alyssum because it drapes nicely over our rock border.

I am vacillating between using an OB/GYN and using a midwife. I thought I'd like a midwife, but than there weren't any in my area, hence I didn't even call them. So, I made appointments with the OB/GYN that I went to with my first pregnancy. Today was my appointment with the maternity nurse. Tonight I received some pregnancy magazines, one containing an article about midwives. After reading it, I'd like to at least call and talk with a midwife. Now, I am unsure again.

I have cute things to write about my daughter, but every time I sit down to write, they fly right out of my head. Maybe tomorrow.

I did not have to go shopping today. No, I am now on the two week shopping cycle. My husband gets paid every two weeks now with his new job, so I am shopping every two weeks. I still need to buy milk and produce weekly, but that's not bad. My goal is shopping once a month for the nonperishable items, but I have to wait until we move for that, since my current house can not handle that much food storage.

I made a phone call list for today. I have three more calls to make, though the one to the movers depends on the answer from Kohls. I am trying to save on buying boxes by getting some leftovers from Kohls.

I vacuumed, dusted, and mopped today. My daughter helped me by dusting too. It was very precious. When I finished with the feather duster, I gave it to her to dust. She dusts very well. She made her way around the room dusting. In fact she even picked up a photo to dust underneath it, and I guess she felt she didn't get all the dust, so she picked it up and dusted underneath it again. She also remembered to dust the TV, which I forgot. She is a great little helper. Other household chores with which she enjoys helping is unloading the dishwasher, putting clothes in the washer (though she doesn't help as often with that, because I have to lift her up), putting clothes in the dryer, taking clothes out of the dryer, and turning the dryer on. One thing she could help with less often is unfolding the clothes I have just folded.

I have contacted a few places where I would like to volunteer. I have not heard back. I guess they don't want help. I still need to contact some places that have asked for volunteers.

I would like to do some volunteer work. I have to be somewhat selective, because I will be taking my daughter with me. Some places won't allow that. I contacted and interviewed with a local pregnancy crisis place, but no one ever got back to me. I guess they really don't need someone to wash and organize donated clothes. I called several places in regard to volunteer work, and no one got back to me. I was successful in contacting and getting information to volunteer at the local hospital, but they have a required amount of hours, which is impossible for me to meet, since I can't have my daughter with me. Meals-on-wheels needs people to pack meals and people to deliver them. I thought that I could try contacting them. I haven't yet, because I keep getting rejected to volunteer.

Something seems wrong with not being able to help people. All I want to do is help those in need and teach my daughter that helping others is important, and I am wholefully unsuccessful.

We heard our child's heartbeat again today. This time we recorded it on a digital recorder. Interestingly it sounds quite different than our daughter's heartbeat at about the same gestational age. We also saw our baby wiggle around. He is such a miracle. (We thought we'd root for a boy since we have a girl.) He is only a little over an inch long, but he was wiggling and moving his arms and legs. It was very awesome to see him, even though I can't feel him yet.

We are done at Abington, so we went out to lunch at Macaroni Grill. I now go to see my regular OB/GYN, the one who will deliver our baby. I was contemplating using a midwife, but I think I am going to go with the doctor I used last time. I had a good experience, and I fully enjoyed my hospital stay. The two midwives in my area are not associated with any hospitals in my area. I would have to go quite a distance to deliver at a hospital. I could deliver at home, but I don't want to that.

I am trying to eat better now that I am pregnant. I am also trying to drink more water. I have succeeded a little. I don't like many vegetables, so it's a challenge for me to eat the suggested number of servings. I have no problem with the dairy and grains, and I am usually fine with the fruit. But the vegetables give me trouble. I guess I am going to eat a lot of carrots and green beans.

With this pregnancy, I have felt a little more sick than with my last one. It isn't often and just short periods of time. I usually feel better if I am laying down on my left side. I have also noticed that some tastes linger far too long. Another oddity is toothpaste. I had to change toothpaste. Our regular kind made me gag and I didn't even want to think about brushing my teeth. Lucky for my teeth, I found a brand with which my stomach is alright. The smell of my daughter's toothpaste has also turned my stomach a time or two.

Saltine crackers have been quite tasty for me and my upset stomach. And helpfully water is also a help. I need to drink more of it anyway.

I am so frustrated with my inability to do things I want to do. I want to spend time writing here at least every other day. I usually end up writing three or four posts at once and post them as if I have written them on different days. I want to spend each day reading my Bible and learning what God wants me to learn. I usually end up doing my devotions only maybe three times a week and doing my devotion book all at once. I'd like to not go to bed so late every night and wake up as though I hadn't even slept.

What is my problem? What is in my life that is coming between God and me? Why is time such an enemy? Am I not finding the true problem, therefore not able to see the answer?

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Seek Him, and you shall find Him!

This morning I drove my sister to the airport. The poor thing was on her way to the Florida Keys. It is her spring break, and she is visiting our cousin. She plans to rest and relax, pamper herself and go snorkeling. She will be flying back on Thursday.

This afternoon, we relaxed and watched the Phillies. They had a double header, the first they won, the second they lost. We didn't see get to see the whole second game, because we had to eat dinner. And for dinner we went to my husband's mother's house. It was nice not to cook. We had roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans. Dessert was applesauce and peanutbutter-chocolate chip cookies.

It was a pretty good day.

I spent this rainy morning at a Creative Memories Get Together. I want to buy all this stuff now to make fun memories with our photos. They have this nifty cutter to trim photos. A punch rounds corners. Cutters that cut photos in ovals, circles, and other fun shapes. They have a rather pricey starter kit that I would like to get. Of course there are no funds for such things.

I am having my own get together at my house. I am even considering being a consultant myself. I have to give it some thought and prayer, though. I want to earn some money, but I still am unsure of how.

And on Saturday night, we went to a game night with our Sunday school class. We had fun. We played Apples to Apples, a game we had never played. I also played Dutch Blitz. Gary didn't care for that game, though.

My parents also came. My dad is in the same Sunday school class. It was nice for them to get out, for they rarely do. My dad's work schedule always changes.

I had the scare of my life yesterday. I am 8 weeks pregnant, and yesterday I started to bleed. In my book, that means miscarriage. But thankfully, my book isn't written correctly. After I calmed down and my sobbing was minimal, I called my doctor. The nurse I spoke with (the nurses seems to know more than the doctors) said that bleeding is not abnormal in the first trimester. My only symptom was bleeding, not cramping and other things associated with miscarriage. She said to take it easy for the rest of the day. I had to wait over an hour to call my husband to tell him, because I knew I would start crying again talking about it.

I put my daughter down for her nap and laid on the couch for the afternoon. I watched a family movie, did my devotions, thought about napping but didn't. My sister came over to help out. She bought us dinner at Boston Market. It was a scrumptious meal of roasted chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables (they were tolerable) and applesauce. My sister and my husband cleaned up, and I laid on the couch, watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

Today, no bleeding. Praising God for that. My mother took my daughter shopping with her. So, I had the morning to myself. I enjoyed that also. I watched another movie. I was suppose to iron, but I have trouble motivating myself to do that. I need an intervention.

My husband finally didn't have to work this week. But yet, he did. Instead of trying to get a job finished, he had meetings to go to. I know he would rather be home with his family than out at meetings. He is very tired of not being home.

My husband's old and new bosses finally signed papers. My husband now has new employers. He now has a better salary. We are very relieved to have this finally happen. It was suppose to happen at the end of 2005. Than it was the end of January, than February, than March. Well, his boss finally signed last Friday. I won't miss my husband working for him.

I am still blowing my nose way too many times for being on an antibiotic. I am thankful that my throat hasn't hurt for awhile. I am thankful for the many boxes of tissues around the house. I am thankful that I can breath through one side of my nose at night.

I did go to choir tonight and stayed for the entire practice. Perhaps there is slight progress with this ridiculous cold?

I continually think of the things about my daughter I wish to write here. I continually forget to do it. Alas, I did not forget tonight.

Cute thing #1: My husband was reminding our daughter of something she was suppose to do or not do, and her reaction was to hit him, than immediately hug him. Although cute it was, she still got a timeout.

Cute thing #2: She likes to get into things. Once while I was vacuuming, I had to change the bag. I opened the vacuum, took out the bag and threw it out. When I came back to the vacuum with a fresh bag, my daughter had squeezed herself into the spot the bag sits in. I ran for the camera and captured the moment.

Cute thing #3: My daughter reacts to situations usually in one of two ways: to throw or hit. She chose throwing this time and was told to go pick up what she threw or she would get a time out. Her choice was to go sit in the time out chair.

Cute thing #4: During her bedtime routine, my husband was rocking our daughter. He told her one more song, than it was time to go to bed. Her response was to lay her head on his shoulder and put her hands over her ears. I guess if you can't hear it, the song doesn't play?

Cute thing #5: Also during bed or nap time routine, while we rock our daughter, she has a tendency to squirm. We will tell her if she doesn't hold still, she'll be put in her crib. She will continue to squirm, but as soon as we go to stand she plunks her head on our shoulder and stills herself. Sometimes this pattern repeats itself a few times, ending in a crying child in her crib by herself.

I could go on, but that would take 20 months.

You know what's nice about having a pending sale on your house? You don't have to do any more work on it.

Today, we just relaxed. No house projects. We spent the day as a family.

We tossed around the idea of starting to empty out the attic. We tossed it maybe twice, than let it fall. We weren't motivated to do it. We do have until June. And besides, where is all that stuff going to go anyway? We certainly don't have space anywhere else. My parents offered space in their garage. But you haven't seen their garage. It needs to be cleaned out before we would put anything in.

We think we are going to hire movers to move us. It will just be easier to have men who are used to moving to get the timing right. I am still not sure how we are doing it. Both closings are on the same day.

My husband and I had an evening out. We went to a presentation of Answers in Genesis. A fellow talked about the flaws in the Big Bang Theory and how distant starlight is not a problem for a young earth.

The speaker had a PhD, but didn't look old enough to be out of college. I caught up on some sleep during his talks.

We had a good time out, while our daughter spent a fun evening with her grandmother.

Yes, my mucus membranes are still in overdrive. I have not had a free breathing day in over two weeks. I feel that is too long.

We had a good day today. My husband came home from work early. He had been working overtime trying to get a project dome by this morning. Once the plans were plotted and taken to the township office, he came home. He was home around 1:00. Our daughter was down for her nap, so we took a nap, too. My husband hadn't had much sleep the past week. He needed the nap.

We had pizza for dinner. I used my bread machine and made the dough. It never is as good as buying it out, but it was rather tasty.

After our daughter was in bed for the night, we enjoyed just sitting for the evening. We watched Friday night TV.

I did it again. Even though I am sick, I stay up way past when I should go to bed. I stayed up until midnight losing scrabble to my friend. I did manage to squeak out a win on a 3 minute game. She won the other three. I think losing stinks.

I have a sinking suspicion that my clogged sinuses are not a bacterial infection. Nothing seems to have changed since starting the antibiotic. Viral infections are the pits. You'd think scientists could come with something by now to eradicate them. Some sort of nuclear bomb for viruses. Of course it doesn't help that viruses keep changing strains. My cough has wizened up, since I got the cough syrup with codeine I haven't been coughing as much. I've used it both nights.

Tomorrow will be too weeks, (TWO WEEKS!) since I first got this stupid cold.

Last night, I coughed so much my husband and I were wondering if we'd ever get to sleep. We would dose off, but then I would have a coughing spell, waking us up. I'd reposition, we'd settle in and fall asleep, then another coughing spell. This happened maybe three or four times over a 45 minute period of time. I finally tried my left side and made it through the night.

If you can believe it, I am still very stuffy and feeling poorly today, though my coughing has been better. I went back to the doctor and after waiting half an hour with a rammy 20 month old, I left armed with an antibiotic and codeine. I better be better soon.

I did it again. I came home from choir practice early. But unlike last Wednesday, I am going to bed early tonight. I think not getting enough sleep has been my downfall with this stupid cold. Did I mention my daughter is sick, now? My husband is still germ free. Is it only a matter of time for him?

We got to see our second child for the first time, today. He or she is just a little dot on the screen, with it's little heart beating. It is such a miracle. I am only 6 weeks pregnant, but that little heart is going strong. We even have pictures. I go back next week for another ultrasound.

My daughter and finished our shopping today. She got a new hat, new sandals, and new onesies. She is a growing girl. Guess what color everything is. PINK! All things for little girls come in a rainbow of pinks.

I think this summer my daughter will voluntarily wear her hat. Last year it was a fight. She enjoyed her new hat today and her old hat yesterday. The smallness of her old hat made her ears stick out. I got a picture of her when she put it on sideways. Very cute!

I look forward to more sunshiny days outside with my daughter.

It was a nice day today. My daughter and I played outside. She enjoys trotting around the grass with her ball. She has great fun walking up the small hill near our house. At the top she turns and throws or kicks her ball down the hill, than she runs down after it. I catch her, swing her into the air and put her down. She hurries to do it all over again.

We also took a walk to the playground. She didn't want to slide today. She has enjoyed that before. She did swing with me on the regular swing. Since she liked that, I thought I might try the toddler swings. The last time we put her in one, she objected greatly. Probably because she didn't really fit, the swing was too big. However, this time, she had a fabulous time. So much so, that she didn't want to get out. In fact she got a time out, because she hit me when I took her out to go home for lunch.

Still sick.
Still stuffy and coughing.
Been to the doctor.
No medicine, except Tylenol products.
Still tired and not getting to bed early enough.
Need to get stock in Kleenex.
Got my daughter sick.
Husband is still germ free.

Will it ever end?

We had to vacate our house while the buyer had a house inspector come look the place over. We went to Costco with my mom. We tried really hard to find a reason to eat dinner at Houlihan's, but in the end we knew their wasn't any.
We had leftovers.

Why is something so simple, so hard to see?

I could have just said "We are not telling anyone when we decide to try again." That would have been so simple and true. But no, I chose to answer questions with half truths and lies, leading my friend on a farce. She was not "put out" as I had thought. She was extremely hurt.

We talked. I apologized. I asked for forgiveness. She granted it.

She is happy for my husband and me. She is glad I am pregnant. She is a great friend, always supportive, always praying. She gives of herself, without asking for anything in return (except maybe a scrabble game.) She even nearly got her hands stuck for life in a painting position to help us get our house ready to sell. What would I do without her? I can't imagine.

I went to choir tonight. But alas, I went home after practicing just one piece. That was the plan, for I am sick. I decided to just stay to practice the anthem for Sunday and then go home.

I have been ailing since Saturday. It started with a sore throat. It was on and off for a few days, then the stuffiness and coughing started, and it's been downhill ever since. I am going to the doctor tomorrow, but since I am pregnant, I am not hopeful of getting any medicine.

And here is a secret. I went home from choir early because I am sick. I should have gone to bed. But no, I played hookie. I stayed up and played scrabble with my friend. Not that I didn't want to play, but I should have gone to sleep to try to get better. I have been remiss in getting the sleep required to get better. And here I am writing, too. I will be sick forever.

We did it. We signed an agreement for the sale of our house.

I feel a little sentimental about it. This is our first home. Although we never planned on being here forever, it still feels funny agreeing to let someone else live in my house. We worked hard on this house and changed a lot. Over the six years we have lived here, we've made it ours.

It is sad. I have already started to get a little teary about it. I am sure I will cry when I walk out our front door for the last time.

But we will have the opportunity to make another house our home.

We had the inspection for our new house today. It lasted 3 and a 1/2 hours. The house isn't that big, but the guy was thorough. He started in the basement and made his way to the attic. He'd explain what he was doing as he was going. I lost interest in the basement. My husband kept with him, instead. I chatted with the seller, who is also an acquaintance. We followed him and talked with each other instead of really listening to what he had to say. I drew the line of following when he went outside. I think I lasted maybe five minutes. It was too cold for me out there. My friend and I went inside had cocoa and a brownie and talked. Much more interesting than poking one's head in a chimney.

Mr. Inspector-man found four major things that really should be fixed: The garage roof needs to be replaced, the furnace chimney needs to be relined and repointed, the galvanized pipes need to be replaced with copper, and the termites need to be taken care of. It's not a cheap list.

We also met neighbors across the street. They have four children. We only actually met the husband and the two younger children, a boy and a girl (she's several months older than our daughter.) They were very nice. That is an important quality in a neighbor.

By the time we got home, it was rather late. We had spaghetti for dinner. That's one of our standbys when dinner is late or unplanned. It was tasty.

We had a surprise phone call from our realtor, concerning an offer on our house. We have to wait until tomorrow to find out about it, though.

Tonight, I called my brother to tell him the good news of our coming bundle and our upcoming new house. I talked with my sister-in-law first. I told her all about the house but hadn't said anything about the baby yet. When I slipped it into the conversation, she got all excited and said that that was way more important than the house stuff, and I shouldn't have held out. She was way happy and so was my brother. Even my niece said "congratulations" with some coaching from her mother.

By the way, my brother had to get off the phone because he had to go plow the roads. Apparently, in Colorado on the day before Spring begins, it was snowing.

Today we told my family the good news that Ellie is going to be a big sister. I had it all planned out. The plan was to watch old family slides and movies. I made four slides to slip in with the pictures. They said "Ellie" "is going" "to be a" "big sister." I thought it quite a clever method to share the good news. But there was a hitch in the plan. No one could find the slide projector. So, I thought and thought and came up with a new plan. My cousin's six year old daughter could read the slides to everyone. That worked out well, and everyone was happy and excited. It was good to be able to surprise everyone.

I was disappointed at the reaction of my friend when I told her the good news. Maybe I caught her at a bad time, for she was sleepy, but she seemed put out that I hadn't told her that we were going through the IVF treatment. She did manage to squeak out a "congratulations." We have talked several times since then, and she hasn't asked me a single question about my pregnancy. I feel like the subject is taboo. I wanted to surprise her.

My husband and I chose to do it this way. We don't regret our decision.

I am doing laundry. Three loads. I have changed the bedspreads on the two beds to hide the boxsprings, and I am moving stuff into position to go into the attic. I have also taped one side of the steps readying the trim for painting. After finishing the one side, I decided that my husband can have the privilege of taping the other side.

I am waiting to vacuum until we are done with the painting supplies, since they are strune about the downstairs.

Tonight, we signed the papers for selling our house. Our realtor went over all the paperwork and what all of it meant. There is a lot of information in that paperwork. Then of course we had to initial and sign an entire forest of papers.

Friday she will be coming back to take pictures for the listing. Hence, we have to finish painting. Ugh!

Not only do we need to finish painting, we have to tidy up the place. And that requires vacuuming, dusting, laundry, and putting things in the attic.

A boat load of stuff to do. And we start tonight.

Yesterday was my sister's birthday. She and my parents came over for dessert. My parents gave her a beach chair, a beach towel, sandals, a drink, some candy, a puzzle book, and a beach bucket. I had it all set up on our deck for her to find. We gave her clues using definitions on where to find her present - Balderdash, which I sat on the beach chair. I thought it a rather clever method of present giving.

We of course then played her game, while eating mixed berry crisp.

We are buying a house on one of my husband's favorite streets. It has most everything we wanted: a fireplace, a basement, a walk up attic, an eat-in kitchen, a yard, a garage.

Now we have to finish getting our house ready to sell.

I sit here very tired and a bit sore. After two days of painting and all that entails, my husband, my friend, and I are very sore and exhausted. And even with all that we did and staying up till after two in the morning for two nights, we still have to paint two ceilings and do some touch up work.

The bane of my husband's existence is almost finished. The bathroom that looks great, but was soooo much hard work just needs some touch up work to be complete. My husband is looking forward to it being done.

My friend and I oiled an old wood bookcase and brought it back to life. It looks fantastic. It's a changed piece of furniture.

And after all our hard work yesterday, we had to take baths instead of showers. As my husband was putting the bathroom back together, the shower curtain rod broke. So, baths it was.

Today, we didn't do any work on the house. We napped and relaxed. And visited family.

I should say mostly relaxed. I did have to clean the bathtub. Our child thought it a good idea to do her diaper business after we took off her diaper and put her in the tub.

Did I mention I am tired and drained of energy?

My very good friend is here. We are at this moment playing scrabble. I am typing in between plays. She is winning right now, but it is still anyone's game.

I WON!!!!!

Maybe I should be more gracious and give my friend a victory, since she is here to help us paint.

We went to look at a house on Saturday. I thought it was the house. Then on Sunday, we went to an open house of acquaintances of ours.

I was wrong. I think this is the house. The main difference is the location. It is a better neighborhood. It is in a residential area, and there is an elementary school just down the block. The first house was in a more business area.

There is some work we would do, but it is in good living condition.

I was a very busy girl yesterday.

I vacuumed upstairs and downstairs, including the stairs. I mopped the kitchen and dining room. I cleaned the bathroom. I did five loads of laundry, folding only two. I watched a movie. I am not really sure how I fit it all in.

I wasn't even that tired at the end of the day.

But as a reward I am relaxing all day today.

Today I had an enlightenment. Did you know that there is a right and a wrong pitch with which to talk? That's right. And if you talk in the wrong pitch for too long, it damages your vocal cords. Rest assurd, though, that most people talk in the right pitch. I also found that singing is the same way. If you sing in the wrong pitch, you can damage your vocal cords.

I went to a Choral Celebration today at Philadelphia Biblical University. I attended two workshops addressing singing techniqiues. Here is where I learned this valuable information. I have been singing tenor. But now I wonder if I should sing alto. I don't want to hurt my vocal cords. I dared not ask the instructor during the workshop, for fear of standing up in front of everyone and having to sing.

I thought that I would seek out my choir director and ask her opinion. She said I would make a great alto. So, next time I'm at choir, I'll give it a try.

I also heard an applicable lecture on Realizing Unity and Reconciliation in Worship by a man from Wheaton College.

He encouraged us to consider the question: Who inspires you? He talked of the kind of people who were reconcilers; people of courage, people or zeal, people of humility.

Soren Kierkegaard was quoted on worship:
True worship quite simply consists in doing God’s will. But that kind of worship was never to people’s liking. What occupies people in every age . . . is to arrange another kind of worship that consists of doing their own will, but in such a way that God’s name, calling upon God, is connected with it, whereby people think themselves protected against being ungodly—alas, although precisely this is the most definite kind of ungodliness. ~The Moment and Late Writings

He quoted Paul in Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another in reverence for Christ." He challenged us to think about if we do this in our congregations. Do we allow for our differences in worship, because we reverence Christ? Do we reverence Christ?

He quoted Jesus in John 17:20-26. Specifically verse 21, "that all of them may be one," verse 22b "that they may be one as we are one," and verse 23 "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me." Jesus is praying for us, that my church be one.

He said that worship is an act of love and devotion to God. It isn't about us and how we feel. It's all about God. Edification and annunciation are byproducts of worship. God is the audience, the congregants are the performers, and the pastors and leaders are the prompters. ~Kierkegaard

We also sang "The Servant Song" by Richard Gillard. http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/sg852958

There was a time for question, and another attendee brought up corporate sanctification. Do we come to church to sanctify only ourselves or our brothers and sisters in Christ as well? Shouldn't individual sanctification be the means to corporate sanctification?

I have a lot to consider.

My husband's company still has not joined with the new one, yet. We are anticipating when it does, for the pay increase it will bring.

I want to try to do my shopping monthly instead of weekly, except for produce and milk. I also need to get back to planning my meals in advance. I do not like the task of thinking up dinner ideas on the day we are to eat it. I like looking at my meal calendar, seeing what's for dinner, going to the frig and finding all the ingredients. I don't like staring in the freezer and shuffling food around for ten minutes racking my brain about what's in there that we could eat. Especially when I start at 4:00, hoping to eat by 5:00. It just doesn't work for me, and I don't like the pressure. Yet, I find myself doing it way to often.

Therefore, I need to fill out my meal calendar.

Well, our prayers were answered. It wasn't the house for us. Almost all the things we were hoping for were met with a resounding "No!"

Is it really that much to ask to be included in the choice of paint color of the house or for a sidewalk from the driveway to the house? Or a lamp post? And we even offered to pay more money. I feel that they are being a little selfish and overly controlling.

Well, all that doesn't even matter anyway, because the taxes for this house we really like are way to high for us. For some ridiculous reason a 100 year old house is considered new construction, just because it is part of a new subdivision. This house is also assessed at a much higher price than it's worth. So, the taxes are twice what they should be. Did I mention the house now only has a 15th of the land that it originally had? The rest was subdivided off. But yet, the taxes remain the same. But I should be okay with it, right? We asked God to show us His will. He did a good job. Not this house.

Of course, now I anticipate the even better house He has planned for us.

I spent all day reading The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I think the book was great. He stated his reasons for writing, his thoughts on love, the five main ways people want to be loved, and thoughts on what to do about what you've just read.

I like to think that I need all five. Quality time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. But he says we have one main love language. We might like them all, but one stands out. He did say that some of us could be bilingual.

I highly recommend this book. Learn how to love others in a way they understand.

My husband loved me by taking our daughter with him today, so that I could have the day to myself. I read up on how to love him better.

How much thought have you put forth thinking about your skin and the amazing organ that it is?

You take things for granted when they are fine. I cut two fingers the other day. Just small little slivers of skin missing, but it hurts as though the entire end of both fingers are gone. They throbbed all the time when I first cut them. Now, only when I bump them. Typing presses on one of them.

Skin is the largest organ in our body. It covers us up. Holds us together. Helps us keep warm and cool down. Here is a nice little picture.

Isn't it beautiful? Our body constantly amazes me. How God made us and planned everything so perfectly. Our body systems work together to do their jobs.

Our eyelashes and nose hairs help keep dirt out. Our lungs take up a small space compared to the amount of surface area available for oxygen absorption. Our eyes see images upside down, and it's our brains' job to turn the images around.

When I was pregnant, I often thought about the developing my daughter was doing each day, and what a miracle she was. She continues to baffle me in what she can do at only 18 months.

We are all miracles, and even though our bodies don't always do what they are suppose to do, we are perfect.

God planned it all and beautifully executes it in each one of us.

My cuts still hurt though.

There goes that time again. Every time I turn around, it's gone.

Valentine's Day was nice and simple. My husband made me dinner. He brought me tulips and chocolate. I snuck a heart cookie into his lunch, with a note. He got more cookies when he came home.

Valentine's Day is a good time to remember God's love for us, and the love He has rained down upon us. The reason we love is because He first loved us.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Time.
Elusive, slipping.
Ticking away, unreachable.
Hard to keep up, always going.
Never waiting, pushing.
Cannot find, hurry.
Time.

We finally made it to the cabin this weekend. I much enjoy this break from the everyday. I packed and got our car ready by 9:10 am. I was quite proud of myself. We usually run over by at least an hour. We have been trying to get up there for a month. The weekends always had something else.

I had to have it done early, since we were going to look at the house again, this time documenting it on video. My parents had a looksee, too. Our plan was to head up after looking at the house, stopping at the bank, and getting gas. We left at a favorable hour and arrived before dinner time.

The heating bill for the cabin is ridiculous, especially since no one lives there. So, to help not run up the propane bill, we used the fireplace to heat the cabin. This is all well and good when you can build a fire and keep one burning. Our Friday night attempt left us a little cold. Our Saturday attempt was nice and toasty. Our Sunday attempt was in between the two. It also helps immensely to have dry firewood and kindling and enough newspaper. I highly recommend dry wood.

Our daughter had a grand time exploring. This was her first trip up since learning to walk. She was everywhere checking out everything, including the inside of a trash can. Gratefully, the cabin is fairly childproof. We only had to move a few things.

She did however find the knobs on the gas stove rather interesting. She liked to turn them, succeeding once in turning a burner on. I knew something was amiss when I didn't hear her anymore.

We also did well in our timing for coming home. We were not unreasonably late getting home. Did I say I always enjoy a weekend at the cabin?

Have you ever heard of the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day?

Well, yesterday could equal it for me.

I am over my birthday selfishness.

My birthday is today. And I am ungrateful. Instead of being joyful for my wonderful gifts, I am bemoaning that which I did not receive. And in the course of my pity party, I have caused my husband to feel that he did something wrong. He did not. His poor wife is the problem.

He wished me Happy Birthday before I even got up. My husband made me a carmel apple crisp. He took me to dinner Friday night. He bought me thoughtful gifts. He changed all of our daughter's diapers. What more could a wife and mother want?

I am trying to be thankful.

My husband was very excited. He is liking conversing with our daughter. She is starting to understand and communicate more.

He was telling me of a night when he put her to bed. Our daughter was picking out the books to read. She handed one to my husband, but when he sat her on his lap, she gave a look that it wasn't really the book she wanted. So, he asked her if it was. She shook her head no. He asked her if she wanted another book. She nodded yes. He put her down, and she picked out another book. The right one.

It still amazes me when she does what I ask. Not so much that she obeys me (not that that isn't nice,) but that she knows what I am asking her. I asked her if she wanted to color. She said she did, so I got paper ready for her. I looked over at her, and she was holding her crayons. She knew what coloring was, that it involved crayons, where they were kept, and that she should get them.

As my friend says, she's brilliant.

When I turn on our kitchen faucet, I usually end up nearly burning myself, once the hot water comes through. We have the style where one lever runs both hot and cold. When it is right in middle, the water is too hot to put my hands under. I think this should not be. I have to tilt it significantly to the right for the water to be balanced. It has been this way for far too long, and it irritates me immensely. My solution has been to turn the hot water valve to nearly shut. I turned it more tonight. I think I have finally accomplished a balance in my water temperatures.

Last night we had a thunderstorm. My husband and I were in the bathroom brushing teeth, when our lights went out. I thought he did it on purpose as a joke or something. I was about to say "Hey, what are you doing?" when he informed me that we lost power. It was very dark. Our bathroom has no windows, not that they would have helped since there was no light outside. We realized this when my husband tried to shed some light on our darkness by opening our bedroom blinds to let the post light in. As the slats turned, we were still engulfed in darkness. It was a little scary, having the darkness surround me, even though I knew exactly were I was, and that my husband was with me.

Makes me think of my sin that surrounds me in darkness. And Jesus is my light that shines through. Depend on Him and there will always be a light for the darkness that tries to seep in.

Titan 5 . . . the car seat from the other place.

Since switching the car seat to forward facing, we have been using it incorrectly. Apparently, we were using the wrong shoulder slots. We were using the lower ones, but if those are used forward-facing, "the harness may not properly restrain the child in the event of a crash." Fortunately, we have not had to test that warning.

To remedy the mistake, we create the problem. The problem lies with the straps themselves. First, the straps have two toddler positions. When in the lower position, they are too tight. When in the higher position, they are too loose. And to top it all off, the seat has a strap to "easily" tighten the straps once fastened around my child. Well let me tell you, it would only be easily for the Hulk, perhaps. All I accomplish when I pull on that strap is to pull the seat out of position, hurt my hand and arm, and get rather angry with the seat. The strap stays just as loose as it was. I have to reach behind the seat, a feat in itself, and pull down on the plate that hooks the shoulder straps to the pull tight strap. This method is no where in the manual, though I have found it the only effect method. But another problem lies in that when the shoulder strap is in the higher position, I can't really reach the plate, effectively negating my method.

This may be confusing, but just know that it is a royal pain.

I am trying to call Evenflo but haven't gotten through yet.

We bought a CD tower. We opened it. A shelf was split. We returned it.

We bought a different CD tower. We opened it. A shelf was broken, and it was missing instructions. We returned it.

We bought another CD tower. We opened it. It was missing the screws to put it together. We returned it.

We searched through three boxes at the store and found a CD tower with all its parts, that were also not broken and had instructions. We didn't open it at home yet.

What might we find when we do? Oooh, the suspense. I might have to make yet another trip to Wal-Mart.


~~The subjects in this story were not actors, but real people. This story took place over a period of one week. Stay reading for the thrilling conclusion of . . . "The CD Tower."~~

Be still and know....
Be still and know....
Be still and know....

Stephen Curtis Chapman wrote a song called "Be Still and Know." My mom and I heard it on the radio on our way to choir practice. It is also one of our choir's anthems. It is a beautiful song.

....that He is God.
....that He is faithful.
....that he's our Father.

In our busy lives and schedules, we must be still and know God, hear God, see His works. We must still our restless souls.

"Stand in awe and be amazed."

Be still . . . .

Yesterday, I discovered that when warning labels on prescription bottles say to take the medication with copious amounts of water (copious is my word - the label actually said "plenty," but copious adds a little something,) they mean it. I neglected to adhere to that little warning, but my stomach was quite aware and rid itself of the offending intruder.

Consequently, my stomach felt poorly all day. Though, I didn't take the full dosage, but that was a different oversight on my part. I somehow missed the part where the label says to take 1 dose twice a day. I was thinking 1 dose once a day. Oops. Oopses with medication shouldn't really occur. I get an extra day now to take my medicine. AND, even if I read it correctly, after my morning experience and my still poor stomach, I am not so sure I would have attempted taking the medication again so soon.

But alas, after a meal and with a large drink, I ventured a swallow today. Nothing was forthcoming. I took my medication with no ill will on my stomach's part. But, I did not realize the twice part until it was too late to take the second dose today. I will remedy that tomorrow.

My grandmother had us over for lunch today. When we bring her home from church, she sometimes has us up for lunch. We had the ole standby of grilled cheese and chili (it's usually soup, but we thought we'd try chili for a change.) It was tasty. She also had made an applesauce of sorts, and she added raisin. It was tasty, too. My daughter fell asleep on the way over, and slept right through lunch. She ate when we got home. Guess what she had. You're right - grilled cheese.

Again already my morning is askew. Being up very early, my daughter fell asleep by 10:30. I guess it's hit or miss with her and her morning naps.

I will take the opportunity to read my Bible now.

Today I accomplished my laundry and had most of it folded before I went to sleep. Getting all the clean laundry folded and put away the same day I wash it is a challenge for me.

For example, to have full advantage of the use of my laundry baskets today, I had to put towels washed last Wednesday away first.

I have not read my Bible yet this week. I am trying to read through I Corinthians. And would you believe that the book makes more sense when you read it all the way through, instead of a verse here and a section there? Imagine that! I suppose it would than make sense to read II Corinthians next.

I was feeling very very poorly this morning and than slightly poorly all the rest of the day. I accomplished close to nothing. Didn't make it to my Bible Study.

Today I had a doctor's appointment at 8:30. Got my food shopping mostly done. My daughter fell asleep on the way home. Lunch was late. Afternoon nap was later.

Yesterday was spend moving furniture. We acquired some of my husband's grandfather's furniture. His apartment needed to be emptied by this weekend. So, now our already full house has some new furniture. We need to move some things around and get rid of some things.

Of course the Christmas tree is sitting in the way right now. We will be spending the week rearranging and deciding on what goes where and what goes to the thrift store.

Today was suppose to be the day we started moving and deciding. But after our daughter was down for her nap, it seemed like a good idea for us. My husband fell asleep straight away, but I lay on my side of the bed in my cozy soft warmness (flannel sheets,) reading my friend's manuscript. After cold arms and many pages later, I joined my husband in slumber.

For over two hours we napped. We both felt refreshed. We did not accomplish our task of furniture arranging, but the sleep was needed.

Our sleep had been shorten last night, due to "King Kong." The movie was apparently three hours long. I wouldn't have known that, except for the time it was when we got out. My sister treated us to a movie. "King Kong" was good. The movie was well done with effects, and Kong looked like a real gorilla. He was very lifelike, with breathing and emotions. There were times that we shrunk into our seats, for all the intensity and suspense. I felt myself having to relax after some scenes. I would see it again.

Did I say how much I enjoy my flannel sheets? I have to go slip between their cozy softness again. I think all things should be made of flannel.

Jim is 16, Jerry is 4.
___________________

My plan worked today. I was able to read my Bible. Go meet my husband for lunch. Get my daughter down for a nap, clean the bathroom and vacuum the living room(a leftover from yesterday,) and prepare dinner.

I am quite pleased with my accomplishments.

I will now go rest between my soft, warm, cozy flannel sheets. Did I mention I like them?

Jim is four times as old as Jerry. In four years, Jerry will be half as old as Jim is now. Two years ago, Jim was seven times as old as Jerry.

How old are they now?

This is the puzzle of the day for yesterday on my desk calendar my husband gave me for Christmas. I am not sure what he was thinking giving me math puzzles. I have trouble doing simple addition. But to his defense it is an all inclusive puzzle calendar. There are also word puzzles.
I much prefer word puzzles. Much prefer them.

_________________________________________________

I got my floor vacuumed and mopped. I am glad for that. Like I said, it really needed it.

I have a plan. I am hoping it will help me be more productive. Here it is.
Get up before my daughter.
Read my Bible.
Get ready if my daughter is still sleeping. If not, get her ready and eat breakfast, than get myself ready.
Do errands.
Eat lunch.
Put my daughter down for a nap.
Do house chores.
If there's time, relax.
Get my daughter up from her nap.
Prepare dinner.

I am still liking my sheets, though my husband has informed me that he is sweating.

Laundry, laundry everywhere.

I have been doing laundry nearly everyday it seems for two weeks now. I finally, finally caught up today. Before, I'd think I'd get caught up, but no, we would go and wear more clothes again. And let me tell you, it seemed like we would wear twice as many clothes in half the time.

I am thankful however, that I didn't have to deal with many stains. We were fairly clean people these past two weeks.

Our rather clean dirty clothes aside, we were however not so lucky with our floors. Specifically, the three foot diameter circle that my daughter's highchair sits in when she eats, and the kitchen floor near the stove and sink. Actually, my daughter has been very good lately at not dropping her unwanted food on the floor. I guess my husband and I have been the messy ones.

I must vacuum and mop tomorrow. The floors are desperately calling out to be cleaned. The carpet is a breeze. Just vacuum the dark brown hue, and it's good to go. It's quite the workhorse of a carpet.

Unfortunately, the dark brown isn't so pleasing to my eyes. I much prefer a different color. If anyone wants to contribute to the replace-the-living-room-carpet fund, let me know. We are taking donations, sorry no tax deductions. We are a for-profit family.

The sheets are just as I had hoped. Warm and cozy.

I bought flannel sheets today. I have been wanting them. I returned some pillows and saw the snowman set of sheets. I look forward to resting my head on the cozy softness.

My husband has been looking forward to his Christmas vacation for months. He was glad he could spend an entire week home with his wife and daughter. He also hoped to work on a house project that has been put on hold.

That's what he planned. But don't you know that plans always get changed?

He needed to cut molding for the bathroom ceiling. But could he find the pieces that needed cutting? No. After we looked throughout the house, they were finally found. But the opportunity for cutting them was gone. The molding did not get finished.

He wanted some quality family time. He didn't feel well on and off all week, and after acquiring a fever of 101, he slept from Thursday afternoon until late Friday morning. He felt better Saturday and even more on Sunday, with occasional bouts of felling rather ill.

It's no fun being sick for your vacation, but it's also no fun being sick and having to work.

Went to bed way too late last night. Had to get up way to early this morning.

Our dinner of pork and sauerkraut and mashed potatoes was as good as I had hoped it would be. The pork was so tender a knife was not needed. The potatoes were whipped to deliciousness. And we had green beans. I only tolerate them, so I have nothing more to say about them. Oh, yes. You have to put vinegar on it all, too. Well, not the green beans. Vinegar gives it a bite. Yummy!

My daughter missed out on her first chance at the traditional German fare for New Year's Day. Oh, she had the chance. It was all there in front of her. But lately she has been usurping her independence and not eating things she likes. She usually gobbles down mashed potatoes. But not this night. No sir.
Last year table food was not part of her food palette yet.